From Banter to Breakthrough: Eddie Kadi’s “Man Like You” Podcast Tackles Male Mental Health Head-On
What began as casual chats over a Nando’s between comedy mates has blossomed into a powerful platform for open conversation and vulnerability. Eddie Kadi’s podcasting venture, “Man Like You,” co-hosted with fellow comedians Mo Gilligan and Babatunde Aléshé, has evolved far beyond simple banter. Kadi describes it as a form of therapy for its hosts, declaring it “100 per cent” a male mental health podcast.
“More and more people like ourselves are having an impact in these spaces,” Kadi explains. “You see the comments online and they’ll say: ‘Thank you for letting us in, for being emotionally intelligent, it’s nice to see three guys opening up.’ I can be around my boys and we’re all hiding behind the Man United and Arsenal talk – and then everyone gets in their cars and cries. I wanted to be able to share a lot more about myself, but in a safe environment with my brothers.”
Kadi, Gilligan, and Aléshé crossed paths on the comedy circuit as they were each carving out their paths towards television and stand-up stardom. Success, Kadi insists, hasn’t led them to project an image of perfect lives. “There’s none of that hiding behind smoke and mirrors, we’re literally just saying, ‘This is who we are.’ We all do it, post happy moments online and there’s someone watching that going, ‘I wish my life was that perfect.’ I want to be able to say that, actually, I’ve had a lack of confidence, I’ve had dark days, I’ve had imposter syndrome. I’m like you.”
Navigating Imposter Syndrome and the Journey to Belonging
For men who haven’t had privileged backgrounds to ease their ascent to fame, topics like imposter syndrome frequently surface in their discussions. “You think, ‘What am I doing here? How did I get here? Maybe this is just by luck.’ But actually, I put the work in, I turned up, I delivered. You look at that journey and it shows that you belong where you are,” Kadi reflects.
Kadi, now 42, began his comedy career hosting showcases while attending Kingston University. He honed his skills at venues like Kojo’s Comedy Fun House in Bethnal Green, a vital launching pad for Black stand-up comedians. By 2006, he had earned the Best Newcomer award at the Black Entertainment Comedy Awards.
It was at The Sunday Show in Soho, where Gilligan was the compère, that Kadi first met him. “It was notorious for having the toughest audience, but the reason why that place was so hard was Mo. It was his fault. He made it difficult because he was so good,” Kadi recalls with a smile.
Recognising the talent of Aléshé and Kadi, Gilligan later invited them to perform at his arena stand-up show, “The Black British Takeover.” The show was a sell-out at London’s O2 Arena in 2021. “He always was a nice guy to be around, and he’s never changed. Mo will call you to remind you, ‘I’m on the journey. I want you guys to come along too,’” Kadi says, highlighting Gilligan’s consistent support.
From Reality TV to Representation: Kadi’s Broader Impact
Kadi himself has since graced some of the most prominent mainstream television shows. In 2023, he partnered with Karen Hauer on Strictly Come Dancing, and in November last year, he participated in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! “It changed my life, and not just in terms of work. Kudos to the people that brought us together because, the way everything is going in the country, we needed to showcase how it is very possible for people from different walks of life to all be thrown into this jungle and get along.”
However, the experience was far from easy. “I was most surprised by how long the days could be. I felt like I was out of the world, like I wasn’t connected to anything,” he admits. “I lost six-and-a-half kilos and it really was intense, but it’s an experience I wouldn’t exchange for anything.”
When the topic of unconscious bias on such shows arises, Kadi offers a considered perspective. The voting patterns on Strictly, I’m a Celeb…, and The Traitors have often seen contestants of colour eliminated early (Kadi himself was the second contestant to leave the jungle, following mixed-race presenter Alex Scott). “I’m someone who doesn’t deny that these things exist, but instead of the problem, let’s look at the solution,” he states. “For me, the solution is that the harder we work, the more it is possible to fill up new spaces, to represent.”
A Journey from Refugee to Role Model
Kadi’s own life story is a testament to resilience and achievement. Born in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he and his family arrived in London as refugees in 1992. “I came here at the age of nine and I was an asylum seeker. You grow up not knowing if you’re going to stay in the country, be part of the culture, but I’ve spent most of my life here, I’m a British citizen. I’ve shown my younger self that you can get to a stage where your voice is heard, and you can achieve anything.”
- “Man Like You” Podcast: Listen to and watch the podcast weekly on YouTube.
- Eddie Kadi’s Stand-Up: His show, ‘Let Me Land,’ is scheduled for May 8th at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre.
