Kindly Unfiltered: A Podcast That Dares to Be Real, Tackles the Complexities of African Diaspora Experience

 
 
 
In a world where stereotypes and surface-level portrayals often dominate the media landscape, a new podcast is set to shake things up. Kindly Unfiltered, a debut production from Mintslate Media, promises to bring nuance and humour to African diaspora storytelling like never before. Hosted by Seyi Oluwatimilehin (aka Seyi Mint) and Wilson Ifeanyi, this refreshing new show explores the complexities of cultural identity, humour, and everyday experiences that are often overlooked. With its unique blend of Nigerian “unfiltered” reality and Canadian “kindness” culture, Kindly Unfiltered is more than just a podcast – it’s a cultural diary and a candid conversation that challenges stereotypes and showcases the complexities of African culture. Through intimate storytelling and unapologetic humour, Seyi and Wilson aim to redefine the way African diaspora stories are told and consumed. Writes Mary Nnah
 
Kindly Unfiltered is a refreshing new podcast that explores the complexities of African diaspora life. This debut production promises to bring nuance and humour to African diaspora storytelling. The show delves into the intricacies of cultural identity, humour, and everyday experiences that are often overlooked.
 
Set to premiere on September 25, Kindly Unfiltered is more than just a podcast – it’s a cultural diary and a candid conversation that challenges stereotypes and showcases the complexities of African culture. The podcast’s title, “Kindly Unfiltered,” reflects the hosts’ desire to blend the directness of Nigerian culture with the politeness of Canadian society.
 
In the interview, Seyi and Wilson shared their thoughts on why they felt a podcast like Kindly Unfiltered was necessary. According to Seyi, the gap it fills is representation – representing themselves by themselves. “Too often in the diaspora, we are misrepresented,” Seyi said. “They give us accents we don’t actually speak with, or portray our culture in ways that don’t reflect who we really are.”
 
The hosts’ conversation is built around the tension between Nigerian “unfiltered” reality and Canadian “kindness” culture. Wilson, who straddles both cultures, said that this contrast is something he experiences daily. “I’m Nigerian, but I also live in Canada,” Wilson said. “And as a Nigerian, we’re very unfiltered. I’m very blunt. I like to say I’m like a basket—whatever you pour in is what you get out.”
 
When asked about the importance of exploring this tension, Seyi emphasised the need to show the world that Africans are not one-dimensional. “We are not everything they’ve painted us to be,” Seyi said. “As Africans, we are different from the stereotypes. Two truths can exist, two cultures can coexist—especially in a country like Canada, which is so multicultural.”
 
The hosts also discussed the importance of centering everyday, nuanced, and humorous moments in their storytelling. According to Seyi, it’s essential to introduce their sense of humour to the world. “A lot of times, people here don’t really get it,” Seyi said. “Even when you try to blend into the culture or community in Canada, you realise their sense of humour is different.”
 
Wilson added that these everyday moments are what bring their culture to life. “These are the things people don’t usually talk about, and when they’re left out, it takes away from the fun and fullness of our story,” Wilson said.
 
The hosts hope that listeners will experience a sense of intimacy and connection when tuning in to the podcast. “We hope they experience the same thing you just described—because that’s really what it was,” Seyi said. “Like Wilson mentioned, we were just being ourselves.”
 
Ultimately, Seyi and Wilson hope that Kindly Unfiltered will have a profound impact on both the diaspora community and listeners outside of it. “I want people to take whatever they take from it—but most importantly, I’d want them to see beyond the surface, think deeply, and be courageous enough to live their truth,” Seyi said.
 
With its unique blend of Nigerian “unfiltered” reality and Canadian “kindness” culture, Kindly Unfiltered is more than just a podcast – it’s a cultural diary and a candid conversation that challenges stereotypes and showcases the complexities of African culture. Through intimate storytelling and unapologetic humour, Seyi and Wilson aim to redefine the way African diaspora stories are told and consumed.

With its unique blend of humour, nuance, and authenticity, Kindly Unfiltered is poised to make a lasting impact on the world of podcasting come September 25.