[BONUS] Make it Malawi with Joy Mwandemange

54Lights

WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY

Kondwani is joined by Malawian-Canadian artist Joy Mwandemange to share her inspiring journey. From her childhood immersed in the arts to navigating a multifaceted career spanning acting, music, and more, Joy shares powerful insights on following your passions, quieting doubts, and paving your own path to success. An episode full with wisdom and inspiration for artists and dreamers alike.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Reinventing yourself with each new chapter allows you to bypass the trap of others' expectations and define your own path.
• Achieving success in the arts requires drowning out doubting voices, both external and internal, and choosing to believe in your own talents and drive.
• Representation matters - seeing people who look like you and come from similar backgrounds achieve great heights shows that your dreams are possible too.
• Being truly successful means staying true to all facets of who you are rather than cutting parts of yourself off to fit a narrow mould.
• A career in the arts is a continuous journey of proving yourself, honing your craft, and pushing past doubts to keep growing and staying relevant.
• The struggles and obstacles overcome on the path to success are worth it, serving as an inspiration to show others what's possible when you persevere.

OUR HIGHs (NO LOWs)

2:19 - "I don't think that I would be doing what I'm doing if it weren't for me having lived most of my life in Canada. Because I don't think, to be frank, a career in the arts, you don't do that."

13:29 - "I heard a lot of should in life...that should is just what people are comfortable with, what they expect, but as people we can really do whatever we want. There are no rules."

17:54 - "Do I believe them or do I believe me? Do I think that I have what it takes to be successful. Do I think I'm talented enough? And if I'm not talented enough, do I think that I can put in the work necessary to be talented enough?"

24:05 - "It's the people that look like these people, that come from the places where these people come from, that have had similar life experiences. It's showing them Hey guys, if I can do this, you can do this."

FIND, FOLLOW AND FORWARD 54LIGHTS

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/

Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [e-mail] (feedback welcome…complaints and hate, not so much)

54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story (beat) at a time.