The Interview | Malala Yousafzai: "I did not know who I was"

Podcast: The Interview (BBC World Service)
Host: Madina Meishanu
Guest: Malala Yousafzai, global education campaigner
Date: October 12, 2025
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel laureate and global advocate for girls’ education. The discussion explores the profound impact of her teenage years, the aftermath of surviving an assassination attempt, the public and private pressures of her activism and fame, her journey with mental health, her evolving relationship with her mother, and her continued global efforts for girls' education—particularly in crisis zones like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Gaza. The interview offers rich personal insights and a rare look at Malala’s humanity behind the activism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Personal Cost and Complexities of Survival and Fame

• Malala’s self-definition in public eye vs. personal identity
  • She recalls being in a coma at 15 after the Taliban attack while the world celebrated her as a hero, but she was still trying to figure out her own identity.

    “I was still in an induced coma in hospital when the world was defining me as this brave, courageous young activist. But I was still 15 years old and I did not know who I was.” — Malala (03:30)

• Limits on personal expression due to global fame
  • Malala describes how public perception restricted her authentic self; she felt unable to have normal teenage experiences, particularly after moving to the UK.
• Fame’s impact on making friends
  • Forming friendships was difficult, as her peers often saw only her global image, not the person behind it.

2. Pursuit of Normalcy, Friendship, and Self-Discovery

• Loneliness in adolescence and drive to forge connections
  • Struggled through isolation in early school years, which drove her later efforts to make friends and seek “emotional growth” at university.

    “Friends also help you grow as a person. It is part of the emotional growth.” — Malala (04:29)

• Embracing hobbies and rebelliousness
  • Talks about playing golf, being “more of a reckless student,” and rediscovering parts of herself that fame once eclipsed.

3. Reflections in Her Upcoming Book

• Most personal reflections yet
  • In her forthcoming book, Finding My Way, Malala promises to share intimate aspects of her journey through loneliness, new experiences, mental health, and her evolution as a person—not just an activist.

    “This is, in a way, me reintroducing myself.” — Malala (06:22)

4. Mental Health: Recovery Beyond Physical Healing

• Seeking therapy years after trauma
  • She delayed therapy because she thought surviving her injuries was “enough,” but realized later the necessity of addressing psychological trauma.

    “If you heal from one bullet, like, you don’t need a conversation about therapy ... But many years later, I realized ... everything just got triggered and they all came back and it broke me down.” — Malala (07:07)

• Role of friends in encouraging therapy
  • Credits university friends for suggesting therapy and describes the ongoing process of confronting and processing trauma.

5. Family Dynamics and Cultural Tensions

• Challenging, evolving relationship with her mother
  • Growing up with a “very strict” mother rooted in conservative traditions and expectations, Malala now finds common ground and friendship with her.

    “My mom and I are becoming friends now. I think it’s still work in progress.” — Malala (08:40)

• Mother’s bravery contrasted with conservatism
  • Although strict, her mother has saved and empowered girls herself, exemplifying action over appearances.

6. Is It Worth It? Reconciling Past Trauma With Impact

• Struggle with wishing for her old life
  • Malala admits sometimes wishing she could return to her pre-fame life, but finds meaning in her ability to lead global movements and create change.

    “When I look at these incredible organizations ... then I’m like, you know, whatever the circumstances, this pathway is rewarding. And I do not want to look back.” — Malala (11:26)

7. Enduring Inspiration: Girls’ Determination Worldwide

• Global encounters feed her hope
  • Stories of resilience from girls affected by conflict, from Nigeria’s Boko Haram survivors to Palestinian refugees, remain her biggest motivation.

    “Girls are my hope. They are my inspiration.” — Malala (12:16)

8. Activism vs. Politics: What Drives Her?

• Firmly identifies as an activist, not a politician
  • Malala defines her mission not in political terms, but as advocacy for safety, opportunities, and education for girls—highlighting the interconnectedness of education, peace, and human rights.

9. On Gaza and Global Humanitarianism

• Candidly addresses the scale of crisis and limits of aid
  • Emphasizes continued action—even when it feels insufficient—and highlights the importance of elevating Palestinian voices and supporting local efforts, especially around mental health and trauma care.

    “For as long as we witness a genocide happening in Gaza, everything we’re doing is not enough. But I do believe that we should be doing what we can.” — Malala (16:50)

10. Taliban Resurgence and Women’s Rights

• Connects Afghan women’s rights to global equality
  • Stresses the importance of international solidarity, the dangers of Taliban influence returning to Pakistan, and the need for global commitments to act rather than merely condemn.

    “Women’s rights in Afghanistan should be treated as an issue of women’s rights everywhere.” — Malala (18:28)

• Praises Afghan women’s unstoppable activism
  • Highlights underground education initiatives and calls for the recognition of “gender apartheid” as a legal concept for international accountability.

11. Barriers to Girls’ Education and Holistic Solutions

• Local activism is key
  • Points to complex, location-specific obstacles (poverty, child marriage, lack of facilities) and the necessity of nuanced, community-based approaches.
  • Advocates for “re-enrollment” programs for girls who drop out, especially teenage mothers, and urges investment in infrastructure, quality teaching, and hygiene.

    “Education for girls is actually connected to everything that we are talking about ... One of the best investments in the future of a country, the future of the world.” — Malala (21:03, echoed from intro at 02:46)

12. Book Bans and the Threat of Empowerment

• Examines why education is so often threatened or restricted
  • States that controlling education turns it into indoctrination, and underscores the societal imperative of critical and independent thought.

    “When education is controlled ... I don’t think it remains education anymore. It becomes indoctrination.” — Malala (24:03)

  • Reminds listeners of the global challenge: 120 million girls out of school.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On finding herself amid tragedy:

  “I was still 15 years old and I did not know who I was.” — Malala (03:30)

• On the meaning of activism:

  “Activism is my lifelong mission ... But there’s always more to a person than just that. And, yeah, you know, it’s like, you know, you in the end are a human just like anybody else.” — Malala (03:30)

• On the impact of her work:

  “Whatever the circumstances, this pathway is rewarding. And I do not want to look back ... because of the change that today we can make for girls.” — Malala (11:26)

• On book bans and the power of education:

  “When education is controlled, or when books get banned ... it becomes indoctrination.” — Malala (24:03)

• On the importance of girls’ education for societal progress:

  “People do not understand that education for girls is actually connected to everything that we are talking about right now ... We cannot talk about all of these issues without talking about girls education.” — Malala (02:46/21:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Malala’s personal struggle for identity: (03:30)
• Challenges of making friends in the UK: (04:29–05:22)
• On Finding My Way (new book): (06:12)
• Journey with therapy and mental health: (07:07)
• Relationship with her mother: (08:40–10:18)
• Is her journey “worth it”?: (11:26)
• Motivation from girls around the world: (12:16)
• Role as activist, not politician: (15:39)
• On Gaza and impact of humanitarian efforts: (16:50)
• Taliban return and global implications: (18:28)
• Barriers to education and holistic solutions: (21:03)
• On book bans and critical thinking: (24:03)

Tone and Style

Throughout the conversation, Malala is open, honest, and deeply reflective. She blends her signature clarity and gravity with touches of humor, particularly when discussing friendships, her mother, and her not-so-serious side. The host, Madina Meishanu, maintains a warm, thoughtful tone, inviting Malala to share both her public mission and private joys and struggles, adding warmth and relatability to the global icon’s portrait.

This summary provides a comprehensive and engaging guide for anyone interested in understanding Malala Yousafzai’s activism, her personal journey, and the critical global issues she champions, as discussed in the BBC World Service’s The Interview.