Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Zero Generation
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season Closeout: Home Is Here, And Other Lessons From Inspiring Immigrants | 02 Oct 2024 | 00:17:24 | |
How is it that we’re already at the end of a full season of the Zero Generation podcast? The time’s gone by so fast! When I looked back on everything I’ve learned and talked about, I came to one major realization: the Zero Generation podcast isn’t over yet. I thought it would only take a season to tell the story of the brave people who make abroad their home, but there’s so much more to say. So join me as I look back on my season highlights and look forward to the future! Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| From Nigerian Immigrant to State Representative: Segun Adeyina's Story | 18 Sep 2024 | 00:36:50 | |
Segun Adeyina was always the kind of person to be heavily involved with his community, so it was natural to him that when he moved from Nigeria to the United States, he would find a way to connect and engage with the Nigerian diaspora. However, even he didn’t think that he would go from being a migrant student to being voted in as one of Georgia’s first-ever Nigerian-American elected officials. Join me on the Zero Generation podcast to talk with State Representative Segun Adeyina about community, culture and what it means to be a Nigerian away from home. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Should I Go Home? Questions About Japada | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:21:06 | |
So many Nigerians of working age leave their home country for a better and brighter future abroad, and I’m one of them. But what happens when you want to go home? Is it just homesickness or a sign that you’re ready to return to your friends and family? And does the home you’re dreaming of still really exist? In this episode of Zero Generation, I’m sharing my thoughts about japada, or young people ‘escaping’ Nigeria for better work opportunities in the U.S., Europe, or even further away, and the complex conversations they have about moving back to Nigeria. Some people see returning to Nigeria as a sign of failure, but for others, it’s coming full circle to return to Nigeria to take care of their ageing parents. I lay out the arguments for staying abroad and for going home, bringing to light the difficult choice that all Nigerians abroad have to make. So you’re going to hear all my thoughts on japada, but now I want to know yours! Tell me about your japada and whether you’re committed to staying away or working towards going home. Did your japada turn out like you thought it would? Subscribe to Zero Generation for more episodes like this about the Nigerian diaspora community. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Surviving Corporate America as a Black Immigrant | 21 Aug 2024 | 00:29:40 | |
You probably know about the American Dream, that anyone who works hard can make it big in the States. But what does it actually take to do that? And just who qualifies for this dream anyway? These are questions that Francesca Uriri started asking herself when she moved from Nigeria to America for a job that was supposed to be a step up in her career. Join us on the Zero Generation podcast for a conversation about culture shock, code-switching and surviving Corporate America. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Business, Entrepreneurship and the Immigrant Hustle with Ona Oghogho | 07 Aug 2024 | 00:47:17 | |
This episode of Zero Generation is a special one, featuring a conversation with my show producer Ona Oghogho, the founder of Adode Media. Ona shares her inspiring journey as a first-generation Nigerian American carving her own path as an entrepreneur. Together, Ona and I delve into the influences in her life that have shaped her perseverance and overall outlook. From her 3rd grade karate teacher to her unwavering faith in God and Ona pulls back the curtain on how she’s been able to build Atlanta’s Number 1 destination for podcast production. You'll gain insight into her business philosophy, as well as the highs and lows she’s experienced as an entrepreneur. In her own words, "My goal is my goal," and trust me, she is determined to achieve it! Prepare to be inspired by Ona’s vision for the future and her relentless tenacity. If you're interested in more interviews with immigrants at various stages of their migration journey, be sure to subscribe to Zero Generation. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Nigerian, but not too Nigerian: The Balancing Act of Raising Kids As An Immigrant with Teniola Bamidele | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:27:10 | |
When we think about culture and traditions, we often think about food, ceremonies and religious faiths. But culture is also the way that we live our lives and nowhere do we see that more than how we raise our children. As a Nigerian living in the U.S. who hopes to have children one day, I’ve thought deeply about which parts of my Nigerian upbringing I would want my future children to experience too. So on this episode of Zero Generation, I invite my friend and fellow immigrant Teniola Bamidele to ask her about how she’s raising her four children. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Faith and Discipline: Lessons from a Successful Entrepreneur with Maya Elious | 10 Jul 2024 | 00:22:34 | |
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit the mould of who you’re ‘supposed to be’, this episode of Zero Generation is for you. Maya Elious is the embodiment of blazing your own trail – she’s an African-American personal branding expert who defied her strict upbringing with immigrant parents to build a successful business coaching women of faith. In this candid conversation, I got to dive behind the scenes with someone whose online presence I’ve admired for years. Growing up with strict African parents who had a vision for her to get a good education and corporate job, Maya shares how a twist of fate led her to drop out of college and pursue entrepreneurship instead. She vulnerably discusses the challenges of pivoting from her parents’ expectations to striking out as an entrepreneur, and explains how her upbringing instilled the discipline and faith that ultimately allowed her to succeed. One of the biggest takeaways for me was Maya’s perspective on branding. She shares how being herself online and listening to how others described her naturally attracted her ideal clients and allowed her to shape an on-brand messaging strategy and business. We also discuss what Maya wants for the next generation of her family and Maya reveals details of an exciting new project that she’s working on. Whether you're building a business or just want to share more of your authentic self with the world, Maya’s insights are sure to inspire you. Subscribe to the Zero Generation podcast to catch more stories that shed light on the immigration experience. Follow Maya on Instagram Listen to Maya’s Work Hard, Live Soft podcast Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Try, Try, Try, Succeed: How to Launch the Best West African Restaurant in Atlanta with Bawo Oyowe | 26 Jun 2024 | 00:41:45 | |
Food brings people together and makes them feel at home, no matter where they are in the world. As a Nigerian immigrant who has lived in Chicago, Seattle, and Austin to name a few, I understand this deeply, I feel it in my bones. In this episode of the Zero Generation podcast, I sit down with Bawo Oyowe, the owner of Little Lagos, a Nigerian restaurant that has become a cultural ambassador in Atlanta for the vibrant and delicious cuisine of my homeland. Bawo shares his fascinating journey, from learning to cook alongside his mother who nourished their community with her meals, to taking a chance on entrepreneurship after a serendipitous encounter with a Korean developer. His story is one of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the power of following your passion. Despite numerous business ventures that didn't work out, Bawo persevered, drawing strength from his immigrant experience of collective struggle and support. Little Lagos stands as a testament to Bawo’s determination and his desire to share an authentic taste of Nigeria with the world. As he reflects on the challenges of maintaining high service standards and consistent product sourcing, I’m inspired by his openness to new ideas and willingness to embrace evolving food trends. You can hear more accounts of the Zero Generation migrant experience by subscribing to the podcast. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Reshaping Home: From Nigerian Music Icon to American Entrepreneur with eLDee | 12 Jun 2024 | 00:30:38 | |
Have you ever felt torn between two cultures, wondering where you truly belong? Then join me for this amazing conversation with my latest guest, eLDee - the iconic Nigerian musician-turned-American real estate mogul. Growing up straddling American and Nigerian influences, eLDee shares his fascinating journey of immigrating to the U.S. while his music career was taking off back in Lagos. From intentionally shifting his base to Nigeria to raise the bar with visuals like being the first to use the RED camera for a music video, to eventually settling more permanently in America, eLDee 's story offers a unique lens into the immigrant experience. He gets candid about grappling with his identity, feeling both Nigerian and American, and hoping to one day help remedy systemic issues in Nigeria through the wisdom gained abroad. eLDee's life is a powerful example of how our cross-cultural experiences can be assets rather than obstacles. If you're ready for honest, thought-provoking conversations about finding home between two worlds, hit subscribe on the Zero Generation podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts. There are more incredible stories like this coming soon! Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Welcome to Zero Generation: The Migration Conversation | 23 May 2024 | 00:09:58 | |
What is the ‘Zero Generation’? What’s it like to be a part of it? I’m Damilola Onwah, a writer and product manager, and these are questions I have on my mind all the time. Historically, we have this concept of first-generation immigrants and second-generation immigrants, but what about those of us who moved countries as adults in recent years, charting our own path? I'm part of this ‘Zero Generation’: I’m a millennial who chose to move to America and start a new life, leaving my old version of home in Nigeria behind me. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Neither Here Nor There (But Everywhere): The First-Gen American Experience ft. Kehinde Winful | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:29:45 | |
What if belonging isn't something you prove but something you live? We sit down with Kehinde Winful — attorney, novelist, and proud Nigerian-American — to unpack the messy middle between two homes and two careers. From getting placed in ESL for saying three like tree, to facing men who demand culinary and language "proof", Kehinde shows how subtle pressures can shape identity, and how a strong community can dissolve them. Connect with Kehinde: https://kehindewinful.com/ Read Damilola's essay referenced in the episode: https://brittlepaper.com/2020/07/is-this-us-the-many-holes-in-nigerian-american-portrayal-of-the-nigerian-experience-damilola-oyedele-essay/ Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| From Third Culture Kid To Behavioral Scientist: Code Switching, Reinvention, & Finding Home ft. Tayo Rockson | 22 Jan 2026 | 00:35:14 | |
Reinvention isn’t a branding trick, it’s how you keep your center when the ground keeps moving. On this episode, I sit down with Tayo Rockson, a third culture kid turned behavioral scientist, TEDx speaker, and author, to unpack the real work of belonging across continents. We get honest about the moments that sting and the choices that save you: when a classmate mocks your hair, when a manager rewards your "office voice", when a resumé name changes your callback rate, when a visa status turns dating into a negotiation. Tayo takes us inside his early pivots — Nigeria, Sweden, Burkina Faso, the U.S., Vietnam — and the education that followed: how to read rooms without losing yourself, how to harness code switching as cultural fluency rather than self-erasure, and how to reclaim a name and accent that carry history. We talk about bias in hiring, the politics of natural hair, the subtle taxes paid to appear "easy", and the small rebellions that restore dignity. There’s laughter too: suya and garri debates, choosing Nigerian heat over New York winters, and the airport that raises your blood pressure more than any Monday meeting. We also explore love and visas with rare candor. Tayo explains why he disclosed immigration uncertainty on first dates, how visa stability finally opened space for partnership, and the affinities that connect Nigerian and Haitian cultures — elders, spice, music, pride. By the end, Tayo offers a clear mindset for anyone navigating identity across borders: your story is still unfolding, and there are parts of you the world hasn’t met yet. Do the self-reflection, name what you want, and close the gap between who you are and who you’re becoming, step by step. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s straddling cultures, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Your voice helps this community grow. Learn more about Tayo and his work: TAYO ROCKSON Read Damilola's short story for the Tender Visions project, referenced in the episode: How to Sing a Border Song - Tender Photos Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| From Tailor To Therapist: A Zero-Gen Journey Of Pivots, Parenting, And Purpose ft. Gbemi Adekoya | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:35:21 | |
The dream of moving abroad promises freedom and fresh starts, but what about the quiet loneliness after the boxes are unpacked? We sit down with psychotherapist and coach Gbemi Adekoya — former tailor, proud "pivot queen", and zero-gen immigrant — to talk candidly about the fine print of relocation: identity shifts, parenting without a village, and the art of rebuilding a life from scratch. Gbemi walks us through the moment a simple question — what would you do if money was solved? — turned fashion plans into a counseling vocation. She breaks down her path from community college to behavioral science and clinical work, showing how outcome-first thinking and a strong why make pivots less scary and more strategic. We explore the messy middle: crying over a yellow shirt in a dryer, the ache for extended family, and the realization that you don’t escape problems, you trade one set for another. That lens helps quiet nostalgia and focus on design: forming intentional pods, crafting shared rituals, and letting kids grow up as "cousins" through repeated care. We also open space for grief and meaning. After losing parents and siblings, Gbemi treats every day beyond a feared age as "extra time", a practice that swaps dread for purpose and joy. The result is a blueprint for immigrants, parents, and career changers: choose a future you can describe, reverse engineer the steps, normalize the lows, and make community on purpose. If you've ever felt both grateful and homesick, ambitious and unsure, this conversation offers language, tools, and a gentler way to keep going. If the episode resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s building a life far from home, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Your support helps more zero-gen stories find their people. Find more of Gbemi's work at gbemisoke.com. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| How A Nigerian Exec Quit Corporate America To Build A Travel Giant Back Home ft. Bayo "Lion" Adedeji | 08 Jan 2026 | 00:42:01 | |
A near-firing. A hard truth over steak. And a choice to stop playing small. Bayo "Lion" Adediji, CEO of Wakanow.com, nightlife entrepreneur, and former Amazon senior leader, joins us for a raw, kinetic conversation about going from accent anxiety and a PIP in corporate America to leading a multi-million dollar travel company from Lagos—and why burning the safety net was the unlock. We get into the inflection points that shaped his trajectory: learning to speak with clarity and conviction, documenting wins so respect isn’t optional, and choosing respect over belonging when feedback gets coded as "executive presence". Bayo shares the Dale Carnegie practices that rewired his leadership, the intentional hiring that built truly diverse, high-performing teams, and the power of pulling people with you and then coaching them to win. Then we pivot to the return home. Bayo explains how he turned around a struggling brand by bringing Amazon-grade principles — frugality, customer obsession, speed, and high standards — into a complex African market. He lays out the second playbook too: trust but verify, relationships as strategy, deals done in social settings, and the discipline to learn from others' failed experiments before spending a dollar. His take on crisis will reframe how you see volatility: inside the noise is the opportunity, if you commit. If you've wondered whether comfort is capping your growth, or whether your voice, background, or style can be turned into an edge, this is your map. Come for the candor; stay for the practical moves you can apply tomorrow — whether you're climbing in Big Tech or building in Lagos. If this conversation moves you, follow the Zero Generation podcast, share it with a friend who needs a push, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||
| Zero Generation: What Happens After You Leave Home? | Season 2 Trailer | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:01:54 | |
Everyone leaves home for different reasons. Nobody tells you what comes after. Season 2 of Zero Generation explores the lives Black immigrants build after the leap — the pressure, the pivots, the laughter, the longing, and the courage it takes to redefine success on your own terms. Through intimate conversations with leaders, creatives, parents, and first-generation Americans, this season asks: when you’ve left home, who are you becoming now? Some return. Some stay. Most live in between. Season 2 launches January 8. Join the Zero Gen community:
Theme Music by
Video & Audio Production by
| |||