Title: Tearless with Ayo Deforge

Episode Number: #23

Guest: Ayo Deforge⁠⁠⁠

Release Date: 3rd October 2025.

Description:

This week on the show, we are graced by the iconic French-fluent Nigerian storyteller and author, Ayo Deforge. She opens up (4:04) with her inspiration for writing and how the grief of losing her mother influenced her writing style. Ayo left Nigeria for France (9:05) in 2012, and talks to us about the culture shock she faced on moving to the South of France, particularly with the country's obsession with immigration and racism. She gets candid with us about combining motherhood (17:10) with being an author, especially with today's demands of women in society. She also talks about her inspirations (21:08) as a writer, notably Chimamanda Adichie, and then gets deep with us (26:12) about being a Nigerian writer in diaspora. Ayo talks about her new poetry collection and novel coming soon! These and more on this episode! Enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

1. As a writer, you have a different perspective on writing about loss when you've experienced the loss of a loved one.

2. You don't think about the colour of your skin until you are in an environment where that is how you are identified.

3. Discipline is built over time with consistency, and you will certainly get better at any craft.

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Order the Author's Book on Amazon: Tearless

Order Her Poetry Collection: The Mind is not an Ally

Pre-order Her New Book: Under The Rain

Guest’s Social Media (Instagram): @ayodeforge

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer & Writer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.

Title: Mystery Monkey with ⁠⁠⁠⁠George Gathiani⁠

Episode Number: #22

Guest: ⁠⁠George Gathiani

Release Date: 26th September 2025.

Description:

We are back after that little break! We return with yet another mind-blowing episode for your listening pleasure. This week, we are joined by the amazing and trailblazing conscious African author George Gathiani. He talks to us about his journey (4:12) to becoming a writer, growing up in Kenya. Georges discusses African authors and the importance of showcasing their voices globally, especially in the area of science and consciousness, rather than limiting the African audience's minds. The conversation emphasizes the need for storytelling (16:05) as a vehicle for identity, self-awareness, human information processing, and empowerment. George talks to us about his unique writing style (28:26) and practical, timely approach to working on his stories. His latest (38:10) book, "Mystery Monkeys," is available on Nuria Books and other notable platforms. It was lovely having George on the show. Enjoy the episode!

Key Takeaways:

1. The best way to learn is through experience, not avoidance.

2. The human mind is so uniquely diverse that it is beyond capable of interpreting multiple events at the same time.

3. Writing is the best way to document your life and the changes you have experienced along the way.

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Order the Author's Book on Barnes & Noble: Mystery Monkeys

Guest’s Social Media (Instagram): @georgegathiani

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer & Writer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.

Title: ÌṢẸ́PẸ́ with Yusuf Àlàbí Balógun

Episode Number: #21

Guest: Yusuf Àlàbí Balógun⁠⁠

Release Date: 5th September 2025.

Description:

This week on the show, we are graced by the iconic indigenous Nigerian storyteller, author, and orator Yusuf Àlàbí Balógun, popularly known as Àrẹ̀mọ Gemini. We start off (5:05) the episode by getting into the mind of Yusuf as he recounts events in his life that led him to become one of Africa's biggest indigenous storytellers. Then he goes on to talk to us about which stages (8:50) challenged him the most having been on global stages telling indigenous stories in Yoruba. In the main portion (16:18) of this episode, Yusuf gets deep with us about his inspiration for writing his new book ÌṢẸ́PẸ́. This multi-layered story that highlights painful, yet controversial social themes drawn from his personal life (22:05) after the demise of his father and sister, and having to navigate grief, cultural derogation, misogyny, and penury with his mother traversing through state lines in search of safety. He discusses his writing style (31:01) of telling stories with complicated characters who often have two or more contrasting parallels and perspectives. Then he talks about the stories he hasn't told yet (42:38) and how inspired he is by his environment and the social injustices he witnesses on an indigenous level, and how he would love to shine a light on those stories. These and more in this jewel-dropping episode that would leave your mouth agape, gasping for more. It's an episode you don't want to be told. Enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

1. Religion is the opium of poverty, and just because you are religious doesn't make you a good person.

2. African traditions are very misogynistic, and we need more men to speak up.

3. Telling stories in our indigenous African dialects is essential for posterity.

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Pre-order the Author's Book on his Website: ÌṢẸ́PẸ́

Guest’s Social Media (Instagram): @aremogemini

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer & Writer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.

Title: The Power of Your One Thing with ⁠⁠⁠Elvis Prince Tognia⁠⁠

Episode Number: #20

Guest: ⁠⁠⁠Elvis Prince Tognia⁠

Release Date: 29th August 2025.

Description:

This week on our landmark 20th episode on the show, we are joined by Elvis Prince Tognia, our first Cameroonian and public speaker featured on the podcast. Elvis starts off (4:50) talking to us about his journey, moving from his village in Cameroon to the United States as a young guy over 20 years ago, without speaking a word of English. After he was wrongly accused by a customer (6:45) and reported to the manager, his inability to express himself in English led the restaurant to fire him on the spot. He narrates how that infamous moment (10:10) working at McDonald's triggered his decision to learn English and pursue public speaking, ultimately, one that would alter his trajectory in the United States forever. Elvis goes on to talk to us about his passion for public speaking (19:34) and then delves into teaching parents on choosing a career (30:20) for their kids that sharpens their natural inclinations. Elvis also tells the story of how he won the famous Moth Story Slam (45:11 in the US and goes on to passionately speak about leaving no stone unturned (52:51) on earth while we are all still here. His new book, "The Power of Your One Thing," is coming soon! It was such an honour having Elvis on the show. Enjoy the show.

Key Takeaways:

1. Changing the way you see a situation changes the situation

2. There's nothing we can't be as long as we apply ourselves and are willing to do the work to break every limitation put on us.

3. Rather than spend time trying to get good at things we are not great at, we should spend time improving on what we are already great at.

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Pre-order the Author's Book on his Website: The Power of Your One Thing

Guest’s Social Media (LinkedIn): Elvis Prince Tognia

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer & Writer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.

Title: I Cry at the Feet of My Other Body with ⁠⁠Mustapha Enesi⁠⁠

Episode Number: #19

Guest: ⁠⁠Mustapha Enesi⁠⁠

Release Date: 22nd August 2025

Description:

On the show this week, we are joined by ⁠Mustapha Enesi⁠ ,one of Africa's brightest young writers, charting his course in the literary space with his unique message-driven writing style. Firstly, Mustapha walks us through his journey (4:45) to finding writing and how it started off with short story experiments and running it by his family to get their opinion. Then he delves into his struggle (12:10) as a bright Agriculture student with dreams of studying Medicine as a Nigerian undergrad in university. He also talks to us about his experience as a digital marketing expert (23:34) and how he has leveraged his skillset to push the marketing for his stories online. As one of his passionate conversations, he recounts (31:12) his experience with publishers demanding he edit the Nigerian language in his story. He promotes his new book to be released in September + MORE. It was a pleasure having Mustapha on the show! Enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

1. Never edit your story to fit into narratives that are not authentic to your roots.

2. It's okay to try new things and get better at them with consistency

3. No knowledge is wasted

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Pre-order the Author's Book on Witsprouts: I Cry at the Feet of My Other Body

Guest’s Social Media (IG): enesi_writer

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer & Writer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.

Title: Boy Child with Franz Owano

Episode Number: #18

Guest: Franz Owano

Release Date: 15th August 2025

Description:

On the show this week, we are joined by one of the leading African authors, Franz Owano, trailblazing the niche space of existential and metaphysical writing across the continent. Franz Owano, a trained medical doctor, graced us with his captivating presence and left us with more paradigm-shifting questions than answers. Franz takes us through his journey (3:54) from medical school to becoming a doctor and how that shaped his unique perspective (10:10) on literature and its impact on his first ten books. He reflects on his battle with the conventional literary publishing houses in Kenya (35:55) during his early days, and running into debt. He discusses his view on the world and queries the norms (50:12) of society, poking at the traditional tenets around religion, gender, race, ethics, and Pan-Africanism, juxtaposing every social parallel possible to give us an almost bird's-eye view of the paranormal landscape. He closes out by talking to us about his latest book, "Boy Child," and how the characters imitate real-life anecdotes. It's an episode for the ages! Enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

1. Are we in a matrix as humans, and if we are, why did the creator create imperfect beings only to punish them for not being perfect?

2. There is no ideal metric for determining what a fulfilled life looks life after one's demise because impact is subjective

3. Who says good people can't do bad things and bad people can't do good things? We are all a compendium of good and evil because no one is devoid of the chance at redemption.

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠⁠⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Grab the Author's Book on Nuria⁠: ⁠Boy Child

Guest’s Publishing Social Media (IG): Wanderer's Path Magazine

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer & Writer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.

Title: The Crimson Vigilante with Olayinka Yaqub

Episode Number: #17

Guest: ⁠Olayinka Yaqub⁠

Release Date: 8th August 2025

Description:

On the show this week, we are joined by Olayinka Yaqub, one of Nigeria's brightest young minds, who has taken the crime fiction space by storm with his latest book, "The Crimson Vigilante." Olayinka takes us through his journey (4:02) as a young engineering student in Nigeria, navigating his love for writing while managing the rigours of school. He talks about being inspired by foreign crime shows (8:03) like "Quantico" and "Blindspot" to delve into this space of crime fiction writing. Olayinka gets honest with us about the idea of his book becoming adapted for a movie (14:05) and how he would love Tobi Bakare to play the main character. He discusses his writing process (17:12) and how he navigates the end of the story from the beginning, as well as all the intersections at various points. We close out (30:03) with the rapid-fire questions for our guest to answer in quick succession. We love and appreciate Olayinka for sharing his time with us. Enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

1. Crime fiction is an untapped genre in the literary space in Nigeria and that needs to change

2. It is possible to have love for two different things and be equally good at them

3. Over time, you learn the value of patience with age and delayed gratifying experiences.

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Grab the Author's Book on Masobe Books: The Crimson Vigilante

Guest’s Social Media (X): @olayinka_yaqub

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer & Writer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.

Title: Love & Poetry with ⁠Margaret Gathenya ⁠| Ep. 16

Episode Number: #16

Guest: ⁠Margaret Gathenya⁠

Release Date: 1st August, 2025

Description:

On the show this week, we are joined by one of Africa's finest sensual and vulnerable writers, Margaret Gathenya. She gets really candid with us about her journey from writing to filmmaking and how that has shaped her view of the world. Margaret tells us about her writing style, and she often describes herself (3:12) as a "sensual writer" who writes from deep emotional viewpoints drawn from her personal romantic experiences. She talks about experiencing heartbreaks (10:31) and coming out of that and wanting to experience love again. She opined that for one to receive the love they think they deserve (41:11), one must be prepared to be the best version of themselves to experience such love. Then she talks to us about her (48:04) anthology "Love & Poetry," making waves in the literary space in Kenya, and lets us into her world of filmmaking and upcoming projects. Margaret graced this episode with her contagious cheer, colorful chatter, and, of course, conversation. We loved having her on, and we can't thank Nuria Books enough for the connect! Enjoy this amazing episode!

Key Takeaways:

1. Love is a common theme we all share as humans, and we should embrace that more.

2. At the basic level, we all want to be love and be loved.

3. Heartbreaks are gnashing, but we must learn to embrace the hills and valleys love throws at us, because it makes us who we are.

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Read Author's Book on Nuria Kenya: Love & Poetry

Guest’s Social Media: @margaretgathenya

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer & Writer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.

Title: Lost in You with Maranatha Abutu | Ep. 15

Episode Number: #15

Guest: Maranatha Abutu

Release Date: 25th July 2025

Description:

On the show this week, we are joined by the voluble and delectable Maranatha Abutu one of Nigeria's finest romance novelists, charting a unique lane in the African literature space. As a seasoned podcaster and conversationalist herself, Mara takes us on her journey (7:00) from choosing to studying industrial chemistry in university to delving into a writing career in 2020 upon publishing her first book, "Leila Khalid" one she considers her career's "guinea pig". Then she gets personal with us about her rocky relationship (12:47) with her dad some years back and how that informed some of her choices. Mara also recounts a rattling event (23:01) she went through a year ago when she found some lumps in her breast and how insensitive the doctor was in breaking down her diagnosis. On coming out of that disappointing experience, she is inspired to write her latest book, "Lost in You" which tells the story of a woman turning 30 and being hit with the rare condition of (26:48) perimenopause, and how that upended her hopes of ever finding love. She also talks about creating a business from book formatting (38:51) and starting her printing company in a bid to fill the gap of exorbitant cost of book production in Nigeria. These and more on the show! A packed episode you want to listen to. Enjoy the episode!

Key Takeaways:

1. It is important to let young people choose career paths that align with crafts they are not only good at but have a passion for.

2. A woman's whole essence doesn't end just because of her natural body changes as she ages.

3. As a society, our healthcare professionals need to be trained on emotional intelligence when attending to patients especially those with critical conditions.

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Order Author's Book on Roving Heights: Lost in You

Read Author's Book on Goodreads: Lost in You

Guest’s Social Media: @maraabutu

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.

Title: The Days We Long For with Oluwabunmi Adaramola⁠ | Ep. 14

Episode Number: #14

Guest: Oluwabunmi Adaramola

Release Date: 11th July 2025

Description:

On the show this week, we have one of Africa's finest writers and legal aficionados in the diaspora in Olubunmi Adaramola. The UK-based Nigerian author chats with us about growing up (4:54) in Ibadan, Nigeria, and being an expressive kid. Then she discusses identifying as a writer and intersectional feminist (9:35) and how that influences her writing style (15:29) and storytelling. Then she gets candid with us, narrating the emotionally stressful process (17:57) of writing "And Then the Sky Bled Red," a book that tells the story of a woman struggling with the rare condition (22:08) of post-partum psychosis. She also shares her thoughts on non-Africans writing about African stories (26:44) and how the essence of the African culture could be lost in translation. We close out with her talking about her upcoming book (39:33) "The Days We Long For," which comes out in Winter 2025. This and more on this amazing episode! Enjoy the show.

Key Takeaways:

1. Being a feminist should intersect with one's other equally marquee identities to fully represent their background, culture, and core elements.

2. Women dealing with postpartum should be given a lot of grace after childbirth

3. African stories should be told by African storytellers, indigenous to the art and environment

Listen Now On:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Cast, Goodpod, Google Podcasts, Afripod, Jamit, and all DSPs

Connect with Us:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NkemCreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nkemcreatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Mentions:

Pre-order the Author's Book: The Days We Long For

Guest’s Social Media: anjolaoluwaa_

Episode Credits:

Episode Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anita Chinwendu Opara⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio Producer: ⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Odia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem Creatives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nkem Creatives brings you insightful conversations that celebrate African storytelling and literature. Join us on this journey as we amplify the voices shaping the narrative.