Lupita Nyong’o, the celebrated, award-winning actress, has embarked on a new journey: launching her podcast Mind Your Own. After five years of effort, marked by setbacks and delays, the 10-part series will bring personal stories from the African diaspora to the forefront. For Nyong’o, this podcast fulfills a long-held dream of amplifying African voices and sharing the continent’s rich narratives with the world.
“This has been a dream of mine for 20 years,” Nyong’o revealed. “I love listening to the radio, audiobooks, and storytelling shows. After hearing This American Life when I first moved to the U.S., I envisioned a platform where African stories could be heard. Then podcasting took off, and that dream never left me.”
Despite challenges, Nyong’o remained steadfast in her belief that there was an audience eager for these stories. “I stubbornly believed there were people just as hungry for these stories as I was. It takes stubborn people to challenge expectations,” she said.
Nyong’o, known for her work in Queen of Katwe, Black Panther, and 12 Years a Slave, feels an intrinsic need to tell African stories. She sees it as part of her life’s mission, aligning her African identity with her artistry. “I always had a feeling that being African was enough, but I didn’t always see that reflected. I want to right that wrong by focusing my energy on telling our stories. I’m an artist first, and my African identity is my inspiration.”
In a candid interview, Nyong’o explained her motivation for creating Mind Your Own. “Shows like This American Life made me feel more at home in a place that was foreign to me. I loved how intimate the stories were, and I wanted to replicate that experience, but from an African perspective. I wanted a space for Africans to get to know each other better.”
The podcast is specifically aimed at Africans, both on the continent and in the diaspora. Nyong’o explained that growing up, she consumed popular culture from all over the world—American music, British and Mexican soaps—but often didn’t see her own experiences represented. “I thought, ‘Why can’t it be the same in reverse? Where is the moment where African experiences take the lead, and others relate to them?’”
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While Nyong’o has navigated Hollywood’s expectations, including mastering various accents for roles, she made it clear that her value as an artist doesn’t come from sounding a certain way. “Drama school gave me the tools to become a versatile actor, and I don’t regret learning different accents. It helped me embody characters in Queen of Katwe and Black Panther. But my value isn’t tied to how I sound—it’s about who I am.”
On Hollywood’s appetite for African stories, Nyong’o is more focused on action than observation. “I’m not sitting back watching what the industry is doing. I’m in the arena, making things happen. When I first pitched this podcast, no one was interested, because my initial idea didn’t include me. I wanted to tell other people’s stories, but I realized I had to lead with my own narrative.”
Though the market initially lacked enthusiasm, Nyong’o trusted her instincts. “I believed there was an audience as hungry for these stories as I am. I don’t know how the podcast will do, but I have faith in my lived experience. It takes stubborn people to change expectations.”
For Nyong’o, it’s not just about gaining validation from Hollywood or the American entertainment industry. “As much as I live in America and understand the importance of the entertainment economy here, I don’t think it’s the only measure of success. We’ve always been rich in our own culture, but it’s been in others’ interest to keep us from realizing it. I’m excited to see more of our stories being shared—but they must be told on our terms.”
Nyong’o’s Mind Your Own podcast is a bold step in reclaiming African narratives, giving voice to stories that have long been underrepresented. It’s a personal journey for Nyong’o, one that she hopes will resonate deeply with African audiences and beyond.
