Borderless Podcast: Recent Episodes
Borderless Podcast
In the captivating season finale of the Borderless Odyssey Podcast, we delve into the life of Panje, a multi-talented artist hailing from Zambia. With heartfelt sincerity, She shares her journey from a shy introvert to a confident self-expressor. She reflects on her disciplined upbringing and the profound impact it had on shaping her mindset and artistic endeavors.
Throughout the conversation, Panje paints a vivid picture of her transformative experiences, from her time at UWC to her courageous decision to showcase her talents to the world. Despite facing numerous obstacles, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of singing, dancing, and painting, demonstrating the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
As Panje narrative unfolds, she sheds light on her initial hesitations, her journey towards self-discovery, and the importance of self-awareness in fostering personal growth. Through shared anecdotes of navigating international borders as a student and overcoming societal judgments, she inspires listeners to embrace life's challenges as opportunities for self-rediscovery and empowerment.
Join us on this enlightening journey as shares invaluable insights on breaking free from constraints, embracing authenticity, and cherishing every moment of life's odyssey. Whether you're seeking motivation or a fresh perspective, this episode promises to leave you inspired and empowered to push past life's hurdles and embrace your true identity.
In Episode 8 of Season 2 on the Borderless Odyssey Podcast, we embark on an enthralling journey alongside Garth Robinson. Garth's narrative unfolds with deeply personal insights, tracing back to his childhood memories in Jamaica where he navigated the complexities of familial separation and the quest for connection. Through poignant reflections, Garth underscores the pivotal role of family dynamics and the enduring impact of financial presence on children, weaving a tapestry of resilience and understanding.
The conversation delves into memorable moments from Garth's past, including a notable event involving rock-throwing and the revelation of his father's role as a union leader. With eloquence and candor, Garth shares his transition from Jamaica to the United States, acknowledging the profound influence of his aunts across New York, Virginia, and Philadelphia in shaping his upbringing. Moreover, he offers poignant insights into the challenges faced by children in separated-parent scenarios, shedding light on the often-overlooked emotional toll.
As a father himself, Garth advocates passionately for nurturing a supportive familial environment, drawing from his own experiences to emphasize the importance of conscious parenting. Through Garth's inspiring journey of personal growth and resilience, listeners are invited to contemplate the intricate interplay between identity, relationships, and the pursuit of success in today's world.
In Episode 7 of Season 2 on the Borderless Odyssey Podcast, we embark on a riveting exploration of Taylor Nkollo's remarkable journey. A Nigerian-American, Taylor is a passionate advocate for justice and equality, graduating with honors from The University of Oklahoma and furthering her education at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.
Her transformative experience during a Communications Internship at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C., placed her in the office of the late Congressman John Lewis, inspiring her commitment to the pursuit of justice and Lewis's legacy. As one of Lewis's Congressional Hill Staffers, Taylor channels her diverse interests and accomplishments, including her role as America’s Most Beautiful Miss Texas 2023, into a multifaceted approach to effecting positive change.
Season 2 Episode 6 featuring Malik is here! Join us as we explore Malik's incredible journey, from growing up in a single-parent home to navigating adulthood and triumphing over challenges with anxiety.
In this captivating episode, Malik shares his personal experiences and insights, offering a raw and authentic look into his life. Discover how he overcame adversities, the lessons he learned along the way, and the strategies that helped him conquer anxiety.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation that delves deep into the human experience, highlighting resilience, personal growth, and the power of overcoming obstacles.
Dive into Episode 5 of the Borderless Odyssey Podcast! 🎙️ Join Carlos Walker as we delve into his extraordinary journey from serving 13 years in jail to becoming an inspiring artist. Discover the transformative power of resilience, art, and the incredible transformation Carlos has undergone since his release from prison.
Carlos shares his inspirational story and the motivation behind his artistic endeavors. On this episode, we explore the themes of redemption, creativity, and the profound impact of second chances.
Dive into Episode 4 of the Borderless Odyssey Podcast! Join Tatenda from Zimbabwe, an accomplished economist and global leader, as we explore the transformative power of purpose-driven living. From her groundbreaking journey as the first Zimbabwean student in Bosnia to her impactful roles as a Running Start Congressional Fellow and Global Ambassador, Tatenda's story is a beacon of inspiration.
Tatenda's commitment extends beyond her roles; she founded the African Women's League, empowering international female African students. On this episode, we delved into insights into socio-economic development, women's empowerment, and youth leadership.
Season 2 Unveils Episode 3 featuring the remarkable Tamilore Alabi! Join us on this insightful journey as we unravel Tami's story—from his academic pursuits at the University of Oklahoma in Mechanical Engineering to his impactful role as an SAP Consultant at Deloitte and his passion as an app developer.
In this candid conversation, Tami opens up about the intricacies of navigating life as an international student, delving into the realms of mental health, personal finance, and the unique challenges faced while living abroad. Discover how his app development journey is helping people journal and find empowerment.
Season 2 continues with Episode 2 featuring the incredible Robert Bob Okello! Join us in this powerful episode as we unravel the extraordinary journey of a visionary leader who walked 10 miles a day in Northern Uganda just to pursue education.
In a compelling conversation, Robert Bob Okello shares his experience as a first-generation college student, graduating from The University of Oklahoma, and returning home to launch Marifassa—a transformative initiative providing e-learning opportunities to his community and beyond.
Discover the challenges and opportunities of taking the path less traveled, finding purpose, and the resilience it takes to build a brighter future. Tune in now for an inspiring exploration of Bob's remarkable life story!
In the inaugural episode of Season 2, join us for a captivating conversation with Wayne Bao, Head of Governance Data Client Success for the North American Region at ISS-ESG. Wayne, originally from Shanghai, China, shares his remarkable life journey, delving into the challenges of adjusting to cultural differences after emigrating to the United States at the age of six.
In this insightful episode, Wayne opens up about his personal experiences, including marrying at 23 right after college and navigating the complexities that led to a divorce nine years later. He candidly discusses the sense of feeling stuck and the profound transformation he underwent to break free from that stagnation. Join us as Wayne shares his compelling insights on dealing with anxiety, navigating life's struggles, and ultimately overcoming them.
Roberto Clairmont is a proud Trinidadian. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Geophysics. He hopes to one day play an important role in energy industries, as a result of seeing the positive impact that energy exploration has done for the economy of his home country. On this episode, we talked about Economic activities in Trinidad & Tobago, how he embarked on his fitness journey, and what it takes to oversee your own destiny.
Kayla Storrs is a first generation college graduate, using her experience to aid current and future first generation college students through their higher education journeys. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Diversity Enrichment Programs at the University of Oklahoma
On this episode we talked about embracing her identity as a woman of color, how she developed a passion for helping minority students, and her look for cooking healthy food.
Eduardo Bethancourt is from Panama. He is an advocate for social justice, and human rights through inter-sectional activism.
On this episode we talked about life in Panama, his love for the arts, and how a trip to Brazil changed his life.
Tony Lee is an assistant professor at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He was born and raised in Malaysia. He enjoys traveling, meeting new people and learning about their different cultures.”
On this episode we talked about life as foreign student in the 80s-90s, his experience traveling around the world to recruit some of the best students in the world , and his desire to help other foreign students achieve their dreams.
Munashe Mataranyika is a feminist, Pan Africanist, and a Christian. She is an International and Area Studies major with a minor in French. She one day wants to work in Policy Analysis, and eventually in International Relations.
On this episode we talked about challenges adjusting to new cultures, the Zimbabwean economic crisis, and overcoming personal struggles.
Baldwin was born and raised in Eswatini, formerly Swaziland. He recently graduated with a master’s degree and is currently living in Dallas, Texas. He is locked into the tech world and all the changes it means for the business environment.
On this episode we talked about life in one of the world’s absolute monarch, fashion and music, and his experience job hunting as a foreign student.
Jocelyn Pedersen is an award-winning, novelist and an AP-published, award-winning journalist. She is a national gold-medal-winning Olympic style weightlifter who enjoys time with her family and friends, the beach and, teaching writing at the University of Oklahoma
On this episode we talked about her life growing up in different cities around the world, her love for writing & journalism, and how she interestingly found a passion for weightlifting.
Orhan was born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He graduated with a Bsc and Msc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and currently works for Audi AG in Germany.
On this episode we talked about tips on how to stay on-top of school work, travelling, his parents influence in his academic life and his passion for electric cars.
Ismail is a native of South Sudan. He is the first child in a family of seven children- a role which he says comes with exciting yet terrifying responsibilities. Ismail is a Chemical Engineer and works for IMMY, a small biotech company based in Norman, Oklahoma.
On this episode we talked about his epic journey from South Sudan to Italy to U.S.A, the responsibilities of being the oldest child in the family and what it feels like to be a first-generation college student.
Elisheba Karen is originally from India but was born and raised in Abu Dhabi. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s in Petroleum Engineering and Geology. Eli has been playing music since she was 7 years old and she enjoys meeting people from different cultures. On this episode we talked about faith, being bi-cultural and, how she was inspired and supported by her mom to do the best she can with her love for music.
Michael Hudson Jr. is an entrepreneur, writer, and former vice president of the Pan-African Student Association at OU. He's a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma where he received his Bachelors of Business Administration.
On this episode, we talked about his self-improvement journey, life growing up in the capital of the United States, and his experience at the University of Oklahoma.
Hailing all the way from Namibia, Edwina Bezuidenhoudt is a junior in Construction Science with a minor in Sociology at the University of Oklahoma. Despite being busy with school, she runs a catering business called ‘A Foodies Venture’. On this episode we talked about her hectic yet exciting journey from Namibia to the U.S.A, the struggles of choosing a major in college and tips on how to deal with stress.
Pedro Domingos Paposseco Manuel is an International and Area Studies researcher focusing on African Affairs. He is also a writer and a leader. He currently holds two degrees from the University of Oklahoma where he is currently pursuing a third- an MA in Public Administration. On this episode we talked about his incredible journey on how he made it from one of the most underprivileged to neighborhoods in Angola to Norway then U.S.A. We also discussed his love for politics and how he has stayed focused all these years on what he considers important.