Women Are Mad

We are uncontainably excited to bring you the first instalment of our spin-off treat, 'WAM: Writers On The Couch.'And what more glittery dream than to host Emma Jane Unsworth - author of Slags, Animals (including its screenplay adaptation) Adults and Hungry: The Stars And Everything. Alongside multiple short story collections, and show-running the Sky Atlantic series Dreamland.Here at WAM, we're dedicated to bringing more of what we urgently feel the world needs. 'Writers On The Couch' is long-form, slow radio. Centring the importance of losing the self in creativity and penmanship. And foregrounding women's conversations about the things the world refuses to give weight to, but which quietly keep it turning. Tune in today, to hear Jen interrogate Emma on everything from shame and guilt to 'desire paths' and burying tampons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To wrap up our eighth season, we're joined by the campaigning legend who is Mother Pukka AKA journalist Anna Whitehouse.Anna's story is one familiar to many. She too was trapped in the impossible reality of juggling motherhood and professional life, and one day decided enough was enough. She founded the online platform Mother Pukka for people who 'happen to be parents,' and began her tireless work campaigning for flexible and equitable working rights. In this episode, she reminds us that, even if we don't have the energy to get ourselves photographed at Downing Street, we can all do something.JOIN CLUB WAM ON PATREON FOR AD-FREE LISTENINGBUY JEN'S TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR : OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is the infectiously inspiring TV presenter and celebrity baker Briony May Williams.The first visibly disabled baker on The Great British Bake Off, Briony has gone on to become an established BBC star. She's also a dedicated champion of disability charities, from Reach to Children In Need. We talk today about the initial discomfort of seeing herself as an advocate and representative, and of how growing up in the 80s meant that her formative identity was unequivocally can-do.Briony's first cookbook, The Retro Recipe Society, a veritable bible of comfort food, is out now!JOIN CLUB WAM ON PATREON FOR AD-FREE LISTENINGBUY JEN'S TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR : OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GAM's guest today is the ground-breaking author of young adult fiction, Sophie Jo. Whose most recent book, 'Red Flags' was published in February this year. Sophie Jo is passionate about helping teens understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, and explores these themes through the characters in her novels.Join GAM's own Bea Harmston as she deftly dives into the depths of Sophie Jo's exceptional writing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is the OG firestarter: Shannon Watts, founder of the largest grassroots organisation in the US, Moms Demand Action. From her initial Facebook post the day after the Sandy Hooks massacre, to a membership of 11 million, Shannon has been campaigning for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence since 2012.A true force of nature, Shannon's begun to channel her incredible energy to benefit other women's personal goals. Through her book, Fired Up, and her Firestarter University programme, we now officially have a place to challenge self-imposed limitations, and live out our potential.JOIN CLUB WAM ON PATREON FOR AD-FREE LISTENINGBUY JEN'S TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR : OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.