A groundbreaking new podcast and YouTube series, How It All Began, has officially launched, offering an intimate look into the journeys of some of the world’s most inspiring creatives.
The program is hosted by rising South African actress Meggan Johnstone, blending cinematic storytelling with powerful interviews that explore the roots of success.
How It All Began has a Star-Studded First Season
The inaugural season features a diverse lineup of internationally acclaimed guests, including:
- Dominique Thorne – Marvel’s breakout star as Riri Williams in Ironheart (Disney+), who shares her path from Brooklyn to becoming a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and attending Cornell University.
- Ilfenesh Hadera – Actress known for her co-starring roles alongside Forest Whitaker and Denzel Washington in Godfather of Harlem and Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest.
- Deborah Cox – Award-winning singer and actress, reflecting on her rise in the music industry and her ongoing commitment to advocacy.
- Jonathan Butler – Grammy® Award-nominated South African artist, recounting his journey from apartheid-era Cape Town to international acclaim.
- Omar Dorsey – Known for his role as Hollywood on OWN’s Queen Sugar and for portraying a civil rights activist in Selma, he shares his evolution as an actor and storyteller.
- Tom MacDougall – President of Walt Disney Music, offering insights into the intersection of music and film.
- Robert Brozin – Co-founder of Nando’s, revealing how a small South African chicken shop became a global cultural phenomenon with over 1,200 locations in 30 countries.
Bridging Struggle and Success
Each episode of How It All Began is filmed both virtually and in person from South Africa, weaving local sensibilities with global narratives to celebrate the power of origin stories.
The series is available now on YouTube and Spotify, with new episodes released weekly.
“This show is about more than fame,” said Wade Jordan, executive producer and founder of Conversations Are Free, Inc. “We’ve all heard that interview where it’s stated, ‘I was homeless, I got my big break, and the rest is history.’ And we’re left with questions. This series looks to bridge the gap between struggle and success. We’re proud to bring these stories to life with a South African crew and a global vision.”
Produced Across Two Continents
How It All Began is produced in partnership with Cape Town’s Gambit Films and Chicago-based Conversations Are Free, Inc.
Conversations Are Free, Inc. was founded by Chicago native Wade Jordan, who transitioned from a c-suite career in corporate America to artist management. He is currently manager to five-time Grammy® Award-winning R&B singer and Maroon 5 member, PJ Morton.
Gambit Films, led by CEO Bradley Joshua, has produced over 2,000 episodes of television, including Netflix originals Blood & Water and Unseen, as well as the long-running South African drama Suidooster.
Watch this space for updates in the Entertainment category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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