A new perspective. 

They say it's a 'man's world'... so what does that mean for the rest of us?

A podcast of one's own

We live in a world built by, and for, men. Our existing systems and hierarchies stem from a long history of excluding women. So what happens when half the population is shoehorned into a male-based infrastructure?

Featuring interviews with those who explore our world through the female gaze, The Story of Woman podcast looks at everything from the economy, healthcare, gender roles, and more. Each episode dives deep into where we are, how we got here, and what still needs to be changed in order to (finally) rewrite the story of mankind to become the story of humankind.

To us, ‘woman’ means all those who presently identify as such - regardless of which body they were born with. This includes other marginalized genders such as those who identify as non-binary, gender fluid, or anywhere else on the spectrum of gender.

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The Story of Woman in Kenya
in partnership with Orchid Project

This special, first of its kind three-part series brings The Story of Woman on location in Kenya to explore the deeply rooted and urgent issue of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).

In partnership with Orchid Project, who made this series possible, alongside their partner organizations COVAW and Brighter Society Initiative (BSI), host Anna Stoecklein teams up with Kenyan journalist Evelyn Wambui, traveling to rural Maasai villages and urban Nairobi. Through powerful, on-the-ground interviews with survivors, activists, and community leaders, the series reveals the human stories behind the headlines and statistics. These stories are intertwined with expert testimonies from Sean and Kirigo at Orchid Project using their experiences in research and advocacy work in Kenya to illuminate the broader context of FGM/C.

The series reveals both the devastating impacts of FGM/C and the extraordinary women leading the movement to bring it to an end. This series is not just about ending a harmful practice - it’s about reclaiming futures, reshaping communities, and unlocking the extraordinary potential that lives inside women and girls - and the families, communities, countries, and world around them.

If you'd like to support efforts to end this practice, you can donate to Orchid Project here.

This series was created in partnership with Orchid Project, an international NGO working to end FGM/C globally. If you'd like to join the movement and support the vital work that Orchid Project is doing, please consider making a donation. No matter how small, your contribution will help to create a future where women and girls live free from FGM/C.

Hillary Clinton and Cherie Blair: How Women Make Change Happen

What happens when two of the world’s most influential women sit down to talk about change, leadership, and lifting up other women? In this special season premiere, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Cherie Blair share stories, laughs, and real talk about breaking barriers, building each other up, and what it really takes to create a more equal world.

This episode sets the stage for our “Changemakers” series — a celebration of the people pushing for progress and rewriting what’s possible for women everywhere.

Celebrating Our Successes!

Listen to Our Show

Podcast Episodes

The Story of Woman in Kenya part 3: FGM/C and The Path Forward
May 21, 202500:37:31

The Story of Woman in Kenya part 3: FGM/C and The Path Forward

In this final episode of the Kenya series, host Anna Stoecklein explores what it will take to not just end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), but to shift the underlying social norms that drive it. The episode examines...

The Story of Woman in Kenya part 2: FGM/C and Breaking the Cycle
May 21, 202500:35:30

The Story of Woman in Kenya part 2: FGM/C and Breaking the Cycle

In the second episode of this three-part series on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Kenya, host Anna Stoecklein and Kenyan journalist Evelyn Wambui explore the complex reasons why this practice persists despite its...

The Story of Woman in Kenya part 1: FGM/C and The Untapped Potential of Women
May 21, 202500:30:50

The Story of Woman in Kenya part 1: FGM/C and The Untapped Potential of Women

This special three-part series brings The Story of Woman podcast on location in Kenya to explore female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Host Anna Stoecklein partners with Kenyan journalist Evelyn Wambui and international N...

The Story of Woman in Kenya Teaser
May 14, 202500:03:34

The Story of Woman in Kenya Teaser

This special three-part series brings The Story of Woman podcast on location in Kenya to explore the deeply rooted and urgent issue of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Host Anna Stoecklein teams up with Kenyan journa...

REPLAY: S2 E1. Woman and Change: Setting the Scene with Hillary Clinton and Cherie Blair
April 29, 202400:54:57

REPLAY: S2 E1. Woman and Change: Setting the Scene with Hillary Clinton and Cherie Blair

REPLAY OF SEASON TWO EPISODE ONE In the first episode of season two of the podcast, I speak with former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Cherie Blair, CBE KC in their first-time ever, exclusive joint podcast in...

Reviews

What Our Listeners Say

Apple Podcasts
Everyone should listen to this

Really important to discuss how to improve things and how the biases and expectations impact on men too.

temporlinsanity March 12, 2023
Podcastpage
Ms

Women are getting challenges in different fields:eg : access to finance, undermine by men, family relation and power different

Mercy Tintswalo Manzini February 22, 2023
Apple Podcasts
Listen to this podcast!!

One of my favourite podcasts. Eye opening, enjoyable, and expanding for my bookshelf. This is also great book list to start with if you’re interested in a woman’s perspective (on a myriad aspects of life). Found some of my favourite thought leaders here.

Kvlpal February 21, 2023
Apple Podcasts
Just what the world needs right now!

This podcast is AMAZING! One of the highlights of 2022 for me was coming across Anna and her podcast. She’s brilliant with all of her guests who are all incredibly inspiring. Thank you for bringing this to the world and sharing your gift with us! 🙏

Vero_Linares January 24, 2023
The Story of Woman
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  • O what a night! The Story of Woman in Kenya was shortlisted for the International Women’s Podcast Awards, in the category of the Award for Changing the World One Moment at a Time. We celebrated at the Awards ceremony earlier this week. It was such an honor to be recognized amongst a room full of such talented women. This recognition is testament to the powerful women and men featured in the series. To be clear, THEY are the ones changing the world .. I’m just trying to amplify their story đŸ€© 🎧 Have a listen to hear why it was nominated, and how exactly these women are changing the world. Link in bio. 🙏And please re-share to help keep the story going! A big thanks to @naomiemellor and the @iwpodcastawards team đŸ€© And another big thanks to @orchidproject for making this series possible. As well as their partner organizations @c.o.v.a.w @covaw_kenya and @bsikenya , and Kenyan journalist @wambuikaruri. Also the fabulous @reddest_roar for her communication support and @maddyisabstract for the incredible editing work ✹ #InternationalWomensPodcastAwards #IWPA2025 #WeHaveThingsToSay
  • @seancallaghan of @orchidproject captures the essence of why ending FGM/C matters for everyone. Our Kenya podcast series explores how the harmful practice limits the contributions of women and girls worldwide, and how that impacts all of us. 👉 Tune in to hear more. Link in bio. 🙏 And please consider supporting Orchid Project’s work to further their efforts in ending FGM/C. Link in bio. #GenderEquality #SocialJustice #HumanRights #EndFGM #EndFGMC
  • In this three-episode series, we go beyond laws and policy changes to explore FGM/C through the lived experiences of those most impacted. In intimate conversations with survivors, activists, and community leaders, we reveal the human stories behind the statistics — and the deep cultural forces that keep this practice alive. Some questions we had: Why does FGM/C persist? What will it take to truly end it? And what can these efforts teach us about transforming harmful traditions around the world? đŸŽ™ïž Listen to the full series now. Link in bio. ✹ Please consider supporting Orchid Project’s work to further their efforts in ending FGM/C. Link in bio. #CulturalChange #HumanRights #endfgm
  • Beyond honored to share that The Story of Woman in Kenya has been shortlisted for the International Women’s Podcast Awards! It’s for the Award for Changing the World One Moment at a Time - a category that couldn’t feel more fitting for the incredible people who shared their stories in this series. To be nominated at all is a huge honor. To be recognised alongside powerhouse storytellers like @bbcnews and @wonderymedia is honestly surreal. This three-part series, now live, takes you into the heart of two Kenyan communities confronting female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) - not a story of victimhood, but a story of the strength and the extraordinary women leading the movement to bring it to an end. 🎧 Have a listen and let me know what you think! Link in bio. Huge thanks to @orchidproject who made this possible. As well as Orchid Project’s partner organizations @c.o.v.a.w and @bsikenya, and Kenyan journalist @wambuikaruri Also the fabulous @reddest_roar for her communication support and @maddyisabstract for the incredible editing work ✹ And big thanks to @naomiemellor and the International Women’s Podcast Awards team đŸ€© @iwpodcastawards Check out all the winner’s here: https://ipwa.evessiocloud.com/2025/en/page/shortlist-2025 #InternationalWomensPodcastAwards #IWPA2025 #WeHaveThingsToSay
  • Leila, 37 - Somali Advocate Leila walks the walk - literally. At 37, this Somali mother and activist speaks in markets, schools, and madrasas, breaking down taboos and sparking grassroots change. She challenges long-held beliefs around female sexuality with calm, clarity, and compassion - meeting people where they are, and helping them see another way. 👉 Tune in to hear more about how Leila is creating change at the most grassroots level. Link in bio. 🙏 And please consider supporting Orchid Project’s work to further their efforts in ending FGM/C. Link in bio. #WomenInPower #FemaleLeaders #EndFGM #EndFGMC
  • When we talk about ending FGM/C, we’re talking about creating a better world for everyone. In our Kenya series, @orchidproject’s Kirigo Njenga reminds us that gender inequality impacts entire societies - not just women and girls. 🎧Listen to the full series to understand the ripple effects of cultural transformation. 🙏 And please consider supporting Orchid Project’s work to further their efforts in ending FGM/C. Link in bio. #GenderEquality #FemaleLeaders #EndFGM #EndFGMC

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