In this episode of Listen To Your Footsteps, Michelle Atagana, Head of Communications and PR for Spotify Africa, takes us on an inspiring journey through her life and career. Michelle shares the moments that defined her path from her childhood in Nigeria to shaping global narratives in the music industry.

Reflecting on her days as a tech journalist and her transition into the corporate world, Michelle highlights the importance of storytelling, curiosity, and embracing change. “I’m happiest when I’m learning,” she reveals, offering a glimpse into her creative pursuits, including a fantasy novel she’s working on.

Michelle’s candid discussion touches on her blue-haired confidence, the challenges of leadership, and the transformative power of music and technology. She talks about her current role, highlighting the importance of amplifying African voices in the global music industry, saying, “It’s about helping African creators be heard.” She also reflects on her evolving career, from journalism to tech, and the lessons learned along the way.

Whether you’re a storyteller, a dreamer, or just curious, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight. So join Michelle and Kojo as they discuss her journey of self-discovery, overcoming challenges, and using technology to bring African talent to the world stage.

You can find the latest from Michelle ⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠or any of these social spaces⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠X [formerly Twitter]⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.

Listen to The Book Corner with Michelle Atangana For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Editor: Jason Rademeyer Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Show Music: Kweku 'Taygo' Baffoe Producer: Ayob Vania

In this week’s episode of Listen To Your Footsteps, host Kojo Baffoe speaks with Bianca Sibiya, founder of The Fixer Coalition and former Head of Africa Operations at TikTok. Bianca takes us through her incredible journey, from her early days on Bassiq—a groundbreaking show in African street culture—to leading high-impact digital strategies for brands across Africa. Bianca reflects on how her psychology studies shaped her approach to brand-building and shares insights into the importance of community-driven storytelling.

With experience spanning MTV Africa, Viacom, and the startup world, Bianca’s perspective is both powerful and inspiring. She emphasises the importance of “showing up” as Africans in global media spaces and navigating the challenges of today’s fast-paced digital environment.

Press Play now to hear Bianca’s story, her unique insights on brand and community building, and her passion for crafting authentic African narratives in the digital age.

You can find the latest from Bianca Sibiya on ⁠his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku 'Taygo' Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this compelling episode, we’re joined by Munyaradzi Chanetsa, a trailblazing marketer and music industry executive. With a career dedicated to elevating voices and capturing the essence of African culture, Munyaradzi shares his journey from a passionate creator to a respected figure in the African Music landscape.

Known for his fearless approach, Munyaradzi takes us through the pivotal moments that led him to amplify underrepresented voices and challenge conventional views. Through this conversation, he offers insight into becoming a "Man Of The Industry" and establishing Masters Of The Industry as a movement to champion excellence, empower musicians and build legacy, reminding us that we can all drive real change.

Join us as we dive into the art of breaking barriers, going with the flow and bringing communities together. This episode promises to leave you inspired, with a renewed appreciation for the stories that shape who we are.

You can find the latest from Munya Chanetsa on ⁠his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠and ⁠Facebook⁠. You can learn more about MOTI ⁠here⁠.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

From herding goats to the depths of his own soul, Hakeem Anderson-Lesolang's journey is an extraordinary testament to the power of resilience and self-discovery. Once known as the rapper Flex Boogie, he has evolved into a respected author, holistic transformational therapist, and poet.

In this episode of Listen to Your Footsteps, we delve into the fascinating life of a man who has faced adversity head-on, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and self-understanding, emerging stronger and wiser. Discover how Hakeem's experiences as a goat herder, his struggles with family dynamics, and his foray into the entertainment industry have shaped him into the the compassionate and insightful individual he is today which ultimately led him to embrace a career dedicated to helping others heal.

With raw honesty and philosophical insight, Hakeem shares his inspiring story of resilience, inner work, transformation, and the power of human connection. Join us as we explore the profound lessons learned and the transformative power of listening to one's inner voice.

You can find the latest from Hakeem on ⁠his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, LinkedIn, X [Twitter] and Facebook. You can learn more about Fola Wellness and Healing here.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this Listen To Your Footsteps episode, we explore the fascinating journey of world-renowned multi-disciplinary artist Robin Rhode.

From his early days as a provincial cricket player to his groundbreaking art that merges performance, photography, and painting, Robin takes us through the creative processes that have shaped his career. He reflects on how his upbringing, exposure to church iconography, and his father’s work as a draughtsman have influenced his unique visual style.

Robin also opens up about the struggles of balancing art and personal life, especially the challenges of fatherhood and how failure fuelled some of his best work.

We discuss his move to Berlin, where love and new experiences guided him, and his commitment to creating art that challenges boundaries while embracing cultural, political, and ecological themes.

This episode offers an intimate look at Robin’s artistic philosophy and how he channels struggle into a form of creative power. You can find the latest from Robin on ⁠his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this episode of Listen To Your Footsteps, we sit down with acclaimed filmmaker, Sifiso Khanyile, to explore his deep love for storytelling and archival research.

Sifiso discusses his journey from founding and leaving the South African rock group BLK JKS, his eventual shift into documentary filmmaking and what sparked the obsession with digging deep into history, culture, and memory.

We delve into his experiences with audio-visual archives, the inspiration he finds in old papers, and how spatial politics influences his work.

Sifiso also opens up about the challenges of raising children with new perspectives and the existential questions he faced after becoming a father.

Join us as Sifiso reflects on the intersection of art, history, and belonging, offering a glimpse into his unique worldview as an agnostic existentialist.

You can find the latest from Sifiso on ⁠⁠any of these social spaces ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this episode of the Listen To Your Footsteps podcast, acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and businessman Quintus Jansen, known as "the creative guy," shares his remarkable journey from street dance beginnings to international ballroom stages.

Starting at just six years old, Quintus found a unique connection in ballroom dance, leading him to travel, compete, and eventually choose dance as his lifelong passion. Despite studying accounting at UCT, his true calling pulled him toward dance, even as he hustled in London to pursue his dream. Quintus delves into the art of choreography, emphasising the importance of adaptability, a value-adding mindset, and the balance between artistic storytelling and commercial entertainment.

He reflects on the lessons from his MBA, his philosophy of "Family first, then work," and his transition from Dance Culture to Creative Culture.

With insights into life, business, and the power of creating value, this episode is a masterclass in resilience and creativity.

You can find the latest from Quintuson ⁠⁠any of these social spaces ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠X [formerly Twitter]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this episode of Listen To Your Footsteps, we sit down with the multifaceted dillion s. phiri, a strategy director, social sculptor, and filmmaker who has carved out a unique path through creativity and community-building.

dillion s. phiri's journey began with a deep-rooted influence from his mother, who guided him toward a career in technology, a field that would offer stability for him as a refugee/migrant in South Africa.

From his early days working at Cape Town Tourism, where he gained invaluable insights into policy, frameworks, and the intersection of technology with urban development, to his struggles and triumphs as a refugee pursuing a degree through Greenwich University, dillion s. phiri shares the experiences that shaped his perspective on life and work.

As a parent, he opens up about the challenges of raising children in a globalized world, the importance of supporting their dreams, and the evolution of parenting styles. dillion s. phiri also reflects on his close relationship with his mother, whose daily conversations bring him grounding and life lessons in perseverance, positivity, and forward movement.

The conversation delves into dillion s. phiri's role as a community-builder and the creation of Creative Nestlings, a platform that evolved from a for-profit business to a non-profit institution with a mission to impact the creative community. He candidly discusses his love-hate relationship with Creative Nestlings, his struggles with personal fulfillment as a filmmaker, and his ongoing journey of healing from years of internal pain.

Join us for an intimate and inspiring episode as dillion s. phiri shares his story of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of a more carefree and happy life.

You can find the latest from dillion s. phiri on ⁠⁠any of these social spaces YouTube, LinkedIn, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook, ⁠⁠⁠X [formerly Twitter]⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania