Deborah Frances-White | Comedian, writer, speaker & host of The Guilty Feminist Podcast

Photograph of Deborah Frances White

Deborah Frances-White is a comedian, writer and host best known as the creator and host of The Guilty Feminist podcast which has over 100 million downloads becoming something of a cultural phenomenon.

Described by Emma Thompson as “Essential for the planet” and “Hilarious, irreverent, eternally surprising, classy as hell, genius” by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The show has been toured around the world including sell out performances at The Royal Albert Hall, The Sydney Opera House, The Wellington Arena & The London Palladium.

Deborah’s live stand-up storytelling comedy shows have been featured as specials for the BBC on Radio 4 as part of her Writers Guild Award-Winning Series DEBORAH FRANCES-WHITE ROLLS THE DICE and her follow up series DEBORAH FRANCES-WHITE introduces.

Her book THE GUILTY FEMINIST is a Sunday Times Bestseller and Virago at Hachette has commissioned her new book – SIX CONVERSATIONS WE’RE SCARED TO HAVE.

Deborah’s television credits include Q.I, Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, Would I Lie to You? and Question Time. Her op-ed pieces, columns and interviews have appeared in The Guardian, The Telegraph and The New York Times.

Deborah is in demand as a keynote speaker and host, regularly delivering seminars on diversity and inclusion and hosting high-profile events such as Stylist Magazines Remarkable Women Awards and LinkedIn’s Global Conference TalentConnect. Deborah also works closely with Choose Love raising funds and awareness and is an official Amnesty International UK Ambassador.

What one action would you like to see organisations, or the government take to drive gender equity?

I would like organisations & the government to begin serious structural changes to make the world a better shape for women. We need to invite proper consultation from diverse groups of women to change the architecture, rather than treat women as remedial and give them training to be better at fitting into spaces designed for and by men. A great first step is directing funding and leadership to create microclimates for success. I believe challenging the assumptions of what a comedy club is, can or should be is at the heart of the rapid growth of The Guilty Feminist podcast, for example.