The Global Chatter with Amanda Bates

In this episode, photographer and writer, Lola Akinmade Åkerström shares how her cross cultural experiences in Nigeria, the United States and Sweden have shaped the work she has done over the years. She also highlights her new project, The Local Purse, as well as her new book, In Every Mirror She’s Black. 

In this episode, Leaders of the Free World, Lavar Thomas and Ruby Maddox discuss how their own transformative travel experiences led to launching an organization focused on creating international experiential travel experiences for Black male college students. To learn more, visit theglobalchatter.com.

Digital marketers and travel influencers , Omo & Eulanda Osagiede of "Hey, Dip Your Toes In," discuss how 2020 became the year of the pivot. They provide the real life insight business of being travel content creators and dispel much of the myths around it.

Masauko Chipembere & Dr. Natasha Gordon-Chipembere share how their cross-cultural histories, identities and experiences motivated their move to Heredia, Costa-Rica. Conversation includes their love story in South Africa, figuring out identity as a first-generation American, and what you have to consider if you're moving to Costa Rica.

Previously aired episode. Singapore-based Darnell Fine is an instructional coach and classroom teacher who applies radical imagination to the profession of teaching. In this episode, Darnell and Amanda have a frank discussion on the power of gatekeeping, the need to understand systemic oppression and the challenge in pushing the diversity conversation in recruitment, and especially in international schools.  

Mississippi native and Soul Food House co-owner LaTonya Whitaker shares the significant ups and downs she and her husband faced while building life in Japan that includes a crazy scam story. She also breaks down how a longstanding Thanksgiving dinners tradition ended up integral in finding support needed to launch their business. And she shares why she launched the Legacy Foundation to ensure that the Black experience in Japan would be supported and documented.

In this episode, content creator Mahlena Johnson shares her observed differences between living in the United States and Canada. She highlights how her upbringing in St. Thomas influenced her interest in travel and some of the transitional struggles once she got to college. She also discusses how she’s leveraged her media background to create a pathway to digital entrepreneurship.

Podcasters Bernie and Chimdi from The Talk Shop Podcast share the influences that shaped their identity and friendships within both Nigerian society and abroad. Bernie and Chimdi also describe their initial reaction and response to the aftermath surrounding racial activism that was triggered in the summer of 2020. And as new parents, both men unpack the similarities and the differences between how they are raising their young children from their own parents.

In this episode, artist Elizabeth “Lisa” Liang shares how growing up mixed race in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Morocco and the United States influences her storytelling.  Creator of the award-winning film, Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey, she also discusses what it means to be Asian-ish and dealing with those who want to emphatically define who you are.

International higher educational professional, Nunana Nyomi discusses the need to confront the lack of diversity that often shows up in what should be assumed across cultural spaces. He also shares his childhood upbringing on three continents and how it has impacted how engages his work. To learn more, visit theblackexpat.com.