Time Woman of the Year Zahra Joya — The Vanishing Girl of Kabul

Time Woman of the Year Zahra Joya — The Vanishing Girl of Kabul

Author: How To Academy September 11, 2026 Duration: 49:36
Zahra Joya grew up under the first Taliban regime, when girls were banned from school. For years she dressed as a boy to access the basic rights denied to her. She became a journalist in Kabul, and founded a news organisation reporting on the lives of Afghan women. In 2021, when the Taliban took over power once again, was forced to flee the country. In this episode of the podcast, Zahra will discuss her experience of growing up under Taliban rule, the US-led war, their withdrawl in 2021, and the world's decision to look away in the wake of the Taliban's return to power. Zahra will reflect on exile, the women still reporting from inside Afghanistan, and why she believes women's rights are everyone's responsibility. Join us live! How To Academy hosts world-renowned artists, thinkers, and leaders live on stage across the UK and USA.  Find out who’s appearing near you at ⁠⁠⁠howtoacademy.com⁠⁠⁠.     Become a Member: How To Plus members receive £15 off every live event ticket, free access to biweekly livestreams,  and an exclusive members-only podcast. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠howtoacademy.com/htasubscribe⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every other week, the How To Academy Podcast opens a door into conversations that reshape how we see the world. Stemming from London's vibrant hub for big ideas, this series brings you extended, thoughtful dialogues with the very minds shaping contemporary thought. You'll hear from laureates and prize-winners, yes, but more importantly, you'll get the substance behind their headlines. These aren't quick soundbites; each episode allows for a deep, meandering exploration of topics that span society, culture, and the latest scientific discoveries, all with an eye toward practical understanding and personal growth. Tuning in is like securing a front-row seat to a private lecture, where the goal is always to leave you with something tangible-a new perspective, a clearer question, or a genuine sense of possibility. It’s for anyone who believes that ideas, when given enough space to breathe, can genuinely change us from the inside out. This podcast draws directly from the How To Academy's mission, transforming their stage into an intimate audio experience that connects global thinking to your daily life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

How To Academy Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Malala Yousafzai - Finding My Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:33
Thrust onto the public stage at just fifteen years old after the Taliban’s brutal attack on her life, Malala quickly became an international icon — but away from the cameras and crowds, she was a young woman struggling t…
M. John Harrison - The End of Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:44
One of the leaders of British science fiction's 1960s New Wave, M. John Harrison has spent the subsequent five decades inventing new and exhilarating literary worlds that push against the boundaries of genre and expectat…
Mark Williamson – How To Live a Happier Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:43
What does it mean to be happy? Whilst it’s not always possible to change our circumstances, Action for Happiness founder Mark Williamson believes that we all have the potential to take action to feel better. Blending sci…
Novelist Elodie Harper – Boudicca's Daughter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:24
Boudicca had two daughters, but history records their existence and nothing more. Sunday Times bestselling author Elodie Harper joins us to discuss her latest novel, Boudicca's Daughters, which reimagines Boudicca and he…
Caroline Sylge – How To Retreat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:12
Caroline Sylge reminds us to press pause on the daily overwhelm of modern life by bringing the magic and solace of retreating into your every day. What comes into your mind when you hear the word 'retreat'? Meditation at…
Neurologist Majid Fotuhi – How To Age-Proof Your Brain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:24
Neurologist Majid Fotuhi is leading the charge in revolutionising how we understand human intelligence, brain health and age-related cognitive decline. By uncovering the true wonder of how the brain works and its infinit…
Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris - On Birds, Wonder, and Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:05
A great thinning of the skies is underway. Dusk and dawn are growing quiet as birdlife faces a rapid decline across the world. It does not have to be this way — but we will not save what we do not love. From how sparrowh…