Poorna Jagannathan brought us the story of Indian Olympic boxer and politician, Mary Kom. Poorna 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.”

Poorna 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, Poorna plays Nalini Vishwakumar in Mindy Kaling's comedy series "Never Have I Ever." [This episode originally aired in April 2019.]

This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane, with writing by Grace Boyle and narration by Poorna Jagannathan. Jestine Ware edited all scripts. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer.

Once upon a time, there was a girl who grew up to be the most successful boxer in India’s history. Her name was Mary Kom. Mary was an energetic child who was naturally drawn towards sports. So she enrolled herself in a sports academy where she discovered her love of boxing, but her trainers thought she was too small. Still, Mary sparred until she improved her technique, showing up early and staying late to train. She was terrified her parents would stop her, but they eventually grew to be her biggest supporters. With her nation and family’s support, Mary boxed her way to the Olympic Games and inspired generations to come. [This episode originally aired March 2019.]

About the Narrator:

Poorna Jagannathan is an award-winning actress and producer. Critically acclaimed for her performance on HBO's "The Night Of," Jagannathan will soon be seen in season 2 of HBO's "Big Little Lies," and on Hulu's two most anticipated shows of 2019: "The Act" and "Ramy." Her past work on HBO's "Room 104" and AMC's Better Call Saul" garnered critical attention and some of her recent film credits include A24's "Share," directed by Pippa Bianco, Peter Berg's “Mile 22,” and Aamir Kahn’s trailblazing Bollywood comedy, “Delhi Belly,” for which she won a Stardust and a L’Oreal Femina award for best supporting actress. Jagannathan is the winner of the 2013 Amnesty International Award for the play “Nirbhaya” by Yael Farber, which she initiated, produced and acted in. The play was called by The Telegraph as “One of the most powerful pieces of theater you’ll ever see."

Credits:

This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane, with writing by Grace Boyle and narration by Poorna Jagannathan. Jestine Ware edited all scripts. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer.

Get to know inventor Ann Makosinki, who brought us the story of movie star Anna May Wong. Ann talks about how she became a young inventor, and how we can become inventors ourselves. And she explains why the story of Anna May Wong is so important to her, especially as an Asian-American woman today.

Hailed as the first Asian American movie star, Anna May Wong’s groundbreaking career spanned from the silent film era to 1950s TV, when she starred in her own television show. Though bound by the racist and sexist stereotypes of Hollywood in the 1900s, including laws forbidding on-screen interracial relationships, Anna May Wong carved a path for herself in Hollywood and beyond, eventually appearing in 60+ films and performing on stages around the globe. [This episode originally aired May 2021.]

About the Narrator

Ann Makosinski is a 23 year old Filipina-Polish Canadian inventor, global keynote speaker, and aspiring writer. She is best known for her invention of the Hollow Flashlight, a flashlight that runs off the heat of the human hand, and the eDrink, a coffee mug that harvests the excess heat of your hot drink and converts it into electricity to charge your phone. Ann has given 5 TEDx talks, is one of Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30, Times Magazine’s 30 Under 30 World Changers, Entrepreneur Magazine’s Young Millionaires, and Glamour Magazine’s College Women of the Year. She recently completed her work on a line of children's toys that run off of green energy. 

Credits

This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This episode was produced by Isaac Kaplan-Woolner, sound designed and mixed by Camille Stennis. This episode was written by Alexis Stratton. Proofread by Ariana Rosas. Executive Producer is Katie Sprenger. A special thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team, who make this podcast possible! Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. For more, visit www.rebelgirls.com.

Marie Curie and Irène Joliot-Curie were brave pioneers in science who devoted their lives to helping others. A mother-daughter team with fierce curiosity and determination, they helped save millions of lives by exploring radioactivity.

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 Haley Dapkus with sound design and mixing by Brian Skipworth and Mumble Media. It was written by Abby Sher. Fact-checking by Joe Rhatigan. Narration by Eve Rodsky. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. Thank you to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this podcast possible. Stay rebel!

Shaneyah and Shane Redstar are an Indigenous daughter-father duo from the Cree tradition who spread joy and connectivity through music.

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 Haley Dapkus with sound design and mixing by Mumble Media. It was written and edited by Abby Sher. Fact-checking by Joe Rhatigan. Narration by Denise Halfyard. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. Our executive producers were Joy Smith and Jes Wolfe. Thank you to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this podcast possible. Stay rebel!

Meet the amazing soul, jazz and R&B singer, songwriter and performer, Andra Day. Andra read us the story of the child musical prodigy who grew up to wow audiences around the world, Hazel Scott. Andra tells us all about her creative process and what inspires her to make music! (This episode original aired November 2020.]

Today we meet the incredible jazz and classical pianist, Hazel Scott. Hazel was a musical prodigy as a child and started at The Juilliard School of Music when she was just 8 years old! By her teen years she was playing piano all over New York City and eventually found her way to film and television. Her skills and talents were undeniable but it’s her bravery and willingness to stand up for what she believed in truly make her a Rebel Girl! [This episode originally aired November 2020.]

About the Narrator

Andra Day is from San Diego, California, where she studied singing at the School of Creative and Performing Arts. Cultivating soul, jazz, and R&B through her voice, she is able to tell her stories through captivating music and engaging performances.

Andra has recently performed a number of performances, including a duet with Ellie Goulding at the 2016 Grammy's, showcasing her talent at the Bonnaroo's and Essence's festivals, as well as being nominated for: two Grammy's (Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance for "Rise Up"), three BET Awards (Best New Artist, Best R&B/Pop Artist, and the Centric Award), and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist. 

 Credits

This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls and Boom Integrated, a division of John Marshall Media. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Our Executive Producers are Jes Wolfe and Katie Sprenger. This season was produced by John Marshall Cheary, Sarah Storm, and Robin Lai. Corinne Peterson is our Production Manager. This episode was written by Alexis Stratton and edited by Katie Sprenger. Proofread by Ariana Rosas. Elettra Bargiacchi created sound design, and composed and performed the original theme. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer.

Get to know Anita Hill, professor and lawyer. She read us the story of civil rights icon Rosa Parks. Anita tells us what Mrs. Parks’ story means to her, and what we can learn from her about the role of law in making the world a more fair and just place. [This episode originally aired June 2021].

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 Isaac Kaplan-Woolner. Sound design and mixing by Camille Stennis. This episode was written by Alexis Stratton and proofread by Simi Kadirgamar. Executive Producer is Katie Sprenger. A big thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this show possible! Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. For more, visit www.rebelgirls.com. Until next time, stay REBEL!

In December 1955, Mrs. Rosa Parks made history by standing up to unjust segregation laws in Montgomery, Alabama, when she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man—a courageous act that helped launch the now-famous Montgomery bus boycott. In the years that followed, Parks was often characterized as a seamstress who was simply tired after a long day. However, Parks wasn’t tired from work—she was tired of being mistreated! While Parks is best known for that brave act of resistance, her activism spanned decades—and she continues to be a role model for rebel girls throughout the world today. [This episode originally aired June 2021.]

About the Narrator

Anita Hill grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, the youngest of 13 children. She graduated from Oklahoma State University and received her J.D. from Yale Law School. Starting her career in Washington, D.C., Hill worked in private practice as well as at the Education Department and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In 1989, Hill, was the first African American tenured at the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. Currently, she teaches courses on gender, race, policy and law at Brandeis University and serves as counsel to the law firm of Cohen, Milstein, Sellers and Toll, where she advises on class action discrimination cases. Professor Hill leads the Hollywood Commission working with entertainment industry companies and unions to eradicate harassment, discrimination and power abuse. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and has authored a variety of publications, offered television and radio commentary, and presented to hundreds of audiences around the globe

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 Isaac Kaplan-Woolner. Sound design and mixing by Camille Stennis. This episode was written by Alexis Stratton and proofread by Simi Kadirgamar. Executive Producer is Katie Sprenger. A big thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this show possible! Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. For more, visit www.rebelgirls.com. Until next time, stay REBEL!

In Pakistan, most women don't ride motorbikes. But with her father Qazi's support, Ghazal Farooqi is changing the way people think about women bikers. Through their adventures, the pair is also changing how people think of their beloved country.

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 Haley Dapkus with sound design and mixing by Mumble Media. It was written by Gina Gotsill and edited by Haley Dapkus and Abby Sher. Fact-checking by Eliza Kirby. Narration by Amna Khan. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. Our executive producers were Joy Smith and Jes Wolfe. Thank you to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this podcast possible. Stay rebel!