Return to Source

By Araba Ofori-Acquah

Whether through stories, traditions or rituals, the wisdom of our Ancestors shows up in our lives more than we recognise. Ghanaian-British healer and writer, Araba Ofori-Acquah, interviews creatives, ... more

· Society & Culture

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FAQs about Return to Source:

How many episodes does Return to Source have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.

Return to Source episodes:

December 13, 2022Returnees, purpose and moving with the system w/ Michelle Konadu | S1E11
In this episode, I speak to Michelle Konadu, the founder of Villa Diaspora - a community and provider of stress-free accomodation for people looking to move to Ghana. This conversation is filled with tips for anyone looking to move from the West to Ghana, or really any other Global South location. We discuss:
The importance of community in both Michelle's Ghanaian heritage and Diasporan upbringing

Why she moved back to Ghana

Michelle’s spiritual journey and dream experiences

Aligning with purpose through starting her business

What is bringing so many Diasporans to Ghana?

Some of the tensions that exist between Ghanaians and 'returnees'

Michelle’s passion for sharing the things that connect us

The legacy that Michelle wants to leave behind
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with Michelle or Villa Diaspora? You can find them on Instagram @aj.konadu and @villa.diaspora or email [email protected]
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/ashewellness
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
This episode was recorded at Musical Lunatics studio in Accra.
...more
38min
November 22, 2022Community, leadership and the true story of Africa w/ Caleb Mensa-Bonsu | S1E10
In this episode, I speak to Caleb Mensa-Bonsu, a travel enthusiast who is passionate about depicting Africa in its true, beautiful light and promoting the importance of mental wellness in Africa. This was an inspiring and very honest conversation. We discuss:
Being raised in the Ashanti culture

Caleb’s experience in the MEST entrepreneur programme

His experience travelling around Africa

Some misconceptions about Africa

What Diasporans need to know about the continent

Talking to God at any time

How Caleb found mindfulness

Tips on being a good leader

The legacy Caleb wants to leave behind
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with Caleb's organisations? You can follow find them across social platforms @thetravelclan_ and @talk2mehq
If you'd like to learn more about the entrepreneur programme Caleb took part in, visit the MEST website.
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/ashewellness
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
...more
41min
November 08, 2022Christianity, theatre & the drama of life in Ghana w/ Jessica Hagan | S1E9
In this episode, I speak to Jessica Hagan, a writer and arts professional. This was a great conversation exploring the arts and Christianity from a very honest lens. We discuss:
The importance of sowing seeds in the community

The benefits of creative collectives

The theatre industry in Ghana

How storytelling aids Black liberation

Jessica’s route to Christianity

The merging of Christianity and African traditional religions

The role of religion in social order

Balancing creative writing with being a responsible Christian

Jessica’s writing process

Finding belonging as a British-Ghanaian

The legacy Jessica wants to leave behind
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with Jessica? You can follow her @thejesshagan on Instagram or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The book I mentioned in our conversation is A History of Indigenous Slavery in Ghana by Akosua Adoma Perbi.
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/ashewellness
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
This episode was recorded at Musical Lunatics studio in Accra.
...more
55min
November 01, 2022Embodiment, spiritual mandem and becoming your own best friend | S1E8
In this episode, I speak to Tamu Thomas, an emotional well-being coach, writer, podcaster, workshop facilitator and Non-Linear Movement practitioner. This is an excellent episode for anyone on a healing journey, with plenty of excellent tips and personal stories. We discuss:
Giving ourselves permission to be multifaceted in a world that wants us to stay in boxes

Who are our Ancestors?

Building a relationship with your Ancestors

What is non-linear movement therapy?

Meeting yourself where you are in your healing journey

The importance of embodied practices for Black people

Balancing the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine

The link between self-care, social care and system care

How to befriend yourself

How coaching helped Tamu

How to live in everyday joy
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with Tamu? You can follow her @livethreesixty on Instagram.
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/ashewellness
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
...more
59min
October 18, 2022Activism, matriarchy and a history of Queerness in Ghana w/ Alex Kofi Donkor | S1E7
In this episode, I speak to Alex Kofi Donkor, a photographer, model, campaigner and community builder, and founder of LGBT Rights Ghana. This was a powerful conversation and - whatever your views - is a must-listen for an education on the history of LGBTQ+ people and politics in Ghana. We discuss:
Growing up in a matriarchal home

Radical rest for activists

What Kofi’s utopia looks like

How a Humanist approach informs Kofi’s life and work

The history of homosexuality in Ghana

How Ghanaian tradition rejects binaries

How Western Christianity has gradually demonised different groups in Ghana (and beyond)

How the global Black community can support our LGBTQ+ family

The legacy Kofi wants to leave behind
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with Kofi or his organisation? You can follow him @ahuoden_gh on Instagram or follow @lgbtrightsghana on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Creating change costs money! Please donate whatever you can through CashApp, PayPal or GoFundMe. If you're in Ghana, you can donate through Paystack.
If you want to donate your time and skills, reach out to LGBT Rights Ghana on any of their platforms.
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/ashewellness
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
This episode was recorded at Musical Lunatics studio in Accra.
...more
1h 7min
October 11, 2022Travel, leadership and the African Renaissance w/ Vidette Adjorlolo | S1E6
In this episode, I speak to Vidette Adjorlolo, founder and CEO of Sorted Chale, a company that curates experiences across Africa. This is a great interview for anyone interested in starting a business! We discuss:
How Sorted Chale was born

Collaboration between Diasporans and Africans

Giving back to local communities as a travel business

Hearing the voice of God in daily life

How to tap into some of the benefits of travel if you don’t have the opportunity to physically travel

Tips on becoming a better leader

Vidette’s biggest highlight since starting her business

The legacy Vidette wants to leave behind
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with Sorted Chale? You can find them on Twitter or TikTok @sortedchale or on Instagram @sorted.chale. Check out their website to see their upcoming trips 🌍
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/ashewellness
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
...more
34min
October 04, 2022Creativity, education and casting tradition into the future w/ Ben Boateng-Owusu | S1E5
In this episode, I speak to Ben Boateng-Owusu, an engineer specialising in self-driving vehicles and co-founder of Owari Kids, an organisation focused on creating Afro-centered media for preschool kids. This is a great interview for anyone interested in how we both preserve and modernise culture and tradition. We discuss:
Growing up between cultures

The undervaluing of Ghanaian culture

The role of music and humour in culture and education

Preserving and futureproofing our culture for future generations

The story behind Owari Kids and the game owari itself

Ben’s approach to personal growth

Mental health and therapy in the Black community

The psychological impact of moving away from our culture and how we can course correct

A call for all creatives to ensure they make work for kids
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with Owari Kids? You can find them on Spotify, YouTube and Instagram @owarikids. Check out their website and get in touch if you're a creative keen to work with them on kids content. This is the soca song we mentioned!
Here's the Glamour article I mentioned about men and loneliness, and here's the Psychology Today piece it's based on.
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/ashewellness
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
This episode was recorded at Musical Lunatics studio in Accra.
...more
55min
September 27, 2022Elders, oral history and the African roots of Christianity w/ Kirstie Kwarteng | S1E4
In this episode, I speak to Kirstie Kwarteng, founder of The Nana Project and Doctoral Candidate at SOAS, University of London in the Department of Development Studies. This is a great interview for anyone interested in oral history and education. We discuss:
The difference between education and knowledge

The definition of first-generation and second-generation

The African roots of Christianity

The power of praying in your mother tongue

Honouring Ancestors without ‘worshipping’ them

The importance of capturing elders' stories

How Kirstie manages competing priorities

Kirstie’s biggest achievement so far
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with The Nana Project? You can find them on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook @thenanaproject or @the_nana_project on Instagram. Check out their website and email them at [email protected] if you would like to contribute.
Be sure to watch Kirstie's powerful TED talk too!
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/ashewellness
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
...more
46min
September 20, 2022Masculinity, problem-solving and going plant-based in Ghana w/ Zuu | S1E3
In this episode, I speak to Zuu a.k.a The Ghanaian Vegan, a photographer, graphic designer, podcaster and content creator. This is a great interview for anyone interested in hearing about the transition to veganism but we also talk about much more. We discuss:
The innovative nature of Ghanaians

Zuu's personal journey with veganism

Navigating veganism in Ghana

The importance of unlearning for our personal growth

Making space for men to be vulnerable

How Zuu wants to be remembered
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with Zuu? For his personal content, follow @zuutg on Instagram and Twitter. For foodie content, follow @theghanaianvegan on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. For podcast clips and info, follow @staybyplanpod on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/ashewellness
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
...more
42min
September 13, 2022Pan-Africanism, privilege and Ancestral dreaming w/ Asia Clarke | S1E2
In this episode, I speak to Asia Clarke, a multidisciplinary artist and the creatrix behind Wild Moon. This episode is filled with gems for Black creatives, any Diasporans thinking of visiting or moving to the continent and people interested in African spirituality. We discuss:
Is Pan-Africanism a myth?

The privilege of knowing where you’re from/your heritage

Overcoming the Western mindset

How to create from a place of vulnerability and authenticity

Creating your own spiritual practice

Dreams and meditation as tools for connecting with our Ancestors

Asia's experiences of motherhood - from her grandmother’s presence to her mother’s affirmations to her pregnancy journey
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, review & share! 🌟
Want to connect with Asia? Check out her website or connect with @wild_moon on Instagram. You can see her 'Moon Masquerade' concept I mentioned here.
Want to connect with me? Check out my website, connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @araba.oa, or meditate with me on Insight Timer. You can also join my mailing list for monthly musings about all things wellness.
To support the show, you can donate here: paypal.me/babsofori
If you’re a business dedicated to culture, wellness or empowering people of colour and you’d like to sponsor, get in touch at [email protected]
Podcast theme song created by musician and spoken word artiste Menaye 🎶 Find her on YouTube and Instagram.
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please complete this short form: https://forms.gle/av8AuWsfGdEEvxn87
...more
46min

FAQs about Return to Source:

How many episodes does Return to Source have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.