Fresh from the 100-episode hype who better to usher in the beginning of a new century than our esteemed guest Yoland - a fashion blogger who has been a valued supporter of the podcast from early. We explore the nuances of a childhood split between two wildly different locations and how it impacted the person she is today. Whilst she is at home on the podcast, fitting in has always been a struggle as an immigrant and a constant battle that required resilience and determination. Adults often look back at their youth reminded of simpler times and whilst for some they long for it this is not the case with everyone. Childhood like life is shaped by the people we are around and the experiences we go through. Having been exposed to fashion in school days, it was clear this was an area of interest for Yoland and set her on to the path she is on now. The path of life is not smooth however and at some point she found herself in therapy which in itself is still stigmatised as something for weak and crazy people. Luckily awareness around mental health is spreading and hopefully with time, things such as therapy will be treated with the same normality as a trip to the dentist. The quickest route to a therapist is love issues whether that be from parental love, relational love or self-love, it is tricky to navigate alone. Our idea of love is shaped by what we see, what we watch but too often it paints an idealistic picture of love that does not reflect reality. This can also extend to the things we are told as kids, parent or grandparents might unwittingly inflate egos and when it is not reflected outside of the home it can lead to a shock to the system. Find out all our thoughts on this and more in a deep and open edition of TheNineToFivers Podcast.

Wow we have reached 100 episodes! Well, over 100 when you include the quarantine series but it is really remarkable that we have reached such a milestone. So much has happened since we started, both with the podcast and personally and it is all documented here and shared with you guys. We appreciate each and every one of you and we know are a niche crowd but we are the greatest kept secret there is and you are part of that community. So thank you. We hope we can keep entertaining and educating as long as possible and lets see what is next in store for TheNineToFivers. Here is to the next 100!

The western world is at it again displaying their discriminatory behaviour towards Africa under the guise of protectionism and yet what they seek protection from is already among them. In fact several reports state that the new Omicron variant of Covid was in Europe before Africa. So quickly the narrative spins and so quickly has the travel apartheid been implemented but what else is new, governments act, people complain, nothing changes or does it? The government are the ultimate authority, but do they really hold the power over the people? If the people are unified for long enough surely something must be done eventually? Or is it really just dependent on how liberal a country and what consequences a people are prepared to endure? With the world rapidly changing certain industries are struggling to recruit at a fast enough rate leaving massive amounts of unfilled roles. What can a company do to entice people to apply for the job? Lower entry requirements or perhaps increase the incentives? On the flip side one manager fired 600 people at the same time which shows you people are only valued over money when they themselves are deemed valuable to a person or organisation. Value is King. Make sure to tune in for another straight-talking edition of TheNineToFivers Podcast

At what point should graft and toil be rewarded? Does effort always equal success or is there more to it? On any journey it is very difficult to keep your eyes solely on your path and the world of social media has made it super difficult so much so that it can be disheartening when too much is consumed, and you are not in the right heads pace. Life is full of ups and downs; good times and bad times, likes and dislikes... well actually YouTube has gotten rid of dislikes for 'the benefit of the small creator' but who knows what the real agenda is, when money is involved organisations or even humans in general tend to show their true colours. What do we even mean by that though? Humans are capable of terrible things but if we act on those things are they a representation of our true colours? There is usually negativity associated with the phrase but with so many of us putting on our best face perhaps there should be grace provided in some situations, especially if majority of the time they are not like that. Injustices are numerous especially with the American justice system but even when systems and individuals fail there will always be good people willing to rectify wrongs of the past and social media has really helped highlighting a number of cases over the years. Find out about all of this and more in another intriguing edition of TheNineToFivers Podcast.

Age milestones are not to be taken lightly and 30 is one of the biggest you come across. The boys recount 2Tones party and all the efforts and considerations that come along with being a host. From the planning to the invites to the execution on the night and of course the expenses. There is a lot that goes into it and luckily it was a great evening with vibes laughter and positive energy. Some would say that is also an accurate description of a lot of UK podcasts nowadays but some have lumped black UK podcasts into the generic category of relationships and gender roles. Is this a fair assessment? People often think they are the exception to the rule until they get done the same way but is it fair to demonise bad choices? Things that seem appealing but in reality will leave you in a bad state in the long run are often hard to see for those seduced by the allure of the things they yearn for. People get comfortable with what they know and we see this even when it comes to living arrangements. Why move out of an area you have known all your life if you don't have to? Is there a problem or do you risk being close-minded and somewhat institutionalised if you do not. Find out about all these topics and more in a free spirited edition of TheNineToFivers Podcast.

Fresh from a live podcast experience the boys recall an entertaining night highlighting the success of the scene and the impact music in general has had on the day to day lives of everyday folk. Most are positive but you cannot ignore the negative contributions either and tragically as was seen in the astroworld, improper planning and uncontrolled energy has potential to be fatal. Who is responsible in cases like this? Should the artist have done more to consider the safety of his fans or is that outside of his job description? Whatever the case this will likely leave a stain on his career that will be difficult to disassociate from. We associate music with periods in our lifetime and that’s why it is so easy for us to form favourites and attachments, but we also go to music to affirm emotions that we may be feeling or want to feel. Some say we listen to music and it influences are mood whilst it could be argued that our moods influence are music choices. It can really be like a chicken or egg situation with what comes first, the cause or the effect. Celebrities are always fascinating to the regular human, but we forget or choose to forget that they are also human and fundamentally flawed, as are most relationships. What we chose to disclose with others about our other halves is our choice but what is really helpful to share? Is there anything off limits? Not for 2tones as he recounts his trip to Dubai for his pre-birthday celebrations. Be sure to let us know what you think in a free – flowing edition of TheNineToFivers Podcast

The Guest train continues and this week we have the poetry Mystro Dialectic Dee.  Poetry is not generally understood by the masses but through our guest we explore the world and dissect the differences and similarities between the popular art form Rap. With artistry there is usually a certain vulnerability that is displayed over time and as people become more comfortable with expressive sides but is there any anxiety attached to it. For some it is deem as therapeutic to detail their emotions and feelings at a time and for others it is a way for their fans to relate to them. When tinkering however the pursuit of perfection can have both positive and negative effects. We often have ways of viewing people before we meet them but sometimes reality and expectation don’t match. Expectations regarding routes to success don’t always match reality either and people don’t tend to make the sacrifices that are needed to actually achieve the success they say they want. Where does loyalty lie in the realms of success? Is loyalty conditional or does it really depend on the person and relationship? Can blind loyalty be warranted in some circumstances or is the ride or die mentality foolish? Hear our thoughts on all this and more in a artistic edition of TheNineToFivers.

We are in Black History Month in the UK and who better to have on than Nora and Ola of the TheBlackCardTalks.

Is the significance of black history month felt in this country though? In the US it is a massive thing but is that more so because they hold a larger percentage of the population that their history cannot be diluted? Regard the black voice has become stronger since last years traumatic events but it doesn’t stop there.

The younger generation need to be shaped in a way that they improve on what has been started already and it seems to be happening already in Gen Z. Maybe we will get to a point where code switching is not even a thing but that might just be a pipe dream, time will tell. We have all had different upbringings and who we were around during schooling years play a big part in that. Some found themselves more adaptable, whilst others felt marginalized, but all journeys are unique even for those with shared heritage.

The reality is that many lower classed communities are forced to move out of the areas they live in due to gentrification and now have to look to more obscure locations where the diversity is not comparable to London. This has its pros and its cons but if people knew ahead of time what would happen, perhaps their moves would have been different.

If people could go back and advise their younger selves, how would they do it. Black women face an uphill struggle in all facets of life but what is more important being black or being a woman? A strange question it may be but one that creates deep discussion and intriguing perspectives, find out about all this and more in this Impactful edition of TheNineToFivers Podcast

School is a major factor in any child’s life and the decision to send a child to a same sex or mixed school often leads to slight differences. The opposite sex often becomes idolized and social interactions can be lacking in those that go same sex schools however the comradery between children can often not be replicated in mixed school. Something that is not taught in schools is the new term blackfishing which describes a form of cultural appropriation which deals with appearance mainly. Black people have become more vocal in recent times and it is clear there will be no tolerance for exploitation or discrimination with the majority but with humans there will always be differing opinions so it is believed that certain figures should be not be held to the fire over a concept that is not universally understood yet. What is commonly agreed however is that Tyson Fury is the best heavyweight of his era, but is it too soon to be crowning him as such or does he need to prove it against everyone else and become the undisputed champion. AJ has to put his undisputed ambitions to bed for now and focus on his rematch with Usyk but is it the right option? Should he take the opportunity to rebuild with opponents of his choosing? Maybe but there is no guarantee he will have the opportunity to compete for the belts again. The roadblocks may prove too tricky as London has been experiencing lately with insulate Britain causing havoc with their protests. Are they going about it the right way or are they just harming the innocent’s way of life? Their point may be valid but ultimately micro problems matter more to individuals and that’s the way it will always be. As will people taking advantage of others for their own gain despite the moral implications and as will people willing to embarrass themselves for the sake of humiliating others. When presented with good choices how do you know which one is best to do? How do you be content when you have a big decision and you don’t know which way to go? How do you live with your eventual decision? Listen to our latest ep and find out!