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Amabelle Nwakanma is a professional builder of "enabling environments," but her approach is rooted in understanding the human mind. We discuss the critical difference between looking at a problem as a "hands-on counsellor" versus a "systems architect," and how she bridges the gap. She reveals the "unwritten rule" for making social change ideas compelling to donors and discusses the systemic barriers preventing the creation of leadership pipelines for young African women. Throughout, Amabelle emphasizes her personal responsibility to design a more resilient architecture for nurturing leadership on the continent.

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How do you manage profound personal challenges while maintaining a demanding career? HR expert Bola Oduwole shares her powerful personal story of perseverance through a seven-year waiting period before the birth of her child. We discuss how she navigated immense social and familial pressure and how that resilience informs her "Insider's Playbook" for women in corporate Nigeria. We also explore strategies for effective self-advocacy and the crucial difference between mentorship and active sponsorship.

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This week, Shea Harty shares her moving perspective on why female founders must create lives and businesses on their own terms, navigating beyond systems that don't resonate. After successfully climbing the traditional corporate ladder, she found that fulfillment was more important than success as defined by the system. We explore how this mindset shapes her work as a true sponsor for others and her mission to architect solutions for the systemic gaps she’s identified in her work.

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Dr. Idongesit Essiet-Gibson's journey defies every script. What started as a trip to a mall for a job ended in a 26-year military and public health service career, taking her from Iraq to the CDC. Now, she's on a new battlefield: angel investing. As a Deal Lead with "She's Independent Investments" , she explains why representation in funding is necessary and how "when women fund women, entire ecosystems shift". This episode is for every woman who thinks her unconventional path disqualifies her.

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This episode is for the successful professional who feels a quiet unease or "constant restlessness". "The Mindset Queen" Rebecca Nwankwo shares her story of mid-career reinvention, which started with the powerful question, "Is this it?". We discuss her philosophy that the goal "isn’t to eliminate imposter syndrome—it’s to stop letting it take the wheel", and the specific "superpower" a 45-year-old professional has that a brilliant 25-year-old simply can't.

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What was it like to build face recognition technology way before we used it to unlock our phones? Dr. Jania Okwechime shares her journey of dedicating her academic career to pushing the boundaries of computer science and what prompted her significant shift into the world of forensic technology to "fight financial crime". We discuss the culture shock of moving from a university to a corporate environment and dive deep into her advocacy for "Trustworthy AI". Dr. Jania explains what this means for Africa and what must be addressed to build AI that is "relevant for the continent's specific needs". Finally, we explore a topic dear to our hearts: what can be done for young girls and women to embrace STEM in Africa, especially where infrastructural constraints like poor power, internet access, and poverty exist.

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What can managing complex, high-stakes systems in the aviation industry teach you about tackling the climate emergency? Aeronautical engineer turned climate tech co-founder Florina Minzat shares her journey. We discuss her vision for the future of smart, sustainable buildings and how her company, EcothermiQ, provides innovative, low-embodied carbon technology. If she is wildly successful, how will our homes and offices feel different in 10 to 20 years? 

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What happens when an actress defies the script? In a powerful story, Nollywood star Mary Chukwuma went off-script while playing a victim of domestic violence and chose to fight back—a moment of improvisation the director kept. This conversation is about rewriting the scripts we’re handed. Mary discusses how this mindset applies to her career as an actor and costume designer, where developing a complementary skill is key for thriving long-term in the industry. We also explore the pressure to conform to damaging beauty standards, including a candid conversation about skin bleaching and what it says about the definitions of beauty and success promoted to women. This episode is for every woman who is ready to write her own ending.

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What is the key to building an effective sales process with limited resources? Drawing from her experience reducing customer acquisition costs by 40% in one quarter for early-stage startups, Anna Insam provides a playbook for founders. But this is a story of more than business. As a survivor of domestic violence, Anna also shares what the word 'empowered' truly means within a healthcare context and offers advice for other survivors with a powerful ambition to build a venture on their own terms.

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What is the true return on investment when a company takes employee health seriously? Corporate wellness expert Sherese Ijewere joins us to discuss the pushback she gets from leaders and how her Caribbean heritage influences her approach to nutrition in Nigeria. We explore the crucial link between what women eat and their ability to manage immense pressure , and the one simple step you can take this week to begin taking charge of your health.

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