Survivor Star Maryanne Oketch’s Biggest Triumph Is Accepting Herself
She won one of the most challenging reality TV shows, but her biggest victory was learning to love and accept her “weird” self. In this uplifting interview, Maryanne shares with Ashley how being an outsider has elevated her purpose in the long haul. The challenges she faced growing up as an immigrant taught her to take risks and to “show up” as her true self. As only the second Black woman to win Survivor in the show’s 42 seasons, Maryanne acknowledges that she gained something more valuable than a million dollars: a global platform to help break racist social patterns. Maryanne confesses that she had no intention of winning and instead saw Survivor as an opportunity “to inspire others” to “find their solid ground.”
Om Podcasten
Netflix star, producer, content creator and a proud Howard University graduate, Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins is stepping out with her brand-new podcast Trials to Triumphs. The interview-style show debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network, which includes the popular Oprah’s Super Soul podcast. As one of the lead actresses in both the movie and series Dear White People, Ashley is deeply connected to many of the premiere innovators and performers in the entertainment industry. Her personal and professional struggles, along with her gift for relating and connecting to people from all walks of life, will allow Ashley and her notable guests to open up about the trials that led to their many triumphs. In these intimate and revealing conversations, Ashley and her guests will unpack moments that remained hidden from the public as guests worked to become who they are today. After each episode, listeners will feel inspired and empowered to keep going, no matter where they are in life. Some of Ashley's guests include Kelly Rowland, Robin Thede, Michelle Williams, Amber Riley, Danielle Brooks, Estelle and many more of today’s cultural trailblazers. Each week, Trials to Triumphs will deliver hope, inspiration and plenty of laughs… just what the world needs right now.