The Courage to Speak

EastEnders actress Harriet Thorpe chats about MoonWalk, the annual fundraising event for breast cancer charity Walk The Walk. Next year she’ll be joined in her team by host Leonie Mellinger, for whom the issue recently became personal. Having been friends for more than 40 years, since drama school, Harriet was one of the few people with whom Leonie had already discussed her diagnosis. But as this is The Courage to Speak she felt it important to share her own story and encourage women to have regular checks.Ahead of the 30th anniversary of Walk The Walk next year, Harriet talks about the work it does with the £146 million that the charity has raised so far. Plus, there are tips on how to train for and take part in the famous walks, including essential advice on how to prepare your bra!16th May 2026 will be the 28th MoonWalk in London – and it will be Harriet’s 26th – an incredible achievement. To find out more about the charity, including how to sign up for the MoonWalk, please visit their website ⁠walkthewalk.org⁠ Harriet also reflects on her acting career which includes West End musicals such as Cabaret, Wicked, Les Misérables and Mama Mia, TV comedies The Brittas Empire, Absolutely Fabulous and French and Saunders and, most recently, playing the glamorous matriarch of Albert Square, Elaine Peacock, in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.She also talks about her mother, the writer Gillian Freeman, whose groundbreaking 1961 novel The Leather Boys told the story of a gay relationship between two young working-class men. Her mum’s success took the family to Hollywood and to encounters with the likes of Jack Lemmon and Fred Astaire.Leonie also asks about another charity that’s important to Harriet, Acting For Others, through which all theatre workers can get financial and emotional support in times of need. Details of their work can be found at ⁠actingforothers.co.uk⁠ If you would like to discuss sponsorship or advertising on The Courage to Speak, please email the podcast team: info@thecouragetospeak.com⁠Follow us: on Instagram ⁠⁠@the_couragetospeak⁠ ⁠and ⁠⁠@leoniemellinger⁠⁠⁠ or Leonie’s X and LinkedIn accounts.The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd.It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick.Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.

"I've stood on the cliff tops and considered death. I've been there. But they're not worth it.”In Lee Castleton’s first in-depth interview since announcing his new legal action, the former Bridlington sub-postmaster talks to Leonie Mellinger about becoming the first victim of the Post Office scandal to sue both the Post Office and Fujitsu.Lee believes that the Post Office's lawyers are still making compensation as difficult as possible for those who had their reputations destroyed by false accusations, despite the massive outrage prompted by Mr Bates vs The Post Office and despite the then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, introducing legislation to quash convictions, calling the scandal “one of the greatest miscarriages in our nation’s history.” But Lee was the only sub-postmaster pursued by the Post Office though a civil action and that court’s judgment still stands.He explains why he continues to fight to clear his name, what has and crucially hasn’t happened since being portrayed by Will Mellor in the ITV drama, and how both he and his family survived having their lives wrecked by the scandal. It is a powerful and often shocking conversation.21 years after their nightmare began, is this the start of The Post Office Scandal: Part 2?If you would like to discuss sponsorship or advertising please email the podcast team: info@thecouragetospeak.com⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@the_couragetospeak ⁠and⁠ @leoniemellinger⁠The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd.It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick.Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.

Singer and broadcaster Tom Robinson talks to Leonie Mellinger about having the courage to speak out for gay rights in the 1970s, and performs his best-known protest songs live on the podcast. Tom Robinson was Britain’s first openly gay rock musician, writing Good to be Gay in 1975, then three years later the iconic Glad to be Gay reached number 18 in the UK charts as part of the Tom Robinson Band’s Rising Free EP.Tom tells Leonie how he came to create those songs and discusses how he became an activist alongside his music career. He reflects on his own profound mental health issues and the difficulties that gay men faced in the 60s, 70s and 80s.And he explains about the prejudice he experienced after falling in love with a woman, the tabloid intrusion around his relationship with Sue and the birth of their first child, and how all of it impacted on his life, activism and music.Tom is touring the UK during October and November 2025. Tour dates and tickets are available at www.tomrobinson.comMusic and lyrics for Good to be Gay and Glad to be Gay are by Tom Robinson. With thanks to Tony Mccallum and BMG for permission to usethem in this episode.If you would like to contact the podcast team to discuss sponsorship or advertising please send an email to ⁠info@thecouragetospeak.com⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@the_couragetospeak⁠and ⁠@leoniemellinger⁠The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd. It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick.Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.

Paul Sinha joins Leonie Mellinger to discuss his decision to publicly reveal his Parkinson’s diagnosis, and to chat about life with the disease, his comedy career and being part of ITV’s hugely popular quiz show The Chase. As well as being Chaser ‘The Sinnerman’, Paul is one of the UK’s best known stand-up comics and a qualified GP. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2019, at theage of 49, and immediately decided to use his public profile to raise awareness of the disease and help the charity Parkinson’s UK. In this moving and inspirational interview, Paul tells Leonie how he had already deduced that his symptoms likely pointed to Parkinson’s before being told by doctors, about the difficult job of informing friends and family, and the impact of the disease on him and others. Paul reveals his philosophy on life, chats about his comedy shows, and tells the story of how he became involved in The Chase. There’s also news of a forthcoming stand-up tour and a rather surprising ambition!“What I want to prove, and this is something I feel verystrongly about, is that Parkinson's is not the end of a story, it's just the beginning of a more difficult story. I think to myself, right, it's now my Parkinson's years. It's that chapter of the story, and I realise that it's going to be tough, and I realise it's going to be difficult, but I realise that it's going to be an adventure as well.”For more information about Paul, his stand-up gigs and his autobiography One Sinha Lifetime, visit www.paulsinha.com or @paulsinhacomedian_official on Instagram. For more information about Parkinson’s UK visit www.parkinsons.org.uk Follow us on Instagram @the_couragetospeak and@leoniemellinger The Courage to Speak is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick for Leonie Mellinger Ltd.Paul Sinha will be appearing at Cadogan Hall in London on Monday October 6th 2025 as part of Parkinson’s UK’s annual fundraising night of stand-up comedy Shake with Laughter. Tickets are available at https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/shake-with-laughter/ If you would like to contact the team to discuss sponsorship or advertising on this podcast, please send an email to info@thecouragetospeak.comTheme music composed by Guy Pearson.

Leonie speaks to award-winning actor Roger Allam about his career on stage and screen, discussing his experiences in shows ranging from Les Miserables to Endeavour and The Thick of It. He also reveals some of the formative experiences that led to him speaking out, including his education at boarding school and early breakthrough with feminist theatre company Monstrous Regiment.

Leonie speaks to the pioneering broadcaster and journalist, best known for becoming Britain's first transgender newsreader and Loose Women presenter. India speaks movingly about her journey, from learning about her identity, to living a double life, and finally embracing who she is and standing up for others.

Leonie speaks to one of Britain's most distinguished lawyers about her pioneering career, from her humble beginnings in Glasgow to her recent appointment to The Order of the Thistle, the highest honour in Scotland. As a barrister with over 50 years experience, she has dedicated her life to speaking out for others.

Leonie speaks to campaigner Peter Tatchell about his extraordinary life and career, which has seen him become one of the greatest living examples of 'the courage to speak'. He discusses his difficult childhood in Australia, his experience of coming out, and how standing up for LGBTQ+ rights across the world has left an indelible mark. For more on Peter's foundation, visit: https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/

Leonie speaks to the award-winning actress, whose many acclaimed performances range from the Royal Shakespeare Company to Succession and Ted Lasso. She reveals how she dealt with difficulties at school and learnt to find her voice through acting and activism, as well as what prompted her to write her new book 'She Speaks'.

For the first episode of series two, Leonie speaks to footballer turned presenter Gary Lineker, who is known for speaking out on a range of humanitarian, climate and other issues. He discusses how he overcame his early shyness, how fame has impacted him, his ability to stay calm under pressure, and the recent furore over his suspension from Match of the Day. For more on The Courage to Speak, visit www.mellinger.co.uk/podcast

Leonie speaks to bestselling novelist Kathy Lette, the self-described 'mouth from the south', about her landmark books and record of speaking out on a range of issues.

Leonie speaks to acclaimed actor Hugh Quarshie about his fascinating early life and how he found his voice on stage and screen.

Leonie speaks to a revered figure in the world of public health, who reflects on her outstanding medical career, as both clinician and scientist, and long record of speaking up.

Leonie speaks to the legendary cricketer who continues to inspire others with his eloquence, making him a true icon in the world of sport.

Leonie speaks to actress Juliet Stevenson about her early life, acclaimed career and fearless dedication to speaking out on a number of issues.

Leonie speaks to award-winning broadcaster Jon Snow about his childhood, illustrious career in journalism, and encounters with Prime Ministers including Margaret Thatcher.