March 23, 2022

Ash Barty retires from tennis, Growing up in poverty, Shame, Threads, Men and sexual entitlement

57 minutes

Ash Barty, the Australian three time grand slam champion is retiring from tennis. Her achievements are matched only by her fellow player, Serena Williams. Andy Murray tweeted "Happy for Ash, gutted for tennis. What a player". We hear from Gigi Salmon, tennis commentator for the BBC who has interviewed Ash Barty many times over the years, and has been at all her three major wins.

The concept of shame first named in the bible when Eve plucked the apple from the tree of life is invariably seen as negative force in society. But in a new book by the author Cathy O Neil she suggests that shame can be a powerful and sometimes a useful tool for good: when we publicly shame corrupt politicians, abusive celebrities or predatory corporations. She joins Emma Barnett to discuss hew new book ‘The Shame Machine: Who Profits in the New Age of Humiliation’.

The government is under increasing pressure to tackle Britain’s cost of living crisis in its spring statement today. With rising food and fuel costs, inflation at the highest rate for 30 years and a record increase in household energy bills, households are facing mounting pressures to pay the bills. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that 1.8 million children today are growing up in very deep poverty. What’s it like to grow up in poverty? And how does it shape you? Skint is a new BBC 4 series of drama monologues all about the lived experience. Kerry Hudson grew up in extreme poverty and has written Hannah’s story.

Woman's Hour listener Fran heard one of the conversations in our series Threads which explores the emotional power of old clothes. She remembered a tiny dress and cardigan which she last wore more than 60 years ago. I spoke to her and asked her to describe them.

‘Am I That Guy?’ is a new Radio 4 documentary about sexual entitlement that puts men at the forefront of the conversation. Instead of telling women how to protect themselves from danger it focuses on how men can improve their behaviour. Graham Goulden is a consultant on Police Scotland’s viral ‘Don’t Be That Guy’ campaign and a contributor to the doc.

Presenter: Emma Barnett

Producer: Kirsty Starkey

Interviewed Guest: Gigi Salmon

Interviewed Guest: Kerry Hudson

Interviewed Guest: Felicity Hannah

Interviewed Guest: Cathy O'Neill

Interviewed Guest: Graham Goulden

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