JP Lawson

“To Outmatch Is Better Than To Outnumber” — a reflection on quiet strength, focused mastery, and why being fewer can mean being greater.
Featuring lions, legends, and the wisdom of General Iroh 🦁⚔️
Tap in. Be more. Not just more of.

In this episode of the podcast, JP Lawson unpacks Cathy O’Neil’s groundbreaking book Weapons of Math Destruction and explore how algorithms shape our everyday lives.

Learn what algorithms are, how they impact social inequality, and the steps governance systems can take to curb their harmful effects. Listen in for an insightful breakdown of the power and peril of modern algorithms.

In this compelling episode of the podcast, host JP Lawson sits down with Charles Cheku Armah, an advocate for youth engagement in peace building, to explore the transformative role young people play in fostering peace across Africa, with a focus on Ghana.

The conversation delves into how youth are stepping up to "silence the guns" in conflict zones, drawing from the AU initiative to end violence by creating sustainable peace.

Charles shares insights on the unique contributions of young people—energy, innovation, and resilience—and how they can bridge divides in their communities.

From Ghana to other African nations, this episode highlights inspiring examples, challenges, and actionable ideas for empowering youth as peace builders in a changing world.

🇬🇭 Ghana Turns 68 – Let’s Celebrate Culture on a Plate! 🎉🍽️

Ghana is 68, and that’s something truly special! It’s a moment of pride, reflection, and, of course, celebration. In this special Independence Day edition, we’re bringing you something unique—an experience that blends history, culture, and food in the most delightful way.

Join us as we kick things off with a powerful spoken word piece, setting the stage for a lively and heartfelt conversation about two of Ghana’s most beloved dishes—fufu and jollof rice. More than just food, they tell stories of tradition, identity, and the essence of Ghanaian culture.

So, grab a seat at our table and savor Culture on a Plate with JP & Mamavi.

Enjoy! 🎙️✨

Framing in media refers to how news organisations construct stories to influence audience interpretation. Journalists use techniques like emphasising certain facts, employing stereotypes, or sensationalising events. 

This process involves choices about language, images, and the overall narrative structure. The audience should therefore approach news critically, aware of potential biases and manipulations. Social media further complicates framing, with misinformation potentially influencing public opinion.

In this Black History Month Special, JP Lawson presents an inspiring episode titled From Luanda to Lusaka. The piece journeys across cities in African to rouse the hearts of its people.

This episode explores the rich history, vibrant cultures and powerful stories that connect Africans through their sprawling cities.

🎧 Dive in and enjoy the ride 🚂

If Bob Marley were alive today, he’d be celebrating his 80th birthday. In this episode, we explore his life, music, and lasting impact on culture, activism, and the global stage.

From uniting nations withOne Love to inspiring generations withRedemption Song, Marley’s legacy lives on. Tune in as we celebrate the legend who turned reggae into a movement!

In this episode, JP Lawson pays tribute to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s seminal TED Talk by breaking down the danger of a single story, using five compelling

examples across the world. Enjoy!

Tyler Perry's The Six Triple Eight explores the true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black, all-female unit that overcame racism, sexism, and lack of resources to ensure soldiers on the frontlines received critical morale-boosting mail during WWII.

Through a standout character like Major Charity Adams, played by Kerry Washington, the film highlights themes of resilience, leadership, and the intersection of race and gender.

This podcast examines these themes and shares five lessons, from valuing women in military operations to the importance of equitable resource allocation, drawing parallels to contemporary struggles for inclusion and equity.

This episode is a deep dive into the topic of aid effectiveness; built on the thesis by Jean-Philip Lawson, originally produced in 2022.

It examines the effectiveness of foreign aid in Ghana and Rwanda, exploring the relationship between aid and development, identifying internal drivers of aid to these nations and evaluating the impact of aid on their development. 

The research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilising both quantitative and qualitative data, including questionnaires and secondary data analysis. Key findings relate to the challenges of aid effectiveness, such as corruption and capacity limitations, and the thesis concludes with recommendations for improving aid utilisation and reducing aid dependency. 

The study also considers the impact of factors such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and the COVID-19 pandemic.