Sisters of Defiance

Anita Rani
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Personal Journals

Welcome to Sisters of Defiance with Anita Rani, nourished by Ancient + Brave. The show celebrating women who have challenged expectations and refused to play safe. Through raw, honest conversations, Anita sits down with some of the most courageous, groundbreaking women of our time; women whose names you know, but whose stories have rarely been told. Together they explore ambition, identity, resilience, and the moments of defiance that shaped their lives: the risks they took, the plans they disrupted, and what it really took to keep going. Featuring brilliant women from across culture, business, entertainment, and beyond, Sisters of Defiance explores what happens when women stop asking for permission and start rewriting the script. Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave. Subscribe on YouTube www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/sistersofdefiance Presented by Anita Rani Executive Producer: Flossie Barratt Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond Graphic Design / Editor: Sunny Formats Operation Manager: Suze Azzopardi Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 11h ago ·  Video

    Nikita Gill on Leaving India, Surviving Abuse & Becoming a Bestselling Poet

    Nikita Gill has become one of the most influential poets and writers of her generation. Through her bestselling books, she's built a global community of millions, using words to help women reclaim their voices, rewrite old stories, and rediscover the power that's always been within them. But it hasn’t been an easy path to success… In this episode, Nikita joins Anita to talk about leaving India for the UK in pursuit of a dream that many people around her couldn't understand. Going against her family's expectations, she arrived with little more than determination, working as a cleaner and a carer while chasing a career in writing, long before she found her breakthrough in the literary world. Nikita also opens up about surviving a coercive and abusive relationship, growing up searching for representation as a brown woman in the creative industry, and why rejecting patriarchal expectations has become central to both Nikita's life and her work. This is a conversation about resilience, feminine power, and having the courage to bet on yourself - even when nobody else can see the future you're fighting for. Nikita’s new book, Styx: The River is out now www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Styx-The-River/Nikita-Gill/9781398537194 Content warning: This episode contains discussions about domestic abuse. We know these experiences can be difficult to hear about, so please listen in the way that feels right for you. If you need support, or if this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, you'll find details of organisations that can help below. National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247 - nationaldahelpline.org.uk Women’s Aid - womensaid.org.uk Stop Hate UK - stophateuk.org/report-hate-crime If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Nikita - @nikita_gill Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient + Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth/ *True Collagen Clinical Studies: *Independent, double-blind, randomised, and placebo-controlled 12-week clinical trial in 60 healthy UK females aged 35-55. Average change from baseline in the True Collagen group (n=30), measured using skin assessment instruments. All changes shown were statistically significant from baseline and compared with placebo. Individual responses may vary. Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here: https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/ 00:00:00 Coming up 00:00:48 Introduction 00:03:15 Welcome & deep breath 00:07:04 Stepping into acting 00:08:17 Childhood & rebellion 00:12:00 Expectations of Nikita 00:13:52 Racism on the birthing table 00:17:35 Defying her parents to leave India 00:21:04 Surviving an abusive relationship 00:29:13 Ancient & Brave ad 00:30:48 Ancient & Brave Weekly Ritual 00:35:21 Finding success & backing yourself 00:39:56 Wanting a soft girl life 00:42:55 Being seen and South Asian women being invisible 00:47:51 Gatekeeping in the arts & ageism on screen 00:51:32 Homecoming to India 00:54:13 Library of Wisdom 00:58:28 Through the portal 00:59:34 Dance playlist 01:00:58 Question from a Sister 01:03:44 Quickfire questions 01:05:55 Outro Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here: https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Nikita Gill on Leaving India, Surviving Abuse & Becoming a Bestselling Poet

  2. Nov 3 ·  Video

    Deborah Meaden on Making Millions, Choosing Not to Have Children & Why Women Belong in the Boardroom

    Deborah Meaden is one of Britain’s most formidable businesswomen - a hugely successful entrepreneur, investor and the longest-serving female Dragon on Dragons’ Den. From starting her first business at just 19 to building and selling a multimillion-pound company, Deborah has spent decades breaking glass ceilings and taking up space in boardrooms. But the road to millions was anything but straightforward. In this episode, Deborah talks candidly about the businesses that failed, losing all her money and starting again, buying the family business from her own parents, and what really changed when she became a millionaire. She opens up about resisting the pressure to “act rich”, the judgement she’s faced for choosing not to have children, and why she believes more women need to be in the rooms where the biggest decisions are made. Deborah also discusses her long-standing fight for a different kind of business - one that values people and planet - and why tackling the climate crisis remains one of the causes she refuses to stop making noise about. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Deborah - @deborahmeaden Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com 00:00:00 Coming up 00:00:51 Introduction 00:02:50 Welcome & deep breath 00:06:31 Early childhood 00:09:18 Courage from family 00:12:08 Struggling with school 00:15:48 Butlin’s & the boardroom 00:20:13 Importance of confidence 00:23:12 First business failures 00:32:18 Buying out the family business 00:37:45 Taking risks and selling her business 00:40:02 How wealth changed her life 00:44:35 Ancient & Brave ad 00:46:50 Ancient & Brave Weekly Ritual 00:50:31 The myth of ‘having it all’ 00:52:09 Marriage and not having children 01:00:40 Dragon’s Den 01:05:18 The climate crisis & business 01:08:00 Data centres & AI 01:11:41 Library of Wisdom 01:12:55 Dance playlist 01:13:29 Through the portal 01:16:49 Quickfire questions 01:21:54 Outro Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here: https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Deborah Meaden on Making Millions, Choosing Not to Have Children & Why Women Belong in the Boardroom

  3. Oct 27 ·  Video

    Maxine Peake on Being Doubted as an Actor, Underestimated for Being Northern & Standing Up for Her Politics

    Maxine Peake has never been particularly interested in fitting in, or taking no for an answer. From refusing to leave drama school when she was told she wasn’t cut out to be an actor, to securing her RADA scholarship with a bold promise to “rob a bank” if she couldn’t afford it, Maxine has always followed her own path. In this episode, she joins Anita to talk about growing up working class in the North, finding her place in an industry that didn’t always make space for women like her, and learning to trust her own voice. Maxine opens up about the classism and typecasting she experienced early in her career, specifically around being northern and overweight, and the pressure to conform to other people’s expectations of what an actress should be. She also speaks candidly about the personal and professional consequences of speaking out on political issues - including public backlash and losing work - as well as the pressures of social media and comparing yourself to others online. Now in her 50s, Maxine is busier than she’s ever been, with her career continuing to accelerate and no signs of slowing down. She reflects on finding creative freedom later in life, trusting her instincts, and why refusing to accept no for an answer is one of the most powerful things you can do. You can watch Maxine’s new show Last Seen on Apple TV now If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Maxine - @betteblavatsky Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com 00:00:00 Coming up 00:00:49 Introduction 00:02:48 Maxine’s current career 00:04:38 Navigating politics and getting acting roles 00:06:28 Working with Michaela Coel and Kate Winslet 00:11:58 Childhood & being defiant 00:15:02 Starting acting and dealing with rejection 00:17:18 Family dynamics 00:22:47 Joining the Communist Party and political roots 00:25:14 Class stereotypes, accents, and privilege in Acting 00:31:16 Persisting with acting 00:35:22 Getting in to RADA 00:36:51 Clubbing with Sara Cox 00:39:30 Ancient & Brave ad 00:41:47 Ancient & Brave Weekly Ritual 00:46:18 Securing the RADA scholarship and auditioning for Richard Eyre 00:51:33 Working with Victoria Wood on Dinner Ladies 00:53:45 Backlash over Political Statements 01:00:15 What’s next for Maxine 01:05:00 Library of Wisdom 01:06:42 Playing Myra Hindley 01:09:06 Dance playlist 01:10:56 Anxiety and hormonal changes 01:12:47 Through the portal 01:15:37 Quickfire questions 01:22:35 Outro Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here: https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Maxine Peake on Being Doubted as an Actor, Underestimated for Being Northern & Standing Up for Her Politics

  4. Oct 20 ·  Video

    Sindhu Vee on Refusing An Arranged Marriage, Giving Up Everything For Motherhood & Going From A Stammer to Stand-Up

    Sindhu Vee has one of the most impressive but unexpected CVs in British comedy - she’s been an academic at Oxford University, an investment banker at a global company, became an award-winning standup after having 3 children and has even pivoted into acting. One thing is true; she has never wanted to fit into a box. In this episode, Sindhu joins Anita to talk about the importance of culture, growing up with a stammer, refusing an arranged marriage and learning from an early age how to see men as her equals. She shares what it was like taking on men in the boardrooms and on the trading floor, leaving everything to become a mother and making the unlikely leap from finance into comedy. Through it all, she reflects on the rebellious streak that has always been part of who she is - and why following your own intuition is so important. You can see Sindhu live on her UK tour Swanky here If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Sindhu - @sindhuvee Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com 00:00 Coming up 00:59 Introduction 02:51 Sindhu questions her defiance 06:11 Growing up in India and breaking the rules 11:03 The scholarship interview 18:28 Sindu's upbringing and family expectations 29:05 Refusing an arranged marriage 38:33 Ancient & Brave ad 40:49 Ancient & Brave Weekly Ritual 44:46 Leaving academia for investment banking 49:23 Navigating a male-dominated workplace 54:19 Overcoming a childhood stammer 59:01 The cost of motherhood 01:06:48 Sindhu’s Swanky tour 01:07:34 What’s next for Sindhu 01:11:53 Library of Wisdom 01:13:55 Dance playlist 01:14:34 Through the portal 01:16:18 Quickfire questions 01:18:48 Outro Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here: https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sindhu Vee on Refusing An Arranged Marriage, Giving Up Everything For Motherhood & Going From A Stammer to Stand-Up

  5. Season 2 Trailer ·  Video

    Sisters of Defiance is BACK for Series 2!

    Sisters, we are so back! Sisters of Defiance, nourished by Ancient + Brave, returns for Series 2, with 10 more extraordinary women joining Anita in her home for honest, funny and emotional conversations about the moments of defiance that have shaped their lives. There are some very special Sisters lined up for this series, with plenty of stories of courage, rejection, reinvention, resilience and finding the confidence to do things your own way. Series 2 returns Tuesday 20th October, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday. In the meantime make sure you: Follow us on Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here: https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Aug 4

    Zandra Rhodes: Before You Go Out, Put Your Makeup On

    Dame Zandra Rhodes is one of Britain’s most iconic designers, who has shaped the worlds of fashion, art and culture for more than six decades. In this week's episode, Anita sits down with the woman who's dressed everyone from Freddie Mercury, Diana Ross and Lauren Bacall to British royalty. Zandra reflects on risking everything to chase her dream in America when nobody believed in her, opening her own museum, being a proud workaholic, finding the love of her life in her fifties, and why, even at 85, she still won't leave the house without her makeup. This is a joyful conversation about living life with creativity, choosing colour over conformity, and having the courage to follow your dreams. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Zandra - @zandra_rhodes_ Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here: https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jul 28

    Davina McCall: Accepting Death Was An Amazing Gift

    Davina McCall has spent decades in the nation's living rooms. From Big Brother to becoming one of Britain's most trusted voices on menopause and women's health, she's built a career on warmth, honesty, and an extraordinary ability to share and make people feel less alone. Recorded live at Love Supreme Festival, Davina joins Anita for a deeply personal conversation about what happens when life forces you to stop and take stock. From undergoing brain surgery and breast cancer, to facing her own mortality, finding love again, and embracing the possibility of marriage for a second time, she reflects on the moments that have changed her perspective forever. Together, they discuss the profound impact of losing her sister, why Big Brother will always hold a special place in her heart, and how speaking openly about menopause helped dismantle shame for millions of women. Above all, Davina shares why she's never been afraid to talk about the things so many of us keep hidden - and why finding joy in the everyday has become her greatest act of resilience. This is a conversation about vulnerability, choosing honesty, and living life to the fullest even in life’s hardest moments. Content warning: This episode contains discussions about cancer and addiction. We know these experiences can be difficult to hear about, so please listen in the way that feels right for you. If you need support, or if this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, you'll find details of organisations that can help below. Macmillan Cancer Support - 0808 808 0000 - macmillan.org.uk Samaritans - 116 123 - samaritans.org NHS Alcohol support - NHS Alcohol support NHS Drug support - NHS Drug support If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Davina - @davinamccall Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here: https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jul 21

    Rose Ayling-Ellis: I’m Not Broken, The World Isn’t Built Right

    Rose Ayling-Ellis has become one of the most influential voices for disability and inclusion in Britain. After rising to fame playing Frankie Lewis in EastEnders–the soap's first deaf character to use British Sign Language–she became a household name after winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, where her silent dance with Giovanni Pernice became a huge cultural moment. Since then she's taken on her first lead TV role in ITV's Code of Silence, won a BAFTA, and received an MBE for services to the deaf community. But none of it came easily. In this episode, Rose joins Anita to talk about a lifetime of fighting to be heard. From advocating for herself in the classroom as a child to challenging discrimination in the TV and film industry today, she reflects on the barriers she's faced, the assumptions people still make, and why she's refused to let other people's limitations define her. Together, they explore the loneliness of feeling caught between worlds - not "deaf enough" for some, yet constantly navigating a world that isn't built with disability in mind. Rose opens up about imposter syndrome, feeling unworthy of milestones like her BAFTA and MBE, why she's so often underestimated, and her determination to live life on her own terms. They also discuss why the fight for true representation is far from over, and why diversity must be intersectional. This is a conversation about resilience, breaking systems and refusing to let anyone else decide what you're capable of. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: hello@sistersofdefiance.com Rose - @rose.a.e Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave https://ancientandbrave.earth Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here: https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About

Welcome to Sisters of Defiance with Anita Rani, nourished by Ancient + Brave. The show celebrating women who have challenged expectations and refused to play safe. Through raw, honest conversations, Anita sits down with some of the most courageous, groundbreaking women of our time; women whose names you know, but whose stories have rarely been told. Together they explore ambition, identity, resilience, and the moments of defiance that shaped their lives: the risks they took, the plans they disrupted, and what it really took to keep going. Featuring brilliant women from across culture, business, entertainment, and beyond, Sisters of Defiance explores what happens when women stop asking for permission and start rewriting the script. Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient & Brave. Subscribe on YouTube www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/sistersofdefiance Presented by Anita Rani Executive Producer: Flossie Barratt Technical Producer / Editor: Will Gibson Smith Social Media Manager: Anna Richmond Graphic Design / Editor: Sunny Formats Operation Manager: Suze Azzopardi Sisters of Defiance is an Illuminaunty production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Anita Rani
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Anita Rani
  • Show Website
    Sisters of Defiance

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