Rebel Girls

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Get to Know Marcy Vaj Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

This season, we invited our credit readers to interview our storytellers. Today, you'll hear from Marcy Vaj who narrated the previous episode about Bebe Vio. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, now is a good time to go back and check it out! Vaj reveals how her violin bow has become her personal weapon, how feminism has changed as she's grown older, and more! [This episode originally aired June 2019.]

About Vaj:

She was Sir Paul McCartney’s concertmaster for the 2012 Grammys, has a solo on the last albums of Glenn Frey (of the Eagles) and Charlie Haden (of Quartet West), and one on, Turkish piano star Kerem Gorsev’s in 2015. She also soloed in 12 chamber concerts in La Sainte Chappelle, Paris, served as concertmaster for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Thomas Conlin and the Zachery Opera Awards under Frank Fetta. Her string quartet is featured on the Paul Williams DVD, "I’m Going Back There Someday." In 2011 and 2012, she soloed and played principal in a chamber orchestra in London's Royal College of Music for the week of the Royal Wedding and again for the week of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

As a violinist/violist, she has accumulated hundreds of film credits including: TED, Ice Age, The Flintstones 1 & 2, Nutty Professor 1 & 2, Are We There Yet, Shrek, Armageddon, As Good As It Gets, and Matilda.

She is an adjunct professor of violin/viola at Santa Monica College and also teaches privately.

Credits:

This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Special thanks to Clio McClure for coordinating our credit readers and interviewers.

Bebe Vio Read by Marcy Vaj Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Once upon a time, there was a girl who wielded a sword. Her name was Beatrice Vio or “Bebe” for short. When Bebe was just 11 years old, she came down with a severe case of meningitis. She survived a quadruple amputation, forcing her to relearn almost everything. But Bebe wanted more than just to walk or brush her teeth—Bebe wanted to fence again. And beyond that, Bebe wanted to win. Using prostheses of her own invention, Bebe fenced all the way to the paralympic games. [This episode originally aired June 2019.]

About the Narrator:

MARCY VAJ is a busy violinist/violist, composer, personnel manager/contractor, and teacher. She has co-produced and orchestrated several albums and written countless arrangements. She received orchestration credit on "Prince of Egypt" and "Antz." Her credits include scoring the documentary "California Women Get The Vote" (2011) and the award-winning short film "Click Three Times." Since 2000, she has been a member of Composers Ensemble LA (CELA), a 12-piece composer/player workshop that writes concert pieces for the group. Marcy is a founding and touring member of The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. She was Sir Paul McCartney’s concertmaster for the 2012 Grammys, has a solo on the last albums of Glenn Frey (of the Eagles) and Charlie Haden (of Quartet West), and one on, Turkish piano star Kerem Gorsev’s in 2015. She also soloed in 12 chamber concerts in La Sainte Chappelle, Paris, served as concertmaster for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Thomas Conlin and the Zachery Opera Awards under Frank Fetta. Her string quartet is featured on the Paul Williams DVD, "I’m Going Back There Someday." In 2011 and 2012, she soloed and played principal in a chamber orchestra in London's Royal College of Music for the week of the Royal Wedding and again for the week of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. As a violinist/violist, she has accumulated hundreds of film credits including: TED, Ice Age, The Flintstones 1 & 2, Nutty Professor 1 & 2, Are We There Yet, Shrek, Armageddon, As Good As It Gets, and Matilda.

She is an adjunct professor of violin/viola at Santa Monica College and also teaches privately.

Credits:

This episode was produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane, with writing by Abby Sher and narration by Marcy Vaj. Jestine Ware edited all scripts and Janice Weaver fact-checked all scripts. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Special thanks to Clio McClure who coordinated all credit recordings and narrator donations.

Get to Know Soccer Player Leslie Osborne Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Leslie Osborne, former USWNT member and co-founder of Bay FC, sat down with Junior Reporter Darcy to talk about playing in the World Cup, tearing her ACL days after making the 2008 Olympic team, and what 18 months of recovery taught her about life beyond soccer.

She also talks about the phone call that started Bay FC — and why women's sports in the Bay Area is having a major moment.

Play Rebel and Stay Rebel

Get To Know Actress and Activist Diane Guerrero Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

Meet actress, activist, and author Diane Guerrero who brought us the story of activist and DREAMer, Lorella Praeli. Diane tells us the story of her own family’s experience with family separation and how we can all have hard conversations about immigration. [This episode originally aired December 2020.]

Lorella Praeli Read By Diane Guerrero Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Born in Peru, Lorella Praeli became an activist at a young age when she stood up to middle school bullies in her small Connecticut town and, in college, came out as an undocumented immigrant. Within a few years, she became known as one of the foremost and fiercest youth advocates working to pass the DREAM Act, which would offer protections for undocumented youth. Though she became an American citizen in 2015, today, Lorella continues to fight for change and build power among immigrants in the U.S. [This episode originally aired December 2020.]

About the Narrator

Diane Guerrero is an American actress, activist and author. She is currently a Series Regular on DC Universe/HBO Max’s series DOOM PATROL. She plays “Crazy Jane,” the most powerful member of the show’s titular band of outcast superheroes. She is also known for her roles as “Sofia,” a series regular on the CBS comedy SUPERIOR DONUTS, “Maritza Ramos” on the award-winning, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Netflix series ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (for which she received THREE Screen Actors Guild awards) and as "Lina" in CW's break-out hit, JANE THE VIRGIN.

She was nominated for the 34th Imagen Awards, is the winner of the Lupe Ontiveros Indomitable Spirit Award by the National Hispanic Media Coalition and Variety had named her one of the top 10 Latina actresses to watch: Variety's Top Ten Latinas.

Credits

This episode was a production of Rebel Girls and Boom Integrated, a division of John Marshall Media. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Our Executive Producers were Jes Wolfe and Katie Sprenger. This season was produced by John Marshall Cheary, Victoria Gruenberg, and Robin Lai. Corinne Peterson was our Production Manager. This episode was written by Alexis Stratton and edited by Katie Sprenger. Proofread by Ariana Rosas. Elettra Bargiacchi created sound design, and composed and performed the original theme. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer.

Get To Know Actress and Activist Jameela Jamil Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Today, you'll hear from Jameela Jamil who narrated this week's episode about Greta Thunberg. If you haven't listened to this week's episode, now is a good time to go back and check it out. Jameela offers advice on how to avoid bullies and how we can all do our part to protect the planet. Producer Camille also shares 5 great tips on how YOU can get involved with protecting the planet! [This episode originally aired April 2020.]

About Jameela:

Jameela works as an actress, writer, host and advocate. In 2018, Jameela launched a movement and activism platform called I Weigh. The platform explores social issues that stem from mental health to climate change. Jameela can be seen on shows including The Good Place on NBC and as the voice of Auntie Pushpa on Disney Jr.’s animated series Mira, Royal Detective.

Greta Thunberg Read By Jameela Jamil Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Once upon a time, there was a Swedish girl who refused to go to school. Her name was Greta. When Greta found out about an island of trash the size of Mexico floating around the ocean, she couldn’t understand why there weren’t more people concerned enough to take action. Greta found strength in talking about how global warming affects kids and grownups alike and how together we can make a positive impact on the world we live in. [This episode originally aired April 20th, 2020.]

About the Narrator

Our narrator this episode is the one-of-a-kind Jameela Jamil. She is an actress, writer, host and advocate. In 2018, Jameela launched a movement and activism platform called I Weigh. The platform explores social issues that stem from mental health to climate change. Jameela can be seen on shows including The Good Place on NBC and as the voice of Auntie Pushpa on Disney Jr.’s animated series Mira, Royal Detective.

Credits

This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Executive Producer is Katie Sprenger. This episode was produced by John Marshall Cheary, Sarah Storm, and Robin Lai. This episode was written by Joy Fowlkes and edited by Pam Gruber. Maithy Vu proofread. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi who has also sound designed this episode. Mattia Marcelli is the sound mixer. For more, visit www.rebelgirls.com.

Record-setting women EVERYWHERE we look! Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

We're off the next 2 weeks, which means this episode is PACKED!

We bring you news from across the board! From back-to-back AUSL champions, a 4’6” stunt-double, record-breaking WNBA all-star performances, and more, this episode brings all the heat before a short break.

Catch new episodes every Friday as we bring you all of the news in Women’s Sports.

Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

Get to Know Bikepacker Tegan Phillips Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Tegan Phillips, bikepacker, cartoonist and content creator from Cape Town, South Africa, left law school to cycle across Africa with her family and never looked back. She talks about her 1,400-mile New Zealand Epic, attempting to be the first woman to bike from Cairo to Cape Town, building a community of women bikers, and why the best things that will happen to you are things you can't even dream about yet.

Stay Rebel

Get To Know Tanja Babich Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

This season, we invited our credit readers to interview our storytellers. Today, you'll hear from Tanja Babich who narrated the previous episode about Carmen Amaya. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, now is a good time to go back and check it out! Tanja reveals how she optimizes her schedule to be an early morning news anchor, her superpower, and how she deals with criticism! [This episode originally aired October 2020.]

About Babich:

Tanja Babich gives the term “early riser” a run for its money, waking up at 2:30 AM each weekday morning to deliver the day’s headlines at ABC 7 Chicago. Her work has afforded her the opportunity to do aerial stunts in an F-16 fighter jet, cover President Obama’s 2009 inauguration, and trail Pope Francis on his first trip to the United States. But the job she is most proud of is mom to two fierce and fun little girls...with one more daughter on the way!

Tanja was born in Canada to immigrant parents from Serbia and Chile. She speaks four languages and finds tremendous joy traveling to cities near and far with her husband Paul and her rebel girls.

Credits:

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