Sense and Sika

The 2026 job market is absolutely wild right now. If you've been applying to roles nonstop with little to no response, you're not alone. In this episode, I break down why landing a job feels harder than ever, from ghosted applications and endless interview rounds to layoffs and constantly shifting employer expectations. I talk candidly about what's happening behind the scenes, how it's affecting many new grads and gen-z's mental health and confidence, with practical ways to stay strategic, encouraged, and prepared in the middle of this job seekers chaos.

We all have a relationship with money—and whether we realize it or not, it shapes how we earn, spend, save, and stress. In this episode, I break down some of the most common types of money relationships and how they show up in real life—from avoidance and never spending, easily parting ways with money and abundance mindsets.You'll learn how to examine how these money patterns are formed over time, and recognize which one you fall into. Most importantly— I share some practical mindset shifts and habits that can help to transform a negative money relationship into a more confident, peaceful, and positive one.This episode isn't about judgment or perfection. It's about awareness, healing, and giving yourself the tools to relate to money in a way that supports the life you actually want.

In a world where entrepreneurship is the "only way" or the ultimate goal, it seems like having a 9–5 gets a bad rap—but does it deserve it? In this episode, I talk about the real, unconventional benefits of a traditional job and how it can positively impact your life. I break down how a 9–5 can actually support your goals, not limit them, as well as develop your character and tenacity.

Sometimes the hardest part isn't leaving a toxic workplace—it's realizing you're in one. In this episode, we explore some of the signs that your work environment may be doing more harm to you than good. If you've normalized exhaustion, self-doubt, or Sunday night dread, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and name what's really going on. I share my own personal story of working in a toxic, high stress work environment, and give some advice on how to best navigate these kind of jobs. After all, awareness is the first step toward making the best decision for your career—and this episode will help you to assess your current job and any new roles that you may be stepping into.

In today's episode we're talking career path. Choosing a career isn't just about what you're good at—it's also about what you value. In this episode, we dive into the passion vs. salary debate, unpacking the pros, cons, and personal realities of both paths. If you're navigating career decisions or questioning your next move, this episode will give you clarity on what the best move is for you!

Graduate school sounds like the next logical step—but is it actually the right one for you, right now?In this episode, we're breaking down how to decide if graduate school makes sense for your career and when the timing is right. We'll talk through the real reasons people go to grad school, how to assess ROI, and the questions you should be asking before committing time, money, and energy. I discuss my own personal journey with business school, and the steps I took to decide on the timing and impact of my masters degree program. If you've been feeling pressure to “do more school” but aren't sure it's the move, this episode will help you make a decision that's strategic.

In this episode, we break down the key things you should focus on during your first days and weeks in a new role or company to set yourself up for long-term success. From building strong relationships and understanding expectations to learning the culture, this episode is your practical guide to starting smart. Whether you're stepping into a new company, a new role, or a bigger level of responsibility, these tips will help you move with strategic confidence and intention from day one.

Hi There! I'm Akuba, welcome to Sense and Sika where we make sense of your career, and your sika! (money).

On today's episode I go through all the major red-flags of a toxic work environment or job. There's alot to unpack from job descriptions, interview stage and even while you're on the job. Alot of times we are too focused on just landing an opportunity instead of making sure it is the right fit for us, and we pay dearly for it. This episode is meant to be a guide to bring clarity on what to look for and how to avoid landing in a traumatic job or work environment. I share some of my personal experiences with traumatic work scenarios along the way.

In this episode, I discuss an interesting reddit work related question and how to handle these corporate environment situations. Today's main topic is what it means to take control of your career. Taking control of your career is a term that is tossed around alot, but what does that mean? How does that apply to first gen's in the workplace? If you feel like you've lost control of your career path and are just job hopping, how can you get back on track ? I'll share about my career journey and some of the tools that helped me to create the life and career that I want by design.

In todays episode I discuss Dr. Claudine Gay's resignation as Harvard president, and what it represents for black women in the workplace. Next I discuss the changes to our working environments. Everything we used to know about work has shuffled, reset, and rebooted post-covid 19. People are working remotely and commuting less. There's been so many layoffs, even for the most skilled workers. Job descriptions are not clear, and it seems like alot of people are generally more toxic work environments than not. Is there any good left out there? How can you navigate all the changes? In this episode I give you some tips and mindsets to consider when it comes to navigating the new post- covid 2.0 corporate/ working environment.

In this episode I discuss all things related to your employee handbook and code of conduct. It is critical to go through your handbook and have a good understanding of your  companies policies. Each company has a different set of rules and regulations that you legally agreed to when you accepted a role. I discuss my personal experiences with employee handbooks, and how to read the terms of your employment, your benefits, code of conduct and more.  For work dilemmas, questions or collaboration inquiries, please send an email to senseandsika@gmail.com

On today's episode we are making space for us FIRST GEN's! Wether you are Ghanaian, Jamaican, Vietnamese, Nigerian, you name it. I feel like a part of our identity and experience as first gens has been swept away into generic generations of "gen -z" or millennial. However, the way we see the world + navigate challenges is very different from our peers. Join in on the convo as we tackle some of the very real experiences we have as first gen's. Join the convo on instagram: akubaaaa New episodes dropping on Tuesdays!

In today's BONUS episode, I'm talking about getting off of social media; a cleanse if you will. We spend so much time scrolling on these apps that we let real life pass us by! It is understandable because that is how these apps are built - for endless scrolling and comparing ourselves to others.I recently took a long over due break away to focus on my personal life and... I have no regrets. Have you felt like taking a social media break? Join the convo on IG @akubaaaa New Episodes dropping on Tuesdays!

Welcome to WIWIK pod! Learn a bit about me as a first generation Ghanaian as we dive into the topic of Identity. Identity is something that many people struggle with at some point, especially as we it comes to becoming confident in who we are and what path we are on, versus what our parents and society are telling us to do. What is the true definition of identity + How come we've got it all twisted? Let's talk about it! email me for Q+A + business inquiries: wiwikpod@gmail.com instagram:akubaaaa twitter:akubadoe