Mo' Sibyl

나의 첫 마을, 한국에 온 엄마 | The One with My Mom: My First Village, Our Korean Chapter | Episode 9 (2026)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 나의 첫 마을, 한국에 온 엄마 | The One with My Mom: My First Village, Our Korean Chapter | Episode 9 (2026)

I've known this woman all my life. Or at least I thought I did. When I received my Fulbright fellowship to South Korea, my mom packed up her life in Nigeria and moved across continents to help me care for my children. Seven trips to the Korean embassy (yes, SEVEN! ), countless uncertainties, and almost a year in a country where she didn't speak the language. All because her daughter needed her. But somewhere between being her daughter and becoming a mother myself, I realized how much I still didn't know about the woman who raised me.

So, I finally got Gwamma on the podcast again!

We talked about her childhood in a Nigerian village, her dreams of becoming a doctor, her journey into motherhood, and her life in Korea. We also discussed what she wishes she'd known at 40, her future dreams, and her advice for grandmothers and daughters navigating different generations and cultures.

And, of course, why she still thinks I share too much of my life publicly. Her sacrifices have also made me wonder whether I'll ever be this kind of grandmother. Because packing up my life for almost a year to raise grandchildren? Ah, I have travel plans! But perhaps I'll think differently when that time comes. More than anything, I loved getting to know my mom as a woman with her own stories, hopes, and dreams, beyond being my mother.

Have you ever asked your mother who she was before she became your mom? And do you know what she still dreams of becoming?

리지의 이야기| The One with Lizzie Lopez – Mexican-American, Korean-Speaking, Spanish-Learning Lizzie: Episode 25 (2019)

Meet Lizzie! A Mexican-American who is learning Spanish! I met Lizzie at my language school (s/o to Northwest Baptist Church); she was also one of my former Korean teachers. Lizzie spent a year teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to Korean elementary students (K-6) in Gunsan, South Korea. Lizzie is also an artist who teaches arts to children and the elderly. She belongs to the Canadian Valley Art Guild (CVAG) and loves to paint human and animal portraits, abstract art and illustrations.

In this episode, we talked about her cultural history and what her identity means to her, especially the pressures of cultural expectations. We also talked about the year she spent in Korea and why she won’t be moving back there permanently. She also shared some tips for those considering teaching abroad. Finally, we explored the downsides of being creatives, how to cultivate friendship, and what her faith means to her.