The Gurls Talk Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep 47. Adwoa speaks to activist, author, TV host and photographer iO Tillett Wright on the nuances of identity politics, challenging heteronormativity and navigating white allyship. Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

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.

Ep 46. Adwoa and the community organisers from London-based youth outreach initiative Milk & Honey Bees discuss how they work to carve out spaces for Black and Biracial women where they can defy society’s expectations. Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

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.

Ep 45. Adwoa speaks to activist, campaigner and founder of Glitch, Seyi Akiwowo about the dangers of online abuse and the effect of the current political climate on digital spaces and our mental health. Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

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.

Ep 44. Adwoa talks to Lexi Brumback from Netflix’s Cheer about rewriting your future Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

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.

Ep 43. Adwoa and Afua Hirsch discuss the nuances of biracial identity, the power of language, and the insidious nature of Britain’s brand of anti-Black racism. Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

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.

Ep 42. Adwoa discusses activism, vulnerability and changing your narrative with Black Lives Matter ambassador and futurist storyteller, Janaya Future Khan. Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

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.

Ep 41. Adwoa talks to Hollie Arnold, the Team GB Paralympian about achieving something you never thought possible May 28, 2020

Show notes

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.

Ep 40. Adwoa talks to Megan Barton-Hanson about reality TV, insecurities and lifting women up. May 21, 2020

Show notes

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.

Ep 39. Adwoa talks to her mother, Camilla Lowther OBE, about the joys and pressures of motherhood May 14, 2020

Show notes

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.

Ep 38. Adwoa talks to Lucy Sheridan about breaking the comparison trap and the power of self-confidence. May 07, 2020

Show notes

“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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

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.

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected