An Interview With Podcast Host, Haleem Clift

At just 21 years old, Haleem Clift is on a mission to start speaking honestly on topics like mental health, toxic masculinity and unhealthy relationships. In his early teen years, Haleem struggled with his own mental health, and turned to using and dealing drugs, food, and pornography as coping mechanisms. Five years later, he’s clean, in a much better mental health space, and using his experiences to help others. We caught up with Haleem to discuss his podcast, Honesty Speaks, and his hopes for the future…

Hi Haleem, could you tell us a bit about you and your recently released podcast Honesty Speaks?
I’m a mixed-race 21 year old, born and raised in the U.K. I set up my podcast, Honesty Speaks, after finding my teenage years really difficult. I found that there weren't many people talking honestly about the issues I was struggling with. There were loads of ‘positivity’ and ‘self development’ podcasts, but I didn’t find any of them useful in the long-term. 

Honesty Speaks touches on a range of topics, from addiction to mental health to what it means to ‘be a man’. Why do you think these topics are important to discuss openly?
Because they have such a massive impact on our everyday lives. One in four people now will struggle with a mental health issue. If you aren’t that one in four, you will certainly know someone who is. The same applies to addiction. And what it means to ‘be a man’ doesn’t just affect men, but women too. How men show up and behave in the world affects more than themselves. These deep, and sometimes difficult topics affect all areas of our life. We often look at trying to resolve the symptoms, whether that be issues with our relationships, work, school, or health. However, most issues can be traced back to something much deeper than just the external ‘thing’. That’s why I think it’s important that we talk about these topics.

Has there been a topic or an interview that has been the hardest to talk about?
Talking about certain unhealthy methods - like food and pornography - which I have used to deal with my emotions has been the most difficult. But having a support network around you, and continuing to do the things that make you feel healthy and well, is super important. 

Have you faced any challenges in being so open?
I would say the main one is judgement from myself. Second guessing whether I should, or should not have said something, and how I might be judged for it. But my experience so far has been far different from what I thought it might be. I haven’t faced much backlash, or criticism, just in small amounts  by people being sarcastic, or making fun of my work. I think this is only natural when you are putting yourself out there, and often says more about the other person than it says about you. 

What has been the most rewarding part in being so open with your podcast?
The most rewarding part of the podcast is when I see someone out and about, and they tell me about the impact it’s had on their life. There is no feeling quite like it, and it makes all the difficulties of the job worth it! 

What message would you like young people to take away from Honesty Speaks?
That honesty really is the most important thing we can aspire towards. I try to talk about these difficult topics to show that there are many of us struggling with the same things. If you are reading this and are struggling in some area of your life, I want you to know that you are not alone. There have been many of us who have already walked the same path, and will be many in the future. Through being honest and sharing your true feelings, you can change and heal yourself, and can also help others in the process. Talking about how you feel doesn’t have to be in a public way, and I wouldn’t recommend it in the first instance. Opening up to someone you trust can feel hard, but it can be a great first step to changing things. Sitting side by side can be a way of making it feel less intense if you are feeling nervous. 

How did you get started creating a podcast and do you have any tips for young people looking to do something similar?
My first experience in podcasting was being a reporter on the NCS Youth Rising podcast. I found the experience super fun, and I learnt lots by interviewing various guests. I knew I wanted to set up my own podcast, but it felt like such a big task. I set a date on my calendar that I wanted to post the first episode on, which gave me something to work towards. I focused on an audio-only podcast, to make the already difficult task a bit easier. I then made a list of tasks, and got to work! 

You do lots of different things alongside your podcast! You’re a presenter, a writer, a spoken word poet…did these things come naturally or were they all things you knew you wanted to do?
They certainly weren’t things I knew I wanted to do. In school, the careers I was taught about didn’t include the type of one which I am now building. I think these ‘roles’ all came from a desire to do things which I love. As I started to do these things, more opportunities were put in my path. It was never really a conscious choice. The phrase, ‘follow your passion’ really does apply. 

Are there any other projects you are currently working on?
I am currently on the next step of my podcast, looking to find funding to turn it into a video podcast too. I am also doing a film festival run for three short films which I made earlier this year, in collaboration with a national mental health charity. Find out more on my website.

What’s a life quote you live by?
“How you do anything, is how you do everything.”