The Gurls Talk Podcast
Your regular source of fierce female chat. Hosted by Adwoa Aboah and featuring different guests, as they talk, share, listen and take control of their lives.
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Ep 61. Adwoa speaks to singer-songwriter Alessia Cara about being emotionally vulnerable, struggling with mental health and the pressure of reinvention.
12/02/2021
Ep 61. Adwoa speaks to singer-songwriter Alessia Cara about being emotionally vulnerable, struggling with mental health and the pressure of reinvention.
In this episode, I spoke to Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Alessia Cara. Discovered at the tender age of 18, she’s grown up in the spotlight, and shared that journey with her fans through her music – often showing us a perspective far outside the confident, sexy pop-princess norm. Her unique voice and emotional vulnerability gives her lyrics a power; a sense of relatability for anyone who has ever felt alone or unloved or sad. What struck me about this conversation is her ability to be so completely open about her struggles with maintaining mental health. For many, those internal battles can be incredibly lonely, and Alessia, through her music and openness, is bravely creating space for them. She’s refreshingly honest about her personal battles, and throughout this conversation I couldn’t help but feel encouraged and uplifted by being able to share our common experiences. You can follow @alessiasmusic 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.
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Ep 60. Adwoa talks to Little Simz about finding balance in life.
09/16/2021
Ep 60. Adwoa talks to Little Simz about finding balance in life.
When you see Little Simz (or Simbi, as I call her) perform, she gives everything to the crowd. Off stage, she has this incredible composed energy. So, how does she find the balance? We talk about how to manage the energy you expel in your work and what to keep for yourself. In a recent interview Simbi said, “my career is very important to me but it’s not my life, I’m doing things differently this time.” And I can hands down relate to that. As I’m sure a lot of you can. Turning up in life and setting boundaries is vital for our relationship with ourselves and with others. Born to tell stories, Little Simz has written another amazing album – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert – because of her ability to self-reflect and look at uncomfortable things. She talks about what inspires her work and the responsibility she feels as a young, Black British artist and woman. I loved having this conversation. Even though we were countries apart, it felt like we were sat chatting on the sofa together. Enjoy and as always, mad amounts of love. You can follow @littlesimz 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.
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Ep 59. Adwoa talks to Lisa Taddeo, author of Three Women and Animal, about being true to our feelings and overcoming fears.
07/26/2021
Ep 59. Adwoa talks to Lisa Taddeo, author of Three Women and Animal, about being true to our feelings and overcoming fears.
Few books have taken hold of the Gurls Talk team like Three Women and Animal. The vulnerability of Lisa’s writing inspires uncomfortable conversations, encapsulating everything that Gurls Talk is about, so it’s a dream come true to have her on the podcast. Lisa writes with such brutal honesty, we get to see the rawness of her protagonists as they struggle through messy, complicated feelings. We unpick some of the themes in her work in this episode and talk about how trauma impacts our identity and relationships. “Everything that’s happened to me in the past has informed everything I do in the present, which is why I’m so interested in writing about memories,” Lisa tells us. We talk about the importance of being honest with our feelings to understand ourselves better. To not be ashamed of our fears but to overcome them. And to simply honour the crazy array of emotions – both our own and those of others. Enjoy listening. And as always, mad amounts of love. You can follow @lisadtaddeo 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.
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Ep 58. Adwoa talks to Soma Sara, founder of Everyone’s Invited, about eradicating rape culture and the power of sharing stories.
07/08/2021
Ep 58. Adwoa talks to Soma Sara, founder of Everyone’s Invited, about eradicating rape culture and the power of sharing stories.
Trigger warning: This episode covers difficult topics, which some listeners may find upsetting. These areas include rape, sexual assault, and various types of abuse. Please practice good self-care and listen at your own discretion. If you need additional support, please visit our website at www.gurlstalk.com/hotlines For too long we’ve stayed quiet to the culture that’s normalised and trivialised sexual violence, sexual harassment and misogyny. Girls have been socialised to feel like it’s something they have to cope with, laugh off, get over. Enter Soma Sara. When she decided to share her own experiences, it resonated with so many and opened up the conversation. The scale of the problem is so significant, so global, the world is finally listening. Thank god. Soma takes us through how she started Everyone’s Invited. We talk about the archaic systems that have made rape culture so deeply entrenched in society. We recognise the incredible power of a shared story – its ability to heal and the ripple effect it has – and the courage of those who have stood up and spoken, and also those who have sat down and listened. For the tide to turn, everyone needs to play their part. Soma talks about the values of empathy and community, encouraging us all to be upstanders – calling out rape culture, reflecting upon behaviours, educating. “Together we are building on the mistakes of the past and working towards reconciliation and creating a new future.” This is such a positive listen but comes with a trigger warning: This episode covers difficult topics, which some listeners may find upsetting. These areas include rape, sexual assault, and various types of abuse. Please practice good self-care and listen at your own discretion. If you need additional support, please visit our website at As always, mad amounts of love. You can follow @everyonesinvited 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.
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Ep 57. Adwoa talks to Elsa Majimbo about having the confidence to be outspoken and do things your own way.
05/15/2021
Ep 57. Adwoa talks to Elsa Majimbo about having the confidence to be outspoken and do things your own way.
It was a total fangirl moment talking to Elsa, who has got so many of us through lockdown with her videos. Her real, honest, universally relatable, hilarious videos. Saying the things we say in our own heads but never out loud. It’s this energy that has taken the world by storm over the past year. Elsa has a refreshing take on being unashamedly herself, refusing to fit into the mould that’s out there. A 19-year-old African woman who clearly won’t take any shit from people who think her youth and origin make her naive. Nope. Elsa talks about her future plans with the shrewd strategy of a chess player. It’s clear this is all very much the beginning for her. I’m so excited to share this episode with you. I think we could all do with being a bit more Elsa Majimbo: “I don’t feel any kind of pressure to do anything or to look a certain way. So, what I want to do is what I do. If I don’t want to do it, I don’t do it.” Enjoy listening. And as always, mad amounts of love. You can follow @majimb.o 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.
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Ep.56 Adwoa talks to Brandon Flynn about getting sober, self-reflection during the pandemic, and what it means to be an ally.
04/09/2021
Ep.56 Adwoa talks to Brandon Flynn about getting sober, self-reflection during the pandemic, and what it means to be an ally.
It’s easy to spiral from the seemingly smallest things during the pandemic. Life has been really tough for a long time now. But one thing, one huge thing, has helped immeasurably: being sober. And in this episode, Brandon shares his experience of leaning into the AA community and reaching his first year of sobriety. Choosing a life of sobriety, he says, has been the hardest and most gratifying thing he’s ever done. Brandon is a brilliant human, an empath, and an authentic voice on and off screen, which makes him a dream to talk to. We swap stories on living solo during the pandemic, about self-reflection and engaging in the quality of friendships. We talk about shows that are bold enough to tackle storytelling in a different way, and his character as the complex and conflicted heartthrob, Justin Foley, in the Netflix hit series, 13 Reasons Why. And lastly, we look at how the culture of curiosity plays a part in activism and community work. Enjoy listening. And mad amounts of love. You can follow @brandonflynn 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.
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Ep.55 Adwoa talks to Rosalía about what it means to be a Spanish singer on a global stage and how the pandemic is impacting the future of music.
03/12/2021
Ep.55 Adwoa talks to Rosalía about what it means to be a Spanish singer on a global stage and how the pandemic is impacting the future of music.
Remember being squished in a sweaty crowd with thousands of people watching an insanely talented music artist performing on stage? And the artist’s energy, and the crowd’s energy feeding one another, and in that moment, your body’s buzzing with joy – you feel alive. Yeah, us too. For Rosalía, she misses the energy from performing to a large audience, she misses being around people. I think most of us do. In this episode, we talk about how performances have had to adapt in this upside world. Being away from her Spanish home for the past year and in the US where she’s been busy working on new music, Rosalía talks about her influences and how the world closing its shutters has created a different energy to her music. With Rosalía’s Spanish heritage playing such a vital role in her identity and style, she expands on how it’s shaped her sound. Enjoy listening to this one. And mad amounts of love. You can follow @rosalia.vt 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.
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Ep 54. Adwoa chats with Stacy Sims, PhD, Global Expert on Female Athlete Physiology, and Nike Master Trainer Joslyn Thompson Rule about breaking taboos, first periods and girls dropping out of sport, and tracking your cycle to get the most out of fitness.
02/17/2021
Ep 54. Adwoa chats with Stacy Sims, PhD, Global Expert on Female Athlete Physiology, and Nike Master Trainer Joslyn Thompson Rule about breaking taboos, first periods and girls dropping out of sport, and tracking your cycle to get the most out of fitness.
On this week’s podcast, I catch up with two formidable ladies in the fields of women’s health and sport. Stacy Sims, PhD is an expert in sex differences, and globally acclaimed for her research and TED Talk, ‘Women are Not Small Men’. She’s dedicated the last 20 years to educating women, and men, on the female body, and how it responds differently to athleticism than the male body. Joslyn Thompson Rule, a woman with many strings to her bow, is a Nike Global Master Trainer, a Sports Therapist, and Coaching Mentor. She draws from her years of coaching women, and young girls as we discuss the benefits of working with the female cycle: how it not only boosts health and training results, but also empowers girls to own their fitness through every stage of the menstrual cycle. I talk about my experiences with puberty, how confusing navigating that time can be, and we discuss why so many girls are dropping out of sport during puberty, after getting their period. I definitely remember skipping P.E. during that early life phase. It’s crazy that something that half the population gets is still the cause of such embarrassment. This week’s episode is a reminder to start having open conversations with girls about periods and sport early on. To be honest, I spent most of this episode enthralled by Stacy and Joslyn’s passion and commitment to this issue. And I learned a lot of things about my body, training, and the menstrual cycle that I didn’t know. Even as an adult! Easy listening guys - and as always mad, mad love. You can follow @DrStacySims and @JoslynThompsonRule, 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.
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Ep 53. Adwoa talks to Rupi Kaur about the potential of the self, the power of community and sisterhood, and the importance of amplifying marginalised voices.
02/07/2021
Ep 53. Adwoa talks to Rupi Kaur about the potential of the self, the power of community and sisterhood, and the importance of amplifying marginalised voices.
Fangirling Rupi is an easy thing to do. If not for her raw, intimate poetry, for the way she talks about the power of her friendships and platonic, familial love. It makes talking (and listening) to Rupi feel like you’ve been friends forever. As we ruminate life in lockdown – me in London, Rupi in Toronto – we talk about making sense of our identity in the stillness and being gentle with ourselves. In home body, Rupi’s recently released, brilliant third book of poetry, she dedicates a whole chapter to the importance of rest. And like all of her poems, she talks with such clarity of thought and warmth on everything. She tells me, “for so long, my mind wasn’t a safe space for me, so what do you do, where do you go then? If your mind isn’t a safe space.” All I can say is thank goodness for Rupi’s words. She offers hope on the darker days, and generally makes us see and feel things differently. Enjoy listening. And as always, mad amounts of love. You can follow @rupikaur_ and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 52. Adwoa catches up with Michaela DePrince, soloist at the Dutch National Ballet, about facing up to trauma, the fight against discrimination, and the healing power of the arts.
01/21/2021
Ep 52. Adwoa catches up with Michaela DePrince, soloist at the Dutch National Ballet, about facing up to trauma, the fight against discrimination, and the healing power of the arts.
On this week’s episode, I spoke to the incredible, inspiring Michaela DePrince. The epitome of poise and grace, Michaela is a dancer, author and War Child ambassador. She has overcome tremendous challenges over her lifetime, including grief, war, racism, bullying and more, all in the pursuit of what she calls ‘her soul’ – her passion for dance. What stands out for me is her unmistakable grit; a burning desire to prove critics wrong and succeed against all odds. But that dedication is not without a price, and we discuss the emotional and mental toll that it takes to keep performing in the face of a global pandemic, personal losses, and the trauma of racism. This week’s episode is a timely reminder to us all to seek out the space we need to take care of ourselves. For Michaela, the arts and classical ballet provide an escape and a means of expression. I hope that with the new year, we can collectively make time to indulge in what grounds us. You can follow @michaeladeprince 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.
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Ep 51. Adwoa hears from activist and organizer Susan Burton on her journey from prison to founding A New Way of Life, a non-profit organization that helps formerly incarcerated women rebuild their lives and break the cycle of incarceration.
12/03/2020
Ep 51. Adwoa hears from activist and organizer Susan Burton on her journey from prison to founding A New Way of Life, a non-profit organization that helps formerly incarcerated women rebuild their lives and break the cycle of incarceration.
Warning: This episode covers difficult topics, which some listeners may find upsetting. These areas include sexual and physical abuse, child sexual abuse, addiction, the death of a child, police brutality and systemic racism. Please practice good self-care and listen at your own discretion. If you need additional support please visit our website at www.Gurlstalk.com/hotlines This week’s episode is a lesson in perseverance. Susan Burton is an activist and advocate for women caught in the cycle of incarceration in Los Angeles. Her non-profit organization, A New Way of Life Reentry Project, provides housing, employment assistance, legal services, and leadership development to women who have been formerly imprisoned. In this episode, Susan shares her personal experiences growing up in south LA, cycling in and out of the prison system and finding her calling as an advocate for incarcerated women. We talk about how processing grief and trauma led to her finding a purpose: helping women restore their dignity, rebuild their lives and thrive outside of prison, just as she was able to. You can learn more about A New Way of Life and in Susan’s memoir Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women. Please send any messages to , follow us @gurlstalk and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast. TW: police brutality, physical and sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, addiction, systemic racism, death of a child.
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Ep 50. Adwoa talks to Emily Ratajkowski about being politically engaged, as both a woman and a mother-to-be.
11/07/2020
Ep 50. Adwoa talks to Emily Ratajkowski about being politically engaged, as both a woman and a mother-to-be.
She’s known as the supermodel turned actress turned writer who’s sick of being put in a box because of how she looks. This episode with @Emrata is a biggie for anyone who’s sick of being told how they should behave, how intellectual they should be, and what they should or shouldn’t have an opinion on. While the world is on fire, my conversation with Emily Ratajkowski gave me a whole lot of love. She’s taught me how to appreciate myself, and to realise my impact on the world. We spoke just before the US election, so our conversation is full of anticipation for the results. You can follow @emrata 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.
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Ep 49. Adwoa speaks to acclaimed author and activist Bernardine Evaristo, about her approach to writing, activism and moving through the world as a biracial woman.
10/01/2020
Ep 49. Adwoa speaks to acclaimed author and activist Bernardine Evaristo, about her approach to writing, activism and moving through the world as a biracial woman.
They say don’t meet your idols. But for this week’s episode I was lucky enough to do just that, and it was completely exhilarating. Bernardine Evaristo, the acclaimed author of one of my all-time favourite books, Girl, Woman, Other, joined me to chat about everything from her win of the 2019 Booker prize, to understanding her proximity to whiteness, to her work in theatre in the eighties. Bernardine is a force of nature, and I spent most of this episode enthralled by her passion and vivacity. Her life, as an award-winning author of eight books, as a professor of creative writing at Brunel University London, as a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, is just as rich and captivating as her storytelling prowess. You can follow @bernardineevaristowriter 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.
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Ep 48. Adwoa speaks to football phenomenon Ada Hegerberg about what she learnt while recovering from an injury, the power of confidence, and how she advocates for gender equity in sport.
09/17/2020
Ep 48. Adwoa speaks to football phenomenon Ada Hegerberg about what she learnt while recovering from an injury, the power of confidence, and how she advocates for gender equity in sport.
On this week’s episode, I was lucky enough to speak to Ada Hegerberg, the first woman in history to win Football’s most coveted individual prize, the Ballon d’Or. Ada’s positivity and sense of perspective is infectious. While discussing her recent ACL injury, she explains how she viewed the healing process as an opportunity for gratitude and mental strength, as well as a chance to understand her body in new, enlightening ways. As a passionate advocate for gender representation and equity in sport, Ada and I talk about the importance of being true to yourself, and the strength that comes from having conviction in your craft. In this powerful episode, we discuss why building up confidence is a key part of challenging norms and commanding respect. You can follow @ahegerberg 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.
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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.
09/03/2020
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.
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 and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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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.
08/20/2020
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.
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 and don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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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.
07/30/2020
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.
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.
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Ep 44. Adwoa talks to Lexi Brumback from Netflix’s Cheer about rewriting your future
07/16/2020
Ep 44. Adwoa talks to Lexi Brumback from Netflix’s Cheer about rewriting your future
If you’re anything like me, then you were in awe of the dedication and focus shown in Netflix’s Cheer. Lexi Brumback () 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.
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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.
07/03/2020
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.
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 And don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 42. Adwoa discusses activism, vulnerability and changing your narrative with Black Lives Matter ambassador and futurist storyteller, Janaya Future Khan.
06/11/2020
Ep 42. Adwoa discusses activism, vulnerability and changing your narrative with Black Lives Matter ambassador and futurist storyteller, Janaya Future Khan.
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.
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Ep 41. Adwoa talks to Hollie Arnold, the Team GB Paralympian about achieving something you never thought possible
05/28/2020
Ep 41. Adwoa talks to Hollie Arnold, the Team GB Paralympian about achieving something you never thought possible
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 And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 40. Adwoa talks to Megan Barton-Hanson about reality TV, insecurities and lifting women up.
05/21/2020
Ep 40. Adwoa talks to Megan Barton-Hanson about reality TV, insecurities and lifting women up.
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 And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 39. Adwoa talks to her mother, Camilla Lowther OBE, about the joys and pressures of motherhood
05/14/2020
Ep 39. Adwoa talks to her mother, Camilla Lowther OBE, about the joys and pressures of motherhood
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: As always, you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 38. Adwoa talks to Lucy Sheridan about breaking the comparison trap and the power of self-confidence.
05/07/2020
Ep 38. Adwoa talks to Lucy Sheridan about breaking the comparison trap and the power of self-confidence.
“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 And this is the book Lucy referenced in the episode: ‘The Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford We love Lucy’s cheerleading Instagram posts, you can follow her @lucysheridan and you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 37. Adwoa catches up with Dua Lipa about social media, mental health, and her five-point plan to shake up gender equality in music
04/30/2020
Ep 37. Adwoa catches up with Dua Lipa about social media, mental health, and her five-point plan to shake up gender equality in music
Releasing an album in the middle of a global pandemic wasn’t part of her plan, but this week’s guest Dua Lipa did exactly that. In this week’s episode, she talks through the process of launching her new album Future Nostalgia, the pitfalls of listening to social media, and explains how she’s taking care of her mental health during isolation. This episode explains how the pressure for this to be a period of self-improvement and productivity is unnecessary. To get through this, we all need to cut ourselves some slack and do our best to slow down and have patience with ourselves when things don’t go according to plan. You can follow @dualipa and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to And don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 36. Adwoa talks to Dr. Ciara Dockery about how we can all thrive in isolation
04/23/2020
Ep 36. Adwoa talks to Dr. Ciara Dockery about how we can all thrive in isolation
There’s nothing more important right now than a good chat with a wise friend, and that’s exactly what Dr. Ciara Dockery is for both myself and every member of the Gurls Talk community. Ciara is a clinical psychologist and our new chief clinical advisor and she’s here to show us how we can do more than just survive isolation, we can thrive in it. This episode teaches us all about how our mental health can be impacted during such strange times. To overcome, we must take stock of our emotions and embrace every feeling, not run from them. But, most importantly, we must stay connected. Isolation doesn’t mean we isolate ourselves from our friends and family. We can stay in touch, call a friend, FaceTime a sibling. It may just be the best thing you’ll ever do. You can follow @dr.ciaradockery and you can follow us @gurlstalk. Please send any messages to And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 35. Adwoa talks to the TARA Sisters and Zeina Nassar about the positive impact of exercise
04/16/2020
Ep 35. Adwoa talks to the TARA Sisters and Zeina Nassar about the positive impact of exercise
Starting a conversation with some spiritual handholding is always a good sign. And that’s the vibe Bea and Tina from the TARA Sisters, and Nike athlete Zeina Nassar brought to this episode from the Gurls Talk Berlin live event. Both the TARA Sisters and Zeina are playing their part in changing the world. For Bea and Tina, it’s about recognising how our youth are key to building a peaceful and compassionate future. They talk about how they create a space for teenage girls to navigate self-love and a positive mindset through movement. They’re like the big sisters we wish we had when we were growing up. Then Zeina, who’s a force of nature fighting the girls’ corner, tells us how she’s helped changed the rules in boxing so every woman who wears a hijab can box anywhere in the world. We talk about trusting in yourself to follow your dream, and if you could be your own big sister, what would you say to yourself? (Life’s all about a good prep talk!) Enjoy a big dose of positivity, and as always mad amounts of love. You can follow @bea.bewegt @tina__kaa @zeina.boxer and you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep. 34. Adwoa talks to Clara Amfo about Ghana, social media and setting boundaries.
04/09/2020
Ep. 34. Adwoa talks to Clara Amfo about Ghana, social media and setting boundaries.
I really hope that you and your loved ones are all well and staying safe and healthy. I’m extremely happy to be back with you all for our new season. Given the global crisis caused by Covid-19, we are releasing this in an increasingly uncertain and scary time. Now, more than ever, it is important to create safe spaces that encourage open and honest conversations and help us stay connected. While we did debate as to whether or not to release one of the many podcasts we’ve already recorded pre-Covid-19, we felt it important to share with you what we had already started earlier in the year and revisit some of these conversations. Listening to these initial podcasts, it is so jarring to hear how different our lives and circumstances were. Our first episode is with the brilliant Clara Amfo that we recorded back in January. Clara and I talk about our time at the Year of Return in Ghana. How we’re honoured to have Ghanaian heritage, and the importance of people in the diaspora to fly the flag. We talk about Clara’s new podcast – This City with Clara Amfo – which is all about what London means to her guests. We share our views on social media and how highly confusing navigating the unwritten rules can be. How on one hand we loathe the negativity that comes with Instagram, but on the other, love the sense of community you can find from like-minded women. Being single, actively choosing to be single, and celebrating our independence definitely gets some deserved airtime. And we talk about not wasting time on the wrong people, understanding your values, being kind to yourself, and filling up your own cup rather than expecting others to fill it up for you. It really is so good to be back. Enjoy listening and mad, mad, mad amounts of love. Clara’s amazing new podcast is here: You can follow Clara on Instagram @claraamfoand you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 33. Adwoa talks to Ibtihaj Muhammad about using her platform to ignite change.
12/20/2019
Ep 33. Adwoa talks to Ibtihaj Muhammad about using her platform to ignite change.
It’s not every day that I get to sit down and talk to an Olympic fencer. And Ibtihaj Muhammad is so much more than her sporting accolades that catapulted her into the spotlight. Being the first American athlete to compete in the Olympics wearing a hijab was simply the springboard to everything that she’s done since – from writing books, to launching a clothing company and being an all-round superhero to a generation of girls. After speaking about the importance of role models on a panel talk at the Nike Legacy Summit LA, we continued our conversation with this podcast episode. Full of honesty, eloquence, and sage advice, Ibtihaj talks about sport’s power to unify – it’s not about where you’re from, how much money you have, your gender, your sexual orientation or your faith. It’s about getting out there, having fun and trying to win. Ibtihaj shares her own experiences of being made to feel like a square shape in a round space. She talks about how she abandoned the idea of acceptance and people-pleasing long ago, and instead learned to love herself and be her own biggest cheerleader to get to where she is today. There are so many reasons why I love this conversation – enjoy listening. We’re now off for our festive break, so mad amounts of love to you all. We’ll be back in January 2020. You can learn more about Ibtihaj, her projects and order her books here And you can follow Ibtihaj and her clothing company on Instagram @ibtihajmuhammad @louellashop As always, you can follow us @gurlstalk and send any messages to www.gurlstalk.com Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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Ep 32. Adwoa and Tally Fosh on turning your life around after rehab and recovery.
11/25/2019
Ep 32. Adwoa and Tally Fosh on turning your life around after rehab and recovery.
Recovery is no walk in the park, it’s hard work. But the thing about recovery, is that you can come back as a better version – the 2.0 you. And that’s what Tally’s done. In our conversation, we rewind five years to when we met in treatment to get clean and sober. As two very different people, we found our similarities and realised that although recovery can be lonely, it’s less so when you’ve got people to go through it with. I loved recording this episode. Tally and I talked about going into treatment with an open mind, about the obstacles we faced, being stripped down and rebuilt, and about learning to take things day by day. In the years since we first admitted we needed help, Tally has become a qualified psychotherapist and yoga teacher, and I have of course created Gurls Talk and the most incredible community. We both want to use our experience to help others and prove that although addiction is a dark place, recovery and an all-round more positive existence is definitely possible. Mad amounts of love to you all. To speak to someone about alcohol and drug addiction, you can get advice here: You can follow Tally on Instagram @therapised and you can follow us @gurlstalk Please send any messages to And don’t forget to subscribe to never miss an episode of the Gurls Talk podcast.
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