On the latest episode of #WithChude, author of ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’, and founder of the Ake Arts and Book Festival, Lola Shoneyin, sits with Chude Jideonwo in one of the show’s most expansive conversations thus far, to discuss her experience with sexual abuse, depression and more.
In a soul-stirring heart-to-heart, the two dug into the personal and professional depths of the author’s life — from her unconventional marriage, to battling clinical depression and the lasting effects of sexual abuse. They also discussed her work as a feminist and organizer of the continent’s largest book festival.
Being no stranger to controversy, Lola opened up about the finer details of some of the most hard-hitting controversies around her person of recent.
“There is a point you reach that you have to go. I can’t have you invading my space with your drama. I have enough of my own drama to deal with in my personal life,” she said about blocking people on social media to avoid online feuds.
Speaking about how she handled her clinical depression, Lola revealed that she went the medical route, a path she admits comes with a unique stigma, especially in this part of the world.
“A lot of people said to me, ‘Lola don’t be one of those [who take medication for mental illness],’ but I insisted.
“A doctor I spoke to recently asked, ‘Would we have the same attitude if one was taking medication for a heart disease, diabetes, or back pain?’ So because this is in the mind, suddenly everyone is trying to be super(wo)man?”
#WithChude is a special series of targeted multimedia conversations and investigations focused on narratives that enable and strengthen the mind, heart, and spirit. New episodes of #WithChude show every Saturday at 9pm on TVC Entertainment, and every Thursday on EbonyLife TV at 7:30pm. With an extended play podcast up on Spotify, iTunes among other podcast platforms every Wednesday at 10:00am, everyone can join the conversations.
