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Global

Well-behaved women rarely make history – as someone once said – difficult women do.
In this new LBC new podcast, Rachel Johnson's Difficult Women, Rachel will be talking to women who had to be a pain in the backside to get where they are today. 
Women who take the word difficult as a compliment not an insult. And women who had to fight, resist, insist, or otherwise be badly behaved in order to get things done.

Listen and subscribe on Global Player, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow Rachel on Twitter: @RachelSJohnson

For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com

Rachel Johnson's Difficult Women

Shabnam Nasimi, a passionate advocate for Afghan women and human rights. From fleeing Afghanistan as a refugee to becoming a political activist, Shabnam shares her journey, the challenges Afghan women face, and the power of resilience.

Shabnam Nasimi

After Announcing her return to BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, Amy Dowden shares her journey in dance, living with Crohn’s disease, and her recent battle with breast cancer.

Amy's book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dancing-Rain-story-courage-resilience/dp/0349442045

Amy's tour - https://www.amyandcarlostour.co.uk/

Strictly's Amy Dowden

Dr Helen Webberley has dedicated her career to protecting and advocating for trans rights. As the debate, both online and in the halls of legislature, becomes more toxic, I sat down with Helen to see if we could find some common ground on this most controversial of issues.

Dr Webberley's Tireless Trans Advocacy

"I don't give a f*ck if I'm liked or not" - Tracy-Ann Oberman comes from a long line of Difficult Women, her very own aunt fled pogroms in Russia to fight fascists on the streets of east London. She is no less difficult, proudly standing up against antisemitism wherever she sees it. 

Tracy-Ann Oberman is joined by acclaimed actor Joseph Millson in the critically acclaimed production of The Merchant of Venice 1936, for its strictly limited West End season at the Trafalgar Theatre (28 December – 25 January) and subsequent UK tour in 2025.

Tickets can be found at merchantofvenice1936.co.uk

Tracy-Ann Oberman takes on the "Keffiyeh Karens"

This week's difficult women is Mariella Frostrup. A renowned broadcaster, writer, and outspoken feminist - always ready with her sharp wit and deep commitment to social issues. With a career spanning television, radio, and print, she’s built a reputation as an agony aunt, offering advice with empathy and honesty. Beyond her media work, Mariella is a passionate advocate for women's rights, particularly focused on breaking the silence around menopause. Fearless in her pursuit of equality, she’s made it her mission to amplify the voices of women and challenge the taboos that still hold us back.

Mariella Frostrup, from Penniless Teen to Menopause Queen

Sally Clarke is a powerhouse in the world of fine dining, renowned for her unwavering resilience and culinary mastery. As the owner of the iconic Sally Clarke Restaurant in London, she has not only survived but thrived in the high-pressure, ever-evolving restaurant industry. With a career spanning decades, Sally's commitment to excellence and her ability to adapt have made her a respected figure among chefs and restaurateurs alike. She’s a true testament to grit, passion, and staying the course, no matter what the industry throws her way.

Sally Clarke's Breakfast with Freud

Bonnie Greer is an acclaimed writer, cultural commentator, and trailblazing feminist whose work has left an indelible mark on the literary and social landscapes. Born in Chicago, Greer moved to the UK, where she became a force to be reckoned with in the realms of literature, television, and politics. Known for her unapologetic approach to issues of race, gender, and identity, she has long championed the voices of marginalized women and challenged societal norms.

The Trailblazing Bonnie Greer

Anne Applebaum is an American-born historian, journalist, and author, renowned for her expertise in Eastern Europe, particularly the Soviet Union, and the impact of communism. Applebaum is best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning book Gulag: A History, her work often focuses on totalitarianism, historical memory, and the political transformations in Central and Eastern Europe post-communism.

The world according to Anne Applebaum

This week I am joined by Welsh Labour MP and former international rugby star Tonia Antoniazzi. Before entering politics, her distinguished rugby career earned her nine caps for Wales and saw her compete in the 1998 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Elected as the first female MP for Gower in 2017, she has since championed everything from women's rights to medical cannabis. In 2024, she joined the Board of Directors for the Scarlets rugby team, reinforcing her lifelong commitment to the sport.

With a career spanning sports, education, and politics, Antoniazzi continues to champion causes that make a real difference in people’s lives.

Tonia Antoniazzi and the Afghani Cricket Team

This week's difficult woman is the leader of Ukraine's Golos party, Kira Rudik. For three years her country has been under attack from an invading Russian army. For three years, her country has stood firm. Now there is a new face in the White House and the future of her country hangs in the balance. Slava Ukraini!

Ukrainian MP, Kira Rudik

This week's difficult woman is probably more accurately described as difficult women! Lorraine Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Olivia Coleman, Ann Widdecombe AND Miss Piggy join me this week, all voiced by the wonderful Ronni Ancona. A long and storied career in comedy that is as fascinating as it is funny.

The many voices of Ronni Ancona

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