Rebel Girls

Once, there was a girl who put a man on the Moon. Her name was Margaret Hamilton. When she was young, girls didn't study computers. But Margaret was curious about space, and she was smart. Really smart. She never thought twice about being the only woman in the room. With her cool-headedness and brilliant programming skills, she was able to avert disaster and maneuver the first successful American moon landing, Apollo 11. [This episode originally launched March 2018.] 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." She is currently a member of the ensemble cast of HBO's "Room 104," created by the Duplass brothers. 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.

Before Julia Donlin was a beach volleyball All-American and two-time collegiate national champion, she was navigating the effects of multiple concussions suffered while playing indoor volleyball. Her comeback didn’t just take her to a new court, but on a journey to find herself and what’s truly important. A hopeful for LA28, Julia is now stronger than ever.  Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

Introducing Stronger than Ever, a show about big dreams, unexpected obstacles and the rise to becoming the strongest version of yourself. Jordan Chiles is a three-time Olympic medalist, a world champion, and one of Team USA’s most electrifying gymnasts. She closed out her career at UCLA as a 16-time All-American, NCAA Champion, and a New York Times best-selling author, but she’s so much more than that.  In the debut episode of Stronger than Ever, Jordan opens up about who she is beyond the sport. From prioritizing her mental health to redefining what strength really means, she shares what she’s learned about failure, finding her support systems, and discovering herself outside of being an athlete. Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

This is episode 4 of Stronger than Ever, a show about big dreams, unexpected obstacles and the rise to becoming the strongest version of yourself.  On May 9, 2025, Savy King collapsed on the pitch during an NWSL match. When she woke up in the hospital, her first question was if she’d ever play soccer again. 310 days later, after open heart surgery, she was back on the field for Angel City FC.  She returned stronger than ever, on and off pitch. She details how she came back physically, what she learned mentally and her new outlook and perspective on life. Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

This is episode 7 of  Stronger than Ever, a show about big dreams, unexpected obstacles and the rise to becoming the strongest version of yourself.  Before basketball became Faatimah A's profession, it was her escape; giving her control and a path forward while spending her middle school years in a shelter as a young Muslim girl in a post-9/11 world. That journey has made her Stronger than Ever. Today, she is shaping the next generation of basketball players as a member of the Jamaican National Team, and the founder of the Women’s Premier Basketball Association. Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

This is episode 5 of Stronger than Ever, a show about big dreams, unexpected obstacles and the rise to becoming the strongest version of yourself.  Holly Aitchison is one of the best women’s rugby players in the world, starting at fly-half for the England national team. But that’s only part of her story. Throughout her adolescence, she battled acne. That journey reshaped and redefined her confidence, but left her stronger than ever, and starring at the Rugby World Cup and Six Nations for her country.  Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

This is episode 2 of Stronger than Ever, a show about big dreams, unexpected obstacles and the rise to becoming the strongest version of yourself. Ashley Hatch is a forward for the Washington Spirit. She’s an NWSL champion, the 2017 NWSL Rookie of the Year and the 2021 NWSL Golden Boot winner. She’s one of the league’s most prolific goal scorers ever, with 59 career goals. But her story goes far beyond the stats. In this interview, Ashley opens up about one of the toughest moments of her career, being the final cut from the 2023 USWNT World Cup roster, and how she found her way back to loving the game. From redefining success to letting go of outside expectations, she shares what she’s learned about identity, resilience, and choosing to love soccer again on her own terms. Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

This is episode 6 of  Stronger than Ever, a show about big dreams, unexpected obstacles and the rise to becoming the strongest version of yourself.  Four-time Olympic medalist Jordan Larson is the most decorated American indoor volleyball player ever. When her professional career was just getting started, her mother received a devastating diagnosis. On her journey to the top of the volleyball world, Jordan also learned how to overcome her grief and balance life and volleyball without her mom. That path made her Stronger than Ever. Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

For this mini-series, we sat down with seven athletes across different sports to not only hear their stories of real resilience, but to give them space to tell those stories in their own way. From coming back from an injury to rising through grief, each athlete found her way back to confidence and self-worth. And in doing that, they showed us what it truly means to be a Rebel Girl, staying true to themselves through everything that life threw at them. Season One is live on the Rebel Girls podcast and YouTube channel so go check it out. And don't forget to stay tuned for Season Two coming this fall. As always, Stay Rebel!

Masai Russell didn't just break the 100m hurdles world record — she became the first woman since 1988 to hold the record AND Olympic gold at the same time! 🏃‍♀️🥇 And the week only gets bigger from there... This week on the Weekly Sports Show, Pepper's got the scoop on:🎾 Naomi Osaka's US Open tribute to Allen Iverson — styled by the legendary Law Roach!🏐 Nebraska volleyball won in front of almost 40,000 fans at the Cowboys' stadium🎬 The girl who played Serena's movie double in King Richard just made her US Open debut FOR REAL🏀 The WNBA playoff field is SET + the FIBA World Cup starts this week!And so much more!Plus, Reggae Girlz captain Konya Plummer shares the self-talk she uses when things don't go as planned in this week's Pep Talk 💬Catch new episodes every Friday as we bring you all of the news in Women’s Sports. Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

This season, we invited kids to interview our storytellers. Today, you'll hear from Yuan Yuan Tan who narrated the previous episode about Alicia Alonso. If you haven't yet listened to last week's episode, now is a great time to go back and check it out. About Yuan Yuan : Yuan Yuan Tan is a Principal dancer with the famous San Francisco Ballet, celebrating her record-breaking 25th anniversary in this 2020 season. Born in Shanghai, Yuan Yuan began dancing when she was 11 years old and went on to become the youngest principal dancer in the history of the San Francisco Ballet. She also continues to perform several times a year in China where she also frequently participates in teaching workshops, competitions, and other community programs to nurture new generations of dancers. [This episode originally aired May 2020.] Learn more: If you want to learn more about Ballerina Alicia Alonso, grab a copy of our full chapter book Alicia Alonso Takes the Sage: https://www.rebelgirls.com/products/alicia-alonso-takes-the-stage Credits: This podcast is based on the book series also titled Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Our Executive Producers are Elena Favilli and Joy Fowlkes. This season was produced by John Marshall Cheary, Sarah Storm, and Robin Lai. This episode was written by Elizabeth Eulberg and edited by Pam Gruber. Maithy Vu proofread. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi who has also sound designed this episode. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer.

Once upon a time, there was a Cuban ballerina who was blind. Her name was Alicia. As a little girl, Alicia was a naturally talented dancer. She spent her days filled with hours and hours of practice. She became one of the best dancers in the world. Then when she was 19, a medical condition caused her to lose her ability to see but that did not stop Alicia. She continued to dance and choreograph. She even started her own dance company which became the National Dance Company of Cuba. [This episode originally aired May 2020.] About the Narrator: Yuan Yuan Tan is a Principal dancer with the famous San Francisco Ballet, celebrating her record-breaking 25th anniversary in this 2020 season. Born in Shanghai, Yuan Yuan began dancing when she was 11 years old and went on to become the youngest principal dancer in the history of the San Francisco Ballet. She also continues to perform several times a year in China where she also frequently participates in teaching workshops, competitions, and other community programs to nurture new generations of dancers. This podcast is based on the book series also titled Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Our Executive Producers are Elena Favilli and Joy Fowlkes. This season was produced by John Marshall Cheary, Sarah Storm, and Robin Lai. This episode was written by Elizabeth Eulberg and edited by Pam Gruber. Maithy Vu proofread. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi who has also sound designed this episode. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Stay Rebel!

Kinley Rasmus just pitched SIX shutout innings and struck out 8 and she's only one of TWO girls competing this year! ⚾🔥  This week on the Weekly Sports Show, Pepper's got the scoop on: 🎾 Serena Williams is BACK at the US Open, teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz in mixed doubles at the US Open 🏆 Coco Gauff wins her second Cincy Women's Open title 🏀 THREE WNBA records fall: Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Mitchell & Angel Reese are unstoppable 👟 Billie Jean King's legendary 1973 blue shoes are BACK And so much more! Plus, Bay FC founding owner Leslie Osborne shares her wisdom on handling tough moments in this week's Pep Talk. Catch new episodes every Friday as we bring you all of the news in Women’s Sports. Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

Rie has always been around food, ever since she was a little girl growing up in her grandma's coffee shop in Japan. As she got older, she tried out different jobs in the industry– from food styling to culinary school to cookbook writing! Listen to hear how it's never too late to follow your dreams.

Meet Refilwe Ledwaba, a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, a flight instructor, an advocate for women's rights and a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation goalkeeper who made history by becoming the first black female pilot to fly for the police service in South Africa. [This episode originally aired September 2021].

Once upon a time, there was a girl who soared and swooped through the sky. Her name is Thokozile Muwamba. In 2017, at age 24, Thokozile Muwamba broke barriers by becoming Zambia’s first female fighter pilot. Today, she continues to soar through the sky and is also an outspoken advocate against cyberbullying. [This episode originally aired September 2021]. About the Narrator Refilwe Ledwaba is a social entrepreneur, an advocate of girl’s education especially Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) education. She spent 10 years in the South African Police Services (SAPS) as a Helicopter Pilot, the first black woman to do so. She is also a qualified fixed-wing Pilot and Flight instructor ,a qualified Drone Pilot and currently training as a Drone Pilot instructor. She is passionate about youth development in Africa, particularly the empowerment of girls. She is the founder of Girls fly programme in Africa (GFPA) foundation, an information and educational STEAM programme for primary, high school and Post-school learners with a focus on aviation and space. The programme includes the use of design thinking, technology, and innovation to shape, empower, enable, and support the next generation of makers and problem solvers in the aviation and space industry in Africa while entrenching the spirit of Ubuntu.     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. Sound design and mixing by Mumble Media. This episode was written by Alexis Stratton and fact checked by Joe Rhatigan. Executive Producer was Katie Sprenger. Haley Dapkus was our Production Manager. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi.  A big thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team who makes this show possible! For more, visit rebelgirls.com. And if you like what you heard, don’t forget to rate and review this episode, and share it with your friends! Until next time, stay REBEL!

Lani Pallister just made swimming HISTORY! Plus: Diana Taurasi's jersey retirement, Sam Kerr's history-making goal & Ilona Maher squatting how much weight?! New eps every Friday with all the news in women's sports. Play Rebel ⚡ Stay Rebel

This season, we invited our credit readers to interview our storytellers. Today, you'll hear from Marcy Vaj who narrated the previous episode about Bebe Vio. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, now is a good time to go back and check it out! Vaj reveals how her violin bow has become her personal weapon, how feminism has changed as she's grown older, and more! [This episode originally aired June 2019.] About Vaj: MARCY VAJ is a busy violinist/violist, composer, personnel manager/contractor, and teacher. She has co-produced and orchestrated several albums and written countless arrangements. She received orchestration credit on "Prince of Egypt" and "Antz." Her credits include scoring the documentary "California Women Get The Vote" (2011) and the award-winning short film "Click Three Times." Since 2000, she has been a member of Composers Ensemble LA (CELA), a 12-piece composer/player workshop that writes concert pieces for the group. Marcy is a founding and touring member of The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. She was Sir Paul McCartney’s concertmaster for the 2012 Grammys, has a solo on the last albums of Glenn Frey (of the Eagles) and Charlie Haden (of Quartet West), and one on, Turkish piano star Kerem Gorsev’s in 2015. She also soloed in 12 chamber concerts in La Sainte Chappelle, Paris, served as concertmaster for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Thomas Conlin and the Zachery Opera Awards under Frank Fetta. Her string quartet is featured on the Paul Williams DVD, "I’m Going Back There Someday." In 2011 and 2012, she soloed and played principal in a chamber orchestra in London's Royal College of Music for the week of the Royal Wedding and again for the week of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. As a violinist/violist, she has accumulated hundreds of film credits including: TED, Ice Age, The Flintstones 1 & 2, Nutty Professor 1 & 2, Are We There Yet, Shrek, Armageddon, As Good As It Gets, and Matilda. She is an adjunct professor of violin/viola at Santa Monica College and also teaches privately. Credits: This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Special thanks to Clio McClure for coordinating our credit readers and interviewers.

Once upon a time, there was a girl who wielded a sword. Her name was Beatrice Vio or “Bebe” for short. When Bebe was just 11 years old, she came down with a severe case of meningitis. She survived a quadruple amputation, forcing her to relearn almost everything. But Bebe wanted more than just to walk or brush her teeth—Bebe wanted to fence again. And beyond that, Bebe wanted to win. Using prostheses of her own invention, Bebe fenced all the way to the paralympic games. [This episode originally aired June 2019.] About the Narrator: MARCY VAJ is a busy violinist/violist, composer, personnel manager/contractor, and teacher. She has co-produced and orchestrated several albums and written countless arrangements. She received orchestration credit on "Prince of Egypt" and "Antz." Her credits include scoring the documentary "California Women Get The Vote" (2011) and the award-winning short film "Click Three Times." Since 2000, she has been a member of Composers Ensemble LA (CELA), a 12-piece composer/player workshop that writes concert pieces for the group. Marcy is a founding and touring member of The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. She was Sir Paul McCartney’s concertmaster for the 2012 Grammys, has a solo on the last albums of Glenn Frey (of the Eagles) and Charlie Haden (of Quartet West), and one on, Turkish piano star Kerem Gorsev’s in 2015. She also soloed in 12 chamber concerts in La Sainte Chappelle, Paris, served as concertmaster for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Thomas Conlin and the Zachery Opera Awards under Frank Fetta. Her string quartet is featured on the Paul Williams DVD, "I’m Going Back There Someday." In 2011 and 2012, she soloed and played principal in a chamber orchestra in London's Royal College of Music for the week of the Royal Wedding and again for the week of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. As a violinist/violist, she has accumulated hundreds of film credits including: TED, Ice Age, The Flintstones 1 & 2, Nutty Professor 1 & 2, Are We There Yet, Shrek, Armageddon, As Good As It Gets, and Matilda. She is an adjunct professor of violin/viola at Santa Monica College and also teaches privately. Credits: This episode was produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane, with writing by Abby Sher and narration by Marcy Vaj. Jestine Ware edited all scripts and Janice Weaver fact-checked all scripts. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Special thanks to Clio McClure who coordinated all credit recordings and narrator donations.

Leslie Osborne, former USWNT member and co-founder of Bay FC, sat down with Junior Reporter Darcy to talk about playing in the World Cup, tearing her ACL days after making the 2008 Olympic team, and what 18 months of recovery taught her about life beyond soccer.  She also talks about the phone call that started Bay FC — and why women's sports in the Bay Area is having a major moment. Play Rebel and Stay Rebel