Renowned media personality Chude Jideonwo has shared the deeply personal story behind his acclaimed podcast, Interview Series With Chude, revealing that it was born out of his battle with depression and online criticism. During a conversation with filmmaker Mo Abudu ahead of his 40th birthday, Jideonwo recalled how relentless trolling in 2016, following his involvement in the 2015 political campaign, left him feeling vulnerable and searching for healing.
As the online backlash intensified, Jideonwo found himself trending on Twitter for three consecutive days. The weight of public criticism led to an emotional breakdown. Desperate for answers, he reached out to a colleague, asking, “Why do Nigerians hate me so much?” However, the response he received—though logical—did little to ease his pain.
Seeking comfort, he turned to YouTube and stumbled upon an episode of Super Soul Sunday, where Oprah Winfrey and Brené Brown discussed vulnerability, shame, and handling criticism. Brown shared how she was attacked over her TED Talk, particularly about her weight, and how she learned to embrace her emotions without losing her ability to feel.
Jideonwo described the experience as life-changing. “That conversation healed me, and it motivated me to create 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, ‘I will do a show like this, but for Africans.’”
