Japa Diaries Podcast

Filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. left Nigeria at 13 and didn't return for 9 years. In this conversation, he shares what it's like to live between Nigeria and the UK, why he finally made a film about his father, and how creating My Father's Shadow became a healing journey for his entire family. 🎬 My Father's Shadow is in U.S. theaters now, support African storytelling: mubi.com/myfathersshadow Hosted...

Even when we’re out of season, we’re still bringing you good content! In this bonus crossover episode, Abimisola guest hosts Culture Custodian’s Uncultured podcast, diving into the history of japa in Nigeria. We thought you’d enjoy this one. And if you do, be sure to check out more episodes from Uncultured! ---------------------------- Roses are red, our passports are green, ‘Japa’ is migration to...

It’s a wrap on this season of Japa Diaries! 🥳 In this finale episode, we reflect on the highs, the lessons, and the laughter that made this season so special. From identity and home to Afrobeats and activism, it’s a mix of real talk, cultural gems, and love for our community. Tune in for laughs and reflections as we close out another unforgettable season! 💚 💚 Enjoyed the season? Leave us a revi...

We’re catching up with rap legend M.I. Abaga! From his U.S. college days to shaping African hip-hop back home, M.I. talks living between two worlds, connecting African creatives, and staying grounded through it all. M.I also teases his upcoming album The Wolf and reminds us why authenticity will always be his superpower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being an international student can be tough... and expensive. In this episode, we talk to John, co-founder of the African Leadership Bridge , about turning his own struggles into a scholarship fund for African students.  Then, we hear from Usomine, a current ALB scholar, about how this support is shaping her education and future impact. Ready to give back? Donate to ALB’s endowment fund here:...

This week, Koko joins us to talk all things Pan-Africanism! From its historic roots to the challenges of unity today, we talk diaspora identity and why staying connected to African news and stories matters now more than ever. Tickets for Press Play game night are on sale now: posh.vip/e/press-play-independence-edition   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We did it! Our first-ever live event was a success, and we can’t thank you enough for showing up and showing love. In this episode, we recap the highs and lows: from ticket-sale nerves to the epic games and the joy of building community in person. Whether you were there in-person or missed it, come relive the energy with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No new episode this week, we’re still recovering from our very successful community event! Thank you to everyone who came out, we had a timee! If you missed it, don’t worry, we’re sharing all the details in next week’s episode. In the meantime, catch up on past episodes and we’ll see you soon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when immigrant parents and kids try to meet in the middle? This week, we’re talking about parents. Immigrant parents, to be exact. How do we balance respect for their sacrifices with the need to live our own lives? We sit down with our Aunty Tayo, a Nigerian mom and doctor, to talk about cultural expectations, independence, and the beauty (and messiness) of intergenerational relations...

Afrobeats had a massive year, and we’re breaking it all down in this lively “year in review” episode!  We chat about unforgettable moments, our songs of the summer, and what’s next for Afrobeats as trends shift and expand worldwide. Plus, Deji shares a curated playlist of songs you need to have on repeat.  P.S. Our Austin event is less than 2 weeks away, grab your ticket now! Hosted on A...

This week on Japa Diaries, Timilehin shares his homecoming story returning to Nigeria after 15 years in the U.S. From the grief of losing his grandmother to reconnecting with family, this episode explores identity, belonging, and what it truly means to go home. Early bird tickets to our game night event are almost gone! Cop yours (and your +1s) now: japadiaries.com/event --------------------------...

We’re talking language loss, revival, and cultural pride with Jalil Anibaba and Oju, creator of Awujo. Hear how Yoruba speakers and learners in the diaspora are keeping the language alive through community, curiosity, and creativity. And because you know we can’t resist a little fun, we play a Yoruba-themed game by Awujo which was equal parts competitive and humbling. Our listeners get 10% off the...

We’re kicking off Season Four with real talk about the immigrant experience! From wedding planning to visa troubles, we’re catching you up on life since Season Three. We dig into why accountability matters when building something bigger than ourselves, and share why destination weddings might just be the secret to sidestepping cultural chaos. Oh, and our first-ever community game night is coming u...

And that's a wrap on season 3! In this special episode, we take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting each of our incredible episodes from this season. We also pull back the curtain and share exclusive BTS moments, including the thrilling high of going viral. And what’s a finale without a glimpse into the future? We’re excited to discuss our ambitious plans for Season 4, including how we’r...

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Uzo Art to discuss her journey moving to the US at just six years old. Uzo opens up about the challenges of assimilation and a period where she almost lost herself. We also explore her unique perspective, connecting with both first-generation Americans and recent immigrants. Through it all, Uzo has managed to stay true to her authentic self, ch...

Japa Diaries is going professional! Tune into our conversation with Aisa Diallo, Esq. from Diallo Law Group , as she breaks down the U.S. immigration system. We discuss U.S. immigration policies, common issues African immigrants encounter, and several viable paths to citizenship. Aisa also shares expert tips for navigating the immigration system. Whether you're an immigrant or just curious about i...

In this inspiring episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Eno, the amazing founder of Naija Comm! Eno shared her incredible journey, from her lifelong passion for creating to building a successful career as a creative entrepreneur. We also dove deep into the heart and soul behind Naija Comm and its mission to uplift African creatives and entrepreneurs who don't want the traditional 9-5 life....

We're taking a mid-season break and will return next Tuesday with more amazing content! Meanwhile, get excited for our upcoming episode featuring a US immigration lawyer ready to answer your questions. DM your queries to @japa.diaries on Instagram for a chance to be featured! We're still matching donations for Sudan and the DRC—thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. There's still time t...

In this episode, we sit down with Loïc, a passionate Burundian who made the big move to South Africa to study at the prestigious African Leadership Academy. We dive into Loïc's life in Burundi, his experiences living among other Africans, and our shared dreams for a Pan-African utopia. We also get into a lively discussion about why some Nigerians might find it tough to connect with other Africans....

In this episode, we sit down with a courageous Mercy who shares her incredible journey from Nigeria to Italy. She opens up about her upbringing in Nigeria, the challenges she faced traveling through Libya, and the perilous Mediterranean crossing. Tune in to hear about her resilience, the reality of seeking asylum, and how she’s building a new life in Italy. Trigger Warning: This episode includes d...

What happens when you miss out on the H1B visa lottery? This week Feyi shares his personal US immigration journey, from navigating the complexities of US visa options to the disappointment of not securing the H1B visa. We also discuss why he ultimately chose to relocate to Canada. We're matching donations! Support the people of DRC and Sudan at gofundme.com/f/japa-sudan-drc . Join our African immi...

This week we're joined by our own personal besties Folarin and Isioma to discuss maintaining long-distance friendships. We discuss the origin and evolution of our friendships, friendship rankings and how we've managed to stay connected even though we're miles apart. An episode full of banter, tea spilling and lots of laughs. Find friendship and connection on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik...

Wrapping up our conversation with Deji Osikoya on Afrobeats to the world! We talk about Deji's time at Chocolate City Records in the Love Nwatiti era, the current global recognition for afrobeats, and his thoughts on the future of the genre. Support our African brothers and sisters in Sudan and DRC at gofundme.com/f/japa-sudan-drc . We want to hear from you, follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  and&n...

This week Deji Osikoya joins us to discuss the Afrobeats to the world movement! We talk about the crossover attempts starting from the early 2000s, the influence of Afrobeats giants like 2Face, D'banj and P-Square, and the role of social media in its ultimate success. Donate to our African brothers and sisters in Sudan and DRC at gofundme.com/f/japa-sudan-drc . Join our immigrant community on Inst...

This week we had the pleasure of speaking to Kehinde about curating community spaces! We talk about the role community played in his upbringing, his search for a community in the US, and how he's creating physical spaces for others to find their community. Looking for a community? Join ours on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  and  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok ! Donate to our larger African community at gofundme.com/f/jap...