Growing up with gal-dem

By gal-demSociety & Culture Personal Journals

Growing up with gal-dem episodes

February 11, 2021 Naomi Shimada on childhood wisdom
In this week's episode of Growing up with gal-dem, Charlie and Natty are joined by author, model, and broadcaster Naomi Shimada, who's work encourages us to practice care and tenderness with ourselves. Naomi shares (and translates) an entry she wrote as a child about her mother, the grief she and her family were processing at the time, and reflects on how much responsibility and wisdom she bore during that period.

We are updating the transcripts on our website - thank you for bearing with us! You can find episode transcripts here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42 min
February 04, 2021 Shydeia Caldwell on leaning into her spirit-led purpose
Welcome back to Season 3! In this first episode of our new season, Natty Kasambala is stepping in while Liv takes a well deserved break. Natty Kasambala is an ex-editor, and long-time contributor to the gal-dem family, and an incredible music, arts and culture commentator, curator and creative who we're so excited to have with us for the next few episodes.

In this episode, gal-dem are joined by wellness educator, spirit-led guide and co-founder of Black Girl Magik, Shydeia Caldwell. She shares a letter that she wrote to herself at the end of 2020. Shydeia reflects on her process in crafting her personal brand and telling her story in her own words. Join gal-dem and Shydeia as they discuss everything from listening to self, the importance of connecting with the ancestors, wellness and remothering.

We are updating the transcripts on our website - thank you for bearing with us! You can find episode transcripts here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36 min
January 07, 2021 Liv Little and Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff on rushing black women syndrome
For the last episode of the season, hosts Liv Little and Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff share their own extract: an essay they collaborated on years previously about ‘rushing women of colour syndrome’. Reflecting back on their headspace at the time of writing it, Liv and Charlie reflect back on what has changed, what has stayed the same and what they’ve learned along the way.

Growing up with gal-dem is taking a short break, but we'll be back with you in February!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
43 min
December 31, 2020 IRL and online communities with Zezi Ifore
For this episode, gal-dem are joined by arts broadcaster, host, cultural consultant and journalist Zezi Ifore who shares an extract that she wrote as a teenager at the turn of the century. Zezi reflects on her hopes for the 2000’s as a fifteen year old, as well as delving into the community she was grounded in. Join gal-dem and Zezi as they discuss everything from Nigerian culture and the church, to wellness and meditation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42 min
December 24, 2020 Rachel Ama on loving her hair
In this episode, gal-dem talk to chef and influencer Rachel Ama, who discusses motherhood, hair and food. Rachel shares an extract from her younger years, disclosing the pressure she felt to manipulate her hair with relaxers and heat in order to appear ‘presentable’. Rachel speaks her journey of self-love with her hair and how thinking about what she put into her body on the inside, made all the difference on the outside.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
41 min
December 17, 2020 Asserting boundaries with Tia Campbell
In this episode, gal-dem are joined by visual artist, DJ and co-founder of BBZ, Tia Campbell, who discusses family, the pressures of being a teenager and why they’ve decided to move to the other side of the world. Tia shares a conversation with a family member and explains why asserting boundaries was imperative in helping to heal their relationship.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
41 min
December 14, 2020 Shingai on not being the girl she used to be
Singer songwriter Shingai Shoniwa delves into her liberating musical journey into becoming a solo artist. Once the lead singer of the Noisettes, Shingai shares difficult moments she faced in the music industry and touches on the treatment of black artists. Reflecting back on a song that she started writing at the age of sixteen, Shingai draws similarities to the girl she once was, but also shares why being bold became one of her best lessons from growing up.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
51 min
December 03, 2020 The power of words with Nikesh Shukla
In this episode, gal-dem chat with writer, screenwriter, editor and mentor Nikesh Shukla as they take a closer look at his career and the writing world. Nikesh explains how he didn't allow a saddening and unforgettable experience with a scam company at a young age to overcome him, and instead, made him realise the respect that should be given to his work.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36 min
November 26, 2020 Nao on stepping into your other self
For this episode gal-dem are joined by East London hitmaker Nao. Here, Nao describes her initial issues with confidence as a singer and what it was like to come up in the midst of the Soundcloud movement, a creative space that gave prominence to so many musicians today. Join us, as we also discuss finding your sound, the importance of mentors and why balance is key in life.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 min
November 19, 2020 Finding stable ground with Simran Randhawa
In this episode, we catch up with a fave member of the early gal-dem team, the wonderful Simran Randhawa, whose career as a model and writer has skyrocketed over the last few years. Delving into topics such family, social media and imposter syndrome, Simran shares an extract from a turning point in her life and shows how ultimately, facing her past meant that she was able to flourish and feel grounded in the present.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
33 min