Posts tagged Lagos
이민 연대기| The One with Five Immigration Stories - On Mental Anguish and Familial Separation: Episode 40 (2019)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Five Immigration Stories - On Mental Anguish and Familial Separation

Life in the United States ain’t easy; contrary to what many people think. In this episode, I share five unique immigration stories of people who moved to the US on different tracks. The common thread here is how they all overcame a lot of odds to be where they are today. The hope is to encourage those who are currently in these situations to never give up, especially international students who feel trapped in the US, particularly at this time of the year.

For those in the position to do this, reach out to an international student and if possible, invite them over for Christmas for dinner or something. Or even engage them in conversations and you will be amazed at how much these acts of kindness will go a long way.

PS: Thanks to Ada U, Olabimpe, Linda J, T-Dawg, and Morin for sharing their inspiring stories.

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창작자의 생활| The One with Loretta: The Life of a Creative and Other Stories: Episode 34 (2019)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 창작자의 생활| The One with Loretta: The Life of a Creative and Other Stories: Episode 34 (2019)

As a Nigerian who moved to the US in her 20’s, it was quite a challenge making long-lasting friends, especially due to cultural differences and well, inadequately managed expectations. All of which I talked about with my guest.

So meet Loretta Nwandu: who moved to the US at the age of 15 to begin college and later earned a Masters in Engineering Management. Listen to her story on how she acculturated, found community, and built friendship. Loretta and I both believe in multiculturalism and it's one of the many reasons we love the US! Today, Loretta lives in Atlanta where she does ministry work for Jesus and uses her skills as a creative to meet the needs of her clients.

In this episode, you also get to hear about the unique opportunity and challenges of being a creative person as well as the duality of being one while under the employment of someone else.

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Bonus Episode: 브라보, 내 인생| The One with Mo! – Motherhood, Interrupted (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with The Villagers

Here you will hear some voice notes from the Villagers - some of those who have been supportive in this journey of miscarriage and pregnancy loss.

I reached out to some of them to leave me voice notes and voicemails. My hope is that some of their words might be encouraging to you too in your own journey.

Resurgam (we rise together),

Mo!

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브라보, 내 인생| The One with Mo! – Motherhood, Interrupted: Episode 45 (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Mo! – One in Four; Motherhood, Interrupted:

Of all the things we experience as women, there are some stories that remain hidden. And even when you do get to hear these stories, they are often told from the standpoint of someone who has weathered a forgotten storm.

Here’s a story that defies all of that.

In this episode, I had a heartfelt conversation on a recent pregnancy loss with a fellow sister. Mine ended in an early-stage miscarriage in October and hers, a still-birth at 31 weeks, in November. Culture says we are not supposed to tell you this story. But here we are telling it, anyhow.

Please note that I’m not sharing this story because I expect people to care about how all of this affects me. But because it’s comforting knowing that I am not alone. Maybe some of you who listen to this episode will see your story here. If not, I hope you at least find insight into something that happens all of the time, but only few talk about. After all, this affects one in four women.

People don’t know what to say when you lose a baby. It goes against the natural order of things. In fact, there isn’t even a name for parents who lose children. But after listening to this episode, the hope is you might know what to say to these people and see the ways to better support them in their journey. You would also hear what has proven the most beneficial in helping us heal this wound.

Also, here’s an honorable mention to those with no miscarriage or stillbirth or infant loss story, who are struggling. I just want to tell that person that it's OK. You are not alone and don't feel guilty. I have experienced loss too, and it's ok to grieve that which your heart longs and aches for.

Finally, this episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Araire (baby depicted in the cover story) and the several other unnamed babies who were lost in the early stages of pregnancy.

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나 같은 친구| The One with Yvonne Edo-Olotu - The Beautiful Mind: Episode 39 (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Yvonne Edo-Olotu

Here’s re-introducing, Yvonne Edo-Olotu. She is a lawyer during the day and a content creator at night/weekends. She is the brains behind the Beautiful Mind Podcast; you can find that show on iTunes/SoundCloud/Stitcher. We met when I worked in Ibadan (a Southwestern city in Nigeria) several years ago. She got her LL.M at Cornell University and recently returned to Nigeria. In this episode, we took a drive to memory lane to explore our differing personalities and how this defines our friendship; our love-hate relationship with Korean dramas and favorite shows; and why we, as women, need fewer mentors and other kinds of key players to advance our careers and grow personally and professionally.

We also talked about adjustments she had to make when she moved back from the US and how she builds social support in a city as boisterous and crazy as Lagos!

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우리의 이야기| The One with Shama - On Immigration and Storytelling: Episode 34 (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Shama

Hey friends, I want to take a hot moment to let you know how grateful I am to have this platform to share stories and connect humanity. So, if you are reading this and would like to come on the show to share yours, please let me know. This is our platform, and together, we can set our stories free.

 

Meet Shama Farag – an Arabic-English Translator at TED talks, Coursera Global Translator Community. She’s an author and a journalist blogger at HuffPost Arabic, Aljazeera blogs, Sasa post. She is also a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church Interfaith community FIRE “ Fostering Interfaith relationship in Eastside,” a member at MAPS MCOC “Many culture one community,” member of IOC “Interfaith outreach community at Muslim Association of Puget Sound. She is Egyptian and a mom of two boys.

In this episode, we talked about heart stories and immigration, how Africans aren’t really taught about other African countries and what we can do to fix this. We also talked about what it is like being Egyptian, and she gave us reasons why we need to visit Egypt.

Her book, “Hi, I am Syrian” was inspired by some negative experiences she had as a Muslim and she decided to do something to change that narrative.

 

PS: My ignorance about African countries, especially Egypt, shone brightly in this episode.

Question: Why do you think Africans aren’t taught about other African countries?

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올리비아에 대하여| The One with Kenny - The Unspoken Love of a Father: Episode 30 (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Kenny

Still on the daddy issue (I know! But hear me out on this one). This week’s episode started with an email I received from one of my ardent listeners. It was also the first official fan mail I got!:

Dear Mo:

Everyone believes fathers should be strong and just provide financially while the mothers raise the children. I am a father of a 3-year-old daughter with a rare medical condition (which has resulted in massive learning/developmental delays). My wife and I are very hands-on in raising our daughter. What I've experienced in the three years of fatherhood is that the mothers get more support than fathers. I'm Nigerian born but been living in the UK for the last eight years. Do you have any guests who can talk on the topic - fathers and support for them?

 

The contents of the email tugged at my heartstrings. After much reflection on the choice of guest, I decided to ask Mr. Kenny if he wouldn’t mind doing the honors as I could not think of any other perfect guest to do justice to such an important and rarely discussed topic.

 

In this episode, you will hear about the challenges, societal expectations, and triumphs of raising a child with special needs. You will also hear tips on how to build and foster support for those with special needs, especially for parents and caregivers. More importantly, you will hear about a father’s love; the kind that is unspoken but constant, affirming, assuring, and ever-giving.

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우리 사이의 역사| The One with Andrea - The Spanish-speaking Southern Belle: Episode 15 (2018)

Hola amigos! Can you say Spanish-speaking Southern Belle three times without blabbing? I didn’t think so. Also, would you ever consider going back to school to learn a new language to help the people you serve? In this episode, I explored Andrea’s story and her love for the Spanish language, history, and travels. I also talked a bit about growing up in Nigeria during the restrictive, military regime. Andrea hopes to visit Ghana first, and I gave her the best tip ever – avoid the jollof rice there :-D.

We also explored her relationship with Africans and what she thinks of us. I am also seeking business partners for what I think would be a very profitable business for Africans and African Americans. It has to do with cultural exchange. Email me on talktomo@mosibyl.com, if interested.

PS: I spoke a bit of Spanish as well.

Fun facts about Andrea:

  • She is wanderlust like me and has visited six countries (one of which was Cuba #jealous).

  • She holds two bachelor’s degree.

  • She loves the Lord.

Takeaway points:

  • If you are in Ohio, consider getting the #Skyline chili.

  • Tips on how to avoid getting deleted as a Facebook friend.

  • Teach African-Americans about the African culture.

  • Africans and African-Americans need to learn to be more culturally patient with one another.

  • Why we need to visit Cuba ASAP

Con amor de,

모 /Mo/

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