Welcome to Jase avec Moi. A bilingual (EN/FR), pan-African podcast that highlights the lives and stories of young African professionals.
Episodes
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Hello beautiful people! So this is my last episode for Season 1, and I have the privilege of being interviewed by Fabiola from Episode 5.
I felt that it might be appropriate to sit on the other side of the mic for once, so that you can learn more about me!:D It has been a moment of reflection on my journey growing up abroad and trying to settle down, how I went from a career in retail to tech, and on my attempt to document the stories of Africans in the diaspora and the questions that we ask ourselves. I hope you enjoy it :)
03:00 - On why I always center my interviews around the third culture kid (TCK) identity, and whether I identify as a TCK or not
09:00 - On curiosity and the different paths that life takes us on, and how I would have never thought that I would one day work for a tech company - because I wasn’t an engineer
[I don’t really limit myself in what I can explore - Michaella]
14:00 - On how my failures have taught me to be adaptable, and how I almost moved to Kenya
[I wanted to be part of the decision makers - Michaella]
27:00 - On how I accepted an entry level job, with the goal of changing roles once I had my foot in the door
32:15 - On how unconscious bias showed up as I started in my new role, and my attempt to fit in
37:30 - How I chose a mentor to guide me, give me a different perspective of the workplace, and to help my attempt at moving internally
45:00 - Why I started the podcast out of feeling isolated in the workplace, even though I’m not making money from it
[I wanted to find people like me, who are trying to figure it out… We don’t know what we’re doing when we come here - Michaella]
56:00 - Learnings from running a podcast, and what I will explore going forward
[At the core of it, it’s a beautiful story of humanity - Michaella ]
What did you think of the episode? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments, and if you liked it – share it with your friends 🙂
Follow us on Facebook: Jase avec Moi, and where podcasts are found: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher
In the meantime keep striving, keep thriving, and keep shining!
Michaella
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Hello beautiful people! I wanted to check in this week, and talk to you about the progress of the podcast, as well as give you a roundup of the best episodes based on the feedback that I have received. I hope you’re staying safe, and you and your families are well. <3
01:00 - Thanks to you, my listeners, we have reached more than 1,100 listeners in 29 countries!!! Canada accounts for 40%, the US about 20%, and the remaining 40% are spread around the world. You are all amazing <3
03:00 - Being an adult third-culture kid, how it has influenced the podcast, and why it’s important to rate the podcast and share it with others
[I wanted to see people like me - Michaella]
07:35 - What I learned from Season 1 from being a recovering perfectionist to just going for it
[The challenge with planning is that you can only draw from the information that you have at hand - Michaella]
13:00 - Help me find a gender neutral term for “guys/ladies”, and more on how a personal brand can help open opportunities
16:00 - How I need your help with Season 2, join the Facebook group to give me your insights, and share your thoughts on the topics that are discussed in the group
21:15 - Roundup of the best episodes
Identity and self:
#005 - Fabiola on Recognizing Important Moments and Leveraging Them to Build
#012 - Sarah Somian on living a slow life where we listen to our intuition…
#019 - Mo on Cultural Curiosity and Finding Joy in the Unexpected
[There is a need for people to be real again – Mo]
Arts/Storytelling:
#004 - Kiga on the Art of Mastering Storytelling
#020 - CQ on Small Wins and How They Push Us to Greatness
[Don’t service today at the expense of tomorrow – CQ]
Policy:
#021 - Zuwa on Embracing Our Agency and The Courage to Act Now
#009 - Moses on How Following Your Heart Continuously Builds into Something Greater
#014 - Imanzi on Becoming a Servant Leader
[We can use what we have, however little, to get a lot of what we don’t have. And along the way we are helping people, we are being happy, we are creating change, inspiring other people and living life to the fullest – Moses]
Technology:
#001 - Gisele on How Technology Can Help Change the World
#018 - Sophina on Cybersecurity and Empowering Other Young Women
[Always remember that yourself in 20 years is relying on you to be smart right now, relying on you to work hard and to be diligent. Hustle in the way that feels right for you – Naomi]
What did you think of the episode? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments, and if you liked it – share it with your friends 🙂
Follow us on Facebook: Jase avec Moi, and join the group, and where podcasts are found: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher
In the meantime keep striving, keep thriving, and keep shining!
Michaella
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
Cette semaine je parle avec Aissata Sylla, une jeune Ivoirienne qui habite à Montréal depuis maintenant 8 ans. On parle de ce qu’elle a appris en vivant dans plusieurs pays Africains, son amour pour l’Afrique et comment elle le partage dans ses multiples projets, entre autre Korofolie - et l’expérience qu’elle a eue lorsqu’elle est rentrée en Côte d’Ivoire pour y travailler pendant quelques mois. Avec son humour subtile, Aissata vous fera rire tout en partageant son expérience avec candeur :D
01:10 - Aissa s’introduit, nous parle de son enfance, et ce qu’elle a appris des différents déplacements dans sa vie de la Côte d’Ivoire, au Togo, Cameroun, et l'Afrique du Sud.
[Le changement c’est quelque chose qui, avec le temps, ne me fait pas beaucoup peur dans la vie - Aissa]
09:05 - Pourquoi elle a choisi Montréal pour ses études, et ce qui l’a poussée à cofonder la Desautels African Business Initiative - la première conférence sur le monde des affaires en Afrique, organisée par des étudiants, au Canada
26:00 - Ce qui l’a finalement poussée à rester à Montréal au lieu de rentrer
30:00 - Comment elle a profité d'un des avantages de sa compagnie, un programme pour aller en mission à l'étranger, pour faire un projet en Côte d’Ivoire et s’essayer au retour en Afrique
[Ça m’a rappelé que je veux rentrer, que that’s what I’m working towards - Aissa]
38:30 - Les leçons apprises, l’adaptation à un nouveau contexte de travail, et le plaisir d'être chez soi
49:50 - Ce que Korofolie veut dire en Malinké, et l’intention derrière le blog: présenter différentes facettes de l'Afrique
[Écoutons nos instincts au maximum, et puis entourons-nous de personnes qui ressortent le meilleur de nous-mêmes - Aissa]
56:15 - Conseils à l’Aissa d’il y’a 5 ans, la vision des 5 prochaines années, et pourquoi elle a choisi Mansa Aissa comme son nom sur Instagram
[Je ne pense pas que la vie soit faite pour qu’on atteigne tout tout seul, et qu’on prenne toutes nos décisions tout seul sans l’aide de personne - Aissa]
Vous pouvez trouver Aissa sur son blog, Twitter, et Instagram
Suivez-nous aussi sur Facebook, Instagram, et où on trouve les podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts et Stitcher
Qu’avez-vous pensé de cet épisode? Partagez vos pensées avec nous dans les commentaires, et s’il vous a plu: partagez-le avec vos ami(e)s😊
En attendant, continuez à vous battre, à vous épanouir et à briller! 💫
Michaëlla
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
Cette semaine, j’ai l’honneur de parler avec Lynda Egnonam Dongo aka Mlle Lynda. Lynda est une Afro-Québécoise, du Togo, qui habite maintenant à Montréal depuis 5 ans. Elle travaille en tant que conseillère senior en crédit, et mène aussi Iloubiya Togo, une organisation à but non-lucratif. C’est aussi une grande passionnée du vin, des voyages, et de la lecture. Dans cet épisode, nous parlons un peu de tout: de l'évolution de nos multiples identités, de la précarité mensuelle des jeunes filles, de l’usage de crédit et de vins. Comme vous pouvez le voir, Lynda a de multiples facettes et j'espère que vous apprécierez de les découvrir :)
1:15 - Lynda s’introduit et nous parle de l’influence que sa grand-mère a eu sur son implication sociale
4:25 - Les objectifs d’Iloubiya, son organisation à but non-lucratif, l’impact de la précarité mensuelle sur les jeunes filles, et l’importance de la sensibilisation sur les règles
Voici la campagne pour des dons de serviettes hygiéniques réutilisables
9:10 - Ses premières impressions de son arrivée au Québec, comment vivre à Montréal lui a fait réaliser qu’elle avait déjà plusieurs identités culturelles, et l'évolution de son identité
[Quand tu quittes ton pays natal pour une autre terre, si tu n’arrives pas à faire ce pays-là une maison, ce sera très difficile pour toi de pouvoir vivre dans cette société - Lynda]
16:13 - Comment elle s’est retrouvée en économie et politique, au lieu de la médecine
19:20 - Sur les discussions politiques et sa relation tumultueuse avec le Togo, et le débat si on rentre ou on reste ici
[Rentrer est une des plus grandes décisions de vie de quelqu’un qui vit en diaspora, et ne doit pas être prise sur l’influence des autres personnes - Lynda]
28:12 - Son travail en tant que conseillère en crédit, ce qu’elle a appris basé sur son expérience personnelle, et un peu de crédit 101 sur l’usage des cartes de crédit
[L’argent de la carte de crédit n’est pas ton argent - Lynda]
*Correction: Lorsque vous utilisez une carte de crédit au Canada, il faut la payer en 21 jours total pour ne pas payer les intérêts sur vos dépenses (et non 21 jours ouvrables comme on le dit dans l'episode).*
35:45 - Sur son amour du vin et de la lecture - et comment distinguer entre un vin de consommation et un vin de conservation
[C’est quoi l’objectif principal de ton vin? Est-ce que tu l'achètes pour de la consommation, ou tu l'achètes pour de la conservation? - Lynda]
Livres mentionnés et à explorer: Fleur du désert et For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics
44:55 - La vision des 5 ans, and conseils à la Lynda d’il y’a 5 ans
[“L’espoir c’est vivre” - Lynda]
Vous pouvez trouver Lynda sur son site web, et sur Instagram
Vous pouvez aussi suivre Iloubiya sur Facebook et Instagram
Et finalement, la campagne pour des dons de serviettes hygiéniques réutilisables
Suivez-nous aussi sur Facebook, Instagram, et où on trouve les podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts et Stitcher
Qu’avez-vous pensé de cet épisode? Partagez vos pensées avec nous dans les commentaires, et s’il vous a plu: partagez-le avec vos ami(e)s😊
En attendant, continuez à vous battre, à vous épanouir et à briller! 💫
Michaëlla
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
This week I have the honour of speaking with Zuwa Matondo, a son of Africa and sun of Zimbabwe (zu-wa means sun(shine) in the Zimbabwean Shona dialect). I have known Zuwa for the last 12 years, and he has become a big brother to me.
Audacious in nature, Zuwa believes in everyone's ability to create a space for themselves to achieve their unique purpose. Facing his fears despite the possibility of stumbling, he has constantly sought growth outside of his comfort zone having gained experience in corporate law, finance and governance. In that journey with ups and downs he has worked with various governments, international organizations and within a Global 500 financial company. Zuwa especially has a heart and passion to serve, believing gifts, big or small, are not to be kept but shared in order to uplift others.
Zuwa's desire to pursue an impactful career has been best expressed by his founding of Gov-Enhance Africa, a platform for policy thinkers and governance innovators to create out-of-the-box policy solutions to ultimately help the continent's citizens. I hope this conversation inspires you.
02:00 - Zuwa introduces himself and explains why he doesn’t define himself by his job or career path anymore
[You’re not this circumstance, you’re not this situation. Keep things moving in a positive direction - Zuwa]
07:15 - How active citizen engagement was modeled through his childhood and how it influenced his profound love of Zimbabwe
11:25 - How coming to Montreal, and meeting the greater African community, further affected his Pan-Africanism point of view
16:10 - Leadership lessons from running the McGill African Students Society (MASS) and other student activities
20:40 - Why Zuwa chose policy as his way of serving and the role of the African youth
25:00 - On how we can make policy easier to digest for the everyday person, and how Gov-Enhance was created as a result
[We always want to be at the table, but sometimes you have to build your own table first - Zuwa]
30:00 - On how to start small where you are: at the county, city, province level; and grow from there
32:30 - How law prepared him for governance and policy, and on his experience working in China
[Ambition is climbing the ladder, but purpose is making sure that ladder is on the right wall - Zuwa]
38:00 - The current Covid-19 crisis, and how it’s a current example of the importance of public policy and trusting our governments
40:00 - Lessons learned from starting Gov-Enhance Africa, on building teams and running an organization
45:50 - Message to his younger self and what drives him to keep going when times are hard
[You know and learn by trying, you have to do it, and you can’t be afraid to fail - Zuwa]
You can follow Zuwa on Twitter, and Gov-Enhance Africa on the website and Twitter
What did you think of the episode? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments, and if you liked it – share it with your friends 🙂
Follow us on Facebook: Jase avec Moi, and where podcasts are found: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher
In the meantime keep striving, keep thriving, and keep shining!
Michaella
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
This week I have the honor of speaking with Clarence Quarcoo, known by most as CQ. I met him while working at Target Canada, and we have remained friends over the last 8 years. He is a global nomad in every sense of the word. Tracing his roots to Ghana, he was born in Kenya and grew up between there and Uganda before relocating to Toronto. Today, he is a Supply Chain Director for a Fortune 500 company. He is also the Co-Founder of The Peppeh Company, a boutique creative branding firm. He is passionate about elevating brands and people, and this comes through our conversation. CQ is one of those relentless optimists, always finding the opportunity in hard times, and I hope this conversation inspires you :)
02:00 - Clarence introduces himself and we share our experience working at Target Canada and launching 120 stores in one year
[You should never be defined by what you do, you should be defined by who you are - CQ]
10:00 - How Clarence learned that Target Canada was closing, and how he approached his next steps: choosing between brand management, management consulting, and internal consulting
[I realized you can learn anything, if you put your heart into it and if you’re committed - CQ]
13:30 - Clarence explains why he chose to do the MBA program that he did, and we compare taking two years off vs. working and studying at the same time
20:40 - On his childhood as a Ghanaian who grew up in Uganda and Kenya, and how he navigates the world with his multiple identities
24:30 - How his parents influenced the way that Clarence approaches work, and how he plans for the future
29:40 - On how Peppeh Co started, and the importance of finding business partners with complementary skills
[Sometimes we say we want things but we are not willing to do what it takes to get them - CQ]
39:00 - The vision for the company,where the naming came from, and his favorite part running Peppeh
46:00 - On building relationships, and identifying the right clients at the right time
[Don’t service today at the expense of tomorrow - CQ]
48:00 - Advice to his younger self and the 5 year plan
[Continue building strong relationships and invest in people that you love - CQ]
Check out The Peppeh Company, you can also find it on Instagram
Follow Clarence on his Instagram, Twitter, and Gimme Hot Coco
Finally if you want to stay in touch of all things African podcasts, follow Africapodfest and Paula Rogo’s media company, Kali Media.
What did you think of the episode? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments, and if you liked it – share it with your friends 🙂
Follow us on Facebook: Jase avec Moi, and where podcasts are found: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher
In the meantime keep striving, keep thriving, and keep shining!
Michaella
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
This week, I'm speaking with Mo, from The More Sibyl Podcast. Mo is a professor of pharmacy, conducts cancer research, and also runs a podcast. She is also Nigerian, and lives in Oklahoma. We talk about culture, how speaking out can not only help you, but can also help others and build community, amongst many other things. This was deep and personal, so grab a seat and tune in to listen to her story.
01:45 - Mo introduces herself as a Nigerian-born, US-educated, Korean-speaking, and wandering intellectual
03:35 - How Mo got into podcasting and how she keeps up the pace with a whooping 93 episodes in 2 years
05:55 - On her curiosity and how it has led her to speak about important life subjects
11:55 - Her experience arriving in the US and how she had adapt to the education system
17:30 - How her frustration working as a pharmacist in the field, led her to becoming a professor
[School had taught me about what the drugs did to the body... but not enough about learning why patients didn't take their medications - Mo]
27:55 - The challenges of being a professor and her thoughts on diversity
40:35 - How her love of Korean culture begun, and when she started learning the language
52:50 - Why she uses the tagline "for Blacks and Asians and those who love them" for her podcast, as well as lessons learned
[There is a need for people to be real again - Mo]
59:00 - The 5 year vision and the impact Mo hopes to have in the world :)
Check out her podcast and writings on Mosibyl.com You can also find her on Instagram
What did you think of the episode? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments, and if you liked it – share it with your friends 🙂
Follow us on Facebook: Jase avec Moi, and where podcasts are found: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher
In the meantime keep striving, keep thriving, and keep shining!
Michaella