Your Voice, Ideas, and Skills Matter. Embrace. Amplify Them.

Hello, hello!

I’m excited to announce that I’m a judge for this year’s International Women’s Podcast Awards (IWPA)! As I enter my second year as a judge, I remember how much I learned from the stories, themes, and perspectives I heard last year. I loved how many of these independent voices embraced their visions and claimed their narratives.

For those who might not know, the IWPA celebrates ‘moments of brilliance’ in podcasting and honors the talented women behind them. The shows nominated reflect a spectrum of experience, from self-taught creators to seasoned teams at well-known audio companies. I can’t wait to discover new perspectives and approaches to storytelling in the coming weeks.

On My Mind: Esther Armah urges us to say ‘…goodbye to the EMOTIONAL MAMMY’

Speaking of strong voices, it’s time for me to highlight a member of this creative community, through a segment (err, I mean section!) that I call ‘AudioDiaspora.’ Why the name ‘AudioDiaspora’? Well, as my long-time followers will know, it’s the name of my creator community - and the name of the ongoing podcast series, where I profile creators who use media, art, and storytelling to inspire public conversations that encourage us to reflect on our world.

Meet Esther Armah, author, former international award-winning journalist, playwright, and public speaker. She’s also the CEO of The Armah Institute of Emotional Justice (AIEJ), a global institute that uses storytelling as a strategy for systemic change in the US, the UK, and Africa—specifically, Ghana and South Africa. 

The AIEJ creates resources and tools for racial healing through various projects, training, and thought leadership, utilizing storytelling as a strategy for systemic change. Esther’s work spans the US, the UK, and Africa, specifically Ghana and South Africa. Among her storytelling initiatives are two global audio projects: “The Black Frontline,” an oral history project that captured the experiences of Black doctors and nurses on the frontlines of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, and “The Story of Your Name,” in which 30 people across Africa, the US, the UK, and the Caribbean (including yours truly) shared how their names shaped their Blackness, sense of place and identity.

Now, Esther is tackling the issue of how society expects Black women in America and around the world to prioritize the emotional needs of others at the expense of their own well-being. She explores this theme in her short film called ‘…goodbye to the EMOTIONAL MAMMY.’ Check out the trailer for the upcoming movie here. It’s a powerful watch, and will inspire deep and meaningful conversations.

If you’re in New York City on Friday, April 25, you can attend a free special screening and Q&A event at the Dolby Theater. Join the global conversation, support this critical work, and grab your free tickets today.

In conclusion: Are You Ready to Develop Your Voice?

All of this has made me think about how critical your willingness to talk about your vision and receive feedback is to finding your voice and sharpening your vision.

As a recovering perfectionist (*cough*), I understand how intimidating it can be to discuss an idea or act on it when it feels rough around the edges. However, your idea needs to be shared. It needs to exist. And you must embrace the messiness of learning in real time.

Engaging in these conversations will generate valuable questions for you to explore (that's your research) and help foster a community of trusted collaborators who genuinely want to help you find your voice and develop your vision—two crucial elements of creating a strong show.

You’ll quickly identify those who connect with your vision and recognize the value you bring. And those people will likely be your future audience or brain trust. Better still, as you stumble (and eventually glide) through this process, you’ll find inspiration for your ideas and new ways to amplify your authentic voice confidently.

So, what will your first step be?

Christabel

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