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Self Defence and Personal Safety For Women
Self defence and personal safety for women - practical strategies for everyday life to move from fear to confidence and stay safe, strong, and empowered.
Hosted by Julie Waite and Dene Josham from Streetwise Defence, this podcast is all about helping women feel safer and more confident in their everyday lives.
Julie shares her lived experiences of what it’s like to face fear and build resilience, while Dene - a security expert of 30 years and former bodyguard to stars like Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Russell Crowe - explains simple, proven ways to stay safe.
Each week we explore our four pillars of self defence - awareness, prevention, mindset, and physical - through real-life situations. From walking home at night and travelling solo to nights out, university life, workplace boundaries, and emotional self defence, you’ll pick up strategies you can use straight away.
If you want to feel confident on the streets, safer at work, or stronger in yourself, this podcast will give you the tools and encouragement to get there.
Episodes
24 episodes
Don’t Let Fear Run Your Life - Calm Your Nervous System and Feel Safer
Fear is part of being human - but when it starts running your life instead of protecting you, it’s time to learn how to calm your nervous system and feel safer in your body.In this episode, Julie Waite of Streetwise Defence is joined by ...
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Staying Safe on Dark Nights (Part 2): 7 Smart Ways to Feel Confident After Dark
In this episode, Julie and Dene continue their essential conversation about how to stay safe, calm, and confident during the darker months. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, head to Episode 22 - this is the perfect follow-on.In Part...
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Staying Safe on Dark Nights (Part 1): 7 Smart Ways to Feel Confident After Dark
Now that the clocks have gone back and evenings are darker earlier, many people are feeling that familiar unease about being out after dark.In this episode of the Self Defence and Personal Safety for Women podcast, Julie Waite a...
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Girls’ Safety: What the 2025 Girlguiding Survey Reveals
Every day, girls and young women are changing how they live, dress, and travel - just to feel safe. The 2025 Girlguiding Girls’ Attitudes Survey reveals that 68% of girls aged 11–21 have changed their behaviour to avoid sexual harassment...
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Feel Safer in Any Hotel Room with These 3 Gadgets
Checking into a hotel or Airbnb should feel safe - but too often it doesn’t. Break-ins, weak locks, and even hidden dangers like carbon monoxide can leave women feeling anxious instead of confident.In this Quick Tips episode, Julie Waite...
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3 Self Defence Gadgets You Can Carry Tonight
Walking home, waiting for a taxi, or heading back to your car at night - these everyday moments can feel unsafe. In fact, 4 in 5 women in the UK say they don’t feel safe walking alone after dark.In this quick 10-minute tips episod...
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Is Uber Safe for Women? Taxi Safety Tips You Need to Know
Getting into an Uber or taxi should be simple. But for many women, it’s a journey that comes with worry. We’ve all heard stories of women being harassed, assaulted, or worse on their way home - and even if the cases are rare, the fear is very r...
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Why Summer Crime Spikes: Burglars, Predators & Social Media Risks
Summer feels safer - but violent crime actually increases. In this Quick Tips episode, Julie Waite (women’s safety advocate) and Dene Josham (former bodyguard to Angelina Jolie and self defence expert) reveal six overlooked summer dangers and h...
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Festival Safety Tips: How to Stay Safe Without Killing the Vibe
Heading to Glastonbury or a festival this summer? You need more than just a wellies-and-glitter checklist. In this episode, Julie and Dene break down the real risks - spiking, theft, sexual assault - and what you can do to protect yourself and ...
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Can Luxury Car Theft Be Prevented - How to Protect Your Car, Confidence & Life
A car is stolen every 4 minutes in the UK—many of them high-end, keyless, and stolen silently off driveways. In this quick tip episode, Julie Waite from Streetwise Defence breaks down exactly how luxury car theft happens, how to protect your...
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LGBTQ+ Self-Defence Isn’t What You Think - 4 Truths You Deserve to Hear
Feeling unsafe because of who you are? You’re not imagining it — and you’re not alone.In this Pride special, Julie Waite and Dene Josham (self defence expert and former bodyguard of Angelina Jolie) share 4 l...
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Phone Snatching: How to Outsmart Opportunist Thieves
Phone snatching is fast, shocking, and on the rise — especially in busy public places. But with a few simple habits, you can make yourself a much harder target.In this quick 10-minute tip episode, women's safety advocate and Co-Fo...
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Emotional Self-Defence in Menopause: Resilience & Boundaries
Menopause can mess with your mind, drain your energy, and leave you doubting yourself — but you don’t have to stay stuck.In this empowering episode, Julie Waite is joined by Juli Madacey (menopause coach and Co-Founder of Fabulous...
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Can I Legally Defend Myself in the UK? Avoiding Jail When You Fight Back
If you’re confused by UK self-defence law, you’re not alone. In this episode, Julie Waite (Co-Founder of Streetwise Defence) breaks down the real rules around protecting yourself — and what the law actually allows.Using the case of Marty...
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Child Safety: The Danger Hotspots Every Parent Needs to Know
In this eye-opening episode, Julie and Dene break down the most overlooked yet high-risk places children face danger — from trusted family members and online predators to public toilets, sleepovers, and the school run. With real stories, powerf...
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How to Survive a Mugging: Real-World Personal Safety Tips for Women
What would you do if someone tried to mug you? In this episode, Julie Waite (women's safety advocate) and Dene Josham (self defence expert and former bodyguard of Brad Pitt) share real-world personal safety tips every woman should know — from p...
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Improvised Weapons for Self Defence: Everyday Items That Could Save Your Life
Could your pen, keys, or handbag actually save your life? In this episode, Julie Waite (women's safety advocate) and Dene Josham (self-defence expert and former celebrity bodyguard) explore the power of improvised weapons — everyday items you a...
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Street Harassment: He Followed Me Off the Train
80% of women have experienced harassment in public — and yet many still feel silenced or blamed. It’s time we talk about it.In this powerful episode, Julie Waite (women's safety advocate) and Dene Josham (self-defence expert and former b...
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Stop Apologising: Set Boundaries and Protect Your Energy
Are you tired of saying yes when you mean no? Apologising for things that aren’t your fault? This episode will help you stop people-pleasing and start protecting your energy.Julie Waite, women's safety advocate, and self-defence expert D...
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Empower Yourself: The Art of Setting Boundaries
Do you feel guilty for saying no? Struggle to protect your time, energy, or peace? You’re not alone — and it’s time to change that.In this episode, Julie Waite, women's safety advocate, and Dene Josham, self defence expert and former A-l...
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Gaslighting, Red Flags & Toxic People—What You NEED to Know
Are you feeling manipulated, emotionally drained, or constantly second-guessing yourself? You may be dealing with gaslighting or a toxic relationship.In this episode, Julie Waite, women's safety advocate, and Dene Josham, self defence in...
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I Survived Domestic Abuse - Here’s What You Need to Know
What if the person you loved became your greatest threat? In this powerful episode, Julie Waite speaks with domestic abuse survivor and advocate Sharon Livermore MBE, founder of Domestic Abuse Education.Sharon shares her ...
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What To Do If You Feel Like You Are Being Followed
Ever had that gut feeling someone’s following you? Your instincts might be right — and this episode teaches you exactly what to do.Julie Waite and self-defence expert Dene Josham (former bodyguard to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt) walk yo...
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Women's Self Defence: The Truth They Don't Tell You!
What if everything you’ve heard about women’s self-defence is only half the truth?In this episode of Self Defence for Women, Julie Waite (women's safety advocate) and self-defence expert Dene Josham (former bodyguard of Angelina Jolie, B...
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