Deborah Frances-White is an Australian-born, London-based writer and comedian who is perhaps best known for her award-winning podcast, The Guilty Feminist, which has amassed an enormous 95 million downloads in the past five years. 

Created by Deborah and former co-host Sofie Hagen in 2015, The Guilty Feminist offers a refreshingly honest and funny take on 21st-century feminism. Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag and Killing Eve) has described the podcast as “hilarious, irreverent, eternally surprising, classy as hell genius”.

Deborah Frances-White | Photography: Linda Cooper

Opening with the line, “I’m a feminist but…”, a typical episode features a discussion between Deborah and special guests about challenges facing modern women, smattered with confessions of insecurities, thoughts, and behaviours that seem to contradict their feminist values (though may be relatable to many listeners).

Next month, Deborah will host a live episode of The Guilty Feminist right here at Perth Concert Hall and we couldn’t be more excited! In anticipation of the show, we spoke to Deborah about what inspired her to start the podcast, her dream future guests, and more.

What inspired you and Sofie Hagen to create The Guilty Feminist?

Sofie and I had been having occasional lunches and secretly confessing to each other that we weren’t sure if we were getting feminism right. It was at those lunches that we first said “I am a feminist but…” to each other. As we were two comedians talking to each other, council zoning required that it became a podcast. I was very keen to include a live audience and stand-up comedy, and so we booked a tiny basement theatre which held about 50 people. Everything else evolved from there.

For those who haven’t listened to The Guilty Feminist before, what is a good episode to start with?

I’m having so much fun on the tour shows where we’ve had some wonderful comedians and some incredible guests. Our recent episode recorded in Reading where the guest had to cancel at the last minute and so I had to find people in the audience to talk to instead, that was a real highlight. Talking to Millie Bobby Brown for episode 301 was fascinating and hilarious. We also have an amazing interview coming up with the fabulous Jonathan van Ness. Or you could just start from the beginning and binge!

Left to Right: Millie Bobbie Brown, Deborah Frances-White and Susan Wokoma | Source: @theguiltyfeminist on Instagram

Since its inception, you’ve invited a huge range of guests to join you on the podcast. Who is your dream future guest and why?

I’d love to have the chance to talk to Malala or Greta Thunberg. I feel the future of our planet is in the hands of this next take-no-prisoners generation. Equally, I’d love to get Stacey Abrams or Jacinda Ardern on the podcast to talk to people who have been in positions of real power and who have actually used that power in positive, productive ways.

Are there any “I’m a feminist but…” proclamations that you found particularly daunting or embarrassing to admit on the podcast? If so, what are they?

I’m a feminist but… I’m not going to admit to you the things I find daunting or embarrassing. I have to have some secrets. Regular listeners will be guffawing when they read that because I’ve confessed to so many things already, but believe it or not, there are a few things which I don’t speak about – or at least I haven’t spoken about them yet.

What’s the most exciting thing about recording The Guilty Feminist in front of a live audience?

I didn’t enjoy recording without an audience in lockdown. We got a couple of great guests who we’d never have got to come to a live show, and we’re still open to doing occasional studio or Zoom episodes, like the one with JVN, but I didn’t realise how much I missed communing with my Guilty Feminist audience until I got back out on the road. The co-hosts, guests and I really do bring only half the show, and the audience bring the other half.

We’re so excited to have you back in Australia! Aside from the live shows, what are you looking forward to doing during your trip down under?

I’ll be spending time with my family while I’m there, but it’s going to be great to be able to breathe the Australian air again, feeling the winter sun (which is better than the British summer sun) and catching up with old friends after a scary time when we didn’t know when or if we were ever going to be able to see each other again, or if we would be forever sealed in our homes, covered in protective layers of Glad wrap. 

Don’t miss The Guilty Feminist Live on Friday 15 July, 8pm. Find tickets and more information.

Listen to The Guilty Feminist on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or The Guilty Feminist website.