Konnected Minds Podcast
Episode: Media Millionaire: Why Money Won’t Make YOU Happy (It’ll Just Upgrade Your Problems)
Guest: Chude Jideonwo
Host: Derrick Abaitey
Date: January 9, 2026

Overview

In this insightful episode of Konnected Minds, host Derrick Abaitey sits down with Chude Jideonwo – media entrepreneur, Forbes Africa 30 under 30 honoree, and leading voice on personal fulfillment in Africa – to dissect the myths around wealth, success, and happiness. Through candid storytelling and deep self-reflection, Chude unpacks why money alone won’t make you happy, the dangers of overwork, the power of self-acceptance, and how luck, structures, and meaningful relationships shape our lives and businesses. The conversation blends personal memories, practical business advice, and philosophical wisdom, ultimately delivering a powerful message about redefining what it means to “make it.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Reality Behind “Success.” (03:07 – 07:55)

• Chude shares how, despite surpassing many of his own dreams and “success metrics,” he found that material accomplishments don’t equate to happiness.
  • Quote:
    "Those things don’t matter as much as what they do do for you. There’s the is of things…and there’s the is-ness of things, which is what makes the cup useful to your life." — Chude (03:07)
• Success is not just the attainment of things but the reason and meaning behind them.

2. Childhood, Loneliness, and the Seeds of Ambition (04:41 – 17:08)

• Chude reflects deeply on his childhood as an only child, which, although loving and materially provided for, was lonely and shaped by a desire to control his destiny.
• Explains how loneliness and feelings of “otherness” fostered his drive and ambition.
  • Quote:
    "Because my mobility, my physical mobility was limited, my mind traveled far and my mind imagined what it would be like to travel, to own things, to dominate." (09:49)
• The influential entrepreneurial spirit of his mother, contrasted with his father’s emotional distance, shaped his worldview.
• Reveals that he wanted to be “important,” not necessarily an entrepreneur, but entrepreneurship became the vehicle for his ambitions.

3. Pressure, Overwork, and Health (19:43 – 27:26)

• Chude discusses being diagnosed with high blood pressure at 19 and the cost of relentless drive.
  • Quote:
    "If I was going to live a boring life at 19 and have no high blood pressure… or live the life I've lived and have the high blood pressure—I'd choose the life I have now." (19:51)
• He admits to having overworked himself — about 40% more than necessary — out of fear of failure.
• Reflections on neglecting self-care, leading to exhaustion, burnout, and a breaking point that forced him to reevaluate his approach to work and well-being.

4. “The Journey to Joy”: Healing and Self-Acceptance (27:26 – 33:18)

• A crisis moment in his early 30s led Chude to a diary entry: “I want to begin a journey to joy.”
  • Quote:
    "December 2014, I wrote down in my diary that I want to begin a journey to joy. I had enough, I need to be happy or this life is not worth living." (24:52, 27:26)
• Describes the turning point of recognizing stress as the real illness, not external threats.
• He now schedules regular retreats and meditation to stay grounded and disentangle his sense of self from public achievement and validation.

5. Success vs. Fulfillment: What Really Makes Us Happy? (32:08 – 37:28)

• Chude asserts unequivocally that financial or material success does not make you happy—something both ancient and modern wisdom agree on.
  • Quote:
    "Economic success will not make you happy. There’s a consensus." (32:13)
• True peace comes from self-acceptance and contentment—being at peace with yourself, even if you never get what you want.
• The root of why self-acceptance is so hard: evolutionary negativity bias, cultural scarcity, and learned survival instincts.

6. Business, Partnerships, and People (38:12 – 53:35)

• On building Red Media and a 20-year business partnership: Deep ontological respect and complementary talents are non-negotiable for successful partnerships.
  • Quote:
    "You have to respect the person for who they are before they’ve achieved anything." (40:39)
• Poverty and “scarcity culture” make trust and partnerships especially hard for Africans, creating a cycle of fear and suspicion.
• The solution? Cultivate trust, build processes and strong structures, and focus on people as the biggest asset.
  • Quote:
    "People can be your most important asset. Take your time to find the right persons and to put a square peg in a square hole is the greatest hack in any business." (50:18)

7. Investment and Wealth Strategy (53:49 – 56:36)

• Chude has learned to invest primarily in his circle of competence—his own core businesses—rather than speculative ventures.
  • Quote:
    "Investing in my core business and staying within my circle of competence has been huge for me…80% of my personal financial investment are in Red and Joy Inc.” (53:49)
• Dispels the myth that diversification is always best, highlighting research showing the compounding power of focus.

8. Fulfillment, Identity, and Societal Pressures (56:42 – 72:22)

• Explains “ataraxia”—Greek for deep inner peace—versus the fleeting satisfaction of achievement.
• Argues that societal pressures in Africa enforce conformity, stifle joy, and discourage individuality.
  • Quote:
    "There is no one way to be a human being…We need rebels. We need weirdos. We need people who say 'no'." (68:59)
• The importance of honoring all roles in society, not just the visibly “successful.”
• The true dark side of success is the unending risk to joy and the tendency to attach identity to external validation.

9. Depression, Loneliness, and Resilience (61:04 – 64:24)

• He expands on the literal meaning of his book, “How Depression Saved My Life”—his lowest point led him to reshape his life, return to Africa, and find his mission.
  • Quote:
    “If I hadn’t gotten depressed, I wouldn’t have started my show…literally…depression saved my life.” (61:17)
• Distinguishes between loneliness and “aloneness”—the former being painful; the latter, chosen and joyful with self-acceptance.

10. The Role of Luck (65:54 – 67:47)

• Chude repeatedly credits luck (or grace, as it's called in African society) for key turning points.
• Emphasizes that it’s not about ignoring hard work, but recognizing and maximizing “return on luck.”
  • Quote:
    "Luck doesn’t mean you didn’t work hard. Luck means return on luck is how do you work hard when you get lucky." (66:23)
• Advises preparedness and humility in the face of serendipity.

11. Principles, Advice, and Final Thoughts (68:01 – 72:22)

• On discipline vs. motivation: “Discipline. More than that.” (68:13)
• Best advice ever received:
  • "Today is not tomorrow." — from Obiagelia, former World Bank VP (68:24)
• Guidance for young people:
  • "There is no one way to be a human being…The beauty of being a human being is our constant ability to choose the path we want to take." (68:59)
• On real self-affirmation: Rejecting expectation to dance to your own beat is the ultimate joy.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Those things don’t matter as much as what they do do for you. There’s the is-ness of things, which is what makes the cup useful to your life." — Chude (03:07)
• "Because my mobility…was limited, my mind traveled far and my mind imagined what it would be like to travel, to own things, to dominate." (09:49)
• "If I was going to live a boring life at 19 and have no high blood pressure…or live the life I’ve lived and have the high blood pressure—I’d choose the life I have now." (19:51)
• "Economic success will not make you happy. There’s a consensus." (32:13)
• "People can be your most important asset. Take your time to find the right persons and to put a square peg in a square hole is the greatest hack in any business." (50:18)
• "Investing in my core business and staying within my circle of competence has been huge for me." (53:49)
• "There is no one way to be a human being…We need rebels. We need weirdos. We need people who say 'no'." (68:59)
• "Today is not tomorrow." — Advice from Obiagelia (68:24)

Memorable Moments

• Chude’s emotional reflection upon seeing an old photo, realizing how overwork aged him and how neglecting self-care was intertwined with ambition (22:03)
• The diary moment (“Journey to Joy”) marking his intentional pivot towards self-acceptance and joy (24:52, 27:26)
• The literal life-or-death crossroads when stress and depression almost cost him everything, and how luck/grace intervened (61:04–64:24)
• Openly crediting his mother’s feminism and drive as foundational, and demystifying the taboo around “luck” in personal success (11:22, 66:04)
• Advocating for individuality and breaking the culture of conformity in Africa, with references to global figures like Donald Trump and Barack Obama as unconventional "path-pickers" (70:12–71:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–03:07 — Opening stories, introduction of themes
• 03:07–07:55 — Chude’s perspective on success and meaning
• 08:04–17:08 — Childhood, drive, impact of parents
• 19:43–27:26 — Pressure, burnout, health crisis, pivot
• 32:08–37:28 — Success vs. happiness, self-acceptance
• 38:12–53:35 — Business partnerships, trust, people as assets
• 53:49–56:36 — Investment philosophy
• 56:42–72:22 — Fulfillment, societal pressure, loneliness, luck, advice
• 68:01–71:40 — Core life advice and living authentically

Conclusion

This episode transcends traditional entrepreneurship talk by weaving together personal vulnerability, social commentary, and actionable wisdom. Chude Jideonwo’s life experience offers a compelling testament: money can upgrade your problems, but only intentional self-acceptance, strong structures, and deep respect for others upgrade your happiness. The journey to joy is not about acquisition, but about authenticity, discipline, and the courage to walk your own path—no matter what others say.

Recommended: For listeners who want to better understand the complex, often-hidden trade-offs of success, or anyone struggling to balance achievement with inner peace.