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In this deeply honest and reflective conversation, Isobel Anderson is joined by musician, educator and Radical Songwriting founder Rosie Bans to talk openly about the full journey of Girls Twiddling Knobs, from its beginnings as The Female DIY Musician to the decision to close the project after five years.
This episode exists because this story was too complex, emotional and important to unpack alone. Rosie has been part of Girls Twiddling Knobs as a student, collaborator, team member and peer support, making her uniquely placed to hold this conversation with care, insight and challenge.
Together, they explore:
- Why Girls Twiddling Knobs was started in the first place
- Chronic illness, disability, precarity and survival as a musician
- Building a business with no capital, no safety net and no investors
- Gender inequality, anger, activism and the limits of individual change
- Burnout, parasocial relationships and emotional labour
- Why ethical online education is so hard to sustain
- The pressure to scale, promise outcomes and commodify creativity
- Why Isobel chose to step away rather than compromise her values
- What she would do differently if she started again
- Reconnecting with artistic practice after years away
- What comes next, and what success now means
This is not a takedown or a farewell filled with regret. It is a clear-eyed reflection on care, sustainability, integrity and choosing yourself.
If you’ve ever run a creative business, worked in the music industry, supported women in marginalised spaces, or wondered why so many meaningful projects struggle to survive, this episode will resonate deeply.
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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.
Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026.
We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.
Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Explore more episodes here.
Listen on Spotify.
