Sisters of Defiance – Details, episodes & analysis

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Sisters of Defiance

Anita Rani

Society & Culture

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/12d. Total Eps: 14

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

Presented by Anita Rani

Executive Producer: Flossie Barratt

Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith

Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond

Graphic Design / Editor: Sunny Formats

Operation Manager: Suze Azzopardi

Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production.

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

Recent rankings

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23/06/2026
#177
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#167
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#126
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🇬🇧 Great Britain - trending
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https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/
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https://ancientandbrave.earth
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https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet
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RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 84%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

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Latest published episodes

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Sindhu Vee on Refusing An Arranged Marriage, Giving Up Everything For Motherhood & Going From A Stammer to Stand-Up

Season 2 · Episode 1

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 • Duration 01:20:03

Sindhu Vee has one of the most impressive but unexpected CVs in British comedy - she’s been an academic at Oxford University, an investment banker at a global company, became an award-winning standup after having 3 children and has even pivoted into acting. One thing is true; she has never wanted to fit into a box.

In this episode, Sindhu joins Anita to talk about the importance of culture, growing up with a stammer, refusing an arranged marriage and learning from an early age how to see men as her equals. She shares what it was like taking on men in the boardrooms and on the trading floor, leaving everything to become a mother and making the unlikely leap from finance into comedy.

Through it all, she reflects on the rebellious streak that has always been part of who she is - and why following your own intuition is so important.

You can see Sindhu live on her UK tour Swanky here

If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…

Instagram - @sistersofdefiance

Anita - @itsanitarani

Sindhu - @sindhuvee

Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com

00:00 Coming up

00:59 Introduction

02:51 Sindhu questions her defiance

06:11 Growing up in India and breaking the rules

11:03 The scholarship interview

18:28 Sindu's upbringing and family expectations

29:05 Refusing an arranged marriage

38:33 Ancient & Brave ad

40:49 Ancient & Brave Weekly Ritual

44:46 Leaving academia for investment banking

49:23 Navigating a male-dominated workplace

54:19 Overcoming a childhood stammer

59:01 The cost of motherhood

01:06:48 Sindhu’s Swanky tour

01:07:34 What’s next for Sindhu

01:11:53 Library of Wisdom

01:13:55 Dance playlist

01:14:34 Through the portal

01:16:18 Quickfire questions

01:18:48 Outro

Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave

https://ancientandbrave.earth

Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here:

https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/

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

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Sisters of Defiance is BACK for Series 2!

Season 2

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 • Duration 01:39

Sisters, we are so back! Sisters of Defiance, nourished by Ancient + Brave, returns for Series 2, with 10 more extraordinary women joining Anita in her home for honest, funny and emotional conversations about the moments of defiance that have shaped their lives.

There are some very special Sisters lined up for this series, with plenty of stories of courage, rejection, reinvention, resilience and finding the confidence to do things your own way.

Series 2 returns Tuesday 20th October, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday.

In the meantime make sure you:

Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani

Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave

https://ancientandbrave.earth

https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/

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

Zandra Rhodes: Before You Go Out, Put Your Makeup On

Season 1 · Episode 11

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 • Duration 01:14:31

Dame Zandra Rhodes is one of Britain’s most iconic designers, who has shaped the worlds of fashion, art and culture for more than six decades.

In this week's episode, Anita sits down with the woman who's dressed everyone from Freddie Mercury, Diana Ross and Lauren Bacall to British royalty. Zandra reflects on risking everything to chase her dream in America when nobody believed in her, opening her own museum, being a proud workaholic, finding the love of her life in her fifties, and why, even at 85, she still won't leave the house without her makeup.

This is a joyful conversation about living life with creativity, choosing colour over conformity, and having the courage to follow your dreams.

If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…

Instagram - @sistersofdefiance

Anita - @itsanitarani

Zandra - @zandra_rhodes_

Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://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

Davina McCall: Accepting Death Was An Amazing Gift

Season 1 · Episode 10

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 • Duration 01:06:36

Davina McCall has spent decades in the nation's living rooms. From Big Brother to becoming one of Britain's most trusted voices on menopause and women's health, she's built a career on warmth, honesty, and an extraordinary ability to share and make people feel less alone.

Recorded live at Love Supreme Festival, Davina joins Anita for a deeply personal conversation about what happens when life forces you to stop and take stock. From undergoing brain surgery and breast cancer, to facing her own mortality, finding love again, and embracing the possibility of marriage for a second time, she reflects on the moments that have changed her perspective forever.

Together, they discuss the profound impact of losing her sister, why Big Brother will always hold a special place in her heart, and how speaking openly about menopause helped dismantle shame for millions of women. Above all, Davina shares why she's never been afraid to talk about the things so many of us keep hidden - and why finding joy in the everyday has become her greatest act of resilience.

This is a conversation about vulnerability, choosing honesty, and living life to the fullest even in life’s hardest moments.

Content warning: This episode contains discussions about cancer and addiction. 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

NHS Alcohol support - NHS Alcohol support

NHS Drug support - NHS Drug support

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.

If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…

Instagram - @sistersofdefiance

Anita - @itsanitarani

Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at:

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.

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

Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at:

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

Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at:

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 to us on YouTube - https://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

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 to us on YouTube - https://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

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