When I pressed “record” on the very first episode of Honestly Speaking with Antonia Howard, I only knew that Sierra Leone needed more spaces for honest, unfiltered dialogue; conversations that cut through noise and held a mirror to who we are as a people.
Twenty episodes later, I find myself pausing to reflect. Each conversation, whether on our collective mindset, the state of education, the role of social media, or the values we’ve lost and must recover, has reminded me that storytelling is not just about recording voices. It is about creating a space where those voices can challenge, affirm, and sometimes even unsettle us.
I’ve spoken with entrepreneurs, educators, historians, activists, strategists, artists and many more. What stands out most is how deeply people want to talk about the issues. At a time when misinformation and division dominate the public sphere, Honestly Speaking has become a consistent, principled space for honest engagement.
Personally, I’ve learned that listening itself is an act of nation-building. Hosting Honestly Speaking has sharpened my courage and reinforced my belief that progress begins when we confront uncomfortable truths together.
But this podcast isn’t just about my personal journey. It’s also about a generation asking: who are we, and who do we want to become? The conversations are Sierra Leonean at heart, yet they echo struggles and aspirations familiar across Africa and the wider world.
Looking ahead, I see Honestly Speaking growing into more than just a podcast. It is becoming a platform: a space for deeper storytelling, more diverse voices, and conversations that don’t end when the episode does, but spill over into homes, classrooms, and even policy debates.
Twenty episodes is just the beginning. The real work and the real promise lies in the conversations yet to come.
So here is my invitation: keep listening, keep sharing, and keep asking deep questions. Support independent voices. Amplify conversations that matter. Challenge leaders, but also challenge yourselves. Because the Sierra Leone we want will only be built if we have the courage to speak honestly about the one we have today.
Antonia Howard 