Rebel Girls

Nina Simone used her piano playing, brilliant songwriting, and one-of-a-kind voice to inspire audiences, challenge injustice, and create music that became the soundtrack of the Civil Rights Era and beyond. From iconic songs to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Nina Simone’s voice still echoes in the world.

This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.

This episode was narrated by DJ Switch Ghana. It was produced and directed by Haley Dapkus, with sound design and mixing by Mumble Media. The story was written by Nicole Haroutunian and edited by Abby Sher and Deborah Goldstein. Fact checking by Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal. Project coordination by Natalie Hara. Our executive producers were Anjelika Temple and Jes Wolfe.

Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi.

A special thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team, who make this podcast possible! Until next time, stay rebel!

Dancer, singer, and choreographer GiaNina Paolantonio shares what it takes to own the stage—and stay true to yourself. Plus: her best advice for dancers practicing at home—and the mindset she brings to every class.

With tap shoes on her feet and courage in her heart, Sutton Foster danced from her living room to the stages of Broadway. Using her signature humor and charm, Sutton has brought iconic characters to life through her performances. Listen in to learn more about the Broadway musical sensation Sutton Foster.

This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.
This episode was narrated by GiaNina Paolantonio . It was produced and directed by Haley Dapkus, with sound design and mixing by Carter Woghan.
The story was written by Darika Fuhrmann and edited by Haley Dapkus. Fact checking by Danielle Roth and Sam Gebauer. Project coordination by Natalie Hara. Our executive producers were Anjelika Temple and Jes Wolfe.
Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi.
A special thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team, who make this podcast possible! Until next time, stay rebel!

Meet Refilwe Ledwaba, a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, a flight instructor, and an advocate for women's rights, who made history by becoming the first black female pilot to fly for the police service in South Africa.

[This aired in the Rebel Girls app in 2023.]

Are you ready for a relaxing night of music? The Rebel Girls Symphony Hall holds concerts for everyone. Our talented orchestra plays all kinds of beautiful instruments. Share the joy of music with your loved ones. And maybe a sweet treat, too!

[This episode originally aired in 2025.]

Once upon a time, there was an inventor and entrepreneur named Madam C.J. Walker. She was the child of slaves, the first in her family to be born free, thanks to the Emancipation Proclamation. As a child, she had to work in the cotton fields to help support her family. Later, as a teenaged orphan, she became a washerwoman, backbreaking work considered one of the worst and most difficult jobs a woman could have.

But she dreamed of more -- for herself and her daughter. When, due to an illness, her hair began to fall out, she created a hair care regimen specifically for African-American women. It worked! She crisscrossed the country going door to door to sell her products and eventually built a beauty empire with sales representatives in every state. The formula grew to be so popular she became the first self-made female millionaire in America, and her products are still for sale today.

About the Narrator

Poorna Jagannathan is an actress and the producer of "Nirbhaya" ('Fearless'), the critically-acclaimed play written and directed by Yael Farber. Based on real-life events, the play breaks the silence around sexual violence and was called by The Telegraph as one of the "most powerful pieces of theater you’ll ever see.”

Jagannathan gained international recognition for her portrayal of a journalist in the 2011 Bollywood film "Delhi Belly" and has appeared as series regular on HBO's "The Night Of" and Netflix's "Gypsy." In 2018 she was a member of the ensemble cast of HBO's "Room 104," created by the Duplass brothers.

Most recently, Jagannathan plays Nalini Vishwakumar in Mindy Kaling's comedy series "Never Have I Ever."

Credits

This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, with writing and operation support by Darby Maloney and Elyssa Dudley. Sound Design and Original Theme Music by Elettra Bargiacchi.

[This episode originally aired in April 2018.]

Meet Celeste Bell, a filmmaker and a writer, and who has recently been working on a book and film project about her late mother, Poly Styrene. The book is called Dayglo! The Poly Styrene Story and the film is called, Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliche.

[This episode previously aired in 2021.]

Poly Styrene, otherwise known as Marianne Joan Elliott-Said was a British musician, a poet, singer-songwriter, and a pioneer in punk music. She is the first multiracial woman to lead a punk band, and continually dared herself to evolve as a musician and human being. 

About the Narrator

Celeste Bell spent her earliest years living on a Hare Krishna commune in the Hertfordshire countryside with her mother, Poly Styrene. After completing her degree from Queen Mary University of London, Celeste settled in Madrid where she worked as a teacher and formed the ska-punk band, Debutant Disco. After finishing a Master’s degree in Barcelona, Celeste returned to London to work alongside Zoë Howe on Day Glo! The Poly Styrene Story, published by Omnibus Press in 2019. They then joined forces with Paul Sng to make Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché, a film to accompany the book. Celeste currently manages her mother’s artistic estate, co-curating an exhibition alongside Mattie Loyce at the 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning Centre in Brixton. She plans to tour the exhibition internationally after the pandemic and is currently developing a new film project, with the working title of Mr. Gorbachev and the Krishna Kids.

Credits

This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls and is based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This episode was produced by Camille Stennis. Original theme music and sound design by Elettra Bargiacchi and final mix by Mattia Marcelli. This episode was written by Abby Sher and fact checked by Joe Rhatigan. Executive Producer is Katie Sprenger. Haley Dapkus is our Production Manager. A big thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this show possible! Until next time, stay REBEL!

[This episode previously aired in 2021.]

Meet Olympic swimmer and public health researcher Tara Kirk Sell. From breaking the 2004 world record in the 100 meter breaststroke to researching public health issues, Tara is a champion of change. 

Junior Reporter Laila sat down for a chat with Tara about chasing dreams, setting big goals, and pushing past obstacles.

Katie Ledecky dove headfirst into swimming at just six years old. Today, she is now the most decorated woman swimmer in Olympic history. From winning her first gold in the 800m freestyle at 15 years old to having a current-day total of 14 Olympic medals, Katie continues to prove that she is limitless in the water. 

This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.

This episode was narrated by Tara Kirk Sell. It was written and produced by Danielle Roth, and edited and directed by Haley Dapkus. Sound design and mixing by Mumble Media. 

Fact checking by Sam Gebauer. Our production coordinator was Natalie Hara. Haley Dapkus was our senior producer. Our executive producers were Anjelika Temple and Jes Wolfe.

Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi.

A special thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team, who make this podcast possible! Until next time, stay rebel!