It's Layered Podcast

“Healthy boundaries are important, but you may be building a brick wall when a picket fence would do.” – Amy Dickinson Boundaries are all the rage in wellness speak. What exactly are they? What does it mean to ‘set boundaries’? Ummm, we’re African - how on earth do we set boundaries as black folks within a society that completely disregards personal space and autonomy ?  Personal boundaries can be...

Early this year, we got to sit down with the hilarious, uber talented actress, presenter, content creator and podcaster , Sarel ‘ Coco Sarel ’ Madziya .  We are huge fans of her and her work as a creative in an industry that not many Zimbabweans get to be a part of. From her start in content creation to interviewing the legendary Viola Davis, we talk about it all.  Sarel went viral on Tik Tok duri...

We’re baaaaaaack!! Season 5 has been a long time coming, but we are so stoked to be back! In this first episode of the season, your hosts catch-up and then delve into a listener-requested topic: “Platonic Friendships”. Defined as a “friendship between two people who could, in theory, feel attracted to each other, but without sexual or romantic feelings." ( Healthline & Betterhelp ) We del...

We are back for another season!! So grateful for this one especially being a milestone season- SEASON 5 ! As we are firmly in our ‘Barbie era’💅🏽 - we will be chatting to beautiful, talented and witty Black Zimbabwean women! Here's a little snippet of what you can expect from our upcoming season! Our first episode drops on 25 September! Join us as we delve into it all coz….zvine maLayers! So...

We got to sit down with the incredible creator/writer/producer/director/editor, Christine ‘ Kix ’ Mwaturura , and the cast of the hit fictional podcast, ‘ Private Affairs ’ ! This romantic dramedy podcast follows Vee ( Ratidzo Mambo ), a Zimbabwean young, professional woman living and working in Australia; her relationship with her partner Luke ( Ronn Kurtz ) as well as Vee’s circle of friends whi...

You asked, we answered! The Season 4 Finale is here and we’re answering your burning questions! From Season 2 all the way to Season 4, we get into the different questions we’ve received from our different episodes and delve a little deeper into the conversations that we’ve had with some of our listeners. It was such a treat going down memory lane - from friendships to classism, domestic violence t...

Marriage. Some get it. Some don’t. Some will. Some won’t. The topic of marriage is a never ending discussion that seems to be ever complex with no single answer. On this episode, we speak to Kudzai Kanyangarara   - a media professional who’s been married for almost 9 years. We seek to understand the male perspective on marriage and proceed to explore the many questions that aren’t always brought u...

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." | Frederick Douglass Motherhood is a hood not all get to permanently reside in, but all have to pass through on their journey to adulthood. In this episode, we speak with Skhoe , a mother of over 21 years who has been mothering her two children in the diaspora. From Thailand to Swaziland, Washington D.C. to Switzerland.  We tr...

"Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" | Zulu Proverb “ The central tenet of the so-called ubuntu philosophy, umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, literally translates to "a person is a person through persons. "” Jennifer L. Beight Given the communal and interconnectedness that this African proverb highlights, it is no surprise that this connectedness seeps into financial areas. With the economic and...

Gemma Griffiths is an Afro-fusion, award-winning star, proudly hailing from Harare, Zimbabwe. In this episode, we got to sit down with this multifaceted artist on what it means to be 'A Girl From Harare', as per the title of her latest album.  We also speak to her about her love for Zimbabwe; what driving across Africa to make her album was like; how she acknowledges her privilege of bei...

“Religion is a prison but truth sets us free Helps us believe That the world we're in now is not the world that will be..”  | Kirk Franklin (Losing My Religion) Religion is an all-encompassing umbrella that has and continues to dictate the ins and outs of many lives. What is religion? Why is it so controversial and polarising? How come Africans have taken religion and run with it? Why do we n...

“If you educate a man you educate one individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family. "  | African Proverb The place and spaces that women and men 'belong' is a conversation that has been ongoing for decades... and we still have a long way to go. Why are gender roles so controversial, especially within an African context? Why can't Africans let gender roles go? Why...

“Mwana asingachemi anofira mumbereko.” | “A baby that never cries soon dies on its mother’s back.” – Shona proverb Growing up African and more specifically, growing up Zimbabwean, there are certain commonalities we can all relate to. From the discipline, respect for elders and family, high expectations to the communal upbringing.  We delve into all the nuances of African parenting that have shaped...

*TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING* In this episode, we deal with the triggering topic of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a phenomenon that has plagued the world - African households included. Zimbabwean society seems to normalise domestic violence & abuse. We delve into the chokehold that domestic violence has, unpacking the layers that have maintained this status quo & offering tips on sup...

“The most powerful weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. ” | Steve Bantu Biko Colonialism is "the the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically." On this episode, we speak very candidly on a topic that is integral to how we grew up and has greatly influenc...

"Change is inevitable... why hold onto what you have to let go of?" | Jhene Aiko We're baaaaaaaack!! This year has been monumental for us! We've stepped into new titles and roles which include motherhood and marriage, navigating these and other milestones as black Zimbabwean women in the modern world! Needless to say, IT'S LAYERED!  For our 1st episode of Season 4 recorded...

What do you get when two friends of over 20 years, who live on opposite ends of the globe, start a podcast where no topic is off limits?  Welcome to 'It's Layered'! Join Amanda and Rumbi, two Zimbabwean ladies living in Australia and the Czech Republic respectively. They'll be delving deeper into life, love and everything under the sun; debunking some cultural myths and challen...

Our Season 3 Finale is here and it's a special one! Not only did we get to record in person for our first ever in-person episode together, we were also on home soil in Harare for Rumbi's roora celebrations! A rite of passage for so many young, Southern Africans, especially Zimbabweans, roora AKA lobola is the epitome of layered! What is it? Why do we follow it till this day? What do fami...

Foooooood, glorious FOOOOOOD!! One thing about us, we love us some food and appreciate cuisines from all around the world! In this episode, we salivate over our fave cuisines, share foods that we aren’t huge fans of and discuss the impact of our culture on our outlook on food! Delve deeper on ‘Cuisine’ with us because, just like trifle, zvine malayers! ZIM SHOUTOUTS Cooking with Caz Instagram: @co...

The fascination, questioning, prejudice and intrigue around interracial relationships is ongoing in spite of the increasing number of interracial relationships. On this episode, we delve into the nuances one has to navigate when in an interracial relationships, sharing our experiences and thoughts on why these relationships are treated this way. We even get to talking about colonisation and inferi...

Is being a global citizen just another buzzword going around? What exactly is a ‘third culture kid’ and how can we be one when we are no longer… kids? On this episode, we got to sit down with gorgeous, award-winning Zimbabwean actress and host of the Zim Excellence Podcast, Vongai Shava.  We discuss what it means when no physical place feels like home and why we continue to choose life as a global...

Blame it on colonialism. Blame it on racism. Blame it on inferiority complex or whatever you may. Colourism is a very real part of our lives. On today's episode, we take it there! From our childhoods and how external voices reinforced stereotypes about complexion to how it affected our dating lives. We leave no stone unturned! Tune in and let us know your experience of colourism and how it&ap...

To be an African child is to know that - in your community's eye - you will never measure up. There will always be that auntie or uncle, mom or dad, cousin or distant relative who feels the need to point out how you fall short compared to your counterparts. In this episode, we delve into the hard knock life of never living up to expectations and being compared to anyone and everyone, no matte...

Being a human is hard, and what makes it more complex is the fact that we have to coexist with other humans. Add to that communication issues; misused authority; awkwardness and a host of other things, it can get down right tricky to navigate. On this episode, we go in deep, talking about complicated relationships - small houses and toxic work environments included. Tune in and help US with your t...

For this episode of 'It's Layered', we are joined by the hilarious Dan & Phil of ' 2 Broke Twimbos ' who managed to have us in stitches whilst dishing some very wise gems on Mental Wellness ! We talk about all things from handling stigma, when to divulge mental health struggles to a potential partner and the resources available for our mental wellbeing. Tune into the &...