preMature Adults

Nana Amoako-Anin is a self-described holistic strategist whose life and career choices have been underscored by a search for purpose. In this episode, she shares the vital role her parents' journeys played in her development, lessons she has learned from career changes and transitions, as well as the significance of mentorship in personal growth and maturation.

You can follow her and her yoga studio here:

Diversity is a buzzword in our society today—an idea or way of being to which many aspire. In my conversation with Tanja Scheffler in this episode, we discuss the beauty and complexity of diversity through the lens of her lived experience as a German-Ghanaian.

Growing up in Uganda, the prospect of becoming an internationally recognized model seemed far fetched. However, through a series of breakthroughs that landed her in South Africa, Patricia was able to work her way onto the international scene. In this episode, she and I discuss her upbringing, the impact her late mother has had on her, and the lessons she has learned in her modeling career so far.

Singer, songwriter, and college student, Habera joins me as we discuss her journey through music, her upbringing in Shanghai, and her desire to create intentionally focused on bringing hope to listeners as an extension of her dedication to her faith.

Hadeel is a proud TCK (third culture kid) who is on a journey to creating a community dedicated to curating a visual utopia in her native Sudan by fusing visual identity with design, art, sustainability, and creative direction. In today's episode, Hadeel and I discuss identity, individuality, creativity, and the growth and evolution with her multidimensional creative studio—DAVU.

Makafui Ayimey is a creative who has spent the past 7 years curating the Accra Goods Market—a project birthed out of nostalgia for being in open spaces. In today's episode, we talk about his early years, as well as that of the Accra Goods Market and the hopes he has for it.

Cross-gendered friendships from middle childhood through adulthood are often met with glances of curiosity or skepticism about the intentions of the individuals involved or the extent to which the nature of the friendship is entirely platonic. In a culture enamored by the sexual, celebrating intimacy in cross-gendered friendships is almost a foreign idea. Bronwyn Lea concerns herself with this subject in her book Beyond Awkward Side Hugs, as well as how it has tended to play out in the church. In today's episode we talk about friendship and its importance within church community through the lens of her book.

With the common cultural narrative and trend of adulthood being the time when individuals are meant to shed all hints of child-likeness to seriously brave the storms of adulthood, Mike Montague—podcaster, game show host, public speaker, writer, and self-described playful human—has made a significant part of his life's journey helping adults rediscover the power of play to assist them in avoiding burnout, getting re-energized, and engaging life fully.

Having gotten herself out of a dissatisfying mental and emotional loop following a job loss and a stale marriage, Hilary now champions the process of helping others in similar positions get unstuck from just existing to rediscovering themselves and creating new life. In today's episode, we talk about her life and how it's evolved over the years and how her experiences informed her book.

Having begun adulthood as a teenage mother, navigated two divorces, and survived a cancer scare, Karey Spransy has had enough challenges thrown her way to live jadedly. However, she has continuously made the best of her situation and today shares her journey and why JOMO (Joy of Moving On) has underscored her approach to life.

To keep up with Jennifer and her work, you can follow her here:

Father, husband, author, and cancer warrior, Terry Tucker, joins me in today's episode to talk about his life, family, and book. He shares some of the highlights from his journey so far, as well as provides insight into how one can live a life of purpose and remain positive even when faced with the weight of their mortality.

Today I am joined by author, speaker, and fellow third culture, Greg Coles, to talk about his journey as a writer, stumbling into his first book, his experience with celibacy in a marriage-glorifying culture, as well as how he has navigated his faith journey and love for Jesus as a gay man.

Sam Absher joins me in today's episode to talk about how she's hoping to inspire people through her online advocacy about managing their finances while leading in vulnerability about living with a Borderline Personality Disorder and ADHD diagnosis.

Having grown up overwhelmed and emotionally shamed by messages about her body and sexuality, Lynn-Dee van Rensburg now dedicates her efforts to helping individuals feel connected to their bodies, as well as discover the real understanding of sex, sexuality, and intimacy. Today she joins me to discuss the ins and outs of that journey, and how it has reshaped her world and approach to life.

UK-based actor and filmmaker, Sara Chia-Jewell joins me to discuss her experiences navigating life and different spaces as a mixed-race, third-culture individual. We also discuss how those experiences have inspired the type of legacy she hopes to leave when her career in the film industry comes to an end.

Following torrid formative years, and a cancer scare, Patricia decided to take a hard look at her inner self and self-belief. After having done the hard work of reversing negative self-perceptions, she has since dedicated her time and effort to helping others change their belief systems to support what they want to have/be in their lives.

To keep up with Patricia and her work, you can follow her here:

Having begun his career in the tech industry, Simon now works in marketing and dedicates a fair chunk of his time motivating and mentoring others to grow into their best selves. In today's episode, Simon and I discuss the reason behind his shift in career path, as well as how a word of encouragement from a mentor set him on the path he is today.

To keep up with Simon and his work, you can follow him on the following platforms

My good friend Don Willeman—pastor at the Christ Redeemer Church (Hanover, NH)—joins me today to talk about his experience in pastoral leadership in the Upper Valley over the past twenty-one years, as well as how that role has equipped him to be a better servant in marriage and fatherhood.

To keep up with Don and his work with CRC, you can follow the church on the following platforms

Maya King has spent over a year in Ghana after deciding to move a few years following her first visit. In today's episode, she and I talk about her experience so far and how she has come to feel at home on the west coast of Africa. We also discuss her career through real estate and some of her future plans.

To keep up with Maya and her work, you can follow her on the following platforms

Charla McKinley is on a quest to help the next generation of adults to be financially literate before they have to face any major monetary decisions. In this week's episode, she shares with us how her life decisions in her early years led her to create the Beyond Personal Finance curriculum to educate teenagers on how to be wise with money.

To keep up with Charla and her work, you can follow her on the following platforms

In today's episode, I converse with three colleagues from my master's program (Alexa Navarro, Jael Esqueda, and Marixa Maldonaldo) about their Mexican-American identity, the complexities therein, as well as how they have traversed those complexities.

SPONSOR:

The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:

Today I am joined by April Nutakor, a YouTuber and 2020 valedictorian of the Law School at the University of Ghana, to talk about her experience through law school. She also shares a bit about her bicultural experience growing up and how that has influenced her growth.

To keep up with April and her work, you can follow her on the following platforms

Estelle gives us an insight into what being a life coach entails, as well as shares some of the momentous life events that put her on the path to become a life coach—providing assistance to individuals who need to find themselves and recover from emotional slumps.

To keep up with Estelle and her work, you can follow her on the following platforms

Friendships are arguably the first type of relationships that we learn to navigate, cultivate, and hopefully maintain. With that in mind, it can be said that friendships are integral to our development not just as children or adolescents but as adults. In today's episode, I am joined by friends of 20 years, Asha Pollydore and Sarah Lee, as they discuss their friendship journey, as well as their individual experiences over the course of their friendship.

SPONSOR:

The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:

In today's episode, I chat with Connie as she takes us through her rather unorthodox journey through the music industry, as well as provides some insight for individuals trying to find their place and space in the midst of uncertainty.

SPONSOR:

The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:

Romantic relationships come with their fair share of challenges, in which many people tend to get stuck. However, there are also many beautiful parts of sharing life with another. In this episode, I sit with two college friends of mine, Fanni Szabo and Eduvie Ikoba, to discuss how they have navigated their relationship since meeting in college, as well as how they now juggle love and career. Their relationship has been mostly long-distance given they are both professional athletes trying to establish themselves in their individual careers.

SPONSOR:

The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:

In today's episode, we get to explore what life has to offer outside our four walls. I converse with Olivia Lin, a travel blogger and dear friend, who has spent a large portion of the past 7+ years traveling the globe in search of new experiences — connecting with new friends, and learning about the world and herself in the process.

Liv is a Chinese American educator, aspiring counselor, and travel blogger. She journals her experience with traveling and adventure-seeking through her blog 'That Liv Life.' She is also a yoga enthusiast and an all-around fun person.

You can vicariously experience her journey through her photos, videos, and writings here:

In what is probably the most difficult, free, 24/7 job, motherhood is undoubtedly one of the most unique and intimately fulfilling experiences any human can ever have. In today's episode, I chat with one of the biggest supporters of the podcast, Mrs. Miki Naruke, about her experience through motherhood. She offers insight into what to look forward to when becoming a parent, what to be attuned to in your relationship with your partner when considering having children, as well as how the introduction of a child can reshape your life and relationship.

SPONSOR:

The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:

Fatherhood has become one of the most obsolete familiar pillars in recent times, with growing rates of absent and aloof fathers. Therefore, in today's episode, I speak with Bishop Freeman about his journey through fatherhood, discussing the joys and challenges that come with being a present and active father.

SPONSOR:

The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:

Words are essential parts of our lives, be it speaking or reading them. They help us connect, console, and counsel. Words can bridge the gap between two hearts and invite our minds to embark on unexpected journeys. In today's episode, a wordsmith, Petronella Nyirenda, joins me to discuss her journey as a poet. Petronella is a long time friend of mine and a poet from Zambia.

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The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast,  follow The DubLife Co. via these links:

Money is a big part of society. It influences where we live and work, how we are capable of living, as well as how we view ourselves in comparison to our immediate surroundings. It is impossible to go through life without thinking or talking about money. Considering the significance of money in society, it is important for us to understand how to interact with it wisely. Therefore in today's episode of the podcast, I sit with the 'Sage of Cents' herself,  Aderike Ajao, as she provides basic knowledge on how to strive towards financial literacy.

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The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast,  follow The DubLife Co. via these links:

"Go at your own speed. Take a different path. Not being married at 25 doesn't mean that you're unlovable or that something *must* be wrong with you. It also doesn't mean that at 33 or 42. Education comes in many shapes and sizes. Some of the most brilliant minds never went to college or just didn't finish. An open mind and experiences give you wisdom, not only a degree. Your dream job may not come until you're 60...or maybe the dream just changes. We're not failures just because life doesn't unfold according to a certain set of SHOULDS written by a society who generally never lived them out either."

These are the words that inspired today's episode. I sit with my former boss of three years, Jessica Zippin to discuss the quote above, as well as her journey through life so far.

The podcast would like to announce its first sponsor, The DubLife Co. Follow The DubLife Co. using these links:

In our culture today, it has almost become a fashionable trend to have "mixed-babies", however, that has not always been the case and nor has it always been sunshine and rainbows for all parties involved. In today's episode, I sit with a longtime friend of mine, Denzel Amankwah-Nishizawa to discuss his Blasian identity. He highlights the joys and drawbacks of growing up mixed in both his home countries (Ghana & Japan), as well as provides recommendations for individuals who may be proponents of a mixed experience or anticipate having mixed children in the future.

Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:

For generations, it seems, men have been pigeon-holed into living a life earmarked by bravado and limited emotions. In today’s episode, I am joined by my friend Dave Sanchez, who works in the hospitality industry, to discuss what it means to be a man, as well as explore the benefits and drawbacks of the nature of emotional engagement men are subjected to in their upbringing.

Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:

In this week's episode, I sit down with Marcus Love Anafu Nazzi (@Marcusthephilanthropist) to discuss his life journey and his work founding and work with the Love Foundation Club in Ghana, all by the age of 22. Marcus provides insight into the joys and challenges that come with starting an NGO, as well as talks about how he balances philanthropic work and academic obligations.

Marcus was named the Youngest Philanthropist in Africa in 2017 and was the 2018 Universal Peace Federation's World Ambassador for Peace.

You can follow Marcus and the Love Foundation by clicking the following links:

Transition stages are difficult as is, let alone having to go through one in a space in which individuals hold expectations for you that may not be in line with your vision for yourself. In this week’s episode, I sit with my friend of 11 years, Malaika Aryee-boi, Yale ’19, and we discuss how life has been changing for her from high school until now, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of stepping into adulthood while living at home.

Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:

In this week's episode, I am joined by four of my sisters to talk about the female experience; the challenges, and joys. We also discuss the realities of living across different cultures, and how that informs self-perception and interpersonal dynamics.

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I'm excited to have my first family member on! My sister Leemu joins me to talk about her upbringing and "non-conventional" interests, how they developed, and how she has embraced them.

Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:

This week's episode is a continuation of the previous episode. If you have not yet listened, go back and give it a listen so you are not lost.

Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:

In today's episode, I am joined by Beulah Nimeny, Nuula Varpilah, and Roosevelt Gibson. They each draw upon their experiences as we discuss the nature and purpose of dating and sex, as well as how both are generally viewed within today's culture.

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In today's episode, my friend Emma Sisson joins me to discuss her experience with academia; she is a Memphis elementary school teacher. In our dialogue this episode, she offers her perspective on the ins and outs of teaching and its relationship to learning. She also provides insight into the current nature & history of the United States' educational system, especially as it pertains to the inner city, underscoring the role race plays in the US educational system's metanarrative.

Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:

Are trends of ill-preparedness and other issues with which millennials struggle entirely their fault? In this episode, Brian Bermeo & Lorenzo Mezzatesta join me to discuss why millennials appear to be unprepared for a lot of life's challenges and stages, drawing upon their personal experiences thus far.  

Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at: