Episode description

Snap Studios introduces an epic collaboration years in the making... "Mind Your Own." A new storytelling show hosted and produced by Lupita Nyong'o, that navigates what it means to belong all from an African perspective.

Lupita Nyong’o knows what home feels like. But where exactly is it? In Mexico, where she was born? Kenya, where she grew up? Or the States, where she’s spent the past 20 years?

Like Lupita, millions of Africans are spread out across the globe following family, searching for love, building futures and creating stories. It's these stories – wild and messy, intimate and joyous – that she wants to hear. 

Join Lupita as she shares tales of her own and dives into the lives of real people finding their way in new worlds of every kind.

Episode 1: The Sound of Home

Sound travels in all directions, but your feet can only follow in one.

“Losing My Accent”: Lupita takes on an American accent when she becomes an actor-in-training at Yale.

Original score by Ian Hughes Pelton AKA Tofu Jack.

“Obaa Sima”: How long can a song stay in your heart? A musical journey from Ghana to Germany to Canada transports Yaw Atta-Owusu from the toy store to the dance floor.

Big thanks to Yaw for sharing his story with us! Check out the Obaa Sima album featured in this episode. Thanks as well to Awesome Tapes From Africa for sharing Yaw’s music with us.

Produced by Marisa Dodge and Regina Bediako with assistance from Bo Walsh. Original score by Clay Xavier, with additional music from Marla Kether and Ata Kak.

Original Mind Your Own theme song by Sandra Lawson-Ndu AKA Sandu Ndu x Peachcurls ft. Ehiorobo. This episode also featured the song Show My Side by CKay ft. Amaarae.

Executive Producers: Glynn Washington and Mark Ristich

Managing Editor: Regina Bediako

Director of Production: Marisa Dodge

Series Producers: David Exumé and Priscilla Alabi

Music Supervisor: Sandra Lawson-Ndu

Story Scouts: Ashley Okwuosa, Fiona Nyong’o, Jessica Kariisa, Lesedi Oluko Moche

Editors: Nancy López and Anna Sussman

Engineering: Miles Lassi

Operations Manager: Florene Wiley

Story Consultant: John Fecile

Graphic Design: Jemimah Ekeh

Original Artwork: Mateus Sithole

Special Thanks: Allan Coye, Jake Kleinberg, Samara Still, Sarah Yoo, Warner Music Group, and Afripods.

Episode transcripts can be found here.

Mind Your Own is a production of KQED’s Snap Studios, with sales and distribution by Lemonada Media. Hosted and produced by Lupita Nyong’o.