Listen To Your Footsteps

In this Listen To Your Footsteps episode, we explore the fascinating journey of world-renowned multi-disciplinary artist Robin Rhode.

From his early days as a provincial cricket player to his groundbreaking art that merges performance, photography, and painting, Robin takes us through the creative processes that have shaped his career. He reflects on how his upbringing, exposure to church iconography, and his father’s work as a draughtsman have influenced his unique visual style.

Robin also opens up about the struggles of balancing art and personal life, especially the challenges of fatherhood and how failure fuelled some of his best work.

We discuss his move to Berlin, where love and new experiences guided him, and his commitment to creating art that challenges boundaries while embracing cultural, political, and ecological themes.

This episode offers an intimate look at Robin’s artistic philosophy and how he channels struggle into a form of creative power.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this episode of Listen To Your Footsteps, we sit down with acclaimed filmmaker, Sifiso Khanyile, to explore his deep love for storytelling and archival research.

Sifiso discusses his journey from founding and leaving the South African rock group BLK JKS, his eventual shift into documentary filmmaking and what sparked the obsession with digging deep into history, culture, and memory.

We delve into his experiences with audio-visual archives, the inspiration he finds in old papers, and how spatial politics influences his work.

Sifiso also opens up about the challenges of raising children with new perspectives and the existential questions he faced after becoming a father.

Join us as Sifiso reflects on the intersection of art, history, and belonging, offering a glimpse into his unique worldview as an agnostic existentialist.

You can find the latest from Sifiso on ⁠⁠any of these social spaces ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this episode of the Listen To Your Footsteps podcast, acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and businessman Quintus Jansen, known as "the creative guy," shares his remarkable journey from street dance beginnings to international ballroom stages.

Starting at just six years old, Quintus found a unique connection in ballroom dance, leading him to travel, compete, and eventually choose dance as his lifelong passion. Despite studying accounting at UCT, his true calling pulled him toward dance, even as he hustled in London to pursue his dream. Quintus delves into the art of choreography, emphasising the importance of adaptability, a value-adding mindset, and the balance between artistic storytelling and commercial entertainment.

He reflects on the lessons from his MBA, his philosophy of "Family first, then work," and his transition from Dance Culture to Creative Culture.

With insights into life, business, and the power of creating value, this episode is a masterclass in resilience and creativity.

You can find the latest from Quintuson ⁠⁠any of these social spaces ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠X [formerly Twitter]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this episode of Listen To Your Footsteps, we sit down with the multifaceted dillion s. phiri, a strategy director, social sculptor, and filmmaker who has carved out a unique path through creativity and community-building.

dillion s. phiri's journey began with a deep-rooted influence from his mother, who guided him toward a career in technology, a field that would offer stability for him as a refugee/migrant in South Africa.

From his early days working at Cape Town Tourism, where he gained invaluable insights into policy, frameworks, and the intersection of technology with urban development, to his struggles and triumphs as a refugee pursuing a degree through Greenwich University, dillion s. phiri shares the experiences that shaped his perspective on life and work.

As a parent, he opens up about the challenges of raising children in a globalized world, the importance of supporting their dreams, and the evolution of parenting styles. dillion s. phiri also reflects on his close relationship with his mother, whose daily conversations bring him grounding and life lessons in perseverance, positivity, and forward movement.

The conversation delves into dillion s. phiri's role as a community-builder and the creation of Creative Nestlings, a platform that evolved from a for-profit business to a non-profit institution with a mission to impact the creative community. He candidly discusses his love-hate relationship with Creative Nestlings, his struggles with personal fulfillment as a filmmaker, and his ongoing journey of healing from years of internal pain.

Join us for an intimate and inspiring episode as dillion s. phiri shares his story of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of a more carefree and happy life.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

This week on the Listen To Your Footsteps podcast, we sit down with advertising maverick, marketer, and brand consultant Sylvester Chauke. Sylvester opens up about his early passion for dance and how his love for performance introduced him to the advertising world at just 12 years old.

He reflects on the discipline of behind-the-scenes work in performing arts and how it shaped his career in marketing and advertising. From starting at the bottom and working his way up, Sylvester shares how his hands-on approach has made him a versatile and knowledgeable leader.

One of the standout moments in his career was his creative approach to securing an internship at one of the top agencies. This experience taught him the power of creativity to stand out from the competition.

Sylvester also delves into the journey of founding DNA Brand Architects, discussing the challenges and triumphs of building a business from the ground up, the moments of doubt, and the importance of succession planning to ensure the business thrives without him.

Join us as Sylvester Chauke shares his incredible journey, insights, and the creativity that has driven his success in the advertising world.

In this week’s episode of the Listen To Your Footsteps

She shares her deep admiration for her father, Utata, and the joys and challenges of growing up as one of over 20 children. Zoë also recounts a charming story of stealing her grandfather's pens, to doodle. A small act that forged a deeply unique connection between them.

She reflects on the challenging yet rewarding journey of humanizing our parents, transitioning from seeing them as superheroes to embracing their humanness and, in turn, finding peace with our own.

Zoë recounts a childhood field trip to the dentist, where she initially mistook her connection with the profession for a calling. It was only later she realized that it was the way the dentist made her feel seen and valued that resonated with her, this led her to her true calling: music and the mission to evoke these feelings through her music and public profile.

Zoë also takes us through her journey of connection,

Join us as Zoë Modiga shares her heartwarming stories and insights, offering a glimpse into the soul behind the music.

You can find the latest from Zoe ⁠⁠here ⁠⁠or any of these social spaces ⁠⁠YouTube, ⁠⁠X [formerly Twitter]⁠, Spotify, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AppleMusic, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

This week on Listen To Your Footsteps, we explore the journey of renowned Production Designer Dylan Lloyd. From his fine art roots in 1970s Harare to navigating South Africa’s film and television industry, Dylan's story is one of resilience.

He shares his struggles as a young immigrant, his love for youth culture, and his rise from penniless to a sought-after designer.

Dylan reflects on mentorship, loss, and the pride of fatherhood. Join us to hear how he turned challenges into triumphs and pursued his passion for film.

For a glimpse into Dylan's world and the worlds he builds, you can find him on dylanlloyd.co.za, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠X [Formerly Twitter]⁠

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Ayob Vania

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

This week on Listen To Your Footsteps, we take a walk with the illustrious Nthato Mashishi, celebrity make-up artist and architect of beauty. Nthato's journey is a vibrant tapestry woven from unexpected threads. Drawn to the world of healing by a family lineage of nurses, a twist of fate led him to discover his love for paint and colour through the performing arts in Alexandra township. A fateful royal wedding – yes, you heard that right – sparked a lifelong fascination with the transformative power of makeup. But Nthato's path wouldn't be linear. Though he may not have loved his HR degree, it equipped him with the vocabulary and boardroom confidence to navigate the beauty industry with finesse. Nthato has always been a businessman at heart, approaching his celebrity clientele with professionalism and a deep respect for privacy. He'll also shares the powerful meaning behind his guiding motto: paving the way for the next generation of black talent. Join us as Nthato Mashishi reminds us that success isn't just about the destination, but the stories we collect along the way.

As always, we appreciate your reviews and subscriptions – wherever you get your podcasts. Let's walk with Nthato Mashishi on Listen To Your Footsteps!

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠

Producer: Ayob Vania

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

This week on the Listen To Your Footsteps podcast, we step into the vibrant world of Bradley Williams, a serial entrepreneur, DJ, music executive, and creator. Bradley takes us on a journey through his early fascination with DJing at the tender age of 12, shaped by the influence of numerous mentors who guided his path.

In this episode, Bradley delves into his organic entry into event organizing, which eventually led to a flourishing career as an A&R and Promoter. His story is a testament to how passion and perseverance can transform hobbies into successful careers. Bradley also shares a heartwarming tale of his first DJ gig at a school sports day in 1991, where none other than Nelson Mandela addressed the students—a moment broadcast internationally.

Beyond music, Bradley's knack for organizing events was honed in his church choir and by observing his father manage athletic activities. These experiences laid the foundation for his later work as a Youth Culture and Brand Consultant, bridging the gap between creativity and commerce.

Join us as Bradley Williams inspires us to follow our passions, embrace mentorship, and listen to the rhythm of our own footsteps.

You can find Bradley on ⁠LinkedIn.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠.

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠The Podhouse⁠

Producer: Ayob Vania

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

This week on the Listen To Your Footsteps podcast, we walk alongside acclaimed documentary photographer and mentor Jabulani Dhlamini. Jabulani dives deep into his artistic journey, from his first camera at 13 capturing life in Soweto's townships, to the stories etched in every photograph. He explores the profound impact of being raised by a single mother and the absence of a father figure and the language of fathers.

But this episode isn't just about Jabulani's story. He shares his unique perspective on mentorship, revealing why he's so passionate about guiding young talents. We'll also gain valuable insights into the world of professional photography – balancing the artistic soul with the realities of the commercial lens.

Join us as Jabulani Dhlamini inspires us to not only see the world through our lenses, but to truly listen to the stories whispered on every footstep.

You can find Thando on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Artsy or Ocula

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Ayob Vania

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe