Opinions Are Mine

During this pandemic, I have already observed behaviors dictated by privilege and colonial mindset making people forget what matters as human being. On of my heroes Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian reporter, pacifist, activist who died kidnapped and brutally killed in Gaza while fighting for the dignity of the Palestinians, used to say: “Stay Human.” If we don’t stay human, COVID-19 is not the worst thing that can happen to us. Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credits: Special thanks to Wanlov for use of his songs as intro and outro music. Find more of his work here Special thanks to Ria Boss for use of her songs as background music. Find more of her work here

DISCLAIMER: This episode contains sensitive content that might be a trigger. We talked about pain and miscarriage, so if you're grieving and you don't feel ready, just do not listen, you’ll be just fine. It is not a typo for "Love Yourself." To Lose Yourself is imperative for self-discovery. It's like walking in a labyrinth. And if it's dark and you're alone, and you're into the woods, you will have to find creative ways to come out, try to find the right path and trust your heart, sometimes trust strangers, because they might surprise you with kindness. Some people you know and you think you should trust, instead, might intentionally be hoping for you not to come out. And that's precisely the reason why, no matter what, you will have to find your way back with a smile and a middle finger. Song Credit: Wanlov, Lovly Mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk2aB_NHvog Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credit : Special thanks to Ria Boss for use of her songs. Find more of her work here

So much is always going on in our lives that sometimes we forget we need our tribe and our people around to feel a deeper connection with the Universe. These episode I had my fellow Unicorns with me: Ria Boss and Brimah joined me to talk about our journeys and what is going on with our lives. But we also discussed what has been going on in town in the past weeks and also what we think might be affecting the creative industry and the storytelling about Ghana. Mostly, we had fun. A lot. Opinions are ours. Only ours. And that’s what friends are for. Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credit : Special thanks to Ria Boss for use of her songs. Find more of her work here

I genuinely believe that collectiveness is what will help us change the world: a collective of people that transcends gender, age, and race and puts together kindred spirits able to change the temperature in the room. First time I embraced this concept was 2009, reading "Open," Andre Agassi's autobiography. The second time when I met my airport unicorn, and I found out he also talked about thermostats and thermometers. To remind me how the power of us coming together and bring change is possible, I had a recent adventure with police and abuse of power. I know I was able to overcome what happened because of the fantastic spirits around me, near and far, that contributed with words, thoughts, and actions to a positive outcome of a potentially harmful situation and a stronger belief in my purpose. Chale, we shall overcome. Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credit : Special thanks to SuperJazzClub for use of their songs. Find more of their work here Song Credit : Special thanks to Ria Boss for use of her songs. Find more of her work here

"Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared!” Tupac Shakur, bless him forever, wrote this words when he was barely 20 years old, but he already knew beauty can come from ugly places sometimes. This week, with the help of my soul sister Ria Boss we talked about how even a situation of suffering, like abusive relationships, could have turned our life into the one we always deserved to live, fulfilling our purpose. Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credit : Special thanks to Ria Boss for use of her songs. Find more of her work here

We all get to the point when we finally realize that there no time anymore to condone behaviors that are letting abusive people get away with their toxicity. And when we get to that point we take the responsibility to honor and help those who still don't have a voice. It's not only a gender issue, but it's also about underrepresented categories and people in a position of power (or assuming they are more powerful) using their privilege to take advantage of people with less power. "Middle fingers up, put the hands high." Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credit : Special thanks to Ria Boss for use of her songs. Find more of her work here

Daring Greatly means to love deeply, be vulnerable and have the courage to show people who you really are. I made an energy review of the latest Connection Concert organized by Sena Dagadou and talk about my new respectful friendship with Wanlov. We also talked about making out more! Please make out more. And be in the arena. Because being out there will make people feel uncomfortable but it's necessary: that's the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credit : Special thanks to Ria Boss for use of her songs. Find more of her work here

“Look around how lucky we are to be alive right now! History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world! In the greatest city in the world!” sings Hamilton the musical. A Revolution is always happening in New York and part of my personal one happened in my recent trip to the greatest city in the world, thanks to the humans that graced me with their presence, to remind me, and hopefully to remind you, how lucky we are to be alive. Right Now. Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credit : Special thanks to Ria Boss for use of her song, Holding Hands in Public & The Women. Find more of her work here.

When your life changes entirely from the inside, it’s not easy to explain it to other people. This new season of Opinions Are Mine will explore life-changing moments connected with our everyday lives. What happens when you realize that the essential thing in your life is just you? What happens if you pay attention and you allow special people in your life? You might find your purpose. And we keep supporting the Ghanaian creatives, so we talked about fulfilling time working with Poetra Asantewa on the launch of her new album “The Anatomy of a Paradox” and the work with Paapa for his showcase in Accra. So much love and beauty! Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credit : Special thanks to Poetra Asantewa for use of her song, Hey Faith. Find more of her work here Thanks also to Ria Boss whose songs you hear in the background. Fine her work here

Episode Notes Notes go here Share | Follow | Subscribe A special thanks to the hundreds of thousands of listeners who held us down this season. The ones who were with us from season one and the new listeners who supported our new podcasts -- sake of you we keep doing this. Enjoy the holidays and we can't wait to share what we have planned for season 3. -The GCR Team Intro & Outro: The Way I Move - Worlasi Send me your comments, thoughts & reactions about this episode on: (+233)20 757 5272

The terrible death of Anthony Bourdain inspired the last episode, which gave space to a lot of deep emotions, even few tears. There are “Parts Unknown” for all of us that fear and ignorance prevent us to discover. Being scared by the unknown is common, but it becomes dangerous when it translate with a violent refuse of understanding, like it happens the LGBTQ community in Ghana. It is also harmful when denies recognition to other issues like mental illness and vulnerability. This and much more in the 4th episode of Opinions are mine Share | Follow | Subscribe Song Credit : Special thanks to Robin-Huws for use of his song, Dear Diary. Find more of his work here Send me your comments, thoughts & reactions about this episode on: (+233)20 757 5272

Share | Follow | Subscribe This week on Opinions Are Mine, Questlove new book called Creative Quest gives some inspiring tips to creative people. What everyone is missing is that creativity is not a job is a way of thinking and good business leaders should praise creative employees. Creative people in Ghana are the less protected and it’s time for creative people to start a cultural movement and take charge. Music, fashion and visual arts can produce wealth for this country. Stories from Daniks Peters and Threaded Tribes and support for Josie Ngminvielu for an important work on the LGBT community coming up. Song Credit : Special thanks to Robin-Huws for use of his song, Dear Diary. Find more of his work here Send me your comments, thoughts & reactions about this episode on: (+233)20 757 5272

April is the month of renaissance and new beginnings. The Purple Month. It's the moment to decide to connect with your true self and be who you really are, like Prince, who left us in April, always did. From Prince to Whitney to Kanye and how being really yourself can attract criticism but also bring new joy to your life. We will also talk about how to help people who are going through painful moments, not to be scared by deep emotions and stop saying you're sorry, especially if you don't mean it. Closing love notes for Bright Ackwerh and Robin Huws.

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