Two Words with Taku

Know your story, know your brand and don’t think about the money. Here’s what I’ve learnt from applying for Nova + Acast’s Podquest, So You Think You Can Pod by The Wheeler Centre, and from NOT applying for the ABC’s One Million Dollar Podcast Fund.

Gary Vee inspired me to start this very podcast. So when I heard he was speaking at a business seminar in Melbourne, I made an animated video to thank him. Then I felt a bit awkward sharing it online before I saw him speak at the event.

What happens to Joy and Yolanda after the audition? In Chapter 1, they each decided to audition for Professor Nhingi’s youth dance program. In Chapter 2, they’re not so sure that was the best idea. JoYOLO story synopsis: Joy loves words and comes from ...

Manners: this episode and these greeting cards contain profanity. Okay, so your friend’s mum has died? Your loved one has cancer? Oh and anxiety is keeping your bestie up all night? Melbourne graphic designer Lindsey Mineff from Hard Copy Cartel has ca...

Do you watch The Weekly and Hard Quiz? This is the second part of my chat with writer Gerard McCullough. He is one of Australia’s most in-demand TV comedy writers and editors. His credits span sketch, variety, current affairs, quiz, sport,

Lawd have mercy – Gerard McCulloch is finally on my podcast! He is one of Australia’s most in-demand TV comedy writers and editors. His credits span sketch, variety, current affairs, quiz, sport, and award ceremony formats.

OMG Merrilee McCoy is magic! She’s the local producer of The Moth Melbourne StorySLAM events and in this episode we discuss all things storytelling. No filter! We cover what makes a good story to being vulnerable on stage to not relying on crap PowerPo...

What IS spoken word? I interview Melbourne rapper/poets Tenda McFly and Ziimusic about their writing and creative processes. We discuss everything from vulnerability, to narcissism to belief in self. Then we briefly debate if being a good writer is a d...

The cast of my JoYOLO radio play is changing my character(s). Yes indeed! Collaborating with them is developing the way I think, write and feel about the characters they’re playing. In this episode, you’ll hear the first scene of Chapter 1,

Today’s two hot words: Yes and No. Eesh, just look at them go Stealthily dividing a nation Whispering here Shouting there Fanning and fuelling frustration #VoteNo Some are writing in the skies #VoteYes Some are headbutting guys Yes and No Proudly predi...

Motivational vs inspirational speaker? In this episode I explain how I differentiate between the two and how that changes the way I speak on stage. Disclaimer: I’m not saying being a motivational speaker is bad. And yes,

If you don’t have “design eyes”, please seek professional graphic design and book layout assistance for your book. In this episode I talk about how I approached graphic design for my picture book – and that ONE illustration that was driving me nuts.

You’ll be elated when you finally publish your book, but don’t forget to celebrate the little milestones along the way. Friendly FYI…these tips are from a 2016 video series I filmed after self-publishing a children’s book in Australia.

Ok, false alarm – there’s no crisis. I know who I am. I’m proudly Taku: African and Australian. Listen as I discuss my identity with my writer friend Ghina Makari Cane. She’s writing a book about what’s it like living in/with two cultures.

Last year, I filmed my close friends for a fun little series on TAKU TV. I was experimenting with video editing and testing ideas for vox populi-style interviews. Listen as dancer Rita Nita talks about being the underdog in the dance industry; hear pho...

Silence. ‘Twas a little awkward when Mama tried to scare me out of snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef. I love her to smithereens, but she’s always great inspiration for my stand-up comedy. Link to my snorkelling pics and the Instagram post that insp...

When you really want a ticket to a sold-out event, volunteer to MC it. Yep, that’s what happened and in this episode I explain how I got involved with TEDxMelbourne’s Open Mic event last Wednesday. The speech competition was won by Laura Youngson,

You’ve got to be very disciplined with your time on social media when you’re writing and self-publishing a book. Too many distractions! At one point I went off Facebook for 3 months and that’s when I made significant progress with my book tasks.

Writing books and self-publishing aren’t easy things. Please don’t suffer in silence! Try to hang out with fellow writers and creatives who provide moral support for you. (You won’t feel so crazy or alone).

Fact: I’ve never written a Google review. This episode is my way of reviewing the new printer I’ve found. Listen as I chat to Keenan Archer about $800 business cards, how to find a good printer, logos, printing-on-demand, small business and much more.

Nova’s Podquest Competition Deadline: 4 Aug 2017. In this episode I discuss how to apply for the Podquest Initiative by Nova Entertainment and Acast. It’s open to aspiring podcasters in Australia and you’d be mad not to apply if you have a cool story t...

Today’s one word is forgiveness. This morning I wrote a list of the people I need to forgive and I was shocked by how long it was. Not good! Listen as I read a blog post I wrote about forgiveness in December 2014.

I wrote ‘Multicultural Me’, a children’s book about friendship, because I wanted to make it fun for kids to talk about cultural diversity in Australia. Who are you sharing your story, your imagination, your knowledge, your heart with?

Support your fellow writers – buy their books and read their work. Also, try experimenting with your writing, especially when you need a break from your book. Everything you read and write adds to the creative development process of self-publishing you...

I’m celebrating 41 episodes of my little podcast. Yep! Check out my happy, joyful, not-holding-back-at-all photo on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BWoZ1ONlRZC/?taken-by=takuspeaks. I’m proud, grateful and excited by what I’ve been learning throu...