This special episode, otherwise known as a Yesticle, features one of the "doulas" that helped bring this podcast to life in early 2021--- Doris Onyango, the Production Manager at SemaBOX, Africa's largest podcast incubator.

She has an engaging conversation with Akumu and Claire that delves into the world of female empowerment, feminism, and women's rights, touching on gender stereotypes, women's liberation, gender discrimination, women's movements, feminist movements, the gender pay gap, women's education, and women's representation.

Timestamps for Specific Segments

(00:00) Intro

(01:55) Meet Doris Onyango

(05:07) How does Doris define "being a woman"?

(06:10) Is Doris proud to be a woman?

(06:24) If given the choice at birth, would she choose to be a woman?

(07:04) Thoughts on feminism and how she fits into the movement

(15:12) How feminism has shifted across generations

(19:00) Can women provide for the family and still "be in their feminine"?

(23:55) Does growing up in different environments affect views on feminism?

(31:47) Does feminine energy contribute to a podcast's success?

(35:22) Info on the Dada Podcast Incubator program

(40:55) Final words/thoughts by Doris

(42:48) What has Doris recently said "yes" to?

(43:45) Outro

__________

Doris shares her own experiences and insights as a woman in Kenya, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs she's encountered along the way. Akumu and Claire eventually challenge her to explore the concept of feminine energy and its significance in creating a space where women can thrive, both personally and professionally.

And last but certainly not least, Doris celebrates the incredible journey of women podcasters in Kenya and shares details about the groundbreaking Dada Podcast Incubator, the world's first podcast incubator designed exclusively for women and non-binary individuals. She explains the vision behind this unique initiative, its mission to amplify diverse voices, and how it is shaping the future of podcasting in and for the Global South.

So tune in as Akumu, Claire, and Doris Onyango celebrate and demonstrate the strength and resilience of women through insights, stories, opinions and, of course, lighthearted laughter.

______________

Important resources: 

Follow Doris: @dorisonyango

Follow SemaBOX: @semabox_africa

Learn more about the Dada Podcast Incubator here:

https://dadaincubator.com/

Learn more about SemaBOX here:

https://semabox.africa/

****************

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you so much! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review.

We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say. In any case, we appreciate you!

Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For blogs, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK

This special release, better known as a Yesticle, features the dynamic Molly Jensen, the Chief Executive Officer of Afripods.

You might need to buckle up as we journey through the remarkable story of Molly's life and career - a tale that spans continents, cultures, countries, and what all of that translates to in her role in building a bigger podcasting pie for Africa.

Molly Jensen, a Ghanaian-American born in New York, has devoted her career to revolutionising African storytelling. As the CEO of Afripods, she's at the forefront of building the largest library of African audio stories on the planet, right from the heart of Nairobi, Kenya.

Timestamps for Specific Segments

(00:00) Intro

(01:09) Introducing Molly Jensen

(01:32) What is Afripods?

(02:56) Who is Molly?

(03:50) What brought Moly to Kenya and made her settle in the country?

(05:00) How has her identity evolved based on how she was received by others, and how does that match/conflict with how she identifies with herself?

(06:44) How has her professional experience as a young female leader in the country contributed to her growth, and what challenges has she faced?

(11:00) What does Molly feel is the difference between a Black American coming to Africa and an African going to America?

(17:00) Comparing Molly's sense of identity in Kenya vs. in Ghana

(24:25) Molly's opinion on how Akumu and Claire's differences shape their positioning in the Kenyan podcasting space

(33:53) What's next for Molly and Afripods?

(35:31) Molly's final thoughts and words of wisdom

(38:20) What Molly has recently said "yes" to

(39:00) Outro

_________

Afripods, exactly where this very podcast is hosted, is a free pan-African podcast hosting platform. It is a game-changer that not only provides a platform for African creators but also amplifies their voices across the continent and within the Diaspora.

Afripods' incredible capabilities include categorising content in over 50 languages and curating material from over 30 countries, including individual podcasters, radio stations, and media houses. It's truly become the home for African podcasting, and it's fostering the growth of diverse narratives and talents.

Beyond being an accomplished CEO, Molly is a speaker who's graced prestigious stages worldwide. Her impressive resume includes appearances at Podcast Movement, Africa Podcast Day, Africa Media Festival, BBC Media Leaders conferences, WAN-IFRA Digital Media Africa conference, and Advertising Week Africa.

She's also been featured in prominent publications such as Forbes, The Guardian, Reuters, JamLab Africa, Podcast Sessions, and Apple Podcasts, solidifying her position as a thought leader in the podcasting realm.

And when she's not busy changing the African podcasting landscape, Molly enjoys exploring the world through her travels, adding to her rich tapestry of experiences.

That right there makes her the perfect person to speak to about the African diaspora, diaspora identity and belonging, diaspora vs. assimilation, hyphenated identity, diaspora community support, roots and heritage, multiculturalism, the role of language, and the power of diversity.

Yup! It's one of those opening-up and vulnerability kind of conversations. You have been warned.

You can find:

Molly on Instagram as @mj_akosua and Afripods at @afripods

****************

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you so much! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review. We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say. In any case, we appreciate you! Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For blogs, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK

Get ready to peel back the podcasting curtain in this unique mini episode/Yesticle.

It's the Yes Girls, Claire and Akumu, sitting down with the brilliant minds behind the magic of this show - our behind-the-scenes audio team - Sompisha Productions: Ernest, Rioba, and Sompisha himself.

Some quick intros for you:

Sompisha Productions (@__sompisha__) is an audiovisual company dedicated to crafting compelling narratives through the fusion of visuals and sound, with the overarching goal of showcasing the evolving landscape of our world.

Ernest Oguna (@o.jizzo) is a producer and a recording and mixing engineer who works with various big names in the Kenyan music industry who record at Snowball Industries (@snowballindustries).

Rioba Karori (@riobakarori) is an audio engineer who specialises in making sure everything sounds great. He works behind the scenes to make sure music and podcasts come out in perfect form.

Sompisha Kipelian (@sompishaofficial), the eponymous creative behind the three-man crew, is a portrait photographer who loves capturing moments. Beauty, Fashion, Culture, and Music have always been an inspiration and fuel for his photography. He views his work as a catalyst for people to open up and connect with their deeper emotions in order to explore and expand their consciousness.

______

Timestamps for Specific Segments:

(00:00) Intro

(01:30) The show's guest experts, Sompisha, Ernest and Rioba, are introduced

(08:00) All three talk about their personal career highlights

(10:27) What do they think is the future of sound, music and podcasting in Kenya?

(13:55) What is it like for them to be in the studio for every Yes Girls episode?

(17:30) What is their personal favourite moment/episode of the Yes Girls podcast?

(19:55) How does it feel for them as young men navigating the world and interacting with people from different generations, and is there something they would like to tell the older generation?

(23:59) For the younger generation, do they tend to ask the older generation for advice or look up information online?

(26:57) What have they recently said "yes" to, and what episode personally inspired them?

(33:15) Parting shots

(33:51) What are Claire's and Akumu's thoughts on working with "Da Boiz"?

(38:58) Where to find Sompisha, Ernest and Rioba online

(39:50) Outro

_________

In this Yesticle, we dive deep into the world of audio magic. Discover how Sompisha Productions weaves their sonic spells, crafting the auditory experience that keeps you coming back for more, fortnight after fortnight.

With plenty of laughs, revelations, and perhaps a few embarrassing jokes, this mini-episode promises to be a delightful journey that'll give you a glimpse into the heart of a podcasting 'kitchen'.

We cannot promise that you won't fall head over heels in love with the incredible team at Sompisha Productions. Consider yourself warned!

___________

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you so much! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review. We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say. In any case, we appreciate you!

Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For blogs, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK

>> Fair warning: ChatGPT said YES to writing much of this episode's script, so, it only makes sense to have it take over much of this description too. <<

Take it away, GPT-3.5 (+ a little human editing)!

___________________

"Yesticle Follies: Unleashing ChatGPT's Creative Chaos!"

Hold onto your earbuds, folks, because this special mini episode of the Yes Girls Podcast is about to take you on a rollercoaster ride of AI-generated hilarity!

Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride as Claire and Akumu put three ingenious ChatGPT scripts to the ultimate test.

From sidesplitting formulaic sentences to jaw-dropping dramatic dialogues, this episode promises giggles galore and even a few eyebrow raises!

So join them as they navigate through these uproarious skits with laughter & icks as their trusty co-pilot!

Whether you need a midday pick-me-up or simply love to revel in the absurd, "Yesticle Follies" promises an audio escapade that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

So, curious minds--- If you're itching to explore the world of ChatGPT, dive into AI-generated Podcast Scripts, unravel the mysteries of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing.

Wrap your virtual neurons around the magic of GPT-3.5, grasp the wizardry of Language Generation, unravel the tapestry of Deep Learning and Neural Networks, and ponder over the dance of Human-AI Interaction.

And why not stay in the know about AI Trends, get cosy with Conversational AI, or simply want a front-row seat to the mind-boggling AI revolution – guess what? Your audio adventure awaits right here!

___

Timestamps for Specific Segments:

(00:00) Intro

(01:32) Does ChatGPT have a sense of humour?

(02:44) First prompt - Write an episode of a podcast called the Yes Girls with hosts Claire and Akumu

(06:50) Second prompt - Write a mini-episode of the Yes Girls Podcast with hosts Claire and Akumu as they look back on season 6 episodes, saying yes to doing, being or learning something new and seeking suggestions for new episodes

(11:40) Third prompt - What would the Yes Girls say?

(15:35) Warm appreciation to everyone who contributed to this experiment

(16:05) Outro

****************

>> Now back to biological human writing....<<

Note: ChatGPT is an AI-powered, large language model-based chatbot developed by OpenAI and launched on November 30, 2022.

****************

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you too much! Believe it! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review. We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say.

In any case, we appreciate you!

Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For the blog with the actual scripts that GPT-3.5 wrote, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK

For this first Season 5-esque mini-episode, i.e. Yesticle, the Yes Girls, Claire, and Akumu lay out all their learnings, lifelong lessons, and possible wishes relating to the three Yes challenges each of them completed for Season 5 alongside the guidance of a total of eleven fantastic guest experts.

They share life lessons from just a little over 4 months of intense skill development - doing, being & learning new skills.

____

Timestamps for Specific Segments:

(00:00) Intro to the Yesticle

(00:51) Season Overview & Challenges tackled by Akumu and Claire

(02:31) Key takeaways from each episode (rap, barista, baking, makeup, happiness, influencing)

(04:41) Reflections: Claire's major learnings

(06:16) Dining Alone & Happiness

(07:31) Behind the Rap: Reverse-engineering lyrics and storytelling

(09:21) Makeup Confidence & Social Media Filters

(10:21) Real vs. Projected Online Selves

(12:01) Challenge Envy

(13:41) More Experts, More Work

(16:31) Most Popular Episode

(18:01) Gratitude Segment

(19:11) Outro

______

In essence, the Yes Girls reminisce about:

• Episode 38: Learning how to rap w/ Juliani & Vendetta
• Episode 39: Learning barista skills w/ Martin Makau and Ritesh Doshi
• Episode 40: Doing baking w/ Beldina Kirito J
• Episode 41: Doing makeup w/ Sharon Achieng and Savina Mercy
• Episode 42: Being happy w/ Faith Nyoike and Jason Phillips
• Episode 43: Being an influencer w/ Maeve Sheryl and Esther Kazungu

They cover the high-impact episodes or challenges, what they've learnt, whether they've seen any benefits, why some were challenging for them, and why the immersive apprenticeship and interviews with the experts made such a difference.

And last but not least, they touch on the overall benefits of trying new things and why stepping outside your comfort zone is always a good thing!

****************

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you so much! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review. We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say.

In any case, we appreciate you!

Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For blogs, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK

What does it take to become a successful influencer in today's digital landscape? In this Yespisode, the Yes Girls, Claire and Akumu, dive into the vibrant world of social media influencing, exploring the highs and lows of this captivating career path.

Remember that this is Season 5, which means there is only one guinea pig, one challenge, and two fantastic experts.

____

Timestamps for Specific Segments:

(00:00) Introduction: Saying Yes to Influence

(02:30) Meet the Experts: Maeve Sherryl & Esther Kazungu

(05:10) Kazungu's Influencer Origin Story

(10:20) The Viral Moment & Breakthrough

(13:55) Quitting Her Job & Going All In

(17:45) Claire's Influencer Challenge Begins

(20:30) Authenticity as the Secret Sauce

(23:10) Therapy, Burnout & Creative Blocks

(25:00) Results of the Challenge: Metrics & Milestones

(28:45) The Female Gaze: Who's Watching Who?

(30:15) Should Claire Become a Full-Time Influencer?

(32:00) Closing Banter & Outro

_____

For this one, Claire embarks on a week-long adventure, and who better to guide her through this thrilling journey than the charismatic and seasoned influencer, Maeve Sherryl? 

Check out the video diary of her discussion with Claire on our YouTube Channel.

Maeve is one of Kenya's best-loved and admired influencers who went viral on social media because of her ability to capture the hearts, eyes and likes of Kenyans on social. Apart from being a social media influencer, she is also a lawyer, an advocate in training, a singer/songwriter, and the founder and host of Cycles Podcast.

In their engaging masterclass, Claire and Maeve delve into the secrets and strategies of the influencer industry. From curating the perfect Instagram feed focus to mastering the art of storytelling through reels, Claire gets a crash course in all things influencer. And Maeve generously shares her wealth of knowledge, revealing the tricks of the trade that have brought her tremendous success.

In the studio for this episode is yet another big name in the world of content creation. Esther Kazungu is a renowned Kenyan content creator who describes herself on one of her bios as 'Your not so average Kenyan girl, short with a tall personality going about her life outside the ordinary lenses of life and being silly while at it.'

She rose to fame with her skits that gently mock African politicians and her comedic prowess. She continues to entertain the world with her sketches as well as her light touch and down-to-earth attitude.

So listen in if you're curious about what being an influencer means, what makes them tick, the specific challenges that social media influencers face, how to become an influencer on Instagram, the ins and outs of building a personal brand and connecting with an audience authentically, how to grow and make money as an influencer, the responsibility that comes with being a social media influencer, and the intricacies of influencer marketing if you're an outsider looking in. Tune in!

__________________________________

Important resources: 

Maeve Sherryl on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/maevesherryl 

Maeve's Cycles Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/@MaeveSherryl

Esther Kazungu on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/estherkazungu 

Check out Claire's Influencing efforts on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/halfbakedclaire 

****************

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you so much! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review. We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say. In any case, we appreciate you!

Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, including the one with Maeve, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For blogs, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK

Are you happy? What's your "Bliss Blueprint"? And are you happy with yourself? By yourself? Or in life? And how does one even know if or when they are happy? Plus, what is true happiness anyway?

Remember that this is Season 5, which means there is one guinea pig, one challenge, and two experts.

For this unique YES challenge, Akumu was the one to step up to the plate, alongside two amazing guest experts.

This episode is an invitation to reflect on your relationship with happiness. Are you faking it, or are you truly finding joy in the little moments? Tune in for a conversation that challenges you to say yes to your own happiness journey, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

_____

Timestamps for Specific Segments:

(00:00) Intro

(02:30) Meet the Experts: Faith Nyoike & Jason Phillips

(05:00) Happiness Is a Journey, Not a Destination

(08:40) The 5 Happiness Tasks Akumu Had to Choose From

(11:30) Why Going Out Alone Was Brutal

(15:00) Forgiveness, But Make It Ugly

(18:00) Therapist Reaction: Jason Weighs In

(21:30) What Actually Changed for Akumu?

(24:00) Tools for Your Happiness Journey

(27:00) Rating Time: How Did She Do?

(29:30) Final Thoughts: From Uncomfortable to Empowered

(44:03) What Jason Has Recently Said Yes to

(44:31) Outro

_____

Guiding Akumu in her pursuit of happiness is Faith Nyoike. Faith Nyoike has handled freelance individual therapy, as well as family and marital counselling. She has also conducted corporate therapy consultations and various strategic partnerships in Mombasa County, where she is based. She is currently the Founder and Lead Therapist at Shin Wellness.

Faith gave Akumu the following tasks to attempt for this challenge for 1-2 weeks:

1. Take yourself out, alone.
2. Start an exercise regimen.
3. Plan or purpose to let go of a grudge or someone who pissed you off.
4. Have a week where you will purpose to get 8 hours of sleep every day.
5. Plan to give to a cause or give your resources.

In the studio to discuss this huge topic and challenge, with both Yes Girls as the second guest expert, is Jason Phillips.

Jason Phillips is a licensed therapist, confidence coach, and college professor, based in the US, who advocates relentlessly for prosperity and wellness to strengthen individuals, couples, families, and communities across the globe. He has been featured in Oprah Daily, WebMD, Forbes, NBC, Cosmopolitan and many more. With over 10 years of experience in the mental health and coaching profession, he is considered an expert in evidence-based treatment and strategic goal setting. Jason is the owner of Peace & Prosperity Coaching and host of the Peace & Prosperity Podcast. He is highly recommended and sought out for his passion for mental health and personal development.

So get ready to shatter conventional beliefs and embrace cutting-edge strategies that will revolutionise your pursuit of happiness. Tune in!

Important resources and links:

Faith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-nyoike-520926204/

Faith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyoike.faith

Jason on the web: https://jasonlphillips.com/

Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jphillipsmsw

Jason's Peace & Prosperity Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-prosperity-podcast/id1566200301

https://open.spotify.com/show/0Eh8cI2EEfd97OmcVyXxAb?si=9a61978bf2c5404d

https://www.youtube.com/@peaceandprosperitypodcast

****************

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you so much! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review. We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say. In any case, we appreciate you!

Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For blogs, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK

Do you wear makeup every day or ever? That's the question that brought this challenge to life. And for this Yespisode, it's Claire saying yes to learning the ropes, mostly because she rocks a natural look beautifully and gets professional makeup done only a few times a year if necessary.

PS: You can watch this VIDEO DIARY of her masterclass on our YouTube channel before or after you listen to this audio episode.

Remember, this is Season 5, which means there is one guinea pig, one challenge, and two experts. Claire took an afternoon off to meet with the first expert to learn the basics of the professional trade: Sharon Achieng. Sharon is a certified makeup artist based at a beauty studio in central Nairobi but also works with clients wherever they are.

In the studio for this episode is Savina Mercy. Savina is a makeup artist and fitness and nutrition influencer. But most importantly, she has actually done the girls' makeup for Season 4's video-first Yesticles that you can find on our YouTube Channel.

____

Timestamps for Specific Segments:

(0:00) Intro

(2:15) Meet Our Experts: Sharon Achieng & Savina Mercy

(4:00) What Does a Makeup Artist Do? Savina Explains

(5:53) Savina's Journey: From Campus Hobby to Pro MUA

(7:45) Claire's Makeup Lesson Adventure with Sharon

(9:42) Blush vs Contour – Claire Learns the Basics

(10:15) Makeup Trends Are Changing – Subtle is In

(14:00) Skin Care as the Foundation for Good Makeup

(22:52) Savina's Advice for Aspiring Makeup Artists

(27:45) Ratings from the Experts and Their Top Tips – How Did Claire Do?

(29:46) Sharon's Advice for Aspiring Makeup Artists

(30:46) The Real Beauty is You – Skincare, Confidence & Choice

(34:35) What Savina Has Recently Said Yes to

(36:09) Outro

______

There is a lot to learn from this episode, whether you do makeup or not. Listen in if you're curious about Makeup tutorials, basic makeup steps, how to apply makeup, how to do makeup step by step for beginners, essential makeup tips, contouring techniques and tips, makeup brushes and their proper usage, exclusive makeup artist recommendations, and tips for anyone who would like to get started as a makeup artist.

__________________________________

Important resources: 

Beginner makeup tips according to experts:

https://www.instyle.com/beauty/makeup/makeup-kit-beginners-products 

Sharon Achieng on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/makeup_by_sharon_kenya/

Savina Mercy on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/_she_is_artt/

Savina Mercy's Makeup Page on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/arttbeauty_/ 

****************

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you so much! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review. We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say.

In any case, we appreciate you!

Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For blogs, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK

Only one of the cohosts is called "Baker", but it's the other one that gets to be exactly that for this episode. Yup! Akumu said YES to doing baking with one of the best in the industry.

Be sure to watch the video diary on YouTube.

Unlike the other Season 5 challenges, this one only required one expert, as she is a force to be reckoned with.

Whether she's baking up a storm in her kitchen for Beldina's Delicacies, filming a recipe video for her YouTube channel, as a top baking YouTuber in Kenya, teaching young bakers how to do the same or showing influencers & brands how to create a storm on social media, she always does so with a smile and cupcake! It's Beldina Kirito!

____

Timestamps for Specific Segments:

(0:00) Intro

(2:13) Meet Our Baking Expert: Beldina J. Kirito

(4:13) Challenge Structure & KPIs for the Cake-Off

(5:00) Measuring Tips, Baking Science, etc.

(7:33) Beldina on Saying Yes to the Podcast

(8:17) Akumu's Experience & History of Baking Fails

(10:49) What Baking Taught Akumu About Creativity

(12:00) Beldina's Advice for Beginners: Follow, Then Freestyle

(12:55) From English Teacher to Baking Boss: Beldina's Story

(14:31) Start Small, Fail Smaller: Business Lessons

(15:58) Social Media as Beldina's Secret Ingredient

(17:08) Has Akumu Become a Cake Girl Now?

(19:24) The Easiest Business You Can Start: Baking

(22:32) Beldina Rates Akumu's Baking Attempt

(23:18) The Ultimate Challenge: Croissant Time

(28:28) What Beldina Has Recently said yes to

(28:55) Outro

____

So listen in if you're curious about easy baking or cake recipes, how to bake a marble vanilla cake, essential baking tips, tricks and hacks, baking gadgets and tools, baking science and chemistry, baking for beginners, baking classes in Kenya, baking schools in Nairobi, and, in general, how to start a baking business in Kenya.

But please note: this episode is not just about baking; it's about embracing challenges, learning from failures, and celebrating the sweet moments in life. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a curious novice, this episode is sure to inspire you to say yes to your own culinary adventures.

Join us for a fun, insightful, and slightly chaotic journey into the world of baking, and don't forget to check out Belina's social media for more delicious inspiration!

__________________________________

Important resources: 

Beldina's viral vanilla cake recipe video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZrezZ_fDgA&t=100s  

Beldina on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/c/BeldinasDelicacies 

Beldina on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/beldina.kiritoj/

Beldina on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/beldinakiritoj/ 

Beldina on Tiktok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@beldinakiritoj 

Beldina on LinkedIn:

https://ke.linkedin.com/in/beldina-kirito-j-41321010a 

****************

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you so much! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review. We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say.

In any case, we appreciate you!

Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For blogs, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK

Coffee is life, right? Especially for Claire Baker, who, by the way, almost worships coffee and who is, for this episode, saying YES to learning barista skills and finding out a whole lot more about the details of this world-famous beverage.

Be sure to watch the VIDEO DIARY as well!

Similar to Season 2, only one of the girls is saying YES to each challenge, and uniquely, this Season features not just one but TWO experts. 

For this particular challenge, Claire had to learn as much as she could about the coffee-making process, but she got a couple of surprises along the way because there's a lot more that goes into making a single cup of coffee, way before it gets to the barista's to-do list.

The first expert that Claire got a masterclass from is Martin the Barista, aka Martin M. Makau, from Masai Coffee. Masai Coffee is a brand of Goldrock International. They are a Kenyan-based coffee company that has also forayed into the world of tea and leather artisanal goods, but coffee is its lifeblood. Martin is both a trained barista and a barista trainer.

The second expert for this episode is Ritesh Doshi. Ritesh is the owner and CEO of Spring Valley Coffee, which is fast becoming a household name in Kenya for its expertly sourced, roasted, and packaged coffee beans and ground coffee, as well as for its boutique coffee shops dotted around Nairobi. 

___

Timestamps for Specific Segments:

(0:00) Intro

(2:49) Meet the Guest Experts: Martin Makau & Ritesh Doshi

(4:31) Ritesh Doshi's Journey: The Spring Valley Coffee Origin Story

(7:15) The Art of Kenyan Coffee Roasting

(8:11) Three Touch Points and Sustainable Sourcing From Farmers

(11:53) Being a Barista: Skill or Craft?

(16:21) Claire's Experience With This Yes Challenge

(20:17) Important Considerations for Coffee Lovers & Newbie Baristas

(24:14) The Coffee Taster's Flavour Wheel

(27:16) The Price of Coffee, the Current Value Chain & Traceability

(32:59) Robusta versus Arabica Coffee

(36:29) Main Coffee Varieties Grown in Kenya

(37:33) Coffee as a job, passion or career?!

(42:38) Ritesh Rates Claire's Efforts With This Yes Challenge

(44:55) Martin's Thoughts on Claire's Efforts

(49:45) What Ritesh has recently said yes to

(50:34) Outro

_____

So listen in if you're curious about what makes the best coffee shops "the best", details about coffee beans and their various types, the basics of coffee roasting, fair trade coffee, Kenyan arabica vs other countries' robusta coffee, the various coffee flavours, and the rich history of Kenyan coffee.

Whether you're a casual coffee drinker or a budding barista, this episode will inspire you to appreciate your next cup in a whole new light.

__________________________________

Important resources: 

What/who is a barista?

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-barista 

Coffee production process - from harvest to cup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNh8aNyKWDg 

Martin M. Makau:

https://www.instagram.com/martinthebarista 

Masai Coffee:

https://www.goldrockinternational.com 

Ritesh Doshi:

https://ke.linkedin.com/in/ritesh-doshi-578020156 

Spring Valley Coffee:

https://www.springvalleycoffee.com/

Coffee Taster's Flavour Wheel:

https://sca.coffee/research/coffee-tasters-flavor-wheel 

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA):

https://sca.coffee/ 

Coffee bean varieties:

https://www.homegrounds.co/coffee-bean-varieties/

****************

If you enjoy the podcast, we love you so much! And we'd like to ask you to rate us on Spotify - it will only take a couple of seconds, we promise! 

If you listen to us via Apple Podcasts, please take some time to leave a short review. We promise it will take less than a minute unless, of course, you have more to say. In any case, we appreciate you!

Thanks in advance!

_____________________

For video logs, visit https://www.youtube.com/@yesgirlspodcast 

For blogs, visit https://yesgirlspodcast.com/ 

Feel free to follow us across these platforms:

INSTAGRAM 

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

TIKTOK