We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Malachi J. Stewart. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Malachi J. below.
Malachi J. , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
For a long time, I couldn’t stand the sound of my own voice.
I remember being a kid and dreading public speaking assignments — not because I didn’t know what to say, but because I couldn’t bear to hear myself say it. The moment my voice echoed through the room, I’d freeze. My throat would tighten, my eyes would water, and I’d pray for the ground to swallow me whole.
Even in college, when we had to record speeches for public speaking class, I’d cringe pressing play. My voice sounded foreign to me — too high, too soft, too uncertain. I convinced myself it was a flaw. I didn’t realize then that I was rehearsing for my purpose.
It’s funny how life has a way of making you confront the very thing you try to silence. My voice — the thing I once despised — became the foundation of everything I do. I learned to adapt it to storytelling through podcasting, to advocacy through public health, and to empowerment through radio. Every episode, every campaign, every on-air moment became an act of reclamation.
Over time, my voice stopped sounding like something to be ashamed of — it started to sound like me. And with that came confidence, not because I finally “fixed” something, but because I learned to honor the sound of my own truth.
Now, whether I’m behind a mic, on stage, or speaking to someone one-on-one, I carry that same intention: to speak life, to speak light, and to remind others that their power often lives in the parts of themselves they once tried to hide.
That’s how I found my confidence — by realizing that my voice was never the problem. It was the proof.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At my core, I’m a storyteller — whether that’s through advocacy, media, or personal style.
For over a decade, I’ve worked at the intersection of public health and community storytelling, using my platform to amplify the voices of those too often silenced or unseen. My work has taken many forms — from leading panels and moderating national conversations about equity and wellness, to hosting events and podcast episodes that bridge awareness with empathy. I’ve always believed that storytelling isn’t just about being heard — it’s about creating belonging.
As a health advocate, I’ve made it my mission to humanize data by centering real people — their challenges, their resilience, and their brilliance. Whether I’m behind a mic on the radio, curating a live conversation, or developing campaigns, my focus is on turning stories into catalysts for healing and change.
Most recently, I launched a new social media page — @MalachiJStewart on TikTok — where I approach fashion through the lens of confidence coaching. For years, people have complimented my style and said, “I wish I could pull that off.” That phrase stuck with me. It reminded me how often we let self-doubt silence our self-expression. So, I started creating fashion content not just to help people dress up — but to help them build up from the inside out.
My goal is to help people see that confidence isn’t about the clothes — it’s about the courage to show up as yourself. Fashion, for me, is another form of storytelling — a way to wear your truth out loud.
What excites me most right now is merging my love for advocacy, storytelling, and self-expression into one ecosystem that uplifts others — from the communities I’ve served for years in public health to the individuals discovering their confidence through style. Every space I enter, I’m guided by the same mission: to help people see that they are enough, exactly as they are — and that their story, voice, and presence matter.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
If I had to name three qualities that shaped my journey, they’d be authenticity, vulnerability, and adaptability — not because I mastered them easily, but because I learned them through experience, trial, and a lot of humility.
Authenticity taught me that alignment matters more than approval. Early in my career, I tried to fit into spaces that weren’t built with me in mind — until I realized my power was in showing up as I am. The moment I stopped performing and started being, doors opened that I didn’t have to force. My advice: don’t chase relatability, chase realness. People connect with your truth, not your polish.
Vulnerability taught me to see strength differently. For years, I thought being strong meant being unshakable. But real strength is letting yourself feel — the joy, the fear, the grief — and still choosing to keep going. When I began sharing my own story, especially in advocacy and media spaces, I found that my openness gave others permission to be human, too. If you want to build trust, start with honesty.
And adaptability — that’s been the anchor through every shift, loss, and reinvention. Whether I was transitioning from nonprofit work to radio, or from advocacy to creative storytelling, I learned that change doesn’t erase you — it refines you. The world is constantly moving, and your ability to pivot while staying grounded in purpose is what sustains you.
For anyone early in their journey:
Be yourself, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Be open, even when it’s scary.
And be flexible, even when the plan falls apart — because sometimes, that’s how your purpose expands.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I pause — not out of defeat, but out of respect for myself.
I’ve learned that the only way to show up authentically in the world is to be authentic with myself first. That means creating spaciousness — the kind that allows me to breathe, to feel, and to listen to what my spirit is trying to say beneath the noise.
Instead of rushing through the discomfort, I lean into it with childlike curiosity. I ask myself why I feel what I feel, but I withhold judgment for the answers that come up. Sometimes the truth is tender. Sometimes it’s inconvenient. But it’s always sacred.
I think of it like a cup: what’s in my cup is just for me — my peace, my joy, my restoration. What overflows from that cup is what I give to my passions, my projects, and the people I care about. The moment I start giving from what’s inside the cup instead of the overflow, I know I need to pause and pour back into myself.
My advice? Give yourself permission to rest before you break. Take time to listen to yourself with compassion. And remember that refilling your own cup isn’t selfish — it’s how you sustain your light long enough to share it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malachijstewart?igsh=MWNvOGpxbnJzczR1cQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malachi-stewart-3188a676?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: KaiOnTheMicTv
- Other: TikTok: MalachiJStewart
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