Women Are Mad – Details, episodes & analysis

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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