Sisters of Defiance – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Sisters of Defiance

Anita Rani

Society & Culture

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/7d. Total Eps: 12

Welcome to Sisters of Defiance with Anita Rani, nourished by Ancient + Brave.

The show celebrating women who have challenged expectations and refused to play safe.

Through raw, honest conversations, Anita sits down with some of the most courageous, groundbreaking women of our time; women whose names you know, but whose stories have rarely been told.

Together they explore ambition, identity, resilience, and the moments of defiance that shaped their lives: the risks they took, the plans they disrupted, and what it really took to keep going.

Featuring brilliant women from across culture, business, entertainment, and beyond, Sisters of Defiance explores what happens when women stop asking for permission and start rewriting the script.

Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave.

Subscribe on YouTube www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇬🇧 Great Britain - personalJournals
24/08/2026
#15
🇬🇧 Great Britain - personalJournals
23/08/2026
#13
🇬🇧 Great Britain - personalJournals
22/08/2026
#12
🇬🇧 Great Britain - personalJournals
21/08/2026
#8
🇬🇧 Great Britain - societyAndCulture
21/08/2026
#90
🇩🇪 Germany - personalJournals
21/08/2026
#97
🇬🇧 Great Britain - personalJournals
20/08/2026
#11
🇫🇷 France - personalJournals
20/08/2026
#99
🇨🇦 Canada - personalJournals
19/08/2026
#97
🇬🇧 Great Britain - personalJournals
19/08/2026
#10

Spotify

🇬🇧 Great Britain - trending
23/06/2026
#177
↘
🇬🇧 Great Britain - trending
22/06/2026
#167
↘
🇬🇧 Great Britain - trending
21/06/2026
#126
↘
🇬🇧 Great Britain - trending
20/06/2026
#112
→

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet
22 shares
https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet&nbsp
5 shares
http://rapecrisis.org.uk
3 shares

http://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani
12 shares
https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani
9 shares
http://www.youtube.com/@AnitaRaniExplores
1 share

https://www.instagram.com/itsanitarani
7 shares
https://www.instagram.com/sistersofdefiance
7 shares
https://www.instagram.com/fatiha.elghorri
1 share

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

Excellent

Score global : 94%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

Introducing Sisters of Defiance, with Anita Rani

Season 1

Monday, May 18, 2026 • Duration 03:22

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.

Subscribe 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

Graphic Design: Sunny Formats

Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read moreCollapse

Meera Syal: The Thing That Made Me Lonely IS My Superpower

Season 1 · Episode 1

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 • Duration 01:13:45

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 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

Graphic Design: Sunny Formats

Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production.

Emma Grede: Other People’s Opinions Are Not My Business

Season 1 · Episode 2

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 • Duration 59:12

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 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

Graphic Design: Sunny Formats

Gisèle Pelicot: I Don’t Want To Be Destroyed By Hate

Season 1 · Episode 3

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 • Duration 36:29

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

Fatiha El-Ghorri: I’m Self-Made, Nobody Gave Me Sh*t

Season 1 · Episode 4

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 • Duration 01:16:19

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

Anoushka Shankar: People Called Me A Traitor

Season 1 · Episode 7

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 • Duration 01:21:25

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.

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 -

Clare Waight Keller: You Live One Life, Live It For Yourself

Season 1 · Episode 6

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 • Duration 01:29:02

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 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

Beverley Knight: I Always Bet On Myself

Season 1 · Episode 5

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 • Duration 01:09:57

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 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

Paris Paloma: Patriarchy Is The Crack Running Through Our Lives

Season 1 · Episode 8

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • Duration 01:10:57

Paris Paloma has cemented herself as one of the most exciting new voices in music. Her breakout hit Labour became a global feminist anthem, giving millions of women a language for experiences they'd struggled to put into words. Now, after touring with Florence + The Machine and building a devoted worldwide fanbase, she's showing that the most powerful protest songs don't always have to shout.

In this episode, Paris joins Anita to talk about growing up rejecting traditional ideas of femininity and why she no longer identifies with the label of 'tomboy'. She opens up about living with OCD and her mental health, rejecting diet culture, and what it means to create art in a world that still judges women through the male gaze.

Together, Anita and Paris explore feminism, the rise of the manosphere and red-pill culture, the misogynistic backlash she's faced online, and why, despite writing songs fuelled by righteous anger, Paris believes softness can be one of the most radical forms of resistance.

This is a conversation about reclaiming womanhood, rejecting societal expectations, and finding strength without sacrificing tenderness.

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…

Anita - @itsanitarani

Paris -

Rose Ayling-Ellis: I’m Not Broken, The World Isn’t Built Right

Season 1 · Episode 9

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • Duration 01:11:55

Rose Ayling-Ellis has become one of the most influential voices for disability and inclusion in Britain. After rising to fame playing Frankie Lewis in EastEnders–the soap's first deaf character to use British Sign Language–she became a household name after winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, where her silent dance with Giovanni Pernice became a huge cultural moment. Since then she's taken on her first lead TV role in ITV's Code of Silence, won a BAFTA, and received an MBE for services to the deaf community.

But none of it came easily.

In this episode, Rose joins Anita to talk about a lifetime of fighting to be heard. From advocating for herself in the classroom as a child to challenging discrimination in the TV and film industry today, she reflects on the barriers she's faced, the assumptions people still make, and why she's refused to let other people's limitations define her.

Together, they explore the loneliness of feeling caught between worlds - not "deaf enough" for some, yet constantly navigating a world that isn't built with disability in mind. Rose opens up about imposter syndrome, feeling unworthy of milestones like her BAFTA and MBE, why she's so often underestimated, and her determination to live life on her own terms. They also discuss why the fight for true representation is far from over, and why diversity must be intersectional.

This is a conversation about resilience, breaking systems and refusing to let anyone else decide what you're capable of.

Sisters of Defiance – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Sisters of Defiance – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other10

Youtube3

Instagram8

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other10

Youtube3

Instagram8

Apple Podcasts

Spotify