Explore every episode of the podcast Chatting with The Experts with Paula Okonneh

Norma Cassius is a money management and mental health consultant based in Harley Street, London. She delves into the principles and strategies banks use to manage money, aiming to help viewers apply these methods in their own financial lives. Norma shares her unique blend of financial expertise and therapeutic skills, recounting her personal journey as a single mother navigating financial challenges. She emphasizes the psychological aspects of money management, such as the impact of childhood experiences on adult financial behavior, and offers practical advice on budgeting, managing debt, and maximizing money. Norma's approach focuses on empowering individuals to take control of their finances and improve their mental well-being through better money management. The episode also explores how to repair generational trauma related to money and encourages a mindset of financial empowerment.

Dr. Neema Moore, a dynamic chiropractor, speaker, and Amazon best-selling author, discusses the importance of confidence in achieving success and how it can be cultivated from the inside out. Dr. Moore shares her journey, insights on mindset and physical health, and how she helps women over 40 through chiropractic care, functional medicine, and luxury wellness retreats. The episode emphasizes the significance of mindset in overall wellbeing and the power of supportive group environments for women's health and happiness.

Donna Knutson, a writing coach, discusses the process of writing and publishing a book. The discussion focuses on overcoming common challenges that writers face, such as getting started, valuing personal experiences, and understanding the intricate steps involved in bringing a book to publication. Donna breaks down the roles of different types of editors, the importance of identifying the target reader, and the various publishing options available, including self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional publishing. 

Dr. Stella Iwuagwu, a public health professional and founder of the Center for the Right to Health, a Nigerian-based nonprofit organization, shares her personal journey of transforming her health through sustainable gardening and organic farming after experiencing a spinal cord injury. She discusses the health challenges faced in Nigeria due to poor diet and environmental pollution, and how she initiated a sustainable demonstration farm to address these issues. The conversation also covers the benefits of edible and medicinal landscaping, known as 'ediscape' and 'mediscape,' and Dr. Iwuagwu's passion for promoting organic food as a means to heal and prevent chronic illnesses. Her business now offers various dehydrated and powdered food products to help others achieve better health.

Dr. Affie Ben-Edet and Dr. Guy Annunziata explore how neurofeedback, a non-invasive, drug-free therapy, can significantly improve mental health and wellness by regulating brainwave activity. Both experts share their journeys into neurofeedback, personal success stories, and explain how neurofeedback can address various conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and even enhance peak performance. They delve into the principles behind the therapy, including operant conditioning and neuroplasticity, and discuss the practical aspects of neurofeedback, the usage of game-based and movie-based feedback tools, as well as the availability of home training units. The episode encourages those interested in neurofeedback to seek personalized consultations to determine its suitability for their needs.

Sandy Arnette, an accredited public relations strategist with over 30 years of experience, discusses the power of storytelling for building personal and business brands. Sandy shares insights on the importance of public relations, developing strategic communications, and the significance of media relationships. She also gives practical tips on preparing for media appearances, managing business crises, and crafting compelling messages that resonate with audiences. The conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of PR work, particularly for small business owners, and underscores the necessity of stepping out of comfort zones to achieve growth.

Celestine Afatsawo, Mary Oluonye, and Tesse Akpeki discuss a unique leadership retreat for black women in Ghana. They delve into the origins and objectives of the retreat, inspired by a tragic story of workplace harassment. They talk about the importance of reflection, relaxation, resetting, and restoration for black women in leadership roles. The conversation highlights the choice of Ghana as the retreat destination, emphasizing its welcoming culture, historical significance, and peaceful environment. Additionally, they discuss the personal and professional benefits for participants, focusing on wellness, resilience, and the power of new beginnings in January 2025.

Sheree Jones, the CEO and founder of Legacy Team Associates, discusses the importance of securing capital before it is needed for small businesses, especially those owned by women in the African diaspora, Caribbean, and African communities. Sheree shares insights on different types of business financing, the importance of establishing both personal and business credit, and provides statistics highlighting the challenges faced by Black-owned businesses. She also emphasizes the necessity of a funding plan, an exit strategy, and strategic partnerships. The episode aims to educate, empower, and inspire entrepreneurs to create generational wealth and close the wealth gap.

Dr. Ukpong Nwankwo, a board-certified internal medicine physician, shares her journey and insights on living a healthy and energized life. Dr. Nwankwo, who lost 55 pounds and battled aggressive breast cancer, offers practical tips, motivation, and the importance of personalized health approaches for women. The episode emphasizes finding a clear, customized health pathway, the significance of accountability, ongoing motivation, dealing with stress, and celebrating victories in a weight loss journey. Listeners are inspired to prioritize self-care and utilize tools like affirmations and accountability coaching. Dr. Nwankwo extends an offer for a free snacking guide and encourages listeners to connect with her on various platforms.

Martha Haile, an entrepreneur with extensive experience in the agricultural technology sector, discusses the transformative impact of African diaspora women in agriculture. Martha, the co-founder of Hello Tractor, shares insights into the innovative 'Uber of tractors' model enhancing mechanization in smallholder farming across sub-Saharan Africa. She explains the importance of regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices to address the continent's food security challenges, especially with the anticipated population boom by 2050. The conversation highlights the need for active participation of the African diaspora and global awareness in supporting Africa’s potential to contribute significantly to the world’s food supply. Martha also encourages global communities to engage with Africa’s rich culinary heritage and tourism to stimulate economic growth and cultural exchange.

Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, a board-certified sleep physician and founder of Restful Sleep MD, discusses the critical importance of optimizing sleep for better health and wellness. She shares how sleep is often misunderstood as merely a rest from tiredness, rather than a critical factor for physical health, including brain detoxification and immune system support. Dr. Funke shares her personal journey with sleep challenges and explains key strategies for improving sleep, using the CREATE acronym: Consistency, Routine, Environment, Assignment, Technology management, and Eliminate disruptions. The discussion also covers the significance of sufficient sleep for both adults and children, highlighting potential hidden sleep disorders. 

Dr. Shanti Persaud speaks about understanding work as a mission. Dr. Shanti shares how Christian beliefs can sometimes hinder fulfilling one's purpose, advocating for the view that all work is sacred and can serve a higher calling. She discusses her journey from a Hindu background to Christianity and how her MBA studies reshaped her view of work. The conversation includes insights on stewardship, the importance of doing work with excellence as if for God, and challenges misconceptions about wealth and success in the Christian community. Dr. Shanti also highlights her role as an empowering leader and encourages others to understand the significance of their mission in everyday roles.

Angela Heath, the creator of AI Biz Generators, discusses using AI to monetise your audience's questions. She provides insights on creating lead magnets to grow an email list and offers tips on writing and selling eBooks using AI. The conversation covers using AI tools like 'Answer The Public' and ChatGPT to understand audience needs and generate relevant content. Angela demonstrates how small business owners can leverage AI to create products like books and courses, potentially achieving significant revenue.

Pamela Vines, a filmmaker and owner of Vines Film and Media, shares her expertise in creating successful promotional videos for small businesses by discussing the 'Seven Laws of Video Success.' These essential steps include scripting, practising, using appropriate equipment, ensuring good lighting, focusing on audio quality, selecting the right background, and maintaining a positive mood. Pamela emphasizes the importance of video in today's digital landscape and offers practical advice for making engaging and professional videos.

Betty Hines, a seasoned business strategist and certified advanced facilitator, speaks on strategies for achieving elevated success, specifically for women entrepreneurs aspiring to reach seven-figure revenues. Betty shares her five pillars of success: Courage, Communication, Collaboration, Cultivation, and Connection. They discuss the importance of peer advisory groups, strategic business planning, and the role of mental health and self-care. The episode also highlights the upcoming Women Elevating Women Conference, which aims to connect, educate, and empower women globally.

Joy Farley, a real estate broker from Charlotte, North Carolina, discusses her journey from studying psychology to becoming a successful real estate professional. They explore the transformative power of women in real estate, the impact of community building, and practical advice for first-time home buyers and sellers dealing with trends in the current housing market. Joy shares insights on personal growth, the importance of resourcefulness, and how navigating high-stakes transactions has shaped her career.

Nma Emeh, a body confidence coach, motivational speaker, and LinkedIn creator, discusses the topic 'Embracing Beauty by God's Standard,' where she provides five essential tips for building body confidence. The episode highlights startling statistics about body dissatisfaction among women and girls, discusses the importance of positive body image, and offers actionable advice such as embracing one's unique design, practising self-compassion, and seeking community support. Nma also shares her personal journey from a career in finance to becoming a body confidence coach, inspired by her experiences with body image issues. The conversation underscores the significance of positive self-perception and the impact of faith-based reflection and community support.

Fran Jeanes, the CEO of Mobile Marketing Max, shares her expertise on productivity apps and techniques that can help improve daily efficiency. Fran discusses the importance of finding the right environment for different tasks, using calendar buffers, and leveraging techniques like the Pomodoro method. Additionally, she introduces tools such as the Camo app for enhancing video quality. The episode is packed with practical tips to help viewers boost their productivity.

Dr. Michael Koku, a physician, Maxwell Leadership Team Executive Director, speaker, coach, trainer, and author of seven books discusses the concept of living your dream versus leaving your dream, emphasizing the importance of having a compelling dream, resilience, teamwork, accountability, and mentorship. Dr. Koku uses the acronym DREAM to outline key principles for achieving a big life: Dream, Resilience, Embrace Teamwork, Accountability Partnership, and Mentorship. He provides actionable insights and personal anecdotes, stressing that everyone can achieve greatness by following these steps. Dr. Koku also offers ways to get in touch and learn more about his work.

Dr. Ayo Adenuga was welcomed back for a continuation of the discussion on multidirectional communication for effective parenting. Dr. Adenuga, a distinguished public health expert and physician, shares insights on positive self-communication, building strong partner relationships, and effective communication strategies with children. The episode covers the importance of grit, grace, gratitude, and establishing clear boundaries, as well as how parents can model positive behaviors and communicate assertively with children. Dr. Adenuga also emphasizes the significance of parenting beyond childhood and offers practical advice for fostering a supportive and open family environment.

Dr. Ayo Adenuga, a distinguished public health physician and the founder of IEA Impact Consulting, talks about the concept of multidirectional communication for effective parenting. Dr. Adenuga elaborates on how parents can use different communication strategies to navigate the challenges of raising adolescents, from internal communication to engaging with spouses and children. The discussion emphasizes the importance of positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement in fostering a supportive home environment. With insights grounded in positive psychology and personal anecdotes, Dr. Adenuga offers practical advice for both women and men on improving family dynamics and resilient parenting.

Olabisi Oshikanlu, a Nigerian-Grenadian physician and John Maxwell leadership coach, shares her multifaceted approach to personal and professional development and her journey of inspiring women to greatness in every season of life. The conversation delves into the significance of knowing one's purpose, leading oneself before others, and the importance of compassion, growth, and continuous learning. Olabisi also discusses the acronym GREAT, which stands for Grow, Restart/Refocus, Energize/Empower, Agility, and Tenacity, providing actionable insights and personal anecdotes that inspire and encourage listeners. The episode highlights themes of resilience, mental health, and the value of community support.

Tabitha Liburd, a conflict management expert, has lived and worked in seven countries, shares cost-effective strategies to handle workplace conflicts and protect organizations' revenue, reputation, and retention. She emphasizes the importance of understanding root causes of conflict through open communication, trust, and peer mediation. Additionally, Tabitha discusses budget-friendly solutions for team building and the significance of psychological safety in the workplace. She also provides insights on using anonymous surveys to gauge employee sentiments and offers guidance on voluntary mediation processes. The episode focuses on practical steps for leaders to create harmonious, inclusive, and productive teams.

Joshua Okonneh, the host’s son, discusses the challenges and considerations of raising children as immigrant parents in the United States. Joshua shares his experiences as a first-generation Nigerian-American, exploring the implications of various educational choices from elementary through high school. The discussion delves into the importance of balancing academic, social, and spiritual development, while also considering modern challenges like digital influence and student debt. They also examine the pros and cons of homeschooling, public schooling, and boarding schools, offering valuable insights for immigrant parents navigating similar decisions.

Angela Heath returns to delve deeper into the world of Artificial Intelligence. Building on the success of part one, which focused on using chat GPT as a personal assistant, this segment explores how to create customer avatars for targeted marketing and customizing social media reels using AI. Angela also demonstrates practical tools like Opus Clip for generating social media content and offers insights into leveraging AI without replacing human roles. Whether you're an entrepreneur or business owner, this episode provides valuable lessons on integrating AI into your marketing strategies.

Dr. Cheryl Okoli is a Doctor of Health Administration and an innovative thinker dedicated to improving population health. Dr. Okoli shares her unique background as a third culture kid and her professional experiences in health administration. She introduces her two ventures, Shalom Eagle's Wings, focusing on consultation, advocacy, and empowerment, and Renata Wellness and Recreation Retreat, a holistic haven for healthcare providers to address burnout and rejuvenate. Dr. Okoli emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being and offers a glimpse into her passion for conflict resolution and organizational health. The episode provides valuable insights into innovative health models and the significance of wholeness in both personal and professional domains.

Judith Bullen, the host’s aunty, was born in Jamaica and is currently an American citizen, talks about how she went from teaching Spanish in high school to writing Hiding, Thinking, Being, and Present Joys. The conversation covers her life's significant events, her love of writing, art, and gardening, as well as the deep insight she has acquired. As she reads passages from her book, Judith muses over topics like joy, faith, and death. Along with talking about the value of living in the now, Paula and Judith also share fond family memories. An enlightening and heartfelt dialogue exploring the core of a remarkable life lived in appreciation and love.

Angela Heath delves into the transformative potential of AI, specifically ChatGPT by OpenAI. With over 25 years of experience, Angela is a seasoned speaker and consultant. She talks about how AI can help small business owners greatly with content generation, customer service automation, and other areas. She addresses frequent concerns about AI, emphasizes safety considerations, and provides real-world examples of ChatGPT's applications. In addition, Angela offers advice on crafting customized content and stresses the significance of thoroughly verifying data produced by artificial intelligence. The conversation demonstrates how AI can be a potent instrument for corporate innovation and growth even in the face of obstacles.

Minister Dr. Ann Ingraham, a health information technology strategist and CEO of Exponential Health Tech Advisors LLC focuses on empowering women to assert their authority in technology, fostering responsible technology with considerations for ethics, inclusivity, and data protection. Dr. Ann shares her personal journey from Jamaica to the U.S., her diverse career path, and her call to ordained ministry. The conversation highlights the vital role women play in technology, the importance of ethical technology design, and the need for women to be at decision-making tables. Dr. Ann also discusses her book 'Joseph's Wisdom,' which offers insights into preparing for future technological shifts and maintaining ethical leadership.

Dr. Irene Olumese is a remarkable woman who has overcome incredible challenges. She is an author, inspirational speaker, Bible study teacher, and certified faith-informed professional transformational trauma coach. She shares her gripping story of surviving a chronic respiratory disease and bilateral amputations, her journey from Nigeria to Switzerland, and her mission through the Feet To Grace Foundation, a nonprofit that offers amputees in Nigeria prosthetic therapy. The tale of Dr. Olumese is one of extraordinary tenacity, fortitude, and faith that led her to turn her suffering into influence, advantage, and success.

Dr. Irene Olumese is a remarkable woman who has overcome incredible challenges. She is an author, inspirational speaker, Bible study teacher, and certified faith-informed professional transformational trauma coach. She shares her gripping story of surviving a chronic respiratory disease and bilateral amputations, her journey from Nigeria to Switzerland, and her mission through the Feet To Grace Foundation, a nonprofit that offers amputees in Nigeria prosthetic therapy. The tale of Dr. Olumese is one of extraordinary tenacity, fortitude, and faith that led her to turn her suffering into influence, advantage, and success.

Monique Russell, a global communication skills advisor and founder of Clear Communication Solutions talks about her upbringing in the Bahamas with her Nigerian father and how that experience influenced her love of speaking. They investigate how to bring together heterogeneous teams and families through effective communication, emotional intelligence, and cultural agility. Monique also talks about the importance of mental health, the generational shift in workplace dynamics, and how academics might change to prepare future leaders better.

Omolola Adekeye, an accomplished wealth strategist and founder of True Values Global Corporation, talks about how she went from studying law in Nigeria to pushing women to pursue their dreams in business. They talk about how crucial it is for businesses to develop, get finance, be sustainable, and have strong organizational structures. Omolola places a strong emphasis on identifying one's talents, assigning responsibilities, fostering connections, and having vital resources like marketing plans and business plans. She emphasizes how important it is to be financially literate, to plan for one's legacy, and to keep happiness and thankfulness throughout one's business path.

Leah Kanyi, a tech startup co-founder from Kenya, discusses her journey in tech entrepreneurship and her mission to improve digital and financial literacy in East Africa. Leah shares her experiences with her first startup, Loci Foods, and how it evolved from a simple idea to a mobile application connecting people to international cuisines. Despite challenges, including the pandemic, Leah transitioned to a new venture called Daftari, aimed at simplifying bookkeeping for small business owners in local languages such as Swahili.

The discussion delves into Leah's innovative approach to solving community-specific problems, especially through community-based financial activities and the leap to utilizing tech resources effectively. Leah also shares her admiration for Professor Wangari Mathai, who inspired her to contribute positively to her community, and her aspirations to become an international entrepreneur.

Sade Marriott, the Director of Banana Island School and co-host of Banana Island Living Podcast explores her transformation from a reluctant teacher to an ardent supporter of high-quality education in Nigeria. Sade discusses her experiences working in the UK and how she used those learnings to raise Nigeria's educational bar. They talk about how important elementary education is, how COVID-19 affects special needs education, how private and public education differ, and how important it is to encourage creativity in addition to academic rigour. 

Sade also emphasizes the significance of parental participation and teacher responsibility. For educators, parents, and policymakers, this episode presents a thorough examination of the situation of education in Nigeria today and delivers insightful information.

Joshua Okonneh, a Wharton School graduate shares valuable insights on financial planning and management, emphasizing the importance of selecting a trustworthy advisor, understanding one's risk profile, and making financial decisions aligned with personal goals and values. He highlights the significance of insurance, especially for older individuals, and offers advice for Millennials on how to navigate financial challenges in a changing world. The conversation underscores the necessity of having open and honest discussions about financial matters within families.

Bongai Mhloyi, a founder of the American and African Youth Leadership Foundation, talks about her mission to end child marriages and break the cycle of poverty. Bongai shares her personal experiences growing up in Zimbabwe, witnessing child marriages firsthand, and how it inspired her to create the American and African Youth Leadership Foundation. 

They discuss the challenges faced in changing cultural norms, the successes in their work, and how others can contribute to this cause. Bongai's story highlights the transformative impact of education and community support on young girls' lives.

Mrs Adeyinka Adefope talks about the transformative power of personalized education, and the essence of wholesome parenting, and shares personal anecdotes on overcoming challenges. She discusses the significance of understanding and nurturing children's unique learning methods, the importance of discipline combined with love, and the value of engaging experiences in shaping future generations.

Maribor Orre, a cyber security expert from Northern Kenya shares her unique journey from a marginalized community to becoming a tech professional in the United States, emphasizing the role of diversity scholarships in her education. She highlighted the importance of online safety and basic security measures such as changing passwords, avoiding phishing scams, and using antivirus software. She also touches on topics like data backup, securing social media, and empowering women to pursue their passions.

Jacquel Tucker, a business brand sales and marketing strategist, and the founder of a nonprofit organization called the Jamaica Project USA shares her inspiring journey, from growing up in Jamaica to earning a scholarship to the University of Maine, venturing into the hospitality industry, and eventually founding her own consulting and training company. She emphasizes the importance of identifying one's gifts and leveraging them to make a positive impact in the world. 

Furthermore, she shares her strategies on how individuals can discover their purpose, advising listeners to reflect on their natural talents, passions, skills, and past experiences. 

Additionally, Jacquel discusses the significance of her nonprofit work, providing practical advice on starting a nonprofit organization, and sharing a touching story from her personal experience.

Alicia Couri, Founder and CEO of Audacious Concepts, Inc. and Red Carpet CEO speaks on empowering, educating, and inspiring women globally, specifically by identifying and harnessing one's innate strengths to achieve their vision and goals.

Alicia narrated her own experience of realizing her natural talent wasn't in traditional fields, but more in initiating projects and being a visionary.

She highlighted the importance of understanding this cognitive wiring in individuals for successful communication, conflict resolution, and productivity. 

Alicia uses Kolbe and Predictive Index tools to help clients realize their innate strengths.

Host Paula Okonneh chats with her daughter, Amaka Okonneh, about her experiences of growing up as a child of immigrants and a first-generation American. The conversation touches on the challenges she faced in terms of faith, self-discovery, emotional needs, and cultural differences. On a positive note, Amaka also shares the valuable lessons of resilience, hard work, generosity and the importance of family imparted by her parents. Looking ahead, she expresses her aspiration to extend her family's tradition of hospitality beyond biological relatives, adopting and fostering children.

Turiya Hodge, a passionate social media strategist speaks about the art of 'showing up' and building an authentic and consistent social media presence. Discussing the importance of serving people online through authentic messaging and connections, Turiya emphasizes the value of knowing your audience and showing up regularly for them. She provides tips on creating a social media strategy, including the concept of creating 'mega content', being consistent, building and nurturing relationships, and taking conversations offline for more authentic engagements. Finally, Turiya ends with the importance of having an attainable social media strategy, one that does not overwhelm the entrepreneur or (small) business owner but allows them to effectively connect with their audience.

Lucie Matsouaka, a seasoned author, international speaker, certified professional career coach, and youth leadership coach discusses her recently published book, The Phenomenal Leader In Me, which focuses on instilling leadership principles rather than skills in children. She emphasizes the importance of self-confidence, self-leadership, and people skills, asserting that these principles should be taught from an early age. Matsouaka suggests that if these principles are instilled early, it will lead to more compassionate, respectful, kind leaders in the future.

Karlene Thompson, author of Single Mom's Guide Moving to Ghana shares her story as a Jamaican woman who lived in the U.S. for two decades before deciding to move to Ghana to provide her children with a unique upbringing. Thompson discusses the process of moving to Ghana, particularly as a single mom, including the legal aspects, housing, transportation, and finances. She also speaks on cultural acclimation, the importance of networking, and the fun aspects of living in Ghana like festivals, clubs, and travel opportunities. Thompson ends the interview by sharing how interested listeners can reach out to her to learn more about her book and experiences moving and living in Ghana.

I had the priviledge of having an enlightening discussion about the African repatriation journey with Dr. Linda Enoh, a former college professor turned tourism consultant and marketing strategist. Dr. Enoh, originally from Congo and being a fluent speaker of multiple languages, shares her expertise on tourism and the impacts and experiences of tourism in Africa. Having been born in Morocco and studying in the US, she aims for an authentic and inspiring narrative of her family's journey back to Africa. Dr. Enoh emphasizes on understanding and appreciating the cultural significance of tourism and ethical traveling.

Wealth management professional Sharon Carter discusses common money myths, particularly those affecting individuals from Africa and the Caribbean. As a specialist in life insurance, annuities, and long-term disability at Northeast Planning Group, Carter highlighted the limitations of traditional saving methods such as storing money in banks or under mattresses. She underscored the necessity of diversification and financial education, touching on various financial buckets like tax-deferred, taxable, and tax-exempt vehicles.

This week I speak with holistic health and wellness advocate, international speaker and author, Marva Riley. Marva shares insights on the importance of self-care, particularly for women juggling multiple roles. She discusses the idea of 'putting on your own oxygen mask first', alluding to the need to take care of one's own health before helping others. Marva shares advice on intermittent fasting, maintaining a balanced diet, the importance of physical activity, and the role of mindset in one's wellness journey.

Mary Oluonye, a Nigerian-American  author and the  co-owner of  Celmar Travel & Tours: Africa Travel Planning & Tour Operator based in the USA and Ghana shares her experiences and invaluable insights that can be used by people planning on relocating to Ghana. She discusses key elements like researching your desired country, legal aspects, visas, healthcare, infrastructure, political stability, technology, food, and cost of living. Mary’s advice on preparing oneself for the cultural shift include maintaining an open mind, and respecting legal guidelines of the host country.