CYLS 191: Africa X Podcasting - Redefining Her Lane with Adelle Onyango

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Africa X series, Kevin is joined by Adelle Onyango in Kenya to discuss her journey to becoming one of OkayAfrica’s 100 Extraordinary African Women. She talks about why and how she transitioned from being a popular primetime radio host to launching her own podcast, Legally Clueless, amplifying African stories about business, relationships, and grief, but also the places where these stories take place. Adelle shares what she wishes she knew before launching one of Spotify’s most listened-to podcasts of 2021, tips for new podcasters, and thoughts on the future of podcasting in Kenya and Africa as a whole. She talks about her co-written book, On Broken Silence, which holds the stories of survivors of sexual violence from the Greater East African region, and the creation of the Adelle Onyango Initiative to provide programming and group therapy for survivors. Kevin and Adelle discuss the mindset of continual learning and staying humble even if you have years of experience, feeling comfortable being yourself (and the cost of doing otherwise), and how to be an active citizen.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur,  podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin leads Afripods’ multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Adelle Onyango

Adelle Onyango has over 10 years experience in the radio industry. She begun as a drive show host on 1FM where she was instrumental in bringing in a digital arch to the Kenyan radio scene.

Adelle then moved to Kenya's top media house; Radio Africa Group as a presenter on their radio station, KissFM. She hosted the mid-morning show and created a show dedicated exclusively to African music which was a first of its kind on the station.  She later moved to host their prime breakfast show until June 2019. 

During her time on the KissFM breakfast show it was the 3rd most listened to show in Kenya. She then left to start her new media company, Legally Clueless Africa.

Adelle is a Kenyan businesswoman, author, award winning podcaster, one of OkayAfrica’s 100 Extraordinary African Women, and also one of the BBC’s 100 Inspirational and Innovative Women in the World. She is on a mission to impact and empower women globally.

Insights From the Episode

How to notice when you’re in a toxic space, get out of it, and move forward

Insights on what it means to be a woman working in the media industry

Tips for new podcasters for creating a sustainable business and an engaging podcast

How to reduce the noise in your life and follow your intuition

Strategies for dealing with negative feedback and sorting out constructive criticism

Tips for setting goals and following through on them

Quotes From the Show

On the purpose of her podcast, Legally Clueless: “Everybody has a story, and if you look at Africans, storytelling and really having that oral connection has been part of our culture for eons.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191

On leaving her job and branching out on her own: “Was I scared? Absolutely, but I just feel that there’s no point where you’ll ever be free of fear. You just don’t let the fear win.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191

On creating a podcast: “Preparation makes life so much easier and it also helps you to run a system and something that can sustain.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191

On the framework that has helped her launch a successful podcast: “Figure out your brand heart. That’s made up of your vision, your mission, your values, and your purpose. Your vision is your ideal world and