The Cipher
By The Cipher
Award-winning journalist, podcasting leader, and 'third culture' African kid Christabel Nsiah-Buadi has inspired listeners to connect with other cultures through her radio, print, and podcast work. Join her as she explores identity and freedom from a Black diaspora perspective with creatives who lean into their roots to challenge narrow narratives about the global Black experience through intimate, laid-back, and funny interviews.
Visit www.thecipherpod.com for more.
The CipherMar 02, 2022
A Look Back to Daron Jenkins FULL Episode
In this episode, Christabel talks to Daron Jenkins, a NY-based media professional, content creator, podcast host, and producer, about what would happen if creators stopped second-guessing themselves and trusted their gut.
Daron talks about how he created one of his shows, ‘12 Million,’ with his co-host Akbar Majeed and why he named the show after the Richard Wright book, ‘12 Million Black Voices.’ He also reflects on the show’s first episode, 'What it Means to be a Black Man in America,’ which Daron recorded right after George Floyd’s murder. It’s a raw, personal, and pained reflection of how he felt at that moment, his background, and how racism has impacted him. Elsewhere in the show, discover which entertainment and civil rights legends he grew up with, people who have influenced his life and work ethic.
Daron is a creative entrepreneur and produces multiple podcasts covering various topics, from entertainment, entrepreneurship, music, and sports. The show ‘12 Million’ is now in its third season and has gathered many people, from Olympians to policy advocates, to discuss the positivity they bring to the world through their work.
Tap into The Cipher at thecipherpod.com - and give us a five-star rating while you're there!
A Look Back to Daron Jenkins EP Where He Speaks On The Effects Felt In The Black Community After George Floyd
A Look Back to Daron Jenkins EP Where He Speaks On The Effects Felt In The Black Community After George Floyd. To hear the full episode click here
Tony Mosely Speaking about The Effects of Psychedelic Drug Therapy: Letting Go
In this clip Tonya Mosely explains the effects of psychedelic therapy and having go "LET GO". For the full episode click here
The Emergence of the Psychedelic Renaissance In The Black Community W/Tonya Mosely
This clip is from Tonya Mosely's interview from season 3 episode 12 where she speaks about the emergence of "The Psychedelic Renaissance" in the black community. If you'd like to hear the full episode click here
Anniwaa Buachie "Creativity is intrinsic with being African"
On the Cipher, Podcast leader and audio storyteller Christabel Nsiah-Buadi celebrates Black creatives worldwide who are redefining and reclaiming old narratives about our cultures through their art.
In this episode, Christabel talks to actress, filmmaker, and writer Anniwaa Buachie. She is an accomplished writer and filmmaker who puts her creative energy into exploring the multi-layered stories of strong female characters. Her credits include the long-running British drama Holby City, Survivors Remorse STARZ, British feature film Aux - and Marvel X-Men ‘97 to name just a few. She also stars in the film Moon Over Aburi.
This British-Ghanaian actress and dancer started her acting career at the prestigious method acting school, East 15 Acting School.
Tune in to find out what makes this multi-faceted creative, producing the kind of roles that empower women, on The Cipher Podcast
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& Aniwaa Buachie on
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On Instagram at @AnniwaaBuachie
Freetown Collective " We Are Trying to Create Spaces Where They Didn't Know it Was Space"
In this episode, Christabel talks to Freetown Collective co-founders, Lou Lyons and Muhammed Muwakil. These two artists created Freetown as a form of self-expression that would provide a uniquely Caribbean perspective. A meeting of minds and friends, in 2010 the Freetown Collective would become a source of not only music but thoughtful social advocacy.
Lou Lyons is the lead guitarist of the band with credits as a film score composer, including Chee$e, Giants, Heart of a Monster, and The Fire Queen. For Muhammed Muwakil, his move from Civil Engineering to Theatre Arts signalled the celebration of his own freedom and self-expression as lead vocalist for the band.
Growing in global appeal, the most famous compositions of theirs have received major acclaim with remixes by Major Lazer and Showtek gaining international acclaim. In 2017, the band reached 20 million views on YouTube with 'Believer' and 'Feel the Love', a single with renowned DJ Private Ryan got to #2 on Apple Musics' Top 100 Songs, Trinidad and Tobago.
Tune in to find out what makes this band so special on The Cipher with Christabel Nsiah-Buadi.
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You’ll find out what the team is up to, discover great pods from Africa and the diaspora – and get practical tips podcasting and creative tips from our guests
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On Twitter at @ciphermag
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& Freetown Collective on
On Twitter at @wearefreetown
On Instagram at @wearefreetown
Molly Jensen "We need to take up as much space as possible"
(de)Ciphered is the audio companion to the newsletter, The Cipher. On this show, hear Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speak to African artists and thinkers who are creating new spaces for all of us by leaning into their roots.
In this episode, Christabel talks to the CEO of Afripods and co-founder of the platform, Molly Jensen. As a media professional, she has developed the platform as a tech solution for representing Africa and its diaspora.
With the aim of creating the largest repository of African stories, the Kenya-based company has grown exponentially. Podcasters that use its hosting capability represent 50 African languages including a range of issues, from self-help to culture, from business to entertainment.
As a CEO in a wedge between technology and media, podcasting is one of the fastest-growing mediums in Africa. The platform makes for a user-friendly solution for listeners, podcasters and advertisers, expounding altruism, community spirit and expression for a generation of African storytellers.
We invite you to listen to Molly’s insights!
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You’ll get reviews of great pods from Africa and the diaspora – and get exclusive podcasting tips from industry insiders.
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On Twitter at @ciphermag
On Instagram at @the_cipher_pod
& Molly Jensen on
On Instagram at @mj_akosua & @afripods
Check out the Afripods website: https://afripods.africa/
Chantal Miller: Using Her Voice for Caribbean Storytelling
The Cipher is the audio companion to the newsletter the (de)Ciphered. On this show, hear Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speak to African & Caribbean artists and thinkers who are creating new spaces for all of us by leaning into their roots.
In this episode, Christabel talks to the Founder of Island Girls Rock, Chantal Miller. A creative polymath, her background in broadcast journalism and filmmaking inspired her to create a positive and life-affirming community amongst the women of her own culture.
Island Girls Rock is a cultural movement and a creative entrepreneurial community for women from the Caribbean and its diaspora. The team offers immersive events, a podcast, and an accompanying blog that delves into the stories from prominent black women from the community.
As a non-profit initiative, the mission is to create a global community, committed to growth and empowerment for women across the Caribbean. Alongside her team, Chantal’s experience spans podcast production, hosting, curating and panel discussion with an enviable degree of exploits, having worked with Spotify, Afro Punk, BBC Arts and Southbank London among many others.
We invite you to listen in to Chantal’s insights!
And HEY! We have a NEWSLETTER! Go to THE-DASH-CIPHER-DOT-COM to subscribe.
You’ll get reviews of great pods from Africa and the diaspora – and get exclusive podcasting tips from industry insiders.
Then follow us:
On Twitter at @ciphermag
On Instagram at @the_cipher_pod
& Chantal Miller
On Instagram at @chantal_olivia_miller_ and @igr_love
Check out the Afripods website: _https://islandgirlsrock.com/
Check out Chantal’s on website: https://www.chantalomiller.com/
Dhano Mc Nicol: “We all have our individuality that we bring to whatever space”
THE CIPHER is the audio companion to the newsletter, The Cipher. On this show, hear Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speak to African creatives and those from the wider diaspora who are creating spaces for all of us by leaning into their roots.
In this episode, Christabel will be talking to Dhano Mc Nicol, the creative mind behind A BigBox of Crayons. Acting as a ‘Creativentrepreneur’ he has developed a social enterprise dedicated to creating a repository of knowledge for future generations.
A BigBox of Crayons includes We Are Crayons, the podcast he hosts, Shades of a Crayon; a mini-documentary series plus a range of blog posts and social media that celebrate Caribbean positivity, creatives, thinkers and makers.
No story and no element of creativity, whether musical, intellectual, or visual is off-limits. His podcasts bring together the diversity that is Trinidad & Tobago, with a view to influencing future generations in their own lives.
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You’ll get reviews of great pods from Africa and the diaspora – and get exclusive podcasting tips from industry insiders.
Then follow us:
On Twitter at @ciphermag
On Instagram at @the_cipher_pod
& Dhano Mc Nicol on
On Instagram at @DHANOMAN & @ABIGBOXOFCRAYONS
Tonya Mosley: On Examining a Pathway Toward Liberation & Joy
On The Cipher listen as podcast executive and mentor Christabel Nsiah-Buadi discovers the stories of the people who are leaning into their roots to create new narratives and spaces for all of us.
In this episode, Christabel talks to the correspondent and former host of NPR’s Here & Now and the contributing host of NPR’s Fresh Air. Tonya is also the host of the award-winning podcast, Truth Be Told.
On the show, Ms. Mosley interviews cultural changemakers, and offers insights, using her wealth of experience, hope, and support.
Tonya is also an accomplished researcher and instructor. As Stanford University John S. Knight Journalism Fellow, she co-created a workshop for journalists on the impact of implicit bias and co-authored an experimental study on the effects of protest coverage.
Check out Tonya Mosley on The Cipher podcast, it’s time well spent!
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& connect Tonya Mosley on
On Twitter at @TonyaMosley & @deartbt
On Instagram at @TonyaMosley & @deartruthbetold
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah on Love, Sex and Liberty
On The Cipher hear executive producer Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speak to Black creatives and thinkers on how they create new spaces for all of us by leaning into their roots and thinking outside the box.
In this episode, Christabel talks to Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, author of “The Sex Lives of African Women.” Her work has gathered African women from across the world to engage sincerely, vulnerably, and boldly about incredibly intimate aspects of their lives.
She is an award-winning blogger and is the co-founder of Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women, a website, podcast, and festival that publish and creates content telling the stories of African women from across the diaspora.
Listen to this honest and engaging conversation to find out what makes this author, content creator, and podcast producer so unforgettable:
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Then follow us:
On Twitter at @ciphermag
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& Connect with Nana:
On Twitter: @sexlivesafrica & @nas009
On Instagram: @thesexlivesofafricanwomen & @dfordarkoa
Caroline Asante: Happy Well Being Life - Work with what's inside to manifest things on the outside
On The Cipher, podcast executive, and lover of stories, Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speaks to global Black creatives to find out why they have *the nerve(!)* to lean on their often misrepresented and undervalued cultures and experiences to create positive dialogue. She asks why they're so motivated to produce powerful work that challenges audiences to think, express themselves, or see the world through a more inclusive lens.
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In this episode, Christabel talks to author, TV, and film writer Caroline S. Asante, a Black British sustainability 'diva' with more than 20 years of experience in the digital space.
Asante is the founder of the first Eco-Living Festival in Cambridge and a former award-winning program-maker and broadcaster for the BBC. Her new projects have led to what she calls "conscious communication," a combination between self-care, wellbeing, and climate literacy for the general public.
Caroline has had an eclectic career, which includes a broadcast career with the BBC. She also profoundly understands global climate issues, most of which were learned from her time in Grenada.
Check out the show to discover how this digital creator, author, and sustainability advocate has combined her passions to a new path for herself. She also hopes to encourage the rest of us to look after ourselves - and the planet.
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You'll get reviews of great pods from Africa and the diaspora and exclusive podcasting tips from industry insiders.
Then follow us:
On Twitter at @ciphermag
On Instagram at @the_cipher_pod
Follow Caroline S. Asante:
On Instagram at @SUSTAINABLEDIVA
On Twitter at @sustainableDVA
Travis De Vries: “I want to create a system and a groundswell of Mob supporting each other" in Australia
On 'The Cipher' (formerly (de)CIPHERed,) development expert, mentor, and writer Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speaks to Black artists and thinkers worldwide, who are creating new spaces for all of us by leaning into their roots.
In this episode, Christabel asks Travis De Vries, a creator from 'down under' and the founder of the podcast company Awesome Black, 'What's Blakfella? Why did you just call that guy that, and surely not everyone can say THAT?!' Tune in to discover Travis' answer - and how they both met.
You'll also hear Travis break down the roots of the ‘Blackfella’ identity further. He'll share his thoughts on the impact of the US Black Lives Matter movement on the Australian media industry and how he uses creativity to fight ‘the bureaurocratization’ of First Nation cultures.
Check out Travis De Vries on The Cipher podcast! Trust us; it's worth your time!
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More about Travis De Vries and Awesome Black: Awesome Black develops original First Nations talent and creates unique storytelling content across various mediums. Before starting that company, Travis worked with the Sydney Opera House. He has also worked with Rhoda Roberts, one of the first First Nation women in Australian radio.
And HEY! We have a NEWSLETTER! Visit www.the-cipher.com and subscribe to join our community of creatives! Discover pods from Africa and the diaspora that have caught our attention - AND get exclusive tips from our community of experts.
Follow Travis:
On Instagram at @travishdevries
On Twitter at @Traveedee
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On Twitter at @ciphermag
On Instagram at @the_cipher_pod
Felicia Pride: Creating as Freedom Work
In this episode, Christabel talks to author, TV, and film writer Felicia Pride. From Baltimore to the big time, her TV and film credits include GREY’S ANATOMY, tender, Really Love, and Queen Sugar. She has established a space for her creative storytelling and a platform for other black creatives to explore their craft.
She’s also the co-host of a new podcast called Chile, Please! It’s aimed at sharing the stories of the good, bad, and downright outrageous of 40-something Black women. We talk about the vulnerability needed to share those stories and why a show like hers is needed.
Her production company, HONEY CHILE, tells the stories, from the good to the bad, to the downright outrageous of 40-something black women. Delivering a podcast devoted to black female voices, she covers with wit, vivacity, and keen analysis the trials of being a black female in a world not ready to embrace their experiences.
Tune in to find out what makes a creative with the hugely popular Grey’s Anatomy in her TV credits, tick.
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You’ll get reviews of great pods from Africa and the diaspora and exclusive podcasting tips from industry insiders.
Then follow us:
On Twitter at @ciphermag
On Instagram at @the_cipher_pod
Tolu Farinto: Master Your Brief.
This episode's guest, Tolu Farinto, says knowing what you're talking about and talking to the right people is critical if you want to shift perceptions and change minds through storytelling. Not doing this could cause more harm than good.
Wise words.
Tolu Farinto is the Partner & Ethnicity Lead of Utopia, an award-winning culture change company. He's also the founder of Limitless Live, a music festival that launches on April 16th, 2022, at The Roundhouse in Camden, London, in the UK. He shares why this festival will help reach, inspire and connect traditionally disenfranchised people with companies in authentic ways.
Follow Tolu Farinto on IG: @t_farinto and on Twitter: @tfarinto90. Also, follow Limitless Live via IG @limitl8ss.
Then follow us:
On Twitter at @ciphermag
On Instagram at @the_cipher_pod
Garvia Bailey is 'Strong and Free!'
'What does it feel like to reclaim your family's part in your nation's history?'
Host Christabel Nsiah-Buadi talks to award-winning journalist and co-founder of Media Girlfriends Garvia Bailey. In this episode, they discuss the impact of discovering personal stories on family relationships, the responsibility of sharing them - and getting told off by your family for wanting to record their discussions in this episode of (de)CIPHERed.
Bailey also highlights the ways immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean shaped modern Canada, as outlined in her groundbreaking podcast (co-hosted by Josiane Blanc) Strong and Free.
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On Instagram at @the_cipher_pod
Lola Akinmade Åkerström: 'I have my own way of telling stories!'
In this episode, Christabel talks about emotional connection, travel, and culture with the award-winning visual storyteller, international bestselling author Lola Akinmade Åkerström about her debut novel, 'In Every Mirror She's Black.' The book is about three Black women navigating life in Sweden, all with different results. It's an arresting, haunting, sexy, and powerful read.
Here's a fun fact: 'In Every Mirror She's Black' was rejected SEVENTY times before it found a publisher. Now it's loved by readers all over the world. There are other fun things in the works for the book, but you'll have to listen to the podcast to find out.
Her previous books include 'Due North' and the bestseller 'Lagoms.' Her photography work has featured in National Geographic, New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, CNN, Travel Channel, Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, Forbes, and more. In addition, she has collaborated with Dove, Mercedes Benz, and the National Geographic Channel.
Because she likes to stay busy, Lola also runs Geotraveler Media Academy, dedicated to visual storytelling and helping the next generation of travel storytellers put the heart back into the craft.
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Episode Two: Sylvia Arthur, "We Stand Here As Legacy To Our Parents"
(de)Ciphered, is the audio companion to the newsletter, The Cipher. On this show, hear Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speak to African British artists and thinkers who - by leaning into their roots - are creating new spaces for all of us.
Christabel talks to Sylvia Arthur, the founder of The Library of Africa and the African Diaspora, based in the heart of Accra.
The library has thousands of books written by writers from the African Diaspora, it also hosts writing events. Part of LOATAD’s mission is to help address the literacy challenges some communities across the continent face, but, as the conversation reveals, their approach is decolonized and inclusive.
Listen to this conversation, originally taped in the summer of 2020 to find out about Arthur’s journey from London to the heart of Accra and the library’s mission.
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S1 E1 - Michael Olatuja: "The Pain You Feel Will Propel You Into Your Destiny”
On the first episode of (de)Ciphered, host Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speaks to London-born, Lagos-raised, and New York-based electric and acoustic bassist and composer Michael Olatuja. The conversation took place in mid-2020 when the realities of the COVID and the ongoing protests against anti-Black racism shook the world into reality.
Listen as they talk about Michael’s most recent album, ‘Lagos Pepper Soup’ and his impressive career, which has taken him across continents. Olatuja also pays homage to UK Hip Hop legend TY, and talked about how to navigate emotionally difficult times.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Cipher newsletter to get more Afro-British takes on global black culture, then join the social media community on:
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