She Chose to Rise: the podcast

In the premiere episode of She Chose to Rise: The Podcast, host Mariatu Esther Kabba shares the deeply personal story that inspired the podcast and the anthology of the same name. Reflecting on growing up in Sierra Leone, she explores the cost of silence, the courage it takes to speak the truth, and the quiet moment that changed the course of her life. This opening episode sets the stage for a glo...

War is often told through headlines and history books — but behind every conflict is a human story. In this episode of She Chose to Rise: The Podcast, host Mariatu Esther Kabba speaks with Olga from Ukraine about navigating fear, displacement, and uncertainty while holding onto hope and identity. Through an intimate conversation and reflections from her chapter in the anthology, Olga shares what r...

What happens when silence is expected — and speaking up feels impossible? In this episode of She Chose to Rise: The Podcast, host Mariatu Esther Kabba sits down with Elita from Bangladesh to explore the quiet pressures that shape women's lives and the courage it takes to reclaim your voice. Through a deeply personal conversation, Elita reflects on breaking free from expectations, trusting her...