The Eccentrics with U.I.: Recent Episodes
U.I.
My name is U.I. I humbly describe myself as an eccentric. I love long-term travel. The book, Vagabonding is my lodestar. I have created 2 money making ventures. And due to my eccentric nature, I have had my fair share of failures. Lots of them to be exact. The criteria on being a guest on the show are: 1. You have a travelled a fair bit. I believe travel (especially long-term travel) is the best education. 2. You are business-minded. You have created a money making venture. Size is irrelevant. 3. You are willing to share your failure(s) and how you rebounded from it/them. You can expect that every guest have been vetted on this criteria and passed in flying colours. Enjoy the show.
Episode 3 of Season 2. I am still consistent. I am very pleased with myself.
Below are highlights of Part 2 of my conversation with DJ Delightt:
- The positives of being a female DJ.
- What makes a great DJ?
- Discussion on Afrobeats and the music we love respectively.
- Her solo travel experience in Jordan.
- Visiting Israel, Palestine and the West Bank.
- Dealing with her Mum's illness.
Enjoy the conversation.
Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 2. It is nice to be consistent again on publishing my conversations.
Below are highlights of our conversation:
- The story of almost visiting Morocco and why it didn't happen?
- Being raised in Longview, Texas.
- How travel became a part of her life.
- Attending ESCP Business School in France.
- How she got introduced to motorcycles?
- Her first blog, The Tejana Abroad - https://thetejanaabroad.com/
- Her second blog, The Tejana Biker - https://thetejanabiker.com/
- Which is her favourite country that she has visited?
- A setback that occurred and how she rebounded from it.
Enjoy the conversation.
It truly has been a while. I am glad to be back. I am sharing a conversation I had with Taylor Garrett. Below are highlights of our conversation.
- Dealing with a family setback and how it has shaped her life & career.
- Working with older folks and gaining their respect as a young lady.
- Handling and dealing with anxiety attack.
- How she got bitten by the travel bug?
- Her near death experience in Mauritania.
- Her time in Colombia spent with ex-FARC rebels.
- Her 3 book recommendations.
- What is her life purpose?
Enjoy the show.
Welcome back to another episode of the show. Today, I am delighted to be having a conversation with DJ Delightt. This is Part 1 of our conversation. Part 2 will be released shortly. Below are the highlights of our conversation for Part 1:
- How she stumbled into becoming a DJ?
- Managing social anxiety as a DJ.
- Handling negative attention as a female DJ.
Enjoy Part 1 of my conversation with DJ Delightt. Till next time, be kind to your neighbour.
U.I.
Below are highlights of our conversation:
- how she got into the Airline industry? Check out Dadaab Refugee Complex.
- Period poverty.
- Challenge in running Binti Marvels.
- Article of her being profiled in The Star newspaper.
Enjoy the show.
Below are highlights of what we discussed:
- Her love for cats
- How her life changed after her Dad was brutally murdered.
- Living in Mokuru slum in Nairobi
- Her last days with her Mother.
- Adjusting to life with no parents and no sibling. Duking it out by herself in life.
Enjoy the show.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Nacho:
- How to hitchhike? Nacho has hitchhiked more than 300 cars.
- How to design a personal silent retreat?
- "You cannot open someone's heart, if you don't open your heart" - Nacho
- Sharing 4 personal stories that he has encountered in his journey of life.
- Sharing his life mission.
You can reach Nacho by e-mail (igagmol@gmail.com) or by IG (nachoaguera).
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Muambi:How to increase grip strength?Working out for 6 hours in the gym.His relationship with his paternal Grandmother.The difficulties of being a sponsored athlete in Africa.Maisha Air Ambulance Cover Jaan Roose slacklining Cat & Mouse mountains in Samburu County, Kenya. Click here to watch the video.His encounters with a Leopard, a Hyena and a pack of Baboons.Cattle Rustling in Northern Kenya.How he envisages building a romantic relationship in combination with his adventurous mindset?He would love to climb the east face of Mount Poi in Samburu County, Kenya.Losing a good friend to death on Mount Kenya.You can reach Muambi by e-mail (pnaituli10@gmail.com) or by IG (afro_vertical).Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support. Stay curious.U.I.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Jan:The power of journaling.Growing up in Croatia and how that has shaped him.Self discovery leading to self awareness.What is Chakra?The evolution of Consciousness.Why he left Croatia and chose to make Spain home?The book that made a huge influence on him is 'Zero to One' by Peter Thiel & Blake Masters.Discussion on Psychedelics with a focus on LSD & Mushrooms.Failure is part of the learning process.Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support. Stay curious.U.I.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Peter:How he got selected to be part of Your Best Life program? This program changed the trajectory of his career.The breakup of his romantic relationship.Carnaval de Socos Festival Coya His viewpoint of Africa after visiting Morocco, South Africa & Tanzania.Soul Surfer (Movie trailer)Smile Train Marathon in BerlinLollapalooza Berlin Yes Theory YouTube page.Rethink Creative AgencyHumankind by Tom Bernardin & Mark TutsselThe only apps on his phone - Notion; Ecosia; Balance; & Whatsapp.Listen to the philosophy on 'Just Smack It'. He learnt it from Dan Mace.Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support. Stay curious.U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Ameet:
- Hyper Realism painting.
- "I don't love Math, I am in an arranged marriage with Math".
- Wild Wild Country - Documentary on Osho and the cult he inspired.
- Which way to raise children in this present day?
- Internal vs External validation.
- Cultural Arrogance.
- Coleman Hughes - check out his podcast, Conversations with Coleman.
- Noashima Island; Chichu Museum in Japan.
- Al Hambra in Grenada, Spain.
- "Progress is my ultimate anti-depressant".
- Chemistry vs Compatibility
- Technical Painting ---> Abstract Painting
- His distaste for the works of Cy Twombly.
- Check out Ameet's Instagrammies via his IG page. He curates it annually.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are highlights of our conversation:
- What is Psychotherapy?
- How did she choose the field of Psychotherapy?
- Her focus is Trauma Therapy. What does that entail?
- Yours truly had an impromptu session with Natacha to deal with anxiety.
- How did she cultivate the business acumen to grow her practice?
- Where has she visited? Her favourite country so far is Nevis.
- Losing a job and it spurring her to start her practice.
You can connect with Natacha by visiting her website - www.natachapennycooke.com. Her IG handle is @natachapennycooke.therapy. Also, you can connect with her via Facebook and Linkedin.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are highlights of our conversation:
- Sharing his love for Moshi (a town in Tanzania that houses Mount Kilimanjaro).
- Being part of a travel program 'Your Best Life".
- Creating his first documentary on Nestor Ciza. You can watch it on Youtube.
- Winning an award by World Nomads due to his first documentary and being mentored by Brian Rapsey.
- How the idea of AFRISOS came to be?
- Discovering the power of storytelling while presenting at the Mock United Nations in High School.
- How he got his first camera and drone?
- Dropping out of University in the last year to follow his dreams. Note: he was on a full scholarship.
You can connect with Jigar through IG. His handle is @jiganatra. You can follow AFRISOS by visiting their website - www.afrisos.ngo.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggers Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are highlights of our conversation:
- Her love for Cruise Ship travelling.
- Discussion on the 6 Wheel of Life: Finance; Fitness; Relationships; Career; Academics; and Spirituality.
- The Longevity Study by Harvard University. What makes a happy life?
- How she lost 15kg of weight and lowered her blood pressure?
- What were her coping mechanisms during the pandemic?
- Dealing with loneliness.
- Sharing her preparation and experience of climbing Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Discussion of her near death experience in 2012.
- How she managed through her Father's illness in 2017?
- Discussing her spirituality.
- One of her favourite place to visit in China is Guilin.
You can connect with Lillian through either Facebook or Instagram. Her IG handle is @lillianmbeki1.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Asante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are highlights of our conversation:
- Her ancestral roots are Benin Republic and Togo. She found this via www.ancestry.com.
- Dealing with Self Love. The tools she uses to manage with self-love are:
- Body Work - such as massages etc.
- Her act being an Actress.
- Talking to someone.
- Going for a walk.
- Difference between a Playwright and an Actor.
- Djanet Sears (Black Canadian Playwright) & D'Bi. Young Anitafrika (Black dub poet & activist).
- Dramaturgy - the art or technique of dramatic composition and theatrical representation.
- The skill sets required for theatre acting are different for screen acting.
- CBC Gem website for free streaming. Recommended shows by Monice are:
- Little Mosque on the Priarie.
- Corner Gas.
- The Kink in my Hair.
- Kim's Convenience.
- How she coped during the pandemic as a Contract Worker?
- Greek Tragedy
- A sample of her favourite podcasts are:
- The Read.
- Code Switch by NPR
- Still Processing
- SRSCY Wrong
- On Being
- Climate One
- She was part of a radio show titled 'Breaking Techniques' for 6 years.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Ameet:
- According to Ameet, there are 3 types of travelling: Long-term travelling; Relaxation travelling; and Vacation.
- He has visited almost 50 countries.
- His favourite painter is the Austrian, Gustav Klimt.
- How he developed the love for the arts?
- Of all the countries he has travelled to, Japan is his favourite.
- When visiting Japan and you love art, visit the islands - Teshima and Naoshima. There are both termed as 'art islands'.
- Check out Teshima Art Museum.
- James Turrell - an American artist known for his work within the Light and Space movement.
- "Progress is the ultimate anti-depressant."
- How he got introduced to Stoicism?
- "Tyranny begins where nuance dies".
- Existentialism.
- What got him interested in attending culinary school?
- His top 3 restaurants are: Alinea in Chicago, USA; Gaggan in Bangkok, Thailand; Borago in Santiago, Chile.
- True Films by Kevin Kelly.
- Vanishing Asia by Kevin Kelly.
- Book recommendations: Enlightenment by Steven Pinker; Waking Up by Sam Harris.
- His favourite Basketball player is Tim Duncan. He prefers the players that focus on fundamentals over flashy.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Maureen:
- Her love for old soul music and reading of books.
- Her methodology on reading a book.
- How the love of reading began for her? Some of the books on her bookshelf are Pachinko by Min Jee Lee; How to love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs; Invincible Women (Data Bias in a World Designed for Men) by Caroline Craido-Perez; Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi; Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi (her favourite).
- Discussion on mental health and the tools she has learnt along the way to deal with her present predicament.
- How she became a chef? The art of taking an initiative in whatever you desire.
- Her tips in learning a new language.
- Check out the TV show, The Bear (Trailer)
- How she got interested in Science?
- World March of Women
- Discussion on the abuse of antibiotics in Africa. The Self-medication epidemic.
- The difference of undertaking a PhD program in Germany vs U.S.A vs U.K.
- One of her favourite chefs is Yotam Ottolenghi.
- Treacle Tart.
- InspireHER STEM, a foundation she co-founded in 2019.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Osse:
- A view of the Jacaranda tree.
- A view of Mount Kilimanjaro in Moshi & Mount Meru in Arusha.
- Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro after partying the previous night with no prior training.
- Mauly Tours
- How he got interested in photograhy.
- Book recommendation: Steal like an Artist by Austin Kleon.
- The Creator Academy offered by Osse.
- Discussing the anxiety attacks he experienced.
- His vision on how he wants to merge the growth of his career and family values.
- His experience as a new Father.
- How he met his wife.
- The app to help you in understanding your toddler's moods - Wonder Weeks.
- His thoughts on Content Creation in the present day.
- The Cliff in Tanzania; River Villa in Tanzania
- His advice to an aspiring photographer.
- Check out his podcast, Life Thrills.
- You can follow Osse on IG - @ossegrecasinare; Youtube; and his website.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Malibu:
- How he started InkedBiker (IG: @ink2bikes)?
- According to Malibu, the 3 addictions are Sugar, Starch and Salary. Ponder on that.
- Living in Rajasthan, India and his experience there.
- Visiting Nepal. Trivia: Nepal is known for producing high quality leather.
- How he tutored people in the Spanish language? Note: he learnt the language in 1 year.
- Losing his Mother is the most devastating situation he has encountered so far.
- How the InkedBiker name was created and its meaning?
You can connect with Malibu or InkedBiker by visiting the IG page, @ink2bikes
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
I would highly recommend that you listen to Part 1 of my conversation with E before listening to this episode.
Below are the highlights of this conversation with E:
- Almost being crushed by a bus as a child
- The significance of an egg in the Ghanian culture.
- His relationship with his Father.
- The impact his wife and her family have played in his life.
- The significance of choosing the right spouse.
- Perseverance and going through life with the right attitude despite the challenges ahead.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
I would highly recommend that you listen to Part 1 of my conversation with Allen before listening to this episode.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Allen:
- A prophecy that changed the trajectory of his life.
- How he met his wife?
- The ultimatum his wife shared with him before they began building a family together.
- How has Fatherhood changed him?
- How is he handling the PTSD he suffered from war? The tools he has incorporated to help him.
- What he has learnt so far as he builds Purpose Pod?
- His response to the question 'what is a destabilizing event that occurred in the past and most importantly, how did you rebound from it'?
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with E:
How he met his wife? And the words he uttered the first time seeing her.
How he and his then girlfriend (now wife) navigated the ups and downs of long distance relationship?
PSA: TRIBALISM in Africa is an endemic disease. it is silently killing us within.
His father did not approve of his relationship with his then girlfriend (now wife) because she was not from the same tribe in Ghana.
His father coerced him to begin another relationship with a lady.
Sharing his upbringing and childhood in Ghana.
Why was he scared of his father?
How his father turned him against his birth mum?
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Sylvia:
- How she got intrigued in the Space industry?
- Space Technology is divided into 2 groups: Upstream & Downstream.
- Check out Carnegie Mellon University Africa in Rwanda. Why did Carnegie Mellon University choose Rwanda as a site in Africa?
- How Hepta Analytics was born? The firm has a presence in Rwanda and Kenya.
- Trivia: Did you know that 15 African countries have a satellite in space?
- The value of Fellowships. And how to apply to be a part of a fellowship?
- She is a fellow of the Mandela Washington Fellowship & Archbishop Tutu Fellowship.
- How is life in Rwanda from her perspective?
- How did she develop Public Speaking skills? Listen to her presentation at the World Economic Forum.
- Her advice on how to network appropriately.
- Dealing with the loss of her mother due to cancer.
- Monk Thich Nhat Hanh. The Buddist Monk she referenced.
- Her answer to the question 'If failure was not an option, what project would you take on' got me thinking. Audacious project. Doable.
- You can follow Sylvia on Linkedin.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow. Ahsante (thank you in Swahili) for your support.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Caleb:
- Getting reconnected with his after 6 years.
- Losing Ruth on September 7 2019. Her death has affected him tremendously till date.
- Treat First, Questions Later Campaign. An article he wrote after the death of Ruth.
- His love-hate relationship with Nigeria.
- Creating Minority Africa after receiving a grant from Solutions Journalism Network.
- Following his passion to study Journalism and not Medicine.
- Writing the script for the feature film "No Man's Land". The movie is centered on the forceful evictions of slums in Nigeria and the societal effects.
- To return a King by Aljazeera Network. An 8 minute documentary on the topic of forceful evictions in Nigeria.
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a review. This has helps the show to get noticed by others and enables the show to grow.
Stay curious.
U.I.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Jeti:
- New York Underground train system vs London Underground train system vs Toronto Underground train system.
- Why did she embark on getting an MBA? and why in England and not Canada?
- Her experience in Adesoye College in Nigeria.
- Moving to Canada.
- Her time in Carlton University and getting into a new program at the time, Multimedia Design.
- Building a Consultancy Business while in University and continuing with it for 7 years after University.
- She showcases/embodies a unique way in building a career. It does not have to be linear.
- Watch a video of her giving a talk for an app launch.
- Her love-hate relationship for locs.
- Growing up as a child of a Pastor.
- Mount Batur in Bali, Indonesia.
- Watch a video of Pythons Temple in Benin Republic, where Jeti cringed talking about.
- If you want to geek out on the sacred forest in Benin Republic, check out this article.
- Her unfortunate experience with Bell's Palsy.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Kaya:
- Her hair journey and transformation.
- Her experiences as a Bi-racial child and now as an adult.
- How skateboarding helped her during some challenging times.
- What is PC culture?
- Who is a hippie?
- How to eradicate lice from your hair according to Kaya?
- Sharing her experience as a solo female traveller.
- What kept her interested about Guatemala between 2018 - August 2019?
- Discussion on different sexual orientations and her preference.
- How she became an online Dominatrix?
- Check out her podcast, A Little Less Crazy.
- She shares an unfortunate event, being raped. Listen to episode 3 of her podcast, A Little Less Crazy, where she goes in depth on this event.
This episode is sponsored by 3 Nuggets Weekly. A weekly newsletter where I share 3 things that I found interesting and valuable the previous week. You can subscribe by visiting www.uiukpong.com.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Ninma:
- Growing up as a child of a religious leader.
- Attending Boarding school at the age of 5.
- The thought of having to make a decision of choosing an artificial leg at the age of 8.
- Dealing with osteomyelitis and recovering from it after 7 surgeries.
- Attending Medical school in Hungary at the age of 16.
- Her difficulty in Medical school and eventually dropping out.
- The racist episodes she encountered during her time in Hungary.
- Who are Gypsies?
- Her travels to different countries. Check out her blog that she used to document her time in Uganda.
- How she handled the death of her Brother?
- Her advice to someone of African descent planning to relocate to Hungary for school.
- How she began running a Daycare facility in Maryland, USA?
- The challenges of running a Daycare facility.
You can connect with Ninma via Instagram - knee_ma.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Amandella:
- How did her name come about? It is unique.
- What is Stimming in the mental health arena?
- What is a 'Physical Room'? Her advice on how to create one in your personal space.
- Coast Mental Health in Vancouver, British Columbia & Prairie Institute of Expressive Arts Therapy in Calgary, Alberta.
- The challenges of growing up in the smaller towns in Southern Alberta in the 90's.
- Trust me, I never knew about the Commonwealth of Dominica as a country.
- Trivia: the Lagoon scene of the Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
- How did she come up with the name, Asha Agape as a pseudonym?
- She is bolder as a Writer, when she writes in a male voice.
- Shaving her hair 6 times.
- What to experience upon visiting the Commonwealth of Dominica?
- Her perspective on how oxtail became a delicacy in the West Indies diet.
- Trivia: POC means Person of Colour; BIPOC means Black Indian Person of Colour.
- Her answer to a destabilizing event she experienced and how she rebounded from it.
You can follow her on Facebook by searching Amandella Joseph; her Instagram handle is @chevonah.
Below are highlights of the conversation:
How did the red glasses and locs come to be a part of your identity?
His experience of being a Black 1st Generation Canadian and embracing his roots.
What compelled him to begin Kujo Kid Zone?
What is Orange Shirt day?
What did he learn from his divorce?
How skydiving enabled him to surmount his fear of heights?
* What fatherhood has taught him?
If you want to learn more about Kujo Kid Zone Show, visit their YouTube, Instagram and Facebook pages.
Below are the highlights of my conversation with Lanre:
His conversion from Islam to Christianity.
Learning to speak English at 15 years old.
The power of belief in a child. In his case, an English teacher and the Head of Distinct Medal College, Mrs. Adelakun.
The personality trait he adopted from his Mother.
Why and what has poetry taught him?
How did he choose Canada as a place to further his education?
Where is his Dad?
His struggles acclimatizing to life in Canada - academically and financially.
How travel presented him with a business idea?
Building Fari Hara
* Being a Father and raising his son.
To connect with Lanre, visit www.farihara.com or the IG page, @fari_hara.
Below are the highlights of our conversation:
How she made the switch from studying Veterinary Medicine with government financial support to a Bachelor of Commerce and hustling to pay her fees?
She shares when and how she left Kenya for the first time to Germany and her experience.
Her experience visiting Slovenia, Croatia (especially the party scene in Croatia), Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Thailand (Bangkok & Phuket). PSA: if you enjoy shopping, visit Thailand according to her.
Why she stopped Modelling? It is very unfortunate what women have to go through to achieve their dreams.
* How she handled the passing of her Shosho (Grandmother in Kikuyu) and the ending of a 7-year romantic relationship?
Below are highlights of my conversation with Allen:
Educating us on the different Marines insignia
How and why he got into the Marines?
When did he find out that he was going to the Iraq war?
Watch the trailer '12 Strong' that he referenced during our conversation.
Experiencing the Iraq war in person
The Battle of Marjah - HBO Documentary.
Learn about the Pashtun tribe.
Discussing the coping mechanism(s) that he used to mask his mental health battle.
Being deployed to the Afghanistan war on his birthday.
The firefight with the Taliban that almost cost him his life.
Being discharged from the Marines and transitioning to civilian life at 22 years old.
His battle with PTSD and Suicide.
* His spiritual encounters with God.
Below are highlights of the conversation:
Getting an update of the Presidential elections that occurred in Kenya.
How she conceived of the goal to travel to 197 countries? Check out the CNN article she referenced that inspired her on achieving this goal.
The security concerns of solo travelling as a woman.
Dig into Mario Rigby, the individual she referenced that walked from South Africa to Egypt.
Solo travelling or going with someone, which does she prefer?
Her advice on travelling in Africa on a budget.
Her top 4 places out of the 49 countries. Cenotes in Yucatan, Mexico.
What piqued her interest to become an Environmentalist and an Activist? Learn more about her role model, Wangari Maathai.
Dig into the terminology, Tragedy of the Commons.
"I seek it, when I lack it" - Brilliant comment from Wambui.
What is Survival Media Agency? And how was it founded?
What is the difference between a Producer and a Director in the Media space?
If she was appointed as an Environmental Czar in the new Kenyan administration, what 3 local issues would she tackle?
Her response on how to tackle the Water Hyacinth issue in Lake Victoria?
How did the idea of her foundation, 197, come about?
Her vision for 197 and where she sees the foundation being 5 years from today?
* The event that destabilized her and how she rebounded from it.
Wambui can be reached on wambui@197fund.org. Her IG handle is wambuigichobi.
Below are highlights of my conversation with Julie.
The places she visited in Spain.
Her ordeal trying to get a visa to the UK. Where in the world is her passport?
From Spain, she makes her way to Jordan for the first time.
Knowledge Tip: Queen Alia was the 3rd wife of King Hussein. The Queen Alia International Airport was built in 1983 and named in her honour.
Knowledge Tip: What is a Hamman as discussed by Julie?
You need to visit Petra in Jordan. Knowledge tip - It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.
Going from Jordan to Mauritius.
Learning about her entrepreneurial exploits.
Her advice to an African woman on embracing travelling.
Her dream country to visit that she has not been to yet.
What has travel taught her so far?
Her view on setbacks.
Her response to the question, if she would not fail, what audacious project would she do?
Her final thoughts - Whatever you think is the riskier option that is what you should do.
Highlights of my conversation with Wouter.
- Becoming a certified Scuba Diver. He has logged about 11,000 dives.
- Using Scuba Diving to travel the world.
- Check out the works of Jacques Cousteau to learn more about the Underwater through his documentaries.
- His recommendations on best places around the world to experience Scuba Diving.
- His love for Scuba Diving with sharks and how to swim with them.
- Why he didn't create a Diving School?
- How and why he chose to move to Kenya in 2009?
- Pay attention to how his girlfriend and him made their way from Greece to the Netherlands.
- His separation from his wife and what he has learnt from that event?
- How Alpha Fit was created?
To connect with Wouter, his Instagram handle is @woutervza. Alpha Fit's Instagram handle is @alphafitltd. The website of Alpha Fit is www.alphafit-ltd.com.
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Highlights of my conversation with Akeem.
His journey to becoming an Olympian.
Moving from Jamaica to Canada.
Life in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
Transition to being a Motivational Speaker
Advice to anyone interested in becoming a Motivational Speaker
How he is building his company, AK Inspires?
* Becoming an author. Latest book is Fear, Faith & Fruition.
To connect with Akeem, his Instagram handle is @underdogakh; his podcast is 'Unscripted with Akeem Haynes'; his website is www.akeeminspires.com
This episode is brought to you by www.uiukpong.com
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- Guidelines used to select guest for the show.
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