REPRESENTED with Annie Gichuru

If you’ve ever found yourself resting but still feeling guilty, or needing to do something even in your quiet moments, this episode is for you. In Is It Safe to Slow Down? I’m speaking directly to the women of colour who’ve spent their lives performing, striving, and adapting because survival demanded it. But now? You’re wondering if there's a softer way to live. And you're not alone. In...

What if your need to constantly prove yourself… wasn’t just about ambition? What if it came from years of being told, directly or silently, that who you are isn’t quite right? In this tender and personal episode, I’m speaking directly to women of colour. To the ones who’ve softened their accent, hidden their cultural identity, overachieved, and overworked… just to be seen as “enough.” I share my s...

In this follow-up to last week’s deep dive into the roots of colonialism, I’m shifting the focus to what it actually looks like to decolonise your business in practice, especially if you’re a solopreneur or coach. We’re going beyond the surface to talk about: 🎙 Why your assumptions about your "ideal client" might be rooted in bias 🎙 How colonial mindsets sneak into your messaging, lead m...

Have you ever wondered what colonialism has to do with your coaching business today? In this eye-opening episode, we’re taking a step back to explore the roots of colonialism, beginning with the pivotal Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. If you've been inspired by recent episodes featuring my students courageously navigating racial equity, today's deep dive is essential listening. We'r...

What happens when you realise the version of “equality” you grew up with was shaped by privilege? In this episode of REPRESENTED , I’m joined by Tania Carcenac, a life coach, women's circle facilitator and graduate of my REPRESENTED program, who grew up in apartheid-era South Africa. It’s a conversation about proximity, privilege, and what it takes to truly unlearn the messages we’ve absorbed...

This week’s episode is one of the most heartfelt and honest conversations I’ve had on the podcast. I’m joined by Sarah Townsend an activator, coach, facilitator and graduate of REPRESENTED who shares what it really looks like to move from silence and fear to meaningful action in the work of anti-racism. Sarah came into this work believing she was already “one of the good ones” conscious, inclusive...

Later this week on March 21st is not only my birthday, but also the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It's a day that calls on all of us to reckon with racism, because racism is not something in the past, it's alive and evolving today. In this episode, I take you on a journey through the Eras of Racism. From the Transatlantic Slave Trade right up to today’s...

When was the last time you questioned whether the path you were on was truly yours? For Eman Ismail, that moment came when she found herself racing home from a corporate job, hoping her two-year-old son would still be awake. Night after night, she arrived to find him fast asleep on the couch, waiting for her. That moment of heartbreak became the catalyst for a radical shift: leaving behind traditi...

It’s International Women’s Day on 8th March. The hashtags are trending. The corporate brunches are happening. The cupcakes have been ordered. But let’s be honest, does any of this actually change anything? As a solopreneur, I don’t have an office to walk into where HR is running an IWD event. I don’t get the morning tea, the networking panels, or the LinkedIn posts from my CEO. And if you’re anyth...

Does your business genuinely make people feel like they belong? Or are you unintentionally sending a message that certain people don’t? In this episode, I sit down with Sonia Thompson, an inclusive marketing strategist, Forbes contributor, and someone whose work has deeply influenced how I think about representation. Sonia’s approach to marketing isn’t about tokenism, it’s about creating spaces wh...

AI is shaping the world faster than we can keep up. But what happens when the technology meant to serve us erases us instead? My guest today, Christelle Mombo-Zigah , is exposing a critical issue: digital colorism: the biases in AI that distort, misrepresent, and sometimes completely erase people of colour in digital spaces. Born and raised in France to Congolese parents and now based in Silicon V...

AI is everywhere right now. From content creation to time management, it’s making running an online business easier than ever. But what if I told you that the very tools we rely on could be harming our businesses and our communities without us even realising it? In today’s episode, I'm tackling something that’s rarely talked about in online business: AI bias . AI isn’t neutral. It’s shaped by...

I'm so excited this week to bring to you Marie Beecham, an influential speaker and thought leader who has reached millions through her insightful approach to antiracism. Marie’s unique perspective is a breath of fresh air in a world that often feels divided. She has a way of teaching race and equity with nuance, offering space for critical thinking, while inspiring listeners to take actionabl...

Last week Part 1 laid the foundation by revealing Shantelle’s early life and how she discovered the warrior within. Now, in Part 2, we dive even deeper into Shantelle’s story and the drive behind her activism and advocacy. We explore: 🛡 Social Justice & Equity : The impact of Shantelle’s work through the Kiilalaana Foundation and the Warrior Heart community. 🛡 Pushing Past Barriers : Moving be...

What does it mean to fight for your identity, culture, and sovereignty? To embrace your truth, step into your power, and create a path that’s meaningful not just for yourself but for others too? In this powerful episode of the Represented Podcast , I’m joined by Shantelle Thompson OAM—a proud Barkindji/Ngiyampaa woman, mother of five, and 3x Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion. Known as the Barkind...

As we wrap up the year, I’m reflecting on the joy and purpose this podcast has brought not just to me, but to the incredible community we’ve built together. From celebrating Kenyan traditions with family this Christmas to producing 50 meaningful episodes, this year has been full of connection, growth, and gratitude. In this special episode, I’m sharing: 🎙 A heartfelt review of 2024, including some...

If you’ve ever felt like public relations is a world reserved for others...those with more resources, confidence, or visibility, this episode is for you. I’m chatting with Nina Dafe, founder and CEO of The Far Above Rubies Collection, who helps women go from stumped to savvy when it comes to PR. As an award-winning content marketer, freelance writer, and international speaker, Nina has been featur...

What does racial equity truly look like in 2024, and are we moving closer to or further from that vision? In this episode of Represented , I sit down with Elizabeth Lang, the Founding CEO of Diversity Focus, a consultancy driving change in workplace culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Elizabeth's journey from community development to speaking on global stages, including the United Nati...

Launching can be a whirlwind, but what if it didn’t have to be? In this episode of Represented , I'm chatting with Chelsea Wallace, Launch & Evergreen Funnel Strategist and Copywriter who’s reshaping how we approach online launches. Whether you’re a coach with a launch model or curious about evergreen funnels, Chelsea shares  the latest tried and tested strategies that will leave you reth...

How do you thrive in a system that often overlooks you? How do you create opportunities when none exist? On this episode of Represented , I’m joined by Yemu Phiri, a powerhouse consultant, educator, and advocate who’s reshaping the narrative for migrant women of colour in Australia. With over 18 years of experience across industries like mining, oil and gas, and construction, Yemu brings a wealth...

Creating scholarship programs for your coaching business can be a powerful way to increase accessibility—but only if done right. In this episode, I’m sharing: 🎙  The real reasons online business owners create scholarship programs—and why being clear on your intention is non-negotiable. 🎙 Why I caution coaches and actually tell them not to create scholarship programs unless... 🎙 The 5 common mistak...

What truly sets inclusive businesses apart? It’s not just their services or branding, it’s how they communicate their values through an Inclusion Statement. In this episode, we’ll explore: 🎙 What an Inclusion Statement is and the many names it can go by, from DEI Statement to Belonging Statement. 🎙 Why every business needs one , especially in today’s saturated coaching industry. 🎙 The 3 key elemen...

What if success could be redefined on your terms—without compromise, burnout, or constant over-qualification? Monique Shields, the powerhouse behind Seven Pines Leadership and host of Ambition Without Compromise Podcast , has spent her career guiding women of colour CEOs and founders toward a liberated version of leadership that honours who they are, not just what they achieve. In this episode, we...

Imagine bringing life coaching to a country with 1.4 billion people. Where the concept is nearly unheard of. That’s the mission certified life coach Liwei Yang is pursuing with passion and purpose. She's redefining what it means to live authentically within and beyond cultural expectations. As an independent researcher turned technology consultant, Liwei built a career that looked successful...

In this candid episode, I sit down with Dr. Kathomi Gatwiri, one of Australia’s foremost Afro-diasporic scholars and psychotherapists. As an Associate Professor and researcher, Kathomi’s work dives deep into topics many of us are only beginning to scratch the surface—from racial trauma and blackness to the urgent need for decolonisation in academia and beyond. Throughout our conversation, Kathomi...