A Few Things

I fell into an academic career and was sure that I had found my long life career. 7 years in I bid the halls of knowledge goodbye for what feels right in my gut. In the midst of external uncertainty, there is a solid internal clarity of where I am headed.  In this episode I share my experience in academia as an international faculty member having been an international graduate student, my departur...

If I asked how you feel about your hair, what would you say? Do you sigh at the thought of hair wash day?  It has been a 16 year journey of discovering my hair, what she likes and what works for her. I can confidently say that I love my hair unconditionally. In this episode I walk us through the journey of how to love your African hair when the world screams otherwise.  Also highlighted is a study...

Someone told me a few years ago that no one was coming to save me. That was a foreign concept at that time but years later I have learned that the person we are waiting to save us is LITERALLY us.  If you experienced a ton of trauma, this episode is a nudge for you to get your power back and get on with your life’s assignment. I hope one you find what you need to be brave again.  For questions and...

Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way showed up in my life when I literally couldn’t make any more excuses for why I was not doing creative work. My main struggle has been trusting that I have everything I need to begin and the anguish of creative stagnation was literally choking me.  I do not promise that this book will make all your creative dreams come true, but may be it will offer a place to start...

This episode was recorded on May 7th, 2024. I had just started A Few Things and as any podcaster would, I asked one of my friends to join me for an episode. Two years later, it is the episode I need in 2026. If you are contemplating stepping out on faith to walk in obedience, this episode is for you.  Amber Majors is an art director who walked away from a senior role in obedience to what she feels...

All immigrants are not perceived the same. Black Immigrants have to interrogate their identity in the face of the racial and class hierarchies in America. In navigating work, academic and social spaces, a Black Immigrant has to learn another language of how their blackness and ethnicity moves in these rooms. In this episode we look at how to navigate spaces as a Black Immigrant. Are you a black im...

I am not sure about you, but the world feels very dark right now and if you struggle with dark thoughts, each day probably feels like a mental minefield.  In this episode, I share insights from my own personal experiences with dark thoughts, researchers who have linked child verbal abuse to adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety and self-harm tendencies. This episode shares how we can address...

This episode focuses on fatherhood based on the book, Father Yourself First: Everything You Need to Become the Father Your Family Deserves by Glen Henry. My goal was to offer a resource with positive guidelines to fatherhood after the previous episode. I speak on this topic as someone who is constantly looking for positive parenting examples to share with you so we can all have a chance at positiv...

As I was editing this episode, I heard myself physically trying to catch my breath. Parents are held in reverence and to question anything they do is considered a taboo. The book, ' Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents; How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents', gives credence to the reality that emotionally immature parents impact their children in ways that will re...

My do I have a story for you. Many years ago, I listened to an episode of Jesus and Jollof hosted by Yvonne Orji and Luvvie Ajayi as they shared how they followed their dreams. As children as immigrants, they made dreams feel accessible. This episode is a love letter to you who is contemplating taking a chance at an idea, a move or a transition.  You will hear what inspired me to apply for school,...

Finding a church as an immigrant has been arduous process. Existing in the limbo of a home left behind and not quite settled down in the new home bleeds into finding a faith community. After years of searching, I share how to expand your community beyond church.  For questions and feedback: You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com   Social Media Follow me on Instagram - https://www.ins...

A recent visit back home revealed a few cracks in political landscape that has been deteriorating. In this episode, I share my view on the role of Christians in political decisions and advocacy for the people who Jesus fought for during his time. There is also a return to Africa which begs the questions as to whether Kenya and Africa is ready to be an immigrant destination.  For questions and feed...

The world feels like a minefield and trying to keep the creative juices flowing feels harder. History shows that the arts have always saved the day. Artists help us makes sense of the world. This is the time to keep creating, tell our stories and have agency over how they are told. in this episode I share some tips that I am implementing to stay creative.  For questions and feedback: You can reach...

On this episode my husband joins me to chat about the past 13 months. It has been one hell of a ride but there were more good things than challenging ones. This episode was recorded after a scrumptious dinner, so we might have been in a food coma 😂😂😂 For questions and feedback: You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com   You can find my work here: Academic Asylum - https://open.spoti...

On this episode, I share my journey of trying to figure out a creative career. There are a lot of starts and stops with some lulls in between. A journey that started at 10 years old has been a steep learning curve that has led me back to the beginning, the basic joy of creating. By listening to this episode, you will learn a few things on what might be feeding the non-starter pattern and tips I am...

Adult swimming classes is the most adulting I have done so far yet one of the most rewarding things I have done. If you are thinking of taking swimming classes, here is one inspiration for you!  For questions and feedback: You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com   Academic Asylum - https://open.spotify.com/show/05lTnkxEgCHNHtNn6tkCm4 My personal website with my information - https://m...

I was 8 months into my immigration journey when the pandemic hit. That was followed by the 2020 election and what felt like chaos for a couple of years. Barely made it out with my head straight but I have a few tips on how we can (maybe) survive this time around. For questions and feedback: You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com   Academic Asylum - https://open.spotify.com/show/05lTn...

Being a creative while trying not to be a starving artist has led to some interesting detours. How does one create when they are no longer worrying about the basics? Do I have a story if it is not a cry for help? I am on a journey to find out and I am taking you with me.  For questions and feedback: You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com   Academic Asylum - https://open.spotify.com/s...

The last time I published an episode was June 12, 2024. Since then I have published a research podcast telling the story of female international graduate students, turned 33 and got married. So much life in so little time!  For questions and feedback: You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com   Academic Asylum - https://open.spotify.com/show/05lTnkxEgCHNHtNn6tkCm4 My personal website wi...

For questions and feedback: You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com  

On this episode, we recap my chat with Tresselle from the previous episode. My thoughts on moving abroad and whether it's worth it. My review on the Bob Marley movie.  

In this episode you get to eavesdrop a conversation between me and my younger cousin-sister as she walks us through the journey of living in 3 countries and learning how to navigate those cultures. Through the lens of her lived experience, we will learn about colorism and her view of being a black girl in tech.  Follow me on Instagram -  @medrinenyambura Follow the podcast on Instagram -  @afewthi...

Picking up on our previous episode, how do you stay faithful a job you don't like or feel like you are not graced for? I share life experiences and resources that have helped me navigate jobs that were really hard.  References  He Saw That It Was Good: Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair A Broken World. Plastic Symphony   Follow me on Instagram - @medrinenyambura Follow the podcast on Instagr...

One of the lessons we all learn at some point is that trusting God is getting comfortable with uncertainity. Alyssa McCutchan, Next Step's director at Jubilee Church (STL location), walks us through her journey of being okay with not knowing. Follow her on IG: @AlyssaMcCutchan For feedback on the podcast reach out to us on: @afewthingspodcast Thank you for listening!

Thank you for listening to this episode.  If you are an international student and would like to submit your graduate school experience for collection you could: Email: writingdecoded@gmail.com DM on instagram: @ afewthingspodcast OR @ medrinenyambura