We've had so many requests to carry on the agony aunt specials post-summer, that we're going to!

This one is about friendship. And more specifically, the end of a friendship.

If you've ever felt the anguished heartbreak of the end of a close platonic relationship, this one's for you...

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Anna Motz is the internationally-acclaimed therapist they make movies about.

For thirty years, she's treated violent women in prisons from London to New York, bringing us her wisdom through her clear-sighted and compassionate writing. Anna's high profile case studies include Baby P, Victoria Climbie and Gypsy-Rose Blanchard, and remind us of the truth behind the headlines.

Anna's warmth and humanity shine through in this conversation, as well as her own anger towards the systems which tell only part of the story. Her latest book, If Love Could Kill, exposes the disturbing truth behind female violence. And how misogyny, abuse and exploitation are knitted into the narrative.

On another note...

Day Retreat Alert

Feeling scorched by the summer? Or needing something to spice up a bleak autumn? Look no further. WAM promised you a workshop day... And we're so excited to now bring you exactly this.

We've teamed up with the gorgeous Ease Retreats to offer you a cosy refuge in the idyll of rural Oxfordshire. Come join us, as we make feelings fashionable with our workshop:

Your Feelings, Your Superpower.

We take an emotional deep-dive for the day, holding each other's hand (metaphorically if you prefer) feeding you cake (if you eat cake) and supporting you to explore it all - from rage to fear to love. And everything in between. This is group therapy with a difference. This is safety, this is sisterhood. This is an opportunity to connect with your emotional apparatus, with your personal life toolkit - and learn just how much power, capability and confidence you possess.

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DJ Paulette is a legend of the UK's dance music scene. She's one of the nation's first black female DJs, revered for her unmatched charisma behind the decks. Her memoir, Welcome To The Club, launched earlier this year, and lifts the lid on the misogyny and racism of the music industry, whilst honouring the frequently unseen women ensuring the turntable stays spinning.

In this episode, Paulette discusses the need to speak up, and her feelings about the pressure to do so. She talks of the childhood which both equipped and didn't equip her for the fight which lay ahead, the paths not travelled, and the importance of a fabulous lipstick.

DJ Paulette. We salute you.

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Does any of the following ring true:

You could have been PM, if you didn't have to sort out so many nits and asthmas inhalers.

You need your female friends possibly more than you need your own lungs.

Guilt is much more available to you than anger.

Without your sense of humour, you'd be dead.

If so, listen up!

PS If naked men suddenly walking into your conversation scare you, this is a trigger warning.

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Kathy Lette IS a superpower. Not only has she penned 20 novels, she's got thee honorary doctorates and has a cocktail named after her.

In this episode, she stuns us with her brilliance, wit, expansive mind and love of other women. She talks being mansplained, condescended to, and bucking expectations.

Kathy's latest novel, The Revenge Club, is described by comedian Jo Brand as 'Fast moving and frothing with the fun kind of female fury'. It tells a joyful tale of women whose careers have been variously destroyed by men, deciding to get even.

We're addicted to Kathy's energy, belief in the sisterhood and wisdom. She brings it all to us here by the bucket load. Get involved!

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Do you adore RHONY? And do you adore Carole Radziwill? Then you'd better get yourselves here.

It's such a thrill to have Carole with us, and she doesn't disappoint. She talks being part of an aristocratic dynasty, how she navigated the greatest tragedy of her life, and the tear-down of women by the patriarchy.

This ep of WAM lifts the lid on life behind the scenes of the huge reality TV show, including the envy and desire for destruction which haven't changed much since the days of Austen or Wharton. The tragedy in Carole's own life is beautifully documented in her book, What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship and Love, of which Oprah writes, 'Radziwill gets at the essence of what matters - friendship, compassion, destiny.' We explore the emotional impact of Carole's experiences, and hear about what makes her mad...

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We are like two kids in a sweet shop today. Nina Stibbe has been our long-time girl crush, and this is our TayTay moment. Nina's new book, Went To London, Took The Dog: The Diary of a 60-Year-Old Runaway is out in paperback this week, and we urge you all to get ye to a copy ASAP.

Nina brings her special blend of wit and warmth to this convo, which roams across such diverse topics as having a mental age of 11, her prudishness around sex and the response of certain men to her success as a writer. Nina's work was recently adapted by Nick Hornby into the hit BBC1 show Love, Nina starring Helena Bonham Carter, and feels in general like a deep and hilarious heart-to-heart with your dearest gal pal. Nina Stibbe is the absolute bomb.

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Today, we talk to the powerhouse that is Jennifer Esposito. Actor, writer, producer and director of the summer's most-talked about cinematic debut Fresh Kills, Esposito is an unstoppable force. And we want more more more.

In this episode, we talk women's compulsive need to apologise, and what that does to us and our self-worth. Esposito discusses what she's done to break that cycle, and to help other women do the same. We talk the realities of being a woman in Hollywood, and what it takes to get a project like Fresh Kills to the screen. In Esposito's case, 15 years and re-mortgaged home.

Fresh Kills is currently in cinemas across the US and is an absolute life-changer. Hurry to watch, our friends across the pond!

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Poorna Bell is a gladiator.

In her real life, and also in the way she courageously handles her most painful and confronting emotions.

In this conversation, we explore Poorna's experience of her own rage, from the smallest transgressions related to parking spaces and the crush to exit planes, to the heartbreaking anguish of losing her partner to addiction. Poorna shares how her relationship with exercise, and particularly wrestling, challenges conditioned bonds of femininity, and offers her psychological release.

About our guest:

Poorna ia an award-winning journalist, author and former UK Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. Poorna has published three non-fiction books, and her second novel, This Is Fine, is out this month! We were lucky enough to be sent early copies, and absolutely devoured it. We know that you will love this woman and her work as much as we do.

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What makes psychotherapist and writer Philippa Perry really mad? Online admin, self-service check outs and you'd better not call her 'feisty'. 

With a unique blend of acerbic wit and radical empathy, Philippa brings fascinating insight to the many different ways the patriarchy messes with our sanity. From men telling us we're not feeling what we're feeling to being judged for the way we dress (asking for it!) and the fact that we will NEVER be taken as seriously as a man...especially if we're driving a car.

About our guest:

Philippa Perry is a national treasure. This psychotherapist, writer, broadcaster and agony aunt has put the nation (nay the world) on the couch. Her best-selling book 'The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read', has sold more than 1.3 million copies worldwide. She has presented several TV documentaries and her latest publication is ‘The Book You Want Everyone You Love To Read.’ She is an agony aunt for both Red Magazine and The Observer serving up regular doses of warmth and wisdom in answer to the public's conundrums.

Presenters: Jennifer Cox & Salima Saxton

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Emma Gannon is a prodigy. From her Sunday Times bestselling non-fiction titles The Success Myth and Multi-Hyphen Method to her award-winning podcast CtrlAltDelete, she easily secured her Forbes' 30 under 30 ranking. Emma's new book 'A Year of Nothing' gives a moving account of why she had no choice but to switch off, go underground, and find joy and wisdom in mundane pleasures. Described as the 'voice of a generation' by Eat Pray Love's Elizabeth Gilbert, she enchants her audience with wisdom and insight. Which she brought to this episode by the bucketload. We adored hearing about why she loves crying, how she doesn't let anger burn her out and how she's still working on her boundaries.

SHOW NOTES:

A bit more about Emma Gannon...

Emma Gannon is a Sunday Times bestselling and award-winning author of non-fiction (The Success Myth) and novels (OLIVE) published by HarperCollins & Penguin. Her new book A Year of Nothing is OUT NOW. A former columnist for The Sunday Times, Emma has written for Vanity Fair, ELLE, Vogue, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Stylist and Harper’s Bazaar.

Her newsletter The Hyphen is the #5th most popular literature Substack globally. It is one of the first newsletters in the UK to have thousands of paid subscribers. Alongside writing, she hosts creativity retreats in the UK and globally.

Emma's new book 'A Year of Nothing' is a moving account of why she had no choice but to switch off, go underground, and find joy and wisdom in mundane pleasures. Split over two books and four seasons, Emma writes with warmth about dog borrowing, dopamine dressing, learning how to swim (again), choosing to be child free, tuning into nature and much more. https://www.poundproject.co.uk/shop/a-year-of-nothing

Presenters: Jennifer Cox & Salima Saxton

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It was while working for Comedy Central that Cally Beaton had a chance conversation with the late, great Joan Rivers, then 81. Rivers inspired her to ditch the high-powered job as a TV exec and follow her dream. So it was that as a 45 year old single parent, Cally first took to the stage, quickly cementing her position as one of the most exciting and original new stand-ups in the UK.

In this conversation with the deeply authentic Cally we talk about the breakdown she had in her mid forties and how she recovered from it. As she says, 'the coping strategies I'd used for the first 45 of my years weren't working so I had to find new ones.'

We also analyse why she, like many women, finds it so hard to access her anger and the power of actually sitting with your emotions, no matter how hard it is.

Cally's hit podcast show Namaste Motherfuckers brings together the worlds of self-help and business and deftly showcases her talent for connection and empathy. We get bucket loads of that here. If you're looking to bring some wit and wisdom into your life, look no further.

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The winter gets a bad rap. But here at WAM, we know what's what. We know the cruel kick the summer can deliver. It's long, it's lonely, it's emotionally fraught. While we're all allegedly having such a damn good time.

Today, we extend a helping hand 'cross the wildfires of the season, and bring you another special ep to ease the load. WAM hunkers down beside you, offers you some raspberry ripple, and holds your hand while you dip a toe in that probably quite icy water.

Coz WAMsters, we're in this together.

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Clover Stroud is all about big landscapes and big feelings. Through her writing, she consistently and poignantly captures the smallness and largeness of life - from The Wild Other to this year's The Giant On The Skyline. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss everything from pulling dirty clothes from under beds to how we live alongside tragedy.

Clover's new book is out now!

The Giant on the Skyline: A stunning memoir about the meaning of home from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Red of my Blood.

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Claire Cohen is one of the foremost voices of this generation on the female experience. She writes on everything from friendship to our physical suffering. Her book BFF: The Truth About Female Friendships explores the reality of maintaining and even sometimes ending friendships, interviewing the likes of Emma Barnett and Pandora Sykes, to form a manifesto on the relationships which get us through.

Claire's award-winning journalism has set the campaigning agenda for women's health, on topics from endometriosis to medical sexism. She writes regularly for The Times, The Guardian and Vogue, winning the British Society of Magazine Editors' Womens' Editor Of The Year Award. Listen in to find yourself a new BFF.

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Pro-ageing storyteller and Hollywood screenwriter Heidi Clements is an oracle of wisdom and honesty. She uses social media to dispense her incredible learnings on life and love whilst getting dressed in fashion-forward accoutrements. There's something powerful about this intimate act; the creation of a safe, shared, feminine space. She has so much to teach about understanding, compassion and not standing for bullsh*t. To Women Are Mad, this woman is an icon. If you haven't yet heard what she has to say, you're going to want to.

Recorded in February 2024

TW: Sexual abuse

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Join us for a vibrant discussion about justice and womanhood with woman of the hour Kelechi Okafor. Kelechi Okafor is an actor, writer and social commentator. Her book Edge of Here explores with limitless scope the experience of contemporary Black womanhood. Whilst her children's book Strong Like Me encourages children to celebrate all forms of strength. In this episode, Kelechi Okafor brings her unrivalled insight and laser-sharp thinking to issues of race, justice and womanhood.

It's not often you hear women carving out a space to dig deep into race politics. Especially with warmth, love and humour. Kelechi Okafor sets a high but exceptionally inclusive bar.

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Jessica Knappett is a comedian, actress and writer, who’s wowed us in some of the best British comedy of this century, from Avoidance to Taskmaster to the Inbetweeners movie to her own long-running sitcom Drifters. In this episode the extremely talented Jessica Knappett talks about having it all (or not) and passive aggression from people and furniture.

Knappett is the creator, writer, executive producer, and star of the E4 sitcom Drifters, in which she played Meg. She has described the show as a semi-autobiographical and therapeutic re-writing of her own history.

Knappett played Lisa in The Inbetweeners Movie and appeared in the Alan Partridge Movie Alpha Papa and the TV film Irreversible. Jessica's appearances on panel shows include 8 Out of 10 Cats, Hypothetical, and The Last Leg. She was a contestant on the seventh season of Dave's comedy gameshow Taskmaster, falling off the stage during a task in one episode. The stage extension was later named The Knappett in her honour.

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The memoirist Bryony Gordon is unparalleled in using her talent to bring the raw honesty of her experiences to other women. Generosity and a desire to help others shines through and defines her copious achievements. In this episode, Bryony talks everything from running with boobs to bullying. Bryony's new book, Mad Woman is the hotly anticipated follow-up to bestseller, Mad Girl.

Since 2006, Gordon has written the "Notebook" column which appears each Thursday in The Daily Telegraph, as well as additional special features. In 2007, Gordon was shortlisted for Young Journalist of the Year, at the British Press Awards.

In June 2014, Gordon published her first book, The Wrong Knickers: A Decade of Chaos, a memoir. In 2016, Gordon published her second book, Mad Girl, a memoir about her struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia, alopecia and drug dependency.

This episode was recorded in March 2024.

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Stacey Duguid speaks her mind. And we love it. She’s a wise and welcome voice in the notoriously fickle world of fashion. Here, she shares her feelings on everything from parenting to Instagram oversteps.

In 2004, Stacey joined British ELLE as Fashion Editor and during this time, she wrote the award-winning column, Mademoiselle, Confessions of an ELLE girl. Featuring on the back cover of ELLE for half a decade, the column was a fictionalised version of her life as a single woman living in London. She was the Fashion Editor of British ELLE magazine for 10 years. Stacey is regularly commissioned to write for the Sunday Times Style, where she trials fashion trends with her signature humour.

Stacey’s debut book, In Pursuit of Happiness, is an honest and often humorous journey of divorce and dating, or, of mating, motherhood, marriage, money and mayhem.

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Laura Dockrill could just be our favourite human ever.

Her humanity, intelligence and wisdom shine through in her children's books, but we also love what happens when Laura offers this up to adults. From her performance poetry, to What Have I Done? (which explores Laura's own experience of postpartum psychosis) to her latest book I Love You I Love You I Love You. Where Laura's whip-smart writing captures the pain, highs and nostalgia of adolescent love with heady accuracy.

To speak with Laura is to be transported into this same world of realness and passion. Laura Dockrill knows how to see. And she knows how to live.

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Alison Spittle is has an eye for the absurd. From her stand-up to her TV work to her play-writing, Alison offers a new angle. Much of her anger focuses on injustice, and she talks to us about the misogyny and harassment she’s faced within her industry. As well as what she’s done about it. 

Voted one of British Comedy Guide’s best reviewed artists of the Edinburgh Fringe, this funny woman has appeared on You’re Dead To Me, Guilty Feminist and The Gargle. She’s the co-host of BBC Sounds’ hugely popular Wheel of Misfortune podcast with Kerry Katona. She's currently on tour around the UK with her ridiculously funny show Soup, centred around her love of this hot liquidy food stuff.

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Rebecca Reid's journalistic truth-telling and infamous debates with Piers Morgan are the stuff of legend. Her book, The Power of Rude, is a WAM must-read.

When journalist Rebecca Reid sushed a man who was speaking over her on Good Morning Britain the tabloids labelled her as ‘Rude Rebecca’. Tarred with this label, she got to wondering if the fear of being rude is actually holding women back?

In her brilliant book, The Power of Rude, Rebecca discusses the way women are constantly worrying about being polite. And how the fear of being rude leads us to uncomfortable and even self-destructive situations. For example, the woman who let her cousin practice kissing on her (because she didn't want to be rude!) and the vegan woman who ate an entire pork chop (because she didn't want to be rude!).

Join us as we discuss how this inability to be ‘rude’ results in pent up anger. And we explore how refreshing and releasing it can be to say what you actually think.

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British comedian and author Shaparak Khorsandi has a rare talent for bringing the unlikely together in a seamless and poignant way. In this episode, she deftly uses the skill to steer us through the reality of romance, and what repressing her rage has meant for her life and career. A must-listen.

Trigger warning: sexual assault

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If school successfully killed your love of poetry, Donna Ashworth is the woman to resurrect it. Donna's ability to absolutely capture the joy and pain of daily life has in turn captured the nation's hearts, as evidenced by her bestselling anthologies. Here, Donna talks us through what makes her mad, from family role-casting to women tearing each other down. We absolutely fell in love with Donna's clarity of thought and passion, and we're sure you will too.

Note: The intro to this episode was recorded December 2023. The interview with Donna was recorded in October 2023.

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Minna Dubin is the author of bestselling Mom Rage: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood. We discuss how Minna’s candid exploration of her own anger during the pandemic resonated with women across the globe. Along the way we dig into the importance of female friendship and how men get scared when we express the full spectrum of our emotions.

Recorded on 20th September 2023

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Our guest this week personifies both resilience and kindness. Through her own struggles, she offers hope to others. From her ambassadorship of mental health and homelessness charities, to her newly forged comedy career, this woman never stops giving. Gail Porter’s anger is directed mostly towards social injustice, and she targets little of it towards those who have wronged her. We were bowled over by this woman, and think you will be too.

Episode recorded: Monday 9th October 2023

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Hop aboard for another WAM Agony Aunt Special!

Trigger warning : FEELINGS will be discussed...

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Soraya Chemaly is the feminist voice of our time. Her extraordinary capacity to see the whole picture with unrivalled clarity serves as an inspiration to us all. Soraya's authenticity and bravery are beacons of light in a turbulent global situation, and her book Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger, is our bible at WAM HQ. 

This conversation was recorded on 6th October 2023 and covers a range of topics from how men react to women's anger and the power that anger has to drive change.

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This episode is a Women's Health Special. Our guest has brought the menopause into public conversation. Now, she's bringing it to ours. Her tireless work and dedication to women's health is awe-inspiring. But this wouldn't be Women Are Mad without asking Dr Louise Newson what makes HER angry. From medical gaslighting, to the shutdown she faces within the profession, Dr Newson shares all. As well as some great tips to listeners for managing their own hormonal health. 

Recorded in September 2023

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Do you love Motherland? Then you're going to love our convo with show writer Helen Serafinowicz! Helen shares what makes her mad, from ghosts to kitchen extensions to the sound of people eating. To the realities of campaigning to amend abortion laws. Helen is wry, sharp and, much like her hit TV show, highly relatable.

Recorded on 25th September 2023

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From Footballers Wives to Walford, Laila Rouass is a stalwart of British screens. We ask how she navigates emotion behind the tabloids flashbulb, and get the lowdown on steering a family through the minefield of celebrity.

Rouass is warm and witty and beautiful on the inside. As well as on the outside. Which, never fear, we do interrogate!

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As promised, we've finally got the WAM Agony Aunt service off the ground. Kicking off with a listener's dilemma: namely, constantly comparing herself to others.

Tune in if this feels familiar. Or even if it doesn't. Maybe you'll just feel smug and very evolved. Either way, it's win-win!

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Nell Hudson: actor, writer, jazz singer, feminist.

You've loved watching her in Outlander, Victoria and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. You've loved listening to her at Ronnie Scott's and on tour with Jools Holland. You've adored her writing in Just For Today. Now you can enjoy her mini seminar on what makes her furious. Nell is truly the voice of her generation, on everything from the pleasure gap to sexual staring, to men pretending they fancy her dog when they actually fancy her.

Her points are compellingly articulate and productive. And we want more more more.

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Laura Smyth is scaling the heights. Whether you've seen her on Jonathan Ross or Baby Reindeer, you'll definitely have seen her. And you'll definitely be seeing much more of her. Of that, we have no doubt. Today, Laura talks us through her thoughts on virtue signalling, class complexity and nerves manifesting as rage. Laura pushes the envelope and we can't wait to see where it takes her next.

patreon.com/WomenAreMad

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Your fave agony pals are back. And today, they're scaling the rigging and frantically bailing. Coz this ship is going down! Or is it? Today, we look into the causes of anxiety, and try to see it a little differently. We also set YOU, dear listener, a September challenge...

patreon.com/WomenAreMad

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Marianne Power breaks and mends our hearts in equally beautiful measure. She's vulnerable, she's generous, she's deeply thoughtful.

Here, Marianne explains how her terror of being a bad person translated into physical illness, and how she's trying her hardest (with the help of Gabor Mate) to shake off those shackles.

Her new book, Love Me, absolutely captures everything WE love about Marianne. It's going to be a huge hit, and you need to be a part of that story.

patreon.com/WomenAreMad

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Women. This one is gonna make you wanna throw some stuff. It just is.

Not all men.

But. Always Men.

patreon.com/WomenAreMad

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Lisa Moorish knows music. Since she was 16, she's lived and breathed the London music scene, and says now she can't imagine doing anything else. But she's never sold her story, and leaves us tantalised and ever-intrigued.

Today, she shares her feelings on everything from the patriarchy to possession.

Join Club WAM for member benefits including ad-free listening, discounts on sisterhood circles and choosing our next Substack topic.

patreon.com/womenaremad

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Are you being driven nuts by WhatsApp?

What does this mean?

And what does a group mean, anyway? Do humans like them?

All this... You know the drill.

PLUS join Club WAM for ad-free listening and benefits galore!

patreon/womenaremad

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Forbidden Love

Ever been in love with someone you shouldn't?

Considering embarking on an illicit affair?

Uh-oh, the romance-killers have galloped into town. Don't tune in, if you enjoy deluding yourself you're in some kind of Ephron/Curtis double-bill.

As far as Jen's concerned, love is 9 parts projection, 1 part oxytocin. Salima isn't quite as brutal. But her obsession with Married At First Sight gives her a unique angle on schmaltz.

Hop on, WAMers. We're here for life's every quibble.

Join Club WAM for ad-free listening and MORE!

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