The Four Hundred: Defining females behind the microphone
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Listen up, the women are speaking.
March marks the celebration of Women’s History Month and we have seen resilient women challenging a long patriarchal history in the U.S. and stepping up to have their voice heard.
Aretha Franklin used her passionate words and strong vocals to speak to audiences with the musicality of the strong Black woman.
Harper Lee became one of the most notable American novelists after spilling her literary talent into To Kill a Mockingbird, an English class reading staple now.
Oprah Winfrey marked her presence on a televised stage in 1986 and encouraged women all over the world to use their femininity as a power tool.
In the highly digitized world we live in today, it is becoming easier for individuals from marginalized groups such as the woman above, to reach larger audiences who may have not had the same opportunity to broadcast before.
In the medium of podcasts, icons such as singer and songwriter FKA Twigs or America’s most decorated gymnast Simone Biles are able to speak to the average listener like they are right in the room having a discussion.
According to Statista, Gen Z and Millenials have been a part of a growing audience of podcast listeners, with an over 25% increase since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
I have gathered a list of three podcasts from women for women, looking to influence the next businesswoman, spiritual guide or activist, all in celebration of Women’s History Month.
The first podcast, started by business strategist and high-performance coach Natalie Eckdahl, is called ‘BizChix,’ and is geared toward women who want to build themselves and their business whether big or small.
With over 300 episodes packed with advice ranging from negotiation in the workplace to simply making you feel heard at home, Eckdahl speaks to all the challenges working women may face.
With a bright and cheery tone, Eckdahl begins her episodes with a personal anecdote that will eventually lead to the lesson she is about to bestow, sometimes followed up with the introduction of a special guest.
Her female friends are thriving, successful women who have nothing but insightful advice to share.
An Etsy product entrepreneur shares her personal story of working up to becoming her own CEO.
Eckdahl does personal coaching with an entrepreneur of a murder-mystery entertainment company on how to specialize and sustain her business.
And not only does she conduct weekly episodes for BizChix, but she runs several business coaching labs alongside other entrepreneurial female coaches. The labs can invite a group of 100 women to discuss moving up in the market or host a more intimate training between 16 small business women to retain employees for growth.
She currently has more than 300 episodes that air every Tuesday and some days Eckdahl airs an encore to the weekly episode.
The next show, “Almost 30,” brings LA-based duo Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik with light-hearted, but insightful conversations to reach a helping hand to the next Millennial woman.
Packed in its 45 minutes to 1.5 hour-long episodes are discussions that host a variety of topics concerning women such as women’s health advice about hormone balance or how to heal from a mother or friendship trauma wound.
Though the podcast saw its beginnings only three years ago, the show has grown into a top-rated watch with its own “Almost 30 Nation” of listeners from around the globe.
Williams and Simcik explain in their trailer episode that they were inspired to start the podcast because they felt that there are many women like them nearing the age of 30 who are in need of guidance and reassurance as they tackle the obstacles that come with adulthood.
“Almost 30 is a space where you can come as you are, feel welcomed and supported, and learn more about the topics that fuel your conscious evolution. Our mission is to inspire and empower you while still keeping it grounded and fun,” the two write on their website.
Their dynamic as best friends shine through the most with their casual conversation and provocative humor, inviting the listener in as an equal and acquaintance in the discussions.
And while the podcast may be two women speaking for other women listeners, there is no doubt that their episodes about healing from heartbreak, reconnecting with your intuition and pointers on productivity will appeal to the masses.
For consistent listeners craving consistent content, these two women have produced episodes every Tuesday and Thursday since 2018 and are still going strong.
This final podcaster interviews women who are bosses of their own life, be it a yoga instructor to an award-winning journalist to a makeup brand entrepreneur.
“The Making of…” podcast hosted by the editor of The Female Lead Bea Appleby is a series that elevates the tales of self-starting women and how they made or ran into, their success story.
From highs to lows to turning points, Appleby prompts her guests to share their most defining moments such as comedian Mel Giedroyc’s realization that she wanted to be a part of comedy sketches when her mother brought her to a Cambridge Footlights theatrical club at 16 years old.
It began in September 2020 and aired its last episode in November 2020, but encourages listeners to stay tuned for a new 2021 series covering more successful women.
Episodes guest-starring notable women such as beauty brand mogul Bobbi Brown are a refreshing listen into talented womens’ lives without the frills and fluff.
Appleby probes these women with questions about certain anecdotes in their life and it leads to a colorful, detail-packed episode chronicling the small moments that ended up being the biggest and most memorable.
This podcast can be an inspiring wind-down to the day or an uplifting start to the workweek for the woman on a mission.
Many podcast streaming platforms are featuring women podcasters in celebration of Women’s History Month, and these three are just a small percentage of the wonderful women casters who are letting their voices be heard.