Rebel Girls

Latest Episodes:

Billie Jean King Read by Jessica Valenti Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Once upon a time, there was a bespectacled girl who loved tennis. She was resourceful and figured out a way to get tennis lessons for free since her family didn't have a lot of money. When she became a national champion, she began to fight for equal rights within the tennis circuit: equal pay for men AND women. This led to a revolution in the sport, paving the way for future female superstars like Venus and Serena Williams. [This episode originally aired in April 2018.]

About the Narrator

Jessica Valenti is a columnist for the Guardian US and the author of multiple books on feminism, politics, and culture. Her most recent book, Sex Object: A Memoir, was a New York Times bestseller. Her award-winning blog, Feministing.com, has been praised by Columbia Journalism Review as “head and shoulders above almost any writing on women’s issues in mainstream media.”

Credits

This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, with writing and operation support by Darby Maloney and Elyssa Dudley. Sound Design and Original Theme Music by Elettra Bargiacchi.

A Legend Returns and Softball Summer Takes Off Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Serena Williams is BACK, Triple Espresso returns, and a NCAA Softball Champion is crowned. Plus Sky Brown skates into fashion, literally. Pepper covers it all this week on the Weekly Sports Show. Catch new episodes every Thursday as we bring you all of the news in Women’s Sports. Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

Get to Know Basketball Coach Molly Miller Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

Molly Miller, Head Coach of the Arizona State University Women’s Basketball team, joins Rebel Girls for a conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build a winning team. She talks about coining the term "Benergy," how she handles being underestimated, and why you don't have to fit someone else's mold to lead– you just have to be your true authentic self.

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Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju: Love is Love Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Lawyers Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju made history in 2018 when they helped overturn a law in India that said love between people of the same gender was illegal. They worked hard to show India’s Supreme Court that love is love.

Billie Jean King Just Made History AGAIN May 29, 2026

Show notes

Diplomas, diamond chains, and championships. Pepper covers it all this week from the GOAT Billie Jean King making history once again, to records being broken on the track, lacrosse field, and basketball court.

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

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Get to Know Kat Taylor May 28, 2026

Show notes

Today, you'll hear from Kat Taylor who narrated the previous episode about Temple Grandin. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, now is a good time to go back and check it out. [This episode originally aired May 2020.]

About Kat:

Kat Taylor is a philanthropist dedicated to restoring social justice and environmental well-being, and building a more inclusive world. Kat is active in a variety of social enterprises and currently serves as Co-Founder and Board Chair of Beneficial State Bank, whose mission it is to spread prosperity in communities. Kat is also a Founding Director of TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation (TKREF), dedicated to inspiring sustainable food systems.

Credits:

This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, John Cheary, Sarah Storm, and Robin Lai. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Special thanks to our credit readers and interviewers.

Temple Grandin Read by Kat Taylor May 26, 2026

Show notes

Once upon a time, there was a girl who thought in pictures instead of words. Her name was Temple. When Temple was a girl, her parents realized she was different. Her mind was full of pictures of everything she’d ever seen or experienced. Temple was then diagnosed with autism. In the 1950s, doctors didn't know much about her condition, so they recommended that Temple be sent away. Temple’s mother insisted that she would thrive at home with the right support and the right education. Because of that courageous act, Temple grew up to change the world for millions of animals. Tune in to find out how she did it. [This episode originally aired May 2020.]

Our narrator this episode is Kat Taylor, a philanthropist dedicated to restoring social justice and environmental well-being, and building a more inclusive world. Kat is active in a variety of social enterprises and currently serves as Co-Founder and Board Chair of Beneficial State Bank, whose mission it is to spread prosperity in communities. Kat is also a Founding Director of TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation (TKREF), dedicated to inspiring sustainable food systems.

This podcast is based on the book series also titled Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Our Executive Producers are Elena Favilli and Joy Fowlkes. This season was produced by John Marshall Cheary, Sarah Storm, and Robin Lai. This episode was written by Alexis Stratton 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 was the sound mixer.

The Greatest College World Series Comeback of All-Time? May 22, 2026

Show notes

A Gucci handbag makes an on-court appearance, the PWHL crowns a champion, Mal Swanson returns and Pepper talks College World Series Super Regionals.

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

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Get to Know Sports Journalist Arielle Chambers May 21, 2026

Show notes

Ari Chambers, journalist, sports commentator, and the woman behind the viral phrase "The WNBA Is So Important," joins us for a conversation about women's sports, self-confidence, and walking through life with audacity.

She talks about covering the Olympics, the importance of preparation, and the one thing every girl can practice today to build unshakeable confidence.

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Get to Know Philomena Kwao May 20, 2026

Show notes

Get to know Philomena Kwao, a plus size model who lives in London and New York, and is also an ambassador for Women for Women International. She shares with us the impact Zainab’s story has had on her, the importance of representation and how important it is to share our stories. [This episode originally aired in March 2021.]

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