The More Sibyl Podcast

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

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Kenny Still on the daddy issue (I know! But hear me out on this one). This week’s episode started with an email I received from one of my ardent listeners - who was also today’s guest on the show. It was also the first official fan mail I got!: Dear Mo: Everyone believes fathers should be strong and just provide financially while the mothers raise the children. I am a father of a 3-year-old daughter with a rare medical condition (which has resulted in massive learning/developmental delays). My wife and I are very hands-on in raising our daughter. What I've experienced in the three years of fatherhood is that the mothers get more support than fathers. I'm Nigerian born but been living in the UK for the last eight years. Do you have any guests who can talk on the topic - fathers and support for them? The contents of the email tugged at my heartstrings. After much reflection on the choice of guest, I decided to ask Mr. Kenny if he wouldn’t mind doing the honors as I could not think of any other perfect guest to do justice to such an important and rarely discussed topic. In this episode, you will hear about the challenges, societal expectations, and triumphs of raising a child with special needs. You will also hear tips on how to build and foster support for those with special needs, especially for parents and caregivers. More importantly, you will hear about a father’s love; the kind that is unspoken but constant, affirming, assuring, and ever-giving. PS: Olivia’s condition is called 1p36 deletion syndrome (also known as monosomy 1p36). It is a congenital genetic disorder characterized by moderate to severe intellectual disability, delayed growth, seizures, limited speech ability, and weak muscle tone with varying symptoms depending on the exact location of the chromosomal deletion. There is no cure for this disease. Treatment depends on the symptoms and may include rehabilitation/educational programs, antiepileptic medication, and standard therapy for affected organs. You will also hear about a day in the life of Olivia. According to Kenny: Olivia’s condition has brought him and his wife together, as a closer family unit. Don’t be afraid to be open and vulnerable, especially to those who love and care about you. Be their voice and advocate, especially when talking to health care providers. Read, research, observe, and pay attention as much as you can on the condition. Love is a powerful tool with healing powers; make sure to show your children love. Social support is critical when dealing with rare diseases. Find a patient advocacy group to belong to and if unavailable, consider starting one that is relevant to your cause. Fun facts about Olivia: She just turned three and is quite the spunky three-year-old with some sass. #Yasss She loves her soft toys. Her favorite color is blue. She loves grabbing things so be careful with your earrings, headphones, or necklaces when around her. She is the boss of the house. Hearing her distinct laughter echo around the house, according to dad, always warm his heart. And to dearest Olivia, when you can get to read this, dad (and mum) would like for you to remember that: You are beautiful and specially-abled. You will be able to live a fully functional life. You can achieve anything you put your mind towards. Always show love to people. "Daughter" – Loudon Wainwright III (2007) Respectfully, 모 /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support

버마 소년| The One with Nathan - A Tale of Two Countries - Burma & Nigeria: Episode 29 (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Nathan - My Burmese Friend Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is the second largest country in Southeast Asia with a population of more than 50 million people. Chances are Myanmar is one of those countries that has never crossed your radar. It used to be this way for me too until I met my dear friend, Nathan, in 2014. Nathan is from Myanmar and is ethnically Chinese. He left Myanmar in his teens to live in Singapore. He holds a Masters in computer science and software development but switched his career by bagging an MBA with a focus on public health, so people won’t think he is the IT guy (*insert Asian joke here*). In this episode, we explored the shadows of our countries, post-British colonization. If I learned anything from this episode, it is that poor countries (as measured by absolute poverty) have similar presentations, no matter what part of the world they are located in. This is because poor countries are poor because they have extractive economic and political institutions, where a culture of monopoly, corruption, and lack of political rights are the norm. (Recommended text: Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty (2013) by D. Acemoglu and J.A. Robinson). As a result, Nigeria and Myanmar as so much alike in more ways than I thought, and not just due to our common colonizer – the British. I gauged his opinion on Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, who is making headline news over her alleged inaction to the persecution of the Rohingya people in Rakhine State and refusal to accept that Burma's military has committed massacres. We also talked about his hobbies – reading and traveling, as well as our mothers and WhatsApp broadcast messages. PS: Nathan and I met in 2014 while interning at the same biotech company in Boston. During that time, we hung out a lot and explored a lot of the Boston scenes.. This episode was shot at his house in Somerville while I revisited Boston in July. Fun facts about Nathan: He loves to dance and is exceptionally adept at it. I have gone dancing with him a couple of times, so trust me on this. He is a polymath; a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning. He is not good at Math (Shocking! Insert yet another Asian joke here). We both have a dark sense of humor, haha. Similarities between Myanmar and Nigeria: The income gap in Myanmar is among the widest in the world, with supporters of the former military government controlling a larger share of the wealth. A lot of people move out to seek greener pastures elsewhere. Think push and pull factors, with Singapore being the top destination. With the UK, USA, or Canada being top destinations in Nigeria. June 12 is to Nigeria as August 8 is to Myanmar #8888. Self-censoring was rampant throughout the 80s under the military era. While there is a huge importance placed on education, both countries experience corruption in educational equality mostly due to poor government infrastructure. Both countries ‘run’ on US dollars, with hundred dollar bills being the most preferred. Inflation rates are off the roof and highly unpredictable. Mothers in both countries have a special thing with sending cringe-inducing WhatsApp broadcast messages. Due to outdated power grids, dating back to the British colonization era, blackouts are frequent. The people are really about the best thing about these countries. O’ Burma! 모 /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support

우리 가족의 가치| The One with The Lawals - On Raising Nigerian-American Kids: Episode 28 (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with The Lawals In talking with some of my friends, especially those who just became new parents, I found that a lot of them struggle with the feeling of insecurity around parenthood and fear of not doing enough as a parent. It humbles me when I hear these conversations because I think most of them are really good parents. In a bid to build community for these issues, I invited The Lawals on the show. Thus, this episode is dedicated to those friends and others like them. I hope you connect to this and that much more, you realize how amazing you already are. This episode features a candid conversation with Nigerian parents who are raising Nigerian-American kids. You will hear about their insecurities, fears, and rewards regarding parenting. On how certain adaptations and tag teaming are necessary when raising kids in a different society than the one you grew up in. Also, on cultural differences and why some Nigerian parents do not allow their kids to go on sleepovers or playdates. PS: This episode was shot in their house on a lazy Saturday morning. I have come to a soft conclusion that third-culture kids, raised by Nigerian parents, have a lot of shared experiences, especially of being grounded similarly, regardless of where they grow up in the world. Gotta give it to Naija parents for the homogeneity. Fun facts about The Lawals: They have twin girls! I am crazy about twins; so much so I married one (not only for this reason, haha). Mrs. Lawal is still a patriotic Nigerian; you need to see the glimmer in her eyes every time she talks about Nigeria. They met online way back when we used dial-up technology to surf the internet. #truelove They play good cop, bad cop with the kids; listen to find out who plays what. Takeaway Points: Be mindful as parents. Always turn back to say: “Hi, I love you, I will see you later.” Tell your kids what to do but make sure you show them why, when needed. Especially as they grow up and become more assertive. Parenting is a continuous improvement process. Parents learn through their kids as much as their kids learn from them. Be a lazy parent – let your kids figure some things out, engage their curiosity to help their brain grow. Notable Quotes: “It is crazy that the one place that you seemingly cannot truly feel that your kids are completely safe is inside American schools. You are not truly sure of whom you are handing them over to or with whom they are interacting.” You cannot raise your kids in a bubble. From Monday to Friday, they spend more awake hours outside of the home, and you have no control over these external environment. This is why we communicate the whys and hows with our kids and lead them by example.” These struggles, we have as parents, will never go away. What we need to fight this is the constancy of the parents, and hopefully, some of our teachings will stick. Not all will stick because they will form some of their own thoughts based on the environmental influences.” Recommended song: " Ode to My Family" – The Cranberries (1994) PPS: My prayers for us is that we never lose our purpose and inherent functionality unlike the dishwashers in Nigerian homes. The kids are alright, 모 /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support

비욘세 최고 팬| The One with Dr. Bamgbade - On being Nigerian-American & Mental Health: Episode 27 (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Dr. Bamgbade For this episode, we need to do 100 cartwheels, throw some confetti, and roll out the red carpet, because it features the very Queen in all of her splendid glory! Here’s introducing Dr. Benita Bamgbade, aka BeNyoncé (get it?) Born to first-generation Nigerian immigrants, growing up in H-town (Houston), Benita grew up very conscious about her heritage, especially at an era when it was uncool to be African (pre-Wakanda times). In this episode, we talked about all these and what it has been like moving to Beantown (aka Boston) from Texas. We also explored life as a new assistant professor of pharmacy and how dating or making friends in your 30s can be Herculean tasks. PS: She does research on mental health and designed an intervention recently on the health-seeking behaviors between Blacks and Whites in the US. She loves Jesus and Beyoncé! Also, we may have been well oiled and highly spirited when we taped this episode #redredwine #invinoveritas Fun facts about Dr. Bamgbade: She is so extra like me, and we connect on a deeper, spiritual level with that. We work well together and always come up with the most extra, lofty ideas, haha! For her research on mental health, she has won two back-to-back awards at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) meetings. #gogirl She is the first rapper on the show. We both love and miss #HEB. If you never lived in North and Central Texas, you won’t understand the struggles #lesigh Takeaway Points: Significantly higher proportion (81%) of young Black adults living with depression in the US do not seek help when compared to Whites. Don’t get too bogged down about what your friends and family would think. The people you are worried about care about you. If you are living with depression and not living your best self, go get help. It gets better when you get help. So people don’t like you? Oh well! You will be alright, and they will be alright too. We cannot be our jobs; there’s gotta be more to life. Find your ‘more.’ Notable Quotes: Being Nigerian now is super cool, but it was not cool growing up from elementary school till the beginning of high school. Being African was not cool, but now everyone is like ‘Wakanda Forever.’ Like no! You used to make fun of me; this is not for you. Go sit down or apologize or do both.” “Being Nigerian and American to me means being the best of both worlds. I love being Nigerian; I thank God that I am Nigerian, I love the culture. My American side too has its merits and having a ground foundation on both sides are great. The downside is not being fully grounded on either side.” “Being a professor is like graduate school on crack. The pressure is so much more now on a tenure clock.” Recommended song: " Red Red Wine" – UB40 (1983) I woke up like this, 모 /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support

내 일본 섬에서| The One with Mai - On Multiculturalism and Being Okinawan-American: Episode 26 (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with Mai Born to an Okinawan mom and an American dad, thus growing up bi-racial in a multi-cultural home meant Mai had to ask tough questions from the start about identity, equality, community, friendships and the like. An aspiring graphic designer and a secretive poet, she uses the arts to continue the journey of those questions, through her multi-cultural marriage, and the community around her. A fighter for love to be in action in all places; who loves hearing the stories of those around her in hopes to build better bridges in all places and with all people. Mai also enjoys the simple pleasures of puppies, coffee, food of all kinds, and summer activities. In this episode, we talked about her cultural heritage and tips on how to navigate multiculturalism in language, marriage, and expressions. PS: Okinawan-Japanese is the equivalent of Hawaiian-American; thus, Mai is ethnically Okinawan. Also, it would mean a lot to Mai if you went to see 'Crazy Rich Asians;' according to her "your ticket purchase helps affirm the industry that people want to see diverse leads." Fun facts about Mai: Her parents met in Japan when dad was in the US Airforce. If she speaks too much in one language, her brain gets tired. So, she needs a fine balance of people with whom she can speak English and Japanese. She spent a lot of time in Japan when growing up. So much so that when she moved back to the US, she was classified as an international student and had to take ESL (English as a second language) classes. Takeaway Points: Mai had two very good questions for me as a Nigerian about Nigerians. Your insight as a multicultural person is always needed and valuable. Be proud of your heritage. Notable Quotes from Mai: “I find the Japanese culture at times fascinating because even though it is a communal society, there is so much pressure on the individual to succeed which sometimes creates a painful tension.” "In America, it is harder to build quality friendships because it is an individualistic society. Thus, self-love here, ironically, is to schedule spontaneous activities to make sure I spend quality time with my friends." “Being married to a Chinese-American, we both have to learn how to navigate this space of multiculturalness we share. We both have parallel lives of being able to relate on how it feels to navigate multiple cultures and not really feeling like we belong to anyone in particular.” Recommended song: "Say Anything" - X-Japan (1991) [Mo says: "The arrangement of the musical instruments reminds me of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody"] Jya-ne, モ /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support

부부 선교사| The One with The Bunns - Americans Serving Internationals: Episode 25 (2018)

The More Sibyl Podcast Presents: The One with The Bunns Meet the Bunns or like I call them, Love Bunns; they are one of my favorite dyads in the world. Despite just meeting them a little over a year ago in Oklahoma, I consider myself blessed and honored to be a part of their family and that I get to call them “fremily” (family+friends). Charlie and Dona Bunn are also the Directors/Chi-Alpha campus pastors for the University of Central Oklahoma. Chi-Alpha is an outreach ministry to universities to reach students, reconcile them to Christ, and transform the university, the marketplace, and the world. Statistics have reported that 85% of international students have neither eaten in an American home and 75% have never been in an American home. The Bunns, through their ministry, are trying to change those statistics. For twenty years, they have been building community for international students to give them a sense of belonging. In this episode, we explored how Americans can benefit from multiculturalism, and how internationals (students) in the US contribute to broaden the worldview of Americans. We also talked about what Americans can do to change the perception held by most internationals of Americans of being just friendly but not necessarily good friends. They are in need of funds for renovations, generate scholarships for students, and so much more. Donations towards their ministry can be made here: goo.gl/YNa7dj Contact the Bunns: Email: ucochialpha@gmail.com, Instagram: ucochialpha, Facebook: Charlie Bunn, Dona Bun PS: I joined Chi Alpha in 2011 when I was a student in Austin, and I credit this group for enriching my American experience as they were very beneficial to helping me build community. Fun facts about The Bunns: Their kids have traveled for international mission trips to Haiti, El-Salvador, Jamaica. Dona, like all the little girls who grew up in Montana then, wanted to be an Olympic skater. Now she applies her degree in counseling to help international students through her ministry. Growing up in a small town in Arkansas, Charlie could have fought fires in Montana but now sees himself living in another foreign country. They do really have a heart and love for international students. Through this ministry, the Bunns have had contact with students from more than 125 countries. Takeaway Points: For Americans: It is worth the extra effort to befriend international students. Take the time, ask questions, as they want you to have a genuine interest in their lives. There is room in your heart to show some love to international students For Internationals: Wherever you may find yourself and when in need of community, find the Charlies and the Donas. Cultural exchange is a two-way street; you are also helping Americans learn more about your culture as much as you are learning about theirs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Notable Quotes: “If God has called you to be a ditch digger, any other thing you would do (e.g., doctor) will be a step-down. I think sometimes we place importance on a certain level of job, income, notoriety. Whatever God has called you to do is what you should be doing. Find what your talents are, and find how to make money from there.” - Charlie "We love it. We love that our kids did not see color. I am glad that they have an appreciation for international students and can easily connect with people. And I am a little jealous of that because we were raised differently." - Dona “Before Christ, I enjoyed people to a certain extent. After Christ, God gave me more of a love and a trust. I don’t think I trusted people very much before; I was suspect of so many things." – Charlie Recommended song: "Kola" - Damien Jurado (2016) Best, 모 /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support

다행이다!| The One with Damilola Falodun - The Arduous Journey Back Home: Episode 24 (2018)

On one lazy Sunday in May, I fell into one of those YouTube black holes and ended up watching a video about Damilola - today’s guest. I remembered being transfixed for the whole 30+ minutes I watched it. It made me cry, raise my hand furiously to heaven, sigh deeply, contemplate the hearts of men and the pains we inflict on each other, and most importantly, it made me want to do something. Thus, I was moved to action to help this young lady re-tell her story in a more humanistic way, with more emphasis on the person behind the story, as I thought this element was grossly lacking in the interview I had just watched her in. Dear friends and listeners, today, I present to you a story of Ms. Damilola Falodun, a 23-year-old native of Ekiti state, an orphan, and a survivor of human trafficking. Lured under the pretext of finding work in Oman, her and several others endured harsh conditions while in Oman. It’s a story about finding your way back home after you have lost your way, in every sense of the word. It is also one that reminds us of, perhaps most importantly, that home is always where the heart is. Ms. Damilola is back in Nigeria now, safe, and slowly trying to build her life back. She also recently enrolled in a University to study entrepreneurship and business management. Her goal is to set up a foundation to help rescue and train young girls on artisan skills that can make them financially independent. You can make that Ms. Damilola’s dream come true by listening to this episode, sharing it with your friends and contacts to increase awareness on this issue, or making a small donation to help Damilola get her life back. You can also do all three. Here are her account details: Damilola Falodun, 2065970162, UBA bank You can also donate via the show by emailing me. Every cent received for this purpose will go directly to Ms. Damilola. Contact Ms. Damilola : Email: dammyserah31@gmail.com; Instagram @sayno2slavery Takeaway Points: Nigeria currently has no diplomatic presence or embassy in Oman making it extremely difficult for those who want to leave to seek refuge. Dear teenager or young adult reading this, do not fall for quick ways of making money. You could be selling your life away. Most countries have standard procedures in place for visits, so do not be lured by promises of free visas, steps that entail bypassing those standard procedures, and whatnots. If it is too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. Ms. Damilola is still plagued with the guilt of leaving the others behind. While we explored Oman in today’s story, there are other countries (e.g., Libya) that have been implicated similarly. Notable Quotes by Damilola: “While in Oman, I prayed to God that if I was rescued and made it back to Nigeria safely, I will use my voice and all my resources to create awareness on this issue.” “It is better to drink garri and ordinary water in Nigeria, at least you will be free here, than being stuck in a foreign place as a slave. I will not stop until I see people rescued back to Nigeria.” Recommended song: "Hallelujah" - Funbi (2017) Stay Safe, 모 /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support

저는 보편적이다| The One with Solonia - On Being Ethiopian-Taiwanese & Cultural Richness: Episode 23 (2018)

Meet Solonia: America-born-Ethiopian-Taiwanese, currently living in Singapore, with life chapters spanning the US and Asia. Solonia identifies as a citizen of the world - challenging conventional notions of identity and purpose, and evangelizing life + work by design. As co-founder of The Change School, Solonia designs and facilitates transformational learning for harnessing self-discovery, entrepreneurial grit, and creative intelligence. She is a writer, storyteller and mindset coach. In this episode, we talked about being a cultural nomad – tips, its perks and downsides, embracing one’s cultural richness, and how to homogenize ones’ culturally-rich identity. PS: Solonia and I compared Asian and African cultures and the concept of same-same but different. Contact Solonia: solonia@thechangeschool.com Find out more about TheChangeSchool: http://thechangeschool.com/ and mention the show “The More Sibyl Podcast” to get discounts on their programs. Fun facts about Solonia: Solonia has been recognized as Asia's 50 Women Leaders for Leadership Excellence by CMO Asia, awarded for Global Training & Development Leadership by the World Training & Development Congress. She was invited to speak at TEDxAuckland on the future of Global Citizenship. Takeaway Points: African and Asian cultures share similar traits like shared core values, familial piety, the value of education, celebrating around food, and respect for elders. Really embrace your cultural richness; don’t hide it! Your difference is what makes you unique. Bring that (cultural) curiosity to your life and work. Being African and Asian can mean being twice under that parental pressure to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or nothing else. According to Solonia: “Does anyone else think it questionable that we use the word "expat" to describe non-natives living/working in non-Western countries, whereas in the reverse instance we refer to "foreign workers" and "immigrants" or "migrants" only? When was the last time you heard Asian professionals or short-term residents in the US, Europe, or Australia, for example, being described as Expats? #justsayin “The beauty of Singapore is so diverse and shows the difference between homogenization and melting pot. In America, there is a push to homogenize and adopt the American culture and become American. In Singapore, by contrast, there is no real need or pressure to become Singaporean. Everyone can coexist, and there is a feeling that everyone is able to retain their culture while existing in a diverse society.” “My background and upbringing have really helped me to appreciate historical cultures and be able to connect with people from different backgrounds because you are constantly adapting and making empathetic connections.” Best, 모 /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support

자기 용서를위한 시간| The One with Theresa - Childhood, Interrupted : Episode 22 (2018)

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS MESSAGES THAT MIGHT BE DISTURBING TO SOME LISTENERS – ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED ONE FORM OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE OR THE OTHER. This was easily the most difficult episode I have worked on this podcast. The prevalence of child sexual abuse is one that cannot be ignored (especially in a country like Nigeria with its burgeoning population and lax rules). Why? Because abused children grow up to become adults who may suffer from mental health issues ranging from substance abuse, personality disorders, conflict in romantic or interpersonal relationships, to eating disorders. Of all the things that can be done to you, rape is probably one of the worse because it is your body and you have to carry it along for the rest of your life; there is no escaping from it. Even when you try to physically escape from it, the body (and brain) always keep the score. In this episode, I discussed these issues at length with a longtime friend and a lawyer – Theresa Odigie. As an author, Theresa uses her words to rescue people from grief, insecurities, or anything that poses as a stronghold in one's life. Follow her on Instagram as Theresa.odigie. PS: We discussed a poem from Theresa’s new book, a collection of poems – Broken Porcelain. This book is a collection of pure sadness and connectedness which can be purchased on Amazon at a discounted price (for the next 10 days), courtesy of the show. Kindle version and hard copies are available. Things not to say to a child sexual abuse survivor: “I know how you feel.” – [This minimizes the robustness of their pain] “It could have been worse.” – [Also minimization] “Time heals the words.” – [There’s nothing powerful about the passage of time. Memories don’t know time] “Tell me more details on how it happened.” – [Voyeuristic and misuse of trust. Let them offer up their story how and when they want.] “Don’t worry, it is going to be all right, God makes beauty from ashes.” – [Certainly not biblical.] “You need to forgive and move on.” – [I can’t even!] Rather, try saying: “I believe you.” “I am glad you are talking to me.” “I am glad you are safe.” “It’s understandable. You are not crazy for feeling this way.” “It’s OK to cry.” “I am sorry this happened to you.” Takeaway Points: SURVIVORS Find someone to talk to. If you cannot, talk to strangers, you are not really investing in them emotionally. Even better, find another survivor to talk to. They have lived the abuse, and are usually able to nurture another survivor. Don’t blame yourself for what happened to you. Give that baggage away; it was never yours. Healing is possible and a long journey, but it is worth it. SUPPORTERS If someone confides in you, you are obligated to listen When someone opens up to you, do not break their trust Parents should be more vigilant and strive to create safe spaces for their children to communicate openly with them on any issues. Recommended Song: “Leave the Lights On” – Beth Hart (2003) Resources: Need help? US: National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline - Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) - https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline Nigeria: Mirabel center - Managed by Partnership for Justice Tel: 08155770000, 07013491769, 08187243468, 01-2957816 www.pjnigeria.org, sarc@pjnigeria.org, partners@pjnigeria.org, partners4justice@yahoo.com, http://mirabelcentre.org/ Citations: Holcomb, Justin. (2011): Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault. Crossway Publishers Child Sex Abuse: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_sexual_abuse You are not alone; I see you, 모 /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support

다음 알베르트 슈바이처| The One with Soo - The South Korean-Sierra Leonean: Episode 21 (2018)

So, y’all know like how I am the first Nigerian-Korean you know, right?! Well, I am here to introduce you to the first Korean-African - Soo, or Joshua (you will get this reference once you listen) who speaks Pidgin English fluently. He’s as African at heart as I am Korean and as passionate about Sierra Leone as I am about Korea. The only difference is that I am yet to set foot in Korea. I always describe my guests as amazing or wonderful; Soo is all these and much more and one of the spectacular 20-something year-olds I have met. Soo is Korean, born in England in 1995, but raised in Sierra Leone. His parents work as missionaries, and due to unforeseen conflicts and disasters, he has moved around quite a bit. For now, though, he is in Michigan, USA for his studies but hopes to go back abroad. In this episode, we talked about the duality of being African while looking Korean. The advantages of being a third culture person and how growing up in Africa is helping him excel in his studies. We also talked about first-world problems, African values, weighing wants vs. needs, and learning how to empathize with others who are not like us. PS: He reminds of me of an upcoming Albert Schweitzer (which coincidentally is one of his role models), and I think that as his nuances become more pronounced, he might just be as great as Dr. Schweitzer, if not greater. I met Soo through Adrian – a mutual friend. Fun facts about Soo: He is currently pursuing a dual degree in medicine and a Ph.D. in Microbiology (DO-PhD). He loves a lot of Nigerian artistes, especially Yemi Alade. He is passionate about social causes in Africa such as domestic abuse, patriarchy, unequal education between boys and girls, and in improving the healthcare infrastructure. He had a pet hedgehog named Collette, who recently died. #RIPCollette He speaks three languages fluently: Korean, English, and Creole. He speaks advanced French, and he is intermediate in Spanish. He is interested in finishing Arabic and may want to continue with Japanese. He loves Starbucks for a unique reason (find out why), and it’s not about him being bourgeois. He started the African Student Association (ASA) chapter in his college during his undergrad years to unite his friends from Madagascar, Rwanda, and Ghana to create a family of their own. Despite being a missionary kid, he tried out different religions before deciding to be Christian. He is a foodie and can make jollof rice, albeit the Sierra Leone variety. Takeaway Points: Anywhere you find yourself, try to search for a supportive community that can draw you in. Have a consistent circle of friends. Actions (especially subtle ones) speak louder than words. Being from Africa confers us with an ability not to forget the most important things and values. Parents can help their TCKs thrive better by being more open about struggles. Notable Quotes by Soo: “Home is where I make myself comfortable. When people ask me where my 고향 /gohyang/ (Korean word for hometown) is, I always say Sierra Leone because that is where my heart truly belongs. In traveling around a lot, longing for just one place that I cannot go back to for a while made it very depressing and hard. So, what I ended up doing was making a home wherever I went. So right now, while my home is in Michigan, my heart is still in Sierra Leone, and it will never leave that place.” "A lot of kids like me wanted stability, one place, one home, in a way I kinda missed that." "As a scientific researcher, I’d like to be on the forefront of developing therapies, researching, characterizing diseases and be able to provide health care to people." "Around a table, I have the table manners of a French, the greeting manners of a Korean, the respectful manner of a Korean and an African." WIth Love from the Koreans, 모 /Mo!/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mosibyl/support