Born in Nigeria to an English father and a Nigerian mother, Joel Chidi Sydenham grew up on a farm surrounded by nature, creativity, and complexity. From a young age, he was a spirited child who questioned everything, driven by a desire to understand why.

In this deeply personal conversation, Joel reflects on his early love of storytelling, from having one of his short stories turned into a school play to the challenges of growing up mixed-race and not feeling fully accepted by either community.

He opens up about the painful parts of his journey, including his father’s incarceration and the loss of his mother before he could share his university dreams, and the lessons she left behind that continue to guide him. Though he studied chemical engineering, Joel’s creative spirit led him to poetry, painting, and eventually a full-time artistic career.

Today, he’s a poet, artist, and teacher, using his work to explore identity, healing, and joy.

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See you on Tuesday!

xx Hannah Octavia

(Theme music curtesy of Fran Lusty's song, "Functioning Adult")

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