Sisters of Defiance

1 Min read

We’re proud to introduce Sisters of Defiance, a new podcast hosted by Anita Rani and nourished by Ancient + Brave.

Through raw conversations and brave stories, the series shines a light on women whose names you know, but whose real stories are rarely told. Their journeys have challenged expectations, reshaped culture and redefined what’s possible. Each episode explores the untold realities behind success, resilience and modern womanhood.

Each week, Anita is joined by Ancient + Brave's Dr Jenna Macciochi and Jo Woodhurst, in The Last Offering, drawing on ancestral wisdom to explore the everyday rituals and practices that can enable all of us to live a truly brave life.

Join us wherever you find your podcasts over the next 10 weeks as we introduce you to some of the most courageous, groundbreaking women of our time. Discover our Sisters of Defiance on YouTube

Introducing this week’s sister of defiance… Rose Ayling-Ellis

This week, Anita sits down with Rose Ayling-Ellis, actress, Strictly champion, and one of the most influential voices for disability and inclusion in Britain. They talk about a lifetime of fighting to be heard — from advocating for herself in the classroom as a child to challenging discrimination in TV and film today. Rose reflects on the loneliness of feeling caught between worlds, on imposter syndrome and feeling unworthy of milestones like her BAFTA and MBE, and on her determination to live life on her own terms, insisting the fight for true, intersectional representation is far from over.

Meet Our

Anita Rani, award winning Broadcaster, Writer and Producer

Anita Rani is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and author. She presents BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and BBC One's Countryfile, has written the Sunday Times bestseller The Right Sort of Girl, and serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and Chancellor of the University of Bradford.

Dame Meera Syal, Actress, writer and comedian

Dame Meera Syal is an award-winning actress, writer and comedian, and a BAFTA Fellowship recipient. Best known for Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at No. 42 and her novel Anita and Me, she was made a Dame in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to literature, drama and charity.

Emma Grede, Entrepreneur, Investor and Businesswoman

Emma Grede is an entrepreneur, investor and businesswoman, and the first Black woman to serve as a guest investor on Shark Tank US. She is the co-founder and CEO of Good American, a founding partner of SKIMS, and the author of Start With Yourself, out now.

Gisele Pelicot, Advocate and Author

Gisele Pelicot has become one of the defining voices of modern feminism. In 2024, she waived her right to anonymity in the Pelicot trial in France, insisting the proceedings be public so that shame would change sides. Her courage led to the conviction of 51 men and reshaped the global conversation about sexual violence.

Fatiha El-Ghorri, Comedian

Fatiha El-Ghorri is a BAFTA-nominated comedian and one of the most distinctive voices in British comedy. A proudly British-Muslim performer who refuses to translate herself for anyone, she has built a fast-rising career on fearless, candid storytelling and is currently on an extended national tour.

Beverly Knight, Singer and Performer

Beverly Knight is one of the UK's most celebrated soul singers, often called the Queen of British Soul, with a career spanning three decades. A multi-award-winning artist and acclaimed West End performer in productions including The Bodyguard and Sylvia, she is also a longstanding advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Clare Waight Keller, Fashion Designer

Clare Waight Keller is one of Britain's most accomplished fashion designers, with a career leading some of the world's most influential houses. The first woman to serve as artistic director at Givenchy, where she designed a celebrated royal wedding dress, she has also held creative leadership roles at Chloé, Pringle of Scotland, and Uniqlo, bringing her philosophy of functional, considered "lifewear" to a global audience.

Anoushka Shankar, Sitar Virtuoso and Composer

Anoushka Shankar is a Grammy-nominated sitar player and composer who has spent her career bridging classical Indian music with contemporary and global sounds. The daughter of the legendary Ravi Shankar, she has built a singular voice of her own across many acclaimed albums, and is celebrated as one of the most influential instrumentalists of her generation.

Paris Paloma, Singer Song-writer

Paris Paloma is a British singer-songwriter and visual artist known for her literary, folk-inflected songwriting and richly feminist themes. She broke through with the viral anthem "Labour," a searing meditation on the invisible and emotional labour expected of women, and has built a devoted global following drawn to her storytelling and craft.

Rose Ayling-Ellis, Actress and Advocate

Rose Ayling-Ellis is an award-winning actress and a leading advocate for the deaf community. She rose to fame as EastEnders' first deaf character to use British Sign Language, won Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 in a landmark cultural moment, and has since led ITV's Code of Silence, won a BAFTA, and received an MBE for services to the deaf community.