Sisters of Defiance

Fatiha El-Ghorri has taken the British comedy scene by storm over the past few years. Her wit, candour and fierce sense of self have made her one of the most distinctive voices in British comedy.
In this week's episode, Fatiha reflects on the defining acts of defiance that have shaped her life. She talks about leaving an arranged marriage she knew wasn't right for her, rebuilding her life after divorce, and spending four years in a women's shelter. She also shares what it was like growing up feeling like an outsider, navigating racism and how stand-up comedy became an unexpected route to freedom.
The conversation explores a deeply personal chapter of Fatiha's life, as she opens up about being diagnosed with endometrial cancer and the decision to undergo a hysterectomy. Along the way, Anita and Fatiha discuss representation in comedy, the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry, and the mindset that has carried her through life's toughest moments: "What's yours will never miss you."
This is a conversation about taking up space, refusing to shrink yourself for others, and learning that sometimes the most defiant thing you can do is trust yourself.
Content warning: This episode contains discussions about cancer. We know these experiences can be difficult to hear about, so please listen in the way that feels right for you. If you need support, or if this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, you'll find details of organisations that can help below.
Macmillan Cancer Support - 0808 808 0000 - macmillan.org.uk
Samaritans - 116 123 - samaritans.org
If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…
Instagram - @sistersofdefiance
Anita - @itsanitarani
Fatiha - @fatiha.elghorri
You can get tickets to Fatiha’s Cockney Stacking Doll tour here
Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com

Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave
https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet

Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Flossie Barratt
Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith
Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond
Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gisèle Pelicot has emerged as one of the most influential feminist voices of current times. Her extraordinary courage has sparked conversations around the world about justice, dignity, and the treatment of survivors of sexual violence.
After becoming the central figure in a landmark French rape trial, Gisèle made the remarkable decision to waive her anonymity, choosing instead to speak openly about the abuse she endured after being repeatedly drugged by her husband over many years. Her actions transformed a deeply personal trauma into a broader public discussion about consent, accountability, and societal attitudes toward violence against women.
In this moving conversation, Gisèle reflects on resilience, the impact of public scrutiny, and the strength it takes to reclaim one's voice after trauma. She shares her perspective on the importance of truth, the impact of the women who supported her, and the lessons she hopes future generations will carry forward.
We also discuss her memoir, A Hymn to Life, in which she reflects on her experience, the pursuit of justice, and the path toward rebuilding a life after unimaginable betrayal.
Content warning: This episode contains discussions about rape, sexual assault and sexual violence. We know these experiences can be difficult to hear about, so please listen in the way that feels right for you. If you need support, or if this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, you'll find details of organisations that can help below.
Rape Crisis England & Wales - 0808 500 2222 - rapecrisis.org.uk
The Survivors Trust - 0808 801 0818 - thesurvivorstrust.org
If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…
Instagram - @sistersofdefiance
Anita - @itsanitarani
Gisèle - @gisele_pelicot
You can get Gisèle’s book, A Hymn To Life here
Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com

Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave
https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet

Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Flossie Barratt
Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith
Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond
Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Grede has built some of the most influential brands of the modern era, but behind the businesses and boardroom is a woman who has never been afraid to question who gets to lead, who’s allowed to speak openly about ambition, or to take up space.
In this episode of Sisters of Defiance, Anita sits down with Emma to talk about power, money, motherhood, resilience, and the defining moments that shaped her extraordinary rise. From growing up in East London to building global brands and becoming one of the most respected entrepreneurs in business, Emma reflects on the risks she took and the mindset that helped her forge her own path on her own terms.
This is a conversation about what happens when women stop apologising for wanting more and start owning their ambition without shame. This one is for anyone ready to think bigger.
If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…
Instagram - @sistersofdefiance
Anita - @itsanitarani
Emma - @emmagrede
Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com

Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave
https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet

Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Flossie Barratt
Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith
Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond
Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dame Meera Syal has graced our screens, bookshelves, and stages for decades - but behind the wit, brilliance, and groundbreaking work is a woman who has spent her life quietly and powerfully defying expectations.

In the very first episode of Sisters of Defiance, Anita sits down with Meera to talk about identity, ambition, belonging, and what it meant to grow up feeling caught between cultures while trying to forge a path that didn’t yet exist for women like her. From the creation of Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 to navigating a divorce in a culture which views it as deeply shameful, Meera reflects on the highs, the challenges, the moments that shaped her voice, and all the work still to come. If you can’t be what you can’t see, thank god Anita saw Meera aged 14. This one is personal.

If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…
Instagram - @sistersofdefiance
Anita - @itsanitarani
Meera - @meera.syal

Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com

Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave
https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet

Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Flossie Barratt
Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith
Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond
Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when women stop playing safe? In Sisters of Defiance nourished by Ancient + Brave, Anita Rani sits down with extraordinary women who have challenged expectations, broken rules, taken risks and refused to live according to anybody else’s idea of who they should be.

Through honest, joyful conversations, guests reflect on the moments that made them: the first acts of defiance, the failures, the turning points, and what it really took to keep going when life got complicated.
Here we celebrate women who’ve gone their own way, who have taken the reins and pushed for change.

This is about sharing wisdom passed down through generations, and hearing from women who have been bold enough to say ‘no’ and ‘yes’ when it matters most.

To all the former little girls who refused to sit quietly in the corner looking pretty: this is your invitation to live life on your own terms.

All 10 episodes of Series 1 will drop weekly on Tuesdays.

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com

Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave
https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet

Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Flossie Barratt
Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith
Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond
Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.