Failure Throwback: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This week we revisit one of my all-time favourite guests: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, recorded in July 2021. Best known for Americanah and her globally resonant TED Talks, Chimamanda opens up about the profound grief of losing both her parents within a year—and the raw journey of coping in its aftermath.

We talk candidly about:

Her essay Notes on Grief

Being a daughter and the complexities of motherhood

Fertility struggles and writing through pain

Her cultural influence and, yes...Kim Kardashian

It’s heartfelt, honest, and deeply moving. Listen when you're ready to feel.

✨ IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Intro

03:18 Chimamanda's Background and Family

04:39 Exploring Feminism and Dissatisfaction

06:09 Navigating Sexism and Racism

08:29 Cultural Observations and Gender Roles

14:52 Academic Journey and Career Shift

18:12 Grief, Guilt, and Family Memories

35:04 Delight in Simple Pleasures

35:54 A Mother's Determination

38:11 Medical Malpractice and Loss

41:10 Coping with Grief

42:51 Seeking Comfort in Faith

51:20 Struggles with Writing

53:51 Motherhood and Creativity

01:01:44 Fashion, Individuality, and Social Media

💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:

"I didn’t really intend to become this person who talks about feminism and political things… but my anger and my dissatisfaction just propels me."

"It seems to me that I’ve always known… the world simply does not give women the same dignity it gives men."

🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:

Elizabeth’s upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for her new novel One of Us: ⁠https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day

Elizabeth’s Substack: https://theelizabethday.substack.com/

Join the How To Fail community: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content

📚 WANT MORE?

Danny O’Donoghue on navigating grief: https://link.chtbl.com/Fvd4L7ei

Julia Stiles on grief and her directorial debut: https://link.chtbl.com/0RdPCiip

Dorinda Medley on grief, identity and The Real Housewives: https://link.chtbl.com/Lf44HTRS

💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE?

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