Convos with Marilyn

“My hair is an extension of me.” – Simone

In this episode, we talk about hair but not just as fashion or style. Hair, for many of us, is personal, political, gendered, and deeply tied to identity.

We dive into the experience of having your hair touched without permission, the politics of shrinkage, and the unspoken rules about what kind of hair is considered “beautiful.” We reflect on what it means to grow up in spaces where your hair or the absence of it, tells a story about gender, value, and belonging. From childhood memories in Northern Nigeria to the global conversations about hair as resistance and reclamation, this episode is an open, layered exploration of how something as ordinary as hair becomes a battleground for identity.

Whether you wear your hair in an afro, locs, braids, or shaved it all off . This one’s for you.

I'm joined with Daniel Obadun on Convos with Marilyn where we discuss what it takes to create for the creator. Everything from navigating a lack of inpiration and consecration, to eroding self doubt and self deprication. We explore the impact of media on our art and it's greater impacts on our hearts. Daniel and I tackle it all!

You know it, you love it, it's Convos with Marilyn.

n this episode of Convos with Marilyn I engage with Salim, a university student passionate about African studies.

We discuss the importance of understanding one's cultural roots, the personal impact of insecurity in Nigeria, and the broader socio-economic issues that contribute to this insecurity.

Salim shares his personal experiences with cultural identity and the need for education and awareness to foster change. The conversation also touches on the legacy of colonialism and its lasting effects on Nigeria's current state, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to address these challenges and build a better future.

In this conversation, we explore the deep-rooted issues of colonialism and its impact on Nigeria's ethnic conflicts. We discuss the importance of community, long-term thinking, and the need to empower the next generation. Salim emphasizes the significance of respecting all contributions to society, particularly those of the less privileged, and advocates for a collective approach to societal improvement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to African Studies and Personal Journey

04:11 Insecurity in Nigeria: A Personal Story

10:18 Understanding the Root Causes of Insecurity

17:15 The Role of Education and Privilege in Nigeria

24:07 Afromorphosis: Understanding History for Future Progress

30:57 Colonial Legacy and Its Impact on Modern Nigeria

33:04 Colonial Legacy and Ethnic Conflict

39:48 The Power of Community and Long-Term Mindset

48:03 Empowering the Next Generation

56:00 Respecting All Contributions to Society

Takeaways

Understanding one's cultural roots is essential for personal identity.

Insecurity in Nigeria has personal and societal implications.

Poverty is a significant driver of insecurity and crime.

Education and awareness are crucial for societal change.

The youth have a vital role in shaping the future of Nigeria.

Colonialism has left a lasting impact on Nigeria's socio-political landscape.

Cultural identity can be rediscovered through education and exploration.

The importance of community support in overcoming trauma.

Brain drain is a challenge for Nigeria's development.

Collective action is necessary to address Nigeria's issues. The ethnic conflicts in Nigeria are largely a result of colonial manipulation.

Understanding history is crucial to addressing current societal issues.

Community support and a long-term mindset are essential for progress.

Investing in agriculture can significantly improve the nation's economy.

Respecting all contributions, regardless of social status, is vital for societal growth.

Empowering the youth is key to building a better future.

Small acts of kindness can lead to significant changes in the community.

A communal mentality is more beneficial than individualistic pursuits.

Education and support for the less privileged can transform lives.

Collective action can lead to a flourishing society.

n this episode of Convos with Marilyn I engage with Salim, a university student passionate about African studies.

We discuss the importance of understanding one's cultural roots, the personal impact of insecurity in Nigeria, and the broader socio-economic issues that contribute to this insecurity.

Salim shares his personal experiences with cultural identity and the need for education and awareness to foster change. The conversation also touches on the legacy of colonialism and its lasting effects on Nigeria's current state, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to address these challenges and build a better future.

In this conversation, we explore the deep-rooted issues of colonialism and its impact on Nigeria's ethnic conflicts. We discuss the importance of community, long-term thinking, and the need to empower the next generation. Salim emphasizes the significance of respecting all contributions to society, particularly those of the less privileged, and advocates for a collective approach to societal improvement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to African Studies and Personal Journey

04:11 Insecurity in Nigeria: A Personal Story

10:18 Understanding the Root Causes of Insecurity

17:15 The Role of Education and Privilege in Nigeria

24:07 Afromorphosis: Understanding History for Future Progress

30:57 Colonial Legacy and Its Impact on Modern Nigeria

33:04 Colonial Legacy and Ethnic Conflict

39:48 The Power of Community and Long-Term Mindset

48:03 Empowering the Next Generation

56:00 Respecting All Contributions to Society

Takeaways

Understanding one's cultural roots is essential for personal identity.

Insecurity in Nigeria has personal and societal implications.

Poverty is a significant driver of insecurity and crime.

Education and awareness are crucial for societal change.

The youth have a vital role in shaping the future of Nigeria.

Colonialism has left a lasting impact on Nigeria's socio-political landscape.

Cultural identity can be rediscovered through education and exploration.

The importance of community support in overcoming trauma.

Brain drain is a challenge for Nigeria's development.

Collective action is necessary to address Nigeria's issues. The ethnic conflicts in Nigeria are largely a result of colonial manipulation.

Understanding history is crucial to addressing current societal issues.

Community support and a long-term mindset are essential for progress.

Investing in agriculture can significantly improve the nation's economy.

Respecting all contributions, regardless of social status, is vital for societal growth.

Empowering the youth is key to building a better future.

Small acts of kindness can lead to significant changes in the community.

A communal mentality is more beneficial than individualistic pursuits.

Education and support for the less privileged can transform lives.

Collective action can lead to a flourishing society.

In this episode of Convos with Marilyn I engage with Salim, a university student passionate about African studies.

We discuss the importance of understanding one's cultural roots, the personal impact of insecurity in Nigeria, and the broader socio-economic issues that contribute to this insecurity.

Salim shares his personal experiences with cultural identity and the need for education and awareness to foster change. The conversation also touches on the legacy of colonialism and its lasting effects on Nigeria's current state, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to address these challenges and build a better future.

In this conversation, we explore the deep-rooted issues of colonialism and its impact on Nigeria's ethnic conflicts. We discuss the importance of community, long-term thinking, and the need to empower the next generation. Salim emphasizes the significance of respecting all contributions to society, particularly those of the less privileged, and advocates for a collective approach to societal improvement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to African Studies and Personal Journey

04:11 Insecurity in Nigeria: A Personal Story

10:18 Understanding the Root Causes of Insecurity

17:15 The Role of Education and Privilege in Nigeria

24:07 Afromorphosis: Understanding History for Future Progress

30:57 Colonial Legacy and Its Impact on Modern Nigeria

33:04 Colonial Legacy and Ethnic Conflict

39:48 The Power of Community and Long-Term Mindset

48:03 Empowering the Next Generation

56:00 Respecting All Contributions to Society

Takeaways

Understanding one's cultural roots is essential for personal identity.

Insecurity in Nigeria has personal and societal implications.

Poverty is a significant driver of insecurity and crime.

Education and awareness are crucial for societal change.

The youth have a vital role in shaping the future of Nigeria.

Colonialism has left a lasting impact on Nigeria's socio-political landscape.

Cultural identity can be rediscovered through education and exploration.

The importance of community support in overcoming trauma.

Brain drain is a challenge for Nigeria's development.

Collective action is necessary to address Nigeria's issues. The ethnic conflicts in Nigeria are largely a result of colonial manipulation.

Understanding history is crucial to addressing current societal issues.

Community support and a long-term mindset are essential for progress.

Investing in agriculture can significantly improve the nation's economy.

Respecting all contributions, regardless of social status, is vital for societal growth.

Empowering the youth is key to building a better future.

Small acts of kindness can lead to significant changes in the community.

A communal mentality is more beneficial than individualistic pursuits.

Education and support for the less privileged can transform lives.

Collective action can lead to a flourishing society.

We know Pinterest as the media without the social so what app might carry the heavy title of the "social" without the media? This episode answers that. I sit down with Cedric Osagie, the founder of third space, an app created to accomplish the original and long forgotten plan of social media; to connect people to people.

Osagie takes us through the long and hard battle of knocking on doors as a door to door salesman to his newfound "founder" staus . He also gives us an exclusive look into the upcoming features of third space as well as an insider into its inception.

You know it, you love it, it's Convos with Marilyn.

The air is crisp and cold and you’re on your way outside. Want to chat? Welcome to the very first episode. I hope you stick around!!

It takes me approximately one hour 9 minutes to get to school from my new neighborhood and I often look for podcasts or channels that will serve as a calming, motivating or inspirational start to my day but I am often left with nothing. However, I do know that necessity is the mother of invention and so if I cannot find such channels,  I will make it. These episodes are drawing from many of the things I see in the media I consume. Motivating, calming and peaceful things to listen to on your way to school, work, or the gym and if you're somebody like me, then you’re in luck. This, is Early Morning Conversations with Marilyn.

#thingstolistentoonthebus #startmyday #motivation #earlymorningcoversationswithmarilyn