At The Table Podcast

Join us as we talk all things creativity, staying authentic to yourself through grounding techniques and self care with mommy, designer and artist Lulu Kitololo. You can find more information on Lulu's website: lulukitololo.com and on her blog, blog, afri-love.com You are welcome to join her Facebook group, Afri-love Women And interact with her on Instagram @lulukitololo

I speak to former yoga teacher, Laura, trying to live a simple and connected life. When things are simplified, she says, life is just better.We talk about sustainable fashion and living, as well as her journey through pregnancy. We talk about her journey of making a home out of a house where Laura shares that "colours really affect our moods". We discuss yoga as a journey of contentment and one that reminds us that we have everything we need. Something about nature she says, is that "you can flow with it." We talk about self care as being about doing the internal work as well as being about the face masks and bubblebaths. We talk birth control, and her journey of becoming a yoga teacher. "Life is more than this vessel we carry", Laura shares. Also, a timely reminder that "once you do a handstand, life doesn't change, it just lets go of a little bit of fear. Where you are is just fine." Laura shares tips on altering out toxic and unnecessary news, her favourite books on mindful living, starting meditation, building a healthy work ethic and practising self care regardless of age and gender.

New episode out now✨✨ featuring author and women’s rights advocate @lanji0 episode 6- declutter and debunk

We discuss womanhood and matriarchy- topics explored in Wanja's first album, Matriarch. We talk about the ins and outs of playing internationally and the joy behind playing to an intimate and present crowd. We talk about how Wanja stays rooted in love and in truth in what could sometimes be deemed an ingenious industry. She shares the word 'Homecoming' as an adjective to describe this album. It was written at a time where she was yearning for a sense of home and asking questions such as "what's my lineage?", "what's my ancestry?", "who are the women who made me who I am both literally and more esoterically". We discuss ways she supports other women in the industry while moving in kindness and fearlessness. We also touch on misconceptions people have about her as well as how she feels after having released the new EP, 'Honey'.We talk about self care in the times of the internet and find out what she is listening to and is inspired by, currently. We talk about her music relationship with her now fiancé and how music has always been around for her. How it takes a village to create a beautiful, blooming, continuously productive artist- yet how it all comes down to just you. We hear her advice for young girls learning to love their bodies and trust in their journeys and end with ways you can support her as an artist in a world of online streaming.

Episode 4- Feminism(s), Friendship, Freedom Dreams and Life as a Phd student with Niharika. by Veronica Kimani

Episode 4- Feminism(s), Friendship, Freedom Dreams and Life as a Phd student with Niharika. by Veronica Kimani

I'm joined for an artist's chat with singer and artist Karun who is creating her own authentic blueprint. Find out what self care looks like to her as a mom and traveling artist. How movement is a form of therapy through the ways it gets all the energy to move around the body that may have been pent up throughout the week. How she stays present and sets time for a daily meditation with her son. Find out what she would say to young people and upcoming artists who are trying to figure out their path, and how this may mean looking to pursue what comes most naturally to you with a little hard work. Such a joyful conversation. Tune in, share your comments and enjoy.

Tracklist: Sanaipei tande- amina 8:48 Lizzo- Like a girl 27:47 Uyo Meyo- Teni 31:51 Tune in to this episode on Education and Metis (Greek for 'local knowledge')with Rebecca Ume Crook (also known as Stickylittleleaves). We talk about our favorite learning experiences why we feel the world is changing through education and through Metis and why regardless of race, status, sexuality or gender Metis is here to improve your learning experience. We talk about how education has the power to shift our relationships with ourselves with the environment and with others. More than just fostering courage and creativity, Rebecca explores how education has the power to equip us with knowledge and skills to understand reality and really participate in its transformation and how Metis is here to set a blueprint globally by being a part of a learning revolution. Rebecca explains that those who are closest to the problem are closest to the solution and that is why Kenyan education leaders are at the heart of Metis. Rebecca explains that Metis is here to build the capacity of leaders and to create an ecosystem of support around them that can transform education in Kenya and beyond by empowering and equipping our teachers with new skills and technologies including innovative apps. She shares an amazing story of the brilliant and passionate fellow Dr Suzanne who is a PhD holder from Cambridge. Dr Sue who was determined to make a change in girls transition into secondary school moved to nairobi to start a mentoring program -Children in Freedom, a school whose vision is to mirror to kids who they are. I ask American-Japanese Rebecca what keeps her motivated and she says reminding herself of the 'why' during every step of the journey. Whether this means journalling through this thought or calling her deeply cherished grandfather to remind her. She explains that she always wanted to know how she can do something to make sure systems are working for more people, and education was a path through which she could enact change to transform learning and make it and more inclusive. I ask Rebecca what self care means and she doesn't hesitate to explain that you must find your oxygen. Find and follow the things that give you life. For her it’s spending times in classrooms with children, being in schools and connecting her purpose in these spaces. More than that, find your tribe regardless of which field you're in. For her, cross fit in Nairobi provides that community to challenge her to be her best self outside of work. “Joy is resistance” Rebecca expresses, you aren't meant to be living a joy-full life in the structures present especially as women of colour. We also talk about photography and I get to understand that 'sticky little leaves' is a metaphor for appreciating the extraordinary in everyday life, the magnificent and the mundane. That process of gratitude and paying attention and staying present through visual storytelling is really important to Rebecca. We all have a fundamental need to be seen, and photography can help us be seen and to truly see other people she expresses. Photography is a tool for power and a way for people to share their stories on their own terms, transcending borders of language. Its a great story telling tool and an enabler of curiosity. As we wrap up with her love for photography, Rebecca concludes the episode with the words- ”you can do hard things and we can do harder things together” and I can't say Metis stands for anything less. To find out more about my incredible guest, follow Metis on instagram and find Rebecca on instagram as @stickylittleleaves.

Joined by Syowia Kyambi, a multi-media artist of Kenyan and German heritage based in Nairobi talking art, belonging and self care as the responsibility of attracting what you bring forward. Syowia has been the recipient of several awards and grants, including most recently the Art in Global Health Grant from the Wellcome Trust Fund in the United Kingdom.

Episode 8- Poetry and Writing with Michelle Angwenyi 1. Kumbe elolo - Charlotte Dipanda 2. Youth - Wanja Wohoro 3. Djoli - Dobet Gnahore 4. Cold Heart - Lorine Chia 5. Honeycomb - Kadhja Bonet 6. Spell - Lady Donli 7. People - Laura Mvula On this episode, we talk Poetry and Writing and celebrate the life and works of our beloved, Ntozake Shange. Join us for readings of Michelle’s own writings whose search for beauty and love for (being with and writing about) nature is nothing short of awe inspiring.

Episode 7- Halima on Storytelling. Tracklist: Pale Pale- Jazz & Trina (10:35) Secret Love- Njoku Karu (26:18) Kama Kawaida- Mayonde, Kagwe Mungai, Muthoni Drummer Queen (31:20) Joined At the Table with Halima discussing story-telling as we follow her journey around the world as a freelance journalist. At the Table Podcast available on Soundcloud, iTunes and SOAS Radio.

Episode 6- All things Travel, Culture and Identity with Qali. by Veronica Kimani

Joined At the Table by Tessy Cherono the founder of the youth led organisation, The Arena Kenya. Tune in for a wonderful episode on process, money matters and overcoming self doubt as well as the all too familiar imposter syndrome. Tessy shares with us her journey in building her brand and we get to learn a little more about the woman behind the business including what Lingala music she's currently dancing to. Tune in and enjoy!

Joined At the Table by organic food entrepreneur Kajuju to discuss her journey with mindful eating and how she turned her passion for food blogging into a full running and beautifully blossoming business in Nairobi. This episode is accompanied by classic tunes from South African legend, Brenda Fassie. Tracklist (Brenda Fassie in focus) -Vulindela -Nomakanji -Songea Nikubambe -Weekend Special -Thola Amadlozi

Episode 2 : “Breath is Powerful” joined by Tania Nishat-Botero Music list Solange- Boderline (An Ode to Self Care) Jamilia Woods- Bubbles Noname- Freedom Nneka- My Love Ibeyi- Ghosts FKA Twigs- Good to Love Janelle Monae- Yoga Joined At the table with Tania Nishat Botero- a yoga instructor and Gender Studies SOAS alum. We discuss yoga in relation to self-awareness, political activism, body image, accessibility and a few other topics including the significance of mindfulness practices in marginalised communities. This episode ends with a few tips on simple and cost free ways you can begin living more mindfully- with Tania reminding us that yoga stems and ends on having an awareness of one’s breath. Subscribe to ‘At the Table’ on SOAS Radio and iTunes!

Episode 1: ‘An Ode to Self Care- reflections and music’ joined by Amarachi Ninette Iheke Music list NAO- Intro (Like Velvet) Angelique Kidjo- Bahia Jojo Abot- To Li Seinabo Sey- Hard Time Ibeyi- River SZA- Childs Play Laura Mvula- Green Garden Solange- Boderline (An Ode to Self Care) Joined At the Table with Amarachi Ninette Iheke- a 2nd year student at SOAS studying International Relations and African Studies, also the current People of Colour Officer at SOAS. Ninette and myself discuss what self care means to us as black women. We talk about self care in spaces of political activism and as an intentional practice to ritualise for students juggling work, social and academic pressures. We discuss why writing matters,why it’s important to create and personalise your own space, as well as the importance of supporting creatives whose work is made especially for women of colour. Ninette shares with us artists and writers whose impact span years back and continue to nourish her life. We also talk hair care as a journey into self-realisation and a means to understanding black self-care and self-love deeper. enjoy 'At the Table' online at SOAS Radio and on SoundCloud.