Spotlights Global Talent and Untold Stories from
Cape Town to Hollywood
New Series Features Insightful Conversations with A Marvel Film Actress, a Broadway star, a Disney President and the Co-Founder of One of the Fastest Growing Global Franchises
A groundbreaking new podcast and YouTube series, How It All Began, has officially launched, offering an intimate look into the journeys of some of the world’s most inspiring creatives. The program is hosted by South African actress on the rise, Meggan Johnstone. The series blends cinematic storytelling with powerful interviews that explore the roots of success. The inaugural season features a star-studded lineup of guests including:
- Dominique Thorne, Marvel’s breakout star as Riri Williams in Ironheart, as seen on Disney+, who shares her path from Brooklyn to becoming a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and attending Cornell University.
- Ilfenesh Hadera, actress known for her co-starring roles alongside Forest Whitaker and Denzel Washington in God Father of Harlem and Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest.
- Deborah Cox, award-winning singer and actress, reflecting on her rise in the music industry and her commitment to advocacy.
- Jonathan Butler, Grammy® Award-nominated South African artist, recounting his journey from apartheid-era Cape Town to international acclaim.
- Omar Dorsey, known for portraying Hollywood on OWN’s Queen Sugar and a civil rights activist in Selma, he discusses his evolution as an actor and storyteller.
- Tom MacDougall, President of Walt Disney Music, offering insights into the intersection of music and film.
- Robert Brozin, co-founder of Nando’s, reveals how a small South African chicken shop became a global cultural phenomenon with over 1,200 locations in 30 countries.
Each episode of How It All Began is filmed both virtually and in person from South Africa, weaving local sensibilities with global narratives to celebrate the power of origin stories. The series is available now on YouTube and Spotify, with new episodes released weekly.
“This show is about more than fame,” said Wade Jordan, executive producer and founder of Conversations Are Free, Inc. “We’ve all heard that interview where it’s stated, ‘I was homeless, I got my big break, and the rest is history.’ And we’re left with questions. This series looks to bridge the gap between struggle and success. We’re proud to bring these stories to life with a South African crew and a global vision.”
How It All Began is produced in partnership with Cape Town, South Africa’s Gambit Films and Chicago, Illinois’ Conversations Are Free, Inc.
Conversations Are Free, Inc. was founded by Chicago native Wade Jordan who had a c-suite career in corporate America and is currently manager to 5x Grammy® Award winning R&B singer and Maroon 5 member, PJ Morton.
South Africa’s Gambit Films is led by CEO Bradley Joshua. Under his leadership, the firm has produced over 2,000 episodes of television including the Netflix originals Blood & Water, Unseen and the long-running South African drama, Suidooster.
Follow the journey:
- Instagram: @howitallbegan_podcast
- TikTok: @howitallbegan_podcast
- Facebook: How It All Began Podcast
- YouTube: How It All Began Podcast
- Spotify: How It All Began Podcast
