Milena Sanchez Discusses Solo Path Following Exit from Prominent UK Podcast

Just over a year ago, Milena Sanchez abruptly departed from one of the UK’s most successful podcasts, a separation that reportedly surprised many, including her co-hosts. For seven years, she had collaborated with Audrey Indome and Tolani Shoneye to build The Receipts, accumulating over 100,000 weekly listeners. Speaking with BBC Newsbeat, Milena, 33, explained that her decision to leave was difficult, but her mental health had deteriorated to a point where she could no longer continue. She stated, “It wasn’t one I took lightly – even though it might have seemed like that.” Audrey and Tolani indicated in January that Milena’s exit caught them off guard, though Milena claimed it stemmed from a rift that had persisted for years. There were also unconfirmed rumors, denied by the podcasters, that Milena was subjected to bullying and pressured to leave the group. Milena told Newsbeat, “Ultimately, I had to be true to who I was and remove myself from that space.” The Receipts, which commenced in 2016 and secured a lucrative exclusive deal with Spotify in 2019, currently attracts approximately 100,000 weekly listeners on Spotify. Milena commented, “Financially, I could’ve shut my mouth and stayed and collected the bag.” However, she added, “But for me, it’s not about that. It meant more to me – my mental health, my integrity and who I am as a person, and to not sell something that wasn’t true.” She acknowledged the challenge, particularly as she has a daughter who depends on her. Milena revealed that her daughter, who was one year old when The Receipts launched and is now almost 10, helped her find the courage to quit. Milena stated, “I really had to sit down with myself and ask, if my daughter came to me with the same predicament, what would be my response to her?” She continued, “My response wouldn’t be to stay somewhere just because of money. It would just be, ‘choose yourself’.” She emphasized, “You only live once and I know it sounds so clichéd, but you can’t be stuck in a space where you just don’t feel happy.” Milena described the year since leaving The Receipts as a “whirlwind.” She explained that she moved from London to the countryside to pursue music and writing, but subsequently realized she missed podcasting. Milena stated, “There’s been a lot of reflecting, a lot of self-analysing.” She concluded, “Ultimately I had to say to myself: I love speaking, my voice is very needed.” Milena disclosed that she had to overcome considerable self-doubt before launching her own solo podcast. She admitted, “I was scared to put this podcast out.” She elaborated, “I felt like I’m just going to be in my home talking. It doesn’t feel big enough, it doesn’t feel glitzy enough.” However, Milena recounted telling herself, “But it doesn’t matter where it’s coming from. You started from from the ground before, so let’s go again.” Since the launch of her solo project, Milena’s Diary, at the end of September, she has been “overwhelmed” by the public’s response. She stated, “It reminded me, ‘this is why you are here. This is your purpose’.” Nevertheless, she acknowledged that “it was very difficult to start again from the ground up,” noting a distinct change of pace from The Receipts. There, she explained, “I had a team. We had production, we had social media people, somebody that edited the podcasts.” She added, “All I had to do was turn up and talk and that’s it.” In contrast, she now handles all tasks herself, describing it as being “a one-man band.” The transition from being one of three interactive presenters has been a “hard” adjustment. She commented, “I really do enjoy being on episodes with other people because you do bounce back, there’s other stories that are triggered in your mind and it’s nice.” However, she also believes that “having that time alone to self-reflect and to just talk is also very important.” Milena views her podcast as “therapy” and reports feeling more authentically herself than ever before. Over the past year, she has also released music that delves into her Colombian heritage and queer identity. She affirmed, “My culture is so ingrained in me, even though I was born in London.” She continued, “And I’m a queer woman so I’m going to talk on that openly and very proudly.” Reflecting on the past year, Milena stated, “I feel so much happier.” She added, “I am in a space where I have done so much work on myself, so much self-reflection and taking accountability for things I don’t think that I would’ve a couple of years back.” She expressed, “I’m just so grateful to myself for making the decisions I have made.” Despite earlier public statements this year, Milena conveyed that she wishes only the best for her former co-hosts, Tolani and Audrey, who have continued The Receipts as a duo. She affirmed, “I always wish the girls the absolute best.” She concluded, “And they’re doing really well.”