Kume: Turning Point Diaries

This week we have an enlightening conversation with Marius Iliescu about life transitions. Marius takes us on an epic career adventure from a high-flying corporate attorney to a tourism entrepreneur to now a mindfulness and personal development coach. He tells us about the moment he decided to abandon the vain pursuit of material success and began to own his calling. Marius’s journey urges us to pause and ask introspective questions along our journey.

Full show notes: https://bit.ly/2SsdGJz

This week we speak with Cielo Villa, a trailblazing entrepreneur with a bold vision to revolutionize college access. Cielo is the founder of Road to Uni, a free online resource that acts as a supercharged and hyper-accessible college counselor, open to all. In our conversation, she shares her fascinating, winding journey into entrepreneurship. Cielo details some of the most painful moments of her life, which developed an inner fortitude to survive life's vicissitudes. She also talks about scaling her vision since winning The David Prize, a new philanthropic award that comes with a $200,000 cash no-strings-attached. Join us as we talk about resilience, inner fortitude, and creating a new path.

Full show notes: https://bit.ly/3uFQ5BW

There’s no denying that money plays a significant role in our everyday lives, yet many of us are uncomfortable talking about it. This week our guest Rosa Colin, ASW, talks openly and vulnerably about her journey with money. Rosa is a social worker with a passion for personal finance. For Rosa, the value of money took on a whole new meaning once she began to take charge of her finance. In our conversation, she reflects on her earliest money-related memories and experiences. Rosa explains the shame and embarrassment she felt when she had to ask or borrow money from friends and how free it has been to no longer be one asking but instead provide financial support to others. Through her personal finance reading club, Rosa is helping other women build strong relationships with money without feeling shame about their past money decisions. Rosa’s story encourages us to invest in ourselves.

Full show notes: https://bit.ly/3yqypgM

Knowing and accepting ourselves unconditionally is not a one-time event, but a continuously unfolding reality. In this episode, I dive into the concept of nyerelon, which means self-knowledge in my familial language of Kuranko from West Africa. I take you on the journey that led me to seek therapy and the discoveries I have made along the way. I share some aha! moments and owning my identity as a Finahmusu, or storyteller. For me, therapy has been my practice of self-knowledge, and I hope that this episode inspires you to find something you can do on a regular basis that enables you to discover who you really are. 

Full show notes: https://bit.ly/2Sj0Soc

Do you think you’ve met the love of your life? Stop. Step back. In this week’s episode, guest Anthea Taeuber tells a cautionary tale of love and manipulation. What began as a fun and exhilarating courtship quickly descended into something unloving and dangerous. She walks us from the moment her ex-boyfriend’s mask slipped and she saw and felt the violence within him, to the day she broke free from the cycle of abuse. Anthea is the co-founder and resident mind guide at We Are Warriors (WAW), an interactive platform for women focusing on personal development and community connection. Her work and walk are a powerful testimony of freedom. 

You can also find more information about what love bombing looks like here. If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse or intimate partner violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has trained experts available 24/7 to assist. You can call them at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). The website also has a live chat service. 

This week we explore the topic of healing with Dr. Worokya Duncan, Ed.D. Worokya is a professional educator, wife, and mom of four. In our conversation, she shares the most intimate, personal, and complicated details of her dual upbringing in America and Liberia, which shaped the compassionate person she is today. Worokya also opens up about a sensitive, yet important topic; sexual abuse. With great courage, she walks us through the path of wrestling with shame, guilt, and her Christian faith. Worokya inspires us with her vulnerability and persistent strength. Join us as we dive into her journey of self-love and acceptance. 

Full show notes: https://bit.ly/39NnVNO

At times like this when there is a call for accountability around anti-Asian sentiments and racist violent acts, we need to elevate the voices of Asian people. This week we have a timely conversation with Carolyn Tran, a single mom running for New York City Council in District 25 in Queens. The daughter of refugees from Vietnam, Carolyn shares her journey of developing her own politics and values in college working behind the scenes as a public servant for the last twelve years and now boldly running for office. Carolyn’s story is a powerful testimony of daring to challenge the status quo.

Full show notes: http://bit.ly/3cdVNVD

In this week's episode, we are talking about loving your life and not chasing someone else’s with Liyah Washington, a young professional with a moving life story. In our conversation, Liyah walks us through her childhood in foster care and how that particular part of her life taught her the importance of gratitude and being content. This is a source of knowledge that has aided her in becoming the positive and resilient person she is today. Join us in this beautiful and inspiring conversation.

Full show notes: http://bit.ly/3t1lzlB

We kick off season two with an enlightening conversation with my dear friend Aminata Dia, a design thinking consultant residing in Dakar, Senegal. Aminata opens up about the first time she wore a hijab in Paris and how it dramatically changed her lived reality. 

In between, Aminata talks about her marriage and divorce in June 2019, her failures and insecurities, and what she has learned in the process of cultivating peace and acceptance of her narrative.

This is a powerful story of accepting yourself and holding on to your values in the face of other people’s criticism. This conversation made us smile, laugh and look at life differently, and we hope it will do the same for you.

Full show notes: http://bit.ly/2OBh0Qg

This season we journey through experiences that altered our lived realities. We also make space for lessons learned along the way. Join us as we explore the untold moments that shaped our character, vision, and values. We are reflecting all season, and it all starts this Tuesday, February 23. Here's a preview. 

JOIN THE MAILING LIST: https://www.kumehouse.com/

Kume: Turning Point Diaries IG: https://bit.ly/3bv6Loa

Kume: Turning Point Diaries FB: http://bit.ly/3aDAKes