And We’re Rolling — Steph Hunt with Folly Bah Thibault
transcript
Steph Hunt:
Okay, Folly, this is so much fun. Welcome, welcome, welcome.
Folly Bah Thibault:
Thank you, Stephanie, for having me on. It’s a pleasure.
Steph:
Before we jump in, I just want to ask — are you okay? How are you coping during this horrible pandemic?
Folly:
We are okay. We’re safe and we’re healthy, and that’s the most important thing, I guess. And I’m grateful for that.
But I have to say, Stephanie, that the last year and a half has been an extremely challenging one for me as a working mother.
I don’t think I ever remember being this stressed — even after having had to return to work after maternity leave — because I’ve continued to work full-time throughout the pandemic, physically going into the office to present the news, while at the same time dealing with homeschooling.
Three children. I have three boys.
So it’s been rough.
I’ve cried many times over the last 18 months, not knowing how to make it all work, how to balance it all.
You receive voice messages while on air from the kids about the Zoom link to class not working, the iPad not being fully charged, not understanding the maths exercise.
So it’s been nonstop.
And last year actually, I asked to be switched to overnight and early morning presenting shifts so I could rush home afterward to help the kids with schoolwork.
That wasn’t a great idea in hindsight — trying to explain fractions or the French Revolution after having worked an overnight shift and not having slept at all.
So it’s been tough.
But I’m still lucky and blessed because my kids get to learn, even from home, which is not the case for many children around the world.
Many don’t have access to computers for distance learning. Some don’t even have access to electricity.
This crisis has touched all of us.
And women, especially, have borne the brunt of it — juggling household and workplace duties.
I recently interviewed UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who painted a bleak picture of women’s rights and gender equality because of this pandemic.
Many women have been driven out of the workforce to care for their families.
The UN estimates 47 million women will be pushed into extreme poverty.
It’s affected us all, no matter where we live or what our circumstances are.
And for those of us who are better off, it’s worth remembering to be grateful.
Career Beginnings
Steph:
Can we start with your very impressive career? Tell me about your first big break as a presenter.
Folly:
My journalism career began 20 years ago in Washington, DC.
I went to Howard University, where I got my bachelor’s degree, and then American University, where I earned a master’s in international communication.
After graduating, I interned at Voice of America radio.
I was literally opening letters and serving tea and coffee.
Then one day, the presenter who read viewers’ letters called in sick.
There was no one else.
They pulled me in and told me:
“You have to do it.”
I did it.
They liked my voice and thought I had a great radio voice, so they asked me to keep doing it.
The show was called The Missing Link, helping reunite families separated by the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
That’s when I fell in love with radio — and with the power of our voices as journalists.
Falling Into TV
Later I was freelancing in Paris when France 24 was launching.
I applied as a producer.
At the interview, they asked if I wanted to do a screen test as a presenter.
I said, “Why not?”
It went really well.
But before the third interview, I found out I was pregnant with my first son.
I panicked.
I thought:
“No one is going to hire a pregnant presenter.”
But I decided to tell them.
I could see the disappointment on their faces.
A month later, they called and offered me the job.
I was stunned.
That’s why my son Noah is my lucky star.
And I always tell women:
Having a family does not mean your career is over.
It can work.
Confidence & Imposter Syndrome
Steph:
You always seem so confident on air. Does that come naturally?
Folly:
It’s a front.
Confidence is something you work on.
Even after 20 years, I still doubt myself.
That self-doubt can actually be healthy. It keeps you grounded.
One huge moment was in 2016, when I co-hosted the first-ever UN Secretary-General candidates debate in New York.
I was on holiday with my family at Disney when Al Jazeera called and told me I’d be hosting it with James Bays, our diplomatic editor.
I completely freaked out.
I spent ten days in panic, studying every candidate.
On the day, standing in the middle of the UN General Assembly Hall, I was shaking and sweating, thinking:
“What the hell am I doing here?”
When they said, “You’re live,” my voice shook.
But then instinct takes over.
You just do it.
And it turned out to be a great show.
That experience gave me confidence.
Prejudice & Being Taken Seriously
As a woman of colour, yes, you face prejudice.
I once did a screen test in France and was told I was too young — and that being Black wasn’t helpful because their audience was mostly white.
Experiences like that stay with you.
Even now, interviewing presidents, some initially underestimate me.
They see a young-looking woman and let their guard down.
And I use that to my advantage.
I prepare relentlessly so they realise quickly:
I’m not here to play.
Interviewing Tips
Preparation matters.
You must research deeply.
Watch past interviews.
Know your subject.
But also — and this is crucial — listen.
A great interviewer is first and foremost a great listener.
If you just read through a prepared list, you’ll miss the interview that’s actually unfolding in front of you.
Sometimes the best questions come from abandoning your notes.
Advice for Women Finding Their Voice
Everyone has something important to say.
Ask yourself:
Why does your voice matter?
Why is what you’re saying worth overcoming your nerves?
Because by speaking up, you may help someone without even realising it.
Write down what you want to say.
Record yourself.
Watch yourself back.
Improve bit by bit.
I still watch my broadcasts to improve body language, tone, everything.
You’re always learning.
On-Air Disaster Moments
Steph:
Any shocking on-camera moments?
Folly:
So many.
One was interviewing Akon in Dubai while secretly three months pregnant with terrible morning sickness.
I thought I was going to throw up on him the whole time.
But somehow I held it together.
That interview now has millions of YouTube views.
Another was covering Osama bin Laden’s death live for five straight hours while pregnant with my second child.
Apparently pregnancy and live television are a recurring theme in my life.
Stress & Self-Care
Steph:
How do you switch off?
Folly:
Honestly? I love being busy.
I’m a workaholic.
I do enjoy little things — massages, manicures — but I genuinely thrive on work.
I love what I do.
Her Mother & Advocacy for Girls’ Education
I grew up in Guinea and Kenya, one of five daughters.
In our culture, girls were often not seen as valuable.
People felt sorry for my mother for having only daughters.
So she made it her mission to prove them wrong.
She gave up her own career as a chemical engineer to prioritise our education.
That education changed our lives.
Because in Guinea, many girls are married before 18, or forced out of school.
That’s why my family and I created Elira Alikol Foundation (“She Must Go to School”), in memory of my late sister Kesso, who died tragically in 2014.
We help girls from disadvantaged families stay in school, stay fed, and stay safe.
For me, success only has meaning if I give back.
Closing
Steph:
Folly, you are so inspiring. You’re fabulous.
Thank you so much for joining us today.
Folly:
Thank you, Stephanie. This was great.
