The Gurls Talk Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep 27. Adwoa talks to Sinéad Burke about the need to make design more inclusive. Sep 20, 2019

Show notes

There are a lot of things we don’t have to think about on a daily basis. Such as, if you’re a 3ft 5” adult, how do you reach the locks on public toilet doors, or sinks, or soap dispensers? Or where can you get this season’s shoes? No, not the light up ones for kids, but well designed, flats and heels. When you start seeing the world through the lens of a little person like Sinéad, you realise how the world is not designed for her. It’s designed for the people who design it.

Our theme for the month of September is body and skin, and I absolutely loved talking to Sinéad about how she not only embraces her height difference but actively campaigns to highlight the importance of creating fashion and design for people with disabilities.

We spoke about how she’s forged a relationship with the fashion industry from being excluded from it. We discussed how her disability has shaped every ambition and opportunity she’s had, and Sinéad shared some brilliant mum advice that’s relevant to us all.

Enjoy listening, it’s a beautiful episode. And mad, mad love as always.

Sinéad’s TED Talk – the impetus to all the work she’s doing:

https://www.ted.com/talks/sinead_burke_why_design_should_include_everyone?language=en

You can check out Sinéad’s new podcast here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-me-with-sin%C3%A9ad/id1468608471

You can follow Sinéad on Instagram @thesineadburke 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 26. Adwoa talks to Ovie Soko about toxic masculinity. Sep 05, 2019

Show notes

Like many of you, I was glued to Love Island over the summer. And when Ovie Soko, came on to our screens, I think we all fell slightly in love with him, as he showed us a refreshing version of masculinity. Ovie’s been a bit of a Love Island and general reality TV anomaly. But he shouldn’t be. It opens up the conversation about the toxicity that pervades masculinity, which has fuelled a one-dimensional view of what’s defined manhood for decades. Obviously, a hugely outdated mould, and one that thankfully we are challenging today.

In this episode, Ovie and I talk about representations of masculinity and the importance of staying authentic, not fitting into a box or following the crowd. We discuss the dynamics in the villa, the power and beauty of platonic relationships, and much more. (And yes, in case you were wondering, things with India are still going very well thank you.)

Enjoy listening. And mad love to you all.

You can follow Ovie on Instagram @oviesoko 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 25. Adwoa talks to Princess K about dancing and dreaming big. Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

I remember being ten. It was fun. That sense of freedom, when your summer holiday feels never-ending and it’s all sleep-overs and how much flavoured sugar you can convince your parents to let you have. I definitely did not get asked to perform on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury like our youngest ever Gurls Talk guest, Princess K, did. This year alone, she has managed to tick that off her list, as well as dance with the icon that is Lauryn Hill – all before her 11th birthday.

This was a truly wonderful chat which touched on so many things. We spoke about her hopes of opening a dance studio and starting a charity, what it feels like to dance in front of 150,000 people and how dancing is a wonderful way of letting go and being yourself.

But beyond dance, we talked about how to battle body shaming, confidence, embracing yourself, dealing with rejection, the stresses of social media and chasing your dreams.

With so much talent, and such a wise head on her shoulders, there is no doubt in my mind that this 10-year-old has got one hell of a future in front of her.

Enjoy listening. And just so you know, we’re taking a break for August. So, have a mad, beautiful, brilliant month. We’ll be back in September, batteries recharged, ready to talk about body and skin.

You can follow Princess K on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/princesskofficial/?hl=en

To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Ep 24. Adwoa talks to Fiona Small, Yannicke Clarke and Dylan Downs about young motherhood. Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

I love, love, love babies. But we all know motherhood is hard work, and when you’re a young mum, it comes with its own set of challenges. So, I invited Fiona Small, the founder of Young Mums Support Network (YMSN) and two incredible young mums – Yannicke Clarke and Dylan Downs – on to the podcast to talk about what young mums face in today’s society.

Young mums certainly don’t have it easy. From healthcare professionals informing them of their pregnancy as if it’s bad news, to families bearing the brunt of the housing crisis, to postnatal mental illness, there are many difficulties that arise when you’re a young mum.

Thankfully, even though society doesn’t treat young mothers as it should, pioneering women like Fiona have created organisations like YMSN. YMSN does all sorts of amazing things, focusing on driving social change to end child hunger and malnourishment, help with home management and getting mums on benefits back to work.

We also read out the stunning poem Reading to You by the brilliant Hollie McNish. She writes with such insight about what it means to be a mother, covering topics on breastfeeding in public, her body through pregnancy and as a mum, and finding a place to scream once in a while.

It’s a real eye-opener listening to these stories of young motherhood and I am super excited to share this episode with you.

As always, mad, mad love.

You can find out more about YMSN and the various programs they offer here: https://ymsn.co.uk

Hollie McNish’s poetry from the book Nobody Told Me is an honest and beautiful snapshot of the realities of motherhood. You can devour it here: https://holliepoetry.com

Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and you can follow us on Instagram @GurlsTalk. Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Ep 23. Adwoa talks to Amika George about ending period poverty and menstruation taboos. Jul 11, 2019

Show notes

Thank God for Gen Z. They truly care about wanting to make the world better. When I first met Amika a few years ago, she wasn’t old enough to vote, yet she was on a mission to change government policies to fight period poverty with her Free Periods movement. And she still is.

Our theme for July is YOUTH, and Amika was at the top of the list of people I wanted to get on Gurls Talk. She embodies how the youth are driving change and how politics isn’t just Westminster, it’s standing up for what you believe in. We talk about the generation gap within politics, how we can all help end period taboos by being more open about them and educating boys about them. We talk about how we all have similar stories of bleeding on a bed or through our pants. How we’ve been conditioned to believe that periods are embarrassing, to be spoken about in hushed tones, and to sneak a tampon up our sleeves before we head to the loo.

So, take a listen to feel period-liberated, inspired and empowered to “be the change you want to see in the world” – as Gandhi said. And as always, mad, mad love.

Find out more about Free Periods and join the movement here: https://www.freeperiods.org

Do you know that period-proof underwear is a thing? It means you can ditch buying tampons and pads every month. https://www.shethinx.com

And we love that brands are making things like this: Viva La Vulva! https://www.bodyform.co.uk/products/yours-is-the-only-perfect-vulva/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuKGz7ISb4wIVSr3ACh0-4wmZEAAYASAAEgK1hfD_BwE

Please send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com and you can follow us on Instagram @GurlsTalk. Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Ep 22. Adwoa talks to Serena Williams to find out how to win at life. Jun 28, 2019

Show notes

Being one of the greatest athletes of all time is obviously a monumental accolade. But when Serena and I sat down, we didn’t just talk about kick-ass serves and Grand Slam wins. Like you, I wanted to know how she wins at life, not just on the court. When it comes to learning life skills – our theme for June – Serena is the perfect powerhouse woman to turn to.

I loved hearing about Serena’s relationship with her sister, Venus, and how her family’s support has played such a huge part of who she is. From her own experience, she recognises the power of supporting dreams, and now, as a mother, she’s committed to standing behind what her daughter wants to do. (Even if these days it’s just eating an apple REALLY loudly.)

Serena opened up about her determination to win, the importance of having plans and goals, and standing up for yourself. She spoke about how she’s (in her own words) “freakishly good” at maths, how she always speaks the truth, questions why people never ask a man “how do you manage family life and having a career?” And when she’s not playing tennis, she’s passionate about using her business, Serena Ventures, to help start-ups founded by women and minorities.

It really is such an exciting episode, it was a great experience talking to a warm, resilient and empowering woman. I’m now all revved up to watch Serena at Wimbledon! So, enjoy listening, and as always, mad, mad love.

You can follow Serena on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/serenawilliams/?hl=en

Read about Serena and business https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2019/06/03/inside-serena-williams-plan-to-ace-venture-investing/#551a979e7787

And find out the latest on all things Wimbledon https://www.wimbledon.com/index.html

We love receiving your artwork, poetry and messages, so please send any submissions to www.gurlstalk.com and you can follow us on Instagram @GurlsTalk. Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

Ep 21. Adwoa talks to Ore Ogunbiyi about being the only black girl in the room at Cambridge. Jun 21, 2019

Show notes

Reading Ore Ogunbiyi’s ‘A letter to my fresher self: Surviving Cambridge as a black girl’ hits such an emotional chord with me. Being a minority in a predominantly white institution creates some serious life skills. Which is why I invited Ore on to the podcast this week. We chat about discrimination in the classroom, overcoming imposter syndrome, and when you arrive back at uni with braids – no, your hair isn’t something people can freely smell and touch! Really guys, WTF?!

We also talk about the new book Ore’s co-written with her right hand/wife/best friend, and fellow Cambridge graduate, Chelsea Kwakye (who couldn’t join us because she’s taking her law exams). Taking Up Space, published under Stormzy’s #Merky Books imprint, is the black girl’s manifesto for change, and explores the issues surrounding diversity and inclusion within higher education. The book offers a sisterhood for black girls going to university. Brutally honest, while reassuring, almost like an older sister telling you what fashion trends to avoid.

But this isn’t just a black girl’s issue, it’s a conversation we should all be aware of. A collective effort in which everyone has a role to play, because without awareness, nothing changes. Ore shares some life skills that students from all backgrounds can benefit from.

So, listen, enjoy, and as always, mad, mad love.

To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.

You can read ‘A letter to my fresher self: Surviving Cambridge as a black girl’ here:

https://www.varsity.co.uk/features/14214

And buy a copy of Taking Up Space here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Taking-Up-Space-Chelsea-Kwakye/dp/1529118530

Ep 20. Adwoa talks to Sharmadean Reid about empowering women through business Jun 14, 2019

Show notes

I may have known Sharmadean for a while but that doesn’t mean I’m not flabbergasted by her selfless, raw and boundary-pushing talents every time I meet her. As the founder of Wah Nails and Beautystack, Sharmadean is no stranger to business and changing the world through tech. This conversation blew me away, not least because I found out just how much this phenomenal woman has achieved for herself and for all women just by being passionate and determined in her path. If you’re looking to set up your side hustle, your full hustle or just get inspired, then listen to this episode and learn from one of the best.

Sign up to Sharmadean’s newsletter here: https://beautystack.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=74bd9d4dd8d939f06f97615f8&id=1a785863bc

Check out: http://www.futuregirlcorp.com/

To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Ep 19. Adwoa talks to the hijab-wearing referee changing the face of football May 30, 2019

Show notes

I think I’m in love with JJ, the UK’s first hijab-wearing and female referee who’s got her sights set on reffing the world’s biggest games. The Somali refugee spent her teens hiding her love of football from her family for cultural reasons, but now she’s proudly changing stereotypes and thrashing barriers on the pitch as she coaches, plays and refs all around the world.

Listen now to hear how sport can change your life no matter who you are, what your background is or what you look like. And prepare to fall in love with JJ as much as I did!

Find out how you can become a referee: http://www.thefa.com/get-involved/referee/general-information

Find out more about the Wild Cats: http://www.thefa.com/womens-girls-football/get-involved/sse-wildcats

Find out more about the 7-A-Side tournament featuring Adwoa and JJ on Sunday 16th June and sign up: nike.com/marshestakeover

To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Ep 18. Adwoa talks to the passionate campaigner who wants to stop Brexit, Femi Oluwole, about the most important thing we need to do this Thursday: VOTE. May 21, 2019

Show notes

Yes, we're all bored of Brexit. And it's hard to keep up with what politician is making what terrible decision. Sometimes it's easier to just look the other way. But that's literally the worst thing we can do. On Thursday 24 May, I urge you all to vote in the European election.

Femi Oluwole breaks it down for us, giving us a 101 of what these elections mean. As a co-founder of pro-European Union advocacy group Our Future Our Choice, he says, "if you're bored of Brexit, you cannot let Brexit happen. It should be your boredom fuelling you to get involved in this issue."

While the leaders of our country battle it out, determined to mess up our future, we need to make our voices heard. We need to show up to vote, because if Farage wins, we're in a very dangerous territory.

You can keep up-to-date with Femi's Tweets here: @Femi_Sorry

And for more information on how to vote and where your local voting station is, visit https://wheredoivote.co.uk

To find out more about Gurls Talk or to send us your artwork, poetry or anything you want to share, visit www.gurlstalk.com or find us on Instagram @GurlsTalk.

Oh, and did I mention to VOTE ON THURSDAY!

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