Create Your Life Series Kevin Y. Brown

Episode Summary
On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, host Kevin Y Brown continues his conversation with Ras Mutabaruka, a former refugee, sharing an inspiring life story. After spending over a decade as a refugee, he found stability in Canada, which opened doors to education and resources. Initially aspiring to be a lawyer, his mindset shifted, leading to a passion for storytelling about Africa. From a blog to a magazine and documentary, the guest aimed to challenge stereotypes.
 
This episode explores his college experience, professional journey as a public servant, and entrepreneurial ventures. Emphasizing authenticity and consistency, the guest discusses personal growth and leadership. The episode concludes with insights into community recognition and the ongoing pursuit of goals, highlighting resilience and the power of storytelling in his journey from refugee to visionary entrepreneur.
 
Tune in to this episode of the Create Your Life series for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation.
 
Kevin Y. Brown
Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.
 
Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…
 
Ras Mutabaruka
Ras Mutabaruka founded The African Perspective (TAP Media Ltd) after being frustrated with seeing how Africa and Africans were often portrayed in global media. TAP is a Pan-African media platform that tells African stories from an African perspective with a mission to rebrand Africa, one story at a time.Born in Rwanda during tumultuous times, he and his family sought refuge in neighboring countries. The journey eventually led him to Kenya, where he settled and found a sense of belonging amid a diverse community. His journey then took him to Canada for higher education.
 
Before working on TAP full-time, and to give back to his once adopted country of Canada, he spent five years working as a public servant in the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) where he received three back to back Ministerial Awards of Merit for service to Canadians. 
 
Insights From the Episode
How to use collaboration as a tool for growth
Emphasizes the importance of networking and persistence
Discussion surrounding Intrinsic Motivation in Entrepreneurship: countering negative narratives about Africa and staying true to personal values as intrinsic motivations in entrepreneurship
Reflecting on the historical impact of media, emphasizing its responsibility to tell authentic and responsible stories
Discussion about the evolution of entrepreneurial journeys, showcasing diverse ventures and experiences over the years
 
Quotes from the Show
“​​I stayed true to myself and for the times where I didn't stay true to myself. It ended up rerouting me and telling me that you should have stayed true to yourself. And so when you look at a life at your life, you know what I mean? I think it's important to be able to say that you chose what you did, not that somebody else chose it for you and that you followed other people. But that you did what you felt was the things that you wanted to do and that you needed to do.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #206
“Real people do real things and you know, sometimes it comes at the expense of what could have been, you know, the easy route, the more financially sound route, right? But you know, when you look back at it, you can always say, you know, I'm happy to waive it for what I did because I know that I chose me.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your L

Episode Summary
On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, host Kevin Y Brown welcomes a truly inspiring guest to the studio, Ras Mutabaruka. A storyteller, entrepreneur, and community builder, Ras’ life is a testament to resilience, vision, and an enduring love for the African continent. Delving into the challenges he faced and the transformative impact of facing a traumatic past, including his experiences during the genocide in Rwanda. He opens up about the deep scars left by those events and the long journey toward healing. Ras also reflects on the importance of speaking out about personal struggles and advocating for mental health support, breaking the silence that often surrounds such experiences.
 
The conversation takes a turn as Ras shares lighter moments from his life, including his time in Canada, where he discovered his purpose and passion for storytelling. As he navigated cultural differences and stereotypes, he found strength in embracing his identity and heritage.
 
Ras Mutabaruka’s journey exemplifies resilience, the power of storytelling, and the unwavering commitment to make a positive impact on the continent he calls home. Tune in to this episode of the Create Your Life series for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation.
 
Kevin Y. Brown
Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.
 
Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…
 
Ras Mutabaruka
Ras Mutabaruka founded The African Perspective (TAP Media Ltd) after being frustrated with seeing how Africa and Africans were often portrayed in global media. TAP is a Pan-African media platform that tells African stories from an African perspective with a mission to rebrand Africa, one story at a time.Born in Rwanda during tumultuous times, he and his family sought refuge in neighboring countries. The journey eventually led him to Kenya, where he settled and found a sense of belonging amid a diverse community. His journey then took him to Canada for higher education.
 
Before working on TAP full-time, and to give back to his once adopted country of Canada, he spent five years working as a public servant in the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) where he received three back to back Ministerial Awards of Merit for service to Canadians. 
 
Insights From the Episode
Reflecting on the Rwandan Genocide, Ras Mutabaruka underscores the healing power of facing the past
Emphasis on the need to challenge stereotypes about Africa
Mutabaruka shares experiences in Canada
Dissatisfaction with Western media narratives inspires TAP Media, evolving from a blog to a magazine, focusing on science in Africa
Importance of remaining true to oneself and consistent for personal growth and success
Strategies for Building a Platform: discussion surrounding transitioning from a blog to a magazine format broadens TAP Media's platform, leading to partnerships with prestigious institutions
Strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome
How to use collaboration as a tool for growth
 
Quotes from the Show
“... the narrative about Africa was still the same, probably even worse because the academia surrounding African people of African descent is really terrible… There's not that much that the academia says we've done and I found that to be a challenge… And then one time he hit me like, OK, you didn't go to journalism school, you not a, you know, you're not a journalist but you can write. So if you, if you don't like what other people are talking a

Episode Summary
On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, Angela, host of Zen Moments, discusses the transformative power of podcasting, particularly for the youth. She emphasizes the platform's freedom for self-expression without limitations and encouraging aspiring creators to explore the diverse world of podcasting. Angela shares personal anecdotes, highlighting the role of mentorship, discipline, and motivation in her journey.
The conversation delves into lessons learned in podcasting, such as the importance of time investment and planning. Angela reflects on moments when she contemplated giving up but found motivation in the positive impact her podcast had on strangers. The episode concludes with Angela expressing her commitment to shaping a vibrant future for Africa, particularly in the podcasting industry, aiming for inclusivity and financial opportunities.
 
In the rapid-fire segment, Angela discusses favorite productivity apps, commitment to personal growth, and her love for art. The episode ends with Angela turning the tables, posing three unscripted questions to host Kevin Brown, adding a lighthearted and engaging touch to the conversation.
 
Kevin Y. Brown
Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.
 
Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…
 
Angela MachuaAngela Machua, host of the impactful podcast "Zen Moments," is a trailblazer in the world of podcasting, advocating for limitless self-expression and empowering youth to embrace content creation without constraints. Her journey reflects resilience, disciplined commitment to personal growth, and overcoming moments of self-doubt.
 
Angela's story is one of unwavering determination, embracing the challenges of podcasting with grace. Beyond her podcast, she is a talented graphic artist and is dedicated to elevating the podcasting industry in Africa, making it accessible and financially viable for creators.
 
In essence, Angela Machua's life is a testament to the power of resilience, self-discovery, and pursuing passions, inspiring others to embark on their unique journeys with purpose.
 
Insights From the Episode
Importance of Africans telling their own stories without translation when needed to maintain accuracy and authenticity
How to maintain the integrity of the story: directly sharing ensures that the narrative isn’t influenced by external perceptions
Significance of persevering in the face of challenges and chasing what you are passionate about: Angela’s drive for learning outside of office hours is emphasized in reference to her growth in the podcasting industry
Angela’s approach to understanding challenges faced by new podcasters
Statistics of podcast listeners
Podcast listening behavior
Advice for new podcasters
Importance of mentorship
Discussion of key elements of personal growth
Conversation surrounding how to create the life you want, from the perspective of Angela
 
Quotes from the Show
“​​… it's important for us as Africans to tell our own story the way we want to tell it. If we don't want to translate it, say it as it is because that's how it comes accurate and because sometimes things can get lost in translation.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204
“It's been amazing to see your growth and watch you as this person who essentially to me, I've been watching your evolution going from a project manager who was primarily dealing in finance to I call you, that's my personal moniker for you, the data maven

Episode Summary
In this episode of the Africa X series, Kevin Y. Brown is joined by Cyril Afeku and Donald Ayree, cofounders of The Gold Coast Report. The GCR is a thriving podcast network based in Accra, Ghana, whose unwavering mission is to forge accessible avenues for visibility and to curate impactful experiences that empower individuals and communities alike. Cyril and Donald explain how the World Cup led to their initial idea for The Gold Coast Report, which changed from being a single podcast to the beginning of a network in the same week. They discuss the milestones they’ve passed so far and where they hope to go, the shows they’re most proud of, and how they were able to turn a passion project into a self-sustaining business. As leaders they share their tips for creative compromise and amplifying the creativity of their team, along with their thoughts on the importance of sharing their knowledge and experience with others in the community. In the Turnaround, Kevin opens up about how his trip to Africa in 2018 influenced his understanding of legacy, of family, and his responsibilities as a Black man, and how it led to him moving back to the Continent and joining the movement to amplify African stories through podcasting.
Kevin Y. Brown
Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.
 
Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…
 
Cyril Afeku and Donald Aryee
Cyril Afeku and Donald Aryee met in high school and reconnected after university where together they created The Gold Coast Report, a podcast network based in Accra, Ghana. They produce shows covering a variety of interests such as sports, women-focused issues, religion, sex, pop culture, social issues, entertainment and more. Cyril and Donald are results-driven and inquisitive professionals with a vast expertise in developing podcasting infrastructure in Africa. Their passion revolves around amplifying African creativity and nurturing self-sustaining communities, providing them with the space to incubate, flourish, and achieve their aspirations. Every action, word, and endeavor The Gold Coast Report undertakes is a dedicated stride to realizing this vision.
 
Insights From the Episode
Tips for dealing with difficult clients and creators
Where to look for guidance when you’re an early adopter in a burgeoning industry
3 tips for new podcasters looking to join an established network
How to stay rejuvenated and focused as a leader
Advice for handling conflict between teammates
Tips for dealing with negative feedback
Thoughts on the keys to personal growth
Strategies for directing your energy so you don’t overextend yourself
 
Quotes from the Show
“At the time this was just two friends in a room trying something out. When you look back and zoom out to what it is now, it’s kind of crazy. We thought that we could tell our own better stories, and we also felt like there was some creativity in everyone.” - Cyril Afeku, Create Your Life Series, #203
“[The schedule] helped build consistency within the team. That helped also build some level of planning. We obviously got better at the editing and figured out the mechanics that came to podcasting, and we figured out how to actually run and operate as a network because that wasn’t a skillset that we had coming in.” - Donald Aryee, Create Your Life Series, #203
“All those shows are not failures, because those really are learning opportunities. All those episodes that we didn’t record correctly—all those whe

Episode Summary
This special episode of the Africa X series features Kevin Y. Brown’s recent appearance on Trace FM with Calvin Wanguku. They talk about the personal and professional opportunities that drew Kevin back to Kenya, the evolution of Create Your Life, and the power of the grind. Kevin shares his excitement for the Africa X series and where it’s going, why podcasting is an ideal medium to preserve African history, language, culture, and traditions, and why when we’re looking to create our lives the most valuable question we can ask is ‘how.’
 
Kevin Y. Brown
Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.
 
Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…
 
Insights From the Episode
What makes African storytelling unique
The opportunity for creators in Africa in the podcasting industry
Tips for how creatives can get paid for their work
 
Quotes from the Show
“I went on a journey of finding what was exactly was going on with me, but also I had the opportunity to really see Black legacy here, for generations and generations of people who have these families who have been doing striving and excellence. So because of that I wanted to come back and really be immersed in blackness in a place where I don’t have to worry about my skin complexion, where I don’t have to worry about so many things and I’m allowed to just exist.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“I was so keen on helping to amplify African stories, but also I think that podcasting is a low-cost way to save and preserve African history, language, culture and tradition so that those in the future can have authentic African experiences. To me that matters a lot.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“The ability to be able to adapt, listen, and then actually move into learning about these other stories you haven’t heard about, you have Hollywood and these other stories that are coming from the West, but it’s Africa’s time to hear these stories from the source.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“The biggest thing for me with Create Your Life is that a lot of times when they’re interviewing people ask ‘why’ and ‘what’ you do, but they never ask ‘how’, and the ‘how’ is the only thing that can be duplicated. So as I talk to amazing trailblazers and I also have conversations with the youth, a lot of times the youth are asking, ‘hey, what about the how?’ or my peers are asking ‘how?’. How did you do this? How did you do that? So I said, why don’t I open up a space where you can hear from people who have walked your walk… I think Africa X is that way for people to be able to create their life, and that’s my whole thing: create the life you’ve always wanted to live. I live by that; I’m a product of that; I am that; so I wanted to share it.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“I think one of the biggest things to keep in mind as a creator is ‘don’t complain about not getting the rewards you didn’t work for.’ If you’re going to become a podcaster, you’ve got to be committed to the grind, and being ‘committed to the grind’ looks like doing the work and being consistent and understanding your audience, understanding your listener, understanding what guests you should have on your show. Those are the important pillars of having a good show.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“You’ve got to grind it out in order to get these

Episode Summary
In this episode of the Africa X Series, Kevin talks with Yoeal Haile, CEO and Co-Founder of Sava, on the ways that his education and career opportunities have helped him discover the life he wants to live. Yoeal shares the story of how a seventh grade stock market club led to his passion for fintech, how he used an engineering degree and some tenacity to break into Wall Street, the investment he made in himself and his goals that got him into grad school, and the pivotal moments that led to him sorting out his identity as a first-generation African American immigrant and moving back to Africa. Kevin and Yoeal discuss Kevin’s “Ambition Mentality” and the opportunities that can make change fun, the principle of kaizen, and possibilities for the future of fintech in Africa.
 
Kevin Y. Brown
Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.
 
Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…
 
Yoeal Haile
Yoeal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Sava, a fintech business helping businesses manage their finances and access affordable credit. He was previously the CEO and Founder of Aspira, the largest Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) fintech in East Africa, the Founder of Winelife, and also worked as the Chief Strategy Officer of the African Leadership Group where he helped the founding team establish universities in Rwanda and Mauritius. Yoeal also spent time as an EquityDerivatives Associate for Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong and New York. He has a MBA with a dual major in Finance and Management from The Wharton School of Business and a BS in Industrial Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
 
Insights From the Episode
 
How investing in yourself and committing to your goals with tenacity can open up opportunities
Tips for starting a successful business and bringing in a strong customer base
How to take care of yourself as a leader and avoid burnout
The impact of having and becoming a mentor to give back to your community
Tips for those wanting to get involved in the African fintech space
The power of intuition and trusting in yourself
Overcoming work challenges and the ‘near death experiences’ in a company by focusing on the long-term game
How making changes to your diet, sleep schedule, and cutting out alcohol could affect your personal and professional life
Using challenges as an opportunity for personal feedback and looking within yourself
 
Quotes from the Show
“For those who went over prior, generations and generations ago, it’s very interesting when you have those who’ve just come and it’s like, ‘oh we’re so different.’ In reality, at least to me, a lot of our cultures and traditions are similar, they just look different because of the amount of time away from the homeland. I think about what happens to that first generation Eritrean in five generations. How much of the culture is still intact versus it becoming Americanized or African-Americanized? This is about bringing us together and bringing abundance to our communities. Because at the end of the day, whether it’s now or it’s in five generations, we’re all going to still be fighting the same fight. I think that there’s strength in numbers.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #201
“I knew I wanted to go to Wall Street, but at the same time I didn’t want to study finance. I think there’s a separation between following your passion and what you do for a living. For me I was like let me do something that gives me optional