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Gunner Jaysley Beck’s mother, Organist Anna Lapwood, Menopause tribunal, Mary McAleese, Grace Dent

Leighann McCready, whose daughter is believed to have taken her own life after sexual harassment in the Army, and world-famous organist Anna Lapwood.

Female teenage soldier Jaysley Beck is believed to have taken her own life after a period of relentless sexual harassment from one of her bosses, an Army investigation has found. Gunner Beck was serving in the Royal Artillery and was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire in December 2021. Her mother, Leighann McCready, speaks to Emma Barnett.

Nicknamed 'the Taylor Swift of classical music', Anna Lapwood is one of the world's most famous organists, and Director of Music at Pembroke College, Cambridge. To encourage more women to try the instrument, Anna initiated the social media hashtag #playlikeagirl. She joins Emma to talk about her music and her new album, Luna.

We hear from Karen Farquharson who has been awarded Β£37,000 at an employment tribunal after her boss told her she used the menopause as an β€œexcuse for everything”. She tells Emma how the process has impacted her and why she wants to help other women.

This week marked the start of a Catholic synod that will take place throughout October in the Vatican to discuss the direction of the Catholic Church. Emma talks to former Irish president Mary McAleese about why she thinks women should play a bigger role.

And the food writer Grace Dent joins Anita Rani to talk about her new book, Comfort Eating, inspired by her podcast of the same name. She'll explain why she's so fascinated by the foods that make us feel better behind closed doors.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lottie Garton

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54 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sat 7 Oct 2023 16:00

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