The IT Tribe Podcast

Hey Muchina's Cousins! Adulting comes with so much and we mostly just vibes and InshaAllah but Muchina always takes the vibing a notch higher! {He calls it Manifestation}

Growing up can arrive before you’re ready. For Muchina Malomba, losing his mother meant stepping up for his younger brother, while years of chasing a radio career tested his patience, and resilience. Host Liz and Muchina get honest about “black tax,” the sacrifices that come with being the one others depend on, and why growing up is shaped more by life experience than age.

Muchina also tells the story behind spending six years pursuing radio work, taking on jobs from customer service to selling eggs, to eventually leaving a secure radio role at Kiss FM without a safety net to pursue travel content. He opens up about the fear behind that leap, the unexpected client call that gave him a push, and why staying comfortable can mean missing what else is possible.If you’re carrying family responsibilities, questioning your next move, or wondering what adulthood really means, this conversation is for you.Key Takeaways:

• Responsibility becomes lighter when it is chosen, not merely endured: A duty can feel like an unfair burden and still become meaningful once you stop treating it as a wrong that must be reversed. Acceptance does not erase the sacrifice.
• The right support system helps you remember who you are: Support is more than encouragement or practical help. The people who know you outside your public image can keep temporary setbacks or uncertain seasons from becoming your whole identity.

• Growth comes from varied experience, not the number of years lived: Age measures time, not maturity or experience. People grow by meeting different conditions and developing the judgment to respond to them.

Food for Thought: What life experience has changed your definition of growing up and who helped you feel supported while you navigated it?

Muchina's Tip: Everything always works out for you and you don't need to worry about what hasn't happened yet!

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: FLJMEYLJEAMMARPN, ZX24ZWCYUFHMZCIY, N2K3BGPRJKKZXOH1, WCDKWWQO1YBZQV5P, PG9OQC4TN5C8EVL6, NIO5YVN7NO2HXFNW

Sex Happens Between Two People, But Pregnancy Happens in One Body. What does sharing the contraception burden really mean? Silence doesn’t stop young people from having sex however, it can leave them without the knowledge to protect themselves. Liz Awino sits down with sexual health advocate Asande Gumbe, founder of the Sexual Health Resource Database Kenya.

Asande unpacks how shame and abstinence-only messages can leave people unprepared to recognize consent, understand their bodies, or use protection. Asande shares how childhood curiosity, books, and HIV awareness shaped her path and why her community workshops make room for questions, myths, and learning from one another.

If you grew up learning about sex through warnings, whispers, or not at all, this conversation asks what real sexual health education should look like, from childhood through adulthood.

Takeaways:

• Awareness without practical skill is incomplete education: Knowing that condoms matter is different from knowing how to use one, obtain one, or discuss protection with a partner.

• Shared responsibility does not mean shared control: “Sharing the burden” can become another way to control someone if it overrides their choices.

• Agreement with a principle is easy; changing a personally comfortable habit is the real test. Education may make someone more considerate, but it cannot guarantee they will sacrifice convenience or pleasure.

Food for Thought?

If silence doesn’t protect young people, what would age-appropriate, shame-free sexual health education look like?

Asande's Tip: keep learning from reliable sources, find trusted friends to talk openly with, and make room for the emotional side of relationships not just the facts.

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: 8EIBEVBDMELU1QBS, ZAYHUH8UAYKCS8QY, MFUVONM7ZO4F20IU

Are you trusting the process? Better yet are you living in the process? Well , we got you someone who is!

A creative career rarely arrives as one big breakthrough. Performing Poet and Filmmaker Gufy Dox built his over a decade of low-paying gigs, 'failed' shows, lost equipment, and hard choices.

Liz Awino, talks with Gufy (Oscar Ogero) about what it takes to keep creating even when the work isn’t widely understood or reliably paid. Together they unpack growing up as responsibility, earning a living from multiple creative gifts, and resisting the pressure to reduce yourself to one neat job title.

For anyone trying to build a creative life without a clear roadmap, this is an honest conversation about trusting the process, learning through setbacks, and making room for all the things you are.

Key Takeaways:

1. Ambition becomes livable when you stay skeptical about what it can deliver: Define success by the work you do and the life it enables, not by the most extravagant outcome you can imagine.
2. Failure is NOT failure its data with a long shelf life: A setback only looks final when you judge it in isolation.
3. A creative work’s impact is not limited to sales or recognition: It can matter because it helps people connect, tell difficult stories, or find one another.

Food for Thought:

What would change if you measured success by the work you keep showing up for and the life and community it helps you build instead of by recognition or money?

Gufy's Tip : keep showing up, but stay practical.

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: FLJMEYLJEAMMARPN, ZX24ZWCYUFHMZCIY, N2K3BGPRJKKZXOH1, WCDKWWQO1YBZQV5P, PG9OQC4TN5C8EVL6, NIO5YVN7NO2HXFNW

Grown Up Bitter Truth: No one is coming to save you, but growing up doesn’t mean going it alone.

Media entrepreneur Calvin Wanguku joins Liz for an honest conversation about responsibility, changing friendships, and what it takes to build a creative career in Africa. Calvin has spent more than a decade in media -yes! a decade!- from radio at Homeboys and Trace to co-hosting The Mics Are Open.

Calvin and Liz unpack a grown-up truth: you must be a villager to have a village and even that doesn't absolve you from adulting responsibilities. As friendships shift with age, Calvin shares why it’s worth being intentional about the people you keep close and the openness to finding new ones.

For anyone figuring out adulthood, or building something without a clear roadmap, this is a candid reminder: know what you stand for, stay persistent, and leave things better than you found them.

Key Takeaways:

1. Character is the operating system behind talent: Talent gets attention, but discipline determines whether people can trust you with opportunity. How you handle small commitments is a preview of how you will handle bigger ones.
2. Systems are made of ordinary behavior: A society cannot leap past basic habits into ambitious solutions. The same culture that tolerates queue-jumping, bribery, or dumping trash will undermine larger reforms.
3. Persistence works best as iteration, not repetition: Blind persistence wastes effort; adaptive persistence turns setbacks into feedback. The goal can stay fixed while the method evolves.

Food for Thought:

What everyday choice could you change to help build the kind of community you want to be part of?

Calvin’s Tip: find your own angle, put in the work, keep going after setbacks, and reinvest in what you’re building.

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: FLJMEYLJEAMMARPN, ZX24ZWCYUFHMZCIY, N2K3BGPRJKKZXOH1, WCDKWWQO1YBZQV5P, PG9OQC4TN5C8EVL6, NIO5YVN7NO2HXFNW

Who taught you to silence yourself and who benefits when you do?This is Grown Folks Only!

Liz Awino welcomes Zaha Indimuli, a feminist, human-rights defender, medical doctor, #EndFemicide advocacy lead, and host of The Last Word. Together, they discuss gender-based violence, what adulthood asks of us, and how people can build safer, more connected communities.

• Zaha describes the scale of child pregnancy in Kenya, arguing that abuse is normalized and too often hidden within families and communities.
• The conversation examines grooming, age-gap relationships, and how abusers may isolate women by praising some while undermining others.
• Zaha and Liz reflect on adulting as a process of change, unlearning, and grieving the community care they knew growing up.

For anyone questioning the roles they’ve inherited, trying to build community, or looking for the courage to speak up, this is a conversation that may change what you hear when you ask yourself: Who am I performing for?

Key Takeaways:

• You do not need to stop being afraid before you begin: Delay has a cost: other people’s expectations get more time to define your choices. Courage is often the decision to act while fear is still present.

• Care and community are infrastructure, not just kindness: Community ties do more than provide comfort. They help people stay safe, share resources, resist isolation, and organize against power.

• Collective power starts with a shared “no”: People can cross divisions faster by opposing a concrete harm together than by first agreeing on everything they believe. Solidarity does not require sameness; it requires a common line people refuse to let others cross.

Food for Thought:

What does unlearning self-censorship look like practically in you life? where does it start?

Zaha’s Tip: younger activists, do it scared, care for yourself, read widely, and learn to recognize the beliefs that make you self-censor.

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: FLJMEYLJEAMMARPN, ZX24ZWCYUFHMZCIY, N2K3BGPRJKKZXOH1, WCDKWWQO1YBZQV5P, PG9OQC4TN5C8EVL6, NIO5YVN7NO2HXFNW

Dear employers,

Unpaid internships/ mistreatment in the name of excellence, expected yes-men amidst disrespect and weaponising Gen-zism labelled as 'misbehaviour' is a starter pack for mental crisis.

Touch Grass!

Most people are chasing chaos, hustle, and constant validation, but what if true freedom lies in choosing peace over productivity? In this raw, unfiltered episode, Yvette Otieno is a Nairobi-based content creator, digital marketer, and cultural commentator who operates under the brand @thekenyanjukebox on TikTok. With a professional background in marketing and a sharp eye for brand storytelling, she sits at a unique intersection: part creative, part strategist, part community builder.

She reveals how the relentless grind culture is silently destroying us, and shares her journey from corporate burnout to embracing life’s simple joys. You'll discover: why many of us confuse busyness with importance; how overworking and media-driven perfectionism trap us in cycles of stress; and why true fulfillment lies in rewiring our attitudes toward success, money, and human connection.

Takeaways:

• Peace Comes at the Cost of Systemic ComfortChoosing to disengage from workaholic culture and setting strict boundaries can lead to more authentic self-awareness and emotional resilience.

• The Power of Marginalized Voices in Shaping CultureAuthentic storytelling by those marginalized can release shame, inspire collective healing, and reshape societal narratives from within.Rejection therapy and shadowwork builds confidence and independent thinking

• Shoot your shot!

Rejection therapy and shadowwork builds confidence and independent thinking

Food For Thought?

Is your perfectionism a trauma response or an indication of high standards?This episode is tea served hot on a cold afternoon in company with those you love. Plug in!

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!

What happens when talented university students combine engineering genius with relentless resilience?

AngaWatch builds IoT hardware and software that help African farmers protect their crops and their livelihoods. Ryan Nguitui, Gitahi Githinji and Neema Muru, the founders of AngaWatch are engineering a breakthrough: a solar-powered, IoT flood alert network tailored for Kenya’s last-mile communities. This innovative solution turns data into life-saving alerts, delivered even offline, harnessing African infrastructure to protect those most vulnerable.

Their journey shows that with minimal resources but maximum determination, solving Africa’s biggest infrastructure challenges is possible especially when you build with the community, not just for them. This episode reveals why Africa’s future depends on youth-led innovation that’s rooted in local realities. If you’re a young inventor or passionate about leveraging tech for social good, you’ll leave inspired with practical strategies for turning ideas into tangible change on African soil.

Takeaways:

• Building solutions in Africa requires embracing imperfections and uncertainties The environment and conditions are inherently unpredictable and hardware might sometimes fail therefore, working sysyems must be resilient and adaptable

• Understanding local context turns technical solutions into life-saving tools.Solutions that overlook community insights risk being unusable or ignored, wasting resources and lives.

• Dont skip the ideation phase and share your ideas for feedback

Food for Thought:

If you were not hoarding and over-researching your idea how far would you be? How do you reduce your execution time?

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!

Do many Africans unconsciously adopt colonial-era mentalities out of a desire for validation and perceived superiority?

In this honest, raw conversation, Liz Awino (host) chats with visual artist Makatia about how stepping into the "in-between" - that space between sanity and insanity - unlocks creativity, breakthroughs, and true authenticity. The episode is unique in that it takes shape with Makatia being curious about Liz's 'insanity' and morphed into a conversation about colonialism, african identity and the paradox of madness. We break down how culture, colonization, and self-perception shape our identity — and why letting go of societal expectations can revolutionize your purpose. Do not wait for a perfect moment; the transformation begins in the tension between who you are and who you're becoming.

Takeaways:

• True leadership and progress stem from recognizing our shared humanity, not from division

The "me versus them" mindset is a powerful tool used to manipulate identities, fuels conflict, and perpetuates oppression. Recognizing we are all human and capable of both greatness and atrocity

• Colonization's lingering influence persists in subconscious mindsets and cultural norms

Recognizing these ingrained patterns allows for conscious efforts to reclaim indigenous identities, traditions, and economic sovereignty.

• Embracing madness can lead to greater impact and personal growth.

Creative growth often requires embracing moments where you're neither fully sane nor insane, but existing in a complex middle ground where transformation happens.

Food for Thought:

Are you brave enough to live in the in-between?

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!

What happens when culture is monetized and an experience labelled as kienyeji (Indigenous)?

Most writers know the craft what they often overlook is the soul and truth behind the words. Ongalo Glenn, one of Kenya’s most compelling emerging voices on Substack, reveals how genuine storytelling grounded in local culture can unlock empathy and shape culture. He’s not just writing; he’s shaping a new narrative for Africa, with "Life through my Eyes". From Nairobi’s nightlife and everyday humor to deeply personal reflections on love, identity, and societal pressures, Ongalo shares the secrets of translating daily experiences as a Kenyan into powerful, relatable narratives. Discover how he expertly infuses humor, authenticity, and localized culture to make his stories resonate, whether he’s unpacking Nairobi traffic, skewering corporate Upper Hill, mapping out slow-burn romance in Westlands elevators, or honoring his roots in Western Kenya, his voice is unmistakably ours. Let Ongalo Glen inspire you to write stories that illuminate your truth and resonate across borders.Takeaways:

• Authenticity and local storytelling are key to emotional resonanceAdopting a genuine local perspective enables storytellers to forge stronger connections and promote authentic cultural narratives that transcend superficial stereotypes.
• Emotional intelligence and mental clarity are crucial for nuanced storytellingReaders want to feel, and creating a body of work that can embody what one feels, sees and hears is what builds trust and a connection. Mastering these allows writers to embed empathy and authenticity naturally.
• Be Kienyeji! Developing content rooted in indigenous culture, language, and everyday realities fosters a unique voice that stands out internationally.

Food For Thought?What would your experiences and life story look like if looking cool didnt limit you?

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!

Who talked to you about sex?

Most people underestimate the toll of fighting for gender justice until they see the raw stories behind the statistics. Annete Kavata, a dedicated gender advocate and medical student, reveals how truly complex and emotionally exhausting this work is and why staying active in advocacy doesn’t always mean being in the public eye. She discusses the power of storytelling, the importance of informed consent, and why breaking silence on issues like intergenerational relationships and gender norms is critical for real progress.

If you're ready to challenge norms and push for systemic change, this episode is your call to action. Stay curious, stay compassionate, and remember: even the smallest efforts can create enormous ripples in the fabric of society.

Takeaways:

• The Power of Informed Consent and Uncomfortable Conversations Normalizing uncomfortable topics dismantles harmful norms and empowers individuals to establish agency over their bodies and choices. It shifts the narrative from assumption to clarity and mutual respect.

• Recognizing and Challenging Silent but Present Patriarchal NormsUncovering these silent norms opens space for reform and advocacy, empowering communities to critically assess and transform outdated beliefs for genuine progress.

• Be awkward!Ask the uncomfortable questions, remove the stigma and shame connected to sex

Food For Thought:

Are you well informed on sex education to talk about it? and be a change agent for safe sex?

Enjoyed the episode?

Join the Tribe and Leave a Star!