Living African

🎙️ Join me on this transformative journey with the incredible Kirby R. Gibbs in the latest episode of the Living African Podcast, S3E15! 🌍 We're delving deep into the theme of "Adapting Parenting Strategies for Modern Challenges and Generational Healing." 🌈 Kirby, a dual-degree holder in Communications and Psychology, brings a wealth of experience as a former ABC-TV News Reporter, Gulf Coast Chamber Exec, and Texas State Caseworker.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Discover actionable insights on breaking generational curses and fostering growth as parents. Kirby's passion for community development shines through her work in Texas and Ghana, Africa, addressing issues like domestic/sexual violence and creating stronger families through her non-profit, Fortress of Faith Coalition.

💼 As a Certified Life Coach and Public Speaker, Kirby shares practical strategies through her company, Flowrich LLC, guiding individuals and teams to "flow into the richness of their purpose and flourish." 🚀 Don't miss this empowering conversation filled with wisdom beyond years, down-to-earth perspectives, and a commitment to the success and growth of the communities she serves.

📞 Connect with Kirby:

🌟 Tune in to the Living African Podcast for a riveting discussion that explores breaking free from the past and building a brighter future for parenting. 🎧✨ Subscribe now for inspiration and actionable tips!

🌐 Our Info:

#LivingAfricanPodcast #KirbyGibbs #GenerationalHealing #BreakTheCycle #ParentingJourney #EmpowerFamilies #PositiveParenting #CommunityEmpowerment #InspireChange #TransformativeTalks #PodcastLife #FamilyLegacy #EmpowermentPodcast #AdaptAndGrow #ParentingTips #SubscribeNow

🌍 Welcome to Episode 14 of the Living African Podcast: "Preserving our Culture in Modern Times" with Reuben Ndjerareou! 🎙️

In this episode, we explore the intricate tapestry of African culture through the eyes of Reuben Ndjerareou. Born in N'djamena, Chad, and having lived as a Third Culture Kid, Reuben shares his profound insights into the challenges and beauty of preserving our rich heritage in today’s global landscape.

🎓 From the oil fields of Chad to educational initiatives in the USA, Reuben's journey of learning and leadership sheds light on the diverse experiences of African individuals across the world. As a passionate educator and the mind behind the SPEAK AFRICAN series, he is a voice for change and a beacon for cultural education.

Tune in as we discuss:

The life of a Third Culture Child

The impact of education on cultural preservation

The importance of storytelling in African communities

Navigating the complexities of identity and belonging

🔗 Links to the Living African Podcast community:

Website: www.livingafricanpodcast.com

Instagram: @LivingAfricanPodcast

Facebook/LinkedIn: Living African Podcast

Connect with Reuben Ndjerareou:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reouhidi77ndjerareou/

Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts in the comments, and join us on our social platforms for more enriching discussions.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please consider liking and sharing it with your network to help spread the wisdom and joy of African culture and community!

#LivingAfricanPodcast #AfricanCulture #EducationalLeadership #ReubenNdjerareou #Storytelling #ThirdCultureKid #AfricanDiaspora #CulturalPreservation #Subscribe

Welcome to a very special episode of the Living African Podcast. Dive deep into the world of our inseparable friendship of mine and Kimberly, we talk about the intricacies of life, friendship, and everything in between. 🌍💫

Questions:

00:01:13 - How did we first meet.

00:04:10 - What were our first impressions of each other.

00:06:58 - Most memorable adventure that we've shared together.

00:14:13 - Inside jokes that only the two of you understand?

00:15:04 - One thing that we both mutually love?

00:16:00 - One of the things that I just could not stand

00:17:30 - A time when you disagreed or had a big argument?

00:24:30 - Describe a tough time in your lives when you felt the other support the most.

00:27:45 - If we both could go on a trip together, where will he be?

00:28:30 - How we hope our friendship evolves in the next ten years.

00:30:15 -  If we would had to collaborate or start a business project together.

00:30:40 - If there was one thing you could change about me.

00:31:05 - What's the most valuable lesson we've learned from each other?

Throughout this episode, we aim to delve deep into the raw, unfiltered heart-to-heart conversations that have solidified our bond over the years. Discover the magic of friendship, the conversations that heal, and the power of genuine connection.

Links & Resources:

Explore more heartwarming episodes on our website: https://www.livingafricanpodcast.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for visual content and more deep dives: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingAfricanPodcast

Connect with Us:

Engage with us on Instagram: @LivingAfricanPodcast

Become part of our Facebook family: @LivingAfricanPodcast

Please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for heartfelt conversations and authentic tales that celebrate life, friendship, and deep connections!

#LivingAfricanPodcast #KimberlyAndAnyoh #HeartToHeart #DeepConversations #EpisodeXX #YouTubePodcast #BestFriendsTalk #GenuineConnection #FromTheHeart #RawAndReal

Welcome to a very special episode of the Living African Podcast. Dive deep into the world of our inseparable friendship of mine and Kimberly, we talk about the intricacies of life, friendship, and everything in between. 🌍💫

Questions that we go over:

00:01:13 - How did we first meet.

00:04:10 - What were our first impressions of each other.

00:06:58 - Most memorable adventure that we've shared together.

00:14:13 - Inside jokes that only the two of you understand?

00:15:04 - One thing that we both mutually love?

00:16:00 - One of the things that I just could not stand

00:17:30 - A time when you disagreed or had a big argument?

00:24:30 - Describe a tough time in your lives when you felt the other support the most.

00:27:45 - If we both could go on a trip together, where will he be?

00:28:30 - How we hope our friendship evolves in the next ten years.

00:30:15 -  If we would had to collaborate or start a business project together.

00:30:40 - If there was one thing you could change about me.

00:31:05 - What's the most valuable lesson we've learned from each other?

Throughout this episode, we aim to delve deep into the raw, unfiltered heart-to-heart conversations that have solidified our bond over the years. Discover the magic of friendship, the conversations that heal, and the power of genuine connection.

Links & Resources:

Explore more heartwarming episodes on our website: https://www.livingafricanpodcast.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for visual content and more deep dives: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingAfricanPodcast

Connect with Us:

Engage with us on Instagram: @LivingAfricanPodcast

Become part of our Facebook family: @LivingAfricanPodcast

Please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for heartfelt conversations and authentic tales that celebrate life, friendship, and deep connections!

#LivingAfricanPodcast #KimberlyAndAnyoh #HeartToHeart #DeepConversations #EpisodeXX #YouTubePodcast #BestFriendsTalk #GenuineConnection #FromTheHeart #RawAndReal

Disclaimer: Viewer discretion is advised. This episode discusses topics related to suicide. 

🎙️On this week's episode of the Living African Podcast, we are thrilled to be joined by the exceptional Danielle Fortingo, FNP, PMHNP! As the CEO and Founder of Kameron Health PLLC, and board-certified in both Family and Psychiatric Mental Health, Fortingo has dedicated over 14 years to pioneering medical spaces ranging from Emergency Medicine to Mental Health. 🚑💚

Danielle Fortingo, FNP, PMHNP offers a deep dive into the intricacies of mental health, especially within the African-American community. Touching on historical traumas, pressures, and the legacy of slavery, Fortingo provides insights into why mental illness is prevalent and underscores the need for understanding, compassion, and action.  "People with mental health issues often fear seeking help. They're labeled as 'crazy' or 'unfit,' leading many to suffer in silence."

Today, let's challenge these misconceptions and amplify the voices that advocate for mental health understanding and support.

Connect with Danielle Fortingo, FNP, PMHNP: Instagram: @kameronhealth @marvise1 Schedule a session: www.kameronhealth.com Email: Provider@Kameronhealth.com 

Stay Updated with Living African Podcast: Website: www.livingafricanpodcast.com Instagram: @LivingAfricanPodcast

In this inspiring episode, join host Anyoh Fombad as she engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Javnyuy Joybert, a true embodiment of resilience and entrepreneurship. Dr. Joybert's journey is nothing short of remarkable; born into challenging circumstances and facing adversities from a young age, he defied the odds to become a successful business and productivity speaker, author, and CEO of COSDEF Group LTD.

Listen as Dr. Joybert shares his early life experiences, growing up in the face of hardship, and overcoming the stigma of not having a father. His mother's determination to provide him with a brighter future led him to the city, where he worked various jobs to put himself through university. His journey includes stints as an okada rider and car washer, as well as working in a micro-finance company before ultimately founding a training school for young entrepreneurs.

The training school evolved into the COSDEF Group, which now operates in 20+ countries across four continents. Dr. Joybert's story is a testament to the power of resilience, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of one's dreams, even in the face of adversity.

This episode offers valuable insights into personal development, entrepreneurship, and the importance of resolving past conflicts. Dr. Joybert's life journey is a source of inspiration for anyone looking to overcome life's challenges and achieve their goals. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or seeking motivation to conquer your obstacles, this episode provides the guidance and inspiration you need.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:00 – 15:30] Introduction and Guest Introduction

[15:30 – 35:45] Pivoting Career Paths

[35:45 – 55:00] Entrepreneurship and Mindset

[55:00 – 1:10:00] Empowerment and Final Thoughts

Connect with Dr. Javnyuy Joybert:

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you! Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

As the host of this podcast, one of my core motivations has been to foster conversations like the one you'll hear in this upcoming episode. We believe that there's immense power in vulnerability, and Emmanuel's willingness to open up about his personal journey is a shining example of this strength. It mirrors the values instilled in me by my parents and the legacy I aim to pass on to my children.

Our mission at Living African Podcast is to create a safe, judgment-free space where individuals from all walks of life can share their stories authentically. We want to empower one another through these stories, one episode at a time. Remember, every story shared has the potential to change lives.

In a world where silence can be suffocating, we're determined to break the chains and encourage others to do the same. By creating this supportive platform, we hope to inspire a wave of vulnerability and empowerment across our African community.

Join us tomorrow as we delve into this transformative conversation, touching on resilience, healing, and the profound impact of sharing our truths. Together, we can be the change we wish to see in the world.

Connect with Emmanuel:

WhatsApp: +2347034496877

This Episode is brought to you by Living Financially Free:

In our community, financial stability is often overlooked as a priority. Hence, it becomes crucial to understand how our money works; its growth, and the methods to build generational wealth and establish a lasting legacy. If you envision a financially free life for you and your family, visit www.livingfinanciallyfree.info to speak with an agent who can guide you further.

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you! Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this empowering episode, we sit down with Leslie Awasom, the Director of Operations and Co-founder of XSITE Capital Investment LLC. Leslie's journey is a remarkable testament to the power of determination, adaptability, and challenging limiting mindsets.

Originally from Cameroon, Leslie's path led him to the United States, where he initially pursued a computer science degree. However, the financial crisis of the time prompted a crucial re-evaluation. Leslie shares how he navigated this pivotal moment in his life, highlighting the importance of adapting to change.

Listen in as Leslie discusses the significant mentors who shaped his journey and guided him toward successful real estate investments. With $168 million worth of multifamily real estate under his management, Leslie's insights into entrepreneurship and wealth-building are invaluable.

As a trained nurse anesthetist with a Master's in Nurse Anesthesia, Leslie exemplifies the power of diversifying skills and interests. Discover how he balances a thriving career, entrepreneurship, and family life.

Join us for an inspiring conversation that challenges the mindset that limits us and learns from Leslie's entrepreneurial wisdom. Whether you're interested in real estate, entrepreneurship, or personal growth, this episode offers valuable insights and motivation for all.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:00 – 05:30] Introduction and Guest Introduction

[05:30 – 15:45] Pivoting Career Paths

[15:45 – 30:20] Embracing Real Estate Investment

[30:20 – 45:00] Entrepreneurship and Mindset

[45:00 – 55:00] Empowerment and Final Thoughts

Connect with Leslie Awasom:

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you! Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this enlightening episode, join us as we delve into the world of essential healthcare access with our esteemed guest, Dr. Clovis Sangwe. Dr. Sangwe, a dedicated public health physician and founder of Rural Doctors, brings to light the critical issue of health equity gaps in enclaved, remote, and fragile settings.

During this compelling conversation, we explore Dr. Sangwe's profound passion for enhancing healthcare access and strengthening health systems, particularly in rural and underserved areas. He shares his personal journey and experiences, shedding light on the challenges faced by communities with limited access to essential healthcare services.

Dr. Sangwe's organization, Rural Doctors, is at the forefront of closing these health equity gaps by building community resilience and fostering partnerships with traditional structures and local resources. We discuss the impact of their work and the transformation it brings to these marginalized communities.

Join us for an insightful discussion that highlights the pressing need for improved healthcare access and the remarkable efforts of individuals like Dr. Clovis Sangwe to make a difference. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a community advocate, or simply interested in global health, this episode offers valuable perspectives and inspiration for all.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:00 – 10:00] Introduction and Guest Introduction

[10:00 – 25:00] The Mission of Rural Doctors

[25:00 – 45:00] Empowerment and Inspiring Change

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you! Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this enlightening episode, join us as we dive deep into the world of homeschooling with our guest, Ruth Beassem. Ruth, a devoted mother of five and a graduate of the American University of Paris with a Masters in Sustainable Business Development, challenges the prevailing misconceptions surrounding homeschooling.

Throughout this conversation, we explore the myths and realities of homeschooling, debunking false ideologies that often overshadow the benefits. Ruth shares her personal journey, offering valuable insights and practical guidance for parents contemplating homeschooling for their children.

Join us for an eye-opening discussion that challenges preconceived notions about homeschooling and empowers parents to make informed decisions about their children's education. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooling parent or just curious about this educational path, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for all.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:00 – 05:30] Introduction and Guest Introduction

[05:30 – 45:30] The Homeschooling Experience

[45:30 – 1:30:55] Challenging Myths and Empowerment

This Episode is brought to you by Living Financially Free:

 In our community, financial stability is often overlooked as a priority. Hence, it becomes crucial to understand how our money works; its growth, and the methods to build generational wealth and establish a lasting legacy. If you envision a financially free life for you and your family, visit www.livingfinanciallyfree.info to speak with an agent who can guide you further.

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you! Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this compelling episode, we have the privilege of hearing the remarkable life story of Abel Kirwa, a Kenyan native hailing from the scenic county of Nandi in the Rift Valley region. Abel's journey is one of extraordinary resilience, where he overcame tremendous odds to become an inspiration to many.

Born a healthy child like any other, Abel's life took an unexpected turn when a spinal disorder called Kyphosis struck, leading to paralysis from his waist downwards. Despite this challenging circumstance, Abel's indomitable spirit and unwavering determination shone through.

We delve into Abel's narrative, tracing his path from adversity to triumph, and discover the incredible strength that carried him through. Notably, we explore his recent graduation from Kenyatta University, where he achieved a Bachelor's degree in Library and Information Science, proving that with determination and belief, anything is possible.

Join us as Abel Kirwa's story reminds us that resilience knows no bounds and that the human spirit can rise above even the most daunting challenges. His journey is an inspiring testament to the power of unwavering determination and the belief that one can achieve greatness against all odds.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:00 – 10:00] Introduction and Guest Introduction

[10:00 – 30:00] Navigating Life's Challenges in Kenya

[30:00 – 45:00] Achieving Academic Success Against All Odds

[45:00 – 55:00] Empowerment and Inspiration

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you! Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Step into the world of African music and empowerment with my guest, Anderson Obiagwu. He's an influential figure in the entertainment industry and a true pillar of support for African youth. In this episode, we delve deep into Anderson's remarkable journey – from his Nigerian roots to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the United States.

We'll explore how Anderson founded Big A Entertainment, African Muzik Magazine, and the renowned AFRIMMA Awards – all dedicated to showcasing African talent to the world. Anderson's wife, Ifeoma Obiagwu (also known as Mrs. Big A), has been his steadfast support throughout, and we'll discuss the power of partnership and philanthropy through their initiatives, like the Big A Foundation.

We'll dive into the transformative impact of African music and its ability to empower and uplift the youth. Anderson's story is a testament to the potential of music and determination, enriching lives, forging connections, and celebrating the essence of African culture.

Join us in this inspiring episode as we honor the legacy of African music, embrace empowerment, and celebrate Anderson Obiagwu's exceptional dedication to uplifting African artists and youth worldwide. Get ready to be motivated and uplifted by his unwavering belief in the boundless possibilities of music and community.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:00 – 10:00] Introduction and Guest's Background

[10:00 – 20:00] Founding Companies and African Music's Impact

[20:00 – 30:00] Empowerment, Support, and Community

This Episode is brought to you by Living Financially Free:

 In our community, financial stability is often overlooked as a priority. Hence, it becomes crucial to understand how our money works; its growth, and the methods to build generational wealth and establish a lasting legacy. If you envision a financially free life for you and your family, visit www.livingfinanciallyfree.info to speak with an agent who can guide you further.

Quotes

 “Of course, nothing comes easy. Getting into this game I knew it wasn't gonna come easy. I knew it was gonna work at some point but not that fast. So yeah, I was built for it. I was ready for it, so I embraced all the challenges and disappointments.” – Anderson Obiagwu

“Be proud of who you are. God created you in dark skin for a reason. So if you’re black, if you’re African, know that you’re African for a reason. Love yourself more than anybody else can ever love you. Nobody can love you better than you. You have to believe in yourself because there is a certain level of confidence that comes with believing in yourself ." – Anderson Obiagwu

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you! Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Welcome to a captivating new episode where we dive deep into compelling conversations that shed light on the importance of networking and the power of collaboration.  

 The African Think Tank stands as a beacon, bringing together Africans and friends of Africa with the shared goal of creating a vibrant, growth-oriented community in the diaspora. In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with the visionary minds behind 'The African Think Tank’ - Sidonie and Tafor Niba. 

 We explore their inspiring mission to build a thriving, growth-focused community of audacious and innovative Africans in the diaspora. Through our conversation, you'll uncover the driving force behind this impactful movement, gain insights into their purpose-driven events, and witness the tremendous growth they've achieved.

 Join us as we delve into how 'The African Think Tank' empowers, connects, and transforms ideas into powerful initiatives, all while uniting Africans in the diaspora. Tune in and be a part of this dynamic journey!

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

 [00:00 – 10:00] Introduction and Guest Background

Welcoming Sidonie and Tafor Niba - the brains behind 'The African Think Tank.'

Insights into their career journeys, inspiration, and how they conceived the idea.

Delving into the implementation of 'The African Think Tank' initiative.

 [10:00 – 30:00] Purpose and Goals of The African Think Tank

Exploring the mission and objectives of 'The African Think Tank.'

Their first event, fostering collaboration, and building a thriving community.

The importance of uniting Africans and friends of Africa to share ideas and transform them into tangible initiatives.

Discussion on the challenges Africans face and the importance of fostering unity and growth.

[30:00 – 60:00] Empowerment and Collective Support

Deep dive into empowerment, urging Africans to believe in themselves.

Highlighting the significance of support, collaboration, and empowerment.

Inspiring call to action for Africans in the diaspora to come together, collaborate, and drive positive change.

 Final words from Sidonie, Tafor, and Anyoh.

This Episode is brought to you by Living Financially Free:

In our community, financial stability is often overlooked as a priority. Hence, it becomes crucial to understand how our money works; its growth, and the methods to build generational wealth and establish a lasting legacy. If you envision a financially free life for you and your family, visit www.livingfinanciallyfree.info to speak with an agent who can guide you further.

Quotes

 “We heard a number of discouraging words like “Africans don’t like partnering so this isn’t going to work” but we are going to change that. We will put in the work and prove that we can partner together and do great things together as Africans!” – Sidonie Niba

“We’re trying to incorporate people from every single African country - north, south, east, and west. [These events will be a place] where you get to meet people that you may be trying to connect with, empower one another, and leave better than you came." – Anyoh Fombad

“The fundamental problem is that we don’t partner and work together. What stops us Africans from coming together and partnering? This is the very essence of this organization. Let’s talk, support one another, and build together." – Tafor Niba

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you! Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this episode, we spotlight the extraordinary life of Caroline Mbi-njifor, a visionary leader with a two-decade career across African public and private health sectors, international development, and business. As a founding member of a successful consulting firm, Caroline's journey showcases her resilience, triumphs, and unwavering commitment. 

We delve into her upbringing, discuss the challenges black women often confront on their journey to success, and celebrate her role as an award-winning director, businesswoman, coach, and public speaker. Join us for an inspiring conversation that highlights Caroline's remarkable achievements and sheds light on the broader experiences of black women striving for excellence.

CONTACT:

Facebook: Caroline Zoh Akiy Mbi-Njifor

Email: ‎cmbinjifor@endlesslifegroup.com

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:00 – 05:30] Introduction and Guest Introduction

Introduction to Caroline Mbi-njifor, her background, and career accomplishments.

[05:30 – 30:00] From Vision to Success: Caroline's Journey

Exploration of Caroline's upbringing, early visions, and the trajectory of her distinguished career.

Insights into the founding of her consulting firm and the strategic leadership roles she has undertaken.

Discussion on the challenges she navigated and the driving force behind her achievements.

[30:00 – 52:00] Empowering Women and Shaping Futures

Transition to a focus on women empowerment, with Caroline sharing advice for young women.

Insights into the unique hurdles black women often face and the importance of believing in oneself.

Deep dive into empowerment strategies, fostering self-confidence, and overcoming societal barriers.

[52:00 – 01:08:00] Unity, Legacy, and Final Thoughts

A compelling discussion on fostering unity among women and leveraging collective strength.

Caroline's inspiring words on breaking glass ceilings, embracing leadership roles, and inspiring change.

Final thoughts on the significance of empowerment, resilience, and leaving a lasting legacy.

Quotes:

"My journey has been a testament to the power of perseverance and believing in your own potential. Every challenge I faced fueled my determination to create a lasting impact." – Zoh Akiy Mbi-Njifor

"Empowerment begins with self-belief. As black women, we navigate unique obstacles, but our strength lies in embracing our authenticity and forging our paths."  – Zoh Akiy Mbi-Njifor

"Unity among women is our greatest asset. When we come together, we shatter ceilings, uplift communities, and pave the way for a future of boundless possibilities."  – Zoh Akiy Mbi-Njifor

"Leaving a legacy is not just about personal success; it's about inspiring others to reach new heights. Each empowered woman becomes a beacon of hope for generations to come."  – Zoh Akiy Mbi-Njifor

This Episode is brought to you by Living Financially Free:

In our community, financial stability is often overlooked as a priority. Hence, it becomes crucial to understand how our money works; its growth, and the methods to build generational wealth and establish a lasting legacy. If you envision a financially free life for you and your family, visit www.livingfinanciallyfree.info to speak with an agent who can guide you further.

In this compelling and insightful episode, we delve deep into a pressing issue within the Black/African community. Our guest, Harry Fon, also known as Treize Quatorze, brings his unique perspective as a father of four amazing daughters, residing with his family in a close-knit village near Chicago. 

Harry, an IT expert and a Nurse, takes us on a journey through his roles as a family man, community organizer, and advocate. Together, we explore the impactful theme of fatherless homes and its far-reaching effects. With their rich conversation, Anyoh and Harry dissect gender roles, the evolving roles of fathers and mothers in households, the importance of men's involvement in their children's lives, and the interplay between traditional and modern approaches to marriage.

Join us as we navigate this thought-provoking discourse, touching on themes of emotional well-being, nurturing healthy family dynamics, and fostering community bonds. In a world where the concept of family is ever-evolving, this episode offers a profound exploration of the fatherless epidemic, and we emerge with a deeper understanding of the complexities it brings to our lives.

Tune in for a conversation that's sure to inspire, challenge perspectives, and encourage us all to play an active role in shaping the future of our families and communities.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:00 – 05:30] Introduction and Guest Introduction

Introduction to Harry, his family, values, and parenting approach.

[05:30 – 20:15] Gender Roles and Parenting

 Engaging conversation about gender roles in modern households.

 Discussion on evolving roles of fathers and mothers in parenting.

 Exploration of active parenting, staying-at-home dads and moms, and disagreements.

 Insightful talk on challenges and impact of absentee fathers.

[20:15 – 40:40] The Fatherless Epidemic

 Delving deep into the effects of the fatherless epidemic on young men and the community.

 Advice and guidance for young men to embrace emotions and become active parents and husbands.

 Harry's perspective on repercussions of absent fathers and importance of strong role models.

[40:40 – 01:30:00] Empowerment, Unity, and Final Thoughts

 Empowering one another and advocating for healthier family dynamics.

 Encouraging young men to step up, take charge, and break the cycle of absentee fatherhood.

 Addressing the importance of open dialogue, emotional well-being, and active involvement in parenting.

 Insights from Harry on creating a legacy and fostering resilient, capable young men.

 Final words from Anyoh and Harry, emphasizing unity, empowerment, and building a stronger community.

This Episode is brought to you by Living Financially Free:

In our community, financial stability is often overlooked as a priority. Hence, it becomes crucial to understand how our money works; its growth, and the methods to build generational wealth and establish a lasting legacy. If you envision a financially free life for you and your family, visit www.livingfinanciallyfree.info to speak with an agent who can guide you further.

Quotes

“"A father's legacy isn't just what he leaves behind; it's the strength he instills in the generations to come and I try everyday to instill discipline, honesty, and other important values into my children.” – Harry Fon

“Men of African descent must redefine masculinity – showing emotions doesn't weaken a man; it strengthens the family, your relationships, and makes you human." – Anyoh Fombad

“We as men must know that It's not about being a dad; it's about being present. Your presence is what shapes the future, creating memories with your family, actively being there and involved." – Harry Fon

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

Be a part of this profoundly personal episode of the Living African Podcast, hosted by Anyoh Fombad. Join her as she opens up about her journey with fibroids, shedding light on their significant impact on women, particularly those of African descent. Explore the crucial message of raising awareness, breaking the silence, and advocating for improved healthcare and support. Allow yourself to be inspired to take control of your health and contribute to empowering our community in conquering fibroids together.

Contact Anyoh:

Facebook: Anyoh Fombad

Instagram: @anyohfombad

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[02:00 – 20:00] Diagnosis

Why I took a break

My personal journey with fibroids

Stats on Firboids

Sharing my experiences with trying to conceive

Navigating my painful pregnancy experience

[20:00 – 30:00] Surgery & Healing

The decision to undergo fibroid surgery

The fibroid surgery experience

Importance of financial stability

My journey to full recovery

[30:00 – 44:00] Awareness & Final Words

Empowering one another and advocating for better healthcare and support within our community.

Inspiring listeners to take charge of their health and well-being, and encouraging open dialogue on this pressing issue.

Emphasizing the importance of regular tests and check-ups to ensure safety and early detection.

Fostering a healthier, more informed community that stands united in conquering fibroids together.

My final words

This Episode is brought to you by Living Financially Free:

In our community, financial stability is often overlooked as a priority. Hence, it becomes crucial to understand how our money works; its growth, and the methods to build generational wealth and establish a lasting legacy. If you envision a financially free life for you and your family, visit www.livingfinanciallyfree.info to speak with an agent who can guide you further.

Quotes

“At this point, I am just taking things one day at a time because I have learned that sometimes you make plans and God has his own plans, so I am embracing everything that comes through.” – Anyoh Fombad

“I hope that this story that I shared with you will maybe encourage someone to go check themselves based on the symptoms that I listed or do that surgery if they have been afraid or just support some other person that they know who may be going through stuff like this.” – Anyoh Fombad

“We women, especially African women, go through so much. I can't even stress how much we go through and we still brace ourselves; we still show up and show out. So this episode specifically is dedicated to all my African women. I just want to tell you to keep pushing regardless of whatever health issues that you may be facing.” – Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

Even as we continue to share the experiences of women who have dealt with fibroids, awareness of fibroids remains low. Lack of access, education, and resources, along with stereotypes and negative past experiences in healthcare settings, play a significant role in the number of women who go undiagnosed. Therefore, the topic of fibroids is one thing that we will never stop talking about to raise awareness about the disease in our community. 

Data from Michigan Medicine shows that “Nearly a quarter of Black women between 18 and 30 have fibroids compared to about 6% of white women, according to some national estimates. By age 35, that number increases to 60%. Black women are also two to three times more likely to have recurring fibroids or suffer from complications.”

There is a dire need for more education and discussion on this topic to help raise awareness and sensitize our community. So, today, our guest will give us a different perspective on her personal experience with fibroids. Be inspired!

Meet Our Guest :

Oyinkan Ogundele is a 3-time fibroid survivor. After a 3rd open myomectomy, which happened to be her 4th major surgery, she became free of multiple Uterine Fibroids in November 2018. She is passionate about helping women who suffer from fibroids and other reproductive health conditions.

My Gynae Issues Foundation (“My Gynae”) was conceived as a result of her desire to build a support system/ advocacy group for fibroid sufferers. The foundation also serves as a much-needed community for women with reproductive health challenges. In Africa, women often find it difficult to talk about issues affecting their reproductive health - these issues are usually shrouded in secrecy, out of fear and the associated stigma of infertility. So far, the foundation has helped over 300 women and it’s doing great with advocating for women’s health.

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 05:00] Introduction

[05:00 – 55:00] Beginning Of Oyinkan's Battle With Fibroids

[55:00 – 1:10:00] Elaborating On Key Important Points

[1:10:00 – 1:15:00] Final Words

Quotes

“If I had somebody doing what I'm doing now (advocacy and raising awareness), I would not have needed the number of surgeries, because I would have learned to ask the right questions, get the right answers, and get the right help I needed.” –  Oyinkan Ogundele

“I want people in our community to know that getting diagnosed with fibroids is just the condition and not a death sentence. It doesn't have to be a death sentence and not all fibroid cases end up with surgery.” –  Oyinkan Ogundele

“People should not be desperate to start trying things that are not tested be it herbs or pharmaceutical drugs. Before you take anything that’s said to cure fibroids – please don’t ask someone who's taken it before. Rather ask those questions to your doctor who is specialized in that field before taking in anything.” –  Oyinkan Ogundele

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

Substance use continues to be a growing major public health concern in Africa. Recent studies infer an overall estimated prevalence of 42% among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.* Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not adequately documented across many settings in the continent despite known negative health and social consequences on affected individuals and their communities. 

Kelem recollects her firsthand experience with her brother battling substance abuse and mental health issues, which ultimately resulted in his sudden demise. We also talk about the high prevalence of substance abuse especially among young Africans, the associated psychosocial problems and the comprehensive intervention and treatment programs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

*Data from WHO (World Health Organization)

Meet Our Guest :

Kelem Kejela is a nurse practitioner who currently works for the UN in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as head nurse for the United Health Care center. She is a mother of two children Daniella (20yrs old – 3rd year) in university and Ben (17yrs old senior) in High school. She is a board member of two NGOs that work with young girls and people with Epilepsy and she is passionate about serving her community.

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 05:00] Introduction

[05:00 – 25:00] Who was Alex?

[25:00 – 40:00] Stereotypes, Therapy, & Mental Health

[45:00 – 55:00] The Prevalence of Substance Abuse Among Adolescents 

[55:00 – 57:00] Final Words

Quotes

“We all know one or two family members or people in our communities who are struggling with substance abuse and there are those who are having mental health issues compiled with substance abuse so we must talk about these issues and stop covering it up.” –  Kelem Kejela

“For the street kids, there is no home. Their home is on the streets and the girls on the streets are having babies in the same conditions which will create a vicious cycle so we must find solutions to this problem. Africa as a whole needs to address this issue as a priority with peace, food security, and other lingering issues.” –  Kelem Kejela

“Mental health and substance abuse are new to Africans but I honestly feel that the emergence of social media has exacerbated the use of substance abuse because the western culture has kind of romanticized the use of drugs in lyrics and movies which kind of makes it cool." –  Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you for listening.

Cancer - especially breast cancer - is one of those topics that we will continuously spark conversations about here on Living African. With the incidence and prevalence of this disease on the rise, especially among the younger generation, it is only fair that we keep these conversations going.

According to the 2020 GLOBOCAN* data, 186,598 breast cancer cases were reported in Africa with 85,787 related deaths. Also, breast cancer is the commonest cause of global cancer-related deaths in women and a public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although the disease incidence in SSA seems lower, mortality rates are disproportionately high in comparison to high-income countries which calls for more awareness and education.

Today, our guest – Mabih Ngu has battled breast cancer twice and she is here to tell her story while giving us a different perspective on breast cancer. She will share with us her experience with breast cancer as a patient and as an advocate. Press play, get a seat, and let’s join us in this important conversation.

*GLOBOCAN: Global Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Prevalence.

Meet Our Guest :

Mabih Ngu MD MBA is a two-time breast cancer survivor who is also passionate about healthcare. This has afforded her an in-depth perspective on both sides of the spectrum: as a patient and someone who understands the disease process. 

As a breast cancer advocate, she encourages women to get preventative care and have periodic screenings. In 2021, she partnered with IheartHealthEx, to launch a campaign geared at raising breast cancer awareness and informing women about its prevalence. As someone who has battled breast cancer twice, she is here to tell her story while giving us a different perspective on breast cancer. 

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 05:00] Introduction

[05:00 – 40:00] Diagnosis, Symptoms & Surgeries

[40:00 – 1:05:00] Therapy, Healing, & Mental Health

[1:05:00 – 1:25:00] Elaborating On Some Important Key Points

[1:25:00 – 1:30:00] Final Words

Quotes

“It is so strange how being intentionally positive can turn your mental health around. Mostly, it also turns the situation around to align with your intentional positivity so I encourage all our listeners to be intentionally positive – always.” – Mabih Ngu

“Most of the time – dealing with cancer means you won’t have the company you used to have. Yes, you won’t be lonely but you won’t have normal life company so you have to find ways to keep yourself engaged and occupied. You have to ask yourself – how can I use my time?” – Mabih Ngu

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

African immigrants have contributed significantly to the growth and diversity of the overall Black population in the United States. As an immigrant, I know how hard it is for someone to come to the United States with nothing but a dream and work hard to see their dreams come to pass.

The story of Solange Che is that of challenging oneself to become their best version. To quote Solange  – “failure is a state of mind that if not handled with care can destroy one's personality. It took acceptance, goal setting, revamping my self-confidence, sacrifice, resilience, and vulnerability to come to the realization that I can start all over again and be my best version.”

Join us on this episode as she takes us through all the turns in her life journey – from her upbringing to education, traveling to Germany for her master's in linguistics, having a baby unplanned, moving to the United States, and how she was able to turn around her life (with the help of God Almighty) to become her best version. This journey will be motivating, inspiring, and emotional. Welcome to episode twenty-one(21). 

Meet Our Guest :

Solange Che is the fifth of a family of seven born in Cameroon. She did her Bachelor's and Masters in Linguistics at the University of Buea in Cameroon and later had a scholarship to study applied linguistics at the University of Cologne in Germany. 

She is a mother, a linguist and Salesforce consultant by profession, and a podcaster. She is an 8x Certified Salesforce Administrator/Consultant and Scrum certified with so many years of experience working in an agile environment. 

She is the host of the “You Can Be Anything Podcast’ where she shares her inspiring journey with her listeners. On her podcast, she shares real-life experiences and lessons learned and chats with people with similar stories so that listeners will have a wide variety of content to draw from.

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 05:00] Introduction

[05:00 – 25:00] Upbringing & Education

[25:00 – 38:00] Coming To America & Becoming A Salesforce Consultant

[38:00 – 40:00] Final Words

Quotes

“Believe in yourself. Believe in yourself that you can become anything and put in the work needed to actualize that belief. Always remember that you can become anything.” – Solange Che

“failure is a state of mind that if not handled with care can destroy one's personality. It took me acceptance, goal setting, revamping my self-confidence, sacrifice, resilience, and vulnerability to come to the realization that I can start all over again and be my best version.” – Solange Che

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

In the last episode (019),  I briefly stated my first encounter with Alzheimer’s Dementia through my grandfather. Despite the popular belief that this disease was a right of passage for every old person, I have come to learn that this myth is still very prevalent in our African communities. Some people even attribute Alzheimer’s to witchcraft or a curse. I suppose it is still difficult to understand and, most importantly, accept that it is nothing other than a disease. Therefore, I have invited a familiar face to this platform in the person of Dr. Leonard Ngarka (neurologist), and Vivian Ngang (aka Aunty Vivian) to have an in-depth discussion on Alzheimer's Dementia and give us more insight from a healthcare provider and caretaker perspective. 

Dr. Leonard Ngarka will focus more on educating our community about Alzheimer's Dementia while Vivian Ngang will share her first-hand experience on how she applied the knowledge shared with respect to caring for her mother (listen to her story in episode 019). I hope you learn and pick some key points from this episode, and as always, I hope the conversation continues within your circles. Thanks for listening. 

Meet Our Guests:

Vivian Ngang is a Registered Nurse with a doctorate degree in Nursing and a Master's degree in Nursing Science. She is a Clinical Nurse Manager in one of the hospitals or one of the units at the Veterans Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She has been married for 25 years – blessed with four beautiful children and one grandchild.

Dr. Leonard Ngarka is a Neurologist who works at Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon. He is also a Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. 

Contact Our Guests:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 30:00] Remembering Maa Lucy & Learning About Alzheimer's Dementia

[30:00 – 40:00] Prevention & Treatment

[40:00 – 1:00:00] Elaborating On Some Important Key Points

[1:00:00 – 1:13:00] Final Words

Quotes

“Remember that these elders going through Alzheimer's Dementia are used to giving instructions, giving orders, and doing what they want so we must learn to speak with them calmly, be patient, and be respectful with them in order for them to allow us to offer them the care they need.” – Dr. Leonard Ngarka

“When people start having these memory problems – sometimes, we caretakers are so impatient with them that we end up frustrating them. Frustration and becoming depressed even makes their symptoms worse. So we need to be tactful and make them see the need for medical advice rather than making them feel they’re close to madness or making them feel they’re so bad.” – Dr. Leonard Ngarka

 “What are the things we should do to prevent Alzheimer's Dementia? We should eat healthily, engage in sporting activities often, and if we are sick of any chronic condition then we should take our drugs well, and make sure we are well controlled.” – Dr. Leonard Ngarka

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

Over 2  million people lived with dementia in sub-Saharan Africa in 2015 and numbers are projected to nearly double every 20 years, increasing to almost 3.5 million by 2030 and 7.6 million by 2050.* 

My late grandfather died of a broken heart, but he also had mild symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia. That was my first encounter with this disease and I remember as a kid, struggling to understand why a grown man will forget things so easily or walk out of the house without knowing where he was headed, and getting lost. I remember most people calling it “Old age” and we were made to understand that it was a right of passage for every old person, and that made me even more scared to get old. 

Our community has normalized the ideology of defining people’s lives by the disease they are battling - in this case, Alzheimer’s Dementia. We tend to easily forget that these were humans - family, friends, etc - behind the disease. So this week, we discuss Alzheimer’s Dementia from a caretaker's perspective. We will be having Vivian Ngang (aka Aunty Vivian) discuss her experience while taking care of her lovely mother (Mama Lucy) who battled this disease until her demise.

This episode is heavy, emotional, and educational, and sheds more light on how we can help our senior relatives encountering this disease. Hope you learn and pick some key points from this episode – remember to share within your circle.

* Data From Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI)

Meet Our Guest :

Vivian Ngang is a Registered Nurse with a Doctorate degree in Nursing and a Master's degree in Nursing Science. She is a Clinical Nurse Manager in one of the hospitals or one of the units at the Veterans Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She has been married for 25 years – blessed with four beautiful children and one grandchild.

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 30:00] Remembering Mama Lucy & The Beginning Of Alzheimer's Dementia

[30:00 – 55:00] Events That Happened Before Mama Lucy's Passing

[55:00 – 1:15:00] Elaborating On Some Important Key Points

[1:15:00 – 1:25:00] Final Words

Quotes

“There's this stigma that someone having Alzheimer's means they're crazy which makes most Africans not want to talk about it so when I started sharing how my mum was dealing with hers, it inspired others to share how their parents were dealing with the same disease. So we must talk and share with others in order to raise awareness and educate our community.” – Vivian Ngang

“I want all your listeners to know that God won't give them challenges they don't the strength to handle so they must keep on and not give up.” – Vivian Ngang

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

Jehovah Has Healed is a book that was born out of a mother's journey through loss, faith, and the Supernatural. Like every newly married couple, Carine and Victor Njoh dreamed of a happily ever after life, but God had other plans. In Carine’s words – “It looked like I'd never see the dawn of the day. I asked many questions, but the answers didn't seem forthcoming.” 

In the book, Carine walks us through her experiences, but in this episode, we go deeper into how Victor was also impacted by the multiple loss and how God revived their faith and healed their hurt. 

Today, we continue from where episode seventeen(17) ended. I hope the conversation inspires you as it did me. This is such an important topic in our community, as it could lift up the spirit of someone going through something similar. It is therefore my greatest hope that the conversation doesn’t end here, and that we can keep it going within our circles. Thank you for listening. 

Meet Our Guests :

Victor is the 3rd child (first set of twins) from a family of 8. Born in Kumba, Cameroon to Mr. Christopher Njoh & Mrs. Ruth Njoh née Tabod, both of blessed memory. He relocated to the U.S in 1996 where he attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU )  in Weatherford and graduated in 2003 with a Doctorate in Pharmacy. 

Carine is the 5th of 6 children. Born in Buea to Mr. John  Ndeh & Mrs. Hilda Ndeh née Asanji. She relocated to the U.S in 2000 where she started College at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, as well. She graduated in 2010 with a Doctorate in Pharmacy. 

Victor and Carine met at SWOSU. At the time, Victor was President of Southwestern International Students Associations (SISA), and so was instrumental in helping her navigate the (school) system. Their relationship kicked off a couple of years later. They got married in 2008 and that's where their story begins.

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:03 – 10:00] Empathizing With People & Supporting Your Spouse

[10:00 – 20:00] Going Through Life While Facing These Challenges

[20:00 – 30:00] Spiritual Encounters & Advices

[50:00 – 53:54] Final Words

"Since you can't control what people say about you – to keep your peace of mind, please learn to filter out what you give your ears and attention to.” – Victor Njoh, on how to deal with negative comments

“If you are really concerned about someone having their own child then pray for them. Because when prayers go up, blessings come down. So instead of talking about them, pray for them.” – Carine Njoh

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

Jehovah Has Healed is a book that was born out of a mother's journey through loss, faith, and the Supernatural. Like every newly married couple, Carine and Victor Njoh dreamed of a happily ever after life, but God had other plans. In Carine’s words – “It looked like I'd never see the dawn of the day. I asked many questions, but the answers didn't seem forthcoming.” 

In the book, Carine walks us through her experiences, but in this episode, we go deeper into how Victor was also impacted by the multiple loss and how God revived their faith and healed their hurt. 

I hope the conversation inspires you as it did me. This is such an important topic in our community, as it could lift up the spirit of someone going through something similar. It is therefore my greatest hope that the conversation doesn’t end here, and we can keep it going within our circles. Thank you for listening.

Meet Our Guests :

Victor is the 3rd child (first set of twins) from a family of 8. Born in Kumba, Cameroon to Mr. Christopher Njoh & Mrs. Ruth Njoh née Tabod, both of blessed memory. He relocated to the U.S in 1996 where he attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU )  in Weatherford and graduated in 2003 with a Doctorate in Pharmacy. 

Carine is the 5th of 6 children. Born in Buea to Mr. John  Ndeh & Mrs. Hilda Ndeh née Asanji. She relocated to the U.S in 2000 where she started College at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, as well. She graduated in 2010 with a Doctorate in Pharmacy. 

Victor and Carine met at SWOSU. At the time, Victor was President of the Southwestern International Students Association (SISA) and was instrumental in helping her navigate the (school) system. Their relationship kicked off a couple of years later. They got married in 2008 and that's where their story begins.

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 30:00] The Beginning Of Challenges

[30:00 – 55:00] Dealing With The Challenges

[55:00 – 1:00:55] Empathizing With People Going Through Challenges

Quotes

“I found a hobby that I enjoyed so much, gardening. And I tell people all the time that If you are going through stuff and you need something to help you out, put your hand in the dirt. Put a seed in the ground and nurture that seed to grow, it will do an amazing thing to your psyche.” – Victor Njoh, on how he coped 

“Our community needs to do better to be sensitive. Be sensitive to people going through issues – people finding it difficult to give birth or have kids with special needs. Remember that you don’t have to say everything that comes into your mind, especially when the person is around.” – Carine Njoh

“I know what I went through and I know without God, I couldn’t have survived. I believe that He was my strength when I was weak and he encouraged me when I lost all hope.” – Carine Njoh

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) –  in 2019,  reports showed that 38.2 million children under the age of 5 years were estimated to be overweight or obese. Once considered a high-income country problem, overweight and obesity are now on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. In Africa, the number of overweight children under 5 has increased by nearly 24% since 2000. 

What makes this worse is the fact that most African countries have this mindset that being overweight has been associated with richness, health, strength, and fertility, whereas in the Western world, the slim body size is widely idealized. So children and teens with obesity are considered nourished and nice hence their obesity is less diagnosed.

Today, we have with us Dr. Judwin Ndzo to share her experience as a pediatrician who deals with cases of child obesity on a daily basis. This episode is focused on the causes of child obesity, myths surrounding child obesity, and preventive measures we can put in place to ensure our children don't become obese. We also discussed the impact obesity has on children's mental health. I hope you learn and pick some key points from this episode – remember to share this episode and the lessons learned with your circles.

Meet Our Guest :

Dr. Ndzo is a UK-based pediatrician who is passionate about helping children grow, thrive, and achieve their maximal potential in life. Early in her career, after graduating from the University of Buea, Cameroon, she worked at Solidarity Clinic in Buea, where she developed a passion for managing children. Her interest in nutrition led her to her job with MSF Swiss and later the French Red Cross in Garoua-boulaï, Eastern Cameroon where she worked in a refugee camp for almost 2 years, looking after malnourished kids.

Following this, she won a Chevening scholarship to study for a master's in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Southampton, UK. The following year, she decided to start her residency in Paediatrics and became a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2021. She is keen to mentor and help other young Cameroonians pursue their career goals. 

When not working, she enjoys traveling, working out, hiking, cooking, socializing, and hanging out with friends!

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 15:00] Understanding Childhood Obesity

[15:00 – 30:00] Mental Health of Obese Children & Myths of Obesity

[30:00 – 42:00] Advise, Recommendations & Ways Out of Obesity

[42:00 – 46:55] Final Words

Quotes

“Yes, the most important thing is that babies eventually have food. But it's important to talk about the importance of breastfeeding. So we know that babies who are bottle-fed are much more likely to develop obesity in the future and alongside diabetes and or whatnot.” – Dr. Judwin Ndzo

“I see children with diabetes, with hypertension, with low self-esteem, all those things. It really bothers me to see obese children suffer such health problems, especially at such a young age and I think we need to start with the adults, we are we need to be role models to our children. Let's have healthy families because healthy families would lead to healthier communities.” – Dr. Judwin Ndzo

“I see a lot of Cameroonian men who are obese and some of them don't even realize that until they get diagnosed maybe with hypertension and diabetes, and then they start making an effort to want to lose weight. So I think we need to start by looking at our own selves as adults. We cannot be telling a child, you're obese and things when yourself you've not started with yourself.” – Dr. Judwin Ndzo

“So do that BMI test, look at a BMI chart, calculate your BMI, you can literally do it at home, measure your child's height and measure your child's weight. I think anything over 25 is overweight and then obese or morbidly obese. So if your child is falling within that range, then have an honest conversation with them. And you don't necessarily have to be condescending, but just try to see things that you can start by changing in the household. And also having that conversation with them.” – Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

It is well reported by the WHO that more than 66% of the 120 million people affected worldwide by sickle cell disease live in Africa. Approximately 1,000 children are born with the disease every day in Africa, making it the most prevalent genetically-acquired disease in the region. More than half of these children will die before they reach the age of five, usually from infection or severe anemia.

What makes this worse is the fact that most African countries do not have the necessary resources to provide comprehensive care for people with sickle cell disease despite the availability of proven cost-effective interventions for prevention, early diagnosis, and management of this condition. This is why we need more advocacy, raise awareness and vigorously educate our community on this disease.

Dr. Ojong Bate is here to share her experience living with sickle cell. This episode is heavy, emotional, educational, and sheds more light on how we can help our community to battle Sickle Cell. Hope you learn and pick some key points from this episode, and please remember to share within your circle.

Meet Our Guest :

Dr. Ojong Bate is a Clinical Pharmacy Manager with Walmart Health and Wellness. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (PharmD) from the University of Charleston College of Pharmacy and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. She is passionate about health education and Sickle Cell Disease Advocacy. She is also the Founder of Brightstar Foundation; a non-profit foundation in Cameroon, Africa. The Foundation focuses on sickle cell disease education and empowerment. She is a health outcomes enthusiast and she enjoys promoting lifestyle modification in chronic disease management. Her personal interests include traveling, health education, Health strategy coaching, and business intelligence exploits.

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 06:00] Introduction

[06:00 – 30:00] Diagnosis & Living With Sickle Cell As A Teen

[30:00 – 1:00:00] Thriving With Sickle Cell

[1:00:00 – 1:13:55] Final Words

Quotes

“Yes, sometimes you might take longer to accomplish the things you want but that doesn't mean you will not accomplish it, it means that it's okay to pace yourself. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to seek your truth, your authenticity. And in that process to not devalue your worth.” – Dr. Ojong Bate

“In Cameroon, sickle cell disease is not very rare. It's just stigmatized so much that people hide it. And the synopsis and prognosis and outcomes are really poor so a lot of times patients go on to be diagnosed until they're three, four or five, and even six years old. And before some even get diagnosed, they have already lost their lives.” – Dr. Ojong Bate

“Know your self-worth, don’t center your life around sickle cell disease, ask for help, know your needs, be consistent with your drugs, and be your best advocate. Take your medications consistently and take good care of yourself so you don’t blame the disease for everything that happens to you health-wise. Simply, be there for yourself every day.” – Dr. Ojong Bate

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.

The topic of fibroids is one thing that we will never stop talking about to raise awareness about the disease in our community. As time goes by, I have gotten to know more women who have struggled with fibroids and I have come to the realization that it is far more common than being spoken about. 

Data from Michigan Medicine shows that “Nearly a quarter of Black women between 18 and 30 have fibroids compared to about 6% of white women, according to some national estimates. By age 35, that number increases to 60%. Black women are also two to three times more likely to have recurring fibroids or suffer from complications.”

There is definitely a dire need for more education and discussion on this topic to help raise awareness and sensitize our community. So, today, our guest will give us a different perspective on her personal experience with fibroids. Be inspired!

Meet Our Guest :

Our guest for Episode 14 aka “A Different Perspective of Healing from Fibroids” is Mane Ndoping. Mane was Born and raised in Cameroon and came to the US when she was 18. Studied psychology in undergrad 2012. Obtained MSc in Occupational Therapy 2015. She is a health and wellness enthusiast focusing on mental wellness and functional nutrition.

She started a journey of self-healing in 2009, which has morphed through the years leading to the birth of NannezFruitDlight in 2019; a venture that she's passionate about through which she shares her personal journey of healing as well as information for other health challenges from other health and wellness professionals.

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 30:00] Mane’s Entrepreneurship Journey 

[30:00 – 1:00:00] Further Diagnosis & Treatment

[1:00:00 – 1:13:55] Final Words

Tweetable Quotes:

“Some foods that we eat overwork the liver and make it hard for it to eliminate toxins, so it just stays in the body. One thing I learned about fibroids is that people who have fibroids, in most cases, have high estrogen. And the liver helps to excrete the excess. But then if we feed our liver with less optimal food, it's not able to excrete it so it stays in the body, and then it causes [complications].” - Mane Ndoping 

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

African immigrants have contributed significantly to the growth and diversity of the overall Black population in the United States. As an immigrant, I know how hard it is for someone to come to the United States with nothing but a dream and work hard to see their dreams come to pass.

That's the story of Leslie Asanga who is an entrepreneur creating solutions to some of the enormous problems we faced back home in Africa, Cameroon specifically.

Join us now as we deep dive into his journey as an immigrant and entrepreneur

Meet Our Guest :

Dr. Asanga is a pharmacist and an entrepreneur with 10+ years of healthcare and entrepreneurship experience. He is the founder and CEO of Pills2Me - an on-demand prescription delivery service - which was launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also the co-founder and CEO of UrPharm (an easy way to search, find, and pay for medications in sub-Saharan Africa). He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and an MBA from Roseman University of Health Sciences, Nevada, and a Master of Public Health degree from Yale University. He was the winner of the Thorne Prize at startup Yale - Yale University's annual entrepreneurship award for healthcare innovation. He is an innovator and very passionate about using technology to solve healthcare problems, especially in vulnerable communities.

Contact Our Guest:

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 30:00] Leslie’s Entrepreneurship Journey 

[30:00 – 1:00:00] Further Diagnosis & Treatment

[1:00:00 – 1:13:55] Final Words

Tweetable Quotes

“Our people have a lot of potentials but just don't explore them. People just boxed themselves into tiny boxes. They say - I'm doing this, I'm staying on this track, but I think there's a whole lot more that we can do if we just decide to explore, and not be afraid to fail.” - Leslie Asanga

“Focus on the positive side of things, but believe that the negative side can happen so have a contingency plan, knowing that, this can happen, but I know the probability of that worst-case scenario happening is low and I know what do in case the worst-case scenario happens. So be positive all the time even when you have a negative fact.” - Leslie Asanga

“What I will say to anyone is that chase your dreams! Right? I know, it's been said 1000 times before but you know, you don't let your guard down. Forget about the failure, forget about everything else and go chase your dreams!” - Leslie Asanga

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

As mentioned in episode eight, last year - we got mixed feedback about the series of episodes we did with members of the LGBTQIA+ community to honor Pride Month. But in alignment with the goal of this podcast, not everyone will like every topic we talk about, especially topics that make people uncomfortable. You see, growing up, most of our parents never educated us on sex, relationships, and marriage because they believed that talking about it meant that they were encouraging us to do it. The truth is that as adults, many of us wish we had this education when we were younger. Also, whether they spoke to us about it or not, that didn’t mean sex and/or relationships weren’t still happening behind their backs. Using the same logic as the sex/relationship talk, whether we agree (or not) to educate ourselves about the lgbtqia+ community, or think that acknowledging them means encouraging their “practices” (as some people call it) in our African community, one FACT still remains: the lgbtqia+ community exists in the African community whether we agree or not. They are actually close family and friends and you may not even know it. You don’t have to agree with them or their values, but you should respect them for who they are and how they choose to live their life, just like you will expect to be respected. We can always agree to disagree in love and respect! I learnt a lot from this episode and hope you do too.

Meet Our Guest:

Mr. John Adewoye was born in Kwara State Nigeria and was the last child of the 4 surviving children of his parents. 

“Surviving” characterized his life story from his teenage years till he was 40 years old because of my sexual orientation. The struggle was really intense for him throughout his elementary school years where he was nicknamed "obinrin" meaning a girl because of his effeminate behavior. The teenage years were particularly traumatic for him because neither he nor those who bullied me had a name for what set him apart from other boys. No one addressed this issue with him as would have been today; not even his parents. 

At age 40, he came to the US in pursuit of conversion therapy, where he came to the realization that he needed no cure but self-acceptance. 

As a then-priest, he also got to be aware of the fact that he need to leave the Priesthood to keep his self-acceptance, grow in it and share it. He decided to come out and stay as a visible example for those who may need his evidence in their personal struggles as homosexuals. 

Mr. Adewoye has been happily married to his partner Adebayo John Omoworare since 2016. He is happy with his life and desires the same for everyone.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 30:00] Mr. John Adewoye Shares His Journey 

[30:00 – 50:00] Life In America & Activism

[50:00 – 57:34] Final Words

Tweetable Quotes

“When we try to conform to the pressure of the society, it lead to  some women to marry the man they weren't really attracted to. It has led some men to marry women who they aren't attracted and that has led to raise suffering of the people we should love.” - Mr. John Adewoye

“So it is our duty, though we may not accept or support - it's our duty to educate ourselves so that we can respect them, because regardless of our beliefs, we must respect them first and foremost, as humans, we must respect one another.” - Anyoh Fombad

“So either gay or straight - the most important thing for me, is whatever I can do for humanity. And that is what I see many people in our LGBT authority trying to do for the community based on their own limited reality” - Mr. John Adewoye

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Dear listeners, this week - we will be talking about “Living with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis”. We will be having Anna Arrey on this episode(11) to discuss her journey with this disease, raise awareness, and share the lessons learned through battling this disease with you. So firstly, what is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate many functions in the body. An autoimmune disorder is an illness caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissues. In Hashimoto's disease, immune-system cells lead to the death of the thyroid's hormone-producing cells. The disease usually results in a decline in hormone production (hypothyroidism).

It is our hope that by the end of this conversation – you learn something new, become more aware of this disease through Anna's experience, and equip yourself with knowledge you or a loved one may need.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 40:00] Anna Shares Her Journey 

[40:00 – 1:10:24] Further Diagnosis & Treatment

[1:10:00 – 1:09:00] Final Words

Tweetable Quotes

“I've learned that if you put God at the center of your life, he's going to be there for you. I am a testimony of God's grace.” - Anna Arrey

“I'm going to use the opportunity to give a huge shout-out to those Uncles and Aunties and family members that step up for the other family members and take the role of a parent to other family members who are definitely not their children – directly or biologically. So, I just want to give a shout-out to your [Anna's] uncle and auntie and tell them that, we really appreciate them here at Living African Podcast for everything that they have done for you.” - Anyoh Fombad

“I don't let anybody stress me. I walk away from shitty people – negative and toxic people. If I find out you are a toxic person, trust me. I won’t even say good morning.” - Anna Arrey

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In episode 9, Kiali shared her “baby loss” story with us and now she is back to share that of “battling infertility” after losing her baby and trying to conceive again. Infertility is often a silent struggle and women who are struggling to conceive report feelings of depression, anxiety, isolation, and loss of control.

Despite the prevalence of infertility, the majority of infertile women do not share their stories with family or friends, thus increasing their psychological vulnerability. The inability to reproduce naturally can cause feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem. These negative feelings may lead to varying degrees of depression, anxiety, distress, and a poor quality of life.

Therefore, it is our hope that Kiali’s story will encourage other women and empower our community to keep encouraging such conversations.

Meet Our Guest:

Kiali J. Garrett is an MBA with a Finance & Accounting background, and she manages large-scale projects for a living. Best known for her positivity, and managerial and leadership skills, she has worked across a broad range of industries including Banking, Hospitality, Automobile and Telecommunications, and Healthcare IT. She is an entrepreneur and founder of PeaceSteps, an organization for a cause that seeks to promote global peace. Kia also runs a style blog (www.classandasmile.com), a platform on which she expresses herself and a plinth she uses to influence, inspire, and empower women across the globe. She is a people person with a positive mindset, and she enjoys discovering new places, immersing herself in different cultures, and engrossing in adrenaline-rush adventures.

Contact Kiali: 

Instagram: @classandasmile

Facebook: Kia Kia

E-mail: classandasmile@gmail.com

Get Kiali’s book on amazon, better world books, and thriftbooks.

Website: www.classandasmile.com

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 40:00] Kiali Shares Her Journey 

[40:00 – 1:10:24] Lessons & Words of Encouragement

[1:10:00 – 1:15:00] Final Words

Tweetable Quotes

“Be compassionate. You never know what people are going through. Just don't assume that because people got married in December so by September, they should be having a baby. And then after that, you start asking them – Oh, where's the baby? When are you guys gonna have kids? Don't do that because you have no idea what this couple is going through.” - Kiali Garrett

“Be there for your spouse and support your spouse. Try to recognize that he's on the journey with you and that he's trying to have a baby as well – most importantly, with you. So you need to try to be considerate, if you need to run errands for him, go out and do it. Just don't sit there and throw everything at him.” -  Kiali Garrett

“When I got pregnant I was told by doctors and friends that sometimes when you're so stressed, your body is not a  friendly environment so it expels and can’t harbor a pregnancy. But I think being calm, and being less stressed, and trying not to stress yourself will help you a lot.” - Kiali Garrett

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

There is no greater worry for a parent than losing a baby. A baby's death is particularly distressing since it is frequently unexpected and goes against the natural order of life, in which the baby is expected to precede their parents. The emotional trauma of losing a baby can result in a variety of psychological and physiological issues, including sadness, anxiety, stress-related cognitive and physical symptoms, marital issues, an increased risk of suicide, pain, and guilt.

All of these concerns can last a long time after a baby dies, and they can lead to a documented psychiatric condition like complicated grief disorder, which has many symptoms that are comparable to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Today, we will be having Kia Tumban on #Episode9 to discuss how she has and is “Surviving Baby Loss”. The goal of having this conversation is to share some key points with any dealing with a loss and how we as a community can be of help to each other during those times. Hope this episode positively impacts you as I did to us during the recording.

Meet Our Guest:

Kiali J. Garrett is an MBA with a Finance & Accounting background, and she manages large-scale projects for a living. Best known for her positivity, and managerial and leadership skills, she has worked across a broad range of industries including Banking, Hospitality, Automobile and Telecommunications, and Healthcare IT. She is an entrepreneur and founder of PeaceSteps, an organization for a cause that seeks to promote global peace. Kia also runs a style blog (www.classandasmile.com), a platform on which she expresses herself and a plinth she uses to influence, inspire, and empower women across the globe. She is a people person with a positive mindset, and she enjoys discovering new places, immersing herself in different cultures, and engrossing in adrenaline-rush adventures.

Contact Kiali: 

Website: www.classandasmile.com

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 40:00] Kiali's Pregnancy & Diagnosis With Placenta Abruption

[40:00 – 1:09:13] 

[1:10:00 – 1:15:00] Final Words

Tweetable Quotes

“I choose to focus on the good and not the bad because I realized that where my focus goes, energy flows! So I decided to focus on some of the things that I have that maybe other people don't necessarily have, feeling gratitude.” - Kiali Garrett

“I learned that the fathers of these babies, they're hurt too. Regardless of whether they carry the pregnancy or not, regardless of whether they went through a C-section or not, they’re hurt! We need to be there for them as our spouses or partners, brothers or sisters, we need to be there for them. You need to check on them. Don't only send flowers to your sister, send flowers to your brother-in-law as well.” -  Kiali Garrett

“I feel like as a community, we should also tend to attend to the men because the men as well are going through a lot. Whether the baby is here or not, the men also feel that impact because they're also the closest wants to you, and it's also their child, it's a man's child as well so we shouldn't neglect their mental health.” - Anyoh Fombad

“I remember when I was going through my journey, I was listening to a lot of people with a positive mindset and it helped me get out of those dark days that I was in to find some light. So I encourage you to share this knowledge with everyone around you so you can help them in one way or the other.” - Kiali Garrett

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

This week - in honor of Pride Month, we will be having Leon Mopecha to discuss “Their Life As A Nonbinary African” on episode 8. Though my discussion with Leon will be focused on their life and experience as a trans person, we will also be addressing the negative outlook, stereotypes, and discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community in our community.

In many African countries, homosexuality is still taboo, with society holding conservative views on gender identities and roles. This translates into a considerably high level of intolerance and discrimination towards LGBTQ people.

To overcome these issues faced by the LGBYQ+ community in our African Community, we hope that this conversation is better received than last year when we had this same discussion.  All we ask for is more tolerance and respect towards the LGBTQ+ community and that you learn and unlearn a couple of things from listening to this episode.

Meet Our Guest:

Leon Mopecha (they/them) is a nonbinary creator and educator from Cameroon, living in the United States. They use gender-neutral they/them pronouns. Leon majored in Communications with a minor in Anthropology from Widener University. Their biggest passions are linguistics, immigration and travel, intercultural communication, filmmaking, animation, and literature. In all of these fields, Leon likes to apply their unique perspective as an individual from a very diverse background, speaking on how to make media more inclusive and truly representative of society, raising awareness about previously erased or suppressed histories, and encouraging literacy and multilingualism in youth and adults.

Contact Leon: 

Instagram: @leon_thelion

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 10:00] Anyoh Addresses Our Audience On LGBQT+

[10:00 – 50:00] Getting To Know Leon 

[50:00 – 1:10:00] Transitioning & Dealing With New Realities

[1:10:00 – 1:15:00] Final Words

Tweetable Quotes

“You may not support the members of the LGBTQ community, but I would plead with you to just respect them as humans first because we are human beings first before anything.” - Anyoh Fombad

“What people advocate for when they advocate for LGBTQ+ rights – we're advocating not that everybody needs to suddenly become bisexual, but that there needs to be an acknowledgment that there are multiple kinds of sexuality and there are multiple kinds of gender identities.” - Leon Mopecha

“There are more than enough examples of people that are members of the queer community of the LGBTQ plus community, that have family, jobs, are famous or successful, are scholars, activists, advocates, you know, firefighters, police, whatever, they're in every profession, all over the world, every culture, without exception.” - Leon Mopecha

“My last call is just for us to show empathy, regardless of who we're dealing with; whether they're members of LGBTQ plus community or whatever community. As human beings first, it is our duty to show respect and empathy for one another.” - Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Most of my life-long friendships were built in boarding school back home in Cameroon. If you went to boarding school in Africa, you probably spent 9 months out of 12 with about 15-30 other students in a large hall filled with bunk beds and called dormitories. Life was hard, challenging, and fun, but most importantly, the values and relationships that were achieved cannot be quantified.

Sometimes, I look back and reminisce about my 7 years of life in boarding school either with friends or in my solitude. So, I decided to call up a few of my friends to share some of their fondest memories while they were in boarding school. This, indeed, was such a fun episode for me and to say I felt nostalgic is an understatement. I hope you do too!

Info on Sharon’s Business:

Sharon Nyamboli 

NPN: #8205748

Phone number: (240) 535 6870

Email: sharonyamboli@gmail.com 

Info on Antoinette’s Business: 

Antoinette Njombua-Fombad 

Website: https://www.healloveandgrow.com/

Facebook: @healloveandgrow

Instagram: @w_i_t_h_i_n

Brainz Magazine Executive writer 2021-2022: https://www.brainzmagazine.com/executive-contributor/antoinette-njombua-fombad

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 10:00] Introduction

[10:00 – 30:00] Discussion Between Anyoh & Abermo

[30:00 – 45:00] Discussion Between Anyoh & Antoinette

[45:00 – 1:10:00] Discussion Between Anyoh & Sharon

[1:10:00 – 1:14:00] Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes

“I think it's boarding school that taught us how to be very independent. Because think about the schedules - like at 5:30 in the morning, we wake up. Now they even have 7-8-year-old kids waking up and going through all of that at a very young age so, by 10, 12 years old, you're gonna be so independent and so resistant to stress or too hard life that you can only go onwards.”- Anyoh Fombad

“The best part about [an all-girls boarding school] is that it grows your womanhood. It really does create sisterhood, it helps you to appreciate your fellow woman, and it just grows you and helps you focus on things that are naturally feminine.” - Antoinette F

“A lot of Africans tend to do well in the United States because you have to be disciplined to do certain things at certain times. In fact, the system itself puts you in a situation where you have to be at work at a certain time, you have to be able to be back home, cook, do certain things, and go to sleep at a certain time. That discipline is something that we grew up harnessing [in boarding school] as little kids.” - Abermo M

"Boarding school helped shape me into the woman that I am today. Many of the friends that I have are folks that I met in boarding school. I have friends that I have made along the way [in life after boarding school], but those relationships are not as strong as the ones that I made in Boarding school.” - Sharon N

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast: You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com.

Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

This week, we talk about an evolved African man’s outlook on matrimony. Of course, this isn’t to say that all African men think this way, but to encourage them to work hard at personal development to a point of changing the common narrative about marriage, which is typically built on patriarchal principles.

African men often do not get vulnerable, so it is pretty refreshing to have this conversation with one of our own! Nonetheless, this message is directed to every man from every race. Vulnerability is power and I hope we see that through the words of our guest this week. 

Meet Our Guest:

Edmund Ade is a Certified Financial Planner and member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa. He currently runs a financial planning and private wealth management practice at Nedbank Private Wealth South Africa. Edmund is also an independent corporate finance adviser, advising and executing capital raising mandates, and an entrepreneur/investor with interests in several start-ups in agribusiness, fintech, healthcare, real estate,  procurement & distribution.

Contact Edmund: 

65 Satara Avenue, Gallo Manor, Sandton, South Africa

Cell +27 (0)83 843 7918 

Email: Edmond.Ade@outlook.com

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 20:00] A Long-distance Relationship that Ultimately Led to Marriage

[20:00 – 45:00]  Marital Challenges

[45:00 – 1:10:00] The Divorce & Its Aftermath

[1:10:00 – 1:26:00] Lessons

Tweetable Quotes

“I feel like our community does not understand what it means that personal growth. Personal growth involves so many different things and it needs to be deliberate. Thus, being deliberate about seeking counsel when you need to, seeking a mentor when you need to, talking to a lot of people, and doing a lot of reading. Thankfully, there's a lot of resources on the internet, so read about human psychology and understand things like empathy.” - Edmund Ade

“One of the things that I've learned which I think we must start to normalize as a society is the whole idea of mental health and emotional maturity, because these are important to know how humans interact with each other. So, people need to find ways to do some kind of mental health check because we do a lot of other [medical] checks, so why not a mental health check?.” - Edmund Ade

“There are certain mindsets with which we get into relationships, and they ultimately create dysfunctional relationships. I think our way of growing up or upbringing doesn't give us the opportunities to be better human beings and to be able to relate better. I think we brushed a lot of things under the carpet because of so many different kinds of stereotypes. So today, I'm hoping to maybe challenge some of those mindsets and ultimately be able to get people to think about a few things which will challenge/change their mindsets, or at least force them to question some things before they get into marriage.” - Edmund Ade

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Connect with Living African Podcast:

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

Connect with host, Anyoh:

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Hello listeners, as we continue our conversation on mental health to honor #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, our focus this week is on Postpartum Depression.

Postpartum Depression(PPD) is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happens after childbirth. This mental health disorder affects women AND men in our community but it seems to be under-reported due to the stereotypical outlook on those who go through it, as well as the dismissive approach our culture seems to take towards such topics. 

To break this stereotype, sensitize our people, and encourage those going through this ordeal, Baoline and Agbor Eyong are here to talk about their experience with postpartum depression after the birth of their second child.

Meet Our Guest:

Baoline and Agbor Eyong are a Cameroonian couple living in the state of California, who went through one of the most trying moments of their marriage when Baoline suddenly experienced severe postpartum depression after having their second child. Join us and listen to their story, learn from them, and use the information to equip ourselves.

Contact Baoline and Agbor: Meshiehawa@yahoo.com

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 25:00] Baoline Shares Her Experience With Postpartum Depression

[25:00 – 45:00]  Agbor Shares His Experience with Helping His Wife Fight PPD

[45:00 – 1:01:40] Coping Mechanisms & Lessons Learned

Tweetable Quotes

“I think the first step is talking about it. Like when you have it, share it with people. Because the bottom line is people will not know what you're going through if you don't tell them. Let them know you’re going through postpartum depression even if they're clueless because the people that I told, even though they were clueless, they were able to Google or research it, and then they knew how to help me.” - Baoline Eyong

“You need to actively make that decision to get over it. Because putting it behind or under the rug, It's just going to sit there until one day you will find yourself in a situation that will give you PTSD and it would be like a flashback; like a ‘Deja Vu, and then you'll be surprised by the way you react to it. This shows that you never really got over it.” - Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com  for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Welcome to the month of May; the Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, we will in part focus on mental health awareness. In our African community, most people living with mental illness (particularly when severe) are frequently stigmatized, shunned, and outcasted, making it difficult for people to express any mental health concerns. This has to change and it starts with creating awareness and having these uncomfortable conversations.

So in this episode, we have a familiar name from Season 1 - Patience Abonge. Her episode on Season 1 was one of the most listened to, and reviewed as her story touched many and brought forth the awareness of why we need to keep asking our loved ones the “Are you okay?” question, but this time, with intention and genuine interest to know what they’re going through mentally.

Meet Our Guest

Patience is a support worker who advocates for mental health in our community. She has suffered from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. She is here to speak more about her recent relapse and her goal is to use her story to motivate and inspire others while emphasizing the need to continue having these conversations. 

Contact Patience:

Tiktok: @patienceabonge8

Facebook: Patience Abonge

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 25:00] Patience Shares Her Relapse Story

[25:00 – 45:00]  Recovery & How We All Can Help People Dealing With Mental Issues

[45:00 – 52:00] Addressing Important Issues

Tweetable Quotes

“First of all, you have to identify the reasons or the causes of your mental health issues because you alone will know what the trigger is. Are you in financial difficulty? Are you unhappy in a relationship? Are you suffering from childhood trauma? Are you suffering from a loss? When you identify what the cause is then you can find a solution.” - Patience Abonge

“Seek help from professionals or people with experience in mental health-related issues because people with experience would know exactly what you’re going through and how to help you go through this difficult phase of your life.”  - Patience Abonge

“Asking me to be positive in such difficult times is not what I need. Ask me how you can help me, what you can do for me or support me with. Don’t come in thinking you know what am going through and you have a solution or suggestion when you haven’t spoken to me yet.” - Patience Abonge

“The worst thing that could ever happen, which tends to relatively be common in our African community is that a lot of people use a mental illness against the patient's going through it. Whenever the patient has a concern or an issue they want to have a conversation about, people presume they’re having an episode or a relapse and that’s so insensitive” - Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com  for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

The topic of fibroids will be one thing that we will never stop talking about because raising awareness is very necessary. This time around, we will dive deep into a personal experience of one of our sisters on her quest to get rid of 100 fibroids.

By age 50, nearly two-thirds of women experience uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous tumors that grow in the uterus and range from pea to football-sized and even larger. Data from Michigan Medicine shows that “Nearly a quarter of Black women between 18 and 30 have fibroids compared to about 6% of white women, according to some national estimates. By age 35, that number increases to 60%. Black women are also two to three times more likely to have recurring fibroids or suffer from complications.”

This data shows that women in our communities are disproportionately affected by fibroids and for that reason, there is a dire need for more education and discussion on this topic to help raise awareness and sensitize our community. Be inspired!

Meet Our Guest

Our guest for this episode is Hilda Ngelo. Hilda was born in Cameroon and is an IT Change Partner, Creative Director of Ndià  Mangye, and Editor-in-Chief at Mammypi  FashionTV. 

Hilda shares with us her journey with fibroids, which has been such a difficult one to say the least, but she came out stronger than ever and survived a surgery, which took out 100 fibroids from her body. Hilda’s story doesn’t only depict the strength of a woman, but her ability to bear it all and never lose hope! 

Be inspired by Hilda’s story just as we are!

Contact Hilda:

Facebook: Hilda Ngelo and/or Mammy Pi

Instagram: @mammypi

Watch Hilda’s Story on BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00151j8

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 25:00] Hilda Narrates Her Experience With Fibroids

[25:00 – 50:00] Second Surgery & Recovery

[50:00 – 01:05:00] Addressing Important Issues

[01:30:00 – 01:09:03] Final Advice

Quotes

“I think clinicians should be able to listen to patients and provide accurate information to them. And if the patient doesn't understand, get somebody that can understand that information and break it down to the patient in a language that they better understand.” — Hilda Ngelo

“Please speak up, speak to somebody you trust. Find somebody in your circle that you trust. And if there's nobody, please do reach out because I'm here to listen, I'm here to help, and advise you.” — Hilda Ngelo 

“In a different world like in the western world as a whole, A lot of black or African women go through so much but they are so afraid to ask the right questions because they think the doctor or health professional won’t give them a chance to ask those [questions] or meet them with aggression as they have experienced back home [in Africa].” — Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com  for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Life in the 40s to 60s was nothing compared to current times. For my Grandad(Dr. Wilfred Asombang), then a young man trying to find a meaning for his existence, it wasn’t any different.

I brought him on this week’s episode to discuss his life’s story and share the lessons he learned along the way, which led to success and a legacy for us his grandchildren. I hope this episode gives you more clarity about life and offers you some answers to some of the struggles you may be facing.

MEET THE GUEST:

Dr. Wilfred Wasi Asombang was born in Cameroon (Achah Quarter, Mbengwi Village, Meta, Momo Division). Dr. Asombang beat all odds to fulfill his dreams of going to school in various parts of the world making him the first in his family and one of the very few citizens with advanced education at the time. His education includes the following:

Basel  Mission Primary School, Mbengwi; Ahmadiya College, Aggege, Lagos, Nigeria; London University Advanced Level GCE Certificate through Rapid Results College correspondence tuition; B.Com (Hons) Degree, University of Poona, Maharastra, India; MBA and MSc (Agecon) degrees from the University of Minnesota pre-MBA and the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, including an internship at the IBRD/World Bank, Washington D.C. USA; and   1988 Ph.D. (Econs) degree, University of Wales, Aberystwyth campus, Wales, UK. 

During his professional years, Dr. Asombang had several publications and was a member of several professional societies. He worked for prominent international organizations like the African Union and United Nations. Presently, as a United Nations retiree, he is a Freelance Consultant on Capacity Building for Economic Growth & Development; Strategic Human Resources Management, and Regional Cooperation and Integration.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 25:00] Grandad talks about his humble beginnings

[25:00 – 01:00:00] Work Life & Career Progression

[01:00:00 – 01:30:00] Challenges experienced and lessons learnt

[01:30:00 – 01:45:00] Final Advice

Tweetable Quotes:

“My late father brought me up with the mindset that I need to work hard before I think of pleasure. He emphasized hard work before pleasure – it was like his motto and this is how he put it: "my son, the first thing in life is work. So, work hard on your own.” — Dr. Wilfred Asombang

“On racism in America during my studies, I didn't even realize it but it was the academic advisor who pointed out that this was a problem. The problem was that I was the only black person in the MBA classrooms and those who handled the academic records were 100% white people. Unfortunately, most of them had never spoken to a black man and so when I entered the office, they all ran away - they disappeared.” — Dr. Wilfred Asombang

“And then we must also accept the fact that every human being has ideas, so they must be given the opportunity to express themselves. So if you have a family, you must know that everyone in the family has ideas that can contribute to the well being of their family so they must be allowed to express those ideas and possibly turn them into realities.” — Dr. Wilfred Asombang

“We must accept that change is unstoppable, that change is necessary, and  so we all need to contribute to that change.” — Dr. Wilfred Asombang

“You should know that everyone, whether a man or a woman, is a breadwinner! Yes, we must move away from the point where we used to say that men are the breadwinners - no! The women are serving, working, and creating stuff so we say everyone is a breadwinner, and everyone has to start with self-employment.” — Dr. Wilfred Asombang

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com  for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

The decision to freeze one's egg is a difficult one to make considering the cost, health procedure, unintended discrimination, and harsh judgment our community passes on couples who try to use unconventional means (advance technology) in their reproduction journey.

Unsurprisingly, when people in our community are educated on this issue, most of the unintended discrimination and harsh judgment goes away because they now know better and will communicate with a great deal of insight.

So to continue our purpose as a platform for having these uncomfortable discussions in our community, I have here with me Mandi Anyangwe -  to tell us about her experience with egg freezing or egg cryopreservation.  

Meet our Guest:

Mandi Anyangwe is originally from Cameroon and lives in New York City where she works as a Technical Engagement Manager for AWS. She ensures fast time to value for clients and maintains a great customer experience across multiple industries. Outside of work, you can find her traveling, at a sports game, or having a good time with her loved ones. 

Mandi shares her story about freezing her eggs, something that is seldom done in our African community. We hope her story is as inspirational as it is to us. 

Contact Mandi: IG/Snapchat/Facebook - @Mandi April

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 18:00] Understanding Egg Freezing & Mandi's Thought Process

[18:00 – 30:00] The Egg Freezing Process

[30:00 – 45:00] Challenges Mandi Experienced

[45:00 – 54:10] Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

"I just want folks to take off that mindset of "it's a taboo." It's not common, you know, my aunt will say this, people will say this and think I'm crazy. Please just don't worry about it because the more we start doing things for ourselves and the future and not for others, life will be much simpler, it'll be much easier, right?" - Mandi Anyangwe

"I never wanted to put myself in that position where I have to settle or pressure myself to be with somebody I don't want to be because I feel like am passing out on my biological clock. I want to be with someone because I want to at the right time." - Mandi Anyangwe

"There's some weird conspiracy and stereotype about people having kids through egg freezing. Some say mentally unstable kids or whatever but that is totally false! I read a lot of articles about that, to be honest with you and a lot of people debunked all those theories to be totally false." - Mandi Anyangwe

"I just want people to embrace change because the world is changing with huge technological advances and innovation. There are going to be new processes, and new opportunities coming out for different people so let's just be open-minded to seeing things the way it is, as opposed to what we're accustomed to or what people made us think" - Mandi Anyangwe

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com  for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Hello Living African family,  

Welcome to Season 2 of your favorite podcast! We had an impactful Season 1 and Season 2 is going to be all that and even more!

In this introductory episode, we share with you what to expect this season. It is our greatest hope that you continue this journey with us and bring more people along the way.

Thank you for all the support so far. Without you, we have no platform, so we appreciate all the support you have offered us so far. As always, keep listening, sharing and do not forget to leave us a review on whatever platform you use to listen to our podcast.

Thanks again and happy listening!

~ Anyoh 

Traditional medical practices have long existed way before the emergence of “modern medicine” in Africa and are still being practiced. Most of us know at least one person who still goes to a “medicine house” aka traditional doctor. Also, most of us may have always had these questions and doubts about the relevance or even the significance of traditional medicine practices in our continent. We have Professor Awah Paschal who is a medical anthropologist and gives us a holistic overview of traditional medical practices in Africa. We had one of those non-ending debates and shared our outlook on this topic and I hope that you can learn a thing or two from our conversation. 

Get to meet our guest:

Paschal Kum Awah is Chair of Anthropology at the Faculty of Arts, Letters and Social Sciences, University of Yaounde I. He has previously held the position of Senior Research Advisor for Ipas in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

A resourceful and dedicated professor with an outstanding academic background holding a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, and a Postdoctoral Certificate in Bioethics from the Western Institutional Review Board (WIRB) Olympia and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, USA.

He has an excellent publication record with 78 peer-reviewed papers, three book chapters, and significant teaching experiences in the fields of Anthropology, Epidemiology, Public Health, and Bioethics. He possesses worldwide excellent interpersonal and liaison skills with the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.

Enjoys worldwide collaborating in a productive and successful team and thrives in challenging environments. In 2020, he was nominated as a member of the African Union Taskforce for the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council and serves as a board member in the WCG-WIRB in the United States of America and in the Central Hospital Yaounde Institutional Review Board, Cameroon. Besides academic engagements, he is the President and CEO of the Centre for Population Studies and Health Promotion, Yaounde-Cameroon, and provides consultancy to some African, European, and US-based organizations.

CONTACT:

Phone Number:+237690595948

Email: awahpaschal@yahoo.fr

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 25:00] Understanding Traditional Medicine

[25:00 – 40:00] The Use Cases of Traditional Medicine

[45:00 – 50:10] Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

Every culture has its own form of medicine. Within that culture, we call it medicine grounded in their tradition. For example, medicine in the western context will be the traditional medicine of the people of the west. Medicine practiced in the Chinese tradition will be Chinese medicine. Medicine practiced in the African context will be African traditional medicine. - Prof Awah Paschal

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), which can cause a disability. In MS , a person’s immune system attacks the protective nerve fiber covering and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body to stop. Though this disease has been around for a long time, it doesn’t seem to be as diagnosed or even acknowledged in our African community when compared to the common infectious diseases. Such diseases, though rare, are slowly plaquing our community and it is about time we talk about them. Today, our guests speak extensively on MS from living with it to the course of therapy. We hope this episode is as resourceful as it was for us.

Get to meet our guests:

Dr. Leonard Ngarka is a Neurologist who works at Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon. He is also a Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. He will be further educating us on MS and Neuromyelitis Optica.

Contact: Email -  lngarka@yahoo.com

Fuen Beri is the second of four children who live in the United Kingdom (UK). She has been living in the UK since 2005, shortly after high school. She now works for a global consultancy based in the heart of London and her favorite quote is - "no two days are the same." She will be sharing with us her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis(MS).

Contact: Email - Fuen.beri@gmail.com

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 17:00] Understanding Multiple sclerosis (MS)

[17:00 – 43:00] Fuen Ngwa Shares Her Story With MS

[43:00 - 1:06:00] Risks Factors, Prevention & Stigmatization

[1:06:00 - 1::] Medications, Advice, Mindset & Motivation

[55:00 – 1:00:004] Final Discussions

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Heart disease is very common and serious. It’s the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. If you have diabetes, you’re twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than someone who doesn’t have diabetes—and at a younger age. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to have heart disease. 

Diabetes and heart disease are both noncommunicable diseases, meaning that they can’t be transmitted from one person to another unlike other very common communicable diseases that are prevalent in Africa such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, salmonella, etc. Also, the symptoms of diabetes and heart disease are not as obvious as most of the infectious diseases like malaria, typhoid, etc, which are common in Africa. The nature of these two diseases poses a huge problem as not much attention is given to them as normally should. Well, not until it is too late. So, in an effort to promote wellness in our community, we will be having a conversation with Dr. Nchang Taka, who is a cardiologist and very experienced in this field. 

MEET OUR GUEST:

Dr. Nchang Taka who's currently Interventional Cardiologist and Endovascular specialist Working in ATlanta GA, Board certified in Internal Medicine, General Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology. He studied medicine at Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CUSS). He did his residency at Morehouse School of Medicine, ATlanta GA, and did his Cardiology Fellowship at University Of Mississippi Medical Center.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

[03:00 – 27:00] Understanding Noncommunicable Diseases

[27:00 – 43:00] Diabetes & Hypertension

[43:00 - 55:00] Sudden Death Syndrome

[55:00 – 1:00:004] Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

“Cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors tend to be more frequent among Africans and African American as a whole compared to non-Africans.” - Dr. Nchang Taka

“Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and the biggest risk factor for hypertension is obesity, which is something that we overlook a lot. Obesity is a form of malnutrition.” - Dr. Nchang Taka

“A lot of members of the African community don’t know their family history and some of them don’t even care to know, and also don’t care to share. There is this false ideology that if you are sick, you have to hide it from others because you don’t want your “haters” to pray for your demise or you don’t want to be a source of stress to anybody. That actually causes more harm than good.” - Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

A New Year always signifies a new start. That usually means new year resolutions and promises to cultivate new habits. Being financially stable always falls amongst the most popular New Year resolutions and that shouldn’t be surprising. Financial freedom is typically the ultimate goal in everyone’s life but not many people know how to achieve this goal; especially not in our African community. You will be surprised at how much information is being made available to us to help sort out our finances, but we tend to not take advantage of that.

As a new parent, I have grown very fond of making sure that the finances of me and mine are set for life. They say knowledge is power, and that is why I have here with me Dr. Martin Kwende (featuring Mr. Mark Stewart) to provide us with helpful information on how to attain generational wealth and financial freedom.

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Martin Kwende, PhD, MBA is a visionary, business owner, entrepreneur and financial professional.  Dr. Kwende was a medical device industry executive, and spent over twenty years in the design and manufacturing of products that go into people.  Dr. Kwende has spent over 7 years in the financial services industry, and has built a fast-growing multi-million dollar business.  He is a God-fearing father and husband, and lives in Silicon Valley, CA.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 08:00] Introduction

[08:00 – 17:00] Our Guests History with Wealth

[17:00 – 35:00] What is Financial Literacy

[35:00 – 50:00] Talking about Generational Wealth

[50:00 – 1:11:00] Let's Talk About Life Insurance

[1:11:00 – 1:23:00] The Importance of Writing a Will

[1:23:00 – 1:29:00] Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

“The way I define wealth is by the “5 F’s” - Faith, Family, Finance, Fitness and Fun. If you are wealthy, then you have a good balance in those five key areas of life.” - Dr. Martin Kwende

“Growing up in Africa, our ideology of “wealth” is if you have a nice car or a big house and I believe a lot of Africans bring that ideology to the diaspora and end up living above their means.” - Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Dr. Martin Kwende, PhD, MBA:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - World Financial Group

2221 Oakland Road, Suite 100 / San Jose, CA 95131

Cell: 707-235-6439 / eFax: 408-824-1440

Email: tino4k@gmail.com / Instagram: @DrMKwende

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

What exactly is the fourth trimester?

This is basically the first three months of a mom and baby’s life after delivery; just like another "trimester" of pregnancy. 

While new parents prepare for the baby to come, they often find themselves feeling surprised by how disorienting and overwhelming it is to care for a newborn baby. 

For the baby, imagine being in a comfortable space for 9 months and then suddenly taken out of it to an entirely different environment where you have to fend for yourself. You will need time to adjust. 

Meanwhile for the mother, imagine trying to recover from childbirth with your body and mind going through huge changes, while trying to accommodate your baby’s needs and take care of yourself. It could quickly get overwhelming.

So why are we talking about this?

From experience, it is pretty sad to say nobody truly openly talks about such experiences. I personally would’ve loved to know what to expect if someone sat me down to explain the reality of life in the fourth trimester. So, we decided to share our experiences to help someone out there, especially new parents to be. 

Although there is certainly joy, the first few months can feel fragmented, unbearably exhausting—and the relentless needs of a newborn can make parents feel like they never get a break.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 04:42] Introduction

[04:42 – 24:00] Our Labor & Delivery Story

[24:00 – 51:00] The Aftermath of Delivery

[51:00 – 59:00] Advice to New Parents

[59:00 – 1:06:00] Final Discussion

Tweetable Quotes:

“To all the women out there, always fend for yourself at the end of the day. Can you take a natural delivery without pain meds? If you can, then go for it but don’t do it because people are influencing you because at the end of the day, you gotta lookout for your comfort and that of the baby. It doesn’t make you a stronger woman to choose one method of delivery over the other.” - Anyoh Fombad

“I just want to encourage every woman who is trying to look for an OBGYN to now limit your options only to women (female OBGYNs) because you will be surprised to know that the men are actually as good, if not, even better than some of the female oBGYNs out there.” - Anyoh Fombad

“For the guys out there, I will really just say if there is one thing you can do, just make yourself available [to support your partner].” - Eugene Mbanya

“For new parents, do the best you can to educate yourself on what to expect. It is true that it will never match the actual experience, but seek out some trusted people in your community and ask them to be honest with you to give you feedback on what to expect.” - Eugene Mbanya

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Happy New Year fam! 2021 taught me so many lessons! I experienced so many twists and turns, and never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that my life will turn out the way it did by the end of the year! Whether it be a lesson learnt or an experience I had, my story can not be complete without acknowledging the strength of a woman; THE AFRICAN WOMAN! This week, I'd love to share my pregnancy story with you! Again, this is one of those moments where I have to brace myself to be vulnerable, which I must admit, I am still getting used to. Nonetheless, I have to remind myself about the power of vulnerability and owning my story. You see, it’s not that other women don’t deserve appreciation, but African/black women are more likely to encounter fertility-related issues than women of other races. So I know many of my sisters may relate to  my story and this will be the start of creating a safe space for us to empower and encourage each other to know that we are not alone! 

MEET OUR GUESTS

Dr. Temitope Ekwo is a board-certified OB/GYN who was born and raised in Providence, RI where she lived until moving to Washington D.C after high school. She frequently participates in activities within the community to increase patient awareness and education regarding woman’s health issues. Dr. Ekwo is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as a member of the Association of Nigerian Physicians and Texas Medical Association. Her clinical interests include adolescent and teen gynecology, high-risk obstetrics, minimally invasive procedures, outpatient surgeries, contraception, pelvic pain, menopause, health maintenance, and general gynecology. Dr. Ekwo and her staff take pride in providing extraordinary care to their patients during all stages of a woman’s life.

Things You Will Learn in This Episode: 

[00:01 – 04:42] Introduction

[04:42 – 27:00] My First Pregnancy Story

[27:00 – 44:00] My Second Pregnancy Story

[44:00 – 53:00] My Pregnancy Journey So Far

[53:00 – 56:00] Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

“To every woman out there - You may have a different story, but I hope we can relate somehow and be more open to sharing our experiences. Most importantly, I hope that we can learn to be more kind and show empathy to one another because we are all fighting battles that nobody knows about." - Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Dr. Temitope Ekwo:

Phone: (713) 799-9900 // Address: Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology // 7400 Fannin St Ste 1200 – Houston, TX 77054 – Physician locations

Connect with Living African Podcast

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Mental health has always been a topic of interest in our community and several strides have been made to have open conversations and address mental issues head-on. However, mental health amongst teens is not as discussed especially due to the stereotypes that come with being a teenager, especially in the African community. The mental health issues that teenagers encounter nowadays are very misrepresented by what our community considers “the teenage experience” and this makes it easy for their mental wellbeing to be ignored just because they are teenagers.

Today, our focus on teenage mental health will give you insight into what goes on in a teenager’s mind as well as what they really think about the community’s outlook on them. In this very resourceful episode, our guest Jada Yudom, a teenager and author, will break down some aspects of teen mental health from her book #TeenMentalHealth. I would love to use this opportunity to call on all parents and teenagers to give this episode a listen and give her book a read, and I hope you get inspired as much as I was. 

GUEST:

Jada Atchu Yudom (she/her) is a sixteen-year-old Cameroonian American mental health advocate. She co-founded Revive, a youth-led organization focused on normalizing the conversation around mental health. With her business partner Sania Ahmad, she also co-authored a book around the same topic and more. One day, she hopes the future generations will be able to speak up about their feelings without the stigma holding them back.

CONTACT:

Instagram - @reviveorg; Her personal insta - @jadayudom; Sania Ahmad’s Instagram - @saniafahmad. Their podcast - @thrivewithrevive, and chronicles - @revivechronicles. Their book: #TeenMentalHealth  & Their website - www.revivementalhealth.org

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:01 – 12:00] Introduction to Teen Mental Health

[12:00 – 26:00] The Motivation Behind the #TeenMentalHealth Book

[26:00 – 44:00] Teenagers & Mental Health Awareness

[44:00 – 56:00] Jada's Inspiration

[56:00 – 1:10:00] More Chapters on Jada's Book

[1:10:00 - 1:18:00]  Final Words

TWEETABLE QUOTES:

“For sure, our African parents want to keep doing what they know based on their upbringing, but that isn't not working in these times. Times have changed and the issues we're facing as African teens in America is different and so we expect our community to change to meet our needs.”- Jada Yudom

“As teenagers, the time we spent as teenagers is basically the trial. These are issues and complications we have to face in order to transition into adulthood so it is important to know about these issues and equip yourself with all the tools needed to overcome such issues when they come up.”- Jada Yudom

“Sometimes, the best solution is to give teenagers some space, then sit them down, try to listen to them when they're ready, and make time for them. Don't force past solutions on them because it may not work.”- Jada Yudom

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

A wise person once said - in life, everyone should have a mentor and a sponsor. Each one of us has been influenced by someone before with or without even knowing it. Most often than not, we get to every stage we find ourselves in life with the help of someone, or we have helped someone get to some stage in their lives as well.

In our African community, the concept of mentorship is seldom discussed or practiced. The level of competition, expectation and sometimes hate, makes it somewhat difficult to support and uplift each other. But we fail to understand that it usually takes a village to reach higher heights in life. So, let me ask you - who is YOUR Village?

This week, I will be speaking with two very vital members of my village - my mentors - to break down the importance of mentorship and why we all need mentors in our lives, and to mentor someone else. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to mentorship, or if you want clarity on the expectations of a mentor-mentee relationship, then this episode is for you.

MEET OUR GUESTS: 

Dr. Sidonie Niba is a Cameroonian who currently serves as the Director of US Field Medical Excellence at Pharmacosmos Therapeutics, Inc. and has worked in a variety of roles with progressive experiences across clinical, academia and pharmaceutical industry settings. As a career strategist and mentor for underrepresented Medical professionals, Sidonie has spent the last 5 years helping dozens of clients transition into life-changing career and growth opportunities. She is an avid advocate for mentorship and coaching within both the professional and personal domains. 

Sidonie is a registered nurse, residency-trained Pharmacist and also holds a Master’s in Business Administration. 

Sidonie is married and lives in the Dallas, TX area with her husband and two young kids. In her spare time, she enjoys engaging in positive and progressive discussions, investing, shopping and traveling.

CONTACT: sidonie@thenurturedprofessional.com

Dr. Zera Hongla immigrated to the US from Cameroon at age 18 and completed her Bachelors in Science in Biochemistry at the University of Maryland. She then completed her Doctorate in Pharmacy at the Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore. Upon graduation, she worked as a retail pharmacist but later moved to work on the Native American reservations in New Mexico as the Pharmacy Director.  Following that position, she now works with the Food and Drug Administration. She has been appointed a clinical adjunct faculty at her alma mater as she established practice sites for students at the reservation and frequently returns to school to talk to pharmacy students about various opportunities. As a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service, she is proud to serve and is grateful for the unique opportunities it offers. She credits her journey to the openness of her mentors and sponsors who provided direction and invaluable counsel at crucial stages.

CONTACT: ​​zkwende1@gmail.com

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:01 – 08:00] Introduction

[08:00 – 22:00] How I Met My Mentors

[22:00 – 40:00] How Mentorship Impacted The Guests

[40:00 – 54:00] African's & Mentorship

[54:00 – 1:06:00] The Mentor-Mentee Relationships

[1:06:00 - 1:33:00]  Mentor-Mentee Expectations

[1:33:00 - 1:41:00]  What Mentorship Is

[1:41:00 - 1:49:00] Final Words

TWEETABLE QUOTES:

“I see mentorship as someone that can pick you up when you are down and it is very different from a coach. I see mentorships as lifelong engagements. A mentor is someone that holds your hand and keeps you accountable and really bores into you when you are down and vice versa.” - Dr.  Sidonie Niba

“When you put yourself out there with no expectations, it may be 1 out of 50 people you make an outreach to [who will get back to you], but all you need is one. You can’t handle 50 mentors, coaches or sponsors. You just need one.” - Dr. Sidonie Niba

“If we think with a mind of abundance, that there are plenty of opportunities and enough space for everybody to grow and be the best in what they want to do, there is a benefit for everybody to do well as a community.” - Dr. Zera Hongla

“There is more of an issue with age gaps. I think older people have an issue being mentored by younger people in our culture, which teaches that age is a huge deal. Why will a parent ask a child for advice? That is what I see in those generational gaps and older people thinking that the younger ones cannot bring value to them.” - Dr. Sidonie Niba

“Sometimes we get into this position in a company and we do not put ourselves in a position to have a pull. Sometimes you need to get into a room for reasons beyond yourself because if you cannot make or influence a decision, then how can you help someone else or make an impact?” - Dr. Zera Hongla

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In honor of World AIDS Day (December 1st), we will talk about living with HIV. HIV/AIDS has always been one of those diseases that has drastically impacted our community and has been around for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Africa, this disease was synonymous to a death sentence and though there have been great strides and advances towards it, there’s still be a tremendous amount of stigma and stereotypical ideation towards it. With so many scientific developments, the prognosis of HIV/AIDS compared to 20+ years ago has drastically improved and there are lots of HIV+ patients who live their lives as normal as any other person who doesn’t have it. So, our purpose on this episode isn’t only to educate our African community about this disease, but to defy the stereotypes surrounding it.

MEET OUR GUEST:

Honorine Mbibe is a 23-year-old student, model, and an adolescent champion. Moreover, she is currently in a modeling competition where her project is to stand for adolescents and young people living with HIV, as well as fight against the stigma surrounding AIDS and discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients.

CONTACT:

Email: honorinembibeh@gmail.com

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:01 – 07:00] Introduction

[07:00 – 17:36] Honorine's Story

[17:36 – 24:22] Advancements in The Fight Against HIV/AIDS

[24:22 – 40:28] Honorine's Therapeutic Regimen and Accessibility of HIV/AIDS Medication

[40:28 – 50:26] The Stigma Associated with HIV

[50:26 – End] Final Words

Tweetable Quotes:

“It wasn’t easy growing up knowing that I was HIV positive because I experienced stigma from the society. I was very pale and people around me will be like “you look like an AIDS patient”, even when I [or they] didn’t know my status. This made me go into my shell and just stay there” - Honorine Mbibe

“When the HIV positive diagnosis was disclosed to me, it wasn’t easy, but I had to use it as a stepping stone in my life. I told myself that I would never let others have the wrong information about this disease. So in my domain, I try to educate others on the basics of HIV.” - Honorine Mbibe

“When we stop labeling people and calling people names, then we show love. People commit suicide because they cannot bear the amount of stigma that exists in the community [towards HIV/AIDS]. Showing empathy [towards HIV patients] is very important in every situation and when you show empathy, you show love.” - Dr. Grace Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this episode, we have Dr. Sheila Enoh and Dr. Idris Yakubu back with us to continue the conversation on their road to success as international students with the focus on how they got into professional school in the US. Being African and an international student trying to get into Pharmacy or Med school definitely presents the case of a double minority as a foreigner and not eligible for financial aid. Most Pharmacy and Med school programs will not even look at your application if you are an international student and that obviously decreases your odds. Nonetheless, if you can dream it, you can STILL achieve it. And that is what we are here to speak about today.

Dr. Enoh and Dr. Yakubu will hopefully inspire and encourage you with their story of blood, sweat and tears, but what is most important is that they didn’t give up. You, too, can make it if you don’t give up. As a wise woman once said, your dreams are valid. We hope this episode encourages anyone who has hopes of achieving their dreams even when all odds seem to be against them.

MEET OUR GUESTS:

Dr. Sheila Enoh, MD MPH was born and raised in Yaounde, Cameroon. She moved to the US at the age of 18 to attend college as an international student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate studies. She majored in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. She then completed a Masters of Science in Public Health with a focus on International Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and currently pursuing a residency in Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is passionate about all things medicine and global health.

Contact: 

Website: www.sheilaenohmd.com

Email: info@sheilaenohmd.com

Dr. Idris Yakubu, PharmD is a solid organ transplant pharmacist specialist at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System and a clinical assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He completed a PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at the University of Toledo Medical Center and a PGY-2 solid organ transplant pharmacy residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Dr. Yakubu was born and raised in Nigeria and passionate about assisting international students in navigating and overcoming barriers in the United States  educational system. 

Contact:

Email: idrisyakubu90@gmail.com

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:01 – 04:42] Introduction

[04:42 – 24:36] The Journeys, Challenges & Successes

[24:36 – 39:22] The Application Process

[35:40 – 53:28] The Stress of Being a Med/Pharmacy Student

[53:28 – 1:09:26] The Residency Stories

[1:06:20 – 1:15:30] Final Words

Tweetable Quotes:

“Your international experience [from coming into a new country at a young age] helps you mature significantly and you need to speak to that. That level of maturity is going to help you as your classmates will benefit from that, and you also need to take it further to show how the institution will benefit from that.” -  Dr. Idris Yakubu

“You are a student first. Regardless of how strong you may be in other areas, if your grades aren’t good enough, you are not making yourself competitive enough. At the bare minimum, make your grades competitive and that may increase your chance of someone looking at your application.”  - Dr. Idris Yakubu

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Last week’s episode was about giving a holistic experience on what it takes to be a successful international student in the US and diaspora as a whole. In this episode, we dive deeper into resources that are available to prospective students in Africa to use if planning to apply to schools in the US. Our guest Richard Ewane, founder of The Student Advisor, explains the entire process of applying to college as an international student successfully with an emphasis on making it through the complex process of the F-1 visa interview at the US Embassy. If you are a student or parent of a prospective student who is confused and/or overwhelmed by the complex process of applying to college in the diaspora, then this episode is for you.

Meet Our Guest

Born in Cameroon, Richard Ewane attended primary school in Yaoundé and secondary school at Sacred Heart College Mankon, Bamenda. He then went to college in America, studying International Business and Economics at Ohio Northern University (ONU). Upon graduation, Mr. Ewane was hired by his alma mater, ONU, as an Admissions Counselor. After working at ONU, Mr. Ewane decided to return to Cameroon.

He worked at the S. T. Muna Foundation for a few years and then he was recruited by the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé as the EducationUSA Advisor, working with prospective students, their families, and other stakeholders to gain admission to U.S. institutions. During his tenure at the U.S. Embassy, Mr. Ewane recorded a seventeen percent (17%) increase in the number of successful applications from the country, the largest increase in over a decade!

Driven by his desire to improve the lives of his fellow Cameroonian youth, Richard left his position at the US Embassy and went to work as the Chief of Staff to the international lawyer and anti-corruption champion, Akere "Mr. Clean'' Muna, a candidate in Cameroon’s 2018 presidential election. Simultaneously, he launched The Student Advisor to continue the work he has been doing for a decade – effecting change by providing educational opportunities to Cameroonians.

Today, he continues to work with the then-presidential candidate on matters of good governance and anti-corruption across the globe, as well as run The Student Advisor. All with the goal of bringing positive change to his community.

Contact Richard: 

Website: www.thestudentadvisor.com

Phone [whatsapp]: +1 614 697 4455

Phone: +237 680 230 570

Social media platforms: The Student Advisor

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 07:54] Introduction

[07:54 – 20:05] Coming to America to Study

[20:05 – 23:00] Working in America after Graduation

[23:00 – 30:00] Coming back to Cameroon

[54:35 – 46:26] How The Student Advisor helps Students

[46:36 – 48:04] Get in Touch with The Student Advisor

[48:04 – 55:13] Lessons & Final Words

Tweetable Quotes:

“After doing this several times, I can today look at a kid’s document and ask them how the interview went and know exactly what happened. So what we do is consulting for students who have been denied visas or about to go for an interview and steer them in the right direction.” - Richard Ewane [Founder, The Student Advisor]

“A lot of students will stand in their own way. This is because they work with- and receive advice from people who have no idea what they are talking about.” - Richard Ewane [Founder, The Student Advisor]

“There could be way more [international students studying in America]. We have so many more qualified students who just fall through the cracks because they don’t have information. When I started working at the US Embassy, I did a full media bliss and we ended up having a 17% increase in the number of Cameroonian students studying in the US.” -  Richard Ewane [Founder, The Student Advisor]

“Disseminating correct information is really important for our students because they don’t know. You have all these kids who got 5As in Advanced Level, they should be going to MIT and Stanford and Berkeley, but they don’t know they can. And even when they've seen other people do it, they don’t know how to go about it.” - Richard Ewane [Founder, The Student Advisor]

“Life would have been way easier and better if I had this kind of opportunity [with The Student Advisor] prior to coming to the United States as an international student. It is really amazing how much we just try to figure it out by ourselves because we don’t have any guidance.” - Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

This week’s episode is dedicated to all international students and any African who has hopes to migrate to the US (and the diaspora as a whole) for studies. We have two very knowledgeable guests Dr. Sheila Enoh, MD MPH and Dr. Idris Yakubu, PharmD who both started off as international students in the US. They share their experiences from applying to college, going to the US embassy for their F1 visa interview, migrating to the US, as well as valuable lessons they learned in college. If you or anybody you know plans on migrating to the US but doesn't know where to start, then this episode is for you!

We hope that this episode is very resourceful to you and your loved ones. As former international students, these are definitely things that we wish we knew prior to migrating to the US and we hope that these experiences can help someone in the pursuit of their dreams in the US. 

Meet Our Guests

Dr. SHEILA ENOH, MD MPH was born and raised in Yaounde, Cameroon. She moved to the US at the age of 18 to attend college as an international student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate studies. She majored in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. She then completed a Masters of Science in Public Health with a focus on International Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and currently pursuing a residency in Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is passionate about all things medicine and global health.

Contact: 

Website: www.sheilaenohmd.com

Email: info@sheilaenohmd.com

IDRIS YAKUBU, PHARMD is a Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacist Specialist at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He completed a PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at the University of Toledo Medical Center and a PGY-2 solid organ transplant pharmacy residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Yakubu was born and raised in Nigeria and is passionate about assisting international students in navigating and overcoming barriers in the United States educational system. 

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 04:42] Introduction

[04:42 – 21:32] The F1 Visa & College Application Process

[21:32 – 35:40] Coming to America 

[35:40 – 54:35] Culture Shock 

[54:35 – 1:09:26] The Expenses of Studying in America

[1:09:36 – 1:23:04] Dealing With Negative People & Challenges

[1:23:04 – 1:35:28] Lessons of Survival & Independence

[1:35:28 – 1:35:28] Projects & Final Words

Tweetable Quotes:

“To me, the top 3 things that are very important when coming to the US as an international student:

Prove that you have strong ties to your country by convincing them that you are going to return Show them that you can cover your [school and living] expenses throughout your stay in the US Know what you want to do/study - your immediate, midterm and long term goals.” - Anyoh Fombad

“One thing that I had to learn coming here in addition to networking was doing extracurricular activities. You can study all you want - that’s great, but if you want to go to amazing places you will have to join organizations and have leadership opportunities so that they can see that you are an all-rounded student.” - Dr. Sheila Enoh 

“Going to school abroad [the US] is not just for academics. You really should take advantage of the experience… be open-minded, take advantage of the campus activities, build networks with people from different countries as an international student, and be very intentional about building relationships with the Americans as well. Learn about the system because that is what will really allow you to thrive” - Dr. Idris Yakubu

“Being an international student has pushed me beyond my limits. It has allowed me to mature quicker; I have had to put myself in very uncomfortable situations not knowing what to expect but just having faith and trusting that whatever it is, there is something in it for me to learn.” - Dr. Idris Yakubu

“In order to be successful, you have to work really hard. You have to be ready to fail and get back up. You have to be really humble. You have to be open-minded. It is ok if you come to the US and you are like “hey I want to do this”, but it is ok if you realize that this is not your passion and you change your mind, as long as it is truly something you want to do.” - Dr. Sheila Enoh

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

I come from a family of 6, and you must have seen and heard from 4 of my family members - mom, dad, my older sister Leslie and younger brother Musaga. However, many of you have never heard about my other brother Bayong, who is the youngest sibling.

Bayong was born just like any of us but had a seizure disorder, which changed the trajectory of his life, as well as the rest of our lives. Today, we sit down for the first time to share his story and also open up about our experience growing up with him and how that has impacted our lives. This is definitely a vulnerable moment like never before. If you think you knew me, well, you will get to really know me through this conversation. Heck, I also got to learn a lot about my family like never before.

For the first time on this platform, I was the host and guest at the same time. It felt great to bare my emotions all out with my family and I hope that our story doesn’t only inspire families going through a similar experience, but encourages us all to be sensitive to what these families with special needs children are going through. In honor of National Epilepsy Awareness Month, here is to Bayong and every other special needs child who has been impacted by epilepsy! We love you!

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 04:42] Introduction

[04:42 – 24:32] Mom & Dad Share The Story of How it All Began

[24:32 – 36:40] Sharing Our Experiences as Siblings

[36:40 – 50:30] Dealing with Societal Pressure & Questions

[50:30 – 1:02:31] Our Fears & Hope

[1:01:31] – 1:07:44] Lessons Learnt & Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

“One of the [traditional] doctors told us that he was a snake and that if we are tough enough, just gather all his things and go and keep him by the riverside and I am going to transform him back into the snake so that he can go. At that point, we made that decision that we have had enough!” - Dr. Grace Fombad

“Growing up and to this day, with [Bayong] being my only brother, I always felt that void. There was always that hope that one day he will even be able to say a word back, or play with me or just me wondering what life would have been like if things were different for his health.” - Musaga Fombad

“A lot of times as I have grown up, there is also that feeling of guilt because that could have been me. I feel like I get to experience all of these things that he never got the opportunity to. It is tough just thinking about it and being helpless.” - Musaga Fombad

“Sometimes you can’t help but feel that he is just suffering too much and you mostly just pray but it has just been difficult and a bit rocky. One minute you think he is fine, and the next minute he is back to a stage where you really don’t know what is going to happen to him.” - Dr. Leslie Fombad

“[Bayong’s story] changed our lives completely and we are better people as we can adjust to any condition in life. Most people will not accept that type of condition but we did and we are still going on strong, and we will encourage other families to emulate our example.” - Dr. Rudolf Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this episode, we bring two experts in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) to discuss everything you need to know about infertility in men and women. Dr. Temitope Ekwo and Dr. Nicole Plenty will be shedding more light on what infertility truly is, the prevalence, risk factors with more focus on fibroids, as well as medical advice on taking the Covid-19 vaccine while pregnant.

We will also address some myths and facts that are common in our community and action steps that can be taken by our community to support those experiencing infertility. There is so much to unpack in this episode, and I truly hope that you learn from it and put a lot of the lessons into practice.

MEET OUR GUESTS

Dr. Temitope Ekwo is a board-certified OB/GYN who was born and raised in Providence, RI where she lived until moving to Washington D.C after high school. She frequently participates in activities within the community to increase patient awareness and education regarding woman’s health issues. Dr. Ekwo is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as a member of the Association of Nigerian Physicians and Texas Medical Association. Her clinical interests include adolescent and teen gynecology, high-risk obstetrics, minimally invasive procedures, outpatient surgeries, contraception, pelvic pain, menopause, health maintenance, and general gynecology. Dr. Ekwo and her staff take pride in providing extraordinary care to their patients during all stages of a woman’s life.

Dr. Nicole Plenty is a double board-certified OB/GYN and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, blogger, public speaker, and patient advocate. After experiencing a difficult pregnancy herself, to increase her advocacy efforts, she launched Pregnancy Pearls with Dr. Plenty, a vlog and podcast she created to help patients advocate for themselves by providing pre-/post-conception advice and education regarding complications of pregnancy. She has received local, state, and national honors for her involvement in health policy, mentorship, and work in health advocacy.  Among those, she has received Top 40 under 40 recognitions from the National Minority Quality Forum, the National Medical Association, the Indianapolis Business Journal, as well as her alma mater, Xavier University of LA.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 04:42] Introduction

[04:42 – 19:32] Understanding Infertility & Its Causes

[19:32 – 42:10] Myths, Misconceptions & Fibroids

[42:10 – 54:30] Covid-19 Vaccine & Pregnancy

[54:30 – 1:01:31] Remedies & Therapeutic Measures for Infertility

[1:01:31] – 1:07:44] Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

“Stay out of women's uteri! Don't ask them when they're going to get pregnant. Don't ask them why they haven't gotten pregnant don't ask them when they're having another child! Just mind your business!” – Dr. Temitope Ekwo [on how the community can stay supportive towards women dealing with infertility]

“Everybody always points a finger at the woman when men make up 48% of the cases of infertility. So, the infertility rates for men and women are almost about the same. I have seen people not be pregnant for years on end and then all of a sudden they do a work up and lo and behold the man has a low sperm count but never wanted to do a sperm sample” – Dr. Nicole Plenty

“Secondary infertility is a real thing. People think that if they have one baby that means they are fertile and so they have all the time in the world. But we as women have all the eggs that we are born with and over time, our fertility rate gradually decreases because we lose an egg every time we ovulate. Men are also not off the hook here. As they age, their quality of sperm also decreases.” – Dr. Nicole Plenty 

“The amount of miscarriages and stillbirths that I have seen [in pregnant COVID-19 patients] since this pandemic has started is more than the amount I have seen in my 10 years of practicing, but people don’t want to talk about that. Having COVID-19 while pregnant is a prenatal complication.” – Dr. Temitope Ekwo

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

Connect with Dr. Temitope Ekwo:

Phone: (713) 799-9900

Address: Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology

7400 Fannin St Ste 1200

Houston, TX 77054

Physician loactions

Connect with Dr. Nicole Lee Plenty, MD, MPH, MS, FACOG:

Facebook: @pregnancypearls

Instagram: pregnancy_pearls

Twitter: @NicoleLeeMD

Youtube: youtube.com/pregnancypearlswithdrplenty

Website: www.pregnancypearls.com

Email: pregnancypearls@gmail.com

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

We continue our discussion on breast cancer and this time we talk extensively about the history and science of cancer treatment. Using Akwi's and Gwendolyn's cases, Dr Foma explains treatment procedures and medications used for different kinds of cancer. 

We talk about the healthcare system in Cameroon, where Dr. Foma started practice. Akwi and Gwendolyn present their different non-profit organizations that work with cancer patients in Cameroon and advocate for cancer awareness. 

[00:01 - 02:40] Opening segment

[02:40 - 08:21] Akwi's Experience with cancer treatment

[08:31 -  10:33]  Discussion on Breast Reconstruction

[10:33 - 25:00] Preparing patients for treatment, different cancer medications and their applications

[25: 01 -  38:22] History of Cancer treatment and myths

[38:23 - 50:45] Life with and after breast cancer (Akwi’s Story)

[50:46 -  58: 15] Best practices or habits for cancer patients

[58:16 - 01: 07: 05] Resources for Cancer patients

[01:07:05 - END]  Akwi and Gwendolyn’s work with cancer patients in Cameroon

Quotable Tweets

"My advice usually to those back home overall is  that prevention is better than cure. The way Africa is, the way Cameroon is, the way our healthcare system is, prevention is the best tool we have." - Dr Munoh Foma

"Sustainability is something we should always think about.  All the organizations going to Cameroon should actually have that as part of their mission - whatever advocacy your are going in to provide. If you are providing machines, you want make sure those machines  are friendly in the tropical region, you have people who are able to repair them, and also that they are machines you can find replacement parts for." - Dr Munoh Foma

"Hospice is one thing we do not have and we are not even welcoming in our society. Fortunately, I am a hospice nurse and I have helped a lot of people transition. We are all going to die but there is nothing better than helping somebody or seeing your family member transition in a more peaceful or pain free way." - Gwendolyn Ngu

"When I shared my story I had a couple of women reach out to me from Cameroon to tell me that they were either in treatment or were survivors and it really took me by surprise because back home I knew only of one person that had breast cancer. A lot of young women reach out to me and I tried to get more information about how their treatment process was. It was when I realized I was really lucky to have had to deal with cancer in America and have good insurance; back home, it is a jungle. That is why decided to  create the foundation, so I could help." - Akwi Tah

Referenced Material:

Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

Contact Akwi Tah:

Instagram - DARE TO LIVE WITH ANJOH

Facebook - Akwi Anjoh

Website - www.daretolivewithanjoh.org and via WhatsApp +19802728050.

Contact Dr Foma:

Dr Foma Munoh Kenne, MD, MPH

Richmond University Medical

Center for Cancer Care

1000 South Ave.

Office Tel: (718) 816-4949

Fmunohkenne@runcsi.org

Staten Island, NY, 10314

Contact Gwendolyn Ngu:

Facebook: Royal_warriorr

Instagram: Royal Warrior Cancer Support

Web: www.royalwarrior.org

Email: info@royalwarrior.org

You can connect with Anyoh on: Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

SHOW NOTES

We continue our conversation on breast cancer awareness. In this episode, Gwendolyn Ngu joins us again, this time with two other special guests; another breast cancer survivor and a medical doctor. We dive deeper into the topic of breast cancer with greater emphasis on the science. Akwi Tah also shares her gruesome journey battling cancer while Dr Munoh, an oncologist, gives us more insight into the disease from a medical perspective.  You will learn a lot about Breast cancer in this episode; the different types that exist and how they are classified, the causes, genetic features, etc. You will also learn about different treatment options and the future of treatment in general.

[00:01- 02: 02] Opening segment

[02:03 - 08:30] Introduction of Topic and Guests

[08:31 -  12:30]  Breast cancer and race

[12:31 - 17: 30] Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

[17: 31 -  23:20] Preventive Care

[23:21 - 30:30] Akwi Tah’s Breast Cancer Story

[30:31 -  35: 22] Revisiting Gwendolyn’s Story

[35:23 - 46: 40] Classification of Breast Cancers

[46: 41 - 54: 10]  Breast Cancer/Cancer treatment in Cameroon and Africa

[54: 11- END] Breast Cancer in Men

Part 3 to come

Quotable Tweets

“Breast cancer is actually the most prevalent cancer in women and at any given time, there are about 8 million women living with breast cancer in the world. With advancements in science, a lot of those women are getting to live with breast cancer and survive with breast cancer.” - Dr Munoh Foma

“The prevalence of breast cancer is a bit skewed in African because we have problems with screening. From all the history we know about cancers till date show that that if we start screening for cancers early, we will catch them early and we are going to be able to cure them early. So public health education and screening is so important.” - Dr Munoh Foma

“Breast cancer is slightly more prevalent in black women below the age of 50 years. Black women tend to have it early, they tend to have the more sever forms of it and also tend to to not respond to treatment as much as women from other races. After the age of 50 or 60, the prevalence is the same amongst black and white women.“ - Dr Munoh Foma

“It is very common for us physicians to actually downplay the symptoms of patients especially if we are  dealing with situations we are not used to. That is why I always say patients should be their own advocate. At times you would have something that no one else knows about and you will know about it better than your doctor because there are so many diseases out there.” - Dr Munoh Foma

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

Contact Akwi Tah:

Instagram - DARE TO LIVE WITH ANJOH

Facebook - Akwi ANJOH

Website - www.daretolivewithanjoh.org and via WhatsApp 9802728050.

Contact Dr Foma:

Dr Foma Munoh Kenne, MD, MPH

Richmond University Medical

Center for Cancer Care

1000 South Ave.

Office Tel: (718) 816-4949

Fmunohkenne@runcsi.org

Staten Island, NY, 10314

Contact Gwendolyn Ngu:

Facebook: Royal_warriorr

Instagram: royal warrior cancer support

Web: www.royalwarrior.org

Email: info@royalwarrior.org

You can connect with Anyoh on: Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this month of October, we join the breast cancer awareness conversation. In this episode Gwendolyn Ngu, the founder and CEO of Royal Warrior Cancer Foundation shares her breast cancer survivor story. She speaks about how she got diagnosed, the treatment process and how it affected her professional, social, and family life.

We also look are some myths and facts surrounding breast cancer especially in our African community and talk extensively on how we can all, as a community, be more supportive to people dealing with breast cancer and other diseases in general.

[00:01 - 01: 50] Opening segment

[01:51 - 05: 35] Introduction of Topic

[05:36 - 21:19]  Gwendolyn’s Story

[21:20 - 23: 50] Breast Cancer in men

[23: 51 - 32:52] The Treatment Process

[32:53 - 50:11] Life Besides Cancer

[50:12 - 56:42] Available resources for cancer patients

[56:43 - 1:10:56] Becoming cancer free

[1:10:57 - End]  About her foundation (Royal Warrior Cancer Foundation)

Quotable Tweets

"A majority of women who have breast cancer have no risk factors or family history. That is why it is very important for us to really not take it for granted because breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women. We have to really make sure that we are being very vigilant and observant with our bodies in general." - Anyoh Fombad

"There is this ideology especially in our  African community that only women can get breast cancer but everybody has breasts and men could also develop breast cancer. It is very important for men as well to also check for those lumps in the breast which are usually a sign of breast cancer." - Anyoh Fombad

"The issue with breast cancer in men, even though it is not as common as in women, is that any the time they discover it, it could sometimes be too late because they don’t think that they can have it." - Anyoh Fombad

"Here is the thing about cancer. I always say the people that really suffer when someone gets diagnosed with cancer is not only the patient. Emotionally, the people around you also suffer because they don’t know how to handle it. Most of the time, they don’t know how to help you." - Gwendolyn Ngu

"I was reading this book and it that said, you only truly live life after you have mastered the art of dying.Yes.  After thinking that I had gotten to this place where I could die and I then did not die, that makes me want to live life on another level." - Gwendolyn Ngu

"When it comes to family and friends; if you have somebody who is sick, keep your own emotions aside. Consider what that person is going through, it doesn’t matter how you feel about them, it could be you. Treat people how you would want to be treated. If you do not know how, ask for help. Ask somebody who had been through that route, or ask the person who is sick how you can help them." - Gwendolyn Ngu

PLEASE SHARE AND LEAVE A REVIEW

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

Gwendolyn Ngu can be reached through any of the following media:

Facebook: Royal Worrior

Instagram: royal warrior cancer support

Web: www.royalwarrior.org

Email: info@royalwarrior.org

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Today, we start a new conversation on Fibroids & their impact on the lives of our African women. The goal of this conversation is to educate as well as inspire and empower women/couples facing this health complication. Most importantly, this conversation aims to sensitize our community on reasons why we need to be more sensitive and show empathy towards each other especially when it comes to fertility conversations.   Meet our guest - Mrs. Nehawa Ngundam Abam, An IT Consultant, Business Owner, and Founder of the movement FIBROIDS AWARENESS CAM. Nehawa is passionate, about IT, Customer Service Management and devotes her time reaching out to women by advocating for Fibroids, a condition that is very rampant amongst women; especially women of color.   Being a Fibroids survivor, Nehawa has used her own personal experiences and dedicated her time and resources to create a safe space for women with similar issues. The end goal is to encourage women to turn their pain into power. #GirlPower   Now, let's dive into Episode 31!

[00:01 – 05:39] Introduction

[05:40 – 18:16] Nehawa's Story

[18:16 – 29:18] The Surgery Process

[29:18 – 40:23] The Emotional & Mental Struggles

[40:23 – 48:09] Effect of Surgery on Fertility

[48:09 – 57:18] How Fibroids affected Her Life in General

[57:18 – 01:10:18] Nehawa's Philanthrophic Work

[1:05:36 – 1:10:18] Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

“When going through such complications [like fibroids], you badly need a strong support system that will be there for you anytime, anywhere.” – Nehawa Abam

"My catchphrase for fibroid awareness is; turn your pain into strength. Yes, because you have to find the inner strength to overcome." – Nehawa Abam

"I may sound harsh but our community needs to mind their own business when it comes to pressuring people on marriage and having children." – Anyoh Fombad

"I don't know why in our community; women's health and issues are always treated with so much stigmatization that women can't even freely speak about what they're going through."  – Nehawa Abam

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Today, we continue our conversation on the outlook on Sex & Marriage in the African Community. The goal is to challenge some of the myths and ideologies that limit couples from experiencing the full sexual pleasures of marriage.   This episode has explicit content and listener's discretion is advised. This episode is for adults only - 18 years of age and older.   Our guest for today, Lola Bade-Aluko who is also known as “Lawler”, is a Nigerian Clinical Psychologist and Sexologist currently based in South Africa. Lawler is a wearer of many hats and has taken on a number of great opportunities in her lifetime.   She is a Talk Practitioner, a host at various radio talk programs in Nigeria, England, and Swaziland and also runs a Psychological Unit called Shoulders and a reach-out unit called "Real Issues with Lawler" where she volunteers, hosts talk shows and does counseling. She does all this also while working as the Executive Director of a Technology Firm.   On a more personal level, she is a proud mother to two young adults and a wifey. Lawler is very passionate about mindset transformation and believes in the use of media as well as various other forms of outreach techniques in Behavioral Modification.   Now, let's dive into Episode 30! [00:01 – 10:56] Sex Through The Years

[10:56 – 18:46] Sex and Religious Ideologies

[18:46 – 33:05] The Use of Sex Toys

[33:05 – 43:33] Orgasms

[43:33 – 53:45] Discussion on Aphrodisiac

[53:45 – 1:03:33] Final Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

“When it comes to orgasms, most couples are not knowledgeable about them. They literally know nothing about orgasms and they need to begin with education on what an orgasm is and how to reach it.” – Lola Bade-Aluko

"Your husband or wife can't be in the mood 24/7 and 365days a year so sometimes, you have to psych your partner's mindset towards sex and indulge in a bit of seduction in order to set them in the mood." – Lola Bade-Aluko

"We hold unto some religious norms and myths which deny us the full experience of pleasure in sex." – Anyoh Fombad

"Our women are now asking questions about their sex life, working on their bodies, and finding out more ways to enjoy sex and reach an orgasm."  – Lola Bade-Aluko

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Today, we will have a candid discussion on Sex & Marriage in the African Community. The goal of this uncomfortable but necessary conversation is to debunk the perspective and outlook on sex especially in marriage, which has been created in our African community and has led to the downfall of so many marriages.    Our guest for today, Lola Bade-Aluko who is also known as “Lawler”, is a Nigerian Clinical Psychologist and Sexologist currently based in South Africa. Lawler is a wearer of many hats and has taken on a number of great opportunities in her lifetime.   She is a Talk Practitioner, a host at various radio talk programs in Nigeria, England, and Swaziland and also runs a Psychological Unit called Shoulders and a reach-out unit called "Real Issues with Lawler" where she volunteers, hosts talk shows and does counseling. She does all this also while working as the Executive Director of a Technology Firm.   On a more personal level, she is a proud mother to two young adults and a wifey. Lawler is very passionate about mindset transformation and believes in the use of media as well as various other forms of outreach techniques in Behavioral Modification.   Now, let's dive into Episode 29! [00:01 – 03:56] Opening Segment

[03:56 – 19:46] Defining Healthy Sex In Marriage

[19:46 – 43:05] Spicing Your Sex Life In Marriage

[43:05 – 57:33] Discussing Some Common Sex Problems

Tweetable Quotes:

“What has worked for me is - I look at my marriage as a relationship so I put in the same energy I will put in a relationship into my marriage.” – Lola Bade-Aluko

"I feel like most people are hiding behind Christianity to deny their partners and themselves the chance to explore sexually in their marriages." – Lola Bade-Aluko

"We need to build a strong emotional connection with our partners where we can sit, hold hands and talk, cuddle, be silent, and play with our partners because it shouldn't be always about sex." – Lola Bade-Aluko

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Today, we continue our conversation to honor Sickle Cell Awareness month, which is September. We will further discuss the importance of donating blood in our community and how that is very useful especially for sickle cell patients. We will be sharing the story of an African mother who has had firsthand experience with caring for her children with sickle cell and why donating blood could not only help patients during an episode, but could go as far as saving lives.      Mrs. Charlotte Tcheudji is a mother of 5 children who were born and raised in Cameroon, West Africa. Two of these children had sickle cell but were fortunate enough to undergo a bone marrow transplant, which though a fortune, has brought a tremendously positive impact on their quality of life. Charlotte has had extensive experience dealing with sickle cell patients from taking care of her children and is so passionate about speaking about the sickle cell as well as helping the underprivileged patients are going through the pain of this disease in Africa through financial and medical device donations.      Mrs. Zita Fomafung, born and raised in Cameroon, West Africa, is a CPA (certified public accountant) by profession and an overall solutionner. I am a serial entrepreneur/hobby-preneur with her latest business Bojongo CPAs serving the Dallas Fort Worth area in the USA. She has several passion projects, one of which led her to create  LifeLine Africa, an NGO with a mission to save lives by making blood transfusion possible. LifeLine was created in 2018 and started operations in Cameroon in 2019. They recruit, retain, and manage benevolent blood donors for their partner hospitals/blood banks. They are the first step to ensuring a safe and quality blood supply for the population.     [00:01 – 02:37] Opening Segment

Tweetable Quotes:

“Blood transfusion saved the lives of my children and without the kind donation of people, they won't be alive. Remember, you can save a lot of lives.” – Charlotte Tcheudji

“Our mentality about blood donation and blood transfusion needs to change because without it, a lot of people are going to die.” – Charlotte Tcheudji

"The most effective way to recruiting the majority of our community to donate blood is through education and sensitization by sharing true-life stories." - Zita Fomafung

"We need to consider the fact that - one day, we're going to be on the other side of the road and we will need blood." – Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In honor of Sickle Cell Awareness month, which is September, we will be shedding more light on sickle cell based on the personal experience of a sickle cell survivor - Iris Mafor Fobanjong. Iris, 43 years old, was born in Cameroon and currently resides in the Tampa Bay area, Florida. She works as an Emergency Room Psychiatric Nurse and she is convinced that there is nothing better than giving to others what she has received from the healthcare industry.     Among her many blessings are her two girls, Georis (17 years old) and Makayla (10 years old), who have both been her topmost cheerleaders untiringly spurring her on. Everyone has a story to tell with an entirely unique theme associated with it. If you ask Iris, her story can never have an introduction nor a conclusion without delving into the question of how life has been, living with sickle cell.     Iris's parents had five children (2 boys and 3 girls) and two out of these five children were born with sickle cell. Her sister, Honorine, passed onto glory at the tender age of 8, from complications that stemmed from sickle cell disease and Iris is here to share the story of her life growing up with sickle cell.     [00:01 – 08:37] Opening Segment

“Life will keep changing and as life changes, you have to go with the flow. I am not letting sickle cell define me and you must not allow your health status to define you.” – Iris Mafor Fobanjong

“People go through a lot of pain in life and they deal with it differently so we need to be sensitive and empathetic towards people in our community.” – Anyoh Fombad

"Don't let anyone label you because they can be labeled too." – Iris Mafor Fobanjong

"There is a lot more to live for than your health struggles. You have life and loving people around you so enjoy every moment and don't let your health struggles stop you." – Iris Mafor Fobanjong

Iris can be reached via email: irismafor@yahoo.com

Find Specific Data & Some Information shared on this episode in this link with references: References

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

"When are you getting married? When are you having a baby?".....etc.

Do any of these words sound familiar to you? Truth is that if you grew up in an African household, you most likely heard at least one of those words thrown at you. Somehow, we seem to have created this social timeline that has been instituted as a crucial part of being successful as an African. It feels like a degree, marriage, children, etc at an appointed time should be our ultimate goal and highest achievement in life. We tend to forget the essence of purpose and fulfillment, however that may come across to us, should be our ultimate goal in life. 

Today, we will be challenging these superficial ideologies that put so much societal pressure on us Africans. We will defy such a doctrine that has pushed so many Africans to make horrible decisions because they are trying to fit into the status quo and please their loved ones and the community at large. I will be having a somewhat remote fireside chat with two of my very good friends -  Dr. Judwin Ndzo and Dr. Clarisse Wuttidma. 

Dr. Judwin Ndzo is a Pediatric Registrar in East Midlands North, currently based in QMC Nottingham, England. Shortly after graduating with her MD degree, she worked at Solidarity Clinic in Buea, Cameroon, where she developed a passion for managing children. Her interest in nutrition led her to her job with MSF Swiss (Doctors without Borders) and later the French Red Cross in Garoua-boulaï, Eastern Cameroon where she worked in a refugee camp for almost 2 years, looking after malnourished kids. Following this, she won a Chevening Scholarship to study a Masters in Public Health (Nutrition pathway) at the University of Southampton, UK. That same year, she sat the Plab exams and obtained a license to practice in the UK, obtained a job as a pediatric junior doctor, then got into pediatric residency the following year. 

She is keen to help other young Cameroonians/Africans pursue their career goals. When not working, she somehow manages to find time traveling, working out, hiking, cooking, socializing, and hanging out with friends!

Dr. Clarisse Wuttidma was born in Cameroon and moved to the UK in 2006 right after high school. She studied economics and finance at Brunel University London. Upon completing her Ph.D. in Economics and Finance, she started working as an economics and market researcher. She currently works as a rail business consultant for a global company, actively working on the decarbonization of the rail industry and privatization of France’s Rail industry.

She has a great interest in economics and environmental sustainability, educating, encouraging, and helping others attain their goals as much as she can. She loves spending time with friends and family, especially her nieces and nephews. She loves cooking, baking, and entertaining guests.

[00:01 – 03:37] Opening Segment

[03:37 – 18:27] Sharing Personal Experiences with The African Timeline

[18:27 – 35:30] The Insensitivity in Our Community & Pressure on Men

[35:30 – 46:58] Changing the Norm

Tweetable Quotes:

“Our community has painted a picture that says being married and having children is the ultimate goal of life. But there is soo much more to life than marriage and kids.” – Anyoh Fombad

“In the end, it is somebody's life, and what they choose to do with it. If they get married, fine. If they don't get married, that's fine also. Don't go around pressuring people to take these decisions.” – Dr. Judwin Ndzo

"Life is short and life is not a straight line. Live every day with purpose and only make decisions when you're ready." – Dr. Judwin Ndzo

“It's wrong for us to think the qualification for men to get married is a house and car. What if they lose their job, the car, and the house? We have to change that mindset.” – Dr. Clarisse Wuttidma

"Stay away from the noise and pressure so it doesn't lead you into making regrettable decisions." – Dr. Clarisse Wuttidma

"There is so much careless talk in our community. People say hurtful words to you, they laugh over it and tell you they were joking. We can do better." – Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this episode, we continued speaking with Lola Bade-Aluko who is also known as “Lawler”, a Proudly Nigerian  Clinical Psychologist and Sexologist currently based in South Africa. Lawler is a wearer of many hats and has taken on several great opportunities in her lifetime. She is a Talk Practitioner, a host at various radio talk programs in Nigeria, England, and Swaziland, and also runs a Psychological Unit called Shoulders and a reach-out unit, called Real Issues with Lawler where she volunteers, hosts talks and does counseling. She does all this also while working as the Executive Director of a Technology Firm. On a more personal level, she is a proud mother to two young adults and a wifey. Lawler is very passionate about mindset transformation and believes in the use of media as well as various other forms of outreach techniques in Behavioural Modification.

[00:01 – 03:16] Opening Segment

[03:16 – 13:54] Demystifying Sex

[13:54 – 29:03] How Sex Education helps to Prevent Sexual Abuse

[30:54 – 44:30] Sex Education in African Schools

[44:30 – 57:12] Final Suggestions & Remarks

Tweetable Quotes:

“Educating our youth about sex will help them understand what they feel, why they feel the way they feel, and what to do about it.” – Anyoh Fombad

“Most African Parents are scared of sexual education because they think it will give the teens a wrong exposure. No, it will rather empower them to take control of their sexuality.” – Lola Bade-Aluko

“If we educate our adolescents on sex accurately, there will be less sexual abuse in our community.” – Lola Bade-Aluko

"We owe our children an obligation to create a safe space where they can talk about sex with us. And that obligation, we can fulfill if we want to.” – Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Lawler can be reached through any of the following media:

On this episode, we will be speaking to Lola Bade-Aluko who is also known as “Lawler”, is a proudly Nigerian  Clinical Psychologist and Sexologist currently based in South Africa. Lawler is a wearer of many hats and has taken on a number of great opportunities in her lifetime. She is a Talk Practitioner, a host at various radio talk programs in Nigeria, England, and Swaziland, and also runs a Psychological Unit called Shoulders and a reach-out unit, called Real Issues with Lawler where she volunteers, hosts talks and does counseling. She does all this also while working as the Executive Director of a Technology Firm. On a more personal level, she is a proud mother to two young adults and a wifey. Lawler is very passionate about mindset transformation and believes in the use of media as well as various other forms of outreach techniques in Behavioral Modification.

[00:01 – 03:16] Opening Segment

[03:16 – 30:54] Defining Sex

[30:54 – 1:00:56] Host and Guest share Experiences

Tweetable Quotes:

“As Africans, we make talking about sex a taboo and that is not healthy.” – Anyoh Fombad

“African Parents prevent their children from dating, parties, and socializing with the opposite sex but when they turn 24, we want them to marry. How?” – Lola Bade-Aluko

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Lawler can be reached through any of the following media:

At the end of every episode, I always call on all the listeners to not let the conversation end with the episode; to take the conversation to various circles and have more meaningful conversations about the topics we discussed.   Today, I brought some of those conversations to light with my little circle - my dad - Dr. Rudolf Fombad, and mom - Dr. Grace Fombad. We got to discuss the general consensus about marriage in our African community, which is not based on facts by the way, that compared to our parent's generation (baby boomers and above), we (millennials and below) don’t value marriage as much because we get divorced easily.    Mom and dad also shared their own perspectives on marital values through the generations based on experience, and we collectively shared some very insightful ideas and observations on various factors that may have influenced the outlook on marriage in our community.    I would love to hear from you, about what you think of any of the episodes that have impacted you in one way or the other. Again, let's keep the conversation going and spark more uncomfortable but necessary conversations.   Source article mentioned in episode: https://www.goldbergjones-wa.com/divorce/divorce-by-generation/   [00:01 – 04:16] Opening Segment

[04:16 – 34:46] The Generations & How They View Marriage

[34:46 – 59:35] More Discussions on Why Divorce was Uncommon

[59:35 - 01:21:39] Final Words and Discussion

Tweetable Quotes:

"Young people must learn how to react to the emotions of their partners in order to find solutions in their marriage." - Dr. Grace Fombad

"In the older generation, divorce was a taboo and so most people rather stayed in marriage or faced discrimination after divorcing" - Dr. Radolf Fombad

"We have to quickly learn how to help one another to manage the home and keep our marriage." - Anyoh Fombad

"Some women feel they're failures for not having a successful marriage and that's wrong. You're valuable with or without marriage." - Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this episode, we continue shedding more light on the story of divorce from a man’s perspective. But before that, I just want to make this clear - the purpose of this podcast is not to encourage divorce especially in situations that can be mended. The goal is to challenge the stigma of divorce, using lessons from real-life stories and to encourage anyone who is facing an unrepairable marriage to not feel trapped in the fear of judgment and know that there is life after divorce. 

I will be talking to an old friend who has chosen to be anonymous and will go by the name Olufemi - Femi for short. He chose to become anonymous because there are children involved. If you want to catch up with Femi’s story and how it ended up in divorce, please refer to Episodes 20 and 21 in the podcast directory.

[00:01 – 03:16] Opening Segment

[03:16 - 17:54] The Divorce Decision

[17:54 – 31:12] The Divorce Process

[30:12 – 40:45 ] Life as A Single Man & Lessons Learnt

[40:45 – 54:06] What Olufemi Would Have Done Better & Conclusion Remarks

Tweetable Quotes:

“I also learned that we need to find ourselves and be comfortable by being with ourselves before we go into relationships.” – Anonymous (Olufemi)

"You can't give what you don't have - you can't love someone if you don't love yourself.” – Anyoh Fombad

"Discernment can come through instincts or the guts and we need to pray for deeper discernment so we make better decisions.” – Anyoh Fombad

"I learned that the highest form of control is self-control because without it - you'll mess everything up." - Anonymous (Olufemi)

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Today we will be talking about intimate partner violence, which is a very important topic of discussion in the African community. Through the years, abuse has been somewhat normalized in relationships and in our community. There have been many examples of abuse that have led to a loss of life. Some 1.2 million women and 700,000 men experience domestic violence each year, according to the Office for National Statistics.  According to a study, Africa has some of the highest prevalence rates of intimate partner violence in the whole world. Today I will be talking to an old friend who has chosen to be anonymous and will go by the name Olufemi - Femi for short. He chose to become anonymous because there are children involved. 

[00:01 – 09:45] After The Violence

[09:45 - 30:54] The Process of Divorce

[30:54 – 1:05:2] The Adultery Part & The Community Response

[1:05:2 – 1:15:55] Lessons & Closing Remarks

Tweetable Quotes:

“If someone is not willing to change, no amount of good knowledge can help such a person.” – Olufemi

“There is this ideology in Africa that men don't show emotions - that is WRONG! Men have emotions and they need to show it when they are hurt” – Anyoh Fombad

"It is OK for men to be vulnerable. If you need to cry, then cry!" - Anonymous (Olufemi)

“We always create this ideology of who we want people to be that we get blindsided and refuse to accept people for who they really are even when they're showing it to our face.” – Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Today we will be talking about intimate partner violence, which is a very important topic of discussion in the African community. Through the years, abuse has been somewhat normalized in relationships and in our community. There have been many examples of abuse that have led to a loss of life. Some 1.2 million women and 700,000 men experience domestic violence each year, according to the Office for National Statistics.  According to a study, Africa has some of the highest prevalence rates of intimate partner violence in the whole world. Today I will be talking to an old friend who has chosen to be anonymous and will go by the name Olufemi - Femi for short. He chose to become anonymous because there are children involved. 

[00:01 – 03:36] Opening Segment

[03:36 – 17:52] Meeting His Then-Girlfriend

[17:52 – 38:29] Knowing The Wife

[38:29 – 1:07:23] The Abusive Patterns

Tweetable Quotes:

“If someone is not willing to change, no amount of good knowledge can help such a person.” – Olufemi

“There is this ideology in Africa that men don't show emotions - that is WRONG! Men have emotions and they need to show it when they are hurt” – Anyoh Fombad

"It is OK for men to be vulnerable. If you need to cry, then cry!" - Anonymous (Olufemi)

“We always create this ideology of who we want people to be that we get blindsided and refuse to accept people for who they really are even when they're showing it to our face.” – Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Today, am talking with Susan Mancho who was born and raised in Bamenda Cameroon until the age of 10 when she later joined my mother in the USA Maryland in 1990. She obtained a master’s degree in Information Systems from Penn State University and worked in the IT field for over 20 years. She is a serial entrepreneur - Running a Financial Consulting Firm (CORE Financial Partners), A franchise gym (Anytime Fitness Jessup), and a Trucking Company (Faith Trucking).

She is a divorcee and we will be talking about Divorce and Life Thereafter to educate our community about divorce, how to mitigate through such situations, and how to live your authentic self.

[00:01 – 02:25] Opening Segment

[02:25 – 10:31] Meeting Her Husband

[10:31 – 20:30] The Divorce

[20:30 – 46:53] Outro Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

“We were thought to put everyone first as African women. That narrative must change." - Anyoh Fombad

"For your marriage to work, you need two people willing to fight, and the minute one person is not willing to fight - there's nothing you can do." - Susan Mancho

"I was thinking about the years I have invested into the marriage, the kids, and how the community will perceive me until I said enough is enough." - Susan Mancho

"Sometimes, we just have to accept that we married the wrong people."- Susan Mancho

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Going back to an older conversation about Domestic Violence with an anonymous guest we call Vanessa. Though we're in our #pridemonth series, we had to add these conversations since it also falls in how we relate to people in the family.

Children really go through a lot when there is violence in the home but it's not talked about. We focus on the woman and men in those relationships but overlook the effects the violence has on the children. Let's listen to the full episode now.

[00:01 – 02:25] Opening Segment

[02:25 – 10:31] Our Guest (Vanessa) Shares Her Story

[10:31 – 20:30] The Experiences

[20:30 – 35:50] Outro Discussions

Tweetable Quotes:

“If you see something, say something." - Anyoh Fombad

"When some men say if you see an abusive man then he has a verbally abusive wife - I ask where are their discipline and restraining strength?" - Vanessa

"She doesn't want to be called a divorcee so she tried to stay in the marriage." - Vanessa

"Children who experience abuse easily pass it to their relationships and continues the cycle." - Anyoh Fombad

"Most of these women are financially incapable so they contemplate how they're going to survive after divorce so they rather stay in the abusive marriage." - Anyoh Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

As we continue honoring #PrideMonth, we will be having Marshall Ngwa also known as BeBe Zahara Benet is a Cameroonian-American drag performer, television personality, and musician best known for winning the first season of the reality-television drag competition RuPaul's Drag Race in 2009. 

Currently, he stars in the TLC transformational makeover television series Dragnificent, as the event planning expert. He recently released an EP called Broken English, which is having a lot of great reviews and has a documentary called Being Bebe: The Bebe Zahara Benet Documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival from June 19, 2021 through June 23, 2021.

Hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did. Please leave an honest review and get the resources you need in the information below.

[00:01 – 02:25] Opening Segment

[02:25 – 10:31] Our Guest (Marshall Ngwa) Shares His Journey

[10:31 – 20:30] The African Mindset & Ways We can Change

[20:30 – 42:00] Finding Bebe Zahara Benet

[42:20: – 1:10:00] Finding Bebe Zahara Benet

Tweetable Quotes:

"We ignore the gifts of our children instead of allowing them to explore that gift and see what it has for them." - Marshall Ngwa

"I am evidence that the arts can make you successful and more. Your gift can always make way for you." - Marshall Ngwa

"You need to come across life with an open mind. Take out the stereotypes, prior knowledge and be ready to experience people and life, then it becomes easy." - Marshall Ngwa

"Most of the time, it's not that the family doesn't want to be supportive to their LGBTQIA+ Community - but they don't understand and lack knowledge on what your authentic self is." - Marshall Ngwa

"We did Drag art unintentionally in our African Community. People dress up as women or men to make us laugh." - Marshall Ngwa

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In continuation of the uncomfortable but necessary discussions we are having in honor of #PrideMonth, we are having a discussion with an LGBT+ Activist called Kiki Bandy.

She is a Cameroonian public figure, entrepreneur, and LGBT+ activist. She is the Founder of Kikum Consulting - a marketing and branding consultancy; Co-founder of Rem Clan - a gender-neutral online apparel clothing company inspired by everything LGBTQ. She is a Rainbow Migration Trustee, Black Beetle Health Trustee, Living Free UK Director, and above all, she is African.

Hope you enjoy this episode as the earlier ones, leave an honest review and get the resources you need in the information below.

[00:01 – 02:25] Opening Segment

[02:25 – 10:31] Our Guest (Kiki Bandy) Shares her coming-out story.

[10:31 – 30:30] Kiki Bandy Shares her Experience in the LBGT+ Community

[30:30 – 42:00] Closing Remarks

Tweetable Quotes:

"What I can tell young people in the LGBTQIA+ community is that - coming out is not for everyone. You have to come out to yourself first and accept who you're first, that's the most important thing." - Bandy Kiki

Contact Kiki Bandy--- Mail:  info.bandykiki@gmail.com.   Instagram: @bandykiki

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In continuation of honoring Pride Month, we examine the complex, yet longstanding relationship between the LGBTQIA+ community and the African church.

In this Episode, our guest is Pastor Johnson Bong (one of the Pastors of Grace Community Church Outreach in Manchester, UK). He joined us as we spark uncomfortable, but very necessary, conversations that challenge how the Church treats the LGBTQIA+ in the African community.

[00:01 – 02:30] Opening Segment

[02:31 – 21:30] Pastor Johnson Talks About the Church's Perspective

[21:31 – 43:40] Pastor Johnson gives his opinion on some points

[43:41 – 1:09:23] The debate continues

Tweetable Quotes:

“People keep pointing figures to the wrong of other people when they also have similar wrongs in their lives.” – Pastor Johnson Bong

“People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Pastor Johnson Bong

Contact Pastor Johnson Bong: johnsonchubong@yahoo.com

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In honor of Pride Month, members of the LGBTQIA+ community dust off their rainbow flags and douse themselves in glitter with parades, festivals, and concerts across the globe but not in our African Countries and communities where the LGBTQIA+ community is extremely marginalized, criminalized, and discriminated against on the daily basis.

In this Episode 13 {Part 1}, we had a very impactful conversion with The Solar Wilsons (the first Nigerian born-out legally married lesbian couple in the US) as we spark uncomfortable, but very necessary, conversations that challenge how we treat the LGBTQIA+ in the African community.

[00:01 – 02:35] Opening Segment

[02:36 – 21:30] The Wilsons’s Story

[21:30 – 43:40] The Love Story & Wedding

Tweetable Quotes:

“What I found out is that 80% of the 10% of Africans who are LGBTQIA+ are actually in the closet and most of them are actually married to the opposite gender.” – The Wilsons

“We’re Christian LGBQTIA+ people but when we came out, we were church shopping because every church you go to, you’re met with a different kind of hatred.” – The Wilsons

Contact The Wilsons:

The Solar-Wilson Village: https://www.solar-wilsonvillage.com/

The Wilsons Email - africanlgbtq@gmail.com

Moji Solar-Wilson on Social Media:

Instagram - @mojisworld1

Facebook - Moji Solar-Wilson

You can reach out to Patience on Facebook or Instagram. Support the Free Minds Foundation, visit their Facebook page.

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In continuation to Part 1 of our discussion in honor of Pride Month, we discuss deeper issues faced by the extremely marginalized African LGBTQIA+ community, and how we as a community can treat everyone with kindness regardless of their sexual preference. The Solar Wilsons shared more stories about their experience as well as information on their charity, philanthropy, and current projects.

Jump on this Part 2 and let us ride on to finish up where we left on Episode 13. 

[00:01 – 06:40] The History of Homosexuality in Africa

[06:40 – 26:40] Behind the Scene Struggles of the LGBTQI+ Community

[26:40 – 53:07] The African Village & The Wilson’s Current Projects

Tweetable Quotes:

“We [the LGBTQIA+] are in your families; we are your brothers, sisters, cousins, and parents. Someone in your family or even perhaps yourself is LGBTQIA+ so look into the mirror before you treat anyone unkindly because of their sexuality.” – The Wilsons

“At the end of the day, the most important thing is coming out to yourself and knowing that nothing is wrong with you.” – The Wilsons

Contact The Wilsons:

The Solar-Wilson Village: https://www.solar-wilsonvillage.com/

The Wilsons Email - africanlgbtq@gmail.com

Moji Solar-Wilson on Social Media:

Instagram - @mojisworld1

Facebook - Moji Solar-Wilson

You can reach out to Patience on Facebook or Instagram. Support the Free Minds Foundation, visit their Facebook page.

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

This is part two of our interview with Patience Abonge.

Let’s continue to listen to her story of struggles from mental health illnesses and the various steps she took that helped her through those troubling times. 

[00:01 – 18:58] Depression

[18:59 – 29:57] Battling the Stigma

[29:58 – 42:33] Healing

Tweetable Quotes:

“People with mental illness are not attention seekers.” – Patience Abonge

You can reach out to Patience on Facebook or Instagram. Support the Free Minds Foundation, visit their Facebook page.

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In another addition to our Mental Health Awareness series, we are joined by Patience Abonge, and she is here to share her story. She has suffered from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Today she encourages us not to be afraid to tell our story. We don’t have to suffer in silence. Together we are stronger, and together we can conquer the challenges along our journey.

[00:01 – 02:35] Opening Segment

[02:36 – 25:58] Patience’s Story

[25:56 – 43:40] Punishment

Tweetable Quotes:

“I think I’ve been through all kinds of challenges, [but now] I have to challenge myself.” – Patience Abonge

“You have to be conscious of what you want to do.” – Patience Abonge

You can reach out to Patience on Facebook or Instagram. Support the Free Minds Foundation, visit their Facebook page.

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we continue our discussions around mental health, and today, we welcome back Anne Alobwede. Anne is one of the many victims of domestic abuse. She has suffered immense violence from her partner, and because of this, her life took a turn for the worse. Her experiences resulted in a long-running trauma that, up until today, she continues to battle. In this episode, she joins us to talk about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

[00:01 – 06:54] Opening Segment

[06:55 – 15:28] Domestic Abuse

[15:29 – 30:38] PTSD

[30:39 – 36:00] Relationships

[36:01 – 49:02] Let’s Heal Together

Tweetable Quotes:

“At the end of the day, mental health illnesses are not physical. Most of the times, when somebody doesn’t tell you that this is what they’re going through, you’ll never know.” – Anne Alobwede.

“It’s okay to be different.” – Anne Alobwede

Resources Mentioned:

Learn more about Anne Alobwede:

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

This is part two of our conversations with Donald and Arnold Fosah.

In part one, we talk about the realities of Schizophrenia from the perspectives of a patient, family member, and healthcare professional. In this episode, we continue talking about Donald’s struggles with his illness and how his family is helping him through his journey.

We dig deeper into Schizophrenia - [00:01 – 10:46] 

Let’s support each other - [10:47 – 22:01]

What keeps you moving forward? - [22:02 – 28:56] 

Advice about Schizophrenia - [28:57 - 42:16] 

Tweetable Quotes: 

“Understanding yourself is very important. If you don’t understand yourself, you’ll not be able to forge ahead.” – Donald Fosah

You can contact the two of them through Arnold’s private practice at https://verdantbehavioralhealth.com/ or by sending him an email at fosahpmhnp@gmail.com 

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, we continue talking about things that affect our mental health and raise awareness about them. Today we focus on Schizophrenia with Arnold and Donald Fosah.

Arnold and Donald's lives have been affected by Schizophrenia, and today they will help us see this illness through the perspectives of a patient, family, and healthcare professional.

How Schizophrenia affected Donald's life - [00:01 – 20:34]

Bringing their family together and strengthening their bond - [20:35 – 27:14] 

Stigma in the African community - [27:15 – 36:15]

Tweetable Quotes:

"The fortunate thing that I can say about Wally and also kind of seeing the perseverance of my family is that it brought us together around him." – Arnold Fosah 

You can contact the two of them through Arnold’s private practice at https://verdantbehavioralhealth.com/ or by sending him an email at fosahpmhnp@gmail.com

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Today’s guest is Anyi Atabong. She joins us today to talk about anxiety, depression, and mental health. 

Anyi is one of the most knowledgeable psychiatric nurses that I’ve met, and she is a huge advocate for mental health. She has worked for over 15 years in the healthcare industry. She is currently a practitioner for Talkspace and the Co-Founder & CEO of the Capital Multi Health Group Inc.

[00:01 – 06:27] Opening Segment

[06:28 – 17:40] Mental Health

[17:41 – 28:28] Dealing with Mental Health

[28:29 – 39:02] Journey to Healing

Tweetable Quotes:

“We definitely need to, as a community, as a sisterhood…to be able to open up and talk to people about our feelings.” – Anyi Atabong

“Your brain is your powerhouse. It is your absolute powerhouse. It is what controls your thinking. It controls your behaviors, your emotions.” – Anyi Atabong

Resources Mentioned:

You can reach out to Anyi by sending her an email at aatabong@capitalmhg.com.

Get in touch with Capital Multi Health Group. Give them a call at 667 307 4173 or follow them on Instagram (@capitalmhg).

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Join us for today’s episode, where we continue our discussions with Manyi Anabor. 

In part two of this series, we had further conversations about the impact of her experiences with child sexual and physical abuse in her life. We also talk about how she sought help through the form of therapy. Although there are still misconceptions about therapy, such as people thinking that it’s fake, it doesn’t work, or it just shows weakness. For people who have undergone therapy, it was their way out of the dark place that has been haunting them.

[00:01 – 21:03] Overcoming PTSD

[21:04 – 29:40] Dismantle Rape Culture

[29:41 – 35:18] The System has to be Changed

[35:19 – 38:08] Closing Segment

Tweetable Quotes:

“I’m always searching for information and learning and reading self-help books and trying to figure things out. That’s naturally how I am. So that really, really helped me.” – Manyi Anabor

Resources Mentioned:

You can connect with Manyi on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. To learn more about her story, you can visit her website at www.manyianabor.com 

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

One of many challenges that women face in society is the existence of Rape Culture, an environment where sexual violence is normalized and minimizes the seriousness of such acts. Some people even say that it’s the victim’s fault for getting raped. It’s time to take action against these social norms.Rape Culture is prevalent and must be stopped. Let’s end victim blaming and hold people accountable for their actions. And for the survivors, always remember that it’s never your fault.

In this episode, Manyi Anabor joins us to share her experiences with child sexual and physical abuse.

This is part one of a two-part episode. Tune in and look forward to part two.

[00:01 – 06:04] Opening Segment

[06:05 – 27:40] Sexual Abuse Victim

[27:41 – 32:32] PTSD

Tweetable Quotes:

“As a teenager growing up, even to my early 20s, I would never speak up for myself at all. Even if I was in a situation in which something happened openly, and it was obvious, it was clear that it wasn’t my fault. It had nothing to do with me, and someone jumped up and said it was my fault. I would literally say nothing, and it was a very scary place to be in.” – Manyi Anabor

Resources Mentioned:

You can connect with Manyi on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. To learn more about her, you can visit her website at www.manyianabor.com

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this episode, we continue our conversations from part one of “Communication in the African Home.” 

As we continue discussing our lives living and growing up in an African household, we dive into our experiences and talk about the lessons and values that our parents instilled in us.

Be sure to check out part one of this series.

[00:01 – 20:21] Prepare Your Children for the Future

[20:22 – 28:09] Be There for Your Children 

[28:10 – 35:29] Closing Segment

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

In this episode of Living African, we discuss the need for communication in a household. In our case, an African household and my guests today are my lovely family to give you a perspective on the dynamics in an African home.

As we know, communication within the family is important so that we can enable everyone to express their thoughts, needs, wants, and concerns. Open and honest communication creates an environment where the family members can be vulnerable—giving each other the chance to understand one another and embrace their differences.

[00:01 – 06:22] Opening Segment

[06:23 – 24:47] Communication in the African Home

[24:48 – 32:59] Discipline by Beating 

Tweetable Quotes:

“We believe that we have to make our kids be part of us. We have to make our kids know who we are.” – Grace Fombad

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

This is part two of the interview with Anne Alobwede.

We continue our conversations around the topic of domestic abuse/violence. Domestic abuse and intimate partner violence have been rampant in the African community, and this issue needs immediate attention and action. With this sense of urgency, please help me spread the word and raise awareness of domestic abuse's reality. Extend a helping hand to the affected people by getting involved in the Non-profit organization, JustLikeYou(JLU)Global Foundation, or other organizations that supports the movement against domestic violence.

In this episode, we discuss Anne's experiences during her incarceration and time at the Ice Detention Center and how that has changed her perspective about life as a whole.

[00:01 – 07:43] Time in Prison

[07:44 – 18:15] Life After Prison

[19:58 – 21:56] Take Action

[21:57 – 28:22] Closing Segment

Tweetable Quotes:

"Life can take a different turn at any second and any minute. You never know." – Anne Alobwede

"You have to focus on those that care about you. Don't worry about the people that are backlashing you or saying things, negative things about you." – Anne Alobwede

"My mistake doesn't define me." – Anne Alobwede

Learn more about Anne Alobwede:

Support the JustLikeYou(JLU) Global Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates for victims of domestic violence. Visit their website at www.justlikeyouglobal.com

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

The story we will be highlighting today is the issue of domestic abuse and intimate partner violence. This has been rampant in the African community and is also a topic of recent events that have garnered the attention of many. 

Today, we brought in our guest, Anne Alobwede, and in part one of this two-part episode, we discuss the relationship dynamic between a domestic abuse survivor and her abuser and the consequences she faced, which took her life in a different turn for the worse.

Please stay tuned and look forward to part two.

[00:01 – 07:06] Opening Segment

[07:07 – 11:26] Who is Anne Alobwede?

[11:27 – 17:54] Domestic Abuse

[17:55 – 23:16] The Breaking Point of Abuse

[23:17 – 35:25] Support System

Tweetable Quotes:

“You know, life is a choice. If you’re hurting and you don’t want to hurt anymore, and you’re sure you’ve got enough of this hurt to the point where you either do what you have to do to get out of it, or you wait for the hurt to eat you up to the point where it kills you...like it breaks you completely.” – Anne Alobwede

Resources Mentioned:

Learn more about Anne Alobwede:

Support the JustLikeYou(JLU) Global Foundation, a Non-profit organization that advocates for victims of domestic violence. Visit their website at www.justlikeyouglobal.com

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

My name is Anyoh Fombad, and welcome to the Living African Podcast.

Join me as I embark on this journey where we uncover my fellow Africans' stories, help empower our communities, and bring awareness to our culture that's being threatened by social norms. I hope that this platform can provide a safe space for misunderstood African individuals to open up conversations and share our message to the world.

Tune in and look forward to our future episodes, and hear stories of what it feels like to be Living African in this modern society.

LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you!

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.

You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).