Sisters are doing it for themselves, but should they?  As a special edition for International Women's Day, this episode explores what it means to be an independent woman.  Resources More than a woman, Caitlin Moran  

Sisters are doing it for themselves, but should they?  As a special edition for International Women's Day, this episode explores what it means to be an independent woman. Resources More than a woman, Caitlin Moran

Episode 14 - International Women's Day Special - For all the Independent Women

Brenda Hale

Challenger: Lady Brenda Hale grew up in a small village in North Yorkshire and became the highest ranking judge in the UK.  Her life is a series of "firsts", even though she was not always everyone else's first choice.  She kept her resolve to progress and never took any of her success for granted. Despite her achievements at being first, she knows it's her moral duty not to be the last.  She has always encouraged others to succeed and in both her career and in life she has acted with fairness and integrity in words and deed.  Sources:  Spider Woman, A Life by Lady Hale Desert Island Discs (podcast) Women in the Law UK (podcast)

Challenger: Lady Brenda Hale grew up in a small village in North Yorkshire and became the highest ranking judge in the UK.  Her life is a series of "firsts", even though she was not always everyone else's first choice.  She kept her resolve to progress and never took any of her success for granted. Despite her achievements at being first, she knows it's her moral duty not to be the last.  She has always encouraged others to succeed and in both her career and in life she has acted with fairness and integrity in words and deed. Sources: Spider Woman, A Life by Lady Hale Desert Island Discs (podcast) Women in the Law UK (podcast)

Episode 13 - Lady Brenda Hale

"There is wisdom in your winter..." (Katherine May). Check out what I found out in my winter, and an important reminder of the firebird's journey.  Credits: Wintering by Katherine May

"There is wisdom in your winter..." (Katherine May). Check out what I found out in my winter, and an important reminder of the firebird's journey. Credits: Wintering by Katherine May

Episode 12 - Pre-Launch to Series 2

Believer: Since being 3 years old, Cilla wanted to be a star.  She followed her dreams to become a singer, and then became the most successful and highest paid female tv presenter with a 50 year career in show business. Her story shows the tremendous power of self belief, but also as her Liverpudlian contemporaries sang, that we get by with a little help from our friends.  "I can't say I was surprised I was successful, I was determined and I got it." Resources: What's it All About? - Cilla Black Cilla Black, Bobby's Girl - Douglas Thompson Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs BBC drama - Cilla Piers Morgan Life Stories: Cilla Black Cilla Black - the one and only (Channel 5)

Believer: Since being 3 years old, Cilla wanted to be a star.  She followed her dreams to become a singer, and then became the most successful and highest paid female tv presenter with a 50 year career in show business. Her story shows the tremendous power of self belief, but also as her Liverpudlian contemporaries sang, that we get by with a little help from our friends.  "I can't say I was surprised I was successful, I was determined and I got it." Resources: What's it All About? - Cilla Black Cilla Black, Bobby's Girl - Douglas Thompson Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs BBC drama - Cilla Piers Morgan Life Stories: Cilla Black Cilla Black - the one and only (Channel 5)

Episode 11 - Cilla Black

Joan Rivers

Survivor: A firebird, a bumblebee, a tortoise or a pack horse?  Joan Rivers joked that she embodied a number of different characteristics throughout her life.  For me, she is a definite firebird because she shows us that if you can do it once, you can do it again.  “You probably know much more than you give yourself credit for and your ability to learn is greater than you think.” Resources: Enter Talking - Joan Rivers How I survived everything and so can you - Joan Rivers The Book of Joan - Melissa Rivers Joan Rivers interviewed on the Southbank Show. 

Survivor: A firebird, a bumblebee, a tortoise or a pack horse?  Joan Rivers joked that she embodied a number of different characteristics throughout her life.  For me, she is a definite firebird because she shows us that if you can do it once, you can do it again.  “You probably know much more than you give yourself credit for and your ability to learn is greater than you think.” Resources: Enter Talking - Joan Rivers How I survived everything and so can you - Joan Rivers The Book of Joan - Melissa Rivers Joan Rivers interviewed on the Southbank Show.

Episode 10 - Joan Rivers

Challenger: When sixteen year old Malala Yousafzai spoke at the UN, she said, "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world."  Malala's incredible example shows that this is true.  Whilst schools were being blown up by the Taliban, she advocated the importance of education for all, at great personal risk.  She became a worldwide leader from her campaign work and charitable efforts.  She is the youngest ever recipient of the Noble Peace Prize.  Prepared to be astonished... "This was my calling. Some powerful force had come to dwell inside me, something better and stronger than me and it had made me fearless." Resources: He Named Me Malala, documentary film by Davis Guggenheim. I am Malala, book by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb. I am Malala (teenager edition), book by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick Details of the Malala Fund are available here: https://malala.org

Challenger: When sixteen year old Malala Yousafzai spoke at the UN, she said, "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world."  Malala's incredible example shows that this is true.  Whilst schools were being blown up by the Taliban, she advocated the importance of education for all, at great personal risk.  She became a worldwide leader from her campaign work and charitable efforts.  She is the youngest ever recipient of the Noble Peace Prize.  Prepared to be astonished... "This was my calling. Some powerful force had come to dwell inside me, something better and stronger than me and it had made me fearless." Resources: He Named Me Malala, documentary film by Davis Guggenheim. I am Malala, book by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb. I am Malala (teenager edition), book by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick Details of the Malala Fund are available here: <a href="https://malala.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://malala.org</a>

Episode 9 - Malala Yousafzai

Survivor: The Queen of Soul was a musical genius, yet her life was far from plain-sailing.  She battled with insecurity and was a victim of abuse. The times when she really flied high were when she established herself in her roots.  Her greatness is all the more powerful due to the struggles she went through.   WARNING - This episode includes references to adult themes.  Listener discretion is required.   Resources Respect by David Ritz

Survivor: The Queen of Soul was a musical genius, yet her life was far from plain-sailing.  She battled with insecurity and was a victim of abuse. The times when she really flied high were when she established herself in her roots.  Her greatness is all the more powerful due to the struggles she went through.  WARNING - This episode includes references to adult themes.  Listener discretion is required.  Resources Respect by David Ritz

Episode 8 - Aretha Franklin

Anita Roddick

Navigator: They say that necessity is the mother of all invention.  Anita Roddick used her instinct to become one of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs of the past century.  She didn't just transform her own life - she transformed the cosmetic industry and also how trade was conducted on a global scale by working with indigenous cultures across the world.  She is a born firebird and archetype navigator.   Resources Body and Soul by Anita Roddick Business as Unusual by Anita Roddick. 

Navigator: They say that necessity is the mother of all invention.  Anita Roddick used her instinct to become one of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs of the past century.  She didn't just transform her own life - she transformed the cosmetic industry and also how trade was conducted on a global scale by working with indigenous cultures across the world.  She is a born firebird and archetype navigator.   Resources Body and Soul by Anita Roddick Business as Unusual by Anita Roddick.

Episode 7 - Anita Roddick

Believer: The Sound of Music was based on Maria Von Trapp's autobiography, yet how much do we know about her from the film?  In her account her marriage to Captain von Trapp is at the beginning of her story, yet in the film it is near the end.  There is so much more to her life than first revealed.  This episode tells how she transformed her life, in many ways... Resources: The Story of the von Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp.

Believer: The Sound of Music was based on Maria Von Trapp's autobiography, yet how much do we know about her from the film?  In her account her marriage to Captain von Trapp is at the beginning of her story, yet in the film it is near the end.  There is so much more to her life than first revealed.  This episode tells how she transformed her life, in many ways... Resources: The Story of the von Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp.

Episode 6 - Maria von Trapp

Bridget Jones

Special Edition for International Women's Day.  In 2016, Bridget Jones was voted by BBC 4's Woman's Hour to be one of the 7 most influential women of the past 70 years.  Unfortunately, I feel that this influence has been for all the wrong reasons.  In this special edition, I talk about the impact that Bridget Jones has had on my life and the need to reconceptualise her, so that we find better role models.  Rise up firebird. 

Special Edition for International Women's Day.  In 2016, Bridget Jones was voted by BBC 4's Woman's Hour to be one of the 7 most influential women of the past 70 years.  Unfortunately, I feel that this influence has been for all the wrong reasons.  In this special edition, I talk about the impact that Bridget Jones has had on my life and the need to reconceptualise her, so that we find better role models.  Rise up firebird.

Episode 5 - International Women's Day Special - The Demise of Bridget Jones

Let hope be your wings. Rise Up Firebird tells stories of inspirational women who transformed their lives. Such change can come about in many forms. These women are either dreamers, challengers, navigators, or survivors. Yet what they all have in common is that they never gave up on themselves. These stories are to provide inspiration, so that you never give up on yourself either. The firebird flies to give hope to others.

Jane Goodall

Believer: Dr Jane Goodall achieved her dream of living with animals in Africa and became a world renowned scientific expert on chimpanzees.  Yet what happens after we achieve our dreams or when those dreams are taken away from us?  Dr Jane Goodall's life shows that everything that happens to us forges our greater destiny. She is someone who took her dreams and expanded them into a greater belief, to give hope to others.  “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” (Dr Jane Goodall) Further details on Jane's life can be found from the following sources:  Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey by Jane Goodall Jane Goodall: The Hope by National Geographic Jane, a film by Brett Morgen

Believer: Dr Jane Goodall achieved her dream of living with animals in Africa and became a world renowned scientific expert on chimpanzees.  Yet what happens after we achieve our dreams or when those dreams are taken away from us?  Dr Jane Goodall's life shows that everything that happens to us forges our greater destiny. She is someone who took her dreams and expanded them into a greater belief, to give hope to others.  “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” (Dr Jane Goodall) Further details on Jane's life can be found from the following sources: <ul> <li>Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey by Jane Goodall</li> <li>Jane Goodall: The Hope by National Geographic</li> <li>Jane, a film by Brett Morgen</li></ul>

Episode 4 - Dr Jane Goodall

Navigator: Vivienne Westwood transformed her life from a working class girl in Derbyshire, to a worldwide leader in fashion.  Her life shows that hard work, consistency and dedication will prevail.  All the seeds for our future development are already sown.  All that is needed, is time and cultivation.   Quotes from the podcast and recommended additional reading is from Vivienne Westwood, by Vivienne Westwood and Ian Kelly. 

Navigator: Vivienne Westwood transformed her life from a working class girl in Derbyshire, to a worldwide leader in fashion.  Her life shows that hard work, consistency and dedication will prevail.  All the seeds for our future development are already sown.  All that is needed, is time and cultivation.  Quotes from the podcast and recommended additional reading is from Vivienne Westwood, by Vivienne Westwood and Ian Kelly.

Episode 3 - Vivienne Westwood

Catherine Cookson

Survivor:  Catherine Cookson overcame poverty-stricken beginnings in the north east to become one of the most successful novelists of all time, selling over 100 million copies in her lifetime whilst being the 20th century's most popularly borrowed author from UK libraries.  Catherine suffered many misfortunes in her life, but prevailed in spite of them.  Her legacy continues to this day.  She wrote over 100 novels and donated over £50 million in her lifetime to the north east, after a 50 year absence.  Her own story is as compelling and fascinating as any of the stories she wrote.   "I can and I will has always been my motto."   (Catherine Cookson).  More information on Catherine Cookson's life is available from the following sources:  Autobiographies by Catherine Cookson: Our Kate; My Land of the North (Memories of a Northern Childhood); and Before I Go. Poetry by Catherine Cookson:  Let Me Make Myself Plain; Plainer Still; Just a Saying. Biographies:  Catherine Cookson the biography by Kathleen Jones; and The Girl From Leam Lane (the life and writing of Catherine Cookson) by Piers Dudgeon.

Survivor:  Catherine Cookson overcame poverty-stricken beginnings in the north east to become one of the most successful novelists of all time, selling over 100 million copies in her lifetime whilst being the 20th century's most popularly borrowed author from UK libraries.  Catherine suffered many misfortunes in her life, but prevailed in spite of them.  Her legacy continues to this day.  She wrote over 100 novels and donated over £50 million in her lifetime to the north east, after a 50 year absence.  Her own story is as compelling and fascinating as any of the stories she wrote.   "I can and I will has always been my motto."   (Catherine Cookson). More information on Catherine Cookson's life is available from the following sources: Autobiographies by Catherine Cookson: Our Kate; My Land of the North (Memories of a Northern Childhood); and Before I Go. Poetry by Catherine Cookson:  Let Me Make Myself Plain; Plainer Still; Just a Saying. Biographies:  Catherine Cookson the biography by Kathleen Jones; and The Girl From Leam Lane (the life and writing of Catherine Cookson) by Piers Dudgeon.

Episode 2 - Catherine Cookson

Introducing Rise Up Firebird, a podcast about real life women who have transformed their lives.  Finding role models and mentors is an important part of life.  We've heard and read thousands of years of history (or his story).  It's time to readdress the balance to learn more about her story.  Once you hear somebody's life story you no longer feel alone in your struggles and can find hope and strength from how others have responded.  All women of great character have had their own measure of struggle and triumph.  You too can be a firebird. 

Introducing Rise Up Firebird, a podcast about real life women who have transformed their lives.  Finding role models and mentors is an important part of life.  We've heard and read thousands of years of history (or his story).  It's time to readdress the balance to learn more about her story.  Once you hear somebody's life story you no longer feel alone in your struggles and can find hope and strength from how others have responded.  All women of great character have had their own measure of struggle and triumph.  You too can be a firebird.

Episode 1 - Pre-Launch 

Let hope be your wings. Rise Up Firebird tells stories of inspirational women who transformed their lives. Such change can come about in many forms. These women are either dreamers, challengers, navigators, or survivors. Yet what they all have in common is that they never gave up on themselves. These stories are to provide inspiration, so that you never give up on yourself either. The firebird flies to give hope to others.

RISE UP FIREBIRD, stories of women who transformed their lives.

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