The Qonnect – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the Qonnect Podcast, we delve deep into a conversation with Maïmouna Elle Traore, the creator behind the Instagram community 'Romanticizing African Countries,' which has garnered over 126,000 followers in less than a year. Maïmouna shares her journey from pursuing a surgical residency to embracing her passions for writing and filming everyday moments in Africa. She sheds light on the challenges and rewards of reconnecting with her Senegalese heritage, the importance of authentic representation of African life, and the powerful impact of showcasing the continent's understated beauty. The episode also touches on the complexities of traveling within Africa, evolving personal identities, and future aspirations for her platform.

Join us as we explore how Maïmouna is changing the narrative around African countries, one simple video at a time.

00:00 Introduction: The Essence of Travel
01:19 Meet Maïmouna Elle Traore: From Medicine to Media
03:31 Discovering Passion: Writing and Filmmaking
05:55 Identity and Representation: Growing Up Senegalese-American
16:44 Journey Back to Senegal: A New Beginning
19:51 Romanticizing African Countries
32:53 Challenges of Traveling in Africa
44:58 Capturing Moments: Filming People and Places

All relevant links
RAC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanticizingafricancountries/
Maïmouna Elle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maimyselfandi/
Fatou & Babacar: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx25zFEO7if/

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]

On the final episode of this season of The Qonnect, Qali looks back on some of her favourite moments and what she learnt from them.
---
Have thoughts about this episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect or post at Qali's Twitter or Instagram accounts below:

Follow @theqonnect on Instagram.

Find Qali on Instagram & Twitter. Check out her website Being Qaali

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]

On this episode of The Qonnect, Qali gets into the importance of showing up, commitment and being present.

Episode referred to in this episode: Boundaries & Burnout - S2 E8 (https://bit.ly/3LNE3PI)

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]

On the final episode of this season of The Qonnect, Qali looks back on some of her favourite moments and what she learnt from them.
---
Have thoughts about this episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect or post at Qali's Instagram & Twitter (@qaaliciid). Check out her website Being Qaali

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]

On this episode of The Qonnect, Qali speaks with London's own Nooriyah, a DJ, presenter and filmmaker.  Noor has also been the Features Editor at AZEEMA magazine, focusing on underrepresented womxn globally. As a DJ, she is known for playing upbeat popular records infused with Middle Eastern and North African sounds. She occupied the River Stage at the National Theatre, taught DJ classes for womxn of colour at Foundation FM, made her New York and Rotterdam debut and played the Grand Entrance of the V&A where she also showcased her first produced short film on the theme of finding a home away from home. By background, Noor is a Master of Public Health with specialism in mental health, currently working with councils to improve health across London.

During this conversation, Nooriyah and Qali talk about cultural influence on art, music sampling, defining home and following your dreams.

---
Have thoughts about this episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect or post at Qali's Twitter or Instagram accounts below:

Follow @qaaliciid on Instagram & Twitter. Check out her website Being Qaali

Follow Nooriyah on Instagram and Twitter. 

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]

On this episode of The Qonnect, Qali talks about why 2021 hasn't started off as smoothly as expected and how boundaries, being easily accessible to people thanks to technology and burnout are all things that have been on her mind.

---
Have thoughts about this episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect or post at Qali's Instagram & Twitter (@qaaliciid). Check out her website Being Qaali

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]

On this episode of The Qonnect, Qali speaks with Amahle, a South African entrepreneur who owns & founded LUNTU, an online marketplace that sells a wide range of products from up-cycled skateboards to Black owned coffee. LUNTU gives customers the opportunity to buy products from businesses that matter to them, in easy way. This is done with the use of the LUNTU index, a information card that identifies if a product is vegan, eco-friendly, Black owned, Queer owned and more. Amahle also creates content online, usually video content exploring topics of Spirituality & social equity.

During this conversation, Amahle and Qali talk about leaving the being introverts, creating access to small businesses, spirituality and social activism.

---
Have thoughts about this episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect or post at Qali's Twitter or Instagram accounts below:

Follow @qaaliciid on Instagram & Twitter. Check out her website Being Qaali

Follow Amahle Ntshinga on Instagram and TikTok. Check out the LUNTU.

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]

On this episode of The Qonnect, Qali speaks about some philosophies and history around self care away from the billions of dollars that are exchanged every year in the commercial aspects of it. She explores the surprising links between Socrates and Audre Lorde . 

---
Have thoughts about this episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect or post at Qali's Instagram & Twitter (@qaaliciid). Check out her website Being Qaali

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]

On this episode of The Qonnect, Qali speaks with Ladan, the founder of Takow network, a platform for young women to advocate for international women's causes. Ladan is also an established social media influencer, who uses her broad platform to champion Human Rights causes and women's issues. She  empowers young audiences and engages them in public affairs and activism and breaking down barriers. Ladan is currently working on her own online Coffee brand Takow Coffee

During this conversation, Ladan and Qali are talking about the power of creating community & sisterhood, engaging in activism and her love of coffee.

---
Have thoughts about this episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect or post at Qali's Twitter or Instagram accounts below:

Follow @qaaliciid on Instagram & Twitter. Check out her website Being Qaali

Follow Ladan Takow on Instagram. Check out the Takow Network  and Takow Coffee 

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]

On this episode of The Qonnect, Qali speaks about how letting go can transform our mindsets and help us understand that we are enough as we are. She touches on perfection, being in control, uncertainty and more. This episode is inspired and informed by Brené Brown's Guideposts to Wholehearted Living. Let us know what you're letting go of in 2021.

---
Have thoughts about this episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect or post at Qali's Instagram & Twitter (@qaaliciid). Check out her website Being Qaali

Have thoughts about this episode? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TheQonnect and tagging @theqonnect on Instagram and @qaaliciid on Instagram and X.

Follow @qaaliciid & @theqonnect on Instagram.

If you feel like you, or someone else, should be on The Qonnect email us [email protected]