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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: [email protected] 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.

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: [email protected] 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.

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.

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: [email protected] 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.

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: [email protected] 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.

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: [email protected] 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.

Paris Paloma has cemented herself as one of the most exciting new voices in music. Her breakout hit Labour became a global feminist anthem, giving millions of women a language for experiences they'd struggled to put into words. Now, after touring with Florence + The Machine and building a devoted worldwide fanbase, she's showing that the most powerful protest songs don't always have to shout. In this episode, Paris joins Anita to talk about growing up rejecting traditional ideas of femininity and why she no longer identifies with the label of 'tomboy'. She opens up about living with OCD and her mental health, rejecting diet culture, and what it means to create art in a world that still judges women through the male gaze. Together, Anita and Paris explore feminism, the rise of the manosphere and red-pill culture, the misogynistic backlash she's faced online, and why, despite writing songs fuelled by righteous anger, Paris believes softness can be one of the most radical forms of resistance. This is a conversation about reclaiming womanhood, rejecting societal expectations, and finding strength without sacrificing tenderness. Content warning: This episode contains discussions about rape, sexual assault and sexual violence. 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. Rape Crisis England & Wales - 0808 500 2222 - rapecrisis.org.uk The Survivors Trust - 0808 801 0818 - thesurvivorstrust.org Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Anita - @itsanitarani Paris - @parispaloma 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.

Anoushka Shankar is one of the most celebrated musicians of her generation. Born into musical royalty as the daughter of legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar, she has spent more than three decades carving out her artistic identity; pushing the boundaries of Indian classical music, being nominated for 13 Grammy awards, collaborating with artists including Sting, Gorillaz and Lenny Kravitz, and performing on some of the world's biggest stages. But it’s not always been an easy journey. In this episode, Anoushka joins Anita to talk about identity, legacy, and what it means to choose your own path, even when it's uncomfortable. From growing up under intense public scrutiny to being branded a traitor by some within her own community, surviving childhood sexual abuse, and making the deeply personal decision to have a hysterectomy, she reflects on the moments that forced her to stop living for other people's expectations and start telling her own story. This is a conversation about pushing boundaries, finding freedom in honesty, and letting go of shame. Content warning: This episode contains discussions about rape, sexual assault and sexual violence. 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. Rape Crisis England & Wales - 0808 500 2222 - rapecrisis.org.uk The Survivors Trust - 0808 801 0818 - thesurvivorstrust.org If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] Anita - @itsanitarani Anoushka - @anoushkashankarofficial 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.

Clare Waight Keller has spent her career at the very top of fashion. From starting out at Calvin Klein in the 90s and working alongside Tom Ford at Gucci, to leading Chloé and Givenchy, designing Meghan Markle's wedding dress, and now serving as Global Creative Director at Uniqlo, Clare has helped shape the way generations of women dress. So how does a girl from Birmingham end up becoming one of the most influential designers in the world? In this episode, Clare joins Anita to talk about ambition, reinvention, and the difficult choices that come with building a life on your own terms. From leaving home at 17 to navigating motherhood alongside a global career, and leaving companies at the height of her success, she reflects on the moments that defined her, the risks that paid off, and the lessons she's learned from starting over. This is a conversation about trusting your instincts, embracing change, and having the confidence to choose growth over comfort. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Clare - @clarewaightkeller Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] 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.

Singer, songwriter, and performer Beverley Knight is one of Britain's most celebrated artists and a woman who has spent her career breaking boundaries on her own terms. Beverley and Anita talk about the ambition and determination that have carried her through more than three decades in the music industry. From a life-changing trip to see Prince in concert that would eventually lead to an extraordinary friendship with her musical hero, to forging a path as a Black British soul artist in the 1990s, Beverley reflects on the experiences that taught her to trust her instincts and stay true to herself. She speaks candidly about navigating an industry that often struggled to make space for her, her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and HIV awareness, and the resilience it took to weather criticism without compromising her values. We also discuss her award-winning move into musical theatre, including her portrayal of Emmeline Pankhurst in Sylvia, and why she's more excited than ever to explore new creative challenges. This is a conversation about longevity, reinvention, and the importance of believing in yourself, even when other people don't. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Beverley - @beverleyknight Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] 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.

Fatiha El-Ghorri has taken the British comedy scene by storm over the past few years. Her wit, candour and fierce sense of self have made her one of the most distinctive voices in British comedy. In this week's episode, Fatiha reflects on the defining acts of defiance that have shaped her life. She talks about leaving an arranged marriage she knew wasn't right for her, rebuilding her life after divorce, and spending four years in a women's shelter. She also shares what it was like growing up feeling like an outsider, navigating racism and how stand-up comedy became an unexpected route to freedom. The conversation explores a deeply personal chapter of Fatiha's life, as she opens up about being diagnosed with endometrial cancer and the decision to undergo a hysterectomy. Along the way, Anita and Fatiha discuss representation in comedy, the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry, and the mindset that has carried her through life's toughest moments: "What's yours will never miss you." This is a conversation about taking up space, refusing to shrink yourself for others, and learning that sometimes the most defiant thing you can do is trust yourself. Content warning: This episode contains discussions about cancer. 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 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: [email protected] Fatiha - @fatiha.elghorri You can get tickets to Fatiha’s Cockney Stacking Doll tour here 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.

Gisèle Pelicot has emerged as one of the most influential feminist voices of current times. Her extraordinary courage has sparked conversations around the world about justice, dignity, and the treatment of survivors of sexual violence. After becoming the central figure in a landmark French rape trial, Gisèle made the remarkable decision to waive her anonymity, choosing instead to speak openly about the abuse she endured after being repeatedly drugged by her husband over many years. Her actions transformed a deeply personal trauma into a broader public discussion about consent, accountability, and societal attitudes toward violence against women. In this moving conversation, Gisèle reflects on resilience, the impact of public scrutiny, and the strength it takes to reclaim one's voice after trauma. She shares her perspective on the importance of truth, the impact of the women who supported her, and the lessons she hopes future generations will carry forward. We also discuss her memoir, A Hymn to Life, in which she reflects on her experience, the pursuit of justice, and the path toward rebuilding a life after unimaginable betrayal. Content warning: This episode contains discussions about rape, sexual assault and sexual violence. 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. Rape Crisis England & Wales - 0808 500 2222 - rapecrisis.org.uk The Survivors Trust - 0808 801 0818 - thesurvivorstrust.org If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] Sisters of Defiance is nourished Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Gisèle - @gisele_pelicot You can get Gisèle’s book, A Hymn To Life here 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.

Emma Grede has built some of the most influential brands of the modern era, but behind the businesses and boardroom is a woman who has never been afraid to question who gets to lead, who’s allowed to speak openly about ambition, or to take up space. In this episode of Sisters of Defiance, Anita sits down with Emma to talk about power, money, motherhood, resilience, and the defining moments that shaped her extraordinary rise. From growing up in East London to building global brands and becoming one of the most respected entrepreneurs in business, Emma reflects on the risks she took and the mindset that helped her forge her own path on her own terms. This is a conversation about what happens when women stop apologising for wanting more and start owning their ambition without shame. This one is for anyone ready to think bigger. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Emma - @emmagrede Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] Sisters of Defiance is nourished 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.

Dame Meera Syal has graced our screens, bookshelves, and stages for decades - but behind the wit, brilliance, and groundbreaking work is a woman who has spent her life quietly and powerfully defying expectations. In the very first episode of Sisters of Defiance, Anita sits down with Meera to talk about identity, ambition, belonging, and what it meant to grow up feeling caught between cultures while trying to forge a path that didn’t yet exist for women like her. From the creation of Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 to navigating a divorce in a culture which views it as deeply shameful, Meera reflects on the highs, the challenges, the moments that shaped her voice, and all the work still to come. If you can’t be what you can’t see, thank god Anita saw Meera aged 14. This one is personal. If you enjoyed the show, follow us at… Instagram - @sistersofdefiance Anita - @itsanitarani Meera - @meera.syal Subscribe to us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] Sisters of Defiance is nourished 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.

What happens when women stop playing safe? In Sisters of Defiance nourished by Ancient + Brave, Anita Rani sits down with extraordinary women who have challenged expectations, broken rules, taken risks and refused to live according to anybody else’s idea of who they should be. Through honest, joyful conversations, guests reflect on the moments that made them: the first acts of defiance, the failures, the turning points, and what it really took to keep going when life got complicated. Here we celebrate women who’ve gone their own way, who have taken the reins and pushed for change. This is about sharing wisdom passed down through generations, and hearing from women who have been bold enough to say ‘no’ and ‘yes’ when it matters most.  To all the former little girls who refused to sit quietly in the corner looking pretty: this is your invitation to live life on your own terms. All 10 episodes of Series 1 will drop weekly on Tuesdays.  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.