Fearless explores what shapes the people who shape the world.
In each episode, executive coach and journalist Uduak Amimo sits down with leaders, thinkers and practitioners to uncover the experiences, relationships and convictions that have influenced how they lead. Through honest, reflective conversations, Fearless examines moments of uncertainty, difficult choices and personal transformation.
Together, we explore how our values take shape, what sustains us when our beliefs are tested, and how we lead with integrity in societies marked by complexity, division and change.
S3E3: Derek Bardowell on Power, Belonging and Repair
Derek Bardowell is an author, philanthropy strategist and executive coach whose work explores race, culture, power and social justice. His latest book is Fire Inna Dancehall, which explores reggae’s influence on global music and culture. He is also the author of No Win Race and Giving Back. Derek has spent more than two decades working in philanthropy, advocating for approaches grounded in justice, repair and the redistribution of power.
In this conversation, Derek reflects on the personal cost of carrying different worlds, what it takes to lead without losing yourself, and why meaningful repair requires us to rethink who holds power and how it is shared.
You can follow Derek's work here:
Website: https://derekbardowell.com/ (https://derekbardowell.com/)
Book links:
No Win Race (https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Win-Race-Belonging-Britishness/dp/0008305145/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.88rEsz_yGPhdD6kWkgEFhA.5zWEmdinZqGktZ1mQhy66j2Mj6sNdJQ8FB2sZBNqBTU&qid=1785155225&sr=1-1)Giving Back (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Giving-Back-Should-Give-Live-ebook/dp/B099QL2YB4?ref_=ast_author_mpb)Fire Inna Dancehall (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Inna-Dancehall-Derek-Bardowell/dp/0349704694/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ERUO03J5SK72&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Q75PwbiqnxD6iDQbWFLc-YYIEtWenA6QlaohSUUOqJ7GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.3m_4Q812m68x_uJzgWbRSEj_fyhElD8M15_UpE1N96A&dib_tag=se&keywords=derek+bardowell&qid=1785155120&sprefix=%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1)
Articles:
Third Sector: https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/derek-bardowell-institutional-philanthropy-may-well-meaning-does-harm-good/fundraising/article/1802386 (https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/derek-bardowell-institutional-philanthropy-may-well-meaning-does-harm-good/fundraising/article/1802386)
The Lead: https://thelead.uk/we-need-change-how-we-give (https://thelead.uk/we-need-change-how-we-give)
Alliance magazine: https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/philanthropy-preservation-transformation-change/ (https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/philanthropy-preservation-transformation-change/)
25 Aug 2026
S3E2: Ellen Pratt-Harris on Exile, Return and Leadership
Ellen Pratt-Harris is an urban planner, public servant and Executive Director of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development in Liberia. What was meant to be a one-month holiday in the United States became a sixteen-year absence when war broke out at home. Her next visit to Liberia was for the historic inauguration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Ellen later returned to contribute to rebuilding her country, bringing her experience in urban planning and development to government, entrepreneurship and public service. Today, she leads an institution investing in the next generation of African women leaders.
This episode explores how our experiences of home shape our leadership, the work of rebuilding institutions, and the importance of developing a new generation of African women leaders.
You can visit the the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development here (https://ejscenter.org).
11 Aug 2026
S3E1: Onyekachi Wambu on African Leadership, Belonging and the Diaspora
Season 3 of Fearless opens with Onyekachi Wambu.
A journalist, writer, documentary filmmaker and public intellectual, Onyekachi has spent more than four decades exploring the relationship between Africa and its global diaspora. Having left Nigeria after the Biafran War, his own life spans the continent and its diaspora, shaping a lifelong interest in history, identity, belonging and the ideas that connect African people across borders. His work includes Under the Tree of Talking: Leadership for Change in Africa, which explores African approaches to leadership, and the Empire Windrush anthologies, documenting the evolving Black British experience across generations.
In this first episode of Season Three, we explore the relevance of Pan-Africanism to contemporary Africa, the role of the diaspora in Africa's future, and why recovering Africa's intellectual and cultural heritage is essential for a flourishing continent.
You can find Onyekachi's books here (https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0034QHKUA/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=wPYOO&content-id=amzn1.sym.7e190e19-9f6f-4df8-807a-5a7608594741&pf_rd_p=7e190e19-9f6f-4df8-807a-5a7608594741&pf_rd_r=134-4971541-9062063&pd_rd_wg=VkZUv&pd_rd_r=a6abab4a-a85d-4f3a-8eac-39be50c36f70) and here (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2217875.Under_the_Tree_of_Talking).
11 Aug 2026
Welcome to season 3
Fearless explores what shapes the people who shape the world.
In each episode, executive coach and journalist Uduak Amimo sits down with leaders, thinkers and practitioners to uncover the experiences, relationships and convictions that have influenced how they lead. Through honest, reflective conversations, Fearless examines moments of uncertainty, difficult choices and personal transformation.
Together, we explore how our values take shape, what sustains us when our beliefs are tested, and how we lead with integrity in societies marked by complexity, division and change. At its heart, Fearless is an exploration of the values, relationships and choices that shape both leaders and the societies they serve
31 Jan 2025
S2E9: Hanae Bezad on Multiculturalism, Patriarchy and Resilience
My guest on this episode of Fearless is Hanae Bezad.
She is many things among them- a social entrepreneur, curator, board advisor and now author. Published in October 2023 by The Dreamwork Collective, Hanae's book, Being Other, is part memoir and part workbook. It documents her experiences of othering as an Arab, African and Muslim woman and explores the personal and collective experiences of people navigating
exclusion. The book also advocates for accountable leadership. This episode unpacks global perspectives on othering, intersectionality and self-actualisation.
Follow Hanae's work here:
Website: https://beehane.org (https://beehane.org)
IG: https://www.instagram.com/beehane/ (https://www.instagram.com/beehane/)
19 Dec 2024
S2E8: Siphokazi Jonas on Names, Books and Poetry
Siphokazi Jonas, a published poet, shares her critically acclaimed work and discusses the themes in her debut collection Weeping Becomes a River, offering insights into the power of poetry to transform and heal.
5 Dec 2024
S2E7: Patrick Mpedzisi on Pan-Africanism, Youth and Narrative.
Uduak Amimo sits down with Patrick Mpedzisi to explore pan-Africanism, youth empowerment, and the power of narrative in shaping cultural identity and driving social change.
21 Nov 2024
S2E7: Hanae Bezad on Multiculturalism, Patriarchy and Resilience
Uduak Amimo sits down with social entrepreneur and author Hanae Bezad to explore multiculturalism, patriarchy, and resilience through her memoir and workbook, Being Other.
1 Nov 2024
S2E6: Chris Klugman on Kitchens, Inclusion and Social Entrepreneurship
This episode of Fearless takes us into the heart of the culinary world—the kitchen. My guest is Chris Klugman, an executive chef and champion for change in an industry rife with the challenges of power, inclusion, and equality. Chris is also a professor, celebrated photographer and social
entrepreneur. He founded Paintbox Bistro, a social enterprise that employed staff from marginalised communities. Paintbox was Canada's first certified B-Corporation, yet it was also one of the businesses lost to the lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This episode explores themes of inequity, the impact of Covid-19 and privilege.
Follow Chris's work here:
Website: http://www.chrisklugman.com (http://www.chrisklugman.com)
Paintbox Bistro: https://www.commediaportal.ca/en/media/tribute-paint-box-bistro (https://www.commediaportal.ca/en/media/tribute-paint-box-bistro)
17 Oct 2024
S2E5: Chisom Udeze on immigration, mental health and inclusion
This episode of Fearless stays with the theme of mental health through the experiences of Nigerian economist and award-winning serial founder, Chisom Udeze. She relocated to Norway for love where she struggled with isolation and depression leading to several startups to support migrants
in the country. This episode explores themes of migration, inclusion and entrepreneurship.
Follow Chisom's work here:
Website: https://diversifyconsult.no/about/ (https://diversifyconsult.no/about/)
Summit: https://summit.diversify.no/chisom-udeze/ (https://summit.diversify.no/chisom-udeze/)
Incubator: https://hertech.no (https://hertech.no)
4 Oct 2024
S2E4: Mohsin Mohi-Ud-Din on Mental Health, Trauma and Stories
October is mental health awareness month and this year's theme is Movement: moving more for our mental health. It's a theme familiar to Mohsin Mohi-Ud-Din, whose conflicting experiences growing up in the disputed territory of Kashmir and the United States, seeded the gift of seeing, hearing and telling stories.
Mohsin uses his gift to help vulnerable youth heal by training them to tell their own stories through his award-winning organisation MeWe International. Through storytelling, Mohsin's intention is to build connection, cohesion and ultimately, mental health. This episode of Fearless addresses trauma, abuse, war and art.
Follow Mohsin's work here:
Wesbite: https://www.meweintl.org/about/ourstory (https://www.meweintl.org/about/ourstory)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=D-4h93YNYDo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=D-4h93YNYDo)
26 Sept 2024
S2E3: Myriam Taylor on Exile, Immigration and Humanity.
The Humanity Summit is one of the side events of the 2024 G20 Summit coming up in November in Brazil. Co-founded by Afro-Portuguese activist Myriam Taylor to advance global equity and sustainability, it's also a labour of love rooted in Myriam's background as a child of Angolan exiles. It’s also one of the many pioneering and celebrated accomplishments of her life’s work of social justice and anti-racism. This conversation explores themes of colonialism, racism and humanity.
Follow Myriam's work here:
Humanity Summit: https://www.humanity-summit.com (https://www.humanity-summit.com)
19 Sept 2024
S2E2: Aka Hansen on Indigeneity, Colonialism and Liberation
This episode of Fearless takes us to the Arctic nation of Greenland and its struggle for independence from Denmark. Aka Hansen is an award-winning filmmaker. She’s also an activist and one of the leading agitators in
the latest Greenlandic bid for independence. This conversation explores themes of colonialism, identity, racism, liberation and film.
Follow Aka's work here:
Website: http://uilu.gl/about.html (http://uilu.gl/about.html)
Film: http://uilu.gl/about.html (http://uilu.gl/about.html)
Film: https://www.siff.net/festival/qulleq (https://www.siff.net/festival/qulleq)
12 Sept 2024
S2E1: Thandi Dyani on Love, Inclusion and Responsible Leadership
Thandi Dyani is the first guest of a season on responsible, courageous and transformative leadership. Thandi is many things: a leadership and inclusion consultant, facilitator, DJ and founder several times over. Born to a South African father and Danish mother, Thandi lives and works in both countries in her primary role as the External Network Organiser at the BMW Foundation. Themes explored in this conversation include racism, belonging, music, activism and community.
Find out more about Thandi below:
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vh2fQp6oeCKqC5gWW1FeB?si=61f2ec2145f142b9 (https://open.spotify.com/show/2vh2fQp6oeCKqC5gWW1FeB?si=61f2ec2145f142b9)
Website: https://thandidyani.com (https://thandidyani.com)
Project: https://www.onegroove.world/people/ (https://www.onegroove.world/people/)
5 Sept 2024
Welcome to Season 2
Season 2 focuses on the art and practice of leadership, offering insights into the responsible, transformative and courageous leadership our present moment demands. In each episode, Uduak and her guests explore how connection, care, curiosity and courage help shape communities and societies where everyone thrives.
2 Dec 2021
Episode 3: In Conversation with Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr
My guest on this episode of Fearless with Uduak Amimo is represented by her daughter, the coach and storyteller Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr. Chidiogo has written a book about Dora Akunyili, her late mother and Nigeria’s former Information Minister. The late Mrs. Akunyili came to fame as the Director-General of Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control between 2001 and 2008 for her fearlessness in confronting the cartels behind fake drugs in the country. Chidiogo’s book, ‘I Am Because We Are: An African Mother’s Fight for the Soul of a Nation,’ goes on sale in January 2022.
*Since recording this interview, Chidiogo has welcomed her first baby and lost her father, Dr. Chike Akunyili, who gunmen killed.
30 Aug 2021
EP 2: In conversation with Aidan Eyakuze
Aidan Eyakuze’s name will be familiar to many of us in East Africa and around the world because of his body of work around open government. He is the Executive Director of Twaweza, which works to enable children to learn, citizens to exercise agency, and governments to be more open and responsive.
Aidan is a member of the Global Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). He sits on the board of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD). And, he is an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow, a Board Member of the African Leadership Institute (South Africa), and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN).
But it wasn’t this impressive CV that catapulted Aidan into the headlines of 2018. Aidan grabbed media attention because of the consequences he faced for speaking truth to power in Tanzania. He talks about that experience on Fearless with Uduak Amimo.
22 Jul 2021
In Conversation With Professor Miriam K. Were
My first guest is a trailblazer of many talents and accolades: educator, doctor, international public health specialist and author. Professor Miriam Khamadi Were's commitment to being fearless has been tested over the course of her six-decade career. She created what became the University of Nairobi's School of Public Health, developed templates for community health policies around the world and helped stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya. She's stood firm against the winds of racism, sexism and corruption, even in situations where her career and her life were threatened. Prof. Were now sits on the Lancet's Covid-19 Commission. Find out what where she gets her courage from, what inspires her conviction and how her connections have helped her stand her ground on my podcast, Fearless with Uduak Amimo.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
4,645
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
21
Social presence
0
YouTube
74
Engagement
51
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