Ever wondered why 'positive affirmations' make you feel better? In this episode, I speak with Tom Lee Osborn who is originally from Kenya. We discuss his research on the correlation between mental wellness and better life outcomes as well as the the science behind some interventions and why they work for certain people.

Link to Tom's art: http://paintingsdoubt.studio/osborn.html

Sample of his research: https://cdn.fbsbx.com/v/t59.2708-21/81183642_2550484591741479_2361547966243667968_n.pdf/osbornShamiri2019.pdf?_nc_cat=101&_nc_sid=0cab14&_nc_ohc=QYWEoqOBIVwAX-RQjEB&_nc_ht=cdn.fbsbx.com&oh=27d8f3a3bc589b35634e426538ec49ea&oe=5F1FE3EC&dl=1

In this episode, I speak with a UChicago graduate from Rwanda. Our overall theme revolves around maintaining peace in the midst of turmoil and anxiety, more so now as we experience the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss our coping mechanisms and she leaves us with a hopeful guiding principle, ‘nta mvura idahita’, a Rwandan proverb which acknowledges the burdens of life but promises brighter days ahead. Enjoy! 

Some tidbits: 

*New email: [email protected] (Feel free to share thoughts and feedback) 

*Olivier's medium: https://medium.com/@YoursOllie 

*Great article: "Experts explain how to manage mental wellness during COVID-19": https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/covid-19-mental-health/

On this episode, I speak with Gordon College graduate from Rwanda, Sarah Uwandori. We discuss the value of community in college, the anxieties around graduation and employment and our strengths which we so often ignore. There's lots of reflection and introspection on this episode. Enjoy!

In this episode, I speak to Natasha Ali Said, medical school graduate at Hubert Kairuki Memorial Hospital in Dar es Salaam. She is my first guest who's gone to college in Africa (Tanzania). We discuss preparing for post-graduation stress. Something we did not mention, but I thought about: In the US we have the comfort of knowing that jobs are *available and stress less about preparing for the reality of the job hunt, while back home they're so ready because the situation is a bit more bleak. 

I could not resist diving into a conversation about Swahili in Kenya and TZ (enjoy all the bonus conversations). All in all, this was a first attempt at interviewing a candidate rather than speaking on a certain subject only. Enjoy!

(apologies for the sound issues)

In this episode, I speak with UC Berkeley student, Fanice Mangoja. We talk about how to leverage the numerous opportunities in college for ones own personal development. We also discuss some of our regrets and how we have learned from those experiences. Enjoy!

In this episode, I speak to Columbia grad, Diana Munyana, about her decision to move back to Rwanda. We talk about the joys of being back home; family, the familiarity of surroundings and context, etc. We also discuss the missed expectations and challenge the romanticized ideas of the move back home. Enjoy!

In this episode I speak to Ifunanya Nwolah, a junior at Wellesley College. We talk about black tax, the guilt of spending, budgeting and saving. Enjoy!

In this episode, I speak to Sarah Nzau, a Wellesley College graduate, about perfectionism and the pressure to conform to everyone else’s expectations of ourselves. We also discuss not having the language to articulate our mental health struggles, and of course, seeking help! Enjoy!

In this episode, I speak to Shannon Makenna, a senior at Villanova, about being Black and the negative associations attached to our race. We show how those stereotypes take a toll on our self-worth and ultimately mental wellness. Finally, we discuss navigating this new identity and taking pride in our Blackness! Enjoy!