The More Sibyl Podcast

시간에 춤을 추는 방법| The One With Jenim Dibie - On How To Dance in Time: Episode 15 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 

 

Our guest on this episode is my friend Jenim, a poet and a writer who I first met in college. She has written over 500 poems, two poetry anthologies, and just released her third book, How To Dance In Time. Jenim started writing early on and has since made a name for herself. She likes to read, dance, and watch The Office in her spare time. She dreams of one day living in a house by the sea with ten dogs and having written a hundred books. 

Jenim has used her writing to process her negative experiences of verbal abuse, pain, and life pressures and found succor, strength, and expression by sharing her heart through her words.  We talked about her journey as a poet and writer, her struggles with depression, the fame that comes with the peaks and the lows that come with the valleys, and how she has been able to navigate both. She shared about writers who inspire her and those who were overwhelmed by their “demons” and how she works to avoid ending up like them. 

 

Jenim has found joy, which has positively affected her art. How did she do this? Listen to the full episode here.

 

Also, happy birthday, Jenim!!!

Read blog here:  https://mosibyl.medium.com/how-to-dance-in-time-d5ebe5706a1b

나이지리아 한국어 선생님| The One With Nneka - Korean As A Second Culture: Episode 14 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 

In this episode, we are talking about a topic dear to my heart–- the Korean language and culture! Esther Nneka Nnanna describes herself as “a struggling writer, digital entrepreneur, and culture enthusiast”. She’s also a content creator, Korean speaker and teacher, artist, and self-taught multi-lingual. 

As a recent learner of Korean myself, I especially love seeing someone from my home country share this same love. I met her via her delightful Instagram handle, where she parodies Korean culture. 

Nneka explored with us similarities between Korean culture and her own native Igbo culture as well as what aspects she believes Nigerian cultures can learn from. She took us on a step-by-step process of how she learned the language. We also explored how Korean leadership was deliberate about the directives, initiatives, and laws that help not just preserve but also profitably export their culture.

 

Read blog post here: https://mosibyl.medium.com/another-korean-speaking-nigerian-606cceafa5fc 

특출난 아버지| The One With Rafiat and Her Dad - Exceptional and Exemplary Fatherhood: Episode 13 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One With Rafiat and Her Dad - Exceptional and Exemplary Fatherhood

For our annual Father’s Day giveaway, we asked our Instagram followers to share one extraordinary thing their father had done for them. The winner was Rafiat Akinwande, an ambitious Nigerian I have known from the African podcast community for a while now and looked forward to having on the show—having her dad as well was a welcome extra!

Rafiat talked about her dad, Mr. Kola Akinwande, with such love, honor, and endearment. One significant thing he did for her: because he had just lost his job when she gained admission into a good secondary school, he sold his shares to support her! In Ayomide’s words, “that is literally investing into your child!” 

He, in turn, had many positive words to say about Rafiat. He also shared the values that guide him and how he tried to instill these values in his children. He also shared how his girls are especially dear to him because traditional culture has tended to think less of the girl child. 

Rafiat also shared her favorite memories with her dad and the values and lessons she imbibed from him. We hope you will be as inspired as we were!

For women who didn’t have a good relationship with their dads, for fathers who didn’t get it right in raising their kids right from the onset, our dear Mr. Akinwande has a few words that will make all the difference for you.

 

Read blog here: https://mosibyl.medium.com/exceptional-exemplary-fatherhood-dc8948c5b6c2

 

가장 사랑하는 아빠| The One With Dad - Daddy Dearest: Episode 12 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One With Dad - Daddy Dearest

Still in honor of Father’s Day this month, I interviewed my dad (yet again). As Ayomide said, “he is the most important father on this show,’, and I couldn’t agree more. 

My dad is the most requested guest on the show. This is his third time on (the other two being in 2017 and 2018). This time, he shared his childhood experiences and how they formed his parenting style and his passion for education. Despite being born in a time when it wasn’t considered a priority, he struggled to obtain a solid academic foundation and did the same for us, and he views this as his greatest accomplishment. 

Dad went ahead to share his thoughts on how busy dads can make time with their family without their work suffering. In many ways, this episode continues our previous conversations and I hope you enjoy it as much as Ayomide and I did. 

 

• Read blog post here: https://mosibyl.medium.com/daddy-dearest-264cf3af4b57

우리 아버지의 일생| The One With Jirade Bepo - On Baba: Fatherhood and Sacrifice: Episode 11 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One With Jirade Bepo - On Baba: Fatherhood and Sacrifice

 

Jirade has been on the show before and it’s great to have her again! In honor of Father’s Day, June 19, we invited Jirade to share with us the warm and inspirational relationship she had with her father. Baba, as everyone fondly called him, died a few weeks before we recorded this episode, while they were planning for his 79th birthday. It was a deep loss for everyone who knew Baba, who was loving, large-hearted, full of life, and loved the people in his life. 

In this episode, Jirade shares about the kind of father Baba was, and the sacrifices he made, Including some warm memories. 

We found her stories about her memories of Baba’s values and character very inspiring and emotional: you need to hear her tell them in her own voice.

Listen to the full episode here and don’t forget to share it with others. 

 

In honor of Prince David Adebisi Bepo, “BABA” (1943–2022),

Mo! and Doc Ayomide

 

P.S: We have a father’s day giveaway on Instagram. You have the opportunity to be a guest alongside your dad on the show, to be followed by a date with him!  Click here to enter. 

 

Resources:

• Read blog here

• Jirade’s previous episode

• Find Jirade and all of her chips here

• Background music: On Top of It by Moon Juice

• Recommended song: Luther Vandross, Dance with My Father (2003)

아리 아빠| The One With TDawg - From Foster to Forever Father: Episode 10 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 

아리 아빠| The One With TDawg - From Foster to Forever Father: Episode 10 (2022)

 

In the Spirit of Father’s Day, my dear husband is the guest on this episode. TDawg and I would be married for eleven years later this month. For those who do not know, we have struggled with having a child biologically, so two years ago, we were blessed with Ariife, our foster child, who we have now been lucky to adopt. 

 

I have known TDawg for 18 years and we have been many things to each other. At various points, he has been my French student, brother (in Christ), father, husband, advisor, and lover. And I’ve seen him perform his duty as an uncle, as a son, and as a nephew. Children love him deeply, and in this episode, he shares his experience of fathering an adopted child, especially as a man who, like many, took the time to be open to adoption. He also shares about his relationship with his own father, the values the older man passed down, and how these values have shaped him personally and in raising his own child. 

 

P.S:- We have a father’s day giveaway on Instagram. You have the opportunity to be a guest alongside your dad on the show, to be followed by a date with him!  Click here to enter. 

 

Read blog here: https://mosibyl.medium.com/from-foster-to-forever-father-6b659d4004cf

사랑과 상실| The One With Von Apochi - On Love and Loss: Episode 9 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: 

In today’s episode, Ayomide and I interviewed my dear friend, Von Apochi. He is currently living in the US and is president of the SabiWaka Natural Company. He is also a business analyst in a top financial firm and an entertainer. He is proudly African, loves diverse cultures, and is sociable. 

Von has a very supportive family and system and this episode reinforced my conviction of the value of family. In a similar vein, Von also has a deep love for Black Americans and refers to them as “our cousins.” We discussed some of the history of tension between African Americans and Africans.

We also discussed his entrepreneurship and the challenges he has faced, and he shared some of the lessons he’s picked up along the way, how he has managed his brand after the heat of fame, and what he is currently working on. 

Finally, the episode gets heavy as we discuss Von’s grief since losing his sister, Tega Apochi Akpofure* (@tegaapochi), in January and how he’s been coping since her death. 

 

Listen to the full episode here, and don’t forget to share it with others. 

 

*In Memoriam of Tega Apochi Akpofure,

Mo! & Doc Ayomide

 

 

Read here: https://mosibyl.medium.com/von-apochis-story-a4a12f29b862 

Background music: Basketliner by Bitters

 

여성 할례| The One With Jessica Puri - On Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): Episode 8 (2022)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents:

 

Female genital mutilation or cutting is a very old practice that is unfortunately still common in many countries and communities. In fact, it was only just got prohibited in the USA in 1996 and in Canada in 1997, and even then, many states are yet to take a firm stance on its abolishment. Those who advocate for FGM/C justify it with beliefs about marriage, perceived health and sexual benefits, and upholding tradition.

 

In this episode, Jessica, an expert in biological sciences, public health, and social sciences, takes us on the journey of her hands-on experience in FGM/C from her academic knowledge and research to her personal experience with victims, law enforcement, and legalities.

 

She also shares her personal life, battle with mental health, and academic successes. And how she navigated a move to the USA all by herself at just 17 to build the life she has today. An accomplished woman who traces her success to her faith, Jessica’s story not only inspired us but also highlighted the importance of living outside our comfort zones and shifting from just chasing your own desires to living a life focused on helping others.

 

Catch up on the episode here, and share it with your friends.

 

• Read blog here: https://mosibyl.medium.com/female-genital-mutilation-cutting-fgm-c-fe86f978321c 

 

• If you’re an FGM/C survivor looking to talk to someone, need resources, or you’re passionate about FGM, please reach out to Jessica using the contact details below.
  • Jessica’s email: jessica.puri@northwestern.edu
  • LinkedIn: Jessica Puri, MPH
  • Twitter: @jessypuri

 

Stop the Cut!

Mo!, Jessica, and Ayomide

평화롭게 살자| The One With The Two – Mental Health isn’t Personal; It’s Relational: Episode 7 (2022)

In Ayomide’s words: “Mental health is not solely individual; it's very much social. It’s relational.”

 

May is mental health month, and the theme for this year is “Let’s connect.” In this episode, we talked about why mental health is more than just being about you - but relational and social—how you connect with others. We cannot attain the fullness of mental health until all areas of our lives are experiencing “peace” in the sense of relational wholeness. That’s what we discuss in this episode.

 

I shared my struggles with my mental health since I was ten, including losing a close friendship with which Ayomide shared his thoughts on. If you’ve lost (or are at risk of losing) a close friendship, you’ll find a lot to relate to here as we discuss managing such situations in light of our mental health. Then we go on to discuss anxiety, depression, and the challenges around taking medications for mental health issues!

 

Mental health and relationships are two very important areas of our lives—so be sure to share this episode’s link with everyone you know.

 

Read here: https://mosibyl.medium.com/mental-health-isnt-personal-it-s-relational-83449606c877

 

파도처럼 흐른다| The One With Urmi – On Being Bengali by Blood, Italian by Birth, Canadian by Love: Episode 6 (2022)

Urmi Identifies as “Italian by birth, Bengali by blood, and Canadian by love.”

 

Urmi’s passion for women and children drives her to volunteer in nonprofit organizations and children’s hospitals and help underserved women raise money. She was born in Italy to Bengali immigrants, and she always felt out of place in both worlds. As a result, she gravitated toward interests in mental health, lifestyle, and financial education, especially how women are affected, but confessed she still, like many children of immigrants, struggles with feeling like a disappointment to her parents.

 

Urmi shares her experiences as an immigrant in Italy and navigating cultural differences and parental and family pressures. Yet, over time, she has managed to build a life that works for her and makes her happy amid all the pressure of their expectations and her experiences.

 

She took us down memory lane through her childhood, her feelings, struggles, achievements, and failures, and how they have made her the woman she is today. It was a delight to listen to her account and how she has learned to embrace all of her cultural identities.

 

If you’re an immigrant (or, as we prefer to say, expatriate), you’ll love this episode, but it’s also a celebration of family, relationships, and knowledge.

 

Read here:  https://mosibyl.medium.com/bengali-by-blood-italian-by-birth-canadian-by-love-a8caf3e86323