Season One was a ride - and yes, we were absolutely building the plane while flying it.

In this season finale of Black Excellence Unfiltered, Dr Tiamo and Anya sit down to unpack the lessons, surprises, and behind-the-scenes chaos that shaped their very first season. From the podcast’s humble origins to the unfiltered stories that moved them (and you), the hosts reflect on how Black excellence showed up in expected and wildly unexpected ways.

They revisit the moments that made them laugh, cry, rethink everything, and hit pause. They talk about the immigration stories that shook them, the guests who changed the room, and the recurring themes of resilience, intentionality, identity, and community connection that kept surfacing episode after episode.

You’ll hear: ✨ The feedback that stopped them in their tracks ✨ The stories they never saw coming ✨ The logistical chaos (time zones! audio fails! back-alley recording sessions!) that somehow made the journey richer ✨ The impact listeners shared from Lilongwe to New York ✨ What Season 2 is about to unlock

This episode is a love letter to everyone who joined the journey and a promise that we’re still building. If Season One was about finding their voice, Season Two is about amplifying it.

Tap in, reflect with us, and get ready. The best is yet to come.

In this bonus episode, Dr. Tiamo sits down with Anya Mhone, global business leader, creator, and co-host of @beupodcast, for a raw and deeply moving conversation about resilience, identity, and the art of healing.

From her roots in Malawi and the loss of her parents at a young age, to her upbringing in the UK, life in New York, and her decade-plus journey at Google; Anya opens up about the experiences that shaped her empathy, ambition, and strength. She reflects on navigating bias and belonging in corporate spaces, the quiet courage it takes to rebuild, and the intentional joy that anchors her through life’s transitions.

Anya believes that Black excellence is about embracing joy as a form of rebellion, and that our brokenness, like in the Japanese art of Kintsugi, adds to our beauty, rather than diminishing it. This candid conversation explores what it means to hold power and tenderness in equal measure, to lead with authenticity, and to find purpose in imperfection.

Join us for a conversation that reminds us that transformation isn’t about being flawless, it’s about finding gold in life’s cracks.

In this episode of Black Excellence Unfiltered, hosts Anya and Dr. Tiamo sit down with Nthanda Manduwi (@nthandamanduwi), a Malawian storyteller, techie, entrepreneur, and fearless advocate for youth empowerment and mental health.

Nthanda’s journey from Malawi to New York is anything but ordinary. Along the way, she’s led digital innovation hubs that have impacted over half a million young Africans, shaped global initiatives at the United Nations and Microsoft, and authored books that continue to empower women and youth to embrace their own brilliance.

But behind the accolades lies a story of resilience, courage, and purpose. In this conversation, Nthanda shares what it really takes to navigate professional spaces as a Black woman, how cultural bias has shaped her journey, and why storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for change. She also reveals the practices of community and self-care that keep her grounded while holding such a bold vision for Africa’s future.

This is more than just a career story, it’s a call to action. Whether you’re an immigrant forging your own path, a creative searching for your voice, or simply someone who believes in the power of possibility, Nthanda’s words will challenge you to step into your highest self and, as she says, “set the world on fire.”

✨ Special Giveaway ✨ Nthanda is giving away 50 free copies of her book "Traversing my terrible twenties" to 50 lucky listeners! To enter:

a) Leave a comment on any of our social media or podcast pages b) Share Nthanda’s episode on your social media and tag us c) Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform

The first 50 people we see will receive a copy! All book proceeds will be donated to Ntha Foundation.

📚 Nthanda’s Books

• By the End of Your Teens (2018)
• Traversing Your Terrible Twenties (2025)
• Upcoming titles: Feminine Silence (2025), Lady at the Helm (2026), Lessons (2026), Balance (2027), and more.

🌍 Organizations & Programs

• Ntha Foundation – U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit empowering youth across Africa
• Kwathu Kollective – Youth innovation hub driving digital transformation
• Bien Corporation Africa – Creative & media company channeling Africa’s digital economy
• Q2 Corporation – Bridging AgTech and Gaming to build Africa’s future

📩 Connect with Nthanda

• Email: nthanda@q2corporation.com | nthanda@biencorp.com | nthanda@kwathu.org | nthanda@nthafoundation.org