Skip to main content
...into words with Sola

...into words with Sola

By Oluwasola Kehinde Olowo-Ake


...into words with Sola is a space for storytelling.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Episode 2- "only cultists like beans"

...into words with SolaAug 28, 2021

00:00
09:06
Between Somewhere and Nowhere is the Sky- a gift
Dec 02, 202303:49
Lights Out (as told by Mfon)
Oct 20, 202303:07
Loving from a distance (as told by Theresa)
Oct 06, 202304:28
Quando Quando Quando (as told by Hector)
Sep 22, 202303:19
Her: for times when you doubt (as told by Sola)
Sep 08, 202302:34
Olúwatóyìn (as told by Toyin)
Aug 25, 202302:01
'on the delimits of grids' (as told by Hélène)
Aug 11, 202303:24
A Collection of Covers (as told by Seun)
Jul 28, 202312:51
작은 새: little bird (as told by Jihyun)

작은 새: little bird (as told by Jihyun)

Jihyun Park is a designer, maker, visualizer and a fun-lover

(a.k.a friend & colleague)

This poem is from Jihyun's poetry book, '해와별의 노래' (Songs of the Sky and the Star)


Instagram: @jihyun_joha


... (read the poem in Hangul with English Translations below)

작은 새- 지현 박
Little bird- Jihyun Park


내 마음의 작은 새야
My little bird in my heart


높이 날지 않아도 괜찮아
You don't have to fly high
낮은 곳에도 별을 담을 곳이 있어
Stars also exist in low places
내 마음의 작은 새야
My little bird in my heart 


네가 날고 있는 낮은 곳에도
You can fly in low places 
사랑과 자유의 별들을 만들게
I will make love and freedom among the stars [here]


새야, 새야
Bird, bird
높이 날려고 강해지지 않아도 괜찮아
You don’t have to become strong to fly high
높은 곳은 너무 추워
The high places are very cold
네가 날고 있는 낮은 곳에도
In low places you are flying
따뚯한 구름의 하늘을 만들게
I will make a sky with warm clouds for you


새야, 새야
Bird, bird
내 마음의 작고 이쁜 새야
My pretty little bird of my heart 


너는 그저
You are just
사랑처럼, 자유처럼, 따뚯한 햇살처럼
like love, like freedom, like warm sunshine
날갯짓하는
when you're flapping
내 마음의 작고 이쁜 새야
My pretty little bird of my heart

Jul 14, 202301:09
The fight for a voice (as told by Kiitan)
Jun 30, 202302:42
CHOICE (as told by Chelsea)
Jun 16, 202305:30
'on Mortality' (as told by Tareowei)
Jun 02, 202304:14
The Present (as told by Tomi)

The Present (as told by Tomi)

Tomi Amsata-Awani is a consultant and an aspiring entrepreneur

(a.k.a sister-cousin)


May 19, 202309:17
Generating Ideas (as told by Sina)
May 05, 202303:28
"sometimes" (as told by Blanes)

"sometimes" (as told by Blanes)

Blanes is a creative professing Artistry Openly, a Student, Designer & Poet.
(a.k.a friend)
Instagram: ⁠@bl_nes

Apr 21, 202302:36
ROLL BACC THE YEARS (as told by Iberedem)
Apr 07, 202302:24
Under the Indian Almond Tree (as told by Adebayo)
Mar 24, 202304:08
The 4th room (as told by Sayo Olowo-Ake)
Mar 10, 202301:25
Pilot: We are storytellers
Feb 28, 202303:22
stories behind 'Counter-Texts' by Kim Dhillon
Dec 02, 202208:34
a'laube

a'laube

sometimes, I just rather sing my poems.


Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake

Nov 18, 202202:17
my conversation with the phoenix

my conversation with the phoenix

Did the Phoenix rise or fall?

Bringing this back.

Into words with Sola first started as a radio show on my University's station. 'My Conversation with the Phoenix' was one of the first poems I wrote in preparation for the show. Four years on, and the poem has a different voice now. It really explores the theme of the sacrifices made to step into the new. 

The prime subject is the Phoenix. In Greek Mythology, it is a bird that is reborn from the ashes of its predecessor. In My Conversation with the Phoenix, I ask "how did the middle point between your life and death- the separation- feel?" "Did it hurt?"...

Nov 04, 202202:42
random things...

random things...

This episode was interesting to make. I thought it'd be cool to record random thoughts and layer them on top of each other to create an audio piece. Can you make out any of the stories?

Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake

Oct 21, 202203:07
losing self

losing self

I wrote this poem in 2020 as I was experiencing exhaustion, a lot of pain, broken relationships and more; in the midst of having conversations about racism and blacklivesmatter protests. At the time I wrote it,  it ended in sadness and destitution. I couldn't see hope and so I couldn't right hope into it and so I couldn't name her (my character in the poem). As time passed, the destitution eventually broke and I started seeing light seep through and rest with me. 

One thing was for sure, God was with me. And because of this, I began to see hope ever so slowly and eventually found a name. I named her Yemi

Yemi in Yoruba means 'I am honourable'. Not because I'm special or anything, but I experienced God honour me/ grace me with his peace and love even in the midst of destitution.

song reference: Habakkuk 3:17-18

Follow me on instagram @kehindeolowoake

Oct 07, 202204:60
Tomorrow

Tomorrow

Tomorrow never comes like today never leaves. 

Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake

Sep 16, 202202:42
Part 2: becoming (what if)

Part 2: becoming (what if)

This episode is Part 2 of the chase (dreams) song.


Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake

Sep 02, 202202:28
Part 1: chase (dreams)

Part 1: chase (dreams)

I wrote this song in 2018 after writing a poem on a similar subject. I wrote this at a time when I was deeply uncertain about my future and I was questioning myself a lot. I was navigating how to be an adult, balance university work and relationships, and struggling to hold on to my dreams. Now we're four years away from that time and I won't say that I am 100% certain about my future however, I'd say that I've gotten more comfortable with working and living in the space of the unknown and I'm constantly learning how to be at peace. I am also relearning what it means to dream big while being open-minded and holding on to my big dreams loosely.

Can you relate?

I hope this song is soothing to listen to. I'm glad I am able to share it on here with you.

...

Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake

Aug 19, 202202:08
Skin Keeper

Skin Keeper

"I wish I told her that the charcoal melanin oceans that flooded her body and filled it to the brim
were a reflection of the dignity bestowed on it."

Bleaching was very popular when I was growing up. I won't say that I saw people bleach their skin on a regular basis but it was definitely something I came in contact with from time to time. A particular experience I witnessed in secondary school inspired me to write this poem. 

'Skin Keeper' holds words that I would have loved to say back then but did not have the courage to. 

....

Follow me on instagram @kehindeolowoake

Aug 05, 202202:34
Lúfadéjù (read by Omolade Oni)

Lúfadéjù (read by Omolade Oni)

Lúfadéjù- the slave, because of a crown, is greater

I wrote this poem for my undergraduate final year project. The poem takes the listener through a coronation ceremony of a former enslaved who has become King. This piece was written as an Oriki (Yoruba praise poem) for this character and it was translated to and read in Yoruba by my good friend Omolade Oni.

Incase you're wondering what the poem is saying, here is the English version:

The brave One

Defiant Soldier

Voice of a thousand

Voice for a thousand slaves and many more.

His words prove justice wrong

His words pierce the hearts of the “good” and make the wicked fall face flat to the ground

The ground he treads on shakes with rigour

His speech makes all tremble and his body is like brass

His silence sounds loud like the gong of the town crier

And his rage is the reason for his crown

His crown is a crown of gold

The beads on the front show his royalty

They are like a crystal river

That flows through a desert,

They speak of his excellence

The body of all bodies

Voice of all voices

Initiator of freedom

Ruler for a reason

With his crown, he will lead

Although oppressed, with his crown, he will be

KING

Bearer of the Crown

Bearer of the message

The honour and glory of the people

The slave is King and so a slave no more is he

The slave slave that bears the Crown is greater

And forever will be.


Background vocals by: Sayo Olowo-Ake, Omolade Oni and myself.

Produced by: Iberedem Etim Inyang

Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake

Jul 22, 202201:48
"Jola, pause"

"Jola, pause"

Rest is easy to pronounce and hard to do.

I wrote this poem in 2019, around the time I was just starting my Masters Degree. I was so worried and I didn't know what to expect because I had never been down that road before. One day, I was making eggs and looking out my window and I just observed the mountains and clouds- they were just themselves, just 'being'.

What does it look like for you to be still and at peace in the middle of uncertainty? For me, the answer I discovered (and I'm still learning) is in this poem.

Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake

Jul 08, 202201:28
"I am a twin"

"I am a twin"

Here is a very brief recount of my childhood experiences as a twin. Not only did some people mix my twin sister and I up but they also would get confused and sometimes call one of us by our older sister's name. Yes all 3 of us have very similar names and they all start with the 'sh' sound.

Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake


Jun 24, 202202:39
STO:RI (pilot)
Jun 17, 202208:16
Episode 4- "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach."

Episode 4- "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach."

#hostel stories
This is the last episode for #hostel stories

Theresa and Sola will be sharing their Nigerian boarding house experiences in three parts- "only cultists like beans"; "huh-soo culture"; "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach"

Do you have similar experiences? Share them with Theresa and Sola on Instagram.

Instagram:
Theresa- @chatswitht
Sola- @kehindeolowoake

Episode 2- "only cultists like beans"
Episode 3- "huh-su" culture
Episode 4- "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach."

Oct 01, 202109:28
Episode 3- "Huh-su" Culture

Episode 3- "Huh-su" Culture

#hostel stories
for the next few episodes Theresa and Sola will be sharing their Nigerian boarding house experiences in three parts- "only cultists like beans"; "Huh-su" culture; "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach"

Do you have similar experiences? Share them with Theresa and Sola on Instagram.

Instagram:
Theresa- @chatswitht
Sola- @kehindeolowoake

Episode 2- "only cultists like beans"
Episode 3- "Huh-su" culture
Episode 4- I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach"

Sep 11, 202106:42
Episode 2- "only cultists like beans"

Episode 2- "only cultists like beans"

#hostel stories
for the next few episodes Theresa and Sola will be sharing their Nigerian boarding house experiences in three parts- "only cultists like beans"; "huhsu culture"; "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach"

Do you have similar experiences? Share them with Theresa and Sola on Instagram.

Instagram:
Theresa- @chatswitht
Sola- @kehindeolowoake

Aug 28, 202109:06
Episode 1- "Naija, which way?"

Episode 1- "Naija, which way?"

The theme today is "Naija, which way?"

Theresa and Sola explore this question more in-depth as they relay stories that they have heard and experienced and they share their thoughts about some of the underlying issues that exist within these narratives. Through this episode they set the tone for what people can expect from the episodes to come.

Follow us on Instagram:

Theresa: @chatswitht

Sola: @kehindeolowoake

Jul 29, 202112:38
Pilot

Pilot

Naija, which way?

Is a segment of '...into words with Sola' that sets out to explore storytelling and celebrate it.

Sola will be joined by her friend, Theresa and through their podcast episodes, they both would explore what it means to be Nigerian through their own subjectivities  by storytelling experiences they have had (and in some ways still do) as Nigerian women.

Find us on instagram:

Sola- @kehindeolowoake

Theresa- @chatswitht

Jul 21, 202102:28
Ahọn Dudu's Story (3): bọs glas

Ahọn Dudu's Story (3): bọs glas

 Ahọn Dudu warns the King and he responds.

...

This audio is part of my Master of Design thesis project which uses Yorùbá storytelling to speak about my experience with lack of black communal culture here in Vancouver, Canada.

In the story, Ahọn Dudu the main character (who is me) goes round warning everyone in the land he resides in about smoke that is coming up the mountain to destroy it.

For more on this project check out my Instagram @kehindeolowoake

May 05, 202106:35
Ahọn Dudu's Story (2): Fasad Dafasiti

Ahọn Dudu's Story (2): Fasad Dafasiti

The people of Oke respond to Ahọn Dudu’s warning.

...

This audio is part of my Master of Design thesis project which uses Yorùbá storytelling to speak about my experience with lack of black communal culture here in Vancouver, Canada.

In the story, Ahọn Dudu the main character (who is me) goes round warning everyone in the land he resides in about smoke that is coming up the mountain to destroy it.

For more on this project check out my Instagram @kehindeolowoake

May 05, 202104:31
Ahọn Dudu's Story (1): Dnayal

Ahọn Dudu's Story (1): Dnayal

Ahọn Dudu is faced with the challenge of passing on a message that could cost him his life. He is forced to make a decision and navigate his way through disbelief and doubt from his own people- the people of Oke.

...

This audio is part of my Master of Design thesis project which uses Yorùbá storytelling to speak about my experience with lack of black communal culture here in Vancouver, Canada.

In the story, Ahọn Dudu the main character (who is me) goes round warning everyone in the land he resides in about smoke that is coming up the mountain to destroy it.

For more on this project check out my Instagram @kehindeolowoake

May 05, 202109:30
Ahọn Dudu's Intro

Ahọn Dudu's Intro

In preparation for his story, Ahọn Dudu introduces you to the place he resides, Oke. He is about to story tell a series of events that he experienced in Oke.

...

This audio is part of my Master of Design thesis project which uses Yorùbá storytelling to speak about my experience with lack of black communal culture here in Vancouver, Canada.

In the story, Ahọn Dudu the main character (who is me) goes round warning everyone in the land he resides in about smoke that is coming up the mountain to destroy it.

For more about the project check out my Instagram @kehindeolowoake

May 05, 202102:27
Poetry: They fear colour

Poetry: They fear colour

My recent poetic reflections on the shooting that when down in the 3 Atlanta spas last week and injustice in our world at large.

#stopasianhate #racismisthevirus

Mar 21, 202102:57
Episode 7- Care?

Episode 7- Care?

"Care for me, care for me/ I know you care for, me care for me..." was sang by THE MS. Lauryn Hill and we love that song but how many of us actually take time to care for ourselves and each other? In this episode, I discuss notions of care and laughter as form of care.

Feb 13, 202117:10
Episode 6- Things I learned in 2020 /Tili/

Episode 6- Things I learned in 2020 /Tili/

Do you ever make New Year Resolutions? For me, I stopped a long time ago but I usually reflect on my year and write down lessons I learned- no matter how small. In this episode, I share with you some things I learned in 2020 (Tili) and are still learning now. 



Jan 10, 202122:00
Episode 5- To be a child again?

Episode 5- To be a child again?

What does it look like to hold on to childlikeness? Were we fooled into thinking that going into adulthood meant laying all of our childlikeness down? What is at stake when we let go of all of it? Why do we crave what children have?  These and more questions and thoughts are expressed in this podcast...+what Jingle Jangle teaches us about children, wonder and childlikeness.

Dec 18, 202023:45
Poetry: 'When we were young'

Poetry: 'When we were young'

...is a poem I wrote about embracing childlikeness and the need to  do this as an adult. The poem ends with a song my sisters and I grew up singing in primary school- 'Pamuregeji'. It was a fun song we were taught to introduce ourselves to people with but also, we used it at leisure time to play. The poem suggests that I go back there and hold on to the playful side of little Sola- I don't have to let all of her go. 

To be a child again.

Dec 08, 202002:24
Episode 4- "Rest"

Episode 4- "Rest"

Anyone else ever feel guilty when they decide to take some minutes/ a day off? In this episode I talk about my ongoing struggle with rest and how I am navigating it. I also share a poem I wrote for this episode to illustrate its  importance. 

Dec 01, 202012:30
Poetry: 'Black Brown Skin'

Poetry: 'Black Brown Skin'

...is my poetic reflection on the 'rejection of self' as it relates to Christian religion practices and my faith in God- those two being very different things in my opinion. In the poem I try to explore 'what is true', 'what is right',  'what the issues are' and 'how these issues conflict with truth'. 

'Black Brown Skin' speaks to anti-black racism and lies I believed as a black female in these past few turbulent months. The poem is a journey back to truth which is rooted in my relationship with God- whether you be "Black" or "Brown" you are made in the image of God [Imago Dei]. Therefore, you are worthy of respect, dignity and love. This brings a higher sense of responsibility to humans with regards to how they treat fellow humans.

 'Black Brown Skin' can also be metaphoric for any race that has been categorized as the 'other'- as these races have faced different types/forms of oppression but they all fall under an umbrella 'racism'. 

Nov 12, 202004:52
Episode 3- 'Rejection of Self'

Episode 3- 'Rejection of Self'

For all my POCs' and foreigners living in countries other than their home, have you ever code-switched to the extent that you begin to let go of your own ethnic identity? Can you relate to 'rejection of self'? In this episode, I address my own personal experience with it in the context of my home country and the context of the diaspora, and how it affects the individual, the environment and community building.

Nov 02, 202021:49
Episode 2- #ENDSARS

Episode 2- #ENDSARS

An episode dedicated to spreading awareness about the #ENDSARS #ENDSWAT protests that have been going on for a number of days in efforts to speak against and end police brutality in Nigeria. In this episode I talk about what is going on and I have only done this because I hope to bring more awareness and hold our government accountable. I join with my Nigerian brothers and sisters to speak out against this.

If you are on social media, share the hashtags #ENDSARS #ENDSWAT #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY

If you are in a position where you can effect change, write letters to people in government, change policies, care for the wounded etc, I urge you to spread the word and do it.

If you are far away and can't really do anything else, I urge you to share this and share similar posts on social media.

Oct 18, 202012:54