Appointing to Bring About Change: France’s First Female President of the Bar Association, Julie Couturier, Fights for Equality
Learn about her daily struggles to break down cliques, combat harassment within the profession, and shatter a glass ceiling that remains very much in place—despite the fact that 64% of the profession is made up of women. We’ll discuss education and the role of institutions—both of which are essential to ensuring equality, freedom, and dignity for everyone, both in France and around the world.
Julie Couturier strongly advocates for the law as the foundation of social cohesion and the guarantor of fundamental freedoms.
A powerful and enlightening exchange that invites us to view equality not as a constraint, but as a shared responsibility, and that reminds us that the law, when it is alive and embodied, can be a tremendous force for progress.
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A songwriter, singer-songwriter, performer, and voice actress, Jodie Coste is an artist at the crossroads of different worlds. With a unique, passionate, and deeply human voice, she gives voice to her convictions as much as to her life story. In this episode, she shares a story that is both personal and powerful. She reflects on her life story—one marked by resilience—and on how she has turned her hardships into strength, commitment, and creativity. Deeply committed, she speaks out forcefully against violence against women and emphasizes the importance of speaking openly, listening without judgment, and taking collective action. Throughout the discussion, she challenges the stereotypes and mechanisms that still stand in the way of equality. She encourages everyone to find their place without giving up what makes them unique, and highlights the richness of diverse life paths and identities. Combining self-reflection, commitment, and messages of hope, this episode reminds us of a strong conviction: speaking out is the first step toward changing perspectives and behaviors. An inspiring, sincere, and passionate conversation that gives us food for thought… and motivates us to take action.
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A glaciologist, explorer, and author, Heidi Sevestre isn’t afraid to work in extreme conditions. In this episode, she shares her commitment to the climate and to preserving the Earth, driven by a simple belief: understanding is already taking action. An outstanding and world-renowned scientist, she believes in the richness of science stemming from diversity; she emphasizes the importance of female role models, particularly in fields that are still very male-dominated, such as extreme expeditions; and she believes in the need to share knowledge, educate, and raise awareness. The deep connection between climate issues and gender equality—both rooted in a quest to preserve humanity—seems obvious. Heidi Sevestre outlines a more inclusive vision of research and activism, where everyone can find their place and contribute. Through incredible stories of expeditions to Antarctica and reflections on collective intelligence, Heidi Sevestre invites us to rethink how we move forward together. An inspiring conversation that reminds us that gender is not a limitation and that, on the contrary, it is by working together that we will make a difference.
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For Episode 18, “On Equal Terms” welcomes Nora Lakheal, a prominent figure in France’s fight against terrorism who has led an extraordinary life. Now a speaker and author of the book “Agente d’Élite,” Nora is fully committed to prevention, education, and raising awareness. A former elite agent with the French General Intelligence Service and the first woman to join its operational division, Nora explains how essential it is to push beyond one’s own limits in order to grow and evolve. She also highlights the role of representation, which allows people to envision their future and free themselves from their own biases. In this deeply inspiring episode, Nora invites us to face our fears and reminds us how essential it is to understand ourselves in order to overcome what holds us back. Ultimately, she shows that solidarity and mutual support are powerful forces that enable us to move forward together—further and stronger.
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A guest on the “On Equal Terms” podcast, Mathilde Marc is a photographer, filmmaker, and visual artist who is committed to showcasing beauty in all its diverse forms. As the creator of the exhibition “Rôles modèles,” she sought to highlight actresses over the age of fifty in order to challenge society’s perceptions of age. In this issue, Mathilde talks to us about the beauty in each and every one of us, about society’s pressures to conform, and also about self-confidence. By celebrating the beauty of originality, Mathilde Marc offers a beautiful message of self-acceptance in the face of a societal tendency to conform.
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Laurie Delhostal, a French sports journalist and documentary filmmaker, is the guest on Episode 16 of “On Equal Terms.” She is one of the 15 percent of women in sports journalism, a figure published in 2025 following a survey by the association Femmes Journalistes de Sport, which she co-founded. This figure has, moreover, remained stagnant for years. In this new episode, Laurie Delhostal talks about everyday sexism and her personal experiences, reflecting on her own journey. She emphasizes the importance of investing in women’s sports, particularly to make up for the gap that has developed compared to men’s sports. By explaining how privilege can be used to help those around us, Laurie Delhostal invites us to practice mutual aid and sisterhood so that we can all move forward hand in hand to create effective governance and a more equitable society.
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As CEO of Epitech, a school specializing in IT, Laura Hassan is committed to transforming the tech industry, which is still characterized by low representation of women. As a guest on our podcast “On Equal Terms,” she emphasizes the importance of words and role models, noting how much they influence young people’s ambition and their sense of self-worth, starting as early as elementary school. She explains how these efforts are already bearing fruit. When she arrived, 9% of Epitech’s students were women; today, that figure stands at 12%. Her ambitious goal is to reach 30% female enrollment very soon. By focusing on how practices are perceived and transformed, Laura Hassan shows that change is possible and deeply necessary for an inclusive future in tech. “ “On Equal Terms” is a podcast series hosted by Aurore Mayer, director of the "Un Une" Parity Network at La Poste Group, which inspires, provokes thought, and advances gender equality for a more just world.
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Former deputy editor-in-chief of Canal+’s *Le Grand Journal*, Céline Daugenet co-founded Simone Média in 2018, a feminist, digital, pop, and socially conscious media outlet that gives its readers In their words about all those who advocate for women’s rights, gender equality, and inclusion. In this episode, Céline Daugenet explains how Simone Media, which is active on digital platforms, aims to be a space where everyone can have a voice. As women’s representation in traditional media declines, Simone Media seeks out the voices that are underrepresented there—voices we can relate to, everyday role models. Through a committed editorial stance, the role of businesses and support for them in promoting workplace equality, and raising awareness among men without stigmatizing them, Céline Daugenet shows us how educating and engaging in dialogue—despite polarization—can create a space for living together that advances society and gender parity.
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Marie Eloy, a committed author and journalist, is also the founder of the nonprofit organization “Femmes de territoires,” which supports female entrepreneurs in growing their businesses throughout France. In her book titled “Will Women Save the World?,” published by Editions Eyrolles, she explains how women—who have been excluded throughout history—are part of the solution to building a sustainable world. By putting people back at the center of our priorities, gender parity is essential to our collective well-being. So, in the face of deep-seated resistance to change and a society that still conditions young women to take a back seat, Marie Eloy uses concrete examples to show us that mobilization and progress toward equality in all spheres of society are possible. And better than just possible—they’re beneficial!