From aspiring Olympic athlete to life coach and sports psychologist, Vanessa Akiwumi joins the podcast for an episode that’s all about purpose, well-being, and redefining success. 🧠🏃🏽‍♀️

In this powerful conversation, we explore:

🌿 Mental health in Kenya—navigating stigma and starting important conversations

🏃🏽‍♀️ Sports psychology meets life coaching—supporting athletes beyond the field

💬 Balancing ambition with social and emotional health

📈 Building a coaching business from scratch—and serving a diverse clientele

🌟 Advice for aspiring coaches—why personal growth never stops

Vanessa’s journey is a reminder that intentional living, mentorship, and self-awareness are key to thriving—on and off the track.

🎧 Now streaming on all platforms! Catch the full episode now!!

💬 What does intentional living mean to you? Let’s talk in the comments!

Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your Instagram letting us know where you're listening from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

This week, we’re joined by an absolute powerhouse—Vanessa Akiwumi, a life coach, sports psychologist, and mental health advocate who went from chasing Olympic dreams to coaching others toward intentional living.

In this episode, Denis, Eric and Gathoni chat with Vanessa about:

💬 Balancing athletic life with mental & social well-being

🌍 Mental health in the Kenyan context—and breaking cultural stigmas

🧩 Personalized life coaching—why one size doesn’t fit all

🚀 Starting a coaching business from her bedroom—and building something powerful

🧠 The five pillars of well-being and how they impact us all

Vanessa’s story is real, inspiring, and packed with takeaways for anyone looking to grow, heal, or simply understand themselves better.

🔜 Episode drops soon! Stay tuned for this uplifting and eye-opening conversation.

💬 What’s your definition of well-being? Let’s talk in the comments!

Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your Instagram letting us know where you're listening from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

Hey aKEx fam! We’re back after a much-needed break, and it feels so good to be recording again! In this episode, our co-hosts Gathoni and Cynthia share what they've been up to while we were on hiatus.

🌍 Gathoni’s New Chapter: She’s moved to a new city and is diving into new experiences—tune in to hear all about her adventures and the changes she’s embracing!

👩‍⚕️ Cynthia’s Journey Continues: Our resident doc is back at it, continuing her incredible work in the medical field. She talks about the challenges and triumphs of her ongoing journey—don’t miss it!

We took some time off to focus on our personal lives, but we’re back recharged and ready to bring you more inspiring, real, and raw stories from Kenyans making bold moves in their lives and careers.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now and catch up with us!

Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your Instagram letting us know where you're listening from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

🚀 We're BACK! After a much-needed hiatus, 'A Kenyan’s Experience' returns with fresh energy and new stories.

In this comeback episode, we catch up with co-hosts Gathoni and Cynthia! 🌍 Gathoni shares about her exciting move to a new location, while Cynthia takes us through her ongoing journey as a doctor.

Whether you're curious about what we've been up to or just need some inspiration, this episode has a little something for everyone.

Tune in, laugh with us, and catch up on all the life updates you missed. Don't forget to catch the full episode dropping out on Wednesday! 🎙️

Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your Instagram letting us know where you're listening from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

This week, Denis & Cynthia are joined by Shiro Wachira, an activist at heart, who candidly shares with us how her journey through her graduate program at the University of Stanford led her to unlearning the glorification of burnout.

Through her story, we learn how through mentorship, both giving and receiving, are important in creating sustainable personal wellbeing, and how this has led to Growing Acres, her apprentice-ship based program aimed at helping agricultural workers build profitable and environmentally sustainable businesses.

As always, as your hosts we took a lot from this conversation and we know you will too.

We’re excited to have Shiro back on the podcast in the future to hear more about her journey.

Links:
Shiro Wachira on LinkedIn here

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.
You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

Talk about an amazing comeback story!
On this weeks episode, we are joined by business owner, podcaster, father and fitness enthusiast, Shiv Simani. Shiv takes us through many of his origin stories as we discuss the importance of striving to make your dreams come true.
He shares with us the lifestyle challenges faced at an early age and how he navigated towards being one of the biggest fitness influencers in the country. We delve into the importance of setting strong boundaries and how making healthy lifestyle choices make a huge difference for oneself and for the people around us.
This is the first dad we've had on aKEx, so Shiv talks us through fatherhood in the midst of different career paths and choices.
Links:
Listen to Unit, the Podcast here
You can connect with Shiv here
Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.
You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.
Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

This is Part Two of our conversation with Wambui Wambugu and Jean-Marie Kamweru, whom you met on part one a few weeks ago.

In this episode, we dive into their individual journeys from high school into university and now, as working adults in Nairobi, Kenya. They also share with us what impact having older siblings abroad had on the decisions they made and also honestly share if Gathoni & Cynthia met their expectations as older siblings abroad.

We'd love to know what you took away from this episode and also what impact your siblings, younger or older, have had on your journey.

Links: Jean's LinkedIn here and Wambui's LinkedIn here. Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com. Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

“So what are your weaknesses?”

Probably the question we all either under or overprepare for as we think about the looming interview.

On this week’s episode, full-stack tech-recruiter and HR practitioner Fiona Maingi, shares with us how her journey from law grad to HR specialist has shaped who she is today. Fiona shares with us how her mindset of reframing failure has been essential in her personal growth. She also shares with us tips on branding yourself as you prepare for your next step in your career whether that be now or in the future.

We’re so excited to finally have Fiona on the podcast and we’re really looking forward to having her back on in the future.

Let us know what you took away from this episode by leaving a voicenote, we’d love to know.

Links:

Fiona's ⁠LinkedIn⁠, Upwork and Andela.

Red Cross runs a toll-free helpline that provides 24 hour free tele-counselling on: 1199
Befrienders in Kenya: +254722178177
Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

In this episode of aKEx, Denis and Gathoni talk to Walter Kuria, a Civil Engineering student and a Motocross racer and trainer. Walter shares stories about his university journey and the things he wished he knew before he started... and trust us, not only are they funny, but also very relateable.
He also talks us through his love and passion for motocross... from when he got into it as a young boy, to now, where he takes what he knows and has learnt over the years to train the future generation of motocross racers.
If you want to know more about Motocross - how to get started, where to watch races, and what the sport involves, you can reach out to Walter in the following ways:
Walter Kuria IG
WIP IG and TikTok.

As always, thank you for listening and remember to share this episode with someone you think would enjoy this.
Follow us on IG & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.
You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Meet Our Siblings, Jean-Marie Kamweru and Wambui Wambui and get to know us better on Part One of Two of this series with funny and quirky QnAs.
This episode leads us into part two where you get to know Jean's and Wambui's individual journeys and how having older siblings abroad impacted their lives, both positive and negative. We learnt a lot about each other and ourselves as individuals and friends who've known each other for over a decade. We hope you enjoy this episode and we'd love to know if you love these types of episodes - it's good to shake it up once in a while.
Links:
Jean's LinkedIn here and Wambui's LinkedIn here.
Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.
You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.
Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

In this episode of aKEx, Denis and Gathoni catch up with Ian Mararo. For those of you who have been on this journey with us, you will remember Ian from Season 1. For those of you new to our podcast, you should definitely listen to the episode... it will leave you with the motivation and encouragement you need to pursue new opportunities. You can find Ian's Season 1 episode titled "Don't be afraid to fail" here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2uVRInrLsxA4oFC34EgDjF?si=WKNRhGKgRgOc6ciVYd3JVQ As we reconnect with Ian, he provides us with an update on his personal and professional life, and shares some of the things he is looking forward to. Tune in to find out more! As always, thank you for listening and share with someone you think needs to hear this. Links: You can connect with Ian on LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/in/ian-mararo-m-sc-pmp-14b660a5/ Remember to follow us on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/akenyansexperience/ & tag us on your Instagram letting us know where you're listening in from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com. **Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution**

I think we can all agree that THEE biggest flex is having your younger siblings on your podcast.
We're so humbled and thrilled to have Angela Cauri, a rising star in Nairobi's creative space and a Freelane Virtual Reality Designer. You might have heard her on Capital FM talking about her most recent project, State of the Art 3.0 or perhaps seen her magnificent murals in Bwibo, Lavington. Angela shares with us the importance of self-exploration and how that has led her to take the path less trodden several times in her life which has led up to her incredible achievements today.
We know you'll feel courageous and empowered at the end of this episode, and we'd love to know what you took away from this episode so do comment below or send us a DM. We also have the voicenote feature in the link below so leave us some feedback or share your story with us. Who knows, you might be on our next episode.
Links:
You can find Angela on LinkedIn, on Instagram and find her portfolio here.
Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.
You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com
Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

This one’s special—aKEx’s first guest of the season is here! 🎉 Akshil joins Cynthia and Denis to share his journey from high school to becoming a quantitative analyst in finance and the lessons he’s learned along the way.⁠

⁠

In this episode, we dive into:⁠

💡 Choosing the right career path—navigating university & making informed decisions⁠

🤝 The power of mentorship & networking—why guidance from the right people matters⁠

📈 Switching from engineering to finance—the challenges, skills, and mindset needed⁠

🔥 Avoiding burnout & staying committed—how to balance ambition and well-being⁠

⁠

Akshil’s story is packed with insights, whether you're a student, an aspiring finance professional, or just figuring out your next move.⁠

⁠

🎧 Now streaming... Listen to the full episode now!! ⁠

⁠

💬 What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received? Let’s chat in the comments!⁠

Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your Instagram letting us know where you're listening from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

We're baaack with Season 4 of aKEx and we're still shook that we're now on Season 4. Thank you for sticking with us and we're excited for you to hear what we have lined up next. Our first guest is a looong time friend, Julio Mkok, a lawyer trained in Bristol, UK and now currently completing his training in Nairobi. Julio shares with us mind-blowing stories about how he found himself in Bristol, how he acclimatised to living in the UK through the support system he built for himself but also the struggles of living far from home. He gives us a sneak peak into what 'For The 5th' has in store as the movement bringing young Kenyans together and discussing what's important for the future of Kenya. You will love this episode just like we did, and we're excited to have Julio back to share more of his journey to serving Kenya as a politician. As always, let us know what you loved about this episode and leave a voicenote using the link below. Links: You can find Julio on LinkedIn as https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-mkok-304670127/ Remember to follow us on IG at akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com **Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution**

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/akenyansexperience/message

Probably our biggest one yet! In this episode of aKEx, Cynthia, Denis and Gathoni have the amazing opportunity to talk to Muthoni Drummer Queen... artist, musician and trailblazer extraordinaire. MDQ talks us through her journey before the music and the interests she had in the early days. She then talks about her amazing experiences in the music industry both in Kenya and internationally including how and when the name MDQ started, her musical inspirations, overcoming the challenge of being labelled 'not Kenyan enough' and so much more!

Yes, of course, we definitely had to hear the origin story of Blankets and Wine, with your hosts each giving their favourite festival memories.   

Star-struck doesn't even begin to describe it, we were absolutely honoured to have Muthoni Drummer Queen on the podcast. You don't want to miss this one, have a listen and let us know your favourite B&W memory!

Links:
MDQ's IG: https://www.instagram.com/muthonidrummerqueen/
Blankets & Wine IG: https://www.instagram.com/blanketsandwine/
Blankets & Wine: https://blanketsandwine.com/kenya/
perFORM Music Incubator IG: https://www.instagram.com/performmusicincubator/

Follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from. We would also appreciate it, if you could please also take a moment to rate our podcast 🙏🏾

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

In this episode of aKEx, Cynthia, Denis and Gathoni talk to Paul Muigai, CEO and Co-Founder of Igwa Experience (IgwaXP).

Muigai talks us through his journey to entrepreneurship, working with friends, and the joys of having a support system. He shares the importance of taking advantage of new experiences by 'just going for it': whether starting a business, studying abroad, widening your frienship circle or even mentoring. Muigai also shows us the value of looking at life as glass half-full and finding the good in every experience.   

If you know someone who is struggling to make BOLD decision, you definitely want to share this episode with them!!

Links:

You can follow Muigai on Instagram here, visit Igwa XP here and follow the page on Instagram here.

Follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from. We would also appreciate it, if you could please also take a moment to rate our podcast 🙏🏾

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

This episode we're joined by Joan Irungu, a good friend from high school that Denis & Cynthia have had the privilege of knowing for over a decade now. Joan is a Research Assistant at Durham University Law School where she just completed her Masters of Laws Degree. Joan shares with us how over the years she's used her sole passion for law to hone in on her various interests within that career path and also the importance of investing in your relationships whichever way life may take you. It was an episode filled with lots of laughter, spilling tea on KSL and a good trip down memory lane. We're looking forward to having Joan back on the podcast, maybe this time as a co-host so stay tuned. Let us know what you loved and learnt from this episode. Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

You can also reach out to us on email: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.  

Links: 

Joan's Instagram here  and you can find her on LinkedIn here. 

In this episode of aKEx, Denis, Gathoni & Cynthia sit down with one of Kenya's most renowned and respected Voice Over Artists, Cynthia Kimola. Miss Kimola shares with us how her journey from high school, where she was shipped off to boarding school, to studying Digital Journalism on a fully funded scholarship, has helped mould her into the creative she is. She helps us unpack the meaning of creative vs artist and the tools she uses to help her find her voice everyday.

This was an episode that left us all with the urge to start building the creatives within us. Let us know what resonated most with you about this episode and how you work to find your voice.

Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

You can also reach out to us on email: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.  

Links: 

Cynthia's Website:  and Instagram  

The incredible book: Atomic Habits by James Clear

Miles Monroe on YouTube 

I'm Thrivin' Playlist on Spotify.

In this episode of aKEx, we have the privilege of sitting down with Lucy Kinuthia, of the popular online accessories store, Vitamin Accessories. Lucy shares with us how she used the knowledge and skills she learnt whilst studying her undergraduate degree in Commerce at Strathmore University to build her business, Vitamin Accessories. She also shares with us how she navigates the influencer space in Nairobi as a 'micro-influencer'.

This conversation left us feeling more confident in our journey as a budding podcast and excited for our own next steps. I think everyone can learn something from hearing Lucy's journey.

As always, thank you for listening and do share with someone you think needs to hear this.

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Links:
Lucy's personal Instagram page here and her online accessories store, Vitamin Accessories. 

In this episode of our host-led series, Denis, Eric and Gathoni sit down and talk about part time jobs, extracurricular activities and side gigs. We talk through the different things we did, the importance of getting involved and finding balance between studies and other activities.

Let us know some of the things you did while you were university, and what your experience was like. We would love to hear from you!

As always, thank you for listening and do share with someone you think needs to hear this.

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

This is an exciting host-led episode! For the first time since we started recording, all hosts are here together.

In this episode of our host-led series, Cynthia, Denis, Eric and Gathoni sit down and talk about mental health and wellbeing. We discuss what it means to us, our experiences, and share the things that have worked for us as we have each navigated through our different challenges and situations.

Please note: none of us are experts or professionals when it comes to mental health and wellbeing. All we are doing in this episode, is sharing some of the things that have worked for us which can be used to serve as a guide. We strongly advise you seek professional help, if you feel that your mental health and wellbeing are at stake.

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

In this episode of aKEx, Denis and Gathoni talk to Wambui Njehu, an Analyst at Sofala Partners. Wambui talks us through her career journey as she made a shift from Law to Political advisory. She shares her passion for advocacy, the law, fighing for the common wanainchi and doing good for society. Wambui also shares her experience as a Lawyer: prepping clients, doing research and what it was like going to court.

If you are curious about the law, what it's like being a lawyer, and what goes on behind the scenes, this episode will definitely answer some of your questions.

As always, thank you for listening and do share with someone you think needs to hear this.

Links:

You can find and connect with Wambui on LinkedIn here, and on Twitter here.

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Our guest on this episode is Philip Ireri, a born-and-raised Kenyan who currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Philip and our host Eric go way back to childhood days and they reminisce on what has been an epic journey from primary school to present day. A Process Engineer-in-Training working for a reputable engineering firm, Philip graduated from the International Baccalaureate program in Nairobi, Kenya and joined the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC,Canada where he graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree as well as an All Academic Canadian distinction; a recognition given to top academic and athletic performers in Canada. Despite the heavy workload and high demands of his engineering curriculum and Track and Field athletic team commitments, Philip managed to maintain a harmonic balance and thrived in both. He shares his insights and tips on topics including diversity and inclusion in Canada, how to balance passions and obligations, maintaining mental health and well-being, the importance of having a community that you're involved with, and relocating to a new city and starting from scratch.

We appreciate you taking the time to tune in and vibe with us! If you enjoyed the episode and could think of someone who would benefit from the conversation we had, do share this with them!

Check us out on our IG page for more content at @akenyansexperience & tag us letting us know where you're listening in from or to share your story. Everyone has a unique story to share and so do you!

Feel free to also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com or DM our IG if you have any questions or feedback to share.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

For the first time this season, we’re bringing in a guest—Akshil—and trust us, you don’t want to miss this one!⁠

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In this episode, Cynthia and Denis reconnect with their long-time friend, who shares his journey from high school to becoming a quantitative analyst in finance.⁠

⁠

🔥 Choosing the right career path—navigating university & career decisions⁠

🔥 The power of mentorship & networking—learning from those who’ve walked the path⁠

🔥 Transitioning from engineering to finance—how he made the switch & the skills that matter⁠

🔥 Avoiding burnout & staying committed—balancing ambition with well-being⁠

⁠

Akshil drops real, relatable, and practical advice for anyone figuring out their next steps—whether you're a student, career changer, or just curious about finance.⁠

⁠

🔜 Episode drops soon! Stay tuned for an inspiring and insightful convo.⁠

⁠

👉 What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? Let us know in the comments!⁠

Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your Instagram letting us know where you're listening from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

In this episode of aKEx, Gathoni & Cynthia talk to the ever so lovely and humble Sandra Gathitu, also known as Glow With S, a lawyer, content creator and entrepreneur in Nairobi. The three ladies share their own personal journeys with mental wellness throughout their university life and as adults. Sandra shares incredible advice on the ways in which to curate your own reality when faced with a reality that hasn't met your expectations, and how she boldly quit her job in the midst of a pandemic whilst pursuing her masters to bravely delve deeper into her passion of helping others face their reality through her love for skincare.

This episode left both hosts yearning to go back in time to make better choices and know that with the personal stories shared in this episode, you'll be motivated to not only take charge of your own journey but vulnerably share your struggles too.

As always, thank you for listening and do share with someone you think needs to hear this.

Links:
You can find Sandra on LinkedIn and on IG as Glow with S, your Big Sis for Skincare.

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

In part 2 of our interview with Mugwe Kiragu, we continue through his journey from graduating university to the professional life. By the time he graduated, Mugwe already had 4 different industry jobs he could reference in his resume and this set him up for success as he applied for jobs in his last year of university. He graduated with an already confirmed full-time job offer at one of his former co-op employers where he thrived and rose in ranks from a Consultant to a Senior Consultant role in a relatively short time. Although on the track to even greater promotion, he left his employer and the private sector and accepted a role as a Senior Advisor in a government organization. Why the change? Were personal reasons, work culture and environment, and job satisfaction contributing factors? What's it like working in the public sector compared to the private sector? Our host, Eric, asks the questions that many of us would have in mind and attempts to understand who Mugwe is and what his life's vision is through the career trajectory path he has charted so far.

Thank you for tuning in and being a part of our aKEx family. If you found this episode insightful, please share with family and friends who are in high school, university or already on a career path but are seeking exposure to opportunities in a different field but don't know what factors to consider to make that pivotal change.

Do follow us on IG here & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from or to share your story. Everyone has a unique story to share and so do you!

Feel free to also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com or DM our IG if you have any questions or feedback to share.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

In part 1 of our interview with Mugwe Kiragu, he takes us on a journey of his life from Day 1 to the end of high school. An alum of the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, Mugwe graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Honours Biotechnology and Economics degree as well as 17 months of co-op work experience. Currently a Senior Advisor, Energy Economics @ Gov. of Ontario, Mugwe's story is unique in that he has experienced two different worlds in the 3 spheres we mostly focus on at aKEx: academic life, professional life, and geographical region. He has been educated in both the local Kenyan system, 8-4-4, as well as an international one; he has worked both in the private sector as well as the public sector; and he has lived both in Kenya and the diaspora. What's it like to transition to the International Baccalaureate system after 12 years in 8-4-4? What are some of the factors to consider when deciding what program to study, which university to study in, and which country to live in? What's it like living and working in Ontario, Canada as an international student? How much does it cost and what is the earning potential? Tune in for answers to these questions and more!

Thank you for tuning in and being a part of our aKEx family. If you found this episode insightful, please share with family and friends who are in high school, university or already on a career path but are seeking exposure to opportunities in a different field but don't know what factors to consider to make that pivotal change.

Do follow us on IG here & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from or to share your story. Everyone has a unique story to share and so do you!

Feel free to also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

In this episode of our host-led series, Cynthia, Denis and Gathoni sit down and talk about what to look for when choosing a university. We share tips, ideas and the different things we considered before we chose our universities.

As always, thank you for listening and do share with someone you think needs to hear this.

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

In this episode of aKEx, Cynthia and Gathoni talk to Ivy Wambaa, an Account Manager at Brand2D. Ivy talks us through her journey from growing up wanting to be an architect to now settling into a career in Marketing while also utilising her skill and passion for project management. She shares the importance of having and creating a community of supporters and cheerleaders as you navigate new spaces. Ivy also teaches us the importance of pausing and taking time to reflect, to determine whether you are following a career path you would be excited and passionate about.

If you are considering a change, whether professionally or personally, this episode will inspire and show you that it is never too late to re-discover where your passions lie.

As always, thank you for listening and do share with someone you think needs to hear this.

Links:
You can find and connect with Ivy on LinkedIn here, on Instagram here and on YouTube here

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

In this episode, Denis and Gathoni sit down for a part 2 with Angela as she answers all your questions about Uniserv. We delve into who Uniserv is, the services they provide, how they can help you and a lot more.

If you are considering studying abroad and are looking for experts to help you out with the process, then you definitely want to listen to this episode.

As always, thank you for listening and do share with someone you think needs to hear this.

Links:
You can follow Uniserv on Instagram here and LinkedIn here, call them on 0734 004 003, or email them at info@uniserveducation.com. Or, if you are in Nairobi you can visit their offices: Fortis Tower, Woodvale Grove, Westlands, 9th Floor.

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

In this episode of aKEx, Denis and Gathoni talk to Angela Kimiri, Head of Europe Recruitment at Uniserv Education. Angela talks us through her journey and reminisces on the people, moments and experiences that shaped her life. She shares the importance of considering possible career paths when looking for and deciding which to degree to study. Angela also teaches us the importance of work-life integration, and staying true to who you are.

If you are inspired by this episode the way we are, share it with someone you think needs to hear it.

Links:
You can find and connect with Angela on LinkedIn here, follow her on Instagram here or email her at angela@uniserveducation.com

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Welcome to our new host-led series, where we as hosts come together and talk about different things. 

In this episode, Cynthia, Denis and Gathoni sit down for a check in. We talk about lessons learnt so far, what we are looking forward to and a lot more.

As always, thank you for listening and do share with someone you think needs to hear this.

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

Welcome back to another episode of our podcast! 

In this episode, Cynthia talks to Vaidehi Tembhekar, a long time friend from high school and a fellow podcaster. Vai candidly shares with Cynthia about how she's uncovered the power of her weaknesses throughout her journey from university in the UK to building an app for social change with her brother in Kenya and navigating the realities of adulthood in the USA. This episode will definitely leave you laughing, inspired and challenged, and as always, wanting to dive deeper into your own journey by taking that leap of faith.

If you loved this episode, as always do share it with those who need to hear it.  

Links:

You can find Vaidehi on LinkedIn where she's always open to answer your questions and she candidly continues to share her story.

Remember to follow us on IG at @akenyansexperience & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

Todays guest, Tabitha Nyariki, shares with us her story on studying psychology within two completely different universities. We discuss how her love for psychology was discovered and how it influenced her university journey.
Tabitha is very passionate about race equality, we discuss her experiences within student-led initiatives and the challenges faced with fighting for equal representation of minority ethnic groups.

Listen to this insightful episode, we hope it will leave you inspired and motivated. Share with us on Instagram your thoughts and where you're listening in from.

You can find Tabitha on Instagram and LinkedIn, and below are the organisations that she mentioned in this podcast

Links: Kosi Africa - www.kosiafrica.org
Beyond My Tribe, Kenya: https://instagram.com/beyondmytribe?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

From Culture Shock to Co-op Success⁠ 🇨🇦⁠

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From stepping off the plane as a student to building a career and now embracing entrepreneurship—Eric’s @eric_cauri decade-long journey in Canada has been one of growth, challenges, and big decisions.⁠

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In this episode, he shares:⁠

🌍 Culture shock & adapting to a new country⁠

🎓 How co-op programs helped him break into his career⁠

🦠 Graduating during COVID-19 & navigating uncertainty⁠

🚀 The leap from employment to entrepreneurship—why he’s prioritizing time freedom & fulfillment⁠

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This isn’t just an immigration story—it’s a deep dive into resilience, reinvention, and what it really means to chase success on your own terms.⁠

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🎧 Now streaming! Tap the link in our bio to listen.⁠

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💬 Have you ever considered studying or working abroad? Let’s talk in the comments!⁠

Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your Instagram letting us know where you're listening from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

Today's guest, Daktari Mark Mutethia, shares with us his journey on becoming a junior doctor and life as a University of Nairobi medical student. Daktari shares with us the real, honest truths of life as a doctor that not only medical students need to hear but the general public as well. His stories not only leave us in disbelief with what he has navigated through the years but also has us falling out of our seats with laughter.

Share with us on Instagram by tagging us and letting us know where you're listening in from, your thoughts and what had you laughing the most. 

You can find Daktari on LinkedIn and Instagram.


Music credits:   
Beat Provided By https://freebeats.io
Produced By White Hot

Ever wondered what it takes to be at the top academically? What it feels like to be one of a few Cambridge-Africa Scholars in the world? Today's guest is Tonny Okedi, a Private Equity Analyst with a PhD in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology from the University of Cambridge.

Tonny shares with us the secrets to his many successes throughout his life, from the lessons his parents taught him back in Kenya, to his experiences as a student at the University College London (UCL), to working in one of the most expensive cities in the world. After 5 years of marvelling at who Tonny is and what the secrets to his successes are, this episode finally cracked it wide open. 

We hope you enjoy this episode and are left feeling motivated and inspired like we did. Do share with us what you loved on Instagram & let us know where you're listening in from. We'd also love it if you left us a rating and a review on wherever you get your podcasts. 

Links:
You can connect with Tonny on LinkedIn here.

We all know the wisdom behind the saying, "Choose the path less beaten" but living in a world like we do today, where following a trend instead of setting one's own path is revered, it becomes a lot harder to do.

Today's guest, Davis Fundi Ireri, a Research & Development Manager in Malaysia, shares with us how to not only choose that path, but how to consistently do it because without consistency, the fear sets in and we're more likely to return to the crowd. Davis also shares with us why agriculture, a booming sector in Kenya, is still vital for today's world, how to apply that passion to today's world and how he successfully applied for a job thousands of miles away from home. Today's episode will definitely leave you inspired to choose the path for you.  

Share with us what you loved about it on our Instagram & tag us letting us know where you're listening in from. 

We'd love it if you left us a rating and a review on wherever you get your podcasts.

Links:
You can find Davis on LinkedIn as Davis Ireri Fundi

Music credits:
BETTER DAYS
Music provided by LAKEY INSPIRED
Promoted by BGMD No Copyright Music
License: Creative Commons — CC BY 3.0 

In this episode, co-hosts Denis and Gathoni, chat with Niki Shah, gifted musician and Account Manager at UN Environment Programme. Niki shares the importance of family and how networking and collaboration can help you with your career development. We also talk through the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and how having the mindset of an intern can push you to try and learn new things.  

If you loved this episode, share it with those who need to hear it & tag us on Instagram letting us know where you're listening in from. 

Links:  

You can connect with Niki on LinkedIn here, and follow her band on Instagram.

You can also reach us on email as akenyansexperience@gmail.com

In this episode, Gathoni chats with Elma Ooro, Proprietor and Chief Thinker of Virtually by Elma. Elma shares her incredible story on how being made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic led her on an entrepreneurship journey and to the birth of her business. She emphasises the importance of always being your #1 cheerleader despite the self-doubt .Tune in and listen to this amazing story!

If you loved this episode, share it with those who need to hear it & tag us on Instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

Links:
You can connect with Elma and learn more about her business on Instagram here or on email at: elmaooro@virtuallybyelma.co

Music credits:
BETTER DAYS
Music provided by LAKEY INSPIRED
Promoted by BGMD No Copyright Music
License: Creative Commons — CC BY 3.0 

In this episode, co-hosts Denis and Gathoni chat with Kui Mbugua, General Manager at Uber Eats Kenya. Kui shares her amazing story and encourages us to do the things that are tough and learn the things that are difficult while we have the brain capacity. If you are thinking about the future of your career, there are some good take aways in this episode, so you definitely don't want to miss out on this one.

If you loved this episode, share it with those who need to hear it & tag us on Instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

Links:
You can connect with Kui on LinkedIn here.

Music credits:
BETTER DAYS
Music provided by LAKEY INSPIRED
Promoted by BGMD No Copyright Music
License: Creative Commons — CC BY 3.0 

In this episode, co-hosts Denis and Gathoni chat with Hemanshi Galaiya, Founder and CEO of Young Stripes. Hemanshi shares the journey of how she started her business and her passion for mentoring young individuals. If you are interested and looking for opportunities to give back through STEM, you should definitely listen to this episode.

If you loved this episode, share it with those who need to hear it, and tag us on Instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

Links:
You can connect with Hemanshi on LinkedIn, and on Instagram
You can also find out more about Young Stripes on LinkedIn here and on Instagram

You can also reach us via email on akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Welcome back to another episode of our podcast! In this episode, our co-host Eric Cauri is in the hot seat. He shares his love and passion for mining and music with us. This episode will encourage you to find the why that drives and motivates you to be and do the best. You don't want to miss it!

If you loved this episode, share it with those who need to hear it. Remember to follow us on Instagram & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Links:
You can connect with Eric on LinkedIn here, and on Instagram.
You can also listen to Eric's music and subscribe to his YouTube channel here.


Music credits:
Beat Provided By https://freebeats.io
Produced By White Hot

On this episode, we have a chat with our talented and intelligent co-host, Cynthia Kamweru. From Kenya to London to Malaysia, Cynthia talks about her journey as a Biomedical Science student and what pursuing a career in medicine is like for an individual who loves to travel. We also talk about the importance of sticking to your passion and not compromising who you want to be at the end of the day.  

Cynthia has done an amazing job interviewing a number of our guests on the podcast, so join us in this episode as we finally get to hear her amazing story. 

As always, don't forget to leave us a rating or review and let us know what you think of this episode by tagging us on Instagram. 

We've loved having you on this first part of our journey. Stay tuned for Season 2.   

Connect with Cynthia on LinkedIn and Instagram.  

On this week's episode, Victor Anyango shares his academic and professional journey from graduating in the Kenyan 8-4-4 system, to pursuing his undergraduate and master's degree in Accounting, to returning to Kenya briefly for work before returning to the US to pursue more professional opportunities. I mean, the guy has a journey worth sharing and listening to! 

Victor's journey is an inspiration and offers insight for students and professionals who are wondering what it's like to study and live in the US, and to work for one of the world's largest multinational investment banks. Tune in for this exciting episode as we celebrate and hear about A Kenyan's Experience in the diaspora.    

You can connect with Victor on LinkedIn.

Remember to follow us on Instagram - we'd love to hear what you thought about this episode and your own experiences. 

See you on the next one!

In this conversation, Eric reflects on his ten-year journey in Canada, sharing insights from his experiences as an immigrant, student, and professional. ⁠

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He discusses the challenges of culture shock, the importance of co-op programs in building his career, and the impact of COVID-19 on his graduation.⁠

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Eric also explores his transition from employment to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the pursuit of time freedom and personal fulfillment.⁠

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This is more than just an immigration story—it’s about reinvention, resilience, and redefining success.⁠

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🔜 Episode drops soon! Stay tuned for an honest, eye-opening conversation.⁠

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👉 Thinking about studying or working abroad? What’s your biggest question? Drop it in the comments!⁠

Remember to follow us on IG @akenyansexperience & tag us on your Instagram letting us know where you're listening from. You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Music credits: Justin Vinylz and The Afrolution

Are you in high school and considering your options of what degree to study or which uni to go to? Or maybe you're already in uni and wondering what it would be like to work and live in Canada? Perhaps you're considering a career as an accountant or an investment analyst and wondering what that entails? On this episode, Qhalisa Khan shares her story of how she navigated academics in Kenya and Canada, to pivoting from accounting into the capital investment world working in Toronto. Join us on this episode to gain insight on life in the diaspora from a Kenyan's perspective.  

We'd love to hear what you thought of this episode so reach out to us on our Instagram. 

You can connect with Qhalisa on LinkedIn.

Don't forget to leave a rating and a review from wherever you get your podcasts!

See you on the next one!

On this week's episode, we have a chat with our co-host Gathoni Wambugu. Gathoni shares with us her experience in the U.K and in the U.S, and also discusses with us the benefits of having a strong support system. Trust us, this one will leave you inspired!

If you loved this episode, share it with those who need to hear it and let us know where you're listening in from by tagging us on Instagram. 

You can also reach out to us on email at: akenyansexperience@gmail.com

Links:
You can connect with Gathoni on LinkedIn.  

See you on the next one!

This week's guest is Bryan Mutai, a freelance software developer in Nairobi. In this episode, we discuss the importance of forging new relationships, stepping out of your comfort zone to find your people and how that skill can translate into bold career moves down the line. Bryan also shares with us the pros of being a freelancer in the midst of a pandemic. 

We hope that this week's episode inspires you to overcome those moments of self-doubt and empowers you to take that leap of faith as you dive into the next chapter of your life.

As always, we'd love to hear what you think and what your journey thus far has been like so reach out to us on Instagram or our email: akenyansexperience@gmail.com.

Bryan is open to answering any questions you may have on your journey so feel free to reach out on LinkedIn.

See you on the next one!

We all know the saying, "those who can't do, teach". But what's often left unsaid is that those who can't do, deconstruct to understand and not only teach those around them, but lead them to do better.

In this week's episode, my fellow co-host, Denis Odera, shares with us his story of the kid who always lost to his older brother whilst playing video games, but instead of wallowing in his defeat, like a true sportsman, he learnt the game instead. Today, Denis is a leading game developer and producer in Nairobi. He shares with us his unorthodox story, the secrets to succeeding on this unbeaten path and how to use other passions beyond the field, to excel.

As always, if you loved this episode, share it with those who need to hear it.  

Follow us on Instagram & tag us on your instagram letting us know where you're listening in from.

Links:
Connect with Denis on LinkedIn. 
Mentioned mentorship programmes in Nairobi for young coders:
- DigiKids
- Game Devs Kenya
- Code Clube 254