The State We're In, 18 February 2012. A British comedienne with cerebral palsy on the laughable attitudes about what’s 'normal'. A white American woman on teaming up with African American mothers to shut down an abusive juvenile prison. An inventor in India who was called "psycho" for trying to invent sanitary napkins poor women can afford. And an openly gay Nigerian woman living in Europe on her decision not to tell her parents about the birth of a baby daughter. Comment on the show.
Podcast feed
iTunes 
Like us on Facebook 
Follow us on Twitter 
Add us on Google+ 
Comedienne Francesca Martinez refuses to be defined or limited by the cerebral palsy that left her, in her words "wobbly".
She has performed sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe comedy festival, toured internationally and appeared in a Bafta award-winning episode of Ricky Gervais' Extras, alongside Kate Winslet.
In 2008, she made a stand against human rights abuses in China by refusing to become an Olympic torch-bearer.
She tells host Jonathan Groubert why she sees her "condition" as a gift. View photos.
More - Francesca Martinez: A wobbly girl's battle against the last taboo - The Independent.
Francesca live at Comedy Camp, London, 2010 (contains swearing)
Grace Bauer was a single mother living in a rough, segregated neighbourhood in Louisiana.
When her thirteen-year-old son, Corey was sent to juvenile detention, he was abused and assaulted.
Grace teamed up with other mothers of incarcerated children – overwhelmingly African American – and together they fought to shut a juvenile prison down. View photos.
More on Grace Bauer: A mother takes on the juvenile prison system by The State We're In producer Belinda Lopez.
Arunchalam Muruganantham is an Indian inventor who wondered why his wife was using dirty rags during her period.
Then he discovered 90 percent of women in India did the same because sanitary pads are too expensive.
So he became obsessed with creating a cheap, safe alternative - even if it cost him his marriage, his friendships, and his money. View photos.
More on Arunchalam Muruganantham - Social entrepreneur with a passion for periods.
Essay: Rosemary’s baby - listen in new player
'Rosemary' is open about her relationship with her girlfriend, is overjoyed at the recent birth of their baby girl. But she’s not as open with her parents back in Lagos, Nigeria.
So she’s come to a sad but firm decision: to stay in the closet about the birth and not tell them.
Email this Radio Show
Printer-friendly version
An excellent show but I found it unfortunate when you would cut off Arunchalam and Grace as well as Francesca at many points since they were going on about very fascinating things until the music cut in. I assume you would want them to stay on topic however they do have much to add that could make the show better. I'd rather hear more than just a guy who risked everything for sanitary products, a disabled comedian or a mother trying to get her child out of prison. I'd prefer something more, and something as simplistic as that however I can't speak on behalf of everyone.
I couldn't help but cry feeling the powerlessness of Grace, or laugh with the contagious positivism of Francesca. I am in my last semester of mechanical engineering, so intense I feel often like a Machine myself. If only I had Muruganantham's determination. You have made my soul wake up and move inside, thank you so much.
Long time listener first time commentator. Rose-Mary's story was absolutely fantastic, well edited. If someone could e-mail(taracha.r@gmail.com) me the song title of the theme, it would be much appreciated. Keep up the colorful story telling, helps me drive late at night.
I came across this week's show by accident. What a great show. Martinez's and Arunchalam's story made me laugh, I cried hearing Grace's story. indeed, "it's not me, it's you". all these stories carried so much courage and inspiration. the stories highlighted incredible strength these poeple carried to continue presueing their passion and believes.
I especially enjoyed the gleefulness in the personalities of Francesca Martinez and Muruganantham Arunchalam.
Post new comment
Please be reminded all comments must be in English, short and to the point - guideline 250 words. Abusive and inappropriate comments will be removed.