Awino Awiti is a multifaceted creative, known for her work as a podcaster, digital strategist, and graphic designer. As the host of the Unspoken podcast, she has built a platform dedicated to self-development, mental health, and personal growth. Her journey into podcasting was born out of both passion and necessity, a path that has since evolved into a full-fledged brand.
Long before she ventured into podcasting, Awiti had a deep love for content creation. Her journey began in her early university years when she was just 18. Armed with a tripod and a keen eye for aesthetics, she started capturing and editing photos and videos, sharing them on Instagram. To her, content creation was an extension of art—something she had been passionate about for years.
Her love for the arts traces back to her high school days, where she actively participated in theater, acting, and dancing. She developed a strong affinity for storytelling and performance, which eventually influenced her decision to pursue a degree in Drama and Theatre Studies at Marcello University. Acting had always been her dream, and her time on stage strengthened her ability to express herself creatively.
Beyond performing, Awiti was a natural storyteller. In high school, she was known for her ability to bring stories to life, often imitating characters from set books and entertaining her classmates. Her talent, however, often got her into trouble, as her storytelling skills made her a notorious noise-maker in class. Yet, these experiences unknowingly shaped the path she would later take in content creation.
Awiti’s journey into podcasting was not accidental—it was an evolution of her storytelling abilities. While studying at Maseno University, she took a course in radio drama during her third year. The unit emphasized storytelling in an engaging and immersive way, which resonated deeply with her.
By then, she had already developed an interest in radio and had joined the university’s Equator Station as a radio host. Her experience in broadcasting, combined with her theater background, made podcasting a natural transition. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal life in 2020, she found herself searching for a creative outlet. A friend suggested she start a podcast, noting its similarities to radio. Intrigued by the idea, she took the plunge, launching Unspoken on April 30, 2020.
What started as a personal project soon grew into something much bigger. Initially, the podcast served as a space for her to process her thoughts and experiences, particularly regarding mental health—something she had unknowingly struggled with. Over time, Unspoken became a platform where she could connect with others, offering a safe space for conversations that are often overlooked.
Awiti’s journey has been marked by several pivotal moments, the first being her decision to take podcasting seriously after graduating. Initially, she experimented with different names, beginning with Midnight Tales, a reflection of her late-night storytelling sessions. Later, she rebranded to The Gangster Edition, a title that mirrored the phase she was going through at the time.
However, it was when she settled on Unspoken that she truly found the heart of her podcast. The name was deeply personal, representing the emotions and thoughts she had struggled to articulate during a difficult period in her life. The podcast became an outlet for her “unspoken” feelings—things she had kept bottled up but needed to express.
Another defining moment in her career was her first high school tour as a podcaster. Returning to Kisumu Girls’ High School, her alma mater, was a full-circle moment. While in high school, she had not been a top student nor a model of discipline, often finding herself swayed by peer pressure. Standing on the podium years later, not as a student but as a guest speaker, was a powerful experience.
For her, the visit was about more than just podcasting—it was about giving back, sharing lessons she wished she had learned earlier, and using her platform to inspire others. The realization that her journey had come full circle, from being a student searching for direction to being someone who could guide others, was profoundly impactful.
Perhaps one of the most defining moments of Awiti’s career came in September 2023 when she won the Africa Podcast and Voice Award (APVA)—a prestigious continental recognition. As the youngest nominee in her category, Awiti was nominated alongside established names from Nigeria, South Africa, and other parts of Africa. Initially, she doubted her chances, thinking of herself as just “a little girl from Kisumu.” Yet, against the odds, she emerged victorious.
Her excitement was palpable, especially since it was her first nomination. Awiti rallied her friends, family, and followers, mobilizing them to vote in support of her podcast. She describes the experience as humbling and surreal, but the win was more than just an award—it became a symbol of her commitment to her craft.
Winning this award, she reflects, was a moment that solidified her belief that Unspoken was no passing phase. It was a lifetime commitment to her audience and her purpose. The recognition reinforced her resolve never to give up, no matter the challenges or setbacks she faced. The award was not just a trophy but a reminder of how far she had come and how much further she could go.
Beyond APVA, she has also been recognized with accolades such as Podcast Art of the Year and Personal Development Podcast of the Year. These honors have been more than just trophies; they have served as validation that she is on the right path. For Awiti, being recognized for doing what she loves is both humbling and motivating.
Like many content creators, she has faced moments of exhaustion, burnout, and creative blocks. At times, the pressure to constantly create can feel overwhelming. However, when she looks at the awards she has received, she sees a reminder of why she started. Each trophy is a testament to the impact of Unspoken—a push to keep going, even when doubt creeps in.
For Awiti, celebrating milestones is about reflecting on her journey and acknowledging the challenges she has overcome. She always begins by thanking God for bringing her this far. Every win is special, and she makes it a point to dedicate an episode of Unspoken to each milestone she achieves.
Winning awards has opened many doors for her, she notes. Recognition has allowed her to stand out in a crowded industry and has added significant weight to her professional portfolio. “From not being known to becoming an award-winning podcaster, it’s surreal,” Awiti reflects. “Whenever I propose a business idea or collaboration, I introduce myself through my wins. It gives me credibility and grabs attention.”
The recognition she has received has also allowed her to be in rooms she never thought she would enter. It has elevated her career trajectory, providing her with opportunities to collaborate with brands and businesses that value the work she does.
What truly sets Awiti apart from other content creators is her boundless energy and excitement. Her enthusiasm is evident in every episode of Unspoken, where her vibrant personality shines through as she shares her stories. It’s this infectious energy that draws listeners in and keeps them engaged throughout the episodes.
Additionally, the type of content she produces makes her podcast stand out. While there are various self-development podcasts globally, very few focus on this niche in Kenya. By addressing issues such as mental health and personal growth, Unspoken fills a gap in the local podcasting space, creating a platform where listeners can connect, learn, and grow together.
Awiti draws her inspiration from her own personal life experiences—both the triumphs and the struggles she has faced. She channels the lessons she has learned, as well as the highs and lows of her journey, into the content she creates. But it’s not just her own story that fuels her work; Awiti is deeply inspired by the stories of others as well. Whenever she interacts with people and hears their personal experiences, she finds a wellspring of inspiration.
This exchange of stories is reflected in a special segment of her podcast called What’s Your Unspoken Story? In this segment, Awiti provides a platform for others to share their narratives, believing that every individual has a story capable of inspiring and encouraging others. By giving people the space to speak openly about their experiences, she fosters a community of shared vulnerability and connection, reminding her audience that no one is ever truly alone in their journey.
The Unspoken podcast has become more than just a personal project for Awiti. It has evolved into a platform for growth, healing, and empowerment. By sharing her own struggles, she has connected with listeners who resonate with her experiences. Over time, this connection has allowed her to create a loyal and engaged audience.
As Awiti’s podcast has grown, so has its impact. It has become a space where individuals can feel understood, find solace, and be inspired to pursue their own self-development journeys. Through her authenticity and vulnerability, she has encouraged her listeners to reflect on their own lives and embrace their personal growth.
For Awiti, the most challenging aspect of creating content is the vulnerability that comes with sharing personal stories. Putting her experiences out into the world requires an openness that can be difficult at times. There’s always a fear that others may not relate to or understand her vulnerability. Another significant challenge she faces is finding an audience that truly resonates with her content, a constant hurdle for many content creators.
To keep her work evolving, Awiti structures Unspoken podcast in seasons. After each season, she takes a break, using that time to reflect, meditate, and research. This allows her to return with fresh ideas and perspectives, ensuring that the podcast continues to grow and improve with each new season.
One message that has really stuck with Awiti came from two listeners who reached out via Instagram, asking, “What happened to Unspoken? We miss it!” They thought the podcast had shut down, when in reality, it was just on a break. Awiti is often moved by such messages, especially when listeners share how an episode has impacted them, making them feel seen or inspired. These messages serve as a constant reminder of why she continues to create content and fuels her motivation to keep going.
Awiti acknowledges the intense pressure that comes with being a role model. However, she chooses to use it as motivation. This pressure pushes her to continually work on herself and strive to become a better person. She feels a sense of responsibility to her audience, believing that by improving herself, she sets an example that others can learn from and find value in.
Through Unspoken Podcast, Awiti contributes to societal change by focusing on self-development and mental health. She uses her platform to raise awareness about mental health, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and inner work. Her discussions encourage listeners to improve themselves and find their true purpose in life. For Awiti, it’s not only about helping others but also about her own personal journey of discovering her purpose.
Awiti’s main goal is to create impactful content that reaches a wider global audience. While she is aiming for more continental awards, she emphasizes that it’s not about the recognition. Her vision for Unspoken Podcast is to become the top podcast in Africa, sharing stories that resonate across the continent. She dreams of traveling across Africa to record more “unspoken stories,” focusing on the impact of these narratives rather than the accolades.
Awiti’s advice to new creators is simple: know your why. Understanding the reason behind your podcast or content creation is crucial, as starting for the wrong reasons will make it difficult to sustain your work. Secondly, she emphasizes the importance of finding your voice. In her early days of podcasting, she admits to not knowing who she was or what direction to take. She used to copy the styles of other podcasters, but once she discovered her authentic voice and focused on topics she was truly passionate about, her work took off.
The biggest lesson Awiti has learned as a creator is the importance of finding her voice. This authentic voice sets her apart from others, allowing her to discuss various topics in a way that is unique to her. By being true to herself, she’s able to create content that resonates with her audience and stands out in the crowded space of podcasting.
If Awiti could go back and give her younger self advice, it would be simple: “Just wait.” She reflects on the self-doubt she felt in her younger years, especially when starting the podcast. She was unsure and hesitant, often caught between being fully committed or not. Her advice to her younger self would be to stop stressing about the future and just take action. She believes that with time, everything will align as it’s meant to.
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