BGlocal Podcast

It is easy to change a man's religion than change their diet. Ashleigh  and Regina continue to educate us about food in Africa. The focus on why  we need to embrace our local food and support the nutritionists (not  business people) in order to have healthier Africans. Find out why your  "nutrition coach" may not be ideal for your lifestyle illness. Look out  for the app on food and nutrition coming out soon.

In commemoration of Africa Day 2022, whose theme was centered on food  security, Ashleigh from Zimbabwe and Regina from Uganda educate us about the different food and nutrition terminologies. Did you know we not only face food insecurity but also nutrient insecurity in Africa. These two professionals discuss the dangers of our African diets and what we can do to improve them. We dive deep into how some of our African  beliefs have exacerbated lifestyle diseases and conditions.

The dangers of colorism are far reaching and there is research to prove  this. One of the guests shares an experience of how she became a  minority after moving to another country.  We also tackle ways on how to reduce colorism in our societies so that  our skin tones are not fetishized or used to deepen the race gap.

You can listen to this episode on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/Ql0xSv9RqGU

Does the word for "dark skin" also mean dirty in your mother tongue? One of the guests' childhood nickname was synonymous to "being dirty." So in this episode, we dig into what colorism is and where it began. We  talk about the different standards of beauty in our societies, and the  pros and cons of this vice whose roots are digging deeper into our  African societies.

Find this episode on youtube:
https://youtu.be/dz2pju-JQak

Relocating to another country as an adult takes a toll on you mentally,  physically and many at times financially. Diana explains to us what  relocation shock is and how she is adjusting to work and life in another  African country. She also digs into the pros and cons of making such bold moves, and also  gives tips on how to get family and friends to support these moves.  

You can watch to this episode on youtube:

https://youtu.be/KipAPZ1h390

We continue the conversation on Africans living and working in other  African countries. Diana moved for love but before she did, she knew she  had to get her foot in the working environment of her host country. In this episode, she takes us back to how her parents' influenced her  career in communications.  She explains the fears and concerns she had about moving to another  African country and how the women in her life influenced that decision.  Diana also gives tips on how to move not only one's property across  borders but how to secure work permits.

You can watch this episode on youtube:
https://youtu.be/BCH1gQVpXSw

Connie continues sharing the pros and cons of working away from home, and how has affected her growth as an individual. She also shares tips to help one ease into living and working in another African country.

You can find this episode on youtube:
https://youtu.be/bcu_dVuECv4

In this episode, Connie elaborates on how she eventually settled in  Zimbabwe. She shares the lessons learnt from this experience and how it  has helped her reflect upon her "Ugandan-ness". She also shares her thoughts on how Africans can harness their strengths  rather than dwell on weaknesses to move the continent forward.

You can find this episode on youtube:
https://youtu.be/LSefVi3PBHM

We continue the conversation on Africans living and working in other  African countries. In this episode, Connie takes us through her  childhood during the 1980s civil war in Uganda and how it might have  contributed to her career choices. She also describes the circumstances that lead to her eventual move to  Zimbabwe, 15 years ago.

You can find the episode on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/qPHnCuwIapU

Mentoring and coaching tools are beneficial for personal and  organizational development. However, how do you know if you need  mentoring, coaching or counseling. In addition, how do you know that you  are cut out to be a mentor or coach. In this episode ,we discuss both  questions. We also discuss how social norms affect mentoring and coaching needs of  the different genders.

Mentoring and coaching have been in Africa since time in memorial but  there are new aspects of these tools targeting mindset changes. However, many people or communities are very open to "these foreign  concepts". In this episode, we discuss how Africans (both at home and in  the diaspora) can get communities to embrace these important  development tools.

In recent years, especially with onset the pandemic, mentoring and  coaching have been sought out by many to try and figure out how to  navigate the fast-paced world we are living in. 

In this episode, i spoke to two African founders (a mentor and a coach) on what motivated them to start these journeys. We also discuss how  these tools can be leveraged to change mindsets and foster development in Africa.

Find this episode on youtube:
https://youtu.be/1dyxkjawMXI

The issue of African languages cannot be exhausted in one go. In this  episode, we share the struggles we face because of our different accents  both in African language and other foreign languages. Being multi-lingual has more pros, so we shall tips on learning a new  language. We also share our main take away from the discussion. Listen  to us wrap up this episode in our mother tongues.

In this episode, we talk about the shameful experiences that led us to  understand the wealth embedded in our mother tongues. We also discuss the benefits of learning different languages as well the  challenges of not being able to speak many languages. Have you been called "city born" in a derogatory way, we share our  experiences. We also discover that Joy and Wilson's mother tongues are  similar. We also tackle the troubles of teaching the new generation our mother  tongues.

Africa has over 1000 native languages (some are on the verge of extinction) and because of colonialism European languages are also spoken. Our multilingual guest speakers Bagou (Guinea, Conakry), Nzinga (Angola) and Wilson (Mozambique) helped us tackle this topic.

In this episode, we tackle the importance of learning one's local language and why these shouldn't be repressed in modern day Africa. We also discuss two opposing concepts that illustrate the role of language;

"Kill the tribe to build the nation" by Samora Machel (signifying unity)

or "We shall return" by Agostinho Neto (signifying identity).

You can find this episode on youtube, please subscribe, share, like and comment.
https://youtu.be/LgKgfForPks

Change is part of our lives and Joy is no stranger to big transitions.  In this episode, she tells us what prompted her to completely change  career paths. Not only was she making total career change but she was  heavily pregnant with her second child. She walks us through what kept  her rooted on this journey. She also shares tips on to walk a similar  journey.

Find us on youtube:
https://youtu.be/kDPjb6NRt3Q

Joy walked us through her humble beginnings in a small village in  Luwero, Uganda, how she moved to Kampala and later to the USA. In this episode, she talks about her upbringing and eventual move to the  USA all one and pregnancy. She shares with us her fears and how she  overcame them to make such a bold move.   Remember to subscribe, share, comment and like.

This episode is on youtube too

https://youtu.be/5MUNRjhLh-c

In part 2 of the conversation about Africans living and working in other  African countries; Primera and Priscilla dig into the biggest  challenges they have had to face and how they have overcome them. We explore the glamorous and the "unglamorous" side of living and  working outside home.  To all Africans looking to take the leap of moving to another African  country, the ladies have tips for you. Please subscribe, share, comment  and like. Apologies for the occasional echo from my side.

We had a fun filled conversation of how two ladies, a Kenyan and Ugandan, found themselves living and working in other African countries.

Primera an ICT product designer & developer and Priscilla an international human rights lawyer share  their stories of how their journeys began and why they chose this life. One of them moved at age 15 while the other started the physical journey as a young adult. They also answer the question of if they truly feel home in other African countries.

Apologies for the late upload

In part 2 of the discussion, we don't teach that at the university, Dr.  Ruhweza and i talk about the fine line between being/remaining  authentically African and embracing globalization.  

We also discuss the lessons learnt from studying abroad, how it changed  his definition of what classroom is, who a lecturer  is and what wealth  means to him. Therein, we also hint on why international students must  explore the environments outside the university confines.  We dug deep into what grit is, how our surroundings influence it and how  it affects our life. 

Dr. Ruhweza gives more examples of how grit has impacted his life and the lives of those around him. He also unpacks that too in this episode. 

Remember to subscribe, like and share with your circles.  

Find the book (We don't teach that at the university) here;  https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Daniel-Ruhweza-ebook/dp/B094ZJN4FT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=we+dont+teach+that+at+the+university&qid=1628395590&sr=8-1

We spoke to Dr. Daniel Ruhweza, a don at the faculty of Law, Makerere University. He authored a book, "We don't teach that at the University".

In this episode, we discuss what education means to him and the inspirations behind the book. He expounds on what mentorship is, its role in his life and why he advocates for it in the book.

We also discuss, why the fine line between "Scientists and Artists" should be blurred. He expounds on the importance of think tanks, the diversity of stakeholders (culture and tradition institutions inclusive) and how we can start to change the education system in Uganda (Africa).

Find the book here;

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Daniel-Ruhweza-ebook/dp/B094ZJN4FT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=we+dont+teach+that+at+the+university&qid=1628395590&sr=8-1

We continue our conversation with Ken and Grace about life after Marriage and finally reunited in Japan.

Grace and Ken from Uganda open up about how they met and how they kept the fire burning long distance until they got married.  Ken admits that he switched chess teams to chase her.

We talk about the unfair treatment we faced while traveling; visa  denials, "random checks at airports", police officers running after us  and being held for hours for no reason. From our tales, we give you tips to ease travel (praying that the  pandemic blows over soonest).

Find the episode:

On Youtube:
https://youtu.be/alVTr09bC8s

On Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/bglocalpodcast/traveling-while-black-african-tales-and-tips/s-RwM118m8wye

We are travel enthusiasts, in this episode, we reminisce about the pre-covid travel, why we travel, our favorite places and the places we will visit first once the pandemic recedes.

Find other episodes on
Soundcloud
https://soundcloud.com/bglocalpodcast

Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzKlLm6RH6TLU2D9qXaNcog

Currently there is a rush for diversity and inclusion , we discuss our challenges and the inequalities we have faced as women  in STEM. One of us opens up about sexual harassment at the work place. We also suggest solutions to increase women in STEM.

Find us on you tube:

https://youtu.be/AQ91I9EiJF8

On sound cloud:

https://soundcloud.com/bglocalpodcast/women-in-stem-challenges-inequalities-solutions/s-qp8r6gQgLaT

Ever wondered what naming ceremonies are like, look no further. As  women, we discussed marital name change, find out who will not change  her name. We discussed why Africans are copying names from abroad while  throwing away their tradition names. We tried to guess what famous  Japanese brand names mean. Look out for the funniest names we have heard.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/b-SZhWTEIBw
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bglocalpodcast/marital-names-naming-ceremonies-adopting-non-african-names/s-I3KyW8oSdYy

In our very first video, we invited Marwa and Chiho to talk about the meaning of names, starting with our owns. We discussed if there is a connection between names and characters. Look out for the origin of some African and Japanese names. 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/NCEL8t5M8Lw
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bglocalpodcast/whats-in-a-name/s-1KlDYrYPMFw

More story time with Koby, in this episode he elaborates how he utilized his time in Japan to understand how the East has prospered much more than Africa despite a lack of mineral resources.

He goes on to expound on what Africans can learn from the East in order to develop the mother land. Koby also points out reasons why the African diaspora needs to embark on a journey of returning home.

Remember to subscribe, like, comment and share.

Part 1 of this discussion can be found using the following links.

On anchor

On sound cloud

On youtube: 

https://youtu.be/tcVxq5_8Yfk

Koby from Ghana describes his journey from Accra to Canada and back to Accra. 

He explains why he left Canada with nothing and decided to start all over in Accra.

He later moved to Japan for further studies and exploration.

In this powerful story, he points out the main differences between diaspora life in the East and that in the West.

Remember to subscribe, like, share and comment

Part 2 to this story can be found using the following links;

On anchor

On soundcloud

On youtube

https://youtu.be/3WhBQ1KEwbA

In our first episode this year, Nelly and Sati explain to us their thoughts on going back home (Africa) after school in Japan. They take us through their bitter sweet journey in Japan. And most importantly, they share words of wisdom and tips on what to do when you preparing to go back to the beautiful motherland. Remember to like, share, subscribe and comment.

Life as a graduate student in Japan revolves around a "Laboratory". Did you know that walls in Japan have ears, so navigating the lab life in Japan is one of the tools you need to live comfortably. In this episode, we bring  you hacks on thriving in the lab from our personal experiences and those of other people.

Have you ever wondered how to find a professor or academic supervisor in Japan. A professor can make or break your academic life (your social life too). In this episode, we give you tips on how to find a professor that suits you.

In this episode, we continue our talk on becoming a student and most specifically focus on the MEXT scholarship. We are recipients of the MEXT scholarship thus we pour out immense knowledge, tips and tricks to bag yourself a MEXT scholarship. We shared our experiences and things required for the whole process.

In this episode, we continue with our series of coming to Japan giving out ways and avenues one can take to be a student or researcher enrolled in a Japanese university. We discussed some of the most important and popular scholarships such as the ABE-JICA. As well as how it will be like being a self-sponsored student and how to find funds.

Our plan was to share 10 life lessons. But being a gift that keeps on giving, Fatou shares extra lessons that she has learnt in life. Lesson 11 is funny and lesson 13 is very special to our hearts.

It's Fatou's birthday month, so we decided to celebrate by reflecting on our lives and the lessons we have learnt up to this point. Many of these lessons encompass failures that we have encountered as we tried to find our footing.

Lesson 8 is very crucial and personal.

In this episode, we delve right into the disadvantages/cons of choosing Japan to study. We discuss some of the uncomfortable experiences that you might have and hurdles that you would probably have to overcome.

In this informative episode, we talk about some of the advantages/ pros of choosing to study in Japan. We expand on the uniqueness of the country, and why you might prefer Japan to other countries for higher education. We also discussed about the benefits and opportunities you will get from Japan.

For a parent with a child between the ages of 0 and 18 years, this episode gives you details of the similarities and differences of the education system in Africa (Uganda and The Gambia) and Japan. Look out for mind blowing initiatives in the Ugandan system, the national exam in the Gambian and the system for mentally challenged in Japan.

We continue our discussion with the 2 remaining Japanese habits Africans can adopt. We also outlined detailed measures and steps Africans can take to easily incorporated these habits for growth and progressive development of our countries.

In this episode, We outline 4 out of 6 habits from the Japanese culture that African countries will greatly benefit from when adopted in our value systems.

Our Japanese guests talk about some of their escapades in Africa, their thoughts on coming back to Japan and also elaborate on the advantages of living in Africa Vs living in Japan.

In this episode, two Japanese guests talk to us about their experience of living in Africa, what their expectation were and how they coped with difference in language and culture.  Find out what they think of the weather, food and lifestyle of Africans. They answer the question of whether time in Africa is slower than in Japan.

In this episode, we expose some of the disorderly conduct and bad acts that Africans and other foreigners are practicing in Japan. We share our experiences and real-life stories of scams performed on people and us. We also gave advice and tips on how to avoid being scammed in Japan by your fellow foreigners.

The guests go deeper into the cultural shock experienced at their workplaces. The question of discrimination of black people at the work place is answered. The guests tell us their biggest life lessons learnt from working in Japan, how this experience has changed their lives and perspectives.

In this episode, we invited our sisters to talk about their working experience in Japan. We talked about how and where to find part time jobs, how to prepare for them and the pros and cons of the part time jobs.

We discuss the consequences of being late for work and not being able to "read the air" in a Japanese workplace. Our brothers tell us how the work place in Japan has changed their lives; and tips on how to work comfortably in Japan.

In this episode, our brothers give us tips on how to get a job in Japan. From an African perspective, they describe the ups and downs of working in a Japanese company.