logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2021
58m 26s

DIY dancing at home; Transgender athlete...

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Nightclubs are shut, dancing at weddings is not allowed and gigs and festivals are still uncertain. If you want to dance you have to do it at home. Woman's Hour shares your DIY dancing stories and gets tips from Guilty Pleasures DJ, Sean Rowley and Strictly dancer, Amy Dowden.

Laurel Hubbard is going to be the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics which starts next month. It's controversial, and she'll make history. She'll be part of the New Zealand women's weightlifting team at Tokyo. Laurel came out as transgender in 2013 - and qualifies for the Olympics on the basis that her testosterone levels have been kept below a certain level for at least a year. But how does a reduction in testosterone affect other aspects of the body - such as haemoglobin levels, muscle mass and strength - that could influence competitive performance? And what research is needed to help inform the balance between inclusivity and meaningful competition in sport? Joanna Harper, a PhD researcher at Loughborough University talks about her latest study.

Imagine having your home destroyed, losing your livelihood, and then being intimidated by those now on the land. That’s what hundreds of women in Western Uganda say has happened to them; they were violently evicted from their homes to make way for a sugar plantation. In an investigation for Woman's Hour, they've told us they are now left with no option but to live in extremely poor conditions in a makeshift camp, where they face physical and sexual abuse from the plantation workers. To make things worse, many of their husbands have abandoned them while they find employment elsewhere. The UK provides overseas aid for these woman as they fight for compensation for their lost land. But, that UK funding is due to end soon, even though after five years a legal dispute over the land is still unresolved.

Two novels - one published tomorrow and one just out in paperback explore the human impact of environmental disaster through the lives of girls and women. They both ask - what is really important to us? What lasts when everything we think we need is stripped away? Kate Sawyer, author of 'The Stranding', her first novel, and Diane Cook, whose book 'The New Wilderness' was shortlisted for The Booker Prize last year, discuss their work.

Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Kirsty Starkey

Interviewed Guest: Joanna Harper Interviewed Guest: Sean Rowley Interviewed Guest: Amy Dowden Interviewed Guest: Sostine Namanya Interviewed Guest: Kate Sawyer Interviewed Guest: Diane Cook

Up next
Yesterday
Christine McGuiness, Dianaworld, Marcia Grant inquest, Weight loss ads
The TV presenter and autism advocacy campaigner, Christine McGuinness, is mother of three autistic children, and she received an autism diagnosis herself as an adult. She is highlighting new research from Barrett Redrow which found that half of parents of children with disabiliti ... Show More
57m 8s
Jul 8
Caroline Eshghi, Fats Timbo, Malaria drug for babies
In the 1970s and 80s, Caroline Eshghi was a young girl living in Bristol, Somerset, and Wiltshire. From the moment she was born until she ran away at the age of 15, Caroline was beaten, burned and starved by her mother. In May this year, Melanie Burmingham was jailed for 20 month ... Show More
57m 20s
Jul 7
7/7 attacks, Writer Bolu Babalola, SEND
It’s been 20 years since the 7/7 attacks in London, which claimed the lives of 52 civilians and injured almost 800. Krupa Padhy talks to Gill Hicks, who was on the Piccadilly line Tube that morning and lost her legs in the blast, and nurse Kate Price, who was working in intensive ... Show More
57m 21s
Recommended Episodes
May 2020
Trans Athlete Chris Mosier On Making History (+ Nadia)
“Be the person you needed when you were younger.”-Chris MosierWith elections looming, the scope of human rights is being hotly debated — and soon to be cast across ballots.In the crosshairs is gender politics — specifically transgender rights — a vital subject of contention I adm ... Show More
2h 41m
Jun 2024
Laura Kenny: The Price of Gold for Britain's Most Successful Female Olympian (E267)
Jake and Damian sit down with Olympic record-breaker Laura Kenny to discuss the highs and lows of her illustrious cycling career, and the personal challenges she's faced along the way. Legendary British track and road cyclist Laura Kenny made her mark as a five-time Olympic champ ... Show More
57m 41s
May 2021
Olympian Katie Hoff On Embracing The Suck & Alchemizing Pain Into Gratitude
We all create imagined blueprints for how we want our lives to unfold—but what happens when things don’t go according to plan?Today’s guest knows a thing or two about managing pressure, prioritizing intention over expectation, and transforming disappointment into gratitude.Meet O ... Show More
2h 26m
May 2023
356. Narcissists, Frauds, and Enablers: Trans Women and Women's Sports | Riley Gaines
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson and twelve-time All-American female swimmer Riley Gaines discuss the insemination of men into women's spaces. Gaines breaks down the breach in security that women face when forced to share vulnerable spaces with biological men, the purpose of athletic achie ... Show More
1h 52m
Jan 2020
Lauren Fleshman Is Empowering Women Athletes
“I changed my body for sport. No girl should."Lauren FleshmanWhat is the current state of gender parity in sport? Ask today's guest and she'll tell you that women and girls are no longer content just to have a chance to play; they are demanding that sports be rebuilt altogether.M ... Show More
2h 12m
Mar 2024
Dylan Mulvaney: The Debate
Is Dylan Mulvaney a secret agent of the Trump campaign - sent to expose the utter lunacy of this cultural moment? That’s about the only thing that would make sense. On a more positive note, there are some truly inspirational women fighting the real fight for women’s rights and eq ... Show More
30m 6s
Mar 2023
EP23: Coming Full Circle: Former Olympic Gymnast Sarah Mercer on creating a cultural shift in gymnastics
Our guest on today’s episode has had an illustrious career in gymnastics, starting at a young age when most Olympics hopefuls spend uncountable hours in the gym perfecting routines to now coaching young athletes in the sport - coming full circle in her sport. Sarah Mercer, who is ... Show More
1h 1m
May 2024
34. Overcoming body image and food concerns as a Team USA women's wrestler with Jenna Burkert
Explore the profound journey of a professional women's wrestler, Jenna Burkert, as she opens up about overcoming deep-seated body image and food concerns within the highly competitive world of athletics. You'll be amazed at the profound insight and discussion on the tra ... Show More
32m 47s
Jun 2022
Amanda Beard | Coming of Age in Competitive Sports
Amanda Beard grew up in the spotlight. She graced the Olympic podium by 14, racked up eight USA Swimming national titles and appeared on the covers of numerous sports and lifestyle magazines. But with the glamour and glory came intense media scrutiny that led her to struggle with ... Show More
44m 30s
Apr 2022
Eco-Warriors: Ellen Swallow Richards
Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911) was the first woman to be admitted to MIT. She founded the home economics movement and ignited the study of ecology to create life-saving environmental health standards. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we w ... Show More
9m 39s