White Label American

Obinna Elechi, a man of many talents. Hailing from Nigeria, he's an architect, comic book artist, and painter all rolled into one. In his solo episode, he delves into the complexities of parenthood, the societal pressures to adhere to traditional life milestones, and the unique challenges of fatherhood. Obinna candidly shares his experiences of living in the Netherlands, his deep-rooted passion fo...

  The month of June commences with a distinguished guest, Kwesi Foli, the host and founder of the African Time Podcast. Kwesi expounds on the embracing of dual identities, discovering cultural affinities, navigating his creative evolution, and the tribulations associated with being a fervent supporter of the Black Stars national team. This recording was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and we tr...

I'm sorry for not releasing an episode last week. Remember Ep 169? It was related to that. I'm excited to release my first solo episode with Grace Nkem (who appeared in Ep 166 & 167). Grace discusses important topics such as her concerns about the impact of AI technology on society and culture, as well as the commercialization of art. We also talk about her passion for pre-Christian, pre-colon...

Welcome back to another eye-opening episode of White Label American. We dive deep into the extraordinary journey of motherhood with repeat guests Verena, Preet, Mimi, and Arabella. They discuss how cultural upbringing significantly influences their approach to parenting, how they navigate societal expectations, and the challenges and joys of motherhood drawn from their diverse backgrounds. This ep...

With Mother's Day being celebrated earlier in many parts of the world before the United States, I couldn't resist sharing one of my dream episodes - a recording with my incredible mother, Emelia Harry Akponwei. In this heartwarming episode, she opens up about her passion for dancing, her health challenges, love for Ijaw musicians, her favorite American food, and so much more. We dive into topics l...

Hello everyone, in this solo episode, I open up about my recent health challenges and express my gratitude to you, our patrons, for sticking with me during a creative slump. I'm excited to share incredible stories lined up, including heartfelt family histories and insightful guest interviews that explore diverse cultural backgrounds and personal triumphs. I also discuss my experiences guest-starri...

Raphael Harry wraps up the year with a personal reflection on gratitude. He expresses deep appreciation for the diverse array of guests who have shared their stories on the podcast. Reflecting on listener feedback, he notes an unexpected connection that led to love and discusses the impact of storytelling. Delving into his personal experiences outside of podcasting, Raphael shares insights into th...

Welcome back to another thought-provoking episode with Obinna Elechi, Grace Nkem, and Amir Bey as they engage in a captivating discussion on spirituality, art, and the impact of digital culture. Dive deep into mythology, religious beliefs, and the portrayal of powerful women in history, while exploring the significance of fine art across diverse cultures. Questioning religious texts and the repres...

On our latest episode, we have a lineup of three incredible creatives: Amir Bey, Grace Nkem, and Obinna Elechi. They will captivate you with their inspiring stories, starting from their birth cities to their childhood memories and early sources of inspiration. Brace yourself as we take down the artificial walls that confine creativity! Our journey begins in Port Harcourt Nigeria, Tver Russia, New...

On this special Thanksgiving episode of our podcast, we have the privilege of being joined by two incredible guests from Brooklyn and Queens. We are truly grateful for our amazing listeners who make this all possible. At this moment, we want to know what you're thankful for. Our first guest is none other than Mimi Jacks, also known as Improper Mimi, a highly esteemed podcaster and storyteller. Thr...

 I am thrilled to present the second part of my conversation with Jonaed Iqbal, the founder of NoDegree.com and NoDegree Podcast. Join us as we delve deeper into Jonaed's incredible journey from being the "good immigrant kid" to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Discover how he empowers his clients to pursue their dreams and passions while achieving their career goals. Our conversation takes us...

In this episode, titled "Immigrant Odyssey: Thriving in Unexpected Career Avenues", Raphael, engages in a dynamic conversation with guest Jonaed Iqbal, founder of Nodegree.com and the Nodegree podcast. Join us as we unpack the empowering narratives of immigrants and redefine paths to success.   In this engaging episode, we delve into various captivating topics such as the significance of family in...

We kicking off November with a recap of our time in Baltimore at the 5th Afros and Audio Podcasting Festival. There's a question for you at the bottom. Corey and Weyu (and me too) had the opportunity to attend the 5th Afros & Audio Podcast Festival in Baltimore. In this episode, they will be sharing their key takeaways, personal testimonies, and valuable advice for future participants. Let's d...

 Reverend Jide Macaulay is a remarkable individual who has experienced a transformative journey of self-discovery and faith. Growing up in a conservative Christian family, Reverend Macaulay had to confront his own truth as a gay man and face the challenging consequences that followed. The revelation of his sexuality shattered his understanding of his religious upbringing, leaving him with numerous...

What a delightful episode it was when we had the pleasure of having Kala, the mother of our unofficial cohost and beloved podcast favorite Ashwin, join us for our first mother and son episode. In this episode, we embarked on a journey of learning, discussing my struggles with pronunciations, and so much more. Our conversation touched upon various topics, including Kala's childhood, her family hist...

Welcome back to another exciting episode of White Label American! In today's special episode, we have the privilege of hosting three incredible guests from the Nigerian diaspora community in Texas. They will be sharing their past memories and experiences of celebrating Nigeria's independence and reflecting on how those experiences shape their present perspectives. Join us as we explore the intrigu...

Our special guest today, is the talented Kenny Wong. Get ready to dive deep into Kenny's fascinating journey as a stunt person, comic artist, and all-around creative force. In this episode, Kenny shares powerful insights on the importance of pursuing our passions and supporting others in their creative endeavors. From comic books to martial arts, Kenny's story is an inspiring reminder that followi...

Our guests from episode 87 return for part II, this time joining us in the studio (the first episode was recorded virtually). In this episode, we delve into their experiences in New York, their interactions with Africans, and the increased political awareness and engagement of Nigerians compared to previous years, with a specific focus on social media trends during political events. We also touch...

On this episode of White Label American, host Raphael Harry welcomes special guest Bertha Jimenez, Ph. D., a social entrepreneur, mentor, and professor for her second appearance. Bertha's first appearance was on the Mother's Day episode. Here she shares her journey of pursuing her childhood dream of studying abroad and working in ecology in Ecuador. She discusses her experience in environmental co...

In this episode of White Label American wrapping up Pride Month, Raphael Harry engages in a conversation with Uche Chukwu - a Life Coach, Public Speaker, Igbo Philosopher, and the host of 'Let's Talk About Us with Uche'. The discussion first centers around their personal experiences with depression, therapy, and anti-immigrant sentiments. Later, they shift focus to Uche's passion for philosophy an...

On this episode of White Label American, host Raphael Harry talks with guests Corey Gumbs, Ashwin Goutham Gopi, and Nabeel Ebeid about their experiences as fathers and the cultural influences that have impacted their parenting. The discussion covers topics such as the importance of recognizing each child's individuality, imparting cultural heritage, dealing with emotional involvement as a father,...

In this edition of White Label American, the reins of hosting are handed over to Julienne B. Ryan, the first guest host of the podcast. As a humorous speaker and inspirational storyteller, listeners can check out her book, The Learned-it-in-Queens Communications Playbook: Winning Against Digital Distraction. The last time we recorded an episode was just before the global pandemic hit in 2019. Our...

On this episode of White Label American, host Raphael Harry talks with Genevieve and Chris Teo, two talented individuals who share their stories of growing up in Singapore and finding their passions in life. The conversation covers parenting, career paths, and the healing powers of songwriting along with a love story. Chris and Genevieve discuss the challenges of being in a new place and connectin...

Today is my birthday, so we are having a double celebration. Grab your favorite beverage as we delve into the inspiring stories of three immigrant mothers in Brooklyn on our latest White Label American podcast episode. Bertha, Murielle, and Preet share their unique challenges and triumphs in motherhood and how their immigrant journey has shaped their experiences. From building a community in a new...

In this exciting episode of White Label American, I have the pleasure of interviewing Beatriz Nour, a passionate podcast enthusiast who launched her own podcast, the Inbetweenish Pod. Join us as we delve into Beatriz's personal journey of navigating the challenging space of living between countries, cultures, ethnicities, and faiths. As a Brazilian-Egyptian with a French twist, Beatrice shares her...