How I Crushed It

Hosted by howicrushedit

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Nov 2026

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About the show

Is success mainly determined by talent, hard work or luck? Winner of the "Best Business Podcast" at the 2025 Black Podcasting Awards. Welcome to How I Crushed It, a podcast where we shine a light on talent within the community. In each interview each guest will share their journey on how they have been able to crush it whether it be in the world of the arts, sports, or the business world and beyond. Listen in to be entertained and find out how they each overcame big obstacles, find out who inspires them and what are the next goals for them to achieve. No matter what career you are in each interview will offer up takeaways which will help you to also CRUSH IT

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60 recent

November 3, 2026Episode 9046 min

I Planned My Own Funeral. Here’s Why | Bernard Achampong

A founding producer of BBC 1Xtra, and Chair of Audio UK, award-winning audio producer Bernard Achampong shares the career decisions, setbacks, and pivotal moments that shaped his rise from engineer to leading industry figurehead. Get the real story behind launching Unedited, building a legacy, and adapting in the audio world. - Biggest mistakes and lessons learned early in Bernard’s career - The journey from Ghana to the BBC and finding purpose in radio - Creating and scaling Unedited, plus amicable business partnerships - How to actually turn podcasting and audio into a profitable business - The psychology of success: awards, mentoring, and tenacity in the creative industries Listen back to interviews with: Kojo Samuel - Music Director Stay in touch: Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

October 15, 2026Episode 8954 min

How Dr Joy Odili Became the UK’s First Black Female Plastic Surgeon

Join Tunde on How I Crushed It as he interviews Dr Joy Odili, the UK’s first Black female consultant plastic surgeon. Not only is Joy is a leading consultant in the plastic and reconstructive field but she was included in the 2026 Powerlist which showcases the most influential Black People in the UK. Discover the realities, challenges and artistry behind a top NHS and private cosmetic surgeon’s career. Listen back to interviews with: Dr Tijion Esho - An award-winning aesthetics doctor Stay in touch: Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

September 30, 2026Episode 881 hr 0 min

From East London to Olivier Winner - Dickson Mbi’s Journey in Dance

Award-winning dancer and choreographer Dickson Mbi joins Tunde on How I Crushed It to share his journey from East London to winning an Olivier Award. Get the inside track on the sacrifices, setbacks, and successes that shaped Dickson Mbi's groundbreaking dance career. Dickson Mbi's resilience after a devastating knee injury nearly ended his dancing career Lessons from a childhood split between Cameroon boarding school and East London How rejection from professional football led to an unexpected career in dance The process of launching his own dance company and navigating the business side of the arts Creating the Olivier Award-winning show Enowate and the story behind his latest production, Tell Us , at Sadler's Wells East Dickson accepting Olivier Award Listen back to interviews with: Cassa Pancho - Founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Black Stay in touch: Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

September 17, 2026Episode 8751 min

Amina Folarin - CEO of leading marketing agency Oliver UK

Join us for a no-nonsense chat with Amina Folarin, CEO of Oliver, as she discusses her unique path from HR to the boardroom. This episode is packed with insights about leadership, diversity, and defying the odds in a competitive industry. The realities and challenges of moving from HR to the CEO role Growing up in Wolverhampton, overcoming obstacles, and the impact of family How Amina Folarin implemented 50/50 gender splits and drove diversity at Oliver Navigating leadership, self-doubt, and learning to trust her own skills Stay in touch: Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

August 31, 2026Episode 8658 min

Julian Boaitey - Founder of Yendy Skin

Julian Boaitey is the founder of Yendy Skin, a London-based skincare brand built around African superfood ingredients sourced from Ghana. If you enjoy the episode, subscribe to How I Crushed It for more conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and people building ambitious businesses. Stay in touch: X: @howicrushedit Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on X & Instagram 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

August 16, 2026Episode 851 hr 4 min

How Ayo Akinwolere Broke Barriers in British TV

Ayo Akinwolere has built an extraordinary broadcasting career — from becoming the first Black male presenter of Blue Peter to presenting some of the biggest sporting events in the world. In this episode of How I Crushed It, Ayo tells the story of growing up in Nigeria, moving to Birmingham as a child and navigating racism, identity and the challenge of breaking into British television. After initially dreaming of becoming a professional footballer, Ayo found his way into broadcasting, eventually taking a six-week opportunity at the BBC that would completely change his career. He reveals how a chance conversation led to his Blue Peter audition, what it was like becoming a groundbreaking presenter on one of Britain's most famous TV programmes and how he went from learning to swim to setting a world record in just ten weeks. Ayo also discusses the difficult period after leaving Blue Peter, reclaiming his Nigerian name and identity, moving into sports broadcasting and eventually working across the BBC, CBS Sports and The Athletic. He also explains why success isn't simply about talent and how hard work can actually create the opportunities we often describe as luck. Subscribe to How I Crushed It for more conversations with successful people about the decisions, setbacks and opportunities that shaped their careers. Stay in touch: X/Twitter: @howicrushedit Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast

July 30, 2026Episode 8459 min

Jo Johnson: The Emmy-Winning Producer Behind Netflix’s Adolescence

BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning producer and director Jo Johnson sits down with Tunde to discuss her rise through the UK television industry. From growing up in Kensal Rise to smashing it on Netflix, she shares hard-won lessons and candid career insights. Early life in West London and influences on Jo Johnson's work ethic Breaking into the industry and overcoming setbacks as a Black woman in TV Key career milestones: Brookside, The Real McCoy, EastEnders, and Coronation Street Transition from directing to producing, including the story behind hit Netflix show Adolescence The importance of representation, resilience, and advice for forging your own path in the arts Stay in touch: X/Twitter: @howicrushedit Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

July 16, 2026Episode 831 hr 4 min

Tunji Akintokun - Former Senior Director at LinkedIn

We revisit our chat with former Senior Director at LinkedIn, Tunji Akintokun. He has also had senior leadership positions at PwC and Cisco. Since leaving LinkedIn Tunji now focuses his energy as a Non-Executive Director, Trustee, Patron and Angel Investor using technology, sport, and the arts as vehicles for change through his philanthropic efforts to help those with talent who lack the access to opportunity. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howicrushedit/ Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

June 30, 2026Episode 8249 min

Dr Samantha Tross - Surgeon

Dr Samantha Tross is one of the UK's most respected orthopaedic surgeons. In 2005 she made history when she became Britain’s first Black female orthopaedic consultant surgeon. She was the first woman in Europe to use robotic hip surgery in 2018, and she has been regularly recognised as one of Britain's most influential Black Britons in the annual Powerlist . Listen back to interviews with: Dr Dion Terrelonge : Psychologist and Fashion Stylist ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch: X/Twitter: @howicrushedit Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

June 16, 2026Episode 811 hr 2 min

Mike Williams - Co Founder of multi million selling patty business, Flake Bake

Mike Williams is co-founder of Flake Bake – the UK's most successful Jamaican patty business. In 2024 the business won Channel 4’s Aldi’s Next Big Thing and in the same year Mike won the Black British Business Awards, Rising Star of the year - Entrepreneur🏆. Website TV Advert Listen back to interviews with: Ire Hassan- Odukale - Co-Founder of the fine dining restaurant, Ikoyi ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch: X/Twitter: @howicrushedit Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at howicrushedit@gmail.com Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit