CNN’s Visionaries has wrapped up its latest season, and if the final two interviews are anything to go by, it concluded on an undeniably powerful note. This season has consistently shone a light on individuals who aren’t just successful, but who actively reshape their industries and leave a lasting impact. The featured trailblazers, ranging from athletic icons like Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles to influential business leaders such as Indra Nooyi and Kristine Tompkins, have offered compelling insights into their journeys.
The final installment, however, felt particularly resonant, pairing Senior Investigative Correspondent Kyung Lah with the groundbreaking chef Dominique Crenn, and International Correspondent Larry Madowo with the formidable media mogul Mo Abudu. These two conversations, while vastly different in their focus, shared a common thread of resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to breaking barriers.
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Dominique Crenn’s story is one of unexpected turns and profound strength. Lah’s interview beautifully navigates Crenn’s initial aspirations beyond the culinary world, her eventual embrace of her passion in San Francisco, and the meteoric rise of Atelier Crenn to its three Michelin star status. What makes Crenn’s narrative truly captivating, however, is the raw honesty with which she discusses the personal storms she weathered – battling breast cancer and grieving the loss of her mother. The interview underscores how these experiences, rather than hindering her, seem to have further infused her culinary artistry with a deeper sense of purpose, rooted in “resilience, love, and creativity.” It’s a reminder that vulnerability can be a powerful catalyst for innovation and connection.
See more from CNN’s Visionaries:
https://edition.cnn.com/world/visionaries
Another CNN’s Visionaries feature is with Mo Abudu. Switching gears, Larry Madowo’s conversation with Mo Abudu is a masterclass in ambition and the power of representation. Abudu’s journey from a corporate career to the founder of the EbonyLife Group is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up in London, she recognized the glaring lack of authentic portrayals of African life on screen, a void she fearlessly set out to fill. Madowo expertly draws out Abudu’s unwavering vision to amplify African voices and tackle challenging societal narratives. The meteoric rise of EbonyLife Films, culminating in a historic multi-project deal with Netflix, speaks volumes about Abudu’s tenacity and the global appetite for the stories she champions. Her ambition to distribute Nigerian and African media worldwide isn’t just about business; it’s about cultural impact and ensuring these narratives reach a global audience.
What makes CNN’s Visionaries such a compelling series, and this finale particularly strong, is its ability to delve beyond surface-level success. It explores the “why” behind the achievements, the obstacles overcome, and the driving forces that propel these individuals forward. Lah and Madowo are skilled interviewers, creating spaces for genuine reflection and allowing the visionaries to articulate their philosophies and motivations with clarity and passion.
This season of CNN’s Visionaries, and especially its concluding episodes, serves as a powerful reminder that true visionaries are not just dreamers, but individuals who possess the courage, resilience, and unwavering belief in their purpose to turn those dreams into reality, often against significant odds. If you missed this season, particularly the insightful conversations with Dominique Crenn and Mo Abudu, it’s worth seeking out. It’s a dose of inspiration that lingers long after the credits roll.
CNN’s Visionaries airs on CNN International on Saturday 3rd May 2025
at 1:30pm and 6:30pm HKT
The show also airs at the following times:
Sunday 4th May at 9:30am HKT
Monday 5th May at 1:30am HKT
With a lifelong passion for storytelling and a particular focus on the diverse cultures of Asia and the ASEAN region, Monica delves beyond the surface of films and music. She seeks out the productions that spark conversations, challenge perspectives, and offer profound insights into the human condition. She’ll guide you through the societal commentaries and the sheer brilliance of performances that make the Asian and ASEAN landscape so compelling.