In this solo episode, Israel opens up about his creative journey and the season he calls “The Great Lock-In.” He shares honest updates on his writing career — the setbacks, the small victories, and what it means to stay locked in creatively.

He also dives into the world of AI-generated art, talks about his latest piece for DEA, and reflects on the broader “Great Lock-In” trend. Plus, listeners get a front-row seat to an unexpected moment of déjà vu, captured in real time.

🔗 Read Israel’s piece in Digital Escape Africa Issue 11

☕️Connect with me

Music: Yours Sincerely

Musician: Lake Isabel (from Audiio)

Can you love Jesus and still love culture? Many believers wrestle with this tension, wanting to stay true to their faith while also engaging with music, art, fashion, and conversations that shape the world around us.

In this episode, Israel gets real about that struggle and shares 4 practical tips to help you walk boldly with Christ without losing your place in culture.

If this speaks to you, please rate the podcast, leave a review, and listen until the end, your support helps us reach more people.

Connect with Israel Here☕️📚

Israel opens up about a creative rut. And if he still wants to keep on doing this? What happens when we don’t care as much as we used to, what happens when we must evolve within or beyond our calling.

Featured media

FX The Bear Season 4, Ep 2

Billie Eilish - The official story. Told by her | Vevo LIFT

Building a treehouse (instrumental)

Yours sincerely (instrumental)

In this episode, I’m reflecting on everything that’s come with life after university — the expectations, the reality, the wins, the confusion, and the unexpected peace that comes from simply figuring things out day by day.

I sit down with writer & podcaster Favour Jesutofunmi Oladele

(Phoebe’s Ink, Book Bants & Hot Takes, Gistwithtofu).

We delved into:

✨ Her early inspirations passion for storytelling rooted in Lagos scenery

✨ Her career in healthcare despite being a passionate lover of the arts

✨ The contrast between Lagos & Canada

✨ Reading culture

✨ Adesua O’man Nwokedi

✨ What success means as a writer

✨ How we stay unapologetic to our faith

Stories Mentioned

The Women Gathered —Favour Oladele

The GIDI Diaries —Favour Oladele

Nearly all men in Lagos are mad —Damilare Kuku

Isoken THE MOVIE — Jade Osiberu

In Dependence — Sarah Ladipo Manyika

And More!

Authors Mentioned

Adesua O’man Nwokedi

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Jade Osiberu

Damilare Kuku

Sarah Ladipo Manyika

Connect with Favour Oladele here

In this episode, Israel takes a walk down memory lane, reflecting on his journey as a film journalist and his early days in digital media. He shares favorite projects, career highlights, behind-the-scenes stories (including some unnamed media tea), and what’s next on the horizon.

He also opens up about the tension between chasing a fiction-writing path and trying to make a living through journalism—unpacking the struggles of balancing passion and profession.

And finally, he answers a lingering question: After 3–4 years in digital media, is film journalism still in him?

My Freelance Career Portfolio on my LinkedIn

Resource

Customisable work schedule for freelance writers. Download here

https://www.notion.so/Freelance-Writer-Schedule-1eb10e27d6ad8168be2ffa580cc32f0b?pvs=4

In this hour-long episode, Israel sits with Kaothar Kadir—writer and curator behind Chaos & Kismet (4,000+ subscribers)—for a memorable conversation on:

1. Lantern publications & early inspirations 1:46–7:16.8

2. Academia & Creative Writing 7:16.8—11:44

3. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ocean Vuong, George R.R. Martin, Sidney Sheldon, Clarice Lispector 11:44–17:41

4. Kaothar, Chaos & Kismet 17:41–20:15

5. Making a statement with writing, & Writer’s Block 20:15–25:45

6. Substack, content, the algorithm, social media, & building community 25:45–30:33

7. Wattpad, Disney & Success as a writer 30:33–38:20

8. Authenticity, internet culture & writing as a tool for social change 38:20–47:57

9. Current WIP & Dream Project 47:57–49:39

10. Genre Preferences 49:39–51:34

11. Small casing & AI 51:34–56:32

12. Femininity, beauty standards, vulnerability & addressing personal insecurities through writing 56:32–1:04:40

13. Myths about being Kaothar Kadir, adulting & aging 1:04:40–1:08:40

14. Fan fiction & the beauty of short stories 1:08:40–1:18:32

15. Conclusion: 1:18:32

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Quotes from the episode:

“Just because something is complicated doesn’t mean it’s profound.”

“School is horrible.”

“I recognize that every time I write something and someone reads it, it becomes more than I am and it goes out into the world and it has the potential to be a lot more than I am and even transform into something different.”

“I think it’s nice to find humour in the things that scare you.”

Essays/Books/Films/Resources Mentioned:

• ​Top 100 Books of the Century – NYT
• ​On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous — Ocean Vuong
• ​The Thing Around Your Neck — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• ​Milk and Honey — Rupi Kaur
• ​I’m a Chin-Haired Witch
• ​Kola’s Hands Are Rougher Than Man
• ​Adeola Steals a Baby
• ​The Figurine — Kunle Afolayan
• ​Black Mirror
• ​Inception — Christopher Nolan

Moana 2 is another example of a sequel done wrong. In this episode, Israel goes on a full rant, breaking down

1. ​ The obvious pitfalls of Moana 2,
2. ​ The ethics of cash-grab sequels,
3. ​ Disney’s obsession with sequels, live-action remakes,
4. ​ And the deeper issues in Disney’s writers’ room.

Israel also shares plot ideas for a proper Moana sequel. Done with heart, depth, and actual storytelling that respects the audience and the characters. Plus, he hints at a return to his “film critic era.”

Check out his culture and film writing here:

MovieWeb | Pulse Nigeria

Connect with Israel here

No outline. No planning. Just straight from the heart.

If you’ve ever questioned your path as a writer, this one’s for you.

In this episode, Israel opens up about his writing journey—the dreams he had, the reality he’s facing, and the struggles in between. He talks about privilege, limitations, and the disappointments that come with chasing a creative calling. Lately, writing has felt intimidating, and he’s wondered if he still has it in him. Maybe you’ve felt that way too.

But this isn’t just about doubt. It’s about honesty, growth, and reminding ourselves why we started. Israel takes a moment to celebrate writers who have made it, acknowledges that every writer goes through seasons like this, and shares a message of encouragement for anyone feeling stuck.

If you’re struggling with doubt, you’re not alone.

Connect with Me

📲 Follow me on social media

📖 Read my books on Wattpad

✉️ For inquiries, [email protected]

In this episode, Israel reflects on his Wattpad era—revisiting the early stories that shaped his writing journey and the inspirations behind them. He shares the highs, the lessons learned, and what that period means to him now. Beyond nostalgia, he also discusses the future of his creative projects and offers advice for Wattpad writers looking to grow their craft.

Books Mentioned:

• After by Anna Todd

• The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

• Light as a Feather by Zoe Aarsen

• She’s With Me by Jessica Cunsolo

• The Cellar by Natasha Preston

Israel’s Wattpad Books:

• These Poems Are for One

• A Scarred Reflection

• 19 Last Days of Being a Teenager

• Boys Feel Too

• Untitled

• When Leaves Fall

Check out Israel’s Wattpad stories HERE

Connect with Israel

If you’ve ever written (or read) on Wattpad, this one’s for you. Tune in!