Posts tagged BlackNomads
아프리카 디아스포라의 이야기| The One with Ms. Kemi Seriki – On Stories from Africans in the Diaspora: Episode 1 (2023)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Ms. Kemi Seriki – On Stories from Africans in the Diaspora

It’s Black History Month on this side of the pond. Though we get the shortest month in the year we gon’ make it loud and long. And what better way to do this than having a chat with a Nigerian who’s passionate about pan-African relationships and has made it her life work to close the social distance between our cousins (Blacks abroad) and us? I chatted with Ms. Kemi Seriki of the Pánsá Pánsá Forum, a Nigerian immigrant of Yoruba ethnic diversity.

We talked about life in the diaspora, staying connected to the Motherland, negotiating national, ethnic, and racial identities as Black immigrants, improving race relations with native-born Blacks and other communities, and so much more.

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우리 아버지의 일생| The One With Jirade Bepo - On Baba: Fatherhood and Sacrifice: Episode 11 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One With Jirade Bepo - On Baba: Fatherhood and Sacrifice

Jirade has been on the show before and it’s great to have her again! In honor of Father’s Day, June 19, we invited Jirade to share with us the warm and inspirational relationship she had with her father. Baba, as everyone fondly called him, died a few weeks before we recorded this episode, while they were planning for his 79th birthday. It was a deep loss for everyone who knew Baba, who was loving, large-hearted, full of life, and loved the people in his life.

In this episode, Jirade shares about the kind of father Baba was, and the sacrifices he made, Including some warm memories.

We found her stories about her memories of Baba’s values and character very inspiring and emotional: you need to hear her tell them in her own voice.

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사랑과 상실| The One With Von Apochi - On Love and Loss: Episode 9 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents:

사랑과 상실| The One With Von Apochi - On Love and Loss: Episode 9 (2022)

In today’s episode, Ayomide and I interviewed my dear friend, Von Apochi. He is currently living in the US and is president of the SabiWaka Natural Company. He is also a business analyst in a top financial firm and an entertainer. He is proudly African, loves diverse cultures, and is sociable.

Von has a very supportive family and system and this episode reinforced my conviction of the value of family. In a similar vein, Von also has a deep love for Black Americans and refers to them as “our cousins.” We discussed some of the history of tension between African Americans and Africans.

We also discussed his entrepreneurship and the challenges he has faced, and he shared some of the lessons he’s picked up along the way, how he has managed his brand after the heat of fame, and what he is currently working on.

Finally, the episode gets heavy as we discuss Von’s grief since losing his sister, Tega Apochi Akpofure* (@tegaapochi), in January and how he’s been coping since her death.

Listen to the full episode here, and don’t forget to share it with others.

*In Memoriam of Tega Apochi Akpofure,

Mo! & Doc Ayomide

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The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 평화롭게 살자| The One With The Two – Mental Health isn't Personal; It's Relational: Episode 7 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 평화롭게 살자| The One With The Two – Mental Health isn't Personal; It's Relational: Episode 7 (2022)

In Ayomide’s words: “Mental health is not solely individual; it's very much social. It’s relational.”

May is mental health month, and the theme for this year is “Let’s connect.” In this episode, we talked about why mental health is more than just being about you - but relational and social—how you connect with others. We cannot attain the fullness of mental health until all areas of our lives are experiencing “peace” in the sense of relational wholeness. That’s what we discuss in this episode.

I shared my struggles with my mental health since I was ten, including losing a close friendship with which Ayomide shared his thoughts on. If you’ve lost (or are at risk of losing) a close friendship, you’ll find a lot to relate to here as we discuss managing such situations in light of our mental health. Then we go on to discuss anxiety, depression, and the challenges around taking medications for mental health issues!

Mental health and relationships are two very important areas of our lives—so be sure to share this episode’s link with everyone you know.

Let’s connect,

Mo! & Ayomide

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파도처럼 흐른다| The One With Urmi – On Being Bengali by Blood, Italian by Birth, Canadian by Love: Episode 6 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents:

파도처럼 흐른다| The One With Urmi – On Being Bengali by Blood, Italian by Birth, Canadian by Love: Episode 6 (2022)

Urmi Identifies as “Italian by birth, Bengali by blood, and Canadian by love.”

Urmi’s passion for women and children drives her to volunteer in nonprofit organizations and children’s hospitals and help underserved women raise money. She was born in Italy to Bengali immigrants, and she always felt out of place in both worlds. As a result, she gravitated toward interests in mental health, lifestyle, and financial education, especially how women are affected, but confessed she still, like many children of immigrants, struggles with feeling like a disappointment to her parents.

Urmi shares her experiences as an immigrant in Italy and navigating cultural differences and parental and family pressures. Yet, over time, she has managed to build a life that works for her and makes her happy amid all the pressure of their expectations and her experiences.

She took us down memory lane through her childhood, her feelings, struggles, achievements, and failures, and how they have made her the woman she is today. It was a delight to listen to her account and how she has learned to embrace all of her cultural identities.

If you’re an immigrant (or, as we prefer to say, expatriate), you’ll love this episode, but it’s also a celebration of family, relationships, and knowledge.

Find Urmi on IG @ urmamio.

Fear Forward,

Mo! & Doc Ayomide

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러시아계 미국인이 되는 것| The One With Natasha – On being Russian - American and Other Stories: Episode 4 (2022)

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러시아계 미국인이 되는 것| The One With Natasha – On being Russian - American and Other Stories: Episode 4 (2022)

Describing Russia in a 1939 radio broadcast, Winston Churchill said, "It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." Like a matryoshka doll, one might say?

Today we have a wonderful guest, a dear friend since graduate school (The University of Texas, Austin #Hookem!), where she was my senior – Dr. Natasha Shcherbakova, super smart but very down to earth. Natasha is currently an associate professor at the Western England University, College of Pharmacy. She was on the show last year and it is a privilege to have her on again, this time with Ayomide.

In this episode, Natasha opens up to Ayomide and me about her love for reading, how the use (or not) of social media has made her a more productive adult, her life as a Russian in the USA, and the cultural differences she has faced since she moved. Of course, she also bares her heart about how she feels about her home country in light of recent news.

If you are passionate about reading, personal development, cultural differences, and how to easily navigate them, this episode is surely for you.

I really enjoyed this episode and found it enlightening. I respect Natasha's intellect; so, it was inspiring to learn more about the values that have formed her and the perspectives she has gained. I think you will see what I mean as you listen.

благодарю вас

Mo! & Ayomide

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마흔 살이 되다| The One With The Two – On Birthdays & Meanings: Episode 3 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 마흔 살이 되다| The One With The Two – On Birthdays & Meanings: Episode 3 (2022)

When I turned 20, a dear friend, Dr. Olamiju, said to me: "Your 20s are for discovering what you want for your life. In your 30s, you put more meaning into those discoveries. Finally, at 40, you fully live that life in a well-defined way." – Mo!

With this quote in mind, Ayomide shared his thoughts on turning 40! He said he's made mistakes and tried many things, but the confidence he's garnered thus far is of limits and not of certainty.

Are birthdays societal constructs? Or are they reflective times? As you grow older, do you worry about how old you get? Do you worry about aging? What is your ideal birthday like? What expectations should one have and live up to as they grow older?

With the wisdom associated with aging, Ayomide dished out quite a lot of this, especially on accepting the reality of again and slowly dying (spoiler alert, we all are from age 20 and up).

This was quite a deep and retrospective episode.; so listen to this remarkable episode here.

PS: Do you, too, think birthdays are a social construct?! Let's hear from you.

Happy Birthday, Gramps!

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시간을 초월한 친구| The One With The Two – On Being Friends Across Space & Time: Episode 2 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 시간을 초월한 친구| The One With The Two – On Being Friends Across Space & Time: Episode 2 (2022)

The best friends to talk with are those friends that you agree enough that you can talk endlessly but you disagree enough that you can debate forever.

Friendship is a place for safety and comfort, so imagine how much more this can be with a “best friend!” What exactly is a best friend and who should a friend or best friend be in the real sense of the word?

Today, my friend and new co-host Doc Ayomide (who has been my friend for 18 years, BTW) shared his thoughts on friendship using our own friendship as an example. We look at our relationship throughout the years and how we have managed to remain friends.

In this episode, you’ll hear it all: the highs, lows, positives, and even the struggles we’ve had in our friendship and how we have managed to navigate and surpass them. You’ll also learn what true friendship really is and how to be intentional and deliberate in your own friendship, especially with people you really care about.

This is one episode you should share with that special friend or person in your life. It will help reinforce and strengthen the relationship you already have going! Don’t forget to tag and share this episode with your “best” friend.

Listen to this remarkable episode here.

Yours Friendly,

Mo! & Ayomide

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새해; 같은 목표| The One With Mo!nologue – New Year; Same Goals: Episode 1 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents:

새해; 같은 목표| The One With Mo!nologue – New Year; Same Goals: Episode 1 (2022)

The new year comes with a new season for The More Sibyl Podcast but for me, it's not always about resolutions but just implementing on goals I hope to achieve.

This episode is to welcome you all to Season Five of The More Sibyl Podcast and to unpack all that we have in store for you. In this episode, I give an update of the things I have been up to since you last heard from me, a recap of last season’s award winners, and what you should expect this season. I went off the tangent a little, but that’s fine too.

I shared a bit about my personal struggles, wins, plans, changes, and all I have been up to, in an encouraging way. Hoping you can glean something from this.

There’s a big change coming to the podcast, listen in to know exactly what it is!

This episode is quite inspirational, lighthearted, and vulnerable and you will learn a lot not only about me but about yourself and the real changes you should be making for yourself in 2022.

Listen to everything shared here.

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천주교 신부 되기| The One with Father James Anyaegbu – On Being a Catholic Priest: Episode 41 (2021)

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천주교 신부 되기| The One with Father James Anyaegbu – On Being a Catholic Priest: Episode 41 (2021)

When asked what they want to be when they grow up, most children say they want to be a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer, among other things. However, it is rare to come across someone who wishes to become a priest. Well, I had the opportunity to meet someone who had been fascinated with the idea of becoming a priest since the age of six.

Father James Anyaegbu is a Catholic Diocese of Aba and a Nigerian priest currently serving in pastoral ministry in Scotland, United Kingdom. He entered the seminary at the age of 11 to be trained as a priest.

With his passion for young people, he founded an online platform to share his faith and charity work. And, even though he was born when there was no internet, he figured out social media and has used it as a tool to reach many by teaching them about the Catholic faith and reassuring them about the love and faith in Christ since the pandemic.

It was a pleasure to sit with this TikTok-savvy priest as he reflected on his childhood and how far he has progressed in his priesthood journey. Fr. James is incredibly passionate about his work as a priest and bridging ecumenism. He also shared some insightful advice for those traveling home for the holidays and some sound advice for parents.

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새로운 사업주| The One with Olabimpe Shode - On Running a Business from the Diaspora & Other Stories: Episode 40 (2021)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents:

새로운 사업주| The One with Olabimpe Shode - On Running a Business from the Diaspora & Other Stories: Episode 40 (2021)

With the discovery of the Omicron variant, another Omega variant, the variability of information, the vaccination palaver, and the travel ban, 2021 has been a ride, like a journey from the big year 2020. My teenage friend, Bimpe, who is not new to the podcast, was with me to discuss 2021 so far.

We discussed the inconsistency of information on the COVID, the controversies that have circulated, and she shared safety tips for those traveling during this holiday season. Mask up, whether you've been vaccinated or not!

In the midst of 2021, she launched her business in Nigeria, and we discussed how to start and run a business in Nigeria. She had an entrepreneurial spirit even before moving to the United States, which she has now developed. Bimpe founded Beams Kiddies to serve children aged 0 to 12 and their caregivers, selling lifestyle products and gently used items.

Running a business in Nigeria and entrusting it to others is risky, but my resilient friend did it anyway and shared her challenges, wins, and everything in between. It was a lighthearted and enjoyable episode in which we shared relatable stories about almost everything. Listen to everything we shared here.

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암호화폐에 관한 모든 것| The One with Ojogbane Okolo – On Cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and “Those Who Love Them": Episode 39 (2021)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents

암호화폐에 관한 모든 것| The One with Ojogbane Okolo – On Cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and “Those Who Love Them": Episode 39 (2021)

Though born in the UK, Ojogbane grew up in the northern part of Nigeria in a large family amidst uncles and aunties. He would eventually move to the UK to begin life for himself. Despite some initial hiccups reintegrating, he's managed to stay resilient and optimistic.

Ojogbane, who's now a crypto and NFT trader, talked about his journey toward entrepreneurship after leaving his 9-5 job featuring Lloyds Bank and Deloitte, in no particular order nor magnitude. He also shared the impact of boarding school on life as he now knows it, how he was taught to be resilient and understand early enough how life works.

We also explored him moving back to the UK, then vs. now, in which he clearly stated how important it is to find the right people before moving to a new country. We also tried to demystify the cryptic nature of cryptocurrencies, NFT trading, the mystery around the virtual trading world. Also, on how to get started and some basic terminologies to know. Finally, we explored criticisms and delved into why some countries like China have issues with crypto, NFT, and the like.

Ojogbane helped us unpack cryptocurrency's essence though I still have more questions than answers. Nevertheless, this was an excellent episode. Don't believe me? Listen for yourself.

Find Ojogbane and his adventures via @iamthechoko on IG and the bird page.

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냉어의 모험| The One with Mo! and Her Friends – On Their First Cruise Experience: Episode 38 (2021)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents

냉어의 모험| The One with Mo! and Her Friends – On Their First Cruise Experience: Episode 38 (2021)

When you are looking forward to a boat cruise, you will experience both excitement and apprehension. And, until you've done it, it can appear to be a risky endeavor. But you only get one life, and if you don't go on adventures, you'll never know what it's like.

A group of six, my friends, and I decided to just go for it and enjoy the cruise. So we cruised through the Southern portion of North America, that was Mexico. It was the first time for the majority of us. We discussed our excitement about going on a boat cruise in this episode with Ayooluwa Cole, Taiwo Adedipe aka Tdawg, Bisi Rihanot Jolasun, and myself what it was like in the days leading up to the big day, what we liked best about the cruise, and what we didn't. One of us also mentioned how she enjoyed the ride despite her allergies.

I'm grateful for this vacation because it allowed me to take a break from work while also spending time with people I enjoy spending time with and trying new things. We've decided to go back on another cruise adventure!

So if you want to go on a cruise someday, whether for fun, with friends, as an adventure, or for your honeymoon, this episode will show you some of the things you should know.

One of our recommendations is to not go on a cruise by yourself, so share this episode with someone you'll be traveling with.

I sea you,

모 /Mo!/

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눈부신 용기| The One with Dagmar Jamieson – On Living with Stargardt Macular Dystrophy: Episode 37 (2021)

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눈부신 용기| The One with Dagmar Jamieson – On Living with Stargardt Macular Dystrophy: Episode 37 (2021)

Happy Thanksgiving, fam!

From moving countries and learning new languages (German and then English) to adjusting to gradually losing her eyesight from the age of 13, Dagmar has grown to become tenacious and inspiring.

Dagmar Jamieson, my cousin's mentor and a life coach to many, became legally blind as a teenager. She was diagnosed with Stargardt macular dystrophy at an early age. She is happily married with a son and a certified life coach, business owner, and community leader.

In this episode, Dagmar shared her journey from Czechoslovakia to Austria and then Canada, adjusting to a new environment and learning new languages. Then there was the gradual loss of her sight and her determination not to let any limitations hold her back. You'll learn about some myths about blindness, as well as how strong and determined an 8-year-old can be amidst life-changing circumstances.

Dagmar's life is inspiring. She has demonstrated great rigor and an unbeatable outlook on life. We are grateful for her, especially in this thanksgiving and her impact on those around her. You should definitely listen to this episode because Dagmar's story will make you thankful.

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은혜와 책임| The One with Linda Jena – On Cancel Culture from a Biblical Perspective: Episode 36 (2021)

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은혜와 책임| The One with Linda Jena – On Cancel Culture from a Biblical Perspective: Episode 36 (2021)

While there's a good chance you reading this may not yet have been canceled, there's a high probability that you know someone, perhaps, a celebrity, who has been through that wringer.

What then is cancel culture and why has it become a cultural force in recent years? That said, we can all agree that public accountability is also necessary for most instances. So how do we then strike the balance between "canceling" people vs holding them accountable? And who gets to be the jury, judge, and executioner? Also, how do we cancel people with clear convictions? Does cancel culture even give the space for true reflection and repentance in the canceled ones?

As you can imagine, there are no quick answers to these complex questions. This was why I brought Ms. Linda Jena back on the show. Apart from being such a dear friend and sister, she's also one of the wisest people I know. And one who usually has all the answers.

So, in this episode, we explored cancel culture together, especially what the Bible has to say about it.

Forgiveness, as we know, is a uniquely Christian virtue. Others may forgive, but only Christians have such a solid basis for forgiveness. As C.S. Lewis says, ‘To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.'

And for the non-Christians, it's your opportunity to hear how to hold your Christian friends accountable, should they also fall short.

Listen to the full episode here. Got questions? Let us know at talktomo@mosibyl.com.

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먼 곳의 스승| The One with Dr. Olufunmilola Abraham - On Faraway Mentors: Episode 35 (2021)

먼 곳의 스승| The One with Dr. Olufunmilola Abraham - On Faraway Mentors: Episode 35 (2021)

Have you ever had someone whose playbook you borrowed and has significantly impacted your life? Perhaps, is there someone you deeply admire from afar? How do you think it would feel to be able to finally sit down with such a person letting them know the many ways they have shaped your life?

This is Dr. Abraham for me, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to finally talk with her on this show.

Dr. Olufunmilola Abraham is an Associate Professor in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She directs the CRoME (Collaborative Research on Medication Use and Family Health) lab, which is trying to develop and disseminate novel methods to improve medication safety for vulnerable and underserved populations. To improve medication adherence, they employ a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach.

In this episode with Dr. Oluwafunmilola, we shared the collective experience as former Chevron employees pursuing grad school in the US and life as assistant professors. She also shared much about her research work and how mentorships have been a big part of her process.

Dr. Olufunmilola and I are similar in a few ways, such as the fact that we both enjoyed teaching and had no strong desire to practice pharmacy anymore.

I hope this episode inspires you to be great and teaches you how to live a balanced life at work and home. If you have any questions about this episode, don't hesitate to get in touch with me at talktomo@mosibyl.com.

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국제 시민 되기| The One with Doni Aldine – On Global Cultural Identity: Episode 33 (2021)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents

국제 시민 되기| The One with Doni Aldine – On Global Cultural Identity: Episode 33 (2021)

Identity is a word that is commonly used and thrown around. Cultural identity is a component of a person's identity, including self-perception, nationality, ethnicity, and religion.

In this episode, Doni Aldine, my guest is a globally mobile Afro-Latina and first-generation North American sensation who identifies with seven different cultures. Doni is passionate about creating community for cross-cultural populations. She is also the Founder of Culturs magazine, which reaches more than 1.2 million through email, mobile, digital, and print editions.

In this episode, she shared her upbringing and its influence on her passions. In addition, she explains how she has been able to embrace her global cultural identity and the impact it has had on relationships. Doni also provided practical tips on engaging with diverse cultures, especially in the era of cancel culture and political correctness. She discussed vulnerability and empathy, as well as their roles in cultural curiosity.

There is much more to share; listen to get every detail here.

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놀라운 미국 이민 이야기| The One with TDawg & Mo! - On Our Incredible US Immigration Story: Episode 32 (2021)

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놀라운 미국 이민 이야기| The One with T Dawg & Mo! - On Our Incredible US Immigration Story: Episode 32 (2021)

My husband and I have been in the United States for about ten years. The stories that led up to us finally getting our green cards are incredible and hard to believe. But these things do happen to people, and we don't hear about them enough.

We decided to share these stories in this episode to encourage anyone going through similar experiences, and for those who have been through it, I hope you can relate and realize you are not alone.

Tdawg and I shared our immigration stories in this episode to highlight what it takes and what it means to travel outside of Nigeria to other countries, particularly the United States.

This conversation is our real story; listen here for all of it.

Recommended Song: “Million Little Miracles” – Elevation Worship & Maverick City (2021)

Read here: https://mosibyl.medium.com/our-incredible-us-immigration-story-episode-32-2021-29f4b32e8c00

It gets better,

모 /Mo!/

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서른 다섯이 되다| The One with Mo! – On Version 3.5: Episode 31 (2021)

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서른 다섯이 되다| The One with Mo! – On Version 3.5: Episode 31 (2021)

Being on the receiving end of questions feels strange but in a good way. I turned 35 recently and decided to have a reflective moment with my friend, Linda.

Linda is back! Linda Jena, my dear friend, and sister, came back from the Proust questionnaire interview with even more deeply reflective questions. Linda is one of the show's most committed supporters. She is from Zimbabwe and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree at Texas A&M University in Commerce, TX.

This episode was soul-searching and self-reflective for me. In this episode, we talked about living life, joy, pride, faith, the importance of finding your tribe, and most importantly, learning lessons and moving forward amidst grief and disappointments.

Brace yourself for bolder stories, and please let us know how we can better serve you and what topics you'd like for us to explore.

Recommended Song: “Seventeen” – Simon Webbe (2006)

Thirty-Fine!

모 /Mo!/

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아프리카인과 한류| The One with Chulu Chansa – On Africans and Korean Entertainment: Episode 30 (2021)

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아프리카인과 한류| The One with Chulu Chansa – On Africans and Korean Entertainment: Episode 30 (2021)

Africa is a beautiful continent with rich and diverse cultures. We are bursting with stories, but our global impact has had a minimal reach. Chulu and I reflected on our childhood memories as Africans, the evolution of media, and our shared love for Kdramas. Way before The Squid Game garnered the cross-national status it has gained, Chulu and I have more than two decades' combined worth of experience indulging in Korean entertainment. The Squid Game is one example of Korean entertainment's broad reach and acceptability, and we are excited about this.

Chulu Chansa, this week's guest, is a Zambian podcaster, a writer of modern African culture & lifestyle blog, the host of the Africana Woman podcast, a transformational speaker, and mentor. She joined me on this episode to explore the different aspects of the entertainment industry and mostly Korean entertainment.

In this episode, we talked about our favorite shows and what we love about Korean dramas, what African countries can learn from Korea, and the potential of boosting tourism and cultural explorations in Africa via a boon in the entertainment sectors.

Though the views we expressed in this episode are subjective and can change, this episode is generally entertaining, insightful, and nostalgic. It's also a testament that when someone from the southern part of African meets another from the West, it's always a fun time!

PS: Are you a Kdrama lover as well? Have you ever considered learning the Korean language?

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