The Busy Being Born Podcast

#58: Alice Kombani and Tracey Shiundu on the Making of formidable Women - An Ode to Motherhood

In this special episode the BBB duo sit with Filmmaker and third time podcast guest Alice Kombani and with Scientist, Entrepreneur and great supporter of the podcast Tracey Shiundu for a great conversation in ode to motherhood. The episode picks the convo from their early interactions with ideas of motherhood and marriage, to dating, doubts, rites, weddings and how men with funny shoes and Gully creeper tendencies turned into impressive husbands and fathers. The guests share gems they’ve picked on their journeys so far; from friendship to marriage, through love and lessons, to timing, teething, tantrums and raising teenagers and little fires all while pursuing their professional paths. This episode explores their student to career woman journeys, girlfriend to wife stories, dreamer to achiever paths then back to daughter and mother relationships with even deeper reflections on family, fear, faith, conditioning, genetic continuations, education, women in leadership and their current relationships with their mothers. The episode is really about intentionality, community, continuity and overcoming the gatekeepers to your dreams, all layered in celebrating the women before them while beaming light to ones behind them.
 
Alice Kombani (IG) is an award Kenyan filmmaker, writer, poet, farmer and prolific creative entrepreneur currently working to ground African Cinema working on her latest feature film ‘Babe’.
 
Tracey Shiundu (Website, X, LinkedIn, IG) - a Top40under40Ke 2023 honoree, is a Scientist with a masters in Environmental Chemistry who also holds another in project Management, She is a co-founder of FunKe Science whose goal is to inspire the next generation of African scientists by making science fun for children
 
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This episode is brought to you by Tuwatch Sinema and FunKe Science.
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SHOW NOTES AND EP. LINKS
Alice Kombani episodes – 2 and 31.
Episode #2
Episode #31
Tracey Shiundu, Top40Under40
Workation meaning
Cloffice meaning
Kimani Wandaka
Feet finder App
Akili TV
Ubongo kids
New Zealand female leadership during covid – Jacinda
Volcanic eruption in Iceland
Women in science - Other BBB stem episodes
Dr. Shikoh Gitau
Leah Njuguna
Hon. Millie Odhiambo, A recent Hon. Millie Odhiambo interview
Arri cameras

#57: No guest but nuggets - The one on Floods, full spirits and relationship with food.

In this post floods episode under a clear sky, the BBB duo have a No guests but nuggets off shoot episode to do a casual catch up on their mind spaces and seasons in life. From Kigondu’s perspective shifts on ‘settling down’, companionship, fasting, music and more, to Kamande’s transitions at work, new found meditation partners, parenting updates and so on. The episode which explores themes around intentionality, friendship and planting seeds of compassion and wisdom also glazes over the folly of comfort of the middle class, capitalism, systemic rot in governance and the need for overhauls in systems and perspectives around politics and leadership. A slight highlight on sieving our thoughts and the stories our minds tell us as a method to overcoming anxiety is given, even as more seeds on mindful awareness and being present are sown. A short and wholesome listen.
 
EPISODE LINKS
Floods in Mathare, Nairobi and across the Kenya
On need to improve diets to reduce food related deaths
Fasting intermittent – restricted feeding
Intermittent fasting and muscle mass concern
Peter Attia’s shifts on fasting
Intermittent fasting Apps to track fasting
Kamandes recent blog update
The concept of Residuals from acting explained
A piece on the equally yoked concept
The Cole and Kendrick debate
The Kendrick – Drake Feud explained
Usher Interview on his Super Bowl journey
 
MUSIC REFERENCES AND LINKS
Fena and ZZero – Hizi floods
Watendawili
Coster Ojwang
Matata + Watendawili - Inakubalika
Hart the band album – Time
 808S AND HEARTBREAKS
36 CHAMBERS
Forest Hills Drive – J Cole album
Rapsody album
I love it here - Nasty C album

#56: Emmanuel ‘Mongul’ Mavala on Cross-Fit, Visionary Sports Leadership and Legacy

In this episode the host duo chat with the fittest man in the country! Kamande and Kigondu sit with the towering Emmanuel Mavala and pick gems from his expeditions around the world and life through sports. The legendary rugby player and strength and conditioning coach walks them through winning tides, plateau periods and lessons through transitions, tiers, training, the early grind and professional athlete experience. From his football days to his first rugby game, from tours with the Simbas to his unexpected boxing season, from different Kenyan rugby clubs to his international experience and so on - this episode follows his quests both on the field and the mind. A case study on the making of an exceptional athlete exploring the place of mental fortitude, passion, discipline, diet, rest and intentionality in the making of a champ. The episode explores dedication, entrepreneurship, cross-fit being ‘the father’ of all sports, the founding of 48Shred, the making of functional training regimes and great coaches, captains, cultures and working structures beyond the pitch.
 
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Emmanuel Mavala (IG: mavala_jr) is a capped rugby player, a high performance coach and the top ranked cross-fit athlete in the country. He is a cofounder of 48Shred fitness(IG: 48_shred), where he has focus on S&C training for Rugby, high level performance training, among other wellness ventures.
 
Brought to you by Prevail Presents Ltd.
 
EPISODE LINKS & Show notes
 
Ranked 1st in KE ’in the CrossFit Games (Fittest man in Kenya!!!), and 108th in Africa in 2023.
More on the Poland experience
Josh Chisanga BBB episode
A bit on the Kenya Cup History
Benjamin Ayimba in memorium
More on protein synthesis
More on athlete protein intake
Five time CrossFit games champion, Mat Fraser
2023 World Rugby 15s Player of the year, Ardie Savea
More on ethical hacking and pen testing

#55: DR. FRANZ OWANO on Masks of Manhood, Words, Wards and the Merits of slow Success

In this episode the BBB duo sit with Dr. Franz Owano - a prolific author, publisher and doctor for a most intriguing conversation. Jumping into the deep end as soon as the episode starts, Franz explores the merits of greed - yes, greed - before the episode flows more towards studying the choices, strengths, weaknesses and shadows of great men. With historical figures, characters from his books and prominent thought leaders making appearances in his anecdotes and examples; the episode follows Franz’s ideas, curiosities, experiences and journey into both medicine and literature. From ‘stealing’ books to the scribblings that begun the writer's journey, from being a non-desire inducing creature to being lead doctor in the wild bandit prone Laikipia, from points of inflections to deflections and so on the episode follows Franz’s transition from the ward to the seat. Highlighting existential frustrations, anxiety, ambition and worthy tradeoffs, societal impositions, work in the mental health space and more, the conversation generously finds time to also analyze the shift of position demonizing fathers to humanizing them to then becoming them. At the heart of it - this episode is really about gratitude, perseverance, drive, kindness, fatherhood, finding balance and ensuing happiness as opposed to chasing it.
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This episode is brought to you by FunKeScience.
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About the Guest
Franz Owano is a Doctor, Author and Publisher. He began writing seriously while still a medical student at the University of Nairobi over a decade ago. Venturing into literature as a productive outlet from the rigors of his chosen vocation. He has penned plays, collections of short stories, an anthology of poems, a novella and a couple of novels so far ranging from the genres of contemporary fiction, African folklore, religious fantasy to historical and science fiction. Three of his books and a 4th published under the banner of his company (The Wanderers Path Publishers - IG) have been purchased by the United States Library of Congress.
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SHOW NOTES
The True top of Maslow’s hierarchy of Needs
The hedonic treadmill
Queen Victoria reign
Julius Caesar - bio
Julius Caesar by Shakespeare
Napoleon Bonaparte - bio
On the Oedipus Complex by Sigmund Freud
More on the late great Jaramogi
Neil deGrasse Tyson on Schrodinger’s cat
Jeffery Archer personal story
Franz’s publishing company: Wanderer's Path
On Addressing and reducing cognitive dissonance
More on TYPE A personalities
BBB Episode with Bulle (Nuria Bookstore founder)
Other Franz Owano Interviews (Youtube, Nation Newspaper)
 
BOOKS, POEMS, MOVIES AND MUSIC MENTIONS
Analyzing Gordon Gecko from Wolf of Wall Street
Ghosts of empires book by Kwasi Kwarteng
EXODUS by Leon Uris
Tides in the affairs of men quote from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar explained:
In Flanders Field poem by John McCrae history, context and meaning
The go to books for 90’s kids
Thomas Shelby (Bio) - Peaky blinders character
Master Shifu (Bio) - KUNGFU PANDA character
Love yourz by J Cole
Some of Franz’s Books on Nuria

#54: Doug Mutai on the cross country building the comedy culture, Purpose and Alignment

In this episode the BBB duo sit with respected Kenyan stand-up comedian and manager, Doug Mutai (X, IG). The three gents follow Doug’s journey finding comedy or is it comedy finding him? From Bomet to Lethbridge, Kericho to Calgary, Nakuru to Nairobi and so on, in between laughs and hot takes - the trio trace Doug’s discovery of purpose through comedy and management; from daring abroad to successfully engineering a dam for comics back home. The episode sees the protagonist move in old cars in winter, tackle tedious terrain chasing the comedy high through comedy rooms, caves, clubs and competitions across Canada. Having built muscle and experience over the years - from bits to sets, sets to acts and routines to becoming an established comic, Doug’s chat with the BBB duo highlights lessons from the years and seasons, the highs and the lows, the pivots and plateaus, friendships, partnerships and surprisingly - farming. Even as it documents the becoming of The Stand Up Collective, this episode following Doug’s journey is truly about the benefits of consistency, self-awareness, living in the moment and the freedom attached to discovering success as the journey as opposed to the goal.
 
Brought to you by Prevail Presents Ltd.
 
EPISODE LINKS & Show notes
Russel Peters
Vancouver Sun run
Doug’s profile and affiliate comics
Just for laughs – Toronto
An interview before the comedy Riot recording
Former President Moi on Redykyulass
 Sudanese comic, AKAU JAMBO
Eugene Mbugua
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKK50v_mJgI
Hannibal Buress in Nairobi
 
BOOKS
How to Write Funniest
The Writers room - Survival Guide
12 Rules for life by Jordan Peterson
1000 true fans by Kevin Kelly
Kenya – A history since Independence, by Charles Hornsby
 
SOCIALS
DougMutai on X
Doug Mutai On IG
The Stand-up collective website
The Stand-up collective On X
The Stand-up collective On IG
Nairobi Laugh Bar IG

#53: Tugi Waiyaki on Therapy, Artistry and the Preciousness of this existence

An episode that flows like a productive session at the therapist! The BBB duo sit with psychologist and performing artist Tugi Waiyaki for a chat on mental health, music and more. Finding clarity, direction, and truth being the soul of the guest’s belief system, Tugi walks the gents through her path so far; overcoming growing pains, anxiety, extreme ideations, depression and despair to finding light, love, abundance, melody and the strength to swim against the current. With candid examples from their individual lives, the three explore ways of functioning in a dysfunctional world while pursuing purpose, healing, grounding and wisdom. The episode celebrates faith, friendship, freedom, mental fortitude and F.L.O.A.T.ing, even as it warns of the folly of scheduling grief, suppressing emotions and using fear to fuel drive. Glorifying the trenches, self-awareness, giving oneself grace and turning towards the direction of love makes this one a most powerful listen.
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The episode is brought to you by Spearhead.
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About the Guest
Tugi Waiyaki (X, Instagram, LinkedIn) is a dedicated, multifaceted psychologist who is committed to helping people reach their greatest potential and experience the best possible Mental Health by using her artistry to give easy access to information on psychology and the process of therapy. She is a musician, poet, writer, podcaster, actress and production manager.
 
Episode Links
Twombili studios YouTube
ACE curriculum
Mali Music
Blinky Bill album launch 2024
Ayaanle Film
Mono film
 
Books and Music
Tugi’s 2nd EP - https://tugiwaiyakiofficial.bandcamp.com/album/insomnia-2
Tugi’s 1st EP - https://tugiwaiyakiofficial.bandcamp.com/album/my-hearts-hope-2
How to change your mind by Michael Pollan
Balance by Savara (live)
Sarah Vaughan
More on Sarah Vaughan
 

#52: Vet Moses Kwereba on Chess Missions across the globe, Animal Health and the Art of Simplicity

In this first episode of their fourth season - Kamande and Kigondu are back all fresh and curious! Seated beside experienced Chess Coach and Veterinary doctor Moses Kwereba, the trio engage in a great conversation that closes with a poetic cherry on top! Opening with talks on reconnection and paying respects, the middle game sees the convo focus on the guest’s experience and come-up in the animal health industry. The fight and end game stages of the episode soon enough dig deep into chess and its parallels with life, its complexities, lessons, benefits and beyond. Following Vet Musa’s journey to coaching, leadership and the practice; the episode covers experiences from Kabete to Lusaka and stories from Durban to Dubai. From protégés in Norway to sheep in Macedonia, the trio highlight memories from Kabete Ng’ombe to Kamande’s AI jokes, benefits of volunteering and extension work to those of telemedicine, also exploring topics around consistent study of both sport and science to rankings, strategy, analysis, timings, parenting, emergency response and so on, all in the day in the life of a mobile vet spreading the chess ministry across the globe. The episode is as technical as it is poetic, perhaps exploring another argument for chess players being better than the rest of humanity.
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The episode is brought to you by FunkeScience.
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Moses Kwereba is a Veterinary doctor and an accredited Chess National Coach - formerly National Federation Treasurer, whose team led Kenya National Youth Teams to World and Africa Championships. His interests spill into poetry, music and photography and his passions have seen him travel across the globe, train across communities and coach across schools.
 
Episode LINKS:
On ‘SMASE’ and the STEM promotion program
On the 4K Clubs of Kenya
On FIDE and the History of Chess
Scandal of man dressed as girl at Kenya opens 2023
On the Kenya National Chess Opens 2023
Tears of Akoko, the African Drum. A poem by Moses Kwereba
On Kabete community endeavors
On journalist Olive Burrows
On Strategic Volunteering
Books and Music
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Shawshank redemption book
Garry Kasparov’s - How Life Imitates Chess 
Guests reggae mention: Another Moses by The Ethiopians
Kamande’s reggae song mention - Simplicity by Sizzla

#51: No guest but nuggets - The one on the Golden anniversary Reflections

In the fifty first episode celebrating the Podcast's golden anniversary; Kamande and Kigondu take time with a live studio audience to reflect on the journey so far. A nice and chill short episode that is really about taking stock, making dreams a reality in between adulting, gratefulness, grace, need for rest, high fidelity experiences, plans and projections. The episode is structured into three short segments; (i) Reflecting on their current mind state and spaces (ii) Reflecting on quotes from previous episodes, lessons and interactions with guests and (iii) A QnA session with the audience answering questions on culture, philosophy and identity.
 
Episode LINKS:
Siya Kolisi leadership in Rugby 2023
Jay Z on rushing the process
Tugi’s performance at the BBB Live 2023
More on Vipassana in Kenya
On JJ’s upcoming film and career
Related article on thriving in your 30s
 
Books
Dulton Trumbo’s Biography
Noni Maina – Leaves of May on Nuria, Amazon

#50: Maqbul Mohammed on Healing from the inside out, Rethinking Success and the African Renaissance

On their special fiftieth(!!!) recording, the host duo has a chat with celebrated actor and media personality Maqbul Mohammed. In front of a live studio audience courtesy of the Busy Being Born Live Experience 2023, the three explore the journey home to the self through the lens of the guest’s perspective on his career, childhood, pursued interests, choices and lessons along the way. From his first show on stage, on Radio and on the screens to his most popular shows on TV, characters on stage, collaborations and successes on the airwaves - the conversation picks gems from all these seasons. Reflecting on experiences from Calif to Kilimani, Mombasani to South C, Makutano Junction to Auntie Boss, Capital Fm to Nation and so on, the episode picks pointers on the dos and don’ts on a journey through elevations, expectations, dejections and celebrations. Highlighting the essence of mentorship, working partnerships, family, faith and focus, the episode is really about overcoming doubt, fear, depression and despair. A journey to thousands of homes - only to find home in the self; a great listen full of laughs, honesty and faaaantastic stories!
The episode is brought to you by AS Sports.
 
About the Guest
Maqbul Mohammed (IG, X) is a prolific and celebrated Kenyan actor and radio presenter. Having jumped into professional theatre at the tip of the millennium, Maqbul went on to act in numerous plays at the legendary Phoenix Players at the start of his career in the Arts and Media. His resume features leading roles in popular TV shows in Kenya such as Makutano Junction, Auntie Boss, County 49, Crime and Justice and the likes. The acting success did not hold him back from making as monumental a career in Kenyan radio, working longest at Capital Fm and later Nation Fm.
Show notes
Maqbul’s story on a local daily
Makutano Junction
James Falkland
Chris Kirubi
Allan Kasujja
Emily Wanja
Nini Wacera episode on the BBB Podcast
Tina Ardor
Black Coffee and House Music down South
On the African Renaissance through music (related article)
Merchant of Venice by William Shakespear starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons
BOOKS
BORN A CRIME by Trevor Noah on Nuria

#49: Chantelle Kaaria on Impact, Filmmaking and coming home to the Self

In this episode the BBB duo sit with UK based Kenyan filmmaker Chantelle Kaaria for a candid conversation on her journey home and away. Home in this case being her - self, her calling, her place of birth and her motherland. The episode covers her coming and goings across borders, interests and seasons. From Kent to Kenya, London to Lang’ata, film practice studies to the actual filmmaking and so on. Following an impassioned story that soon introduces the regal producer, the episode follows Chantelle’s journey in search of impact, meaning, belonging, voice, direction and the finding of all that and so much more. Stories of green little books, kaati, accommodating parents, lovely land ladies, twinning, transitions, convictions, art, alignment and conversations with God. Highlighting intention, patience and direction; the episode covers lessons and reflections around overcoming fear, self-doubt, trusting the process, the subjectivity of film, pay offs of networking and understanding the business of film.
Episode sponsors:
The Busy Being Born Podcast Live Experience 2023:
Part 1 
Part 2
 
About the Guest
Chantelle Kaaria (Instagram) is a Film Impact Producer and an award winning Community Action Practitioner with close to a dozen year’s accumulative experience. A film enthusiast and artist with tested practice in producing, production assisting,research and coordination who has worked on both the motherland and beyond.
Show notes
Chantelle’s LinkedIn
Talent Manager
Understanding the director and producer relationship
Meaning of the Impact Producer title
PAWA254
Sherry Davis
ODE TO THE ANCESTORS:
https://www.horniman.ac.uk/project/ode-to-the-ancestors-kenyan-archaeology/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG5OuqaOUgM
PRISM OF BLACK:
https://prismofblack.my.canva.site/
Linktree
Past event