I AM NALA

Aya Chebbi

Welcome to - I AM NALA Podcast - your leading source to African Lionesses. Through documenting the stories of women leaders, survivors and disruptors, we Inform, Inspire & Impact. This podcast is curated and hosted by Aya Chebbi, Founder of Nalafem and former African Union Youth Envoy, who brings you fascinating conversations with some of the most fierce and brave African women of our time, who will shake you to take action today. read less
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Emma Theofelus: The Youngest Minister in Africa I 25
21-02-2024
Emma Theofelus: The Youngest Minister in Africa I 25
In this episode, we openly talk politics in Namibia and the rise of the youngest minister in Africa. Emma shares about her childhood, the ever changing ICT sector and digital economy, Palestinians right to self determination and she also shares her gratitudes affirmations and haircare routine. She is an orchids lover. Emma believes " The political space has written rules and unwritten rules, silent expectations and loud expectations. It is easy to go with the crowd and what others believe its true. But it important that constantly I make decision that I believe in." On female leadership she believes "Women show up everyday. Women are good enough to raise Presidents, Kings and Leaders but we’re not good enough to be those leaders ourselves? Make it make sense!" she continues "There aren’t many of us in this country, on the continent or in the world.  We, young women, are also here and we deserve a seat at the table."She has been helping girls code and reducing cost of data, donating laptops to schools and community centres as well as passing bills in Parliament on reduction and removal of tax on sanitary pads. She also advocated for paid Internships which was adopted by finance ministry. On being part of Nalafem Collective she says " Being part of a Pan-African feminist movement on the continent like Nalafem is an energy booster that validates our feelings of the lack of compassionate grief and that we’re not alone, let's get back to work. This makes Nalafem necessary" Her dinner table would surly have Former President of Liberia , Ellen Johnson Sirelaf and Former Deputy Prime Minister of Namibia, Libertine Amathila.Worlds of Wisdom from Emma: Inform yourselfUnderstand how systems operateShow up! Be seen! Make your voice heardYour don’t have to know all the answers but have a spirit of a learnerContinuously be authenticBook recommendation:  Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by by John Gray _____________________________________________Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org
Jena Dominique: Co-Creating with The Creator  I 24
31-01-2024
Jena Dominique: Co-Creating with The Creator I 24
In this episode, we openly talk about the creative industry, manifesting Forbes 30 Under 30,  her travels and adventures, her childhood, co-creation from a place of knowing to social media as a space of entitlement.  You will also learn how to operationalize creatives and navigate the space. Jena's mother encouraged an environment where she could simply ‘become’ which opened her to the world of ‘trying’, from studious kid, to tour guide to a boss of a marketing agency, Jena shares her three dimensional self.  We’re looking at a potential politician. Jena studied Political Science. She identifies as feminist and champion for underrepresented and overlooked people because she says “ I am her, she is me”. She believes her contribution to the liberation of women, black and brown bodies is in "opening doors and access" for her people as well as translating their voices to the stakeholders that matter.Some of her Words of wisdom; What do you do when no one else is watchingCreate your container and processesDo the work when no one watchingAsk yourself how you show up in the worldThis body is the only airplane we get to fly- take care of it & nurture itWe have one life to liveIt is our job to build with, to allow to be built throughfigure out what do you care about & what gets me excitedExtract your creative DNA from your work to show why you add valuelet goBe ready to give and ready to receiveIncrease your valueAllow yourself to feel, if you need to cry, cryHearing ‘No’ is part of life journey, it’s okayEnjoy being a kid,  being curious of not knowing3 Ss  1) Start your day with meditation - 2) Strengthen yourself for the next season & 3) Stay in touch with my networkEnjoy this episode and don't miss her poetry at the end. Find out more about her work at  www.jenasekwa.com _____________________________________________Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org
(Christmas Special) Mona Monyane: A life of Divine Purpose  | 21
21-12-2023
(Christmas Special) Mona Monyane: A life of Divine Purpose | 21
South African actress, producer, entrepreneur, spiritual activist and mother, Mona Monyane has a remarkable journey. In this episode, we openly talk about feminism, relationships, divorce, spirituality, self awareness , connecting with the divine and being fully oneself. Mona shares how her ancestors awakened her from grief of the death of her baby 7 days after birth.  She talks of black women as 'queen's and backbone of society which led to her work supports SGBV survivors, the right of choice for women, limited by patriarchy to be labelled and ostracised.  However, Mona explains why she does not identify as feminist, she doesn’t strive to be equal to men or match their energy but owning her power as a woman is what she strives for. Mona is an artist and considers "Being in the creative industry as a calling not a career",  she believes Africa's voice needs to be reintroduced as absolutely able to express itself intelligential and put itself on world stageHer Words of wisdomNever stop being who you areNever forget -- You are the lightBe still. Be you. Stillness is being who you areRemember me by being everything you are meant to bePerfection is an illusionBe yourself -- Shine bright like a DimondStop questioning if you’re getting it right or wrong (an elephant doesn’t doubt if it’s n elephant)You have the power to choose you, every single day, all day longYou are enough, be all of youGet pissed off with the version of yourself that doesn’t want the best for youIt’s comfortable to sit in pain, Time to be uncomfortable, own who we areYou loose a lot of people because they were not meant to stay, your tribe will find you Spiritual practice Tips Isolate yourselfWrite things down (aspirations, dreams, feelings..)Go to nature (hub a tree, sit by a river, dance in the rain, lay on the ground…)Get a petPray (have a conversation with the great divine)Create an environment (candles..)RestFinal thought from Mona is " What's difficult about the truth is that - it is simple", so hoping this episode will bring you closer to living your truth and reflect in the Christmas season on who you really are.  --------------------------------------------- Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org
Aisha Yesufu: Good Trouble - Unapologetically Me | 19
27-11-2023
Aisha Yesufu: Good Trouble - Unapologetically Me | 19
Aisha Yesufu is an impact-led Nigerian socio-political reformer, civic & community development crusader, who consistently demands for good governance, fight for justice, fairness and equity and lend her voice in support of women safety and financial freedom.  In this episode she talks about BringBackOurGirls movement , EndSARS movement and her other good trouble. She unpacks how poverty has been weaponised, generational gap and corruption.  "For my parents, putting food on the table, that's their activism", she shares about her family, movements and Nigerian politics. "If you can't mingle with the people why are you going in politics?"Married at 24, she has installed in her two children; Amir and Aliyyah Yesufu, her words of wisdom Know who you areAccept who you areLove who you areDon't negotiate your valuesChallenge meNothing is off the tableKeep learningDevelop 'people sills'Develop empathyKill the voice that says "you can't"Don't compromise   Leadership priorities for Africa; Civic EducationCitizens demandsEmpowering youth to take chargeAlso find out if she will run for office? Aisha's relationship advice is to look for someone who can add value to you but not diminish you. --------------------------------------------- Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org
Serisha Barrat : Financial Freedom through Social Entrepreneurship| 18
10-11-2023
Serisha Barrat : Financial Freedom through Social Entrepreneurship| 18
No one picks up the phone and say “ Hi Serisha how are you doing”? This episode shows an authentic and honest conversation with Serisha Barrat who felt crippled but found light in the darkness in an incredible journey. Serisha started her first business at 17 and since then she’s been a successful entrepreneur with multiple companies. She tells the story of how she mimicked her boss and eventually became her own boss girl. "I made it happen for myself. I carried myself well because I'm not gonna look like my problems", she says.  Serisha is a social entrepreneur with key foundational values; impact is key driver for her businesses as well as financial freedom because she believes " I am not dependent on anyone to create my world and impact". As a problem solver she is always on the quest of - What are the gaps and how we fix it? and continues to build without reinventing the wheel. On this episode she talks about corruption , rising in male dominated industry and snippet of her dating life. When there is so much noise around her and on social media she reminds herself "What am I doing is what matters to me".Her words of wisdomKeep on trying everydayBe grateful for being safe, for family, for a new day to be who you want to beDont compare yourself to anyone elseStay in your lane and focus on what you’re buildingPray , I got my strength from god/divineFree your time from admin tasks and focus on buildingUnderstand what you need to do what resources you need to streamline your processStop feeling sorry for yourself no one is coming to save youIt's not a me problem it's many of us problemSerisha shares her tips, management tools and hacksChatGPT4 plus - many ways to plug in tools like canva and read pdfs, draft emails and send emails.Canva - create marketing materials.Apollo ai connected to linkedin to help find co-founders and investors.Dalle - Image generations.Midjourney - image generations.Jasper.ai - is an AI-powered writing assistant.Otter.ai - Meeting note takerBard - stats and researchNotionRows ai - Financials projections. Book recommendation: Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins-------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org
Zulaikha Patel : Hair is Political | 16
23-10-2023
Zulaikha Patel : Hair is Political | 16
Zulaikha Patel is a South African anti-racism activist. She is Best-Selling author in South Africa for her children’s book My Coily Crowny Hair  which affirms black Afro identity. At at the age of 13, she became a symbol of the fight against Pretoria Girls High School's policy regarding black girls' hair in 2016 that prohibited Afros, dreadlocks and braids.  Growing up to an Indian father and black African mother, she tells the story of her parents choosing each other, of her experience in white high school and of being rejected by her paternal conservative muslim side because of her blackness among other powerful stories of her activism. She explains how— Racism determines your outcome in life, your healthcare, your education, your job, your transport, your tax bracket, everything is based on your race. Learn also about her morning routine and don’t miss the question at the end if she is a heartbreaker or heartbroken. Her words of wisdomInform your activism with your country's lawsChoose you, and be at the steering wheal of your lifeKeep your fire litAssociate with people who get you and lift you upPick where you mingleYour intuition is your guiding compass: Listen to your intuitionDo your To-List  in 3what you need to get donewhat you hope to get donewhat you have to get done (the later as priority order)-------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org
Verlaine-Diane Soobroydoo: How to Heal & Reset in Leadership | 14
06-04-2023
Verlaine-Diane Soobroydoo: How to Heal & Reset in Leadership | 14
Today we’re talking with Verlaine-Diane Soobroydoo, a humanist growing up with a Mauritian Indian mother and Congolese father, has taken an unconventional journey of leadership from a career at the United Nations to a published Author. When COVID-19 hit, she felt that the dust settled, realising there is some work she needs to do for healing and her reflections resulted into her first book "Unbound Twitter Thoughts for the Heart and Mind". Aya and Verlaine talk about Writing as a healing, Freedom, Womanhood, resetting, the gift of being, and letting go. Verlaine also talked about the people who "hold on to their old leaves, they think they will com back to green, and that it’s still my time". Some of Verlaine's advice : Remove people who would activate your woundsFree dive into the cycle of lifeIf you’re not whole within yourself, you’re not able to recognise pain within othersIts not the job that makes you , you make the jobGo get these leadership positionsBe free - Freedom of being whole and pursing every level of oneselfHome is where we need to beWomanhood as a trip to wholeness, You have to take a trip to find yourself, find your voice and find courage.-------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org
Rose Wachuka: A life of Service in Public Service | EP13
04-04-2023
Rose Wachuka: A life of Service in Public Service | EP13
Kenya: With over a decade of experience in public service, Rose Wachuka, is a Policy Advisor and Chief of Staff at Chief Justice of the Judiciary of Kenya. In this episode, Aya and Rose talk about politics from an African worldview including Kenyan politics and Tomas Sankara. Rose reveals some bold views on US politics as well as Palestine-Israel politics. Through two songs of her choice from North Africa, she has taken us on a journey to different writers and books and people who inspired her as she considers “Writing as an act of melancholy”. On culture, Rose shared about her wild 35th birthday with inspiring advice and tips for young women and girls pursuing their ambitions but feeling trapped in cultural norms as she says  “Vulnerability starts where shame ends”, she also openly talked about sexuality, relationships and spirituality. Songs Zina by BabyloneSidi Mansour by Omar Khorshid-----------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: https://nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifestoand how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.https://nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.orgLeave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.