- Chude Jideonwo shared his inspiration for his popular podcast, “Interview Series With Chude,” in an interview with filmmaker Mo Abudu, ahead of his 40th birthday.
- Jideonwo’s podcast was conceived from his personal struggle with depression and online criticism.
Media figure Chude Jideonwo has shared insights regarding the motivation behind his acclaimed podcast, “Interview Series With Chude,” during a discussion with filmmaker Mo Abudu in anticipation of his 40th birthday.
Jideonwo revealed that the podcast emerged from his personal battle with depression and the harsh criticism he faced online.
In 2016, he endured significant trolling and negative feedback on social media as a result of his participation in the 2015 campaign.
This ordeal left him feeling exposed and in search of understanding.
His quest for comfort led him to an episode of Oprah Winfrey’s “Super Soul Sunday,” featuring Brené Brown, where they explored the theme of managing criticism while maintaining one’s vulnerability.
This dialogue profoundly influenced Jideonwo, motivating him to establish a platform aimed at healing and supporting others.
He recounted a moment of emotional breakdown, seeking solace from a colleague, yet it was the exchange between Oprah and Brené Brown that ultimately provided him with healing.
This experience inspired him to develop a show that could offer similar support and healing, particularly to individuals in Africa.
He said:
“WithChude comes from a unique place. I was going through clinical depression in 2016, and in 2017, after overcoming it, I noticed I was trending on Twitter,” he said.
“I trended on Twitter for three days consistently for what I did with the 2015 campaign. People continued to criticise it for three days.
“One day, I woke up, picked up my phone, saw the trend, and broke down in tears. I then called a colleague asking him why Nigerians hate me so much. He gave me an intellectual strategic answer but it was not what I was looking for because I was hurt.
“So, I went on YouTube and searched ‘what do when people hate you’. I came across an interview between Oprah Winfrey and Brené Brown.
“They were talking about Brown’s viral TED talk on shame and vulnerability and how people attacked her for being overweight. So, she talked about how you have to be ready for backlash when you are in the arena without losing your ability to feel.
“The conversation healed me and that motivated the show, a show that heals people. The show was recorded by Oprah in Chicago or wherever and I was in Lagos being healed. So, I said to myself that I would do a show like this but for Africans.”
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