Amidst all the Christmas celebrations, gifts, parties, have you ever wondered what the actual Christmas Story really is? Why do we celebrate it? Who do we Celebrate? Why is this story significant?

Join David Forrest as he explains the Christmas Story and ends with a piece he wrote titled 'Nativity'. Many thanks to David for sharing this with us all!

🔗 Connect with Niyi

⁠⁠⁠🌐 Website⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠🐦 Twitter ⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠📸 Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Rapid-fire questions

1. Favorite book? Deep thinking.

2. Favourite food? Rice.

3. If you could have dinner with three inspiring leaders, living or dead which leaders will you choose or invite? Barack Obama, Jim Rohn, Oprah Winfrey.

4. Favorite holiday destination? Malaga, Spain.

5. Name three people that have had the most impact or influence on your life? My parents, spiritual mentor Shola Oladipo and business mentor Ralph.

🧰 Resources mentioned

Shepha Properties's Website: ⁠https://shephaproperties.co.uk/about/

Themes:

Moving from Nigeria to the U.K

Influence of books and biographies

Journey in the property sector

Challenges and Rewards in setting up Shepha Properties

Embracing Life's Script Authentically

Our chat includes reflections on the power of authenticity in communication, especially in our professions. David beautifully pointed out that people - whether in a work setting, familial role, or personal life - have intrinsic worth. This value does not increase or decrease based on their job role, responsibilities, or achievements. We all need to present our true selves, even to ourselves.

The Value of Diversity

David passionately shared his experience of working within diverse cultures, emphasizing that everyone has something to learn and teach in the rich tapestry of humanity. Crowned by his creative work on love and worth, he pushes for an appreciation of the richness different cultures bring, challenging stereotypes and embracing unique perspectives.

Love – More than Just a Feeling

One highlight of the conversation was the exploration of love. David Forrest shared a profoundly insightful perspective on love, stating that love is not merely an emotion, but an intentional action. He adds that love is a verb, an active choice we make. It also gives us the freedom to be authentic, wherein we forsake personal interests for intimate connections.

The core of our worth

The crux of the conversation was a reminder that we all possess something valuable to contribute to the world. David underscored this by stating, "you are precious," and "you have something so worthwhile to bring."

Contemplating on life and careers, he voiced the importance of separating our self-worth from professional achievements. By doing so, we anchor our worth on a more stable and constant foundation. For David, his faith serves as this unwavering anchor.

David then delves into his interpretation of love, his experiences in work and relationships, with a highlight on a poem he had written about love. Finally, he offers a look into his upcoming book about love.

🔗 Connect with David

 Facebook ⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠Medium⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Rapid-fire questions

🧰 Resources mentioned

Seeing Stars by Simon Armitage

Ken shares his journey from humble beginnings to financial independence and the pivotal moments that have defined his path. From growing up in Nigeria to moving to the UK and facing financial challenges, Ken's story is one of resilience, determination, and self-awareness. He shares how he overcame debt and financial struggles, and how he and his wife Mary founded "The Humble Penny" to help others achieve financial independence and create financial joy in their lives. Tune in to discover the lessons Ken has learned along the way, including the power of prioritizing values, the importance of investing in self-education, and the mindset shifts needed for financial abundance. Whether you're looking to take control of your finances or seeking inspiration to pursue your dreams, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for creating a life that truly matters.

🔗 Connect with Ken

⁠⁠🌐 Website⁠ | ⁠🐦 Twitter ⁠| ⁠📸 Instagram⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Rapid-fire questions

🧰 Resources mentioned

Ken’s book: Financial Joy: Banish Debt, Grow Your Money and Unlock Financial Freedom in 10 Weeks ****

In this episode, our host, Samuel interviews Jimmy, a military veteran with 26 years of service. Jimmy shares valuable insights, life lessons, and stories from his time in the military, highlighting the values of discipline, courage, respect, and the misconceptions surrounding the military. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to civilian life and the importance of gratitude and personal growth. This engaging conversation delves into the impact of family togetherness, the power of storytelling, and the significance of seeking new experiences and perspectives in life. Join us as we explore Jimmy's journey and the stories that have shaped him.

🔗 Connect with Jimmy

⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Rapid-fire questions

Bio

Jimmy joined the Army in 1995. He joined the Royal Signal and over a career spanning 26 years, he served in 8 operational tours and a host of overseas deployments. Jimmy commissioned in 2015 and served the last few years of his career in Scotland where he resigned his commission and joined JPMorgan Chase where he is a Chief of Staff in Asset Management Architecture. Jimmy is Married to Stephanie and they have two children, Cameron, Sydney and his dog, scout. 

He is passionate about rugby, serving as the Director of Rugby at Bannockburn RFC.  Jimmy believes in hard work, a growth mindset and helping people become the best version of themselves through advocacy and creating alliances across diverse groups. 

🧰 Resources mentioned

Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us about the Business of Life

Imagine sitting down with an amazing lady who's experienced life in several countries, founded an NGO and is a passionate advocate for child literacy and racial equality. That's us! We had the joy of having a conversation with Tabitha Nyariki, a Kenyan native who shares her life journey and the valuable lessons she's learned along the way. From her mother's influence that shaped her childhood to her experiences in student politics, you'll hear Tabitha recount her life with honesty and wisdom.

As we chat, you'll learn about the practical ways to tackle racism - Tabitha shares her insights on the importance of broadening our knowledge and understanding. You'll also hear about her work in the charity space, specifically with her NGO Kosi Africa, and the struggles she faced while starting it. Tabitha's story of resilience and determination in the face of these challenges is truly inspiring.

Lastly, Tabitha opens up about her personal struggles and how these hardships motivated her to push through. Her experience of moving to different countries, coping with failures, and finding the silver lining in every situation will remind you that it's not just about the destination, but the journey itself. So, buckle up for this insightful journey with Tabitha Tabs, as she takes you through a life full of passion, resilience and inspiration.

🔗 Connect with Tabitha

⁠🐦 Twitter ⁠| ⁠📸 Instagram⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Bio

Tabitha was born in Kenya and currently resides in Glasgow.

She advocates for child literacy and has done this through various channels including co-founding a literacy NGO, Kosi Africa, in Kenya, where she works to ensure young children in Western Kenya have adequate learning and reading material. She is passionate about making the world a fair place for all and is the youngest board member of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum where she hopes to build more support for Fairtrade among the youth. Tabitha enjoys watching football and travelling in her spare time.

She is currently the Race Equality Charter Project Officer at Glasgow Caledonian University and previously worked as a Sabbatical Officer at their Students’ Association.

In her roles she has mainly focused on advocating for issues around Racial Equality in Higher & Further Education. In 2022, she won the NUS Equality & Diversity Award for her commitment towards Equality & Diversity in Higher Education. Tabitha is a graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Applied Psychology.

Rapid-fire questions

🧰 Resources mentioned

Bible

Join us on this deep conversation with Tolulope Oke, Global Head of Diversity At Diageo and Multi-Award Winning Diversity Champion where we discuss everything from the people who have had an impact on her life’s story to pivotal moments in her career to lessons she’s learnt from growing up as a minority in the United Kingdom.

More specifically, in this episode, we spoke about:

Tolu ends this episode by saluting other black women for their strength, resilience, and contributions to society. She reminds listeners to embrace their own journey and to be proud of their accomplishments.

🔗 Connect with Tolulope

⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ | Instragram | Twitter

Rapid-fire questions

🧰 Resources mentioned

Dr. Nike shares her insights on the importance of courage and kindness in making a difference. She emphasizes the need to stand up for what you believe in and the value of having a strong support system. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by change-makers and the significance of staying true to oneself while navigating societal pressures.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Nike's personal experiences and beliefs shine through. From being inspired by her mother's bravery and confidence to drawing strength from her faith, she shares how these influences have shaped her determination and commitment to making a positive impact.

Join Sam and Dr. Nike as they explore the power of courage, kindness, and finding one's identity in this thought-provoking conversation.

Bio

She was featured in Powerlist: Britain’s 100 most influential people of African and Caribbean heritage. She is a member of the Science Council and Transport for London diversity groups. She contributed to the Royal Academy of Engineer's diversity strategy,

In 2012 AFBE-UK launched "Making Engineering Hot", a video campaign which promotes engineering to the BME community.

In 2011 Vince Cable, then Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills attended the AFBE-UK’s seminar on infrastructure in the UK.

In 2016 she coordinated "Transition", which saw students from universities across London take part in a series of employability workshops, CV assessments, mock interviews and engineering challenges. Source: Wikipedia

🔗 Connect with Dr Nike

⁠⁠⁠🐦 Twitter ⁠| ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Rapid-fire questions

🧰 Resources mentioned

1. The Bible

2. Ollie's episode

In this episode, we sit down with Peace Itimi, the founder of FoundersConnect, a platform that documents the African tech startup landscape and stories of founders on the continent.

Peace shares impactful anecdotes from her life and the key takeaways that have helped her grow. She emphasises the importance of failure as a learning opportunity and how it can lead to growth and feedback. Her journey is a reminder that success is not always a straight line, and that it's okay to take risks and learn from those experiences.

In this interview, Peace further talks about the phrase "do it afraid" and how it has become a mantra for her. For Peace, "doing it afraid" means acknowledging and feeling the fear and anxiety that comes with taking risks, but still pushing forward and taking action. She emphasizes that fear is a natural response, but it shouldn't stop you from pursuing your goals and dreams.

Rapid-fire questions

🔗 Connect with Peace

⁠⁠🌐 Website⁠ | ⁠🐦 Twitter ⁠| ⁠📸 Instagram⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

🧰 Resources mentioned

War of Art by Steven Pressfield

🔗 Connect with Ollie

⁠⁠ ⁠🐦 Twitter ⁠| ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Bio

Ollie Folayan is a visiting professor to the School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee and Head of Process and Safety at Engineering consultancy, Optimus Plus Aberdeen. He is the co - founder of AFBE -UK.

Ollie graduated with a BEng in Chemical Process Engineering with Fuel Technology from the University of Sheffield in 1999 and then earned a Doctorate (PhD) in Fuels and Combustion from University of Leeds in 2002 authoring five international publications in the field of combustion and engineering. To date Ollie has worked on Major CAPEX Front End Engineering Design, Detailed Design and commissioning Projects.

In 2018 Ollie Folayan was accepted into the Fellowship of the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

Ollie has championed successful outreach programmes such as Making Engineering Hot, NextGen (Scotland), Transition and Real Projects and has co-authored three publications on the influence of role models in the transition from academic study to the workplace and on the sustainability of the engineering profession in the UK. Ollie has chaired a number of annual seminars featuring key industry leaders and politicians and is a regular speaker at events on varied engineering topics. Ollie was a member of the All Energy Diversity and Inclusion task group setup in 2019 by Oil and Gas UK

Ollie has been a judge of the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards (2020, 2021 & 2022), the Offshore Achievement Awards (2019), the Association for Consultancy and Engineering Awards (2021) and the Oil and Gas UK Awards (2020, 2021)

Ollie was a finalist in the Mentor of the Year Category at OGUK Awards in 2021 and finalist in the Diversity Hero at the Herald Awards in 2021. Ollie was awarded the Diversity and Inclusion Award by the Institution of Chemical Engineering (IChemE) in 2021.

Ollie was awarded an MBE for services to diversity and inclusion in engineering in the King's First New Year Honours' List in 2023

🧰 Resources mentioned

1. ⁠The GEMM study