preMature Adults
This podcast provides a platform for people from all walks of life to discuss their experiences, aiming to encourage openness and vulnerability with family, friends, and significant others. It was created from a sense of ill-preparedness felt by many young adults entering adulthood, offering solace and useful perspectives on common experiences.
Episodes
Community Isn't Perfect
Yi Ning Chiu is this week's guest—a cultural critic and writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this week's episode, Yi Ning offers some insightful perspectives on the value and challenges of community, highlighting personal barriers to community formation and maintenance, as well as valuable lessons she has learned along the way. Our conversation highlights some ways in which commu
Literature and the Privilege of Identity
Vanessa Cyrilla is this week's guest—a writer, poet, lover of books, and a proud Kenyan. Our conversation delves into the significance of literature, literacy, and the importance of one's connection to their identity, particularly for young Africans.
Familismo & Academia
In this episode, Dr. Jackie Florian, LMFT, discusses the challenges of balancing familial and academic responsibilities for first-generation students.
Transition, Purpose, and Enough
Today's conversation features Monica Leung, who shares her experience navigating a transitional phase of life while pursuing purpose.
Maxout 2025
In this episode, I am joined by four members of KICC Ghana who share their personal faith journeys and discuss the upcoming Maxout Youth Conference.Maxout is an annual youth conference hosted by KICC Ghana. This year's conference will be held from July 18th through the 20th. Theme: Grace to Excel: Self-Discipline & FaithYou may register for the conference here: https://forms.gle/WSmWCqejDC
The Weight of Self-Invention
In today's episode, Pieter Valk, LPC, shares his experience wrestling and growing through tensions over his sexual orientation and faith, as well as some necessary considerations for individuals seeking therapy.
01 Transgenerational Trauma (with Dr. Dareen Basma)
Dr. Dareen Basma, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP (Carnegie Mellon University and Palo Alto University) joins me in today's episode to discuss what is a fairly recent research phenomenon, Transgenerational Trauma. Transgenerational Trauma is a psychological concept concerning the usually unintentional passing down of trauma across generations — by way of socialization — following prolonged or repeated exposure to
42 plentyplenty.africa (with Lydia Aményaglo)
Lydia Aményaglo is the founder of plentyplenty.africa, an educational farm, studio, and brand based around cacao in a quest to decolonize. In this episode, she shares how a search for purpose, the residual effects of parental influence, and a family's legacy led her on her path cultivating cocoa and reclaiming aspects of her identity.
41 Transitions, Purpose, and Mentorship (with Nana Amoako-Anin)
Nana Amoako-Anin is a self-described holistic strategist whose life and career choices have been underscored by a search for purpose. In this episode, she shares the vital role her parents' journeys played in her development, lessons she has learned from career changes and transitions, as well as the significance of mentorship in personal growth and maturation.
You can follow her and her yog
40 Creating Sobriety (with Joe Kiney Whitmore)
Joe Kiney Whitmore is on a journey to help young creatives struggling with addiction get sober in a quest to change their lives for the better. In this episode, we talk about his sobriety journey, the influence of his project, his experience working with addicts, as well as common misconceptions people have about sobriety journeys.
39 Appreciating Individual Differences (with Tanja Scheffler)
Diversity is a buzzword in our society today—an idea or way of being to which many aspire. In my conversation with Tanja Scheffler in this episode, we discuss the beauty and complexity of diversity through the lens of her lived experience as a German-Ghanaian.
You can follow her podcast here:
@DiasporaTalk
Diaspora Talk - Website
Diaspora Talk - Audible
Diaspora Talk - YouTube
38 The Sideline Perspective (with Mackenzie St. Onge)
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37 Empowering Women Through Film (with Sharine Atif)
In this episode, American-Egyptian filmmaker Sharine Atif shares about her upbringing, journey to becoming a filmmaker, personal influences that shape her creations, and her hope for her films' impact on audiences.
36 Casual Fashion (with Valeria Ehizogie Lawani)
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35 Embracing Discomfort Through Yoga (with Rama Saeed)
Rama Saeed is a Ghanaian yogi who is learning to embrace the discomforts of life through her practice and journey with yoga. In this episode, she shares about her early life, her inspiration for practicing yoga, and how she overcomes anxiety when preparing for classes as a yoga instructor.
34 The Need to Demystify Hawaii (with Kourtney Kawano)
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33 Surf Ghana Collective (with Sandy Alibo)
Sandy Allibo is Surf Ghana Collective's founder and Freedom Skate Park's director. In this episode, she talks about adjusting to life in Ghana following her move from France, her inspiration for starting Surf Ghana Collective, as well as he hopes for the young women with whom she works.
32 The Importance of Representation in Academia (with Dr. Betty Noel-Pierre)
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Betty Noel-Pierre, The Brearley School's Head of Upper School and a former teacher of mine, as we discuss her academic journey, the need for representation and diversity within academia, and the potential for inspiration that serves.
31 Diversifying Creative Expression (with Darren Ziorkley)
Darren Ziorkley has spent the majority of his life being creatively expressive. In this episode, he shares how his love for creativity developed, talks about previous projects he has worked on, and how he seeks to combine different art forms to bring diversity and uniqueness to his products.
30 Transitioning From Football (with Abrm McQuarters)
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29 Staging Black Female Voices (with Celeste Jennings)
I am joined by Celeste Jennings as we talk about her path to playwriting. She also shares how she combines the arts of costume design and writing to creatively stage the stories of black women as a means of both inspiring and educating—filling the chasm of a lack of black female representation both on and off stage.
To keep up with Celeste and her work, you can follow here:
Instagram: @celes
28 From Dreaming to the Runway (with Patricia Akello)
Growing up in Uganda, the prospect of becoming an internationally recognized model seemed far fetched. However, through a series of breakthroughs that landed her in South Africa, Patricia was able to work her way onto the international scene. In this episode, she and I discuss her upbringing, the impact her late mother has had on her, and the lessons she has learned in her modeling career so far.
27 You Can Communicate Better (with Karen Laos)
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26 Representation Matters (with Ariel Kleber)
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25 Models Have Voices (with Sara Byrd)
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24 Making Music, Pursuing Hope, and Investing (with Habera Yu)
Singer, songwriter, and college student, Habera joins me as we discuss her journey through music, her upbringing in Shanghai, and her desire to create intentionally focused on bringing hope to listeners as an extension of her dedication to her faith.
Instagram: @itsyunotwhyu
Linktree: Habera
SPONSOR:
The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:
23 Reflecting Unseen Cultural Beauty (with Hadeel Osman)
Hadeel is a proud TCK (third culture kid) who is on a journey to creating a community dedicated to curating a visual utopia in her native Sudan by fusing visual identity with design, art, sustainability, and creative direction. In today's episode, Hadeel and I discuss identity, individuality, creativity, and the growth and evolution with her multidimensional creative studio—DAVU.
To keep up with H
22 The Accra Goods Market (with Makafui Ayimey)
Makafui Ayimey is a creative who has spent the past 7 years curating the Accra Goods Market—a project birthed out of nostalgia for being in open spaces. In today's episode, we talk about his early years, as well as that of the Accra Goods Market and the hopes he has for it.
To keep up with Makafui and the Accra Goods Market, you can follow here:
Instagram: @Arkardie
21 Jesus + Therapy (with Alasdair Groves)
With the rise of conversations about therapy in popular culture due to increasing mental health awareness campaigns, some of that discourse has seeped into Christian circles. Therefore, in today's episode, Alasdair Groves—CCEF’s executive director and counselor—provides insight into the world of counseling, as well as offers helpful tips concerning how Christians should think about and engage coun
20 Beyond Awkward Side Hugs (with Bronwyn Lea)
Cross-gendered friendships from middle childhood through adulthood are often met with glances of curiosity or skepticism about the intentions of the individuals involved or the extent to which the nature of the friendship is entirely platonic. In a culture enamored by the sexual, celebrating intimacy in cross-gendered friendships is almost a foreign idea. Bronwyn Lea concerns herself with this sub
18 Living Playfully (with Mike Montague)
With the common cultural narrative and trend of adulthood being the time when individuals are meant to shed all hints of child-likeness to seriously brave the storms of adulthood, Mike Montague—podcaster, game show host, public speaker, writer, and self-described playful human—has made a significant part of his life's journey helping adults rediscover the power of play to assist them in avoiding b
17 Getting Unstuck (with Hilary Burns)
Having gotten herself out of a dissatisfying mental and emotional loop following a job loss and a stale marriage, Hilary now champions the process of helping others in similar positions get unstuck from just existing to rediscovering themselves and creating new life. In today's episode, we talk about her life and how it's evolved over the years and how her experiences informed her book.
To keep up
16 Adulting is Tough (with Karey Spransy)
Having begun adulthood as a teenage mother, navigated two divorces, and survived a cancer scare, Karey Spransy has had enough challenges thrown her way to live jadedly. However, she has continuously made the best of her situation and today shares her journey and why JOMO (Joy of Moving On) has underscored her approach to life.
To keep up with Jennifer and her work, you can follow her here:
WEBSITE
15 Battling Cancer & Living Purposefully (with Terry Tucker)
Father, husband, author, and cancer warrior, Terry Tucker, joins me in today's episode to talk about his life, family, and book. He shares some of the highlights from his journey so far, as well as provides insight into how one can live a life of purpose and remain positive even when faced with the weight of their mortality.
You can get a copy of Terry's book here:
Book: Sustainable Excellence
SP
14 Bring Your Whole Self To The Table (with Jennifer Peavey)
With backgrounds in engineering, design, and innovation, Jennifer has made it a point to integrate each of her skillsets and knowledge into her approach to life and work for a holistic balance. In today's episode, she and I discuss her journey so far, as well as how the pandemic afforded her the opportunity to review and reshape her approach to life, out of which came a workbook to help others do
13 Authoring, Celibacy, and Faith (with Gregory Coles)
Today I am joined by author, speaker, and fellow third culture, Greg Coles, to talk about his journey as a writer, stumbling into his first book, his experience with celibacy in a marriage-glorifying culture, as well as how he has navigated his faith journey and love for Jesus as a gay man.
To keep up with Greg and his work, you can follow him here:
Instagram: gregory_coles
Twitter: @Th
12 Building Tool Kits To Manage Storms (with Shawnee Harle)
Two-time Olympic assistant coach, Shawnee Harle, joins me to talk about her journey with disappointment early on and how that set her on course for an unexpected, enriching journey of self-discovering and growth, which she now uses as the springboard to assist others in navigating some of life's storms.
To keep up with Shawnee and her work, you can follow her here:
Instagram: @shawneeharle
11 Asian American Brainstorm (with Adeeba Ahmad, Lisa Wick, and Robin Zeng)
Asian American Brainstorm is a podcast that seeks to break stereotypes and educate listeners by highlighting and retelling lesser-known stories of various Asian individuals throughout history. Today, my guests and I talk about how they started their podcast, how their journey has influenced their engagement with their identity, as well as what they hope listeners might get from the stories they hi
10 Overcoming Financial Struggles & Mental Health Stigmas (with Sam Absher)
Sam Absher joins me in today's episode to talk about how she's hoping to inspire people through her online advocacy about managing their finances while leading in vulnerability about living with a Borderline Personality Disorder and ADHD diagnosis.
To keep up with Sam and her work, you can follow her here:
Instagram: @wtf_is_a_budget
Website: WTF is a Budget
SPONSOR:
The DubLife Co. is the first
09 Discovering Your Authentic Sexual Self (with Lynn-Dee van Rensburg)
Having grown up overwhelmed and emotionally shamed by messages about her body and sexuality, Lynn-Dee van Rensburg now dedicates her efforts to helping individuals feel connected to their bodies, as well as discover the real understanding of sex, sexuality, and intimacy. Today she joins me to discuss the ins and outs of that journey, and how it has reshaped her world and approach to life.
To keep
08 Life Unscripted (with Sara Chia-Jewell)
UK-based actor and filmmaker, Sara Chia-Jewell joins me to discuss her experiences navigating life and different spaces as a mixed-race, third-culture individual. We also discuss how those experiences have inspired the type of legacy she hopes to leave when her career in the film industry comes to an end.
To keep up with Sara and her work, you can follow her here:
Instagram: @sarachiajewell
Websi
07 Daydreams Come True (with Patricia Heitz)
Following torrid formative years, and a cancer scare, Patricia decided to take a hard look at her inner self and self-belief. After having done the hard work of reversing negative self-perceptions, she has since dedicated her time and effort to helping others change their belief systems to support what they want to have/be in their lives.
To keep up with Patricia and her work, you can follow her h
06 The Lasting Power of Mentorship (with Simon Isoa)
Having begun his career in the tech industry, Simon now works in marketing and dedicates a fair chunk of his time motivating and mentoring others to grow into their best selves. In today's episode, Simon and I discuss the reason behind his shift in career path, as well as how a word of encouragement from a mentor set him on the path he is today.
To keep up with Simon and his work, you can follow h
05 Pastoral Stewardship (with Don Willeman)
My good friend Don Willeman—pastor at the Christ Redeemer Church (Hanover, NH)—joins me today to talk about his experience in pastoral leadership in the Upper Valley over the past twenty-one years, as well as how that role has equipped him to be a better servant in marriage and fatherhood.
To keep up with Don and his work with CRC, you can follow the church on the following platforms
Instagram: @
04 Finding Home (with Maya King)
Maya King has spent over a year in Ghana after deciding to move a few years following her first visit. In today's episode, she and I talk about her experience so far and how she has come to feel at home on the west coast of Africa. We also discuss her career through real estate and some of her future plans.
To keep up with Maya and her work, you can follow her on the following platforms
Instagram:
03 Redeeming The Past (with Charla McKinley)
Charla McKinley is on a quest to help the next generation of adults to be financially literate before they have to face any major monetary decisions. In this week's episode, she shares with us how her life decisions in her early years led her to create the Beyond Personal Finance curriculum to educate teenagers on how to be wise with money.
To keep up with Charla and her work, you can follow her o
02 The...Mexican? American? Experience (with Alexa, Jael, and Marixa)
In today's episode, I converse with three colleagues from my master's program (Alexa Navarro, Jael Esqueda, and Marixa Maldonaldo) about their Mexican-American identity, the complexities therein, as well as how they have traversed those complexities.
SPONSOR:
The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:
WEBSITE: https://www.thedublifeco.com/
FACEBOO
01 The Ghanaian Law School Experience (with April Nutakor)
Today I am joined by April Nutakor, a YouTuber and 2020 valedictorian of the Law School at the University of Ghana, to talk about her experience through law school. She also shares a bit about her bicultural experience growing up and how that has influenced her growth.
To keep up with April and her work, you can follow her on the following platforms
Instagram: @AprilNutakor
YouTube: April N.
Twit
10 Taking Ownership of Your Life (with Estelle Charlery)
Estelle gives us an insight into what being a life coach entails, as well as shares some of the momentous life events that put her on the path to become a life coach—providing assistance to individuals who need to find themselves and recover from emotional slumps.
To keep up with Estelle and her work, you can follow her on the following platforms
Instagram: @SuperEstelle_LifeCoach
Facebook: MHT
09 Life of A Medical Student (with Rachel Patel)
I chat with Rachel Patel about her journey to becoming a doctor; the doubts, the stressors, and the fulfillment of it all.
SPONSOR:
The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:
WEBSITE: https://www.thedublifeco.com/
FACEBOOK: https://web.facebook.com/DubLifeCo/?_rdc=1&_rdr
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thedublifeco/?hl=en
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08 Joys of Friendship (with Asha Pollydore & Sarah Lee)
Friendships are arguably the first type of relationships that we learn to navigate, cultivate, and hopefully maintain. With that in mind, it can be said that friendships are integral to our development not just as children or adolescents but as adults. In today's episode, I am joined by friends of 20 years, Asha Pollydore and Sarah Lee, as they discuss their friendship journey, as well as their in
07 Music, Faith, and the Creative Process (with Tyné Freeman)
Tyné is a multitalented creative, who has dedicated a large portion of her life so far to her musical development. In this episode, she and I discuss her love and exploration of music, as well as how her faith informs her creativity and musical subject matter. Tyné recently released and published an album and an accompanying novel: The Sky Is Deeper Than the Sea.
To keep up with Tyné, you can foll
06 Navigating the Music Industry (with Connie T.)
In today's episode, I chat with Connie as she takes us through her rather unorthodox journey through the music industry, as well as provides some insight for individuals trying to find their place and space in the midst of uncertainty.
SPONSOR:
The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via these links:
WEBSITE: https://www.thedublifeco.com/
FACEBOOK: https:/
05 Love & Athletics (with Fanni Szabo & Eduvie Ikoba)
Romantic relationships come with their fair share of challenges, in which many people tend to get stuck. However, there are also many beautiful parts of sharing life with another. In this episode, I sit with two college friends of mine, Fanni Szabo and Eduvie Ikoba, to discuss how they have navigated their relationship since meeting in college, as well as how they now juggle love and career. Their
04 Travel Blogging (with Olivia Lin)
In today's episode, we get to explore what life has to offer outside our four walls. I converse with Olivia Lin, a travel blogger and dear friend, who has spent a large portion of the past 7+ years traveling the globe in search of new experiences — connecting with new friends, and learning about the world and herself in the process.
Liv is a Chinese American educator, aspiring counselor, and trave
03 Motherhood (with Miki Naruke)
In what is probably the most difficult, free, 24/7 job, motherhood is undoubtedly one of the most unique and intimately fulfilling experiences any human can ever have. In today's episode, I chat with one of the biggest supporters of the podcast, Mrs. Miki Naruke, about her experience through motherhood. She offers insight into what to look forward to when becoming a parent, what to be attuned to i
02 Fatherhood (with Bishop Eric Freeman)
Fatherhood has become one of the most obsolete familiar pillars in recent times, with growing rates of absent and aloof fathers. Therefore, in today's episode, I speak with Bishop Freeman about his journey through fatherhood, discussing the joys and challenges that come with being a present and active father.
SPONSOR:
The DubLife Co. is the first sponsor of the podcast, follow The DubLife Co. via
15 The Art of Speaking
Words are essential parts of our lives, be it speaking or reading them. They help us connect, console, and counsel. Words can bridge the gap between two hearts and invite our minds to embark on unexpected journeys. In today's episode, a wordsmith, Petronella Nyirenda, joins me to discuss her journey as a poet. Petronella is a long time friend of mine and a poet from Zambia.
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14 Financial Literacy 101
Money is a big part of society. It influences where we live and work, how we are capable of living, as well as how we view ourselves in comparison to our immediate surroundings. It is impossible to go through life without thinking or talking about money. Considering the significance of money in society, it is important for us to understand how to interact with it wisely. Therefore in today's episo
13 Lies We Believe About Adulthood
"Go at your own speed. Take a different path. Not being married at 25 doesn't mean that you're unlovable or that something *must* be wrong with you. It also doesn't mean that at 33 or 42. Education comes in many shapes and sizes. Some of the most brilliant minds never went to college or just didn't finish. An open mind and experiences give you wisdom, not only a degree. Your dream job may not come
12 Growing up Blasian
In our culture today, it has almost become a fashionable trend to have "mixed-babies", however, that has not always been the case and nor has it always been sunshine and rainbows for all parties involved. In today's episode, I sit with a longtime friend of mine, Denzel Amankwah-Nishizawa to discuss his Blasian identity. He highlights the joys and drawbacks of growing up mixed in both his home coun
11 Masculinity and Hospitality
For generations, it seems, men have been pigeon-holed into living a life earmarked by bravado and limited emotions. In today’s episode, I am joined by my friend Dave Sanchez, who works in the hospitality industry, to discuss what it means to be a man, as well as explore the benefits and drawbacks of the nature of emotional engagement men are subjected to in their upbringing.
Thank you for your ti
10 The Love Foundation Club - The Importance of Charity
In this week's episode, I sit down with Marcus Love Anafu Nazzi (@Marcusthephilanthropist) to discuss his life journey and his work founding and work with the Love Foundation Club in Ghana, all by the age of 22. Marcus provides insight into the joys and challenges that come with starting an NGO, as well as talks about how he balances philanthropic work and academic obligations.
Marcus was named t
09 Adulting at Home
Transition stages are difficult as is, let alone having to go through one in a space in which individuals hold expectations for you that may not be in line with your vision for yourself. In this week’s episode, I sit with my friend of 11 years, Malaika Aryee-boi, Yale ’19, and we discuss how life has been changing for her from high school until now, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of steppin
08 Tell Her Story - Navigating Life as a Female
In this week's episode, I am joined by four of my sisters to talk about the female experience; the challenges, and joys. We also discuss the realities of living across different cultures, and how that informs self-perception and interpersonal dynamics.
Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:
INSTAGRAM:
07 Life Outside the Status Quo
I'm excited to have my first family member on! My sister Leemu joins me to talk about her upbringing and "non-conventional" interests, how they developed, and how she has embraced them.
Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/prematureadults/
FACEBOOK: https://www.
06 Sleepless In Monrovia
In this week's episode, I sit with Suma Massaley, one of the co-founders of the blog Sleepless In Monrovia (https://sleeplessinmonrovia.com/), which was created to not only exhibit the creativity of young Liberian writers and poets but also to give individuals from socially marginalized groups the opportunity to share their experiences and stories, championing their own causes without deterrence.
05 Let's Talk About Sex & Relationships - PART II
This week's episode is a continuation of the previous episode. If you have not yet listened, go back and give it a listen so you are not lost.
Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/prematureadults/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/preMatureAdults/
04 Let's Talk About Sex & Relationships - PART I
In today's episode, I am joined by Beulah Nimeny, Nuula Varpilah, and Roosevelt Gibson. They each draw upon their experiences as we discuss the nature and purpose of dating and sex, as well as how both are generally viewed within today's culture.
Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media pages for announcements, videos, and weekly posts at:
INSTAGRAM: https
03 The Mindscape Movement
In this week's episode, I sit down with Anita Yawson, co-founder of the Mindscape Movement Ghana (https://themindscapemovement.org/). We discuss the reason for the founding of the movement, Mindscape's current body of work, as well as hopes and goals for the future. We also touch on the current state of the mental health sector in Ghana and the challenge limited funding poses to its growth and ope
02 Teaching & Learning - Why Education Is Not Limited to the Classroom
In today's episode, my friend Emma Sisson joins me to discuss her experience with academia; she is a Memphis elementary school teacher. In our dialogue this episode, she offers her perspective on the ins and outs of teaching and its relationship to learning. She also provides insight into the current nature & history of the United States' educational system, especially as it pertains to the in
01 The Blame Game - Millennials & Aging
Are trends of ill-preparedness and other issues with which millennials struggle entirely their fault? In this episode, Brian Bermeo & Lorenzo Mezzatesta join me to discuss why millennials appear to be unprepared for a lot of life's challenges and stages, drawing upon their personal experiences thus far.
Thank you for your time & attention! Kindly follow the podcast's social media p
00 What Corona is Teaching Us About Humanity
I had a zoom call with Norman Delgado at Cornell University to discuss the ongoing pandemic and some of the interplay we're noticing and how that speaks to humanity as a whole.
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