In this episode, Louis speaks with Nobel laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai. Joining Louis at Spotify HQ, the pair discuss misrepresentations of Islam, the Taliban’s 'gender apartheid', and her views on the institution of marriage. Plus, Malala shares a traumatic drug experience at university that changed her outlook on life.
Warnings: adult themes and some discussion points which could be upsetting. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources
Links/Attachments:
Book: Finding My Way, Malala Yousafzai (2025)
https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-my-way/malala-yousafzai/9781399637770
Book: I Am Malala, Malala Yousafzai (2013)
https://www.waterstones.com/book/i-am-malala/malala-yousafzai/christina-lamb/9781399608992
Class Dismissed (2009) - New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000001835296/class-dismissed-malala-yousafzais-story.html
Article: Malala’s shooting
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pakistani-teen-girls-activist-malala-yousufzai-shot-on-school-bus-by-taliban-gunman/
Article: Charlie Kirk killed
https://news.sky.com/story/what-we-know-about-how-charlie-kirk-was-killed-13428871
Article: Afghanistan's restrictions on women https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/08/1165622
Article: Southport riots
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99v90813j5o
Article: Pakistan child marriage laws
https://www.walkfree.org/news/2025/pakistan-takes-step-to-end-child-marriage-as-calls-grow-for-national-reform/
Malala Fund:
https://malala.org/
Mukhtar Mai profile:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13163169
Survey of worst countries for women:
https://www.amnestyusa.org/blog/the-worlds-worst-places-to-be-a-woman/
Credits:
Producer: Millie Chu
Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Music: Miguel D’Oliveira
Audio Mixer: Tom Guest
Video Mixer: Scott Edwards
Shownotes compiled by Elly Young
Executive Producer: Arron Fellows
A Mindhouse Production for Spotify
www.mindhouse.co.uk
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