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What does it really take for a culture to survive 500 years of foreign rule, communism and the chaos of the 1990s? Philip and Ivana, two friends from Sofia, take you inside Bulgaria: its turbulent history, deep-rooted faith, sacred family meals and the traditions that still shape daily life today.

Philip and Ivana were both born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria. From Roman ruins under Sofia’s streets to grandma’s breakfast table and homemade rakia, they give an honest, funny and personal insider’s view of a country many people know little about.

In this episode, they explain:
■ The Walkable City: Why walking everywhere is normal in Sofia, and how childhood changed from yelling up to a friend’s window to texting.
■ The Turbulent 1990s: How former athletes and state-security insiders took advantage of the shift to a market economy, and how much safer Bulgaria feels today.
■ The Power of Language: Why Bulgaria was one of the first nations allowed to worship in its own language, and how that kept its culture alive through 500 years of Ottoman rule.
■ The Nod That Means “No”: The story behind one of Bulgaria’s most surprising customs.
■ The Sacred Table: Why bread must never go to waste, why food is Bulgaria’s love language, and the dishes you need to try, from banitsa to shopska salad.
■ The Rakia Tradition: The homemade brandy used as a gift, a medicine and a celebration, including a grandfather who made 100 bottles for each grandchild’s milestones.

Follow Philip & Ivana:
Ivana's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/in36    

Philip's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-yanakiev 

Connecting with Kenna:
◼ Connecting with Kenna - https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-with-kenna
◼ Follow the host - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennaholiday

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At 16, Elisa's fascination with quantum computing turned into a global mission to inspire young women to explore the world of quantum. 

Elisa Torres Durney is the founder of Girls in Quantum, a nonprofit she launched in 2022 to introduce more girls around the world to the field of quantum. Born and raised in Viña del Mar, Chile, Elisa turned a personal passion into an international platform, bringing young women worldwide into the world of quantum computing and science. 

She shares:
■ The mission behind Girls in Quantum
■ Her philosophy on self-discovery
■ Why throwing yourself into new experiences beats fear of failure
■ Why staying open to feedback matters
■ How negative feedback can fuel positive results

Follow Elisa:
◼ Website - https://www.girlsinquantum.com/
◼ LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/elisa-torres-durney 

Connecting with Kenna:
◼Connecting with Kenna: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-with-kenna
◼ Follow the host - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennaholiday

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My guest is Kamila Mejia Lay, a fourth-year undergraduate student at Duke Kunshan University, where she studies Political Economy with a focus on Public Policy.

Originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Kamila is interested in politics, community service, corporate social responsibility, and nonprofit work. She is deeply motivated to improve the education sector in her home country and increase access to quality education across Honduras.

Among Central American countries, Honduras invests the highest percentage of its GDP in education. Despite this, it continues to have some of the region’s lowest literacy rates, largely due to misallocation of funds, lack of transparency, and corruption. Kamila believes meaningful change is necessary—and that education must be the foundation of that change.

Because of high dropout rates, many students in Honduras do not remain in school past the sixth grade. Teenagers often leave school to help support their families, whether by working or assisting with family businesses. This pattern frequently spans generations, reinforcing cycles in which children follow the same paths as their parents. Kamila believes that with increased resources, stronger institutions, and improved access to education, long-term change is possible.

Kamila lives by the motto: “You already have the no—you never know if you’re going to get the yes.”

The no is already there, why not search for the yes? 

“The key is to be happy with what you have while always hoping for more.”
—Kamila

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Today’s guest is Mohammad Shazil Imran from Lahore, Pakistan.

Shazil founded a nonprofit in 2022 and has been working every day to improve the lives of those around him. He grew up cooking with his mother and learning about the fashion industry from his father—experiences that shaped his perspective on service, resilience, and purpose.

In this episode, we talk about life, purpose, God’s plan, and the importance of truly understanding others.

"This time too shall pass." 

یے وقت بھی گزر جائے گا 

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My guest is Festus Akintayo Akinsola, a fourth-year undergraduate student at DKU from Southwestern Nigeria. Festus grew up in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State and the largest city in West Africa by landmass. Festus belongs to the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria and speaks the Yoruba language. 

In this episode, we discuss the vibrant culture of the Yoruba ethnic group, its poetic language, rich music, traditional dishes, and beverages. 

Tune into today's episode to learn more about Nigeria and the Yoruba ethnic group through Festus' perspective and personal stories! 

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My guest is Yuchen Zou (Cici), a third-year student at Duke Kunshan University, from Beijing, China. In this episode, we discuss Beijing's rich culture, norms, and way of life. Cici comes from a town in Beijing known for its  rigorous academic achievements. During the fall in Beijing, leaves turn red, winter is filled with snow days and snowmen, and year-round, the people strive to succeed academically. Tune into today's episode to learn more about Beijing and Cici's perspective on the world around her!  

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My guest is Kristina Rogozhko, a third-year student at Duke Kunshan University, from Moscow, Russia. In this episode, we discuss Moscow’s culture, norms, and way of life. Kristina comes from a Russian Orthodox family and is the oldest of 7 children. Not only has her global perspective changed since arriving at DKU in 2023, but also her understanding of the culture in which she grew up. Please tune in to today’s episode to learn more about Russia through our discussions!

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