Episode Summary On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, host Kevin Y Brown continues his conversation with Ras Mutabaruka, a former refugee, sharing an inspiring life story. After spending over a decade as a refugee, he found stability in Canada, which opened doors to education and resources. Initially aspiring to be a lawyer, his mindset shifted, leading to a passion for storytelling about Africa. From a blog to a magazine and documentary, the guest aimed to challenge stereotypes.   This episode explores his college experience, professional journey as a public servant, and entrepreneurial ventures. Emphasizing authenticity and consistency, the guest discusses personal growth and leadership. The episode concludes with insights into community recognition and the ongoing pursuit of goals, highlighting resilience and the power of storytelling in his journey from refugee to visionary entrepreneur.   Tune in to this episode of the Create Your Life series for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Ras Mutabaruka Ras Mutabaruka founded The African Perspective (TAP Media Ltd) after being frustrated with seeing how Africa and Africans were often portrayed in global media. TAP is a Pan-African media platform that tells African stories from an African perspective with a mission to rebrand Africa, one story at a time.Born in Rwanda during tumultuous times, he and his family sought refuge in neighboring countries. The journey eventually led him to Kenya, where he settled and found a sense of belonging amid a diverse community. His journey then took him to Canada for higher education.   Before working on TAP full-time, and to give back to his once adopted country of Canada, he spent five years working as a public servant in the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) where he received three back to back Ministerial Awards of Merit for service to Canadians.    Insights From the Episode How to use collaboration as a tool for growth Emphasizes the importance of networking and persistence Discussion surrounding Intrinsic Motivation in Entrepreneurship: countering negative narratives about Africa and staying true to personal values as intrinsic motivations in entrepreneurship Reflecting on the historical impact of media, emphasizing its responsibility to tell authentic and responsible stories Discussion about the evolution of entrepreneurial journeys, showcasing diverse ventures and experiences over the years   Quotes from the Show “​​I stayed true to myself and for the times where I didn't stay true to myself. It ended up rerouting me and telling me that you should have stayed true to yourself. And so when you look at a life at your life, you know what I mean? I think it's important to be able to say that you chose what you did, not that somebody else chose it for you and that you followed other people. But that you did what you felt was the things that you wanted to do and that you needed to do.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #206 “Real people do real things and you know, sometimes it comes at the expense of what could have been, you know, the easy route, the more financially sound route, right? But you know, when you look back at it, you can always say, you know, I'm happy to waive it for what I did because I know that I chose me.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #206

Episode Summary On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, host Kevin Y Brown welcomes a truly inspiring guest to the studio, Ras Mutabaruka. A storyteller, entrepreneur, and community builder, Ras’ life is a testament to resilience, vision, and an enduring love for the African continent. Delving into the challenges he faced and the transformative impact of facing a traumatic past, including his experiences during the genocide in Rwanda. He opens up about the deep scars left by those events and the long journey toward healing. Ras also reflects on the importance of speaking out about personal struggles and advocating for mental health support, breaking the silence that often surrounds such experiences.   The conversation takes a turn as Ras shares lighter moments from his life, including his time in Canada, where he discovered his purpose and passion for storytelling. As he navigated cultural differences and stereotypes, he found strength in embracing his identity and heritage.   Ras Mutabaruka’s journey exemplifies resilience, the power of storytelling, and the unwavering commitment to make a positive impact on the continent he calls home. Tune in to this episode of the Create Your Life series for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Ras Mutabaruka Ras Mutabaruka founded The African Perspective (TAP Media Ltd) after being frustrated with seeing how Africa and Africans were often portrayed in global media. TAP is a Pan-African media platform that tells African stories from an African perspective with a mission to rebrand Africa, one story at a time.Born in Rwanda during tumultuous times, he and his family sought refuge in neighboring countries. The journey eventually led him to Kenya, where he settled and found a sense of belonging amid a diverse community. His journey then took him to Canada for higher education.   Before working on TAP full-time, and to give back to his once adopted country of Canada, he spent five years working as a public servant in the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) where he received three back to back Ministerial Awards of Merit for service to Canadians.    Insights From the Episode Reflecting on the Rwandan Genocide, Ras Mutabaruka underscores the healing power of facing the past Emphasis on the need to challenge stereotypes about Africa Mutabaruka shares experiences in Canada Dissatisfaction with Western media narratives inspires TAP Media, evolving from a blog to a magazine, focusing on science in Africa Importance of remaining true to oneself and consistent for personal growth and success Strategies for Building a Platform: discussion surrounding transitioning from a blog to a magazine format broadens TAP Media's platform, leading to partnerships with prestigious institutions Strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome How to use collaboration as a tool for growth   Quotes from the Show “... the narrative about Africa was still the same, probably even worse because the academia surrounding African people of African descent is really terrible… There's not that much that the academia says we've done and I found that to be a challenge… And then one time he hit me like, OK, you didn't go to journalism school, you not a, you know, you're not a journalist but you can write. So if you, if you don't like what other people are talking about, you or y

Episode Summary On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, Angela, host of Zen Moments, discusses the transformative power of podcasting, particularly for the youth. She emphasizes the platform's freedom for self-expression without limitations and encouraging aspiring creators to explore the diverse world of podcasting. Angela shares personal anecdotes, highlighting the role of mentorship, discipline, and motivation in her journey. The conversation delves into lessons learned in podcasting, such as the importance of time investment and planning. Angela reflects on moments when she contemplated giving up but found motivation in the positive impact her podcast had on strangers. The episode concludes with Angela expressing her commitment to shaping a vibrant future for Africa, particularly in the podcasting industry, aiming for inclusivity and financial opportunities.   In the rapid-fire segment, Angela discusses favorite productivity apps, commitment to personal growth, and her love for art. The episode ends with Angela turning the tables, posing three unscripted questions to host Kevin Brown, adding a lighthearted and engaging touch to the conversation.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Angela MachuaAngela Machua, host of the impactful podcast "Zen Moments," is a trailblazer in the world of podcasting, advocating for limitless self-expression and empowering youth to embrace content creation without constraints. Her journey reflects resilience, disciplined commitment to personal growth, and overcoming moments of self-doubt.   Angela's story is one of unwavering determination, embracing the challenges of podcasting with grace. Beyond her podcast, she is a talented graphic artist and is dedicated to elevating the podcasting industry in Africa, making it accessible and financially viable for creators.   In essence, Angela Machua's life is a testament to the power of resilience, self-discovery, and pursuing passions, inspiring others to embark on their unique journeys with purpose.   Insights From the Episode Importance of Africans telling their own stories without translation when needed to maintain accuracy and authenticity How to maintain the integrity of the story: directly sharing ensures that the narrative isn’t influenced by external perceptions Significance of persevering in the face of challenges and chasing what you are passionate about: Angela’s drive for learning outside of office hours is emphasized in reference to her growth in the podcasting industry Angela’s approach to understanding challenges faced by new podcasters Statistics of podcast listeners Podcast listening behavior Advice for new podcasters Importance of mentorship Discussion of key elements of personal growth Conversation surrounding how to create the life you want, from the perspective of Angela   Quotes from the Show “​​… it's important for us as Africans to tell our own story the way we want to tell it. If we don't want to translate it, say it as it is because that's how it comes accurate and because sometimes things can get lost in translation.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204 “It's been amazing to see your growth and watch you as this person who essentially to me, I've been watching your evolution going from a project manager who was primarily dealing in finance to I call you, that's my personal moniker for you, the data maven of African podcasting

Episode Summary In this episode of the Africa X series, Kevin Y. Brown is joined by Cyril Afeku and Donald Ayree, cofounders of The Gold Coast Report. The GCR is a thriving podcast network based in Accra, Ghana, whose unwavering mission is to forge accessible avenues for visibility and to curate impactful experiences that empower individuals and communities alike. Cyril and Donald explain how the World Cup led to their initial idea for The Gold Coast Report, which changed from being a single podcast to the beginning of a network in the same week. They discuss the milestones they’ve passed so far and where they hope to go, the shows they’re most proud of, and how they were able to turn a passion project into a self-sustaining business. As leaders they share their tips for creative compromise and amplifying the creativity of their team, along with their thoughts on the importance of sharing their knowledge and experience with others in the community. In the Turnaround, Kevin opens up about how his trip to Africa in 2018 influenced his understanding of legacy, of family, and his responsibilities as a Black man, and how it led to him moving back to the Continent and joining the movement to amplify African stories through podcasting. Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Cyril Afeku and Donald Aryee Cyril Afeku and Donald Aryee met in high school and reconnected after university where together they created The Gold Coast Report, a podcast network based in Accra, Ghana. They produce shows covering a variety of interests such as sports, women-focused issues, religion, sex, pop culture, social issues, entertainment and more. Cyril and Donald are results-driven and inquisitive professionals with a vast expertise in developing podcasting infrastructure in Africa. Their passion revolves around amplifying African creativity and nurturing self-sustaining communities, providing them with the space to incubate, flourish, and achieve their aspirations. Every action, word, and endeavor The Gold Coast Report undertakes is a dedicated stride to realizing this vision.   Insights From the Episode Tips for dealing with difficult clients and creators Where to look for guidance when you’re an early adopter in a burgeoning industry 3 tips for new podcasters looking to join an established network How to stay rejuvenated and focused as a leader Advice for handling conflict between teammates Tips for dealing with negative feedback Thoughts on the keys to personal growth Strategies for directing your energy so you don’t overextend yourself   Quotes from the Show “At the time this was just two friends in a room trying something out. When you look back and zoom out to what it is now, it’s kind of crazy. We thought that we could tell our own better stories, and we also felt like there was some creativity in everyone.” - Cyril Afeku, Create Your Life Series, #203 “[The schedule] helped build consistency within the team. That helped also build some level of planning. We obviously got better at the editing and figured out the mechanics that came to podcasting, and we figured out how to actually run and operate as a network because that wasn’t a skillset that we had coming in.” - Donald Aryee, Create Your Life Series, #203 “All those shows are not failures, because those really are learning opportunities. All those episodes that we didn’t record correctly—all those where the mic went wrong or

Episode Summary This special episode of the Africa X series features Kevin Y. Brown’s recent appearance on Trace FM with Calvin Wanguku. They talk about the personal and professional opportunities that drew Kevin back to Kenya, the evolution of Create Your Life, and the power of the grind. Kevin shares his excitement for the Africa X series and where it’s going, why podcasting is an ideal medium to preserve African history, language, culture, and traditions, and why when we’re looking to create our lives the most valuable question we can ask is ‘how.’   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Insights From the Episode What makes African storytelling unique The opportunity for creators in Africa in the podcasting industry Tips for how creatives can get paid for their work   Quotes from the Show “I went on a journey of finding what was exactly was going on with me, but also I had the opportunity to really see Black legacy here, for generations and generations of people who have these families who have been doing striving and excellence. So because of that I wanted to come back and really be immersed in blackness in a place where I don’t have to worry about my skin complexion, where I don’t have to worry about so many things and I’m allowed to just exist.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202 “I was so keen on helping to amplify African stories, but also I think that podcasting is a low-cost way to save and preserve African history, language, culture and tradition so that those in the future can have authentic African experiences. To me that matters a lot.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202 “The ability to be able to adapt, listen, and then actually move into learning about these other stories you haven’t heard about, you have Hollywood and these other stories that are coming from the West, but it’s Africa’s time to hear these stories from the source.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202 “The biggest thing for me with Create Your Life is that a lot of times when they’re interviewing people ask ‘why’ and ‘what’ you do, but they never ask ‘how’, and the ‘how’ is the only thing that can be duplicated. So as I talk to amazing trailblazers and I also have conversations with the youth, a lot of times the youth are asking, ‘hey, what about the how?’ or my peers are asking ‘how?’. How did you do this? How did you do that? So I said, why don’t I open up a space where you can hear from people who have walked your walk… I think Africa X is that way for people to be able to create their life, and that’s my whole thing: create the life you’ve always wanted to live. I live by that; I’m a product of that; I am that; so I wanted to share it.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202 “I think one of the biggest things to keep in mind as a creator is ‘don’t complain about not getting the rewards you didn’t work for.’ If you’re going to become a podcaster, you’ve got to be committed to the grind, and being ‘committed to the grind’ looks like doing the work and being consistent and understanding your audience, understanding your listener, understanding what guests you should have on your show. Those are the important pillars of having a good show.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202 “You’ve got to grind it out in order to get these results. Money is the result of hard work and dedication. I remember my high school principal sa

Episode Summary In this episode of the Africa X Series, Kevin talks with Yoeal Haile, CEO and Co-Founder of Sava, on the ways that his education and career opportunities have helped him discover the life he wants to live. Yoeal shares the story of how a seventh grade stock market club led to his passion for fintech, how he used an engineering degree and some tenacity to break into Wall Street, the investment he made in himself and his goals that got him into grad school, and the pivotal moments that led to him sorting out his identity as a first-generation African American immigrant and moving back to Africa. Kevin and Yoeal discuss Kevin’s “Ambition Mentality” and the opportunities that can make change fun, the principle of kaizen, and possibilities for the future of fintech in Africa.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Yoeal Haile Yoeal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Sava, a fintech business helping businesses manage their finances and access affordable credit. He was previously the CEO and Founder of Aspira, the largest Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) fintech in East Africa, the Founder of Winelife, and also worked as the Chief Strategy Officer of the African Leadership Group where he helped the founding team establish universities in Rwanda and Mauritius. Yoeal also spent time as an EquityDerivatives Associate for Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong and New York. He has a MBA with a dual major in Finance and Management from The Wharton School of Business and a BS in Industrial Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.   Insights From the Episode   How investing in yourself and committing to your goals with tenacity can open up opportunities Tips for starting a successful business and bringing in a strong customer base How to take care of yourself as a leader and avoid burnout The impact of having and becoming a mentor to give back to your community Tips for those wanting to get involved in the African fintech space The power of intuition and trusting in yourself Overcoming work challenges and the ‘near death experiences’ in a company by focusing on the long-term game How making changes to your diet, sleep schedule, and cutting out alcohol could affect your personal and professional life Using challenges as an opportunity for personal feedback and looking within yourself   Quotes from the Show “For those who went over prior, generations and generations ago, it’s very interesting when you have those who’ve just come and it’s like, ‘oh we’re so different.’ In reality, at least to me, a lot of our cultures and traditions are similar, they just look different because of the amount of time away from the homeland. I think about what happens to that first generation Eritrean in five generations. How much of the culture is still intact versus it becoming Americanized or African-Americanized? This is about bringing us together and bringing abundance to our communities. Because at the end of the day, whether it’s now or it’s in five generations, we’re all going to still be fighting the same fight. I think that there’s strength in numbers.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #201 “I knew I wanted to go to Wall Street, but at the same time I didn’t want to study finance. I think there’s a separation between following your passion and what you do for a living. For me I was like let me do something that gives me optionality and challenges me, and I thought engi

Episode Summary To celebrate the 200th episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, friend of the show Eric N. Fondran steps in as guest host to speak with Kevin Y. Brown about the journey that the Create Your Life Series has traveled. Beginning ten years ago in Japan as a series of motivational videos, it became a syndicated radio show on Sirius XM before transitioning to our podcast series today. Kevin shares the story and motivation behind the show, how he overcame various challenges and stayed focused on the dream, and what he’s learned along the way. Kevin talks about the future potential of the show, how he continues to create his own best life, and then enters the dolphin tank for the first time to reveal his answers to the rapid fire questions he poses to his guests.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Eric N. Fondren Eric N. Fondren is a former resident guest of the Create Your Life Series, sharing lessons and stories on CEO Talks. He is a financial professional that specializes in wealth management and estate planning for young families and professionals. Guided by his faith and family, Eric’s career and entrepreneurial background have provided him with knowledge from many different industries including professional counseling, web design, technology and ad sales, and securities management. Today he is a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC helping young and mid-career professionals develop a sound financial strategy, protect their loved ones and create generational wealth.   Insights From the Episode The origin story of Create Your Life and its slogan Strategies for transitioning from a fear-based to vision-based mindset How to shape your own value system rather than chasing someone else’s Insights on the keys to continual success How to find the motivation to overcome challenges and persevere The factors and characteristics that can help you create your best life   Quotes from the Show “The absence of expectation can lead to amazing results. A lot of people were very surprised that I even made it into college, and all of my mentors at the time were surprised that I made it through a week. Thank God they never told me that until I had finished, because I just had this level of determination. What it means to me to create my life is that, I’m lucky. There was no expectation, so I just got to create.”  - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #200 Kevin on making good grades in highschool: “I came up with this rule when I was in high school, always more A’s than B’s and never any C’s.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #200 “Everybody creates their life, but you transitioned from the motivating factor behind the creation. It seems like you started out as ‘I’m creating my life because I’m running from something’, and the Kevin Y. Brown that I know in 2023 creates his life because he’s chasing something.” - Eric N. Fondren, Create Your Life Series, #200 “I had to make peace with where I was from, what challenges I had to endure, and what was less than ideal. I think that personal work has helped because it has allowed me to be free from those shackles of having to live within that space. In order to create, you have to be free.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #200 “I’ve always been very transparent with my audience about the things that I’m working on as well. Because it’s not me sitting up here trying to

Episode Summary This week Kevin Y. Brown has a discussion with Molly Jensen, his colleague and CEO of the growing pan-African podcast hosting company, Afripods. They talk about how Afripods helps creators take up as much space as possible while getting paid for their genius, and the ways that they uniquely serve African creators and consumers. Molly shares how a New Yorker ended up in Nairobi, what she’s learned about leading and motivating a team, how she’s working to overcome challenges and get comfortable with discomfort and uncertainty, and the ways that her experience as an athlete have translated into her success as a CEO. Kevin and Molly discuss the personal habits that fuel their days, the idea of legacy, and the difference between the juice and the sauce–you’ll want to listen in to find out!   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Molly Jensen Molly Jensen is the Chief Executive Officer of Afripods, a free pan-African podcast hosting platform building the largest library of African audio stories on the planet, based in Nairobi, Kenya. With the ability to categorize in over 50 languages and with content from over 30 countries including that from individual podcasters, radio stations and media houses, Afripods is the home for African podcasting across the continent and within the Diaspora. As a Ghanaian-American born in New York, Molly is extremely excited to help digitize African stories and wants to see African creators take up as much space as possible while creating avenues to help them get paid for their work. She has over ten years of experience across people management, sales, marketing and technology. Molly has spoken at Podcast Movement, Africa Podcast Day, Africa Media Festival, BBC Media Leaders conferences, and Advertising Week Africa as well as most recently featured in Forbes, The Guardian, Reuters, JamLab Africa, Podcast Sessions and Apple Podcasts.   Insights From the Episode Advice on how you can fill your cup and show up for yourself so you can better support others Tips for aspiring business leaders and women, in particular, wanting to build their own companies Strategies for identifying distinguishing qualities in people and assembling a powerful team What makes Afripods different from other podcast-hosting companies Strategies for being a good leader and managing relationships with team members in the workplace Discussion on the differences between doing business in Africa vs. in New York Tips for problem-solving when your perspective is different from your team members Thoughts on the future of podcasting in Kenya and Africa as a whole   Quotes from the Show “With Afripods we’re able to speak to these creators, we’re able to create a technical solution for them, we’re able to advocate for them. When I look at my role it’s not just a privilege to be in a position as an executive, there’s a real responsibility to do right by the people on the ground. My job isn’t just enforcing my opinion; my job is listening to what creators want and then advocating for it and making sure that it happens alongside our incredible team. That’s what we do, and that’s why I think it’s important.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199 “I think a lot of times you want everything to go right, and you’ll miss your opportunity to catch the wave by waiting for perfection. A lot of times it’s not you that’s causing the delay–it’s your team, it’s anot

Episode Summary In this week’s live show, Kevin Y. Brown gives a presentation on The Opportunity within the African podcast industry, using his experience on the business, talent, and technical side of podcasting to analyze some of the statistics and trends that have been found in African markets. He talks about the rise of vernacular podcasts on the Continent, the value in authenticity and developing strong relationships, and how to be successful in the African market, especially when you’re coming in as a newcomer. Kevin answers questions on the size of the African market and how podcasting can become a sustainable business, along with how we can support Afripods from across the Diaspora and collaborate with other creators to strengthen the industry as a whole. Get a deeper look into Kevin’s podcast beginnings, the launch of his production company Podcast Laundry and the Create Your Life Series, and hear the story of how his trip to Africa gave him the spark to move to Nairobi and become a part of the emerging African podcast ecosystem.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Insights From the Episode How an African American came to be working on the ground in the podcasting industry in Africa Insights into the trends and behaviors of the emerging African market How to work to be a part of the community and respect those that have existed in the space before you The importance of authenticity, relationships, and coming into a new market with a student mindset Differences between podcasting in Africa vs. in the West Tips for finding success in different African markets Insights into how podcasters are working to create a sustainable industry and where we can grow Technical insights on advertising, release schedules, recording lengths, genres, and podcast apps   Quotes from the Show “At Afripods, we’re really encouraging creators to do content in their vernacular because as the world becomes more westernized, it’s really important for people–especially in Africa–to preserve their history, culture, traditions, and also language so that future generations can also have an authentic African experience. I think that podcasting is a low-cost way for us to achieve this goal. That’s something that I’m really passionate about when it comes to podcasting and the industry in Africa.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198 “In the different countries people have different behaviors because all of these countries have different things going on. What I think is important is you have to really go in and respect the way that people do things and really learn. We can’t go in with a colonial mindset of this is how things should be done, this is how we should view them, etc. We have to literally be students of how things operate and ask a lot of questions in order to understand the behaviors.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198 “In order for podcasting to grow as an industry overall, we’re going to need help from the Diaspora and there’s going to need to be a collaborative effort. No industry is an island.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198 On moving into the African market as an outsider and collaborating with partners: “As knowledgeable as you may be or you may feel, you still need to bring somebody who is from home into the mix and have them having the conversations and being a part as a student. A lot of the time it’s you getting out of

Episode Summary In this week’s episode of the Africa X series, Kevin is joined by Rutendo Nyamuda, founder and CEO of pan-African podcast company Tinzwe Media and host of “The Podcast Sessions”, “In My 20s”, and the poetry and storytelling podcast told in each guest’s mother tongue, “Inside Wants Out.” Rutendo shares her thoughts on innovation and incorporating other mediums into podcasting such as video, TikTok, YouTube shorts, and print–as she’s done with her own digital magazine companion to “The Podcast Sessions”, Africa’s first pan-African podcast magazine. She talks about ways to cater to those who want to consume something visual while still staying true to the roots of the audio medium along with offering an opportunity for podcasters to tell their stories in a different way. Rutendo and Kevin share how best to learn from the people you respect and incorporate their practices in your own life in a way that works for you, feeling excited about the person you’re becoming, and the origins of the Create Your Life Series.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Rutendo Nyamuda Rutendo Nyamuda is the founder and CEO of Tinzwe Media, a podcast company focused on the pan-African podcast industry. The company produces three original podcasts, “The Podcast Sessions”, “In My 20s” and “Inside Wants Out“. Tinzwe Media also produces Africa’s first pan-African digital podcast magazine also titled “The Podcast Sessions”. In her career she has worked across various areas of the media and entertainment industry including journalism, TV production, corporate video production, PR and podcasting. Rutendo has written for prominent publications including: ELLE SA, Forbes Africa, CNBC Africa Online and the Huffington Post. She has also worked in TV for The Expresso Morning Show and The Afternoon Express Show (SABC3).   An avid speaker, she served as the President of the Ernst and Young Toastmasters Club for the 2019 / 2020 season. She was also recognised as one of the top 10 Toastmasters speakers in the SADC region for 2019/2020. In addition, she is a voice over artist having voiced adverts as well as corporate videos for the likes of: ABSA, Takealot, MultiChoice, TCM, and the SA-Eu Strategic Partnership to name a few. In 2020 Rutendo was featured on the prestigious Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans list for her work in the podcast industry. Insights From the Episode Rutendo’s vision for the future of podcasting Why it’s important to share stories in other mother tongues and for listeners to hear them, even if they don’t understand the words Insights into how the South African podcasting market differs from other markets on the Continent How to find and grow your audience How you can contribute to the podcast industry even if you don’t have your own podcast Tips for new African podcasters who are starting out in the industry When numbers can help you as a form of feedback, and when you should ignore them How the role of a mentor differs from a friend, the different kinds of mentors in our lives, and how to make the most of the time and resources they give you Getting past the mental block of overthinking and searching for perfection   Quotes from the Show When she was looking for a job after being retrenched: “I asked myself, ‘if money wasn’t an object, what is it that you would do?’” - Rutendo Nyamuda, Create Your Life Series, #197 [05:50] “Let’s put podcasters

Episode Summary In this special episode of the Africa X series, Kevin Y. Brown moderates a discussion on The Emergence of the African podcast industry with a panel of four experts who all contribute to content in the African podcasting ecosystem: Dan Aceda, Kim Fox, Molly Jensen, and Anthony Frasier. The panel goes through statistics on African creators and their listenership, giving their takes on where the industry’s strengths lie, areas for growth, and what needs to happen to get there. They discuss how the organizations that they are a part of–Afripods, SemaBOX, PodFest Cairo, and ABF Creative–are working to meet the needs of both their creators and listeners, encourage and support underrepresented voices in media to share and distribute their stories and reduce barriers to entry so that creators have the resources they need to consistently create audio content. They answer audience questions from current and aspiring podcasters and end with a call to action to support and uplift African creators.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Dan Aceda Dan Aceda is an activist, entrepreneur, actor, and award-winning musician. He is the founder and CEO of SemaBOX, a podcast studio based in Nairobi, Kenya that helps emerging podcasters create and distribute their stories across the world and is the largest podcast production company in Africa, producing over 700 different episodes with 200 podcast creators. In 2021 they launched the DADA Podcast Incubator, a program to upskill, to publish and create a platform specifically for women and non-binary people whose stories and storytelling ideas can resonate globally. Dan is a board member of the Music Publishers Association of Kenya and co-founded Studio Tisa, an online live music platform that acts as a virtual concert venue to showcase live music from the people of East Africa and beyond.   Kim Fox Kim Fox is a professor of practice in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JRMC) at The American University in Cairo (AUC) in Cairo, Egypt, primarily teaching Audio Production and other journalism courses. She spent decades working in the US radio industry in various positions at WOUB AM/FM/TV in Athens, Ohio; WIZF in Cincinnati, Ohio; WBLK in Buffalo, New York, WAKR in Akron, Ohio and many more. In 2020 Kim founded PodFest Cairo, Egypt’s first podcasting conference, hosting nearly 100 podcasters for learning sessions and a podcast pitch competition. As the executive producer of the award-winning Ehky Ya Masr (Tell Your Story Egypt) Podcast, a narrative nonfiction podcast about life in Cairo, Egypt, she works with young freelance producers, many of them former students, writing and editing audio content. Kim is also the Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Broadcast Education Association and the Co-President of AIR, the Association of Independents in Radio.   Molly Jensen Molly Jensen is the Chief Executive Officer of Afripods, a free pan-African podcast hosting platform building the largest library of African audio stories on the planet, based in Nairobi, Kenya. With the ability to categorize in over 50 languages and with content from over 30 countries including that from individual podcasters, radio stations and media houses, Afripods is the home for African podcasting across the continent and within the Diaspora. As a Ghanaian-American born in New York, Molly is extremely excited to help digitiz

Episode Summary In this week’s episode of the Africa X series, Kevin is joined by Gavin Kennedy, a pioneer of podcasting in South Africa whose company, Solid Gold Podcasts, was one of the first podcasting studios on the Continent. Solid Gold is a family company that produces podcasts for over 100 clients from hobbyists to corporations to the United Nations, communicating serious messages to women and young girls in Africa and the challenges they face. He shares his wisdom on starting out in a newly developing industry and the challenges and risks that come with experimentation, how life coaching has helped him in running a successful business and working with his family, and the importance of always having something in the pipeline that you can wake up and feel excited about. Listen in to learn more about how as a leader you can help foster creativity and motivation and create your own best life.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Gavin Kennedy Gavin Kennedy is the founder of Solid Gold Podcasts, a podcast and audiobook production company that has 11 studios, a team of professional creators, and produces over 100 podcasts and growing. Gavin comes from a family of entrepreneurs and has always worked in one of his family’s businesses before branching off and starting his own, including video and audio post-production (The Wave Factory Facilities), running radio stations (Solid Gold FM), and television broadcasting (SABC, MNET, Soweto TV). Along the way he was certified as a Life Coach which has helped clarify thinking and strategy for himself and his clients when he launched the Solid Gold Podcasts production company. Gavin is dedicated to helping people Be Heard and share their stories, and his love for the industry is evident across the work he does everyday. "It doesn't matter how many people you reach, but that you reach the people who matter." - Gavin Kennedy   Insights From the Episode The challenges and the benefits of being the first in a space, taking on the risk but also having room to experiment Recognizing where your strengths lie and when it makes sense to delegate tasks to others who have those strengths How to keep business and personal relationships separate when you’re working in a family business Fostering a creative and supportive work environment How to navigate challenges when dealing with difficult clients The key to staying motivated when you’re starting out in a new venture Tips for focusing on how you can be happy even when everything isn’t perfect   Quotes from the Show “There’s a niche for everybody. No matter what you talk about, there’s going to be somebody. They say that if you’re one in a million, there’s 7000 of you on the planet. That’s quite a number, so you should be able to find your tribe.“ - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195 “We are trying very hard not to sell a commodity; for us it’s about a relationship. In technical terms, anybody can make a podcast. The barriers to entry are so ridiculously low that if you get into a commodity/price war it’s just a race to the bottom. We’re trying to make it easy for clients to make a podcast.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195 “You should be doing your thing three hours a day, whatever you’re curious about or interested in. If you do something for three hours a day for a month, that’s 90 hours. If you do that for a year, it’s 1000 hours.” - Gavin Kennedy,

Episode Summary This week Kevin is joined by Tony Doe, a veteran radio and podcast consultant with years of experience, both behind the scenes for multi-format radio stations and on-air as the face and voice behind the Tony Doe podcast. He is also a featured voice artist on the Africa X theme intro! With his experience, Tony gives back to the community through his work in promoting other podcasts and curating an industry newsletter and podcast called Podcast Related, which provides insightful commentary and analysis on the latest happenings in the Podverse. Kevin and Tony discuss how we can support and amplify the voices of others in the podcasting community, the power in taking on different perspectives and sharing your own, and Tony gets an update on Kevin’s progress in immersing himself in the football fandom through his 2 plus years of living in Kenya.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Tony Doe Tony Doe is a Radio and Podcast Consultant, out of Lagos, Nigeria who has dedicated his expertise to shaping and supporting the growth of podcasts in Nigeria and beyond. As the Country Representative for APVA in Nigeria, he is committed to championing African voice talents, including podcasters, voice-over artists, spoken word artists, poets, and more. His goal is to provide these unique voices with the recognition and attention they deserve. Tony hosts his own successful podcast, “The Tony Doe Podcast,” as well as curates the informative podcast industry newsletter/podcast, "Podcast Related.” Through these endeavors, he actively contributes to the knowledge-sharing and growth of the podcasting community. His audio series, "Into The Podverse," delves into the latest innovations, challenges, and opportunities for podcasters, with a particular focus on the African perspective. The show features exclusive interviews with influential figures in the podverse, providing valuable insights and expertise to elevate the voices and experiences of the podcasting community.   Insights From the Episode Tips for getting into voice artistry and podcasting in today’s podcasting ecosystem Balancing ambition with enjoying life and giving time to the people you love The importance of being vulnerable and asking for help when you need it How to navigate negative perceptions from people who don’t understand what you’re doing Learning to recognize when to push through challenges and when to let something go The importance of not just projecting self-confidence, but feeling that confidence from within   Quotes from the Show “For everything I think I know I’m doing, I’m actually just winging it but God knows the rest. For everything I think I’m empowered to do, my strong faith base helps me deal with these things a little better. I think the key is to make up your mind to enjoy life.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194 “What you declare over yourself consistently ends up playing a big part in how your life plays out.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194 “We have stories to tell; we have talented people who have worldviews that need to be heard. For the longest time we’ve had to depend on what the west thought of us. They come in here, they see what you’re thinking and then they shape it into what they want it to be. It’s good to have a platform where the authentic stories can be told by the originators.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194 “I feel like creators he

Episode Summary In this episode of the Africa X series Kevin Y. Brown speaks with Bidemi Adedire, the founder of the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists (APVA), on her passion behind the foundation and growth of a community-driven organization to amplify and celebrate the diversity of African voices and create opportunities for African creatives. As a Communications and Idea Strategist and Marketing Automation enthusiast, Bidemi has always been someone who loves to think outside of the box and come up with ideas. An avid podcaster herself, she was looking for a community and saw a need for accessible home-grown resources for African podcasters and voice artists which led to her taking a lead in bringing this community together. In 2022 they hosted one of their first major events, the APVA awards, which drew in 2200 nominations and 70,000 votes while showcasing growing talent and bringing attention to the potential of the African podcasting industry. Bidemi and Kevin discuss how to turn ideas and passion into action, the many forms of generosity that strengthen a community, and dreams about how podcasting can evolve in the future.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Bidemi Adedire Bidemi Adedire is a Communications Expert, Idea Strategist and Marketing Automation enthusiast, crazy about discovery and constantly excited at the thought of learning new things. She is a passionate podcaster and adolescent health advocate, making every effort to promote both industries. Impact is everything! Bidemi is the founder of the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists which amplifies the voices of podcasters, voice artists, and spoken word artists through events and creating opportunities for African creatives. Her personal mantra is, “challenges are opportunities for growth and reskilling.”   Insights From the Episode The current resources we have that cater to the needs of African creatives How important it is to document our stories and why podcasts are an ideal way to share them Keys to balancing your goals when you have multiple projects you’re working on How to keep the passion for your work going and avoid burnout The role of mentorship and learning from others who can share their experience Thoughts on the future of podcasting in Nigeria and Africa as a whole Tips for setting up a group to keep you accountable to your goals   Quotes from the Show “I love ideas. I’m an ideas person, but I also like to test ideas. For me, passion is also key; it’s the thing that keeps us going. If I’m talking about the challenges of APVA, I also wake up every day and the first thing I think about is APVA, so it’s important that I don’t start something and get tired of it. When I put it in writing I realize there’s a lot we can do, so right now the excitement is that what we have is amazing, but there’s a lot more to achieve. Because I am looking forward to seeing these things come to pass, I keep myself energized and I want to see APVA become the community I envisioned.” - Bidemi Adedire, Create Your Life Series, #193 “We have seen that as the result of the surge in wanting to share our narratives, we are shifting what people think about Africa.” - Bidemi Adedire, Create Your Life Series, #193 “Philanthropy in the Global North is different than in the Global South in Africa where it’s ingrained in our culture. Because it’s in our culture, it’s in our e

Episode Summary Kevin continues the Africa X series focused on conversations with experts from Africa, in Africa, about Africa by speaking with Gathoni Ngumba, the community manager at Afripods. Afripods is a platform built to distribute African stories and support African creators, and Gathoni speaks on her role in fostering a space that unites creators in Africa and sets standards for how they will be treated and paid fairly for their work. She shares how she got started in the podcast industry, the podcast she records with her sisters, Okay Kiasi, and tips for building not just an audience but a community. Gathoni and Kevin discuss the importance of stories in helping us learn as a people and grow, allowing for the space to turn folk tales into something more real and tangible in its effects on the people who have experienced them, and telling our own stories so that we can shine on our terms, in our space.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur,  podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin leads Afripods’ multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Gathoni Ngumba Gathoni Ngumba is a Kenyan native and community builder in the African podcasting community. She is a social media consultant, event manager, and the community manager at Afripods, a distribution network focused on creating spaces for African podcasters to connect and grow the African podcasting ecosystem. Gathoni is a journalist and co-host of the Okay Kiasi podcast with her two sisters, sharing their experiences and perspectives on various topics such as period stigma, body image, and parenthood as siblings from a blended family. She believes that Africa's stories should be told by the people who know them best, and is proud to be on the panel of judges for the 2023 African Podcasts and Voices Awards.     Insights From the Episode Thoughts on what is unique about podcasting in Africa, how the industry has changed, and the future of the podcasting industry in Africa Why it’s important for Africans to tell their own stories Learning about stories like the Mau Mau movement from the people who were involved Strategies for new podcasters looking to grow their community The role of mentorship (or friendtorship) in the success of the African podcast industry, and the value of sharing support and resources with each other Strategies for surrounding yourself with right people who will help support your personal growth and call you out when you need it Methods for goal-setting and growth   Quotes from the Show “I feel like podcasting is a space where we have figured out how people in South Africa, Egypt, West Africa, East Africa are finding a way to build the ecosystem together. There’s a lot of collaboration that I feel is not necessarily typical in a lot of spaces, and it’s really exciting to see it happen.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192 “I think there’s such potential for the growth of the industry. Not only podcasting, but for storytellers and creators on the African continent.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192 “Africa’s stories should be told by the people who know her best, which is the Africans. I feel like for a long time we have been told our story; we have been told our narrative. The world has decided who we are, and then it’s been fed to us. For the first time it’s a chance for us to take control of the narrative.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192 “I feel like podcasting on the Continent is a way to preserve traditions, languages, stories, and history in an authentic way so that the future generation can

Episode Summary In this episode of the Africa X series, Kevin is joined by Adelle Onyango in Kenya to discuss her journey to becoming one of OkayAfrica’s 100 Extraordinary African Women. She talks about why and how she transitioned from being a popular primetime radio host to launching her own podcast, Legally Clueless, amplifying African stories about business, relationships, and grief, but also the places where these stories take place. Adelle shares what she wishes she knew before launching one of Spotify’s most listened-to podcasts of 2021, tips for new podcasters, and thoughts on the future of podcasting in Kenya and Africa as a whole. She talks about her co-written book, On Broken Silence, which holds the stories of survivors of sexual violence from the Greater East African region, and the creation of the Adelle Onyango Initiative to provide programming and group therapy for survivors. Kevin and Adelle discuss the mindset of continual learning and staying humble even if you have years of experience, feeling comfortable being yourself (and the cost of doing otherwise), and how to be an active citizen.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur,  podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin leads Afripods’ multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Adelle Onyango Adelle Onyango has over 10 years experience in the radio industry. She begun as a drive show host on 1FM where she was instrumental in bringing in a digital arch to the Kenyan radio scene.   Adelle then moved to Kenya's top media house; Radio Africa Group as a presenter on their radio station, KissFM. She hosted the mid-morning show and created a show dedicated exclusively to African music which was a first of its kind on the station.  She later moved to host their prime breakfast show until June 2019.    During her time on the KissFM breakfast show it was the 3rd most listened to show in Kenya. She then left to start her new media company, Legally Clueless Africa.   Adelle is a Kenyan businesswoman, author, award winning podcaster, one of OkayAfrica’s 100 Extraordinary African Women, and also one of the BBC’s 100 Inspirational and Innovative Women in the World. She is on a mission to impact and empower women globally.   Insights From the Episode How to notice when you’re in a toxic space, get out of it, and move forward Insights on what it means to be a woman working in the media industry Tips for new podcasters for creating a sustainable business and an engaging podcast How to reduce the noise in your life and follow your intuition Strategies for dealing with negative feedback and sorting out constructive criticism Tips for setting goals and following through on them   Quotes From the Show On the purpose of her podcast, Legally Clueless: “Everybody has a story, and if you look at Africans, storytelling and really having that oral connection has been part of our culture for eons.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191 On leaving her job and branching out on her own: “Was I scared? Absolutely, but I just feel that there’s no point where you’ll ever be free of fear. You just don’t let the fear win.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191 On creating a podcast: “Preparation makes life so much easier and it also helps you to run a system and something that can sustain.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191 On the framework that has helped her launch a successful podcast: “Figure out your brand heart. That’s made up of your vision, your mission, your values, and your purpose. Your vision is your ideal world and

Episode Summary In this episode host Kevin Y. Brown is joined by Dan Aceda and Doris Onyango of SemaBOX. SemaBOX is a podcasting studio that began as a podcasting incubator. In the past year there have been over 600 episodes produced through SemaBOX. Dan and Doris provide a wealth of knowledge and resources centered around the history and culture of podcasting in Africa. Please join Kevin in learning more about these two amazing individuals and how they have been able to influence and advance the podcasting industry in Africa.   About Our Guests Dan Aceda is a Kenyan musician and entrepreneur.  He is one of the founders of SemaBOX.    Doris Onyango is the program lead at DADA Podcast Incubator and a recording engineer at SemaBOX.  She also doubles in other areas such as program management, communication, administration, and events management.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur,  podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin leads Afripods’ multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…   Insights From the Episode Insights into  SemaBOX Insights into the DADA Podcast Incubator Strategies for using SemaBOX and DADA for podcasters Strategies to work seamlessly with partners Secrets to navigating challenges with difficult clients or people you work with Insights on how mentorship can help your success Strategies to stay motivated when starting out Secrets to dealing with negative feedback Secrets to goal setting and making personal growth Strategies to overcoming challenges Secrets to making your business run smoothly   Quotes from the show “We are very open. We are pretty genre agnostic. We are gonna support you no matter what your content vision is.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190 “The Dada Podcast Incubator is to position women storytellers in Africa.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190 “You all are doing good work in order to give voices to people who need to be heard from their perspective.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, #190 “I think that’s the biggest challenge of the media landscape. In this part of the world, the person with the biggest microphone tends to win. So in this part of the world it’s politicians.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190 “It feels like podcasting is like you’re just shouting out into the ether, but there is someone out there who’s listening.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190 “There’s you the person, and there’s you the job. Take yourself out of the job and just look at the job.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190 “Podcasting as a space is very brand new, if someone says they are an expert in podcasting, they’re lying. In this ecosystem of ours it’s brand new.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190 “It’s okay to make a mistake and go through the learning. But it’s really important that the person you’re working with is willing to allow you room to learn.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190 “Forget perfection. Get better every day.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190   Resources Mentioned https://semabox.net/ Fikradhaxaliye Podcast   Favorite Book Animal Farm by George Orwell -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190 Shoe Dog: By the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190   Favorite Quote “You cannot buy a dog and bite yourself.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190 “In the end, you will win. If you are not winning, it is not the end.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190   3 Keys to create your best life Doris Try, try, try, and try again. Find your family. Do what you can with what you have.   Dan Forget perfection. Get better every day. Have no fear.   Stay Connected   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrow

Episode Summary In this introductory episode your host, Kevin Y Brown, returns to the Create Your Life Series after some time off. He discusses his move to Kenya, his continued dedication to providing value and resources for his listeners, as well as his shift into all aspects of podcast creation. Kevin introduces Africa X, a series dedicated to highlighting conversations and experiences with experts across different industries who are from Africa, live in Africa, and can talk about Africa responsibly.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur,  podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin leads Afripods’ multi-country strategy and product vision.   Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine, and many more…   Insight from this episode Kevin’s return to the Create Your Life Series Podcasting requires a lot, especially when doing it outside your country and culture Introducing the series Africa X Amazing and talented people who live in Africa will contribute to Africa X Strategies from trailblazers to follow their footsteps   Quotes from the Show “Working in the business of Podcasting requires a lot. And so does doing it outside of your native country and culture.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189 “But Create Your Life fam, I want you to know I have never forgotten about you. I actually miss you dearly.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189 “You know the Create Your Life Series is only for self-starters who are looking to live life on their own terms.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189 “I have had the fortunate opportunity to rub shoulders and converse with so many amazing, talented people on the continent of Africa.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189 “Keeping up with the standard that we have built with the Create Your Life Series over these last seven years, you can be sure that Africa X will provide you with the same great strategies behind the success of today’s trailblazers by uncovering experiences, daily habits, and defining moments of high achievers.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189   Stay Connected   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series   Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary On his adventure to explore Africa, Kevin Y Brown gives his experience traveling in Africa and how he discovered the young market of podcasting on the continent. He highlights the lessons he learned from visiting six countries on the continent and how it has impacted his life. In this episode, Kevin discusses landing a job at Afridpods as the Chief Content Officer and Head Of Strategy and what to expect from CYLS.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Insights from this episode: Kevin’s experience in Africa Kevin’s curiosity about podcasting in Africa How his trip to Africa impacted him Kevin’s transition from an entrepreneurship to office culture Kevin’s move to Kenya and getting recruited to work at Afripods   Quotes from the show: “I knew there was an opportunity on the continent, and I understood the importance of podcasting and what it could do in order to preserve the language, the traditions, and customs for people on the continent” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “I had the opportunity to see the lineage of black excellence, and culture in all these different countries: unity, family ties, and so much more” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “I had to learn that people don’t work around the clock 24/7 like I had been doing” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “I knew that I saw an opportunity and I needed to get back to Africa, but I just didn’t know how” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “Living in Africa definitely has its pros and cons, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons, and I am very thankful” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188 “Staying focused, staying true to myself always really helped me and has been a true North even when it seems like things are blurry” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188   Stay Connected:   Create Your Life Series Facebook: Create Your Life Series Instagram: Create Your Life Series Kevin Y. Brown Website: www.kevinybrown.com Instagram: kevinybrown Twitter: kevinybrown Facebook: kevinybrown   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.   This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

Episode Summary In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin is a guest on Afros & Audios IGTV, where he talks with Talib Jasir about why he made the leap into podcasting and how his experience in other industries laid a foundation for his podcast success.  This uplifting interview on personal evolution and being committed to excellence will inspire you to keep making the hard choices that will bring the success and happiness we are all seeking.   Kevin Y. Brown Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.    Talib Jasir Talib Jasir is a storyteller, author, podcast producer, and advocate for the people and their collective power. Born a twin in Baltimore, MD, he spent his earliest years traversing the backwoods of Maryland’s Eastern Shore under the guardianship of his Great Grandmother.  Reared by a village of irrepressible folk, he learned the paramountcy of kinship, love, and the dynamism of language. Talib is a creative entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional experience in marketing and advertising.  Founder of the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival and the Vanguard Podcast Network, he is also a dual-certified Life Coach with a focus on supporting creatives, podcast creators, and entrepreneurs.  Talib received his BA in Public Policy/Urban Studies, Africana Studies and Social Justice (Summa Cum Laude) from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ.   Insights from this episode: Details on why Kevin started on a radio platform, how he built his catalog of shows to launch on SiriusXM, and how that led to starting Podcast Laundry. Differences between being a creative person versus a business person and how to bring those two aspects together to succeed. How to set goals and be intentional in achieving what you desire and the life that you want through personal work and personal evolution. Difficulties Kevin experienced that helped him find a better way forward. Benefits of using a podcast production company beyond just the technical aspects. How to build and surround yourself with a community that provides support and opportunity for everyone.   Quotes from the show: “You’ve got to think outside the box.  If you have places that already have a large distribution network, this is just a way to increase your reach.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “I approached [podcasting] like a business from day one.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “Audio is a cornerstone.  It is an opportunity to expand so far into different creative aspects.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187 “These legal and small things like that make people come in and respect you and your show on another level and I think that helps to raise your bar.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “In order for you to get where you’re needing to go, you’re going to have to do your due diligence.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187 “Sometimes the absence of expectation allows you to breed creativity.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187 “Personal work is what helps you maximize your potential in this lifetime.” – Kevin Y.