Bridge 2 Self

In the final episode of 2025, a compilation of the best soundbites, insights and personal stories from host Ben Arthur's discussions this year with second Gen Africans on navigating identity, belonging, success and purpose.

In this solo B2S episode, host Ben Arthur gives his takeaway from Lupita Nyong'o's recent viral comments regarding the film industry and how it ties into what he's pursuing with the podcast. This episode is produced by Ben Arthur.

In this episode of B2S, host Ben Arthur chats with Abdie Mohamed, a Somali-American public speaker, cybersecurity expert and lead cloud governance engineer at Lockheed Martin. Abdie discusses stepping out of one’s culture for self growth, the importance of developing communication skills in the age of AI and much more in a wide-ranging conversation. Connect with Abdie on LinkedIn at Abdie Mohamed...

In this solo episode, host Ben Arthur explains how second-gen kids can empower each other through their shared experience. Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.

Join host Ben Arthur on 'Bridge 2 Self' for a compilation episode with the best soundbites and personal stories from guests over the past three months. Dive deep into discussions on identity, success, and purpose with the children of African immigrants. The featured guests are Saron Tedla, a medical school student and aspiring ophthalmologist; Paul Faronbi, a chemical engineer and entrepre...

In the latest episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur discusses the complex relationship that second-generation immigrants can have with their parents' native language. He shares personal experiences to explain how it can shape an individual's connection to their cultural heritage. Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.

In this solo episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur gives a high level summary of what it means to be a second-generation immigrant in the United States, particularly in the Black context. The show aims to clarify misconceptions and offer a comprehensive overview for both Black immigrants and the show's wider audience. Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.

In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur chats with Kenneth Nti, a Ghanaian American architecture designer and researcher based in Seattle, to discuss the complexities of navigating cultural identity and success as a second-generation immigrant. Kenneth shares his unique experiences growing up between two cultures, the importance of community, and the challenges of preserving heritage for...

In this solo episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur examines a quote on cultural identity from Tyla, a prominent singer from South Africa. Providing context about her influence, he considers how her words might affect our understanding of identity formation. The episode touches on the nuances of personal growth and how we see ourselves. Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music is courtesy of Da...

Join host Ben Arthur as he welcomes back Paul Faronbi for a deep and insightful conversation on self-discovery, personal growth, and cultural identity in this episode of Bridge 2 Self. Paul, a Nigerian-American chemical engineer, and founder of IncrediPaul and NALA(STEM), shares his experiences from ending a long-term relationship to understanding his true desires and balancing multiple roles. The...

In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur discusses the nuanced challenges for second-generation folks preserving their cultural lineage amid societal influences in the U.S., and the decision they must come to terms with to live out their authentic lives. This episode is produced by Ben Arthur. The music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.

In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur is joined by Saron Tedla, an Ethiopian-American medical student at Oregon Health & Science University. Saron discusses her experience navigating life as a second-generation Ethiopian, how her cultural heritage has shaped her mission as an aspiring ophthalmologist and why both are tied to her journey of personal growth. Connect with Saron Tedla...

In this solo episode of 'Bridge 2 Self,' host Ben Arthur delves into a profound question that resonates deeply with second-generation and 1.5-generation immigrant children: What does it mean to create your own success? Ben shares personal anecdotes, explores the challenges of balancing multiple cultural identities, and offers insights on recognizing and embracing your authentic self. Produ...

In this final episode of June and the second quarter of 2025, host Ben Arthur compiles the most impactful moments from recent guests on 'Bridge 2 Self.' The episode delves into the experiences of second-gen and 1.5-gen Black Americans and explores themes of overcoming fear, embracing one's cultural identity, and taking actionable steps toward achieving personal goals. Featured stories...

In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur delves into the nuances between loving and romanticizing one's cultural heritage as a second-generation Black American. Reflecting on recent conversations, Ben explains his own upbringing in a Ghanaian-American household and the importance of forming a fully contextualized view of Ghana. This episode offers a thoughtful look at cultural identit...

In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur chats with Nigerian-American actor, writer, and director Larry Adigun. Larry shares his journey of overcoming fears, evolving from making viral comedic videos to pursuing his true passion of acting, and the influence of his Nigerian heritage on his life and career. Larry opens up about his aspirations, the challenges he's faced, and his love fo...

In this episode of Bridge to Self, host Ben Arthur is joined by Max Prempeh, a second-generation Ghanaian and sports product designer. Max shares his experiences growing up with Ghanaian roots in America, the impact of his cultural background on his design work, and the importance of consideration and hard work. He delves into the duality of being both Ghanaian and Black American, and how his heri...

Join host Ben Arthur on 'Bridge to Self' as he chats with PG Taylor, a Jamaican-American entrepreneur and real estate investor. PG shares her inspiring journey from immigrating to the United States at 11 years old to getting into the real estate space in Middle Tennessee. Learn about the challenges she faced, the role of her family in her motivation, and her relentless pursuit of financial...

In this episode of Bridge to Self, host Ben Arthur revisits the most impactful moments and insights from the stories of second and 1.5 generation Black Americans shared in the first quarter of 2025. Tune in to reflect on standout interviews and soundbites as we enter the second quarter of the year. Episode produced by Ben Arthur. Music by Daniel Oyefusi.

In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur delves into the importance of empathy and understanding within the context of the second and 1.5 generation immigrant experience. Reflecting on his upbringing, Ben discusses how his varied friendships with other second gen kids shaped his perspective. He emphasizes the intrinsic ability of second gen immigrants to navigate different worlds, fosteri...

In this episode of 'Bridge to Self', host Ben Arthur talks with Femi Abebefe, a Nigerian and Ugandan American media personality and sports betting analyst. Femi shares his experiences growing up in the Pacific Northwest, the importance of his cultural roots, the significance of his name, and how he navigated identity growing up in a predominantly white environment. Femi also discusses his...

In this solo episode of 'Bridge to Self,' host Ben Arthur delves into the intricacies of cultural assimilation from his perspective as a second-generation Black American. He shares his experiences growing up in a predominantly white environment in Seattle while maintaining his Ghanaian heritage at home. Ben discusses the unique challenges of navigating between two worlds and the scarcity o...

In this solo episode of 'Bridge to Self,' host Ben Arthur celebrates Black History Month by sharing his unique perspective as a second-generation Black American. He reflects on his experiences with BHM growing up, discusses his connection to West Africa, and highlights notable Black figures of American, African and blended heritage. Ben also discusses the increasing diversity within the Bl...

Nigerian-American storyteller and entrepreneur Amechi joins host Ben Arthur to share his journey of embracing his Nigerian-American heritage and his impactful partnership with futurist and thought leader 19Keys. Amechi discusses his transition from a successful career in accounting at Ernst & Young to working behind the scenes in digital media and event organization. Gain insights into his met...

In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur speaks with Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo, a Nigerian-American computer scientist and fellow at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Okolo discusses her upbringing in Kansas City, Missouri, her journey of understanding her Nigerian heritage, and her impactful work in AI governance and policy focused on the African continent. She shares insights on balancing cultu...