The Courage to Speak

• Julie Etchingham: Modern Slavery

  Journalist, broadcaster and ITV news anchor Julie Etchingham is Leonie Mellinger’s guest in this episode. They discuss the shocking issue of modern slavery, especially the devastating impact it has on victims around the UK. Julie’s reports and documentaries have highlighted modern slavery at home and around the world, in places like Nigeria, Italy and the Philippines. She made a documentary on women kept as slaves in domestic servitude in London. Victims of modern slavery, especially those who are being sexually exploited, might face violence or threats, be forced into inescapable debt, or have their passport taken away. Many fall into this trap when trying to escape poverty, improve their lives or support their families. In this conversation Julie discusses some of the places that modern slavery may occur in plain sight across the country, including nail bars, car washes and in agriculture. Global charity Anti-Slavery International has identified seven categories: human trafficking, forced labour, bonded labour, people who are born into slavery, child slavery, forced or early marriage and domestic servitude. Julie has moderated several conferences on the subject, including at the Vatican with Pope Francis. She is on the advisory board for the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre and she won an award from the Human Trafficking Foundation for her reporting on cuckooing in the UK. As one of our most accomplished and experienced presenters, Julie is best known for anchoring ITV’s News at Ten and co-hosting their coverage at many of the nation’s biggest events. These include prime ministerial debates, royal weddings and funerals, and the coronation of King Charles III.  She has twice been named Presenter of the Year by the Royal Television Society and was the first woman to win that award. If you would like to discuss sponsorship or advertising on The Courage to Speak, please email the podcast team: [email protected]⁠. Follow us: on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@the_couragetospeak⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠@leoniemellinger⁠⁠⁠⁠ or Leonie’s X and LinkedIn accounts. The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd. It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick. Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.

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• Amanda Barrie: My Life With Dyslexia

  Dyslexia has been a serious issue for actress Amanda Barrie throughout her 75-year career, especially when she had to learn scripts for theatre, film and TV. In this hugely entertaining conversation, Amanda tells Leonie Mellinger about how the condition became a “nightmare” and about the techniques she then developed to cope with it. Her new autobiography I’m Still Here was recently published to coincide with her 90th birthday and it tells the story of a most extraordinary life. Having lied about her age and moved into a hostel in Soho as a 13 year old, Amanda performed in dance, review, cabaret and television in the 1940s and ‘50s. That was followed by long spells on stage as a lead actress in the West End and major touring productions, while also appearing in many films including her iconic lead role in Carry On Cleo. Amanda then established herself as one of the best loved characters on television - Alma in Coronation Street.  She was a key member of the cast for 13 years until Alma’s dramatic departure in 2001. She also lived with two secrets throughout most of her career, secrets which caused great anguish and pain, about which she writes very movingly in the book. Her sexuality, and her dyslexia. This interview focuses mainly on the latter and how she learned to deal with dyslexia in the decades when the condition was rarely recognised, with Amanda struggling to learn scripts amid insinuations of laziness or stupidity. In addition, she discusses the pressure on young actresses in the 1960s, when she developed eating disorders. She describes the special diets that actresses and dancers were advised to adopt and talks about her use of amphetamines to get through the long working days and nights. We also hear about her fear of being open about her sexuality, about being outed while on Coronation Street and how she eventually found great happiness with wife Hilary Bonner. Plus, there are stories about Gordon Ramsay, George Cole and Dora Bryan. If you would like to discuss sponsorship or advertising on The Courage to Speak, please email the podcast team: [email protected]⁠. Follow us: on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@the_couragetospeak⁠⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠@leoniemellinger⁠⁠⁠⁠ or Leonie’s X and LinkedIn accounts. The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd. It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick. Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.

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• Caroline Wheeler: Exposing Britain’s worst health scandal

  This episode is about the national disgrace known as the infected blood scandal. Caroline Wheeler is the political editor of the Sunday Times and for almost a quarter of a century she has been investigating what she describes as “the deadliest man-made disaster in British post-war history.” She joins Leonie Mellinger to discuss her acclaimed book Death in The Blood which exposed the full horror of more than 30,000 people becoming infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products imported from the USA into the NHS. The victims in the 1970s and ‘80s included those who required blood transfusions following routine surgery, childbirth or accidents, plus thousands of haemophiliacs, especially children who died of AIDS. Caroline shares some of the shocking stories she uncovered about individual victims and their families, the politicians and civil servants who turned a blind eye to the emerging scandal, the role of companies who put profit before ethics, and the school where dozens of children were experimented on without their knowledge or consent. She also tells how her passion for justice led to her ‘crossing the Rubicon’ in Parliament when she personally lobbied MPs to vote in favour of a key amendment relating to the campaign. Caroline’s reporting has revealed yet another example of British establishment incompetence, lies, secrecy and cover-ups damaging the lives of tens of thousands of people who have since been seeking justice, compensation and closure. She won journalist of the year, and political journalist of the year, in December 2024 in recognition of her work on this story and her campaigning on behalf of the victims. If you would like to discuss sponsorship or advertising on The Courage to Speak, please email the podcast team: [email protected]⁠. Follow us: on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@the_couragetospeak⁠⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠⁠@leoniemellinger⁠⁠⁠⁠ or Leonie’s X and LinkedIn accounts. The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd. It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick. Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.

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• Gina Miller: Democracy and Death Threats

  Campaigner and businesswoman Gina Miller is Leonie Mellinger’s guest in this episode, discussing how she took the governments of Theresa May and Boris Johnson to court, winning on both occasions. Gina explains why she believed they were trying to illegally prevent Parliament from scrutinising proposed Brexit legislation. She is also remarkably candid about the terrifying abuse and death threats that she and her family received after she dared to fight for British democracy. She also speaks about her long, successful career as an entrepreneur, a passionate advocate for women’s rights in the workplace, a campaigner to end financial misconduct and her work on the Modern-Day Slavery Bill. And Miller talks through some of the many difficult personal situations she’s faced, including escaping an abusive relationship, being raped just before her final law exams and bringing up a daughter who tragically suffered brain damage during her birth. Gina is now being treated for a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer but this extremely powerful, inspirational interview demonstrates that her energy and passion for fighting injustice remain at astonishingly high levels. If you would like to discuss sponsorship or advertising on The Courage to Speak, please email the podcast team: [email protected]⁠.  Follow us: on Instagram ⁠⁠@the_couragetospeak⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@leoniemellinger⁠⁠⁠ or Leonie’s X and LinkedIn accounts. The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd. It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick. Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.

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• Sir Michael Palin: Stammering Therapy and Seeing The World

  Leonie Mellinger’s guest is Sir Michael Palin, one of the most loved and respected figures in British TV and film. From the Frost Report, Monty Python and Ripping Yarns, through The Missionary, A Fish Called Wanda and The Death of Stalin, to Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole and now Venezuela, Sir Michael has been a fixture on our big and small screens for more than 60 years. He joins Leonie to talk about the organisation that bears his name and which has enjoyed his support since it was founded, The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering. They discuss its impact and how he became involved in the first place, while Leonie shares her and her daughter’s own experience of the centre’s important work. Michael also talks about how a stammer affected his father and their family life and reflects on playing Ken with a stammer in the iconic comedy film, A Fish Called Wanda. They chat about his recent travel series in Venezuela, undertaken at the age of 81, and the prospect of military intervention against President Nicolás Maduro’s regime by Donald Trump’s America. Sir Michael also reflects on his friendship with the late Terry Jones, the loss of his wife Helen and how he's coping with his grief. And, of course, there are entertaining stories and the suggestion that he should one day be designated the patron saint of silliness! The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering provides life-changing therapy for children who stammer, helping them find their voice and unlock their potential. They help 500 families a year and provide 250 new families with a charitably funded assessment every year. The centre’s therapists develop a personalised programme including individual or intensive group therapy. For more information on The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering and please visit their website michaelpalincentreforstammering.org. If you would like to discuss sponsorship or advertising on The Courage to Speak, please email the podcast team: [email protected]⁠ Follow us: on Instagram ⁠⁠@the_couragetospeak⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@leoniemellinger⁠⁠⁠ or Leonie’s X and LinkedIn accounts. The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd. It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick. Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.

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