If You Become Your Greatest Self: Be U Podcast

on Black Excellence Unfiltered

Every so often, you find yourself in a conversation that feels like a mirror — one that reflects not just your journey, but the patterns of courage, doubt, and renewal that have shaped it. This was one of those conversations.

In Episode 8 of Black Excellence Unfiltered, I joined hosts Anya and Dr. Tiamo to talk about my unconventional path from Mangochi, Malawi to New York City, the intersections of storytelling and systems thinking, and what it means to “become your greatest self” in a world that often misunderstands Black excellence.

On Vision and Origins

We began with a reflection on my vision for Africa — a future where innovation and creativity are not just survival strategies, but cultural exports. I shared how growing up by Lake Malawi taught me to see systems in motion — how every ripple connects to something larger — and how that perspective still anchors my work at Kwathu Kollective, Bien Corporation Africa, and Q2 Corporation.

On Storytelling and Unconventional Journeys

Storytelling has always been my way of building bridges between worlds. We talked about how I’ve used narrative to reframe African identity — not as a story of lack, but as one of abundance, intelligence, and imagination. My journey has been far from traditional, but it’s precisely that unconventional path that has given me the freedom to define success on my own terms.

On Privilege, Failure, and Resilience

One of the most honest parts of the episode was discussing privilege and failure — two concepts that rarely coexist comfortably. I reflected on moments of both grace and loss, the times when things fell apart publicly, and what it meant to rebuild while people were still watching. Failure taught me empathy; it also taught me design — how to redesign systems, and myself, with intention.

On Bias and Leadership

We delved into the double standards Black women face in leadership: being expected to lead with strength, yet criticized for embodying it. Navigating global spaces has meant constantly renegotiating how I am seen versus who I truly am. I spoke about redefining wealth — not as material accumulation, but as freedom, influence, and the ability to create opportunity for others.

On Entrepreneurship and Community

Entrepreneurship, I said, is both lonely and communal. The myth of the self-made founder dissolves quickly when you realize that every milestone is held together by community — mentors, friends, teams, and believers. The daily struggles of building and scaling ventures are made lighter when shared.

On Becoming Your Greatest Self

The title of the episode — If You Become Your Greatest Self — came from something I’ve carried for years:

“If you become your greatest self, you set the world on fire.”

To me, that means becoming so aligned with your purpose that you ignite others simply by existing authentically. It’s about choosing courage over comfort, and meaning over applause.

On Books and Healing

Toward the end, we spoke about my books — from By the End of Your Teens to Traversing My Terrible Twenties, Feminine Silence and the upcoming Lady at the Helm. Writing, for me, has always been an act of healing. Each book is both a personal exhale and an invitation for others to confront their own becoming.

A Gift to Listeners

In celebration of the episode, I’m giving away 50 free copies of Traversing My Terrible Twenties — my latest reflection on growth, uncertainty, and self-discovery. Details on how to participate are in the episode notes.

Listen & Reflect

This conversation was more than a story — it was a call to action. Whether you’re a student, a creative, a founder, or simply someone searching for purpose, I hope it inspires you to step into your highest self and, in doing so, set your own world on fire.

🎧 Listen to Episode 8: “If You Become Your Greatest Self” on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.

And if the story resonates, share it — because becoming our greatest selves isn’t something we do alone.