Clara Amfo on speaking her truth, overcoming shame and her favourite B word after Beyonce

Changes with Annie Macmanus

Sometimes to move forward, you have to look back and in today’s episode Annie is joined by her dear friend Clara Amfo who opens up for the first time publicly about the life-altering event in her childhood that changed her forever. Broadcaster, pop culture aficionado and British ‘it girl’ Clara Amfo is an unstoppable force when it comes to British tv and radio. She has hosted many of the UK's biggest music and cultural moments, from Glastonbury to the BRIT Awards. But for Clara, living authentically is at the heart of everything she does and earlier this year, after a decade of success on BBC Radio, including on 1xtra and presenting the Live Lounge and Future Sounds on Radio 1, Clara felt it was time to explore different parts of her professional and personal journey, marking a time of significant change and reflection.

In this radically honest episode, Clara opens up to Annie about something she has never discussed publicly before. She reveals how unpacking her past has helped her to judge herself less, de-root feelings of shame and fight for deeper self love and acceptance. Clara shares the realities of being a black woman in the spotlight. They also discuss the search for contentment in a world that often demands more. This deeply personal conversation between friends is a lesson in understanding your own power and showing up as your true self despite all the odds.

Warning: this episode discusses acts of racism and child sexual abuse.

If you need additional support after listening to this episode you can use the links below to find more information on some places to go:

Call the Samaritans on 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

https://247sexualabusesupport.org.uk/

https://www.survivorsuk.org/

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Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Please Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode.

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