Rebel Girls

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...

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 wom...

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...

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 Nig...

Chef and food writer Rachel Gurjar shares how she went from Mumbai to culinary school, test kitchens, and Rebel Girls Make Dessert, mixing memory, creativity, and courage to inspire anyone who loves to play in the kitchen.

It's time to tend to our garden. We'll plant some flowers, water the plants, and turnover the soil. The birds and bugs are working alongside us to make the garden strong. With some sunlight, water, and care, there's nothing we can't grow.

With a needle, a bit of stuffing and a lot of creativity, inventor Margarete Steiff stitched one of the most beloved toys into existence: the teddy bear. She turned her passion into a business forever changing the way children go to sleep. This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This story was produced by Olivia Riçhard with so...

Leah Williamson was determined to get to the Championships. But when a referee disqualified Leah’s penalty kick, her dreams came to a screeching halt. This is how one kick, and the powerful woman behind it, transformed England’s national team. This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This story was produced by Joy Smith with sou...

Through her invention LightSound, Wanda Díaz-Merced, a Blind astrophysicist, has made experiencing solar eclipses possible for Blind and Low Vision communities. Listen in to learn more about LightSound and Wanda’s inspiring journey as an astrophysicist. This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. The story of Wanda Díaz-Merced  was...

Olympic track star and chef Dawn Burrell talks with Junior Reporter Chelsea about finding new flavors through travel, turning challenges into opportunities, and giving back to the community. From starting off as a long jumper to finding joy in cooking, Dawn shows us that it’s never too late to set new goals and embrace change.

Today you'll hear from famed Hollywood actress, Tatiana Maslany, who narrated the previous episode about Hedy Lamarr. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, now is a good time to go back and check it out. In this interview Tatiana reveals how she embraces her 'inner weirdo' and how she relies on internet to stay connected with her family.

Growing up in Austria-Hungary, Hedy Lamarr had two great passions: acting and inventing. She’s best known for her work in Hollywood, stunning American audiences with her beauty and compelling dramatic talents. But recently she’s earned recognition for her technological contributions as well. She and her friend, the composer George Antheil, received a patent for radio-frequency technology that is n...

Tony-nominated Montego Glover talks auditions, confidence, and treating theater like a sport. From Hamilton to Into the Woods, she shares how education and joy fuel a creative career—and why every kid deserves access to the arts.

When Sarinya Srisakul joined the New York City Fire Department, she made history as the first Asian American woman firefighter in the city. Her story ignited a movement for women interested in firefighting around the states. From her first day on the job to becoming president of the United Women Firefighters, Sarinya has fought more than just flames — she’s fought for fairness, representation, and...

Pastry chef and restaurateur Joanne Chang on leaving consulting for kitchens, building beloved bakeries, and developing recipes with patience and joy—plus a sneak peek at her Homemade Oreos in Rebel Girls Make Dessert. Photo credit: Kristin Teig

Mai Bhago was a Sikh woman warrior who led an army of 40 men in a fight for justice during the early 1700s. During a time of brewing conflict between the Mughal Empire and the Sikh Faith, Mai Bhago maintained her unwavering faith in Sikhism. Her legacy lives on through the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls. Tune in to learn more about Mai Bhago’s bravery! This podcast is a pro...

As a child of immigrants, Dolores Huerta witnessed just how poorly migrant farm workers were treated. This motivated her to lead massive labor movements for better pay, childcare, and rights for all farm workers. No challenge is too big for Dolores Huerta and it shows in her slogan- Si Se Puede- yes, it can be done. Listen in to learn more about Dolores! This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls...

Florence Nightingale knew her purpose was to heal humans and animals alike after she bandaged and cared for her childhood dog, Cap. Florence later became a nurse and gained the reputation of  “The Lady with the Lamp,” which spoke to the many sleepless nights she dedicated to saving soldiers from fatal injuries, diseases, and infections. Listen in to learn more about how Florence Nightingale change...

All aboard! Get your ticket, pack your suitcase, and find a cozy spot by the window as we travel on three different types of trains: steam, diesel, and modern passenger.

At only 14, Avery founded Altadena Girls, a nonprofit that has already supported thousands of girls with clothing, self-care, and community after the Eaton Canyon fire in California. Now 15, Avery has won the TIME100 Impact Award, led pop-up shops that feel like therapy, and opened a brand-new community center in Pasadena. Learn how friendship, confidence, and courage helped her turn tragedy into...

Saira Shah’s father told her stories of their homeland, Afghanistan. We’ll hear one of his mystical tales & learn how Saira traveled the country in search of her identity, and to share her own stories about the people of Afghanistan. This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This story was produced by Giuliana Mayo with sound des...