Sisters of Defiance

Anoushka Shankar is one of the most celebrated musicians of her generation. Born into musical royalty as the daughter of legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar, she has spent more than three decades carving out her artistic identity; pushing the boundaries of Indian classical music, being nominated for 13 Grammy awards, collaborating with artists including Sting, Gorillaz and Lenny Kravitz, and performing on some of the world's biggest stages. But it’s not always been an easy journey.
In this episode, Anoushka joins Anita to talk about identity, legacy, and what it means to choose your own path, even when it's uncomfortable. From growing up under intense public scrutiny to being branded a traitor by some within her own community, surviving childhood sexual abuse, and making the deeply personal decision to have a hysterectomy, she reflects on the moments that forced her to stop living for other people's expectations and start telling her own story.
This is a conversation about pushing boundaries, finding freedom in honesty, and letting go of shame.
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
Anoushka - @anoushkashankarofficial
Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani
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.

Clare Waight Keller has spent her career at the very top of fashion. From starting out at Calvin Klein in the 90s and working alongside Tom Ford at Gucci, to leading Chloé and Givenchy, designing Meghan Markle's wedding dress, and now serving as Global Creative Director at Uniqlo, Clare has helped shape the way generations of women dress.
So how does a girl from Birmingham end up becoming one of the most influential designers in the world?
In this episode, Clare joins Anita to talk about ambition, reinvention, and the difficult choices that come with building a life on your own terms. From leaving home at 17 to navigating motherhood alongside a global career, and leaving companies at the height of her success, she reflects on the moments that defined her, the risks that paid off, and the lessons she's learned from starting over.
This is a conversation about trusting your instincts, embracing change, and having the confidence to choose growth over comfort.
If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…
Instagram - @sistersofdefiance
Anita - @itsanitarani
Clare - @clarewaightkeller
Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani
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.

Singer, songwriter, and performer Beverley Knight is one of Britain's most celebrated artists and a woman who has spent her career breaking boundaries on her own terms.
Beverley and Anita talk about the ambition and determination that have carried her through more than three decades in the music industry. From a life-changing trip to see Prince in concert that would eventually lead to an extraordinary friendship with her musical hero, to forging a path as a Black British soul artist in the 1990s, Beverley reflects on the experiences that taught her to trust her instincts and stay true to herself.
She speaks candidly about navigating an industry that often struggled to make space for her, her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and HIV awareness, and the resilience it took to weather criticism without compromising her values. We also discuss her award-winning move into musical theatre, including her portrayal of Emmeline Pankhurst in Sylvia, and why she's more excited than ever to explore new creative challenges.
This is a conversation about longevity, reinvention, and the importance of believing in yourself, even when other people don't.
If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…
Instagram - @sistersofdefiance
Anita - @itsanitarani
Beverley - @beverleyknight
Subscribe to us on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani
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.

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/@itsanitarani
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/@itsanitarani
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.