Woman's Hour
Society & Culture
About
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Episodes
- Weekend Woman's Hour: Amandaland writer Holly Walsh, Impacts of extreme porn, Difficult conversations
This episode of Woman's Hour covers Amandaland with writer Holly Walsh, a profile of Rosalía, a discussion on tackling difficult conversations, and the impacts of extreme pornography. It also includes a segment on women working in nature p…
- Prof Clare McGlynn, Running around Britain, Chronic pain
Megan Boxall discusses her run around Britain. Professor Clare McGlynn talks about violent sexual content in the mainstream. New research explores chronic pain and its impact. Samantha Harvey adapts Barbara Pym's novel for the stage.
- Holly Walsh on Amandaland, novelist Ilona Bannister, Greenlandic mothers in Denmark
Holly Walsh talks about the TV series Amandaland. Novelist Ilona Bannister discusses her new book, "Five." Also, a segment on Greenlandic mothers in Denmark covers a case involving child protection practices and FKU tests.
- AI fitness instructors, Rosalia, Brazilian jiu jitsu
This episode covers a BBC investigation into misleading AI fitness adverts. It also features a profile of musician Rosalia, a discussion on contraception choices, and the rise of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, especially among women. Anita Rani pres…
- Baby sleep influencers. Christine Dawood, Selena Kay & Cerys Hogg, David Attenborough
This episode covers a BBC News investigation into unregulated baby sleep influencers. Christine Dawood discusses her book "Ninety-Six Hours" about the Titan submersible tragedy. The program also celebrates women in wildlife cinematography,…
- How to have difficult conversations
This episode of Woman's Hour with Nuala McGovern explores how to have difficult conversations in various aspects of life, including work, home, and with loved ones. Guests discuss strategies and skills for approaching challenging discussio…
- Weekend Woman’s Hour: Maureen Lipman, Women in security, Female birdsong
Dame Maureen Lipman talks about her new musical, Allegra. A report reveals a surge in unregistered children's homes. The BAFTA Television Craft Special Award was presented to Simone Pennant for championing diversity. The term "bouncer" is…
- Primary school suspensions, Chess, Female birdsong
This episode of Woman's Hour covers the increase in suspensions in primary schools, the growing but still male-dominated world of women's chess, a racially aggravated assault and its legal outcome, new insights into female birdsong, and th…
- Philippa Perry, Antisemitism, Undiagnosed children, Simone Pennant
This episode features Philippa Perry discussing her novel "Shrink Solves Murder." It also covers the impact of antisemitic incidents in the UK, care for children with undiagnosed genetic conditions, and an interview with Simone Pennant on…
- Maureen Lipman, Memoirs, Black maternal health, Women in security, Afghan women's football
Dame Maureen Lipman discusses her new musical. A study on black maternal health is explored, along with women's roles in security. The return of Afghan women's football and the complexities of memoir writing are also covered in this episod…
- Royal state visit to US and Epstein survivors, Abortion law, Plastic waste art
This episode covers King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the US, changes to abortion law in England and Wales, and the increase of female voters in India. It also features a discussion on plastic waste art.
- Gaming industry, Unregistered children's care, Sheer fashion, Women's health
This episode of Woman's Hour discusses the UK gaming industry's investment, the increase in unregistered children's care in England, the popularity of sheer fashion, and the differences in funding for men's and women's health strategies. G…
- Weekend Woman's Hour: Melanie C, Breast reconstruction delays, Sarah Finch
Melanie C talks about her new album, body image, and finding confidence. The episode also covers breast reconstruction delays faced by women and environmental activist Sarah Finch's work against oil drilling.
- Sophie Raworth, Maternity deaths, Sarah Finch, Stalking
This episode of Woman's Hour covers new NHS clinical standards to reduce maternal deaths, Sophie Raworth's experiences with long-distance running, a report on the link between stalking and homicide from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, and Sarah F…
- Melanie C, Toddler 'skinfluencers', Bryony Gordon
Melanie C discusses her new album and the Spice Girls legacy. The episode also covers concerns about child "skinfluencers" and an interview with author Bryony Gordon about her new novel. Listener Maddie Haining shares her experience as a w…
- Naomi Parry, Breast reconstruction delays, Passport Bros
Naomi Parry speaks about a high court judgement. The episode also covers breast reconstruction delays faced by women previously undergoing breast cancer treatment and the "Passport Bros" phenomenon, where Western men seek traditional relat…
- Jo Whiley on Couch to 5k, Coercive control and suicide, Queen's legacy
This episode features Jo Whiley on the Couch to 5k app's 10th anniversary. It also covers coercive control linked to a landmark court verdict and discusses the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. Additionally, an inquiry into falling childhood v…
- Public Toilets, Cheerleading, Women and Conscription
This episode of Woman's Hour discusses the reduction of public toilets in England and its impact, the prospect of military conscription for women in the UK, and the use of cheerleading to encourage young women in sports. It also covers a d…
- Weekend Woman's Hour: Jessie Ware, Women managaing male footballers, Comedian Susie McCabe
Jessie Ware talks about her new album, Superbloom, and her podcast, Table Manners. The episode also features discussions on women coaching men's football teams, a report regarding the Online Safety Act and social media platform X, and an i…
- Game BAFTAs, Baroness Kishwar Falkner, Football Fans
This episode of Woman's Hour covers the BAFTA Games Awards, a discussion with Baroness Kishwar Falkner regarding single-sex spaces, and an exhibition on women football fans. It also addresses concerns about sexually explicit content on soc…
- Jessie Ware, School readiness, Katriona O'Sullivan, Autism support
Datshiane Navanayagam discusses school readiness with Kate McGough and Felicity Gillespie, and speaks with singer Jessie Ware about her new album. The episode also covers the expansion of the Autism Central support service and an interview…
- Wes Streeting MP, Novelist Elizabeth Arnott, Comedian Susie McCabe
Nuala McGovern interviews Health Secretary Wes Streeting on the refreshed Women’s Health Strategy in England. Author Elizabeth Arnott discusses her novel, The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives, and comedian Susie McCabe explores finding hum…
- Southport inquiry, Young-onset dementia, Actor Tessa Peake-Jones
This episode discusses the Southport inquiry, the challenges of young-onset dementia, and the induction of Sade into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Nuala McGovern also shares a walking group story and interviews actor Tessa Peake-Jones abou…
- Hungary election, Women managing male footballers, Being a girl in 2026
Nuala McGovern explores the Hungarian election with Nick Thorpe and Éva Fodor, discusses girls' experiences today with Catherine Carr, examines the appointment of Marie-Louise Eta as a football coach, and reviews a new exhibition of artist…
- Weekend Woman's Hour: Stalking, Children and happiness, Indigo Reign
This episode covers the story of a stalking victim's fight for justice, the impact of light on health, an exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II's wardrobe, a study on parenthood and happiness, and the career of jungle music artist and educator…
- Riki Lindhome, Dutch appeal, Student loans, Author Lucy Apps
This episode features discussions on an investigation into online blackmail, Riki Lindhome’s comedy show concerning fertility, the impact of student loans on women, and Lucy Apps discussing her novel, Gloria Don’t Speak.
- Forced adoption, Queen Elizabeth II's outfits exhibition, Indigo Reign
This episode of Woman's Hour discusses the Church of England's potential apology regarding forced adoptions, an upcoming exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II's outfits, the political climate in Italy under Giorgia Meloni, and the career of jun…
- Arrest of stalked woman, Endometriosis, Ageism at work, Egg donation
Jodie Morrow discusses her experience of being arrested after a false stalking accusation. Other segments cover an inquiry into endometriosis in the workplace, the career potential for women in their 50s, and a personal story about egg don…
- Children and happiness, Miscarriage leave, Extramarital pairings
This episode of Woman's Hour discusses miscarriage leave policy, a young naturalist project to breed harvest mice, and a study on parenthood and happiness. It also covers a survivor's account of sexual violence and Sophie Mackintosh's new…
- Women and their relationships with light
In this episode of Woman's Hour, Nikki Bedi explores the significance of light, discussing its impact on health, art, farming, and history with various experts. Guests include Dr. Radha Modgil, Paule Constable, Ruth Kelly Waskett, farmers,…
- Childhood epilepsy, Pre-loved fashion, Mary Magdalene music
This episode of Woman's Hour discusses childhood epilepsy and a family’s experience with medical cannabis, the rise of the second-hand fashion market, the musical composition The Passion of Mary Magdalene, and documented women-led communit…
- Artemis II, Meg Jones, 'Battlefield techniques abuse'
Anita Rani discusses the Artemis II Moon mission with engineer Sian Cleaver, interviews England rugby captain Meg Jones, reports on domestic abuse allegations within the military, and talks to author Ella King about her new novel.
- Women in Iran, Miscarriage cradle, Zoom bombing
This episode discusses the impact of the recent conflict in Iran on women and children, a new miscarriage cradle used in UK hospitals, and the life of suffragette Princess Sophia Duleep Singh. Additionally, the program covers the story of…
- Violence against women in NI, Singer Rita Wilson, Fashion getting skinnier?
This episode discusses violence against women in Northern Ireland, singer Rita Wilson's new album and life, concerns over ultrasound scan delays, and a report on the decline of size inclusivity in the fashion industry.
- Moon mission, Miscarriages, Romania's Eurovision entry
This episode of Woman's Hour discusses the Artemis 2 moon mission with space experts, investigates the abuse facing election candidates, explores the representation of miscarriage in a new drama, and profiles Romania's Eurovision entry.
- First female Archbishop of Canterbury, Elizabeth Moss and Kate Mara, Polyamory
This episode discusses the appointment of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, an interview with actresses Elisabeth Moss and Kate Mara about their new series, and an exploration of non-monogamous relationships in pop culture.
- Meta and Google trial, The Pitt actor Katherine LaNasa, Polyamory
This episode of Woman's Hour covers a landmark lawsuit against Meta and Google regarding social media addiction, the rise of polyamory in pop culture, the pardon of women institutionalized during the Franco regime in Spain, and an intervie…
- Olivia Dean's success, Esports, Andi Osho
This episode of Woman's Hour features discussions on singer Olivia Dean's award success, a CNN investigation into online sexual violence, the growth of the esports industry, and a conversation with author Andi Osho about her new novel.
- First female Archbishop of Canterbury, Schiaparelli exhibition, Swiftynomics
This episode of Woman's Hour discusses the installation of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, proposals for regulating online pornography, the Schiaparelli fashion exhibition at the V&A, and the concept of Swiftynomics.
- Naz Shah, 'Alpine divorce', Sexism at football matches
Naz Shah discusses her memoir and political path, while experts explore the 'alpine divorce' trend, rising sexism at football matches, and the connection between Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible' and the #MeToo movement.
- Dame Jenni Murray remembered, Elizabeth Moss and Kate Mara, Jane McDonald
This episode remembers the career and legacy of Dame Jenni Murray. It also features interviews with actors Elisabeth Moss and Kate Mara, discussions on medication use during pregnancy, and an appearance by singer Jane McDonald.
- FIFA's women's football tournaments, Glasgow fire, Pilgrimages
This episode covers new FIFA regulations for female coaches in women's tournaments, community support for Glasgow businesswomen affected by a fire, and the Archbishop of Canterbury's pilgrimage from London to Canterbury.
- FIFA's women's football tournaments, Women in Cuba, Adoption
This episode discusses FIFA's new female coaching mandate for women's tournaments, the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, and government plans to overhaul the adoption system. Kylie Pentelow also speaks with author Shelley Klein about her new no…
- Glasgow fire, Sibling relationships, Artist LR Vandy
Anita Rani discusses the role of 'chatters' on subscription content platforms, examines the dynamics of sibling relationships with Catherine Carr, and hears about support for women-led businesses after a Glasgow fire. Additionally, artist…
- Meningitis, FA's Director of Women's Football, Abortion amendments
This episode covers the Kent meningitis outbreak, efforts by the FA to increase girls' participation in football, and a case involving compensation from MI5. It also explores an Ashmolean Museum exhibition on plants and recent legislative…
- AI heart health mammogram, Prison family visits, The manosphere
This episode of Woman's Hour discusses an AI tool for heart health analysis via mammograms, findings on family contact in prisons, the Archbishop of Canterbury's pilgrimage, and strategies to address online misogyny within the manosphere.
- Jesse Buckley's Oscars win, Social work, Kiran Millwood Hargrave
This episode discusses Jessie Buckley's Oscar win and Ireland's artistic success, a laser technology project for women's safety, and the profession of social work. The show also features author Kiran Millwood Hargrave and examines new rese…
- Leeds Maternity Review, Forgetting birthdays, the term ‘rough wooing’, Ashley Dalton MP, Maimuna Memon
Donna Ockenden discusses leading a review into Leeds maternity services, while others explore the significance of forgotten birthdays, the term 'rough wooing', MP Ashley Dalton's resignation, and Maimuna Memon’s creative work.
- CPR on women, AI toys, Maimuna Memon
This episode discusses obstacles to CPR for women, a recent sentencing for forced labour, the impact of AI toys on young children, the inspiration behind Monika Radojevic's novel, and the creative work of Maimuna Memon.
- Dunblane 30 years on, Catfishing, Forgetting birthdays
Anita Rani discusses the 30th anniversary of the Dunblane massacre, the impact of family forgetting birthdays, the issue of online catfishing, and new research into blood tests for detecting dementia in women.