Welcome to the Poemify Podcast, where host Oluatosin Isaac engages in a lively discussion with guest Emeka Nobis, a thought leader, writer, and coach. This episode focuses on creativity, fear, transformation, and what it truly means to leave your truth, both on the page and beyond.

Emeka Nobis shares his inspiring journey, detailing his decision to leave a 10-year career as a mechanical engineer to focus fully on writing and speaking. He is the author of So You Call Yourself a Writer, a book centered on courage, purpose, and the art of showing up authentically. Nobis is also the founder and president of Knowledge Money University, dedicated to helping individuals utilize their knowledge to make money.

Key discussions include:

• Engineering and Creativity: Nobis explains how his engineering background fostered exploration, inquisitiveness, and innovation. He notes that the ability to imagine a three-dimensional physical product from a two-dimensional drawing is an art that helps him "read human beings" and applies to his writing and speaking.
• The Writing Process: Nobis delves into the challenge of writing, which for him is not experiencing "creative block" but rather the difficulty of precisely stringing words together to convey the exact emotions—like anger, calmness, or peace—that he wants his readers to feel.
• Validation and Perfection: The conversation tackles the "dangerous trap" of validation for creators. Nobis stresses the importance of continuous effort, noting that waiting for perfection will leave a creator stuck; instead, individuals should "do the work" to refine rough edges through practice and criticism.
• Impact and Mindset: Nobis highlights that imposter syndrome is the biggest mindset block he sees in people with powerful ideas who feel unqualified, which ultimately robs humanity of transformation. He also emphasizes that storytelling is a "very beautiful tool" crucial for leadership and brand building as it helps to "bypass conscious resistance" in others.
• Authenticity and Fatherhood: Nobis shares his advice on protecting authenticity—to "be you and do you"—and the profound lessons fatherhood has taught him, including patience, empathy, resilience, and resource management.

Don't wait for the right time; your time is now. Tune in to hear Emeka Nobis's wisdom and advice for creatives who want to communicate their brilliance and turn passion into sustainable impact. You can connect with Emeka Nobis on Facebook or visit his website emakanobis.com

On this episode of the Poemify Podcast, host Oluwatosin Isaac sits down with Daniel Aondona, a versatile Nigerian writer, designer, and spoken word artist, to explore the powerful intersection of art, identity, and hope.

As a winner of the Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize, Daniel shares the journey behind his award-winning collection, "Recollection," and how poetry became his most expressive outlet.

Daniel discusses how he balances documenting pain from global events in places like Sudan and Gaza with offering hope, guided by his belief that "no matter the situation, there's light somewhere". He delves into the crucial role that creative communities like the HCAF Creative Arts Foundation and the Spring Writers Fellowship played in shaping his artistic voice. The conversation also touches on themes of migration, gender inequality, and spirituality in his work, revealing how he writes for himself and for the world. Join us for an inspiring discussion about finding your voice, the power of community, and creating art that offers light in dark times.

Want to get featured on Poemify Podcast? Follow the link: https://forms.gle/GKWkDoHPagidRgKT6

Learn more about Ikike Arts at www.ikikearts.comGet free ebooks at www.books.ikikearts.com

In this episode of the Poemify Podcast, host Oluwatosin Isaac sits down with the multifaceted Nigerian poet and engineer, Jide Badmus. Join them for a compelling conversation that explores the fascinating intersection of engineering and poetry, and how technical laws and equations often sneak into his verses.

Jide shares his unique creative process, explaining why he avoids writing about difficult experiences in the heat of the moment to maintain objectivity. He also delves into the balance between tenderness and intensity in his work, a craft he describes as "controlled passion".

Discover the inspiration behind his works, from turning a simple cup of coffee into a viral anthology to finding sensuality in scriptural imagery. Jide also discusses his passion for filling the mentorship gap in the Nigerian literary scene through initiatives like "Inkspired". The episode wraps up with a powerful line that sums up his creative existence: "There's a storm in my head"

The episode highlights a discussion with Paul Olisaeloka Anozie, a Nigerian-born writer and educator, about his book, "Black Navel." The interview explores the inspirations behind the book, including its dedication to his mother and the bold choice to incorporate complex, intellectual themes not commonly found in Nigerian literature. He explains how the book's central concepts, such as memory and reincarnation, and its diverse characters, evolved organically rather than through pre-planning. He also discusses his decision to challenge conventional Nigerian literary trends by setting a speculative, sci-fi story in Enugu, Nigeria, thereby showcasing the nation's intellectual capacity and unique cultural elements.

The Poemify Podcast episode features an interview with Chimezie, a Nigerian poet and winner of the Penician Poetry Chapbook Prize for his work, Moonchild. The podcast explores Chimezie's journey as a writer, from his early inspirations like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to his process for dealing with rejections and constructive criticism. He discusses the vulnerable period in his life that inspired Moonchild and offers advice to aspiring poets, emphasizing patience, perseverance, and the importance of hope. The episode concludes with Chimezie reading his poem "Wound Metamorphosis," illustrating his artistic style and thematic concerns.

Oletu Ogheneneyore C.’s ‘Jonzing and Juicing’ offers several insights into contemporary Nigerian perspectives on relationships and sexuality through its explicit and metaphorical language. In this episode, we discuss the author's candid exploration of contemporary love and desire, marked by its directness, its inventive use of food and drink metaphors, and its willingness to engage with intimate themes with both sensuality and emotional honesty.

'Twice the Size of Sun' by MK Kuol is a deeply moving collection of poetry that offers an unflinching exploration of war, grief, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. In this episode, we discuss the author's poignant personal narratives, insightful societal reflections, and a commitment to linguistic richness and formal experimentation.