The Gurls Talk Podcast

Before Adwoa (briefly) leaves the chat to welcome her baby (!!!) -- you&aposre in for a treat... In a very special episode of Gurls Talk, Adwoa sits down with acclaimed actress Denise Gough for a compelling conversation about her role in the play "People, Places, and Things." Together, they delve into themes of addiction, trauma, and the portrayal of these issues on stage. Denise Gough won ‘Best Actress’ at the 2016 Olivier Awards and at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards for her performance as Emma in People Places & Things originally at the National Theatre in 2015.  She went on to win her second Olivier Award (‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’) for her performance in Tony Kushner&aposs Angels in America for which she was nominated for a Tony Award®  when the National Theatre production transferred to Broadway. Gough has also been nominated for a British Academy Television Award for her performance in Clara Salaman incendiary three-part ITV series Too Close. More recently she played the role of Dedra Meero in Disney+’s hugely successful Star Wars spin-off series, Andor. People, Places, and Things will run until August 10th at the Trafalgar Theatre  in London. You can buy tickets here. --- Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa Aboah Guest: Denise Gough Producer: Wicked Child Studio, Hailey Rovner Malach Composer: Mikey Long Special thanks to Jo Malone London for their generous support of the podcast.

Carmen is a social worker, grief counsellor and death doula. Carmen is also the co-founder of BIPOC Death and Grief Talk, along with Kayla Carter, where they run free grief talks and grief education workshops for BIPOC individuals. Carmen and Kayla&aposs goal is to embrace the intricate layers of racialized grief, providing a space for validation and support among fellow grievers. Simultaneously, they seek to challenge and deconstruct Eurocentric notions surrounding death, grief, and loss, working towards destigmatizing discussions around mortality. You can follow BIPOC Death and Grief Talk on Instagram @bipocdeathgrieftalk --- Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa Aboah Guest: Carmen GalvanProducer: Wicked Child StudioProducer: Hailey Rovner Malach Editor: Morgan MuseProduction Assistant: Ginger RobertsComposer: Mikey Long Special thanks to Kayla Carter. Special thanks to Jo Malone London for their generous support of the podcast. 

Paloma Elsesser is a supermodel and advocate for inclusivity in the fashion industry (and beyond). Winner of the British Fashion Council&aposs 2023 Model of the Year award, Paloma is a trailblazer who uses her platform to challenge beauty standards and promote self-acceptance. You can follow Paloma on Instagram @palomija --- Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa Aboah Guest: Paloma ElsesserProducer: Wicked Child StudioProducer: Hailey Rovner MalachEditor: Morgan MuseProduction Assistant: Ginger Roberts Composer: Mikey Long This podcast is generously supported by Jo Malone London 

Holly Madison is a model, television personality, and New York Times bestselling author. She gained fame for her role in the reality show "The Girls Next Door," showcasing life at the Playboy Mansion. Beyond her entertainment career, Holly is an advocate for body positivity and recently shared her late in life autism diagnosis with the world. Follow Holly on Instagram @hollymadisonFollow Holly on TikTok @hollyjeanmadison You can watch Holly on the Investigation Discovery series "Lethally Blonde" and you can listen to Holly (and Bridgette!) on their podcast "Girls Next Level: Podcast." --- Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa Aboah Guest: Holly Madison Producer: Wicked Child Studio Producer: Hailey Rovner Malach Editor: Morgan Muse Production Assistant: Ginger RobertsComposer: Mikey Long Special thanks to Jo Malone London for their generous support of the podcast. 

​​**This episode of the Gurls Talk podcast discusses sensitive topics surrounding suicide and the experience of losing a loved one to suicide. While we aim to provide a supportive space for these conversations, we recognize that they may be distressing for some listeners. It&aposs important to remember that help is available. In the United States, you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. For support in the UK, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 0800 689 5652. If you or someone you know is struggling, please don&apost hesitate to reach out to a friend, family member, loved one, coach, counselor, or seek professional help.Remember, you are not alone.**R;pple Suicide Prevention was founded in 2021 by Alice Hendy after she tragically lost her only sibling, Josh, to suicide. Josh had been searching for techniques to take his own life through harmful internet searches. Witnessing the lack of appropriate support available online, Alice was inspired to take action and R;pple was born. You can learn more about R;pple by heading to www.ripplesuicideprevention.com --- Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa AboahGuest: Alice HendyProducer: Wicked Child StudioProducer: Hailey Rovner MalachProduction Assistant: Ginger Roberts Editor: Morgan Muse Composer: Mikey Long Special thanks to Jo Malone London for their generous support of the podcast. 

Zoe Terakes (they/he) is a non-binary and trans masculine Australian actor best known for their roles in the movie "Talk To Me" and the TV series "Nine Perfect Strangers." Zoe will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the first trans actor in the Disney+ series "Ironheart." Including being an incredible actor, Zoe is a champion for queer representation in the media and has become a prominent voice in the entertainment industry. Their work not only entertains but also inspires audience to think critically about important social issues. You can follow Zoe on Instagram @zoeterakes. --- Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa Aboah Guest: Zoe Terakes Producer: Wicked Child StudioProducer: Hailey Rovner Malach Editor: Morgan Muse Production Assistant: Ginger Roberts Composer: Mikey LongSpecial thanks to Jo Malone London for their generous support of the podcast. 

10 years ago Tally and Adwoa met in recovery. 10 years later Tally and Adwoa reconnect again at The Jo Malone Townhouse to discuss their recovery journey, the challenges they&aposve encountered, and what they&aposve learned along the way. Talitha Fosh is a qualified psychotherapist who primarily works with addiction. She is nine years clean from alcohol and drugs, and a recovered anorexic. Talitha has worked in an addiction rehab centre, as well as with clients in her own private practice, Therapised. Tally&aposs debut book HOOKED is available in the UK on May 14, 2024. You can follow Tally on Instagram @therapised. --- Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa Aboah Guest: Talitha Fosh Live Event Producer: Eve Swayland Producer: Wicked Child StudioProducer: Hailey Rovner MalachEditor: Tiernan Dixon Editor: Morgan Muse Production Assistant: Ginger Roberts  Special thanks to Jo Malone London Townhouse for their generous support of the podcast. 

Born to Hollywood icons Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, Tallulah Willis was raised in the glare of the spotlight, a reality that shaped her upbringing in profound ways.As a kid Tallulah faced vicious online bullying that impacted her mental health and led to the development of a years long eating disorder. Today Tallulah uses her platform to shed light on the challenges she&aposs faced in an effort to reduce stigma and promote greater understanding and support for others. You can follow Tallulah on Instagram @buuski -- Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa AboahGuest: Tallulah Willis Producer: Wicked Child StudioProducer: Hailey Rovner MalachProduction Assistant: Ginger RobertsEditor: Morgan MuseComposer: Mikey Long This podcast is generously supported by Jo Malone London. 

Our dear friend Julia Samuel is here! Julia is a celebrated psychotherapist specializing in grief, who has spent the last three decades working with bereaved families.Julia is a three-time bestseller of the books Grief Works, This Too Shall Pass, and her latest book Every Family Has a Story. She is the host of the acclaimed podcast Therapy Works and the developer of the app Grief Works: Self-care & Love that helps users navigate grief after the death of a loved one. You can follow also Julia on Instagram @juliasamuelmbe In this episode we discuss: SobrietyThe silence around generational traumaFinding resilience in the face of painAnd Julia Samuel answers Gurls Talk community questions ---Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa Aboah Guest: Julia Samuel Producer: Wicked Child StudioProducer: Hailey Rovner MalachProduction Assistant: Ginger RobertsEditor: Morgan Muse Composer: Mikey Long Special thanks to Jo Malone London. 

Freida Pinto is a critically-acclaimed actress, a mother, a women&aposs and human rights activist, and entrepreneur. Today we discuss... pregnancy loss, what people don&apost tell you about postpartum (but should), the guilt that comes with being a mother and having a career, prioritizing your mental health (no matter what), and what its like to be an entrepreneur... You can follow Freida on Instagram @freidapinto and you can learn more about Anya but heading to www.thisisanya.com--- Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Host: Adwoa Aboah Guest: Freida Pinto Producer: Wicked Child StudioProducer: Hailey Rovner MalachProduction Assistant: Ginger RobertsEditor: Morgan Muse Composer: Mikey LongSpecial thanks to Jo Malone London for their generous support of the podcast. 

Catherine Hardwicke is an iconic American filmmaker  best known for capturing the reality of the teenage experience on screen - from Twilight to Lords of Dogtown.  Today we&aposre reflecting on the cultural impact of Catherine&aposs directorial debut "Thirteen" -- which was released over twenty years ago in 2003.  Co-written with Nikki Reed,  "Thirteen" is a poignant and raw portrayal of adolescence, focusing on the turbulent life of a thirteen-year-old girl named Tracy. The film delves into Tracy&aposs descent into rebellion and self-destructive behavior after she befriends a troubled peer, exploring themes of peer pressure, family dysfunction, and the search for identity in the midst of adolescence. In this episode we discuss: The cultural impact of "Thirteen" Depicting mental health, self-harm, and girlhood on screen Euphoria Advice for aspiring filmmakers You can follow Catherine on Instagram @catherinehardwicke to keep up with hernewest projects.--- Host: Adwoa Aboah Guest: Catherine Hardwicke Executive Producer: Gurls Talk, Inc. Producer: Wicked Child Studio Producer: Hailey Rovner Malach Production Assistant: Ginger Roberts Editor: Morgan Muse Composer: Mikey Long 

Today we&aposre talking about the opioid epidemic. 60 million people around the world struggle with opioid addiction and traditional methods of rehabilitation are failing our friends and family.In this episode you&aposll meet Sarah Laurel the founder of Savage Sisters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After recovering from substance use disorder, Sarah sought to build an organization that would provide thoughtful, trauma-informed resources for those recovering from substance use disorders. Sarah says "Our goal is to attack addiction ferociously with radical love through connection." Sarah is a force to be reckoned with, we hope you&aposre as inspired by Sarah as we are. You can learn more about Savage Sisters by heading to: http://www.savagesisters.org/---- Executive Producer, Gurls Talk, Inc. Producer, Wicked Child Studio Producer: Hailey Rovner MalachProduction Assistant: Ginger RobertsEditor: Morgan Muse Music composed by Mikey Long 

Mad excited to have my dear friend Chelsea Leyland on the podcast today. Chelsea is a DJ, cannabis and epilepsy activist, the co-founder of menstrual-health platform Looni, and she&aposs a new mum! We discuss Chelsea&aposs incredibly moving documentary Sisters Interrupted. The doc follows Chelsea and her sister Tamsin as they both battle forms of epilepsy and together fight for access to medical cannabis that could save both of their lives. We also chat about Chelsea&aposs pregnancy journey, becoming a new mum, the importance of period literacy, and Chelsea&aposs newest venture Looni.  You can follow Chelsea @chelsealeylandYou can find where to watch "Sisters Interrupted" by heading to @sistersinterruptedmovieYou can learn more about Looni by going to www.looni.co --- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc.Produced by Hailey Rovner Malach of Wicked Child Studio. Edited by Morgan Muse. Composed by Mikey Long. Special thanks to Ginger Roberts.  

Sophie Compton is a BIFA longlisted documentary director and producer who tells women’s stories of injustice and healing."Another Body" is an 2023 British-American documentary film that follows a college student who seeks justice after finding deepfake pornography of herself online.You can follow Sophie on Instagram @sophietaracompton You can find where to watch "Another Body" by heading to https://anotherbodyfilm.com/the-film/----- Executed Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc. Produced by Hailey Rovner Malach of Wicked Child Studio. Edited by Morgan Muse. Composed by Mikey Long. Special thanks to Ginger Roberts.

It&aposs a dream come true! AOC has joined the chat. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is an American politician and the youngest woman EVER elected to the United States Congress. A member of the Democratic Party, she gained national attention for her progressive policy positions, including advocacy for the Green New Deal and Medicare for All. We celebrate AOC for her passion and unwavering commitment to social justice reform. In this episode Adwoa and AOC discuss redefining positions of influence, embracing your authentic self, online activism, and facing fear head-on. You can follow AOC on Instagram @AOC. -- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc.Produced by Hailey Rovner Malach of Wicked Child Studio.Composed by Mikey Long.Edited by Morgan Muse. Special thanks to Ginger Roberts. Generously supported by Jo Malone London.

We&aposre thrilled to have Dina Gachman the author of So Sorry for Your Loss: How I Learned to Live with Grief, and other Grave Concerns  on the podcast today. In 2018 Dina lost her mother to cancer and then her sister to alcoholism less than three years later. Dina&aposs own experience with grief led her on a journey to understanding what it means to grieve, healing after loss, and the ways we stay connected to those we miss. The holidays are a difficult time of year for so many of us. We hope you find comfort in this episode for those who are grieving and for those who have loved ones who are grieving. Mad, mad, mad amounts of love this holiday season! You can purchase So Sorry for Your Loss: How I Learned to Live with Grief, and other Grave Concerns  at all major book retailers. --- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc. Produced by Hailey Rovner Malach of Wicked Child Studio. Composed by Mikey Long. Generously supported by Jo Malone London. 

Richie Shazam is a queer model, artist, and activist (and a New York legend!!) who seeks to subvert the gender binary in everything she does. With the holidays around the corner, we&aposre talking about grief, coping with difficult familial relationships, and the beauty of found family. You can buy Richie&aposs book SHAZAM here You can follow Richie here--- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc.Produced by Hailey Rovner Malach of Wicked Child Studio.Composed by Mikey Long.This podcast is generously supported by Jo Malone London.

We&aposre excited to welcome one of Adwoa&aposs dear friends Tilly Lawless on the podcast!Tilly Lawless is a queer, Sydney-based sex worker who advocates for sex worker rights.In this episode Tilly and Adwoa explore the stigmas sex workers face, the gig economy, and grief among many other topics.  You can learn more about Tilly by following @tilly_lawless  You can also watch her powerful Ted Talk here --- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc. Produced by Hailey Rovner Malach of Wicked Child Studio. Composed by Mikey Long.Generously supported by Jo Malone London.  

What is the "I" in LGBTQIA+?Today we&aposre giving voice to the long-silenced intersex community.  According to Amnesty International, 1.7%  of the population is born with intersex traits -- comparable to the number of people born with red hair. On this episode you&aposll hear from Sean Saifa Wall (he/him/his) a Black queer intersex activist and rising scholar.  Saifa is committed to racial equity and a radical vision of bodily autonomy for people with intersex variations. Currently, he is a Marie Skłowdoska-Curie fellow at the University of Huddersfield in England examining the erasure of intersex people from social policy in Ireland and England. You can learn more about Saifa by visiting his website: https://www.seansaifa.com/ You can watch Saifa&aposs (INCREDIBLE!) documentary Every Body on most streaming services. --------- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc. Produced by Hailey Rovner Malach of Wicked Child Studio. Composed by Mikey Long. Special thanks to Jo Malone London. 

Ai-jen Poo is a next-generation labor leader, award-winning organizer, author, and a leading voice in the women’s movement. Ai-jen is the President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Director of Caring Across Generations, Co-Founder of SuperMajority and Trustee of the Ford Foundation. In this episode we discuss the future of work, gender equality,  immigration, narrative change, and grassroots organizing.----Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc.Produced by Hailey Rovner Malach of Wicked Child Studio. Composed by Mikey Long. Proudly supported by Jo Malone London. 

Mikki Kendall is an activist, cultural critic, and author of the critically-acclaimed book Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot. I came across Hood Feminism and I knew I needed to have Mikki on the podcast. We talk about the body positivity movement, colorism, banned books, fighting the patriarchy, and much, much more. You can follow Mikki Kendall on Instagram @karynthia and you can buy Mikki&aposs book Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot  at all major book retailers. --- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc. Produced by Hailey Malach of Wicked Child Studio. Composed by Mikey Long. This podcast is proudly supported by Jo Malone London. 

Eileen Kelly is here! You may know Eileen from her Tumblr days (killerandasweetthang) or maybe you know Eileen as the host of the acclaimed podcast Going Mental with Eileen Kelly. In this episode - we talk about getting into the groove with a new therapist to getting diagnosed and (my favorite) dating horror stories. I loved having gurl talk with Eileen. We have so much in common and I can&apost wait for you to listen. Enjoy! ---Hosted by Adwoa Aboah Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc. Produced by Hailey Malach of Wicked Child StudioComposed by Mikey Long 

This past summer Molly Manning Walker took Cannes by storm with her powerful, feature directorial debut "How To Have Sex." "How to Have Sex" follows a group of teenage girls during a rite-of-passage, post-exam holiday in what should be the best summer of their lives. The film looks at how we learn to have sex through the pressure of friendship, toxic masculinity and societal expectations.In this episode we discuss the film, the state of sex education, and consent in a post-#MeToo era. "How to Have Sex" will premiere in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on November 3rd. --- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc. Produced by Hailey Malach of Wicked Child StudioComposed by Mikey LongSpecial thanks to Charlotte Gilbert

Maddie Ziegler is here! Maddie has been in the industry for so much of her life, and needless to say it hasn’t always been easy. But I’ll let Maddie tell you about it... You can follow Maddie on Instagram at @maddieziegler and you can follow us @gurlstalk. --- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc.Produced by Hailey Malach of Wicked Child Studio. Composed by Mikey Long.Special thanks to Charlotte Gilbert.This podcast is proudly supported by Jo Malone London.

**Content Warning**  This episode contains a candid discussion about living with bipolar disorder. Your well-being matters and help is always available. If you or someone you know is in immediate need of mental health services, please reach out to the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988. You can also find mental health resources by going to gurlstalk.com.In this episode I sit down with model, mental health activist, and filmmaker Rosie Viva to talk about something we have in common - living with bipolar disorder. This is some powerful gurls talk.You can watch Rosie&aposs mini-doc "Modeling, Mania, and Me" here.    You can follow @rosieviva and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.  --- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc.   Produced by Hailey Malach of Wicked Child Studios.   Composed by Mikey Long.   Special thanks to Charlotte Gilbert.   This podcast is proudly supported by Jo Malone London. 

We&aposre back! We&aposre kicking off our fourth season with one of my favorite people, Ziwe!Amidst the LOLs we talk about everything from imposter syndrome to some of my favorite essays in Ziwe&aposs debut book Black Friend.  Ziwe&aposs book of essays Black Friend is out now. It&aposs one of my favorite books of the year, I know you&aposll enjoy it too. You can follow @ziwef and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.--- Executive Produced by Gurls Talk, Inc. Produced by Hailey Rovner of Wicked Child Studios. Composed by Mikey Long. Special thanks to Charlotte Gilbert. 

In this episode, I spoke to Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Alessia Cara. Discovered at the tender age of 18, she’s grown up in the spotlight, and shared that journey with her fans through her music – often showing us a perspective far outside the confident, sexy pop-princess norm. Her unique voice and emotional vulnerability gives her lyrics a power; a sense of relatability for anyone who has ever felt alone or unloved or sad.   What struck me about this conversation is her ability to be so completely open about her struggles with maintaining mental health. For many, those internal battles can be incredibly lonely, and Alessia, through her music and openness, is bravely creating space for them. She’s refreshingly honest about her personal battles, and throughout this conversation I couldn’t help but feel encouraged and uplifted by being able to share our common experiences.   You can follow @alessiasmusic and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

When you see Little Simz (or Simbi, as I call her) perform, she gives everything to the crowd. Off stage, she has this incredible composed energy. So, how does she find the balance? We talk about how to manage the energy you expel in your work and what to keep for yourself.   In a recent interview Simbi said, “my career is very important to me but it’s not my life, I’m doing things differently this time.” And I can hands down relate to that. As I’m sure a lot of you can. Turning up in life and setting boundaries is vital for our relationship with ourselves and with others.   Born to tell stories, Little Simz has written another amazing album – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert – because of her ability to self-reflect and look at uncomfortable things. She talks about what inspires her work and the responsibility she feels as a young, Black British artist and woman.   I loved having this conversation. Even though we were countries apart, it felt like we were sat chatting on the sofa together. Enjoy and as always, mad amounts of love.   You can follow @littlesimz and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Few books have taken hold of the Gurls Talk team like Three Women and Animal. The vulnerability of Lisa’s writing inspires uncomfortable conversations, encapsulating everything that Gurls Talk is about, so it’s a dream come true to have her on the podcast.   Lisa writes with such brutal honesty, we get to see the rawness of her protagonists as they struggle through messy, complicated feelings. We unpick some of the themes in her work in this episode and talk about how trauma impacts our identity and relationships. “Everything that’s happened to me in the past has informed everything I do in the present, which is why I’m so interested in writing about memories,” Lisa tells us.   We talk about the importance of being honest with our feelings to understand ourselves better. To not be ashamed of our fears but to overcome them. And to simply honour the crazy array of emotions – both our own and those of others.   Enjoy listening. And as always, mad amounts of love.   You can follow @lisadtaddeo and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Trigger warning: This episode covers difficult topics, which some listeners may find upsetting. These areas include rape, sexual assault, and various types of abuse. Please practice good self-care and listen at your own discretion. If you need additional support, please visit our website at www.gurlstalk.com/hotlines   For too long we’ve stayed quiet to the culture that’s normalised and trivialised sexual violence, sexual harassment and misogyny. Girls have been socialised to feel like it’s something they have to cope with, laugh off, get over. Enter Soma Sara. When she decided to share her own experiences, it resonated with so many and opened up the conversation. The scale of the problem is so significant, so global, the world is finally listening. Thank god.   Soma takes us through how she started Everyone’s Invited. We talk about the archaic systems that have made rape culture so deeply entrenched in society. We recognise the incredible power of a shared story ­­– its ability to heal and the ripple effect it has – and the courage of those who have stood up and spoken, and also those who have sat down and listened.   For the tide to turn, everyone needs to play their part. Soma talks about the values of empathy and community, encouraging us all to be upstanders – calling out rape culture, reflecting upon behaviours, educating. “Together we are building on the mistakes of the past and working towards reconciliation and creating a new future.”   This is such a positive listen but comes with a trigger warning: This episode covers difficult topics, which some listeners may find upsetting. These areas include rape, sexual assault, and various types of abuse. Please practice good self-care and listen at your own discretion. If you need additional support, please visit our website at www.Gurlstalk.com/hotlines   As always, mad amounts of love.   You can follow @everyonesinvited and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

It was a total fangirl moment talking to Elsa, who has got so many of us through lockdown with her videos. Her real, honest, universally relatable, hilarious videos. Saying the things we say in our own heads but never out loud. It’s this energy that has taken the world by storm over the past year. Elsa has a refreshing take on being unashamedly herself, refusing to fit into the mould that’s out there. A 19-year-old African woman who clearly won’t take any shit from people who think her youth and origin make her naive. Nope. Elsa talks about her future plans with the shrewd strategy of a chess player. It’s clear this is all very much the beginning for her. I’m so excited to share this episode with you. I think we could all do with being a bit more Elsa Majimbo: “I don’t feel any kind of pressure to do anything or to look a certain way. So, what I want to do is what I do. If I don’t want to do it, I don’t do it.” Enjoy listening. And as always, mad amounts of love. You can follow @majimb.o and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

It’s easy to spiral from the seemingly smallest things during the pandemic. Life has been really tough for a long time now. But one thing, one huge thing, has helped immeasurably: being sober. And in this episode, Brandon shares his experience of leaning into the AA community and reaching his first year of sobriety. Choosing a life of sobriety, he says, has been the hardest and most gratifying thing he’s ever done.   Brandon is a brilliant human, an empath, and an authentic voice on and off screen, which makes him a dream to talk to. We swap stories on living solo during the pandemic, about self-reflection and engaging in the quality of friendships. We talk about shows that are bold enough to tackle storytelling in a different way, and his character as the ​complex and conflicted heartthrob, Justin Foley, in the Netflix hit series, ​13 Reasons Why. And lastly, we look at how the culture of curiosity plays a part in activism and community work.   Enjoy listening. And mad amounts of love.   You can follow @brandonflynn and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Remember being squished in a sweaty crowd with thousands of people watching an insanely talented music artist performing on stage? And the artist’s energy, and the crowd’s energy feeding one another, and in that moment, your body’s buzzing with joy – you feel alive. Yeah, us too. For Rosalía, she misses the energy from performing to a large audience, she misses being around people. I think most of us do. In this episode, we talk about how performances have had to adapt in this upside world. Being away from her Spanish home for the past year and in the US where she’s been busy working on new music, Rosalía talks about her influences and how the world closing its shutters has created a different energy to her music. With Rosalía’s Spanish heritage playing such a vital role in her identity and style, she expands on how it’s shaped her sound. Enjoy listening to this one. And mad amounts of love. You can follow @rosalia.vt and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

On this week’s podcast, I catch up with two formidable ladies in the fields of women’s health and sport. Stacy Sims, PhD is an expert in sex differences, and globally acclaimed for her research and TED Talk, ‘Women are Not Small Men’. She’s dedicated the last 20 years to educating women, and men, on the female body, and how it responds differently to athleticism than the male body. Joslyn Thompson Rule, a woman with many strings to her bow, is a Nike Global Master Trainer, a Sports Therapist, and Coaching Mentor. She draws from her years of coaching women, and young girls as we discuss the benefits of working with the female cycle: how it not only boosts health and training results, but also empowers girls to own their fitness through every stage of the menstrual cycle. I talk about my experiences with puberty, how confusing navigating that time can be, and we discuss why so many girls are dropping out of sport during puberty, after getting their period. I definitely remember skipping P.E. during that early life phase. It’s crazy that something that half the population gets is still the cause of such embarrassment. This week’s episode is a reminder to start having open conversations with girls about periods and sport early on. To be honest, I spent most of this episode enthralled by Stacy and Joslyn’s passion and commitment to this issue. And I learned a lot of things about my body, training, and the menstrual cycle that I didn’t know. Even as an adult! Easy listening guys - and as always mad, mad love.   You can follow @DrStacySims and @JoslynThompsonRule, and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Fangirling Rupi is an easy thing to do. If not for her raw, intimate poetry, for the way she talks about the power of her friendships and platonic, familial love. It makes talking (and listening) to Rupi feel like you’ve been friends forever. As we ruminate life in lockdown – me in London, Rupi in Toronto – we talk about making sense of our identity in the stillness and being gentle with ourselves. In home body, Rupi’s recently released, brilliant third book of poetry, she dedicates a whole chapter to the importance of rest. And like all of her poems, she talks with such clarity of thought and warmth on everything. She tells me, “for so long, my mind wasn’t a safe space for me, so what do you do, where do you go then? If your mind isn’t a safe space.” All I can say is thank goodness for Rupi’s words. She offers hope on the darker days, and generally makes us see and feel things differently. Enjoy listening. And as always, mad amounts of love. You can follow @rupikaur_ and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

On this week’s episode, I spoke to the incredible, inspiring Michaela DePrince. The epitome of poise and grace, Michaela is a dancer, author and War Child ambassador. She has overcome tremendous challenges over her lifetime, including grief, war, racism, bullying and more, all in the pursuit of  what she calls ‘her soul’ – her passion for dance. What stands out for me is her unmistakable grit; a burning desire to prove critics wrong and succeed against all odds. But that dedication is not without a price, and we discuss the emotional and mental toll that it takes to keep performing in the face of a global pandemic, personal losses, and the trauma of racism. This week’s episode is a timely reminder to us all to seek out the space we need to take care of ourselves. For Michaela, the arts and classical ballet provide an escape and a means of expression. I hope that with the new year, we can collectively make time to indulge in what grounds us. You can follow @michaeladeprince and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Warning: This episode covers difficult topics, which some listeners may find upsetting. These areas include sexual and physical abuse, child sexual abuse, addiction, the death of a child, police brutality and systemic racism. Please practice good self-care and listen at your own discretion. If you need additional support please visit our website at www.Gurlstalk.com/hotlines This week’s episode is a lesson in perseverance. Susan Burton is an activist and advocate for women caught in the cycle of incarceration in Los Angeles. Her non-profit organization, A New Way of Life Reentry Project, provides housing, employment assistance, legal services, and leadership development to women who have been formerly imprisoned. In this episode, Susan shares her personal experiences growing up in south LA, cycling in and out of the prison system and finding her calling as an advocate for incarcerated women. We talk about how processing grief and trauma led to her finding a purpose: helping women restore their dignity, rebuild their lives and thrive outside of prison, just as she was able to. You can learn more about A New Way of Life here and in Susan’s memoir Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com, follow us @gurlstalk and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast. TW: police brutality, physical and sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, addiction, systemic racism, death of a child.

She’s known as the supermodel turned actress turned writer who’s sick of being put in a box because of how she looks. This episode with @Emrata is a biggie for anyone who’s sick of being told how they should behave, how intellectual they should be, and what they should or shouldn’t have an opinion on. While the world is on fire, my conversation with Emily Ratajkowski gave me a whole lot of love. She’s taught me how to appreciate myself, and to realise my impact on the world. We spoke just before the US election, so our conversation is full of anticipation for the results. You can follow @emrata and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

They say don’t meet your idols. But for this week’s episode I was lucky enough to do just that, and it was completely exhilarating.  Bernardine Evaristo, the acclaimed author of one of my all-time favourite books, Girl, Woman, Other, joined me to chat about everything from her win of the 2019 Booker prize, to understanding her proximity to whiteness, to her work in theatre in the eighties. Bernardine is a force of nature, and I spent most of this episode enthralled by her passion and vivacity. Her life, as an award-winning author of eight books, as a professor of creative writing at Brunel University London, as a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, is just as rich and captivating as her storytelling prowess. You can follow @bernardineevaristowriter and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

On this week’s episode, I was lucky enough to speak to Ada Hegerberg, the first woman in history to win Football’s most coveted individual prize, the Ballon d’Or.  Ada’s positivity and sense of perspective is infectious. While discussing her recent ACL injury, she explains how she viewed the healing process as an opportunity for gratitude and mental strength, as well as a chance to understand her body in new, enlightening ways. As a passionate advocate for gender representation and equity in sport, Ada and I talk about the importance of being true to yourself, and the strength that comes from having conviction in your craft. In this powerful episode, we discuss why building up confidence is a key part of challenging norms and  commanding respect. You can follow @ahegerberg and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

This week, I’m honoured to introduced the Gurls Talk community to my dear friend, the talented iO Tillett Wright. This autumn, he releases a new book, Self Evident Truths: 10,000 Portraits of Queer America. It documents a 10-year journey across America where he has photographed thousands of people from every walk of life. Centred on the tenet that ‘familiarity is a gateway drug to empathy’ his pictures are a deeply powerful glimpse into the lives of people marginalised by oppressive systems. In this episode, we explore shifts in politics and activism through the lens of personal identity and growth, and discuss what allyship to the Black community means. You can follow @iolovesyou and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

The experience of Black girlhood is a difficult one. We are thrust into spaces and organisations that aren’t built for us, that do not understand us and that deny us agency. Few people understand this more than my guests this week. Ebinehita Iyere founded Milk & Honey to create spaces where young Black girls could connect with their feelings and vulnerability at that pivotal point in their lives — before they are forced into the trope of ‘strong Black woman’. With her colleagues Sophie and Chevone, they have used their proximity to violent systems to build and safeguard spaces that give Black girls a sense of belonging, allowing them to process thoughts and feelings central to Black girlhood that are otherwise silenced. You can follow @milkhoneybees and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

As protests calling for racial justice sweep the globe, people are becoming increasingly aware of the ongoing impact racism has on the mental health of Black communities. However, less attention has been devoted to understanding how this abuse manifests and is exacerbated in online spaces. My guest this week, Seyi Akiwowo, is the founder of Glitch UK, a charity that aims to end online abuse. In this episode, we discuss how online abuse impacts vulnerable populations, the lack of accountability and response by tech companies and the authorities, and how to protect yourself online. You can follow @seyiakiwowo and @glitchuk_ on instagram, and you can follow us @gurlstalk.  Please send any messages to us via DM at @gurlstalk on Instagram, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

If you’re anything like me, then you were in awe of the dedication and focus shown in Netflix’s Cheer. Lexi Brumback (@lexisbrumback) was the tumbler with a natural ability to fly through the air like an actual goddess. This episode, Lexi will wow you with her honesty as we enter the world of her teens. After running away from home at 16, Lexi credits cheerleading for turning her life around, coming back and setting her life back on track. The Gurls Talk Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major streaming services.

Growing up biracial in Britain is something I have in common with this week’s guest. Afua Hirsch and I are both proud of our Ghanaian heritage, but growing up in predominantly white spaces meant we both struggled to express that pride and protect ourselves from the microaggressions of our white peers. This episode explores some deeply personal themes of acceptance and identity, and reflects on the exhilaration and exhaustion that has come with the recent wave of anti-racist awareness and activism. We speak about Afua’s book, Brit(ish), her first-hand experiences of racial bias in the media and explore how every person can improve their anti-racist practice. You can follow @afuahirsch and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Ever since the tragic murder of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade, the Black Lives Matter movement has protested against police brutality and racism in all 50 US states and more than 18 countries (and counting). But activism cannot be achieved without vulnerability and sacrifice, which is exactly what my guest this week epitomises. Janaya Future Khan talks about how their past shaped, but didn’t define, their future and how they’re unpacking the narrative around black womxn. Plus, we discuss the failures of policing, leadership, the patriarchy and explore the power of the imagination in the fight for change.  You can follow @janayathefuture and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

I just love episodes like these… where I know I’m going to talk to someone who will change my entire outlook on life. Hollie Arnold is a record breaking, gold medal winning javelin thrower who loves makeup and was born without her right arm. She’s an absolute force of pure joy and she puts it all down to her love for sport and the positive people in her life. We talk about how finding something you’re good at it is one of the most freeing experiences you can have. If you’re trying a new sport, or learning to meditate, or just getting really good at relaxing, then listen to this episode as we talk about how important it is to not feel guilty about how much you are or aren’t doing right now. Whatever we can manage is enough.   You can follow Hollie on Instagram @holliearnold8 and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

The maneater, the glamour model, the sexy one. Well, that’s the role the producers of Love Island put on Megan Barton-Hanson when she was in the villa in 2018. But as we all know, reality TV is a heavily edited version of what really happens, and Megan and I dive into this and how sudden fame affected her mental health. We talk about how women are still being judged against each other in the media and online, and how this toxic negativity needs to stop. Like, NOW. Megan tells us about her struggles with being bullied and trolled, and how cosmetic surgery can yes, give you bigger boobs and a smaller nose, but it can’t fix your confidence. Megan’s unapologetically honest about all sorts of issues like mental health, enhancing your looks and sexuality. She tells us “we all need to be more real, to be kinder, and show our vulnerable side.” And I couldn’t agree more, Megan. Enjoy listening and until next time, mad, mad amounts of love. You can follow Megan on Instagram @meganbartonhanson and you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

This is a special one for me as I’ve always wanted to introduce my wonderful mum to the Gurls Talk community. She’s an inspiration to me and many others, not only as my mother, but as one of the mothers of the fashion industry. Her talent agency CLM represents some of the biggest names in the business, and watching her juggle a career and being a parent has taught me so much about what’s possible.   We talk about how she got through the darkness of finding out that her daughter was battling with her mental health. For her, it was a complete shock that she couldn’t have got through without therapy and the overwhelming support of the incredible charity, Al-Anon. I think what I’ve learnt most from talking to her is that mothers everywhere are juggling, especially right now. My mum says that “surrounding your children with love so they don’t feel alone” is one of the most powerful things you can do as a parent, and I think that’s an approach we can all take right now. Surround everyone you know with love, and we’ll get through these mad times.   Al-Anon is a charity for families and friends of alcoholics: https://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/ As always, you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

“The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself.” I read this Mark Twain quote in Lucy Sheridan’s new and utterly brilliant book ‘The Comparison Cure’ and it really resonated with me, because we can all get stuck in a compare and despair space. Lucy’s a great friend of Gurls Talk, and I loved having her back on the podcast as she really is a deity of building up self-worth. We talk about her incredible new book which is a much-needed guide for today’s world,  helping us overcome ranking ourselves against others and breaking the comparison trap. The book feels like a retreat, as she guides us on how to nurture ourselves and shares tools on how to be less ‘them’ and more you. We talk about our shadow side, choice anxiety and how being in the neutral zone is sexy. Lucy is next-level positivity, so enjoy the conversation, be kind to yourselves, and mad, mad, mad amounts of love.   You can learn more about Lucy and order ‘The Comparison Cure’ here www.proofcoaching.com And this is the book Lucy referenced in the episode: ‘The Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Side-Light-Chasers-Reclaiming/dp/0340819057 We love Lucy’s cheerleading Instagram posts, you can follow her @lucysheridan and you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Releasing an album in the middle of a global pandemic wasn’t part of her plan, but this week’s guest Dua Lipa did exactly that. In this week’s episode, she talks through the process of launching her new album Future Nostalgia, the pitfalls of listening to social media, and explains how she’s taking care of her mental health during isolation. This episode explains how the pressure for this to be a period of self-improvement and productivity is unnecessary. To get through this, we all need to cut ourselves some slack and do our best to slow down and have patience with ourselves when things don’t go according to plan. You can follow @dualipa and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

There’s nothing more important right now than a good chat with a wise friend, and that’s exactly what Dr. Ciara Dockery is for both myself and every member of the Gurls Talk community. Ciara is a clinical psychologist and our new chief clinical advisor and she’s here to show us how we can do more than just survive isolation, we can thrive in it.  This episode teaches us all about how our mental health can be impacted during such strange times. To overcome, we must take stock of our emotions and embrace every feeling, not run from them. But, most importantly, we must stay connected. Isolation doesn’t mean we isolate ourselves from our friends and family. We can stay in touch, call a friend, FaceTime a sibling. It may just be the best thing you’ll ever do.  You can follow @dr.ciaradockery and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Starting a conversation with some spiritual handholding is always a good sign. And that’s the vibe Bea and Tina from the TARA Sisters, and Nike athlete Zeina Nassar brought to this episode from the Gurls Talk Berlin live event. Both the TARA Sisters and Zeina are playing their part in changing the world. For Bea and Tina, it’s about recognising how our youth are key to building a peaceful and compassionate future. They talk about how they create a space for teenage girls to navigate self-love and a positive mindset through movement. They’re like the big sisters we wish we had when we were growing up.   Then Zeina, who’s a force of nature fighting the girls’ corner, tells us how she’s helped changed the rules in boxing so every woman who wears a hijab can box anywhere in the world. We talk about trusting in yourself to follow your dream, and if you could be your own big sister, what would you say to yourself? (Life’s all about a good prep talk!) Enjoy a big dose of positivity, and as always mad amounts of love. You can follow @bea.bewegt @tina__kaa @zeina.boxer and you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

I really hope that you and your loved ones are all well and staying safe and healthy. I’m extremely happy to be back with you all for our new season. Given the global crisis caused by Covid-19, we are releasing this in an increasingly uncertain and scary time.  Now, more than ever, it is important to create safe spaces that encourage open and honest conversations and help us stay connected. While we did debate as to whether or not to release one of the many podcasts we’ve already recorded pre-Covid-19, we felt it important to share with you what we had already started earlier in the year and revisit some of these conversations. Listening to these initial podcasts, it is so jarring to hear how different our lives and circumstances were. Our first episode is with the brilliant Clara Amfo that we recorded back in January. Clara and I talk about our time at the Year of Return in Ghana. How we’re honoured to have Ghanaian heritage, and the importance of people in the diaspora to fly the flag. We talk about Clara’s new podcast – This City with Clara Amfo – which is all about what London means to her guests. We share our views on social media and how highly confusing navigating the unwritten rules can be. How on one hand we loathe the negativity that comes with Instagram, but on the other, love the sense of community you can find from like-minded women. Being single, actively choosing to be single, and celebrating our independence definitely gets some deserved airtime. And we talk about not wasting time on the wrong people, understanding your values, being kind to yourself, and filling up your own cup rather than expecting others to fill it up for you. It really is so good to be back. Enjoy listening and mad, mad, mad amounts of love. Clara’s amazing new podcast is here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-city/id1492707322 You can follow Clara on Instagram @claraamfoand you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

It’s not every day that I get to sit down and talk to an Olympic fencer. And Ibtihaj Muhammad is so much more than her sporting accolades that catapulted her into the spotlight. Being the first American athlete to compete in the Olympics wearing a hijab was simply the springboard to everything that she’s done since – from writing books, to launching a clothing company and being an all-round superhero to a generation of girls.   After speaking about the importance of role models on a panel talk at the Nike Legacy Summit LA, we continued our conversation with this podcast episode. Full of honesty, eloquence, and sage advice, Ibtihaj talks about sport’s power to unify – it’s not about where you’re from, how much money you have, your gender, your sexual orientation or your faith. It’s about getting out there, having fun and trying to win.   Ibtihaj shares her own experiences of being made to feel like a square shape in a round space. She talks about how she abandoned the idea of acceptance and people-pleasing long ago, and instead learned to love herself and be her own biggest cheerleader to get to where she is today.   There are so many reasons why I love this conversation – enjoy listening. We’re now off for our festive break, so mad amounts of love to you all. We’ll be back in January 2020.   You can learn more about Ibtihaj, her projects and order her books here www.ibtihajmuhammad.com And you can follow Ibtihaj and her clothing company on Instagram @ibtihajmuhammad @louellashop   As always, you can follow us @gurlstalk and send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Recovery is no walk in the park, it’s hard work. But the thing about recovery, is that you can come back as a better version – the 2.0 you. And that’s what Tally’s done. In our conversation, we rewind five years to when we met in treatment to get clean and sober. As two very different people, we found our similarities and realised that although recovery can be lonely, it’s less so when you’ve got people to go through it with.   I loved recording this episode. Tally and I talked about going into treatment with an open mind, about the obstacles we faced, being stripped down and rebuilt, and about learning to take things day by day. In the years since we first admitted we needed help, Tally has become a qualified psychotherapist and yoga teacher, and I have of course created Gurls Talk and the most incredible community. We both want to use our experience to help others and prove that although addiction is a dark place, recovery and an all-round more positive existence is definitely possible.   Mad amounts of love to you all.   To speak to someone about alcohol and drug addiction, you can get advice here: https://www.recovery.org.uk/drug-and-alcohol-recovery/   You can follow Tally on Instagram @therapised and you can follow us @gurlstalk   Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Self-care doesn’t have to mean celery juices, mineral face masks and sage-burning yoga classes overlooking the ocean. Self-care is whatever makes you feel good. This is something the brilliant Kai-Isaiah Jamal and I spoke about in this week’s podcast. We discussed the power of preventative recovery, about knowing your triggers, setting boundaries and understanding what protective practices bring you back to yourself.   We often think of recovery as the after event, what you do to heal. But preventative recovery is something we can do all the time. For both Kai and myself exercise plays a big role. It’s not just about giving you this ass or that chest, it’s a form of therapy. Kai talks about how writing is also an important practice to him and shares two incredible poems on his experience of recovery: ‘Geum’ and ‘The Author Imagines the Moments His Chest is Revealed to Him.’   Mad love to you all. Until next time!   To see Kai perform his poetry and speak on a panel, check out these events: https://freeword.org/event/black-home-the-club-as-sanctuary/   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/feeld-social-fluid-identities-panel-installations-screenings-tickets-75580809235   You can follow Kai on Instagram @kai_isaiah_jamal and you can follow us @gurlstalk   Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Let’s get one thing clear – it’s absolutely OK to admit that things aren’t OK. But so often, our fears around mental health can be what holds us back from getting the support we need. I really wanted to get a male perspective on mental health and loved talking to Ashley as he opened up about his own experiences of suffering with depression and overcoming the macho, suck-it-up, don’t-share-your-feelings front that’s imposed on boys from a young age.   Ashley and I talked about the negative impact of suffering in silence, and how it can often lead to alcohol and drug abuse which always perpetuates the problem. We talked about the fear of leaving your house and facing people, recognising the signs that we, or someone we know, might need help, and how society can work together to break the stigma of mental health struggles.   Enjoy listening. And mad, mad love to you all.   Never be afraid to seek help. Here are some numbers of great support options to talk openly and in confidence with someone. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/   If you haven’t yet watched Ashley in the brilliant Top Boy, I fully recommend you do. https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70236561   You can follow Ashley on Instagram @ashleywalters and you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Relationships are tough – sexual relationships, family relationships, friendships – because we all have stuff. We&aposre all flawed and make mistakes. Candice Carty-Williams&apos brilliant debut book Queenie­ is all about living with our stuff and understanding our value.   In this week&aposs episode, Candice and I had a very frank conversation about the themes in her book. We talked about sex, and the importance of women having sexual agency. We talked about online dating, interracial dating and the damaging reductive stereotypes that surround black women’s bodies.   What I loved most about Queenie and my conversation with Candice is the message of self-worth – something I think we all have to remind ourselves of on a regular basis. But it&aposs true, whoever you are – you are enough.   Enjoy listening. And mad, mad love to you all.   The book everyone’s been reading this year. https://www.waterstones.com/book/queenie/candice-carty-williams/9781409180050   You can follow Candice on Instagram @candicec_w and you can follow us @gurlstalk   Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Spots, cysts, acne, bright-red-tomato-face with skin flaking off. Whatever your breakout, we know how much of a confidence-kill troubled skin can be. I have battles with my own skin, but I hide it quite well – I say no to jobs, I don’t go to events, I wear a hoodie.   We’re so used to retreating to the shadows when our skin flares up. We apologise for it, feel judged because of it. But Louisa is making big steps in acne positivity with her amazing Instagram movement #freethepimple. She’s created an online community for people who get what it’s like to have acne and feel like everyone’s staring at your skin (which they really aren’t).   Louisa gives us a great pep talk about loving the skin we’re in. We talk about how acne affects our mental health and our dating life, how it’s a never-ending quest to find skincare products that work, and how we become masters of using makeup to cover our blemished skin.   We spend so much time obsessing over spots and feeling ugly because of them, but it’s time to change that. FREE THE PIMPLE!   Enjoy listening, and mad, mad love as always.   You can join the #freethepimple community on Instagram, follow Louisa @lounorthcote and follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

There are a lot of things we don’t have to think about on a daily basis. Such as, if you’re a 3ft 5” adult, how do you reach the locks on public toilet doors, or sinks, or soap dispensers? Or where can you get this season’s shoes? No, not the light up ones for kids, but well designed, flats and heels. When you start seeing the world through the lens of a little person like Sinéad, you realise how the world is not designed for her. It’s designed for the people who design it.   Our theme for the month of September is body and skin, and I absolutely loved talking to Sinéad about how she not only embraces her height difference but actively campaigns to highlight the importance of creating fashion and design for people with disabilities.   We spoke about how she’s forged a relationship with the fashion industry from being excluded from it. We discussed how her disability has shaped every ambition and opportunity she’s had, and Sinéad shared some brilliant mum advice that’s relevant to us all.   Enjoy listening, it’s a beautiful episode. And mad, mad love as always.   Sinéad’s TED Talk – the impetus to all the work she’s doing: https://www.ted.com/talks/sinead_burke_why_design_should_include_everyone?language=en   You can check out Sinéad’s new podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-me-with-sin%C3%A9ad/id1468608471   You can follow Sinéad on Instagram @thesineadburke and you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Like many of you, I was glued to Love Island over the summer. And when Ovie Soko, came on to our screens, I think we all fell slightly in love with him, as he showed us a refreshing version of masculinity. Ovie’s been a bit of a Love Island and general reality TV anomaly. But he shouldn’t be. It opens up the conversation about the toxicity that pervades masculinity, which has fuelled a one-dimensional view of what’s defined manhood for decades. Obviously, a hugely outdated mould, and one that thankfully we are challenging today.   In this episode, Ovie and I talk about representations of masculinity and the importance of staying authentic, not fitting into a box or following the crowd. We discuss the dynamics in the villa, the power and beauty of platonic relationships, and much more. (And yes, in case you were wondering, things with India are still going very well thank you.)   Enjoy listening. And mad love to you all. You can follow Ovie on Instagram @oviesoko and you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

I remember being ten. It was fun. That sense of freedom, when your summer holiday feels never-ending and it’s all sleep-overs and how much flavoured sugar you can convince your parents to let you have. I definitely did not get asked to perform on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury like our youngest ever Gurls Talk guest, Princess K, did. This year alone, she has managed to tick that off her list, as well as dance with the icon that is Lauryn Hill – all before her 11th birthday.   This was a truly wonderful chat which touched on so many things. We spoke about her hopes of opening a dance studio and starting a charity, what it feels like to dance in front of 150,000 people and how dancing is a wonderful way of letting go and being yourself.   But beyond dance, we talked about how to battle body shaming, confidence, embracing yourself, dealing with rejection, the stresses of social media and chasing your dreams.   With so much talent, and such a wise head on her shoulders, there is no doubt in my mind that this 10-year-old has got one hell of a future in front of her.   Enjoy listening. And just so you know, we’re taking a break for August. So, have a mad, beautiful, brilliant month. We’ll be back in September, batteries recharged, ready to talk about body and skin.   You can follow Princess K on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/princesskofficial/?hl=en   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.   Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

I love, love, love babies. But we all know motherhood is hard work, and when you’re a young mum, it comes with its own set of challenges. So, I invited Fiona Small, the founder of Young Mums Support Network (YMSN) and two incredible young mums – Yannicke Clarke and Dylan Downs – on to the podcast to talk about what young mums face in today’s society.   Young mums certainly don’t have it easy. From healthcare professionals informing them of their pregnancy as if it’s bad news, to families bearing the brunt of the housing crisis, to postnatal mental illness, there are many difficulties that arise when you’re a young mum.   Thankfully, even though society doesn’t treat young mothers as it should, pioneering women like Fiona have created organisations like YMSN. YMSN does all sorts of amazing things, focusing on driving social change to end child hunger and malnourishment, help with home management and getting mums on benefits back to work.   We also read out the stunning poem Reading to You by the brilliant Hollie McNish. She writes with such insight about what it means to be a mother, covering topics on breastfeeding in public, her body through pregnancy and as a mum, and finding a place to scream once in a while.   It’s a real eye-opener listening to these stories of young motherhood and I am super excited to share this episode with you.   As always, mad, mad love.   You can find out more about YMSN and the various programs they offer here: https://ymsn.co.uk   Hollie McNish’s poetry from the book Nobody Told Me is an honest and beautiful snapshot of the realities of motherhood. You can devour it here:  https://holliepoetry.com   Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and you can follow us on Instagram @GurlsTalk. Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Thank God for Gen Z. They truly care about wanting to make the world better. When I first met Amika a few years ago, she wasn’t old enough to vote, yet she was on a mission to change government policies to fight period poverty with her Free Periods movement. And she still is.   Our theme for July is YOUTH, and Amika was at the top of the list of people I wanted to get on Gurls Talk. She embodies how the youth are driving change and how politics isn’t just Westminster, it’s standing up for what you believe in. We talk about the generation gap within politics, how we can all help end period taboos by being more open about them and educating boys about them. We talk about how we all have similar stories of bleeding on a bed or through our pants. How we’ve been conditioned to believe that periods are embarrassing, to be spoken about in hushed tones, and to sneak a tampon up our sleeves before we head to the loo.   So, take a listen to feel period-liberated, inspired and empowered to “be the change you want to see in the world” – as Gandhi said. And as always, mad, mad love.   Find out more about Free Periods and join the movement here: https://www.freeperiods.org   Do you know that period-proof underwear is a thing? It means you can ditch buying tampons and pads every month. https://www.shethinx.com   And we love that brands are making things like this: Viva La Vulva! https://www.bodyform.co.uk/products/yours-is-the-only-perfect-vulva/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuKGz7ISb4wIVSr3ACh0-4wmZEAAYASAAEgK1hfD_BwE   Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and you can follow us on Instagram @GurlsTalk. Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Being one of the greatest athletes of all time is obviously a monumental accolade. But when Serena and I sat down, we didn’t just talk about kick-ass serves and Grand Slam wins. Like you, I wanted to know how she wins at life, not just on the court. When it comes to learning life skills – our theme for June – Serena is the perfect powerhouse woman to turn to.   I loved hearing about Serena’s relationship with her sister, Venus, and how her family’s support has played such a huge part of who she is. From her own experience, she recognises the power of supporting dreams, and now, as a mother, she’s committed to standing behind what her daughter wants to do. (Even if these days it’s just eating an apple REALLY loudly.)   Serena opened up about her determination to win, the importance of having plans and goals, and standing up for yourself. She spoke about how she’s (in her own words) “freakishly good” at maths, how she always speaks the truth, questions why people never ask a man “how do you manage family life and having a career?” And when she’s not playing tennis, she’s passionate about using her business, Serena Ventures, to help start-ups founded by women and minorities.   It really is such an exciting episode, it was a great experience talking to a warm, resilient and empowering woman. I’m now all revved up to watch Serena at Wimbledon! So, enjoy listening, and as always, mad, mad love.   You can follow Serena on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/serenawilliams/?hl=en   Read about Serena and business https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2019/06/03/inside-serena-williams-plan-to-ace-venture-investing/#551a979e7787   And find out the latest on all things Wimbledon https://www.wimbledon.com/index.html   We love receiving your artwork, poetry and messages, so please send any submissions to www.gurlstalk.com and you can follow us on Instagram @GurlsTalk. Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Reading Ore Ogunbiyi’s ‘A letter to my fresher self: Surviving Cambridge as a black girl’ hits such an emotional chord with me. Being a minority in a predominantly white institution creates some serious life skills. Which is why I invited Ore on to the podcast this week. We chat about discrimination in the classroom, overcoming imposter syndrome, and when you arrive back at uni with braids – no, your hair isn’t something people can freely smell and touch! Really guys, WTF?!   We also talk about the new book Ore’s co-written with her right hand/wife/best friend, and fellow Cambridge graduate, Chelsea Kwakye (who couldn’t join us because she’s taking her law exams). Taking Up Space, published under Stormzy’s #Merky Books imprint, is the black girl’s manifesto for change, and explores the issues surrounding diversity and inclusion within higher education. The book offers a sisterhood for black girls going to university. Brutally honest, while reassuring, almost like an older sister telling you what fashion trends to avoid.   But this isn’t just a black girl’s issue, it’s a conversation we should all be aware of. A collective effort in which everyone has a role to play, because without awareness, nothing changes. Ore shares some life skills that students from all backgrounds can benefit from.   So, listen, enjoy, and as always, mad, mad love.   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.   Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.   You can read ‘A letter to my fresher self: Surviving Cambridge as a black girl’ here: https://www.varsity.co.uk/features/14214   And buy a copy of Taking Up Space here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Taking-Up-Space-Chelsea-Kwakye/dp/1529118530

  I may have known Sharmadean for a while but that doesn’t mean I’m not flabbergasted by her selfless, raw and boundary-pushing talents every time I meet her. As the founder of Wah Nails and Beautystack, Sharmadean is no stranger to business and changing the world through tech. This conversation blew me away, not least because I found out just how much this phenomenal woman has achieved for herself and for all women just by being passionate and determined in her path. If you’re looking to set up your side hustle, your full hustle or just get inspired, then listen to this episode and learn from one of the best.   Sign up to Sharmadean’s newsletter here: https://beautystack.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=74bd9d4dd8d939f06f97615f8&id=1a785863bc   Check out: http://www.futuregirlcorp.com/   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

I think I’m in love with JJ, the UK’s first hijab-wearing and female referee who’s got her sights set on reffing the world’s biggest games. The Somali refugee spent her teens hiding her love of football from her family for cultural reasons, but now she’s proudly changing stereotypes and thrashing barriers on the pitch as she coaches, plays and refs all around the world.   Listen now to hear how sport can change your life no matter who you are, what your background is or what you look like. And prepare to fall in love with JJ as much as I did!   Find out how you can become a referee: http://www.thefa.com/get-involved/referee/general-information   Find out more about the Wild Cats: http://www.thefa.com/womens-girls-football/get-involved/sse-wildcats   Find out more about the 7-A-Side tournament featuring Adwoa and JJ on Sunday 16th June and sign up: nike.com/marshestakeover   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Yes, we&aposre all bored of Brexit. And it&aposs hard to keep up with what politician is making what terrible decision. Sometimes it&aposs easier to just look the other way. But that&aposs literally the worst thing we can do. On Thursday 24 May, I urge you all to vote in the European election.   Femi Oluwole breaks it down for us, giving us a 101 of what these elections mean. As a co-founder of pro-European Union advocacy group Our Future Our Choice, he says, "if you&aposre bored of Brexit, you cannot let Brexit happen. It should be your boredom fuelling you to get involved in this issue."   While the leaders of our country battle it out, determined to mess up our future, we need to make our voices heard. We need to show up to vote, because if Farage wins, we&aposre in a very dangerous territory.   You can keep up-to-date with Femi&aposs Tweets here: @Femi_Sorry   And for more information on how to vote and where your local voting station is, visit https://wheredoivote.co.uk   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.   Oh, and did I mention to VOTE ON THURSDAY!

Watching my country’s reaction to migration has broken my heart many many times. Choosing love should be in our DNA, but too often we choose hate, which is why I want to dedicate May to this sensitive subject as we all try and change the script and help be the good we want to see in humanity.   For our first episode, I’ve invited Philli Boyle, one of the founders of Help Refugees whose work on the ground at Calais and beyond has improved and saved the lives of more women, children and men than anyone could count. Alongside this powerhouse of a woman, I have two refugee women who are brave enough to share their stories with me. Dorine is an LGBTQ+ refugee who fled her country after she was abused for her sexuality. And Gabi, whose name and identity we have shielded for her own safety, was detained in The UK indefinitely and is still coming to terms with the war inside her memories. And finally, accompanying Gabi was Samantha Hudson, from Women For Refugee Women who works to support women as they speak out about the injustices they’ve faced.   Please listen, share and tell your friends about this episode. It’s important that we all realise that migration is a process, not a problem, and there’s something we can all do to ease the experiences of the victims of this devastatingly difficult journey.   To read more about the refugee crisis, visit: https://helprefugees.org/refugees-statistics/   To buy a Choose Love t-shirt: https://www.asos.com/search/?page=1&q=choose%20love All proceeds are donated to Help Refugees and one t-shirt provides a fresh food pack for a family for 2 weeks.   Read more about the Lift The Ban campaign to give people the right to work while they&aposre waiting for their asylum claim to be processed: https://helprefugees.org/news/lift-the-ban-asylum-seekers-work-rights/   Add your signature to the campaign and share with friends here: https://act.helprefugees.org/help-refugees/lift-the-ban/lift-the-ban/   Find out how to volunteer with Help Refugees: https://helprefugees.org/volunteer/   Learn more about Women for Refugee Women: https://www.refugeewomen.co.uk/    Learn more about Set Her Free: https://www.refugeewomen.co.uk/campaign/   Learn more about Say it Loud Club: https://www.sayitloudclub.org/   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

We couldn’t talk about &aposGender’ without getting this trailblazing voice of the trans community on the podcast. Her eloquence is only outshone by her passion for society’s acceptance of all genders, and I learnt so much from our conversation.   I’ve walked away from the episode knowing how we can all open our world to things we don’t understand. We might be scared of saying the wrong thing, but Munroe tells us to embrace the discomfort, because “being uncomfortable spurs growth”.   So, block out the outside world and listen to this voice of inspiration and exceptional wisdom.   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalks.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk   Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

I’m obsessed with love, absolutely obsessed! And to close this month’s theme of love and sex, there is no one more apt that the incredible Dolly Alderton. Full disclosure, Dolly is someone I have a huge girl crush on.   As you’ll hear in the episode, Dolly’s book captured everything I’ve been feeling, and I’m delighted to be able to sit down with @dollyalderton and share this conversation with my listeners.   We spend time speaking about growing up and feeling like unlovable weirdos. Our friends falling in love, heartache, breakups and realising that love isn’t the rom-com fairy-tale you believed it to be, and reminds us that life changing love is already there.   Until next time!   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalks.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk   Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Carrying on with this month’s theme of love and sex, we move our focus to all things love, and on this week’s episode I am delighted to be joined by netball stars, Sasha and Kadeen Corbin. Not only are they incredible netball players, but they are also sisters. Sisters with an unbreakable bond both on and off the court.   We speak all about love for the game, family and beyond, and @Sasha_Corbin and @Kadeen_Corbin leave us with some valuable lessons about finding what it is that you love, going out and getting it and believing in yourself.   Also, in this episode, I’m excited to introduce a new section called, ‘Gurls take action”. This year is the year of action, and here we’ll be sharing advice on how you can act based on everything we’ve spoken about in this episode.   There’s something about sisterly love that just gets me and I am super excited to share this episode with you. As always, mad, mad love.   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalks.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.   Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

It’s a new month, and a new theme, and this month we’ll be talking all about Love and Sex. On this week’s episode I am joined by the awesome Aimee Lou Wood and Emma Mackey from Netflix’s breakout show, Sex Education. We chat about, sex, boys, falling in love, and us girls learning what we like… If you’ve seen the show you’ll know exactly what i’m talking about!   When it comes to talking about the trials and tribulations of love, sex and sexual discovery, the world we live in has a tendency to stay silent.  Sex Education is an honest voice with a refreshing perspective on the way we talk and think about sex.   As you’ll hear, I’m a huge fan of the show and @emmatmackey and @aimeelouwood - I didn’t want this conversation to end! We speak candidly about growing up and learning (or not learning) about sex, love and everything in between. The impact Sex Education has had, and why we should all speak about sex without shame.   And don’t forget, face your fronts!   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalks.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.   Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

For this episode I am surrounded by females of absolute Gurl Boss status. Firstly, I got to be in the presence of the fastest woman in the whole world, @DinaAsherSmith. And if that wasn’t enough, we were joined by the new host of the Rap Show on Radio 1 and 1Xtra, @TiffanyCalver, who is the first woman and the first black person to be given the role.   We talk about how amazing it is to be black, female and British as we celebrate our achievements as firsts in our fields. We also talk about how our femininity can lead to critics finding a way to beat us down, but as I’m sure you’ll tell from listening, the three of us will never stop representing our true and authentic selves.   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

It’s not every day that you’re in the company of someone who’s a national treasure, truly one of the most inspirational people you’ve ever met and a blinding ray of light. Bebe Vio is that person. She’s my new idol.   For those who haven’t heard of her, Bebe is the European Fencing Champion, the World Fencing Champion and the Paralympic Fencing Champion. She’s also the only fencer in the world to fight without any arms or legs.   The way she talks about her quadruple amputation and her disability is not just empowering, but it’s also full of happiness and will make you howl with laughter. She really is an actual superhero and her outlook on life is something I think all my gurls will benefit from. To quote Bebe, “To make us happy, we just have to make everyone happy”.   Read more about the incredible charity Bebe and her family have set up for children with amputations: http://www.art4sport.org/   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

What an episode this is! For our theme of representation, I invite Tom Rasmusen (@TomGlitter) and Chiyo Gomes (@ChiyoGomes) onto the podcast so we can talk about all things gender, identity and Drag Race!   We truly put the world to rights in this episode and we get real deep, real quick. Buckle yourselves in for an educational, inspirational and seriously empowering discussion about how our beautiful drag artists got to where they are today.   The wonderful Chiyo is currently raising funds for top surgery, and I know just how much a donation would mean to them. Click here to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/chiyostopsurgery   Click here to buy Tom AKA Crystal’s new book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Drag-Queen-Crystal-Rasmussen/dp/1785039490   To learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and how you can become an ally, visit Stonewall’s website: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/   If you’re a young person or a relative of a young person who’s struggling with their gender, then Mermaids can help: https://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

In this fascinating episode, I invite Sporting Chance onto the podcast to tell me about their work in the rehabilitation of sports stars who are suffering from addiction. The charity was founded by England and Arsenal player, Tony Adams after his own battle with addiction, and it does excellent work helping athletes of all kinds in their recovery.   We dissect the underlying reasons behind pro athletes becoming addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling, as Alex and Colin shine a light on their rehab methods.   I’ve loved every second of this month as we’ve uncovered your surprising, honest and inspirational stories around addiction. This episode delves into the victims of addiction that we may not consider. I found it hugely eye-opening and can’t thank Colin and Alex enough for enlightening us.   To learn more about Sporting Chance: https://www.sportingchanceclinic.com/   If you’re suffering from addiction of any kind then visit: https://www.ukat.co.uk/about-us/   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

I want to focus one episode this month on an addiction I think almost all of us can relate to: a social media and internet addiction.   I invite self-confessed social media addict and Brit nominee @Mabel onto the show, alongside Comparison Coach, @LucySheridan. We talk about why we visit our social channels on average 28 times a day - is it for gratification or masochism? 28 times a day is a lot of repeat prescriptions, and it’s having some serious side effects on young girls in particular, including depression, anxiety and debilitating low self-esteem.   Join us as we all share our stories and have a giggle about our social media habits and how we could all benefit from a detox.   To read more about Lucy Sheridan and her comparison coaching, visit: http://www.proofcoaching.com/   If you’re suffering from a social media addiction then visit: https://www.uk-rehab.com/blog/social-media-addiction/ or read this article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/22/nhs-internet-addiction-clinic-london-gaming-mental-health To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Continuing with our January theme of Addiction, I wanted to find out more about eating disorders and how it’s possible to be addicted to the feeling of consuming nothing at all.   So for this episode, I talk with the author or Raw Uncut: The Diary of an Anorexic Vegan, @Lydiabellsprout, about her 8-year addiction to anorexia nervosa and bulimia. I think her story of recovery may just be one of the most inspiring I’ve ever heard and I can’t wait for you all to hear it. As Lydia says, she may not feel like everything is perfect, but she now knows that she has the strength to get back up, whatever life throws at her next.   To buy Lydia’s book, visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raw-Uncut-diary-anorexic-vegan-ebook/dp/B07MBWMVTL/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1547216848&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=raw+uncut&dpPl=1&dpID=51WmIg5LlmL&ref=plSrch   If you’re suffering from an eating disorder, or know someone who is, then help can be found here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/   Read more about eating disorders via the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/eating-disorders/   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Happy New Year to all my gurls! For the month of January 2019, Gurls Talk Addiction, so I’ve invited a man I adore and admire onto the podcast to share his story.   His name is @sonny_hall and his life after being adopted at the age of 4 seemed to be a constant voyage of escape, leading him into the arms of alcohol and drugs.   He tells me with captivating honesty about what led to his addiction and what brought him out the other side. Ever since I first met Sonny, he’s had a place in my heart, and I know that by listening to his story, he’ll earn a place in yours too.   To find out more about The Cabin, follow this link: https://www.thecabinchiangmai.com/   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Our December theme of grief has taken me on a journey of inspiring stories and humbling memories.   For my last episode of 2018, I invite the Manchester City and Denmark striker, Nadia Nadim (@Nadi9nadim) onto the podcast as she blows me away with her never-ending tales of ambition, drive and success against the odds.   After her father was executed by the Taliban, Nadia’s mother knew that Afghanistan was no safe place for her and her 5 daughters. The story of what happens to them once they escape will leave you feeling like nothing is impossible.   If you’re dealing with grief then there are many charities and organisations that can offer crucial support.   Visit www.cruse.org.uk for one-on-one help and advice. For support around the death of a child, visit www.childbereavement.org.uk. To explore Julia Samuel’s 8 Pillars of Strength, visit www.griefworks.co.uk.   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

As we continue our December theme of grief, I invite a woman who I absolutely adore onto The Gurls Talk podcast; my dear friend, @victoria_lampley.   Victoria kindly opens up about the devastating impact of her mother’s cancer diagnosis, and how becoming a mother herself shortly after she died was such an impossible transition.   We also discuss the importance of talking about grief and how to be a good friend to those who are suffering from bereavement.   To read more from Victoria’s quote on strength, read ‘On Grief & Grieving’ by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler.   To read the beautiful piece by Nick Cave on grief, visit: https://www.theredhandfiles.com/communication-dream-feeling/   If you’re dealing with grief then there are many charities and organisations that can offer crucial support.   Visit www.cruse.org.uk for one-on-one help and advice. For support around the death of a child, visit www.childbereavement.org.uk. To explore Julia Samuel’s 8 Pillars of Strength, visit www.griefworks.co.uk.   The Grief Support Center in LA that Victoria mentioned in our chat is: https://www.ourhouse-grief.org/   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Throughout December, Gurls Talk Grief, and I have one of the most accomplished panels of experts to help us unpack this devastating and taboo subject. @ProfessorGreen uses his experience with his father’s suicide to show us how we should be celebrating the lives of those lost. Julia Samuel MBE tells me about her pillars of strength and how kickboxing is her secret weapon for coping with grief. And Amy Green explains why the bereavement charity, Cruse, is so valuable for those dealing with the loss of a loved one, however long ago it was. If you’re dealing with grief then there are many charities and organisations that can offer crucial support. Visit www.cruse.org.uk for one-on-one help and advice. For support around the death of a child, visit www.childbereavement.org.uk. To explore Julia Samuel’s 8 Pillars of Strength, visit www.griefworks.co.uk. To sign the petition for Stephen and Cruse’s campaign for A National Grief Awareness Day, visit https://www.change.org/p/matthew-hancock-mp-a-national-grief-day-to-remember-those-we-ve-lost. To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

I invite the British female boxing champion, Ramla Ali (AKA @somaliboxer), onto the Gurls Talk sofa.   We talk identity, religion and how your story shouldn’t define you, as well as how Ramla’s love for boxing forced her to keep it a secret from her parents for over a decade.   So headphones in, and get ready to love yourself with Ramla’s mantra for keeping her confidence up, and find out why I believe passion is the most attractive thing in a person.   View past submissions from our gurls @GurlsTalk or submit your own to our website: www.gurlstalk.com

For our first ever podcast, I invite Jorja Smith over for some love, laughs and gurl talk around what sport means to us.   The stunner and I celebrate being black women, embracing our natural hair, our love of boxing (and why we hate yoga!),  and how comparing yourself to others is one of the worst thing you can do.   To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.   Mad love to Jorja Smith and @SophieArram for being part of the episode. And to Nike for making this podcast possible. X   Further reading on the topics discussed in the show: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-45116607

The Gurls Talk Podcast is coming! Hosted by Adwoa Aboah and with a different guest invited on each week, we’ll be talking about the issues that affect us most - with absolutely nothing off limits. From sexuality, to mental health and disability to religion, we want to provide young women everywhere with the tools to take control of their lives. So next time you need to escape the chaos of the everyday, put your headphones in and get lost in The Gurls Talk Podcast. Your regular source of fierce female chat.   View past submissions from our gurls @GurlsTalk or submit your own to our website: www.gurlstalk.com