Concrete Pastures Podcast

S3 Ep11 Elvis Leon -A Trucker’s Kidnapping and a Father Son’s Journey

Elvis Leon, is a film Marker, a veteran; he's not a stranger to a life of an immigrant. He is a son of an immigrant, and he is here to share a little bit of his and his family’s journey on his father's kidnapping. This story continues with Nosa Iyere on Culture class podcast 06/19/2023.
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5280 article
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website
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S3 Ep10 Michelle Gardiner - Stepping into your Magic

Michelle Gardiner is the Founder and Director of The Aspire Series and 55 FACES. These are both a movement for women who are dedicated to pioneering social change and impact as well as a methodology in facilitating change work. 
Michelle firmly believes that with genuine opportunity, meaningful support and spaces where we can truly love, value and believe in ourselves, we are able to become so much bolder than we ever imagined. Michelle also believes that great aspirations must be matched with a great capacity to nurture ourselves, in order to create the sweet spot where female leaders blossom. The kind who are not only creating amazing things for themselves and for the world, there are also doing so in a way that sustains them.  
It is Michelle’s intention in creating The Aspire Series, that as women, we can become more connected and heart centred leaders, and use one another to become the best that we can be, for ourselves and the future women who model themselves on us. From this place, we can truly influence social change and shift the dynamic of both our local communities and global society. 
Michelle has spent over fifteen years working in the Australian Child Protection and community sectors, supporting children, young people and families through some of their most vulnerable life experiences. Through hearing many life stories, Michelle became most passionate about raising the aspirations of young people and women, which has greatly inspired her work with The Aspire Series. This passion parallels Michelle’s own experiences of working hard to define her own voice and to use this to build a life that she, too, is proud of. 
We are at a point in time where our stories, experiences and livelihoods account for so much more than we can imagine and we can not afford to see ourselves in any lesser light. Our stories truly are the gateway to enabling and facilitating so much of the change that we each wish to see in the world.
Michelle holds a Bachelors of Social and Community Welfare, Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Science (Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy), she is a Yoga Teacher (500 hours - Moksha Yoga Academy), a Certified Life Coach, and a background in individual and collective narrative work, leadership and empowerment program facilitation and trauma informed practice. Michelle is a published co-author, carries significant Non-For-Profit Board Member experience and is currently undertaking her Masters Degree in Narrative Therapy and Community Work at the Dulwich Centre and Melbourne University.
 
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@michelle_gardiner_au
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S3 Ep9 Dr Sombo Muzata - Faith and Reinventing of Oneself

Dr. Sombo Muzata is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at James Madison University. She has a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Dr Muzata holds a Master of BusinessAdministration (MBA) specializing in strategy from Heriot Watt University. She is a trained accountant, a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
She has vast international development experience, working as country director in Zambia for Diakonia, a Swedish global nonprofit. As the country director,Dr Muzata was responsible for strategic planning, fundraising, and program implementation; gender was a special theme mainstreamed in Diakonia’s work.
Dr Muzata’s research focuses on (i) economic development with topics on entrepreneurship and how business can be a force for good, and (ii) public financial management concentrating on public budgeting and public debt. She has received many awards, including the United States Extraordinary Ability Award (Albert Einstein visa). She is alumni of the Oxford Impact Investment Programme and a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow.
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Dr Sombo Muzata- linklin
drsombomuzata@gmail.com
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S3 Ep8 Lotten Teaney - Imported Dreams and Inspiring Change

Lotten Yeaney is a Senior Manager with over 2 decades in IT and is a seasoned Film/TV producer. As a Liberian native, who lives in Chicago, she brings a diaspora lens to all her projects. Living between two continents, Lotten’s personal passion is to bridge the cultural gap between Africans, Americans and other cultures while embracing their ethnic differences.   
Lotten’s company, focuses on developing content and events that bridge the gap in stories, characters, and experiences particularly in the Diaspora. Her first feature film titled “SKINNED”, dealt with colorism and skin bleaching. SKINNED was directed by LisaRaye McCoy and later distributed to TV One and is currently on Prime Video.  
 In 2021, L10 Group LLC partnered with 3LF Entertainment to produce a TV special for syndication called “IMPORTED DREAMS”. Imported Dreams highlighted the accomplishments of successful Immigrants who are living in the US.   
Lotten’s latest project was film titled “HYDE PARK”  and was released this past summer to Studio Movie Grill theaters. “HYDE PARK” deals with taboo topics in the African/immigrant communities, such as the lack of acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and cross-cultural relationships. In July 2022, She was a guest speaker at Essence Festival Beauty Carnival, where she discussed skin bleaching and colorism. She continues to give back to the community by supporting causes and conversations that provoke and inspire change.   
Movies
SKINNED
BREAKING BOUNDS
TV SPECIAL -IMPPORTED DREAMS
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@lottenbridgetta
@lottenb Facebook,
@lottenyeaney - LinkedIn
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S3 Ep7 Ami Thakkar - Trailblazer and Prominent Voice

Ami Thakkar is a lawyer by trade, a freelance writer by trial, a podcaster by passion and a DJ when asked. After graduating as a Longhorn, she started off my career as an analyst at Enron. While applying to graduate schools, she worked on movie sets in Texas and then moved to Bombay to work in radio and media. 
A few years later, she graduated with a J.D. from DePaul University School of Law in Chicago and began her law career in New York City. Since then, She moved back to India, lived in Dubai, Dallas, Bentonville, CT, and currently back in Dallas. 
Between all the moves, she has worked as a writer for magazines (such as Vogue India, CN Traveler, OK! Middle East and D Magazine) an executive for non-profits (Walton Foundation) and start-ups (Exclusively.in), and a backup Bollywood dancer for Indian pop stars.
In 2017, Ami launched her own podcast called Tuckered Out with Ami Thakkar (Tuck-er), interviewing trailblazers, experts, and prominent voices from the South Asian diaspora. They talk about growing up brown, personal and professional journeys, and all those topics South Asians tend to shy away from.
Ami started her podcast because she was tuckered out from all the big moves due to her husband’s job, from being a mom of two, but mainly from determining her true calling. So as a first-generation South Asian born in the US, she decided to interview the diaspora of South Asian trailblazers around the world to hear how they figured it all out, to share the South Asian story, to highlight all the fantastic contributions the community is making in various industries, and to laugh. As much as possible.
 
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S2 Ep6 Tongwa (Gabriella) Akanji Eko- On her Becoming Journey

Tongwa (Gabriella) Akanji Eko was born and raised in Buea, Cameroon. Tongwa moved to the US at 17. She graduated from Prince George’s Community college, University of Maryland College Park and American University with her Associates, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees respectively. Through her educational career, her interests focused on communication, with a lens on TV broadcasting, writing and film.
 In Baltimore city, she hosted the CharmTV show 5 Minutes with Gabbie, which focused on stories of individuals serving the community positively. She’s also written a collection of short poems called Musings, about life, love and growth. She is passionate about God, music, art and celebrating people walking in their God-given purpose. Through her music, speaking engagements and content, she aspires to continue to impart and impact people with a desire to seek God first.
Contact/Follow Tongwa
@akanjieko on IG
Akanjimedia@gmail.com
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S3 Ep5 Ferdinand Simaanya - Diaspora Leader

Mr. Ferdinand Simaanya was born in Zambia. He attended multiple schools, including Livingstone Primary School, junior education at Linda Secondary School, and senior secondary school at Hillcrest Senior Technical School in Livingstone. He completed his bachelor's at Solusi Adventist University in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. 
Mr. Simaanya grew up as a DJ at Fairmount Night Club, then joined Valentino’s Night Club and Oasis in Lusaka from 1990 to 1995 as the top DJ in Zambia. After graduating from university in 2002, he relocated to South Africa and joined Nissan SA as a sales cadet. Since then, he has risen to be an Award winning fleet sales in the Nissan brand. His currently the Zambia Association in South Africa and Zambia Diaspora Organization President. 
Contact/Follow Ferdinand
https://www.facebook.com/zambiadiasporaorg/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Zambia-Association-in-South-Africa-ZASA/100064456611554/
https://www.facebook.com/ferdinand.simaanya
ferdyskyy@yahoo.com
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S3 Ep4 Aaron Mashano -Building Emotional Stamina as an Entrepreneur

Aaron Mashano was born in Zambia, he moved to Australia in 2000 to study Law and Commerce at the University of Sydney. Over a 15 year period, he worked with top 200 blue chip companies and gained experience in Vocational Education Training (VET). 
After founding and failing in numerous Startups, he eventually formed a winning formula on how to build his businesses right. Notably, he founded 2 successful Businesses 
(1) Purpose Plus Consultancy (PPC). A broker firm that conducted workplace training for companies and Registered Training Organisations (RTO's) in Australia. PPC supported its clients to generate collectively $12 million worth of new business.
(2) Leaders Of Tomorrow (LOT). An Entrepreneurship training company and Labour hire service. It expanded into 4 states in Australia & up-skilled and placed 2000+ job-seekers into gainful employment. He successfully exited in 2015.
In 2015, Aaron moved to Bali and expanded his Company into 5 continents. His brands included: Start Results Coaching, Niche Meetup, Anima Juice and LOT 360. He consulted for notewoethy brands such as: Google, Unilever, Wework and partnered with Unicorn startups such as GoJek - Indonesia
Since 2021 he repatriated back to Zambia, Where he founded and currently chairs: Tribe Corporation Ltd with its head quarters in Zambia. The corporation consists of 5 subsidiary companies in 5 Industries. Namely: Waste Management, Education, Hospitality, Farming, and Labour Hire Solutions. During his journey, Aaron recognizes that celebrating great entrepreneurs and honouring entrepreneurship is his calling.
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https://www.instagram.com/afrikanspear/
ceo.ecotribe@gmail.com
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S3 Ep3 Linda Mwale - Life line Wellness

Linda C.S. Mwale is the second of five children. Her father is a retired Zambian Air Force Pilot and her mother is a retired Psychiatric Nurse. 
Having been raised in a military home with the full love and support of her family, her upbringing imparted the discipline, passion and commitment that make a big part of who Linda is today. Here is what she’s believes in.
Most of us can agree that spirituality, family, education and health are imperative to one living a meaningful and purposeful life. But another facet of life that is just as important and is a topic of interest to her is transformation– a process that can at times be painful. Transformation is like having our filters cleaned, our belief systems shaken and altered. 
It leads one to make tough decisions, understanding that there’s more to a person than their outward behavior, and forgiving ourselves for past mistakes, among many things. 
The reward is found in acquiring a road map, developing and discovering oneself and achieving our goals - pivotal steps to real living.
A quote by Heather Schuck summarizes this well- "Taking personal accountability is a beautiful thing because it gives us complete control of our destinies." How so? By laying down our pride, being open and honest about our habits, strengths, and weaknesses, we become aware of how our choices, attitudes and behavior shape the way we respond to life's challenges. We can also use this awareness as a powerful tool to discover truths and effect change in our lives.
After this realization, she made the decision to become a certified life coach. Why? Linda saw an opportunity in life coaching to help others on the journey of transformation through self-discovery and healing. She was certain that she would further find deep meaning, purpose and satisfaction by changing one life at a time. 
Linda’s  motivation to do what she does as a life coach, and now also a counsellor and mentor, lies in the belief that solutions to challenges we face in different seasons of our lives are available. She  desired to perpetually be a resourceful coach, counsellor and mentor that empowers and attains positive results."
Contact/follow Linda
https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-c-s-mwale-b7328937
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifeline-wellness-connect/
https://instagram.com/lwc_zm?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=
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+260972057394
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S3 Ep2 Camilla Schippa -The Social Outfit, Integrating Refugees

Camilla Schippa is the CEO of one of Australia’s most creative and celebrated social enterprises, The Social Outfit. The Social Outfit is a fashion label with a difference, created to provide employment and training in the fashion industry to people from refugee and new migrant communities. Camilla not only leads all of The Social Outfit’s operations, she also supports her employees by mentoring and guiding them to better integrate in Australia.
Prior to leading The Social Outfit, Camilla was the founding Director of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) which she led for 10 years. She started her career at the United Nations where, until 2008, she was Chief of the UN Office for Partnerships, within the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General. In this role, she advised on the management of the US$ 1 billion partnership between the UN and Ted Turner's UN Foundation and assisted in overseeing the activities of the UN Democracy Fund.  
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https://thesocialoutfit.org/pages/what-we-do
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