Culture Class Podcast

What's the difference between Iran/Persia? Farsi/Arabic? Zaynab explains. She also touches on what its like being Iranian-American; her experiences growing up in #Tehran and #Arizona and why she loves to travel. Zaynab spends some time talking about Real Estate in this episode; sharing tips on what it takes to get into the industry and how to increase your chances of success.

Sagarmatha translates to 'sky head' and is the local name for Mount Everest; the highest peak in the world which is also located in Nepal. Agraj shares his experiences growing up in Kathmandu; the capital of Nepal. He also gives us some insight into the traditional Nepali wedding, the caste system, travel experiences and Chhurpi (a staple snack in Nepal).

Assetou Xango is a genderqueer, black female, poet and community activist born and raised in Colorado. She talks about her name, how her trip to Mali changed her perspective about Africa, the different religions she's practiced and why she hates wearing shoes. Listen to 'EVE': https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=-q-utpANCuM&feature=emb_title Support the Podcast: paypal.me/supportcultureclass Her website: https://www.assetouxango.com/

The shortest distance between two people is a story. Nosa finds out about Benzel's story on this episode. He talks about growing up mixed race, what fatherhood means to him and how he found purpose after suffering a heart attack. He also talks about his life's vision of 'one healthy generation of children'. Not only is Benzel a Father to his children; he is learning to be a Father to his community as well.

አዲስ አበባ ማለትም አዲስ የሆነ አበባ ማለት መሆኑን ያውቃሉ? የኢትዮጵያ ቀን አቆጣጠር (ካላንደር) 13 ወራት ያሉት መሆኑንስ ያውቃሉ? #በዓለምየፖድካስትቀን እና #በዓለምየተርጓሚዎችቀን ዕለት ስለ አማርኛ (የኢትዮጵያ ዋና የሥራ ቋንቋ) ስለ ኢትዮጵያ አንዳንድ ባሕሎች ለመነጋገር ኖሳ ከአምላኩ ጋር ቃለ-ምልልስ አድርጓል። አምላኩ ልምድ ያለው ተርጓሚ እና ስለ ቋንቋ የአጠና እና የሚጽፈ ባለሙያ ነው። ስለ አማርኛ የፊደል ገበታ፣ በኢትዮጵያ ስለ ሰዎች ስሞች አሰያየም፣ ራስ ተፈሪያዊያን ከኢትዮጵያ ጋር ስላላቸው ግንኙነት እንዲሁም ኢትዮጵያ በቅኝ ግዛት ስላለመገዛቷ ያወጋናል። ያዳምጡት! Did you know that the word 'Addis Ababa' translates to 'New Flower'? Did you also know the Ethiopian calendar has 13 months? Nosa sits down with Amlaku on #InternationalPodcastDay and #InternationalTranslatorsDay to talk about Amharic (the federal official language in Ethiopia). Amlaku is a professional translator and language enthusiast from Ethiopia. Listen in as he breaks down the Amharic 'alphabets' (Yefidel Gerbata), talks about how people are named in his country, its connection with Rastafarian-ism and why Ethiopia was never colonized. Amlaku has a new book: Amharic for Foreigners and the Diaspora. Buy it here: https://amzn.to/2Jmh5le You can also reach him at [email protected] Support the Podcast: paypal.me/supportcultureclass

Ridwan grew up in Abeokuta; a city in south-west Nigeria. He moved to Sokoto; a city in northern Nigeria after college. He talks about his experience travelling to Sokoto by train (a 36 hour journey) and how the trip broadened his understanding of other cultures within Nigeria We also talk about the Nigerian education system, brain drain in the country and his journey applying to John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies as a foreign student.

Lingala is a national language spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Priscille, who was born in the DRC moved to South Africa when she was six and later to the USA. She talks about her experiences living in all three countries. She also explains what Pondu is and talks about why desires to see Africa portrayed differently in the media.

Max grew up in Ann Arbor Michigan but despite being surrounded by Football, he grew up to love soccer. Listen in as he talks about growing up bi-racial (his Dad is Black & his Mom a White/Jewish), discovering Afrobeats, touring 11 cities in Europe and his love for Manchester City Football Club.

Richmond is a Ghanaian who wears many hats wears many hats: - Commissioner, DC Mayor's Office on Africa Affairs - Vice Chair, Agric Sector- Pan African Diaspora Youth Association - Lecturer @ Howard University - Member, African Union Mission We talk Ghana + Africa on this episode. Richmond explains how people are named in Ghana, the difference between Tribes, Kingdoms and Nations, why Ghanaian funerals are mostly celebratory and what the Elmina Castle represents. We also talk about the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement and why the African Diaspora need to join forces with people on the continent. Of course the conversation wasn't complete without deliberating who has the better Jollof (Nigeria or Ghana). You might want to listen to this one on (x-1.5) reduced speed cos we were spitting hot fire. Lol AUM Website: https://auwashingtondc.org/

Yes, Transylvania is a real place but No, Dracula doesn't live there. Listen in as Sintia talks about the fascinating regions of Romania and her history. She also talks about how she got to learn 6 languages, her experience co-founding a tech company and why she loves Tel-Aviv. For her day job, Sintia works in the media industry so we also discuss her career covering global technology trends for US News & World Report and what it feels like being a Journalist in 2019

Felipe is a Cuban-American who grew up in Florida but has never seen the movie #Scarface. He talks about spirituality, why he considers himself a Coyote, what Permaculture means and why Capitalism is done wrong. Feli has kept busy over the past year;getting invovlved in the Katherine Smith project and Eco-Spirit center in New Mexico, interacting and living with people of the Navajo Nation and working on his debut EP with influences from Cha-Cha-Cha, Afrobeats, HipHop, Banda & Navajo. Feli's Beats: https://soundcloud.com/felidevi Katherine Smith Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe8TbeymjQo&feature=youtu.be

Alicia has an interesting Family Tree. Her biological Father was Caucasian and her Mother is from Mexico. Her adopted Dad was born to a Korean Mother and a Black Father. Listen in as 'Leesh' talks about her unique background and why she took a DNA test. She also shares stories about growing up a Military brat, how she attained sobriety, her tattoos and her intended book 'Nobody in Particular'. Be sure to check out the results of her DNA test on the Culture Class Instagram page Support the Podcast: paypal.me/supportcultureclass

On the 2nd and final part of this series, we uncover the Alte Ego 'Jess Finesse'; finding out how she came to terms with being different and how she got into the Alte movement in Nigeria. We also talk about The Returnee experience in Nigeria; trading opinions on how some find it difficult to adapt and why a few home-grown Nigerians give Returnees the cold shoulder. Other areas covered were Classism and Patriachy; all in the days work for a young American born Nigerian hustling to make it in a country she loves but is somewhat unfarmiliar with. Listen to the 'Jess Finesse Flex List' : biglink.to/jessfinesse-flexlist Support the Podcast: paypal.me/supportcultureclass

Jess co-hosts the popular Nigerian podcast 'Loose Talk'. I caught up with her as she vacationed in the US and we talk about a bunch of stuff' like her experiences growing up with immigrant parents, experiencing black on black racism, attending a baording school in Nigeria, her NYSC story, how she got involved in non-profit and why she moved back to Nigeria after College (against her parents wishes). Listen to the 'Jess Finesse Flex List' : https://biglink.to/jessfinesse-flexlist Support the Podcast: paypal.me/supportcultureclass

Jennifer grew up in Portland, Maine but has lived as an Au-pair in several countries including Italy, France and Argentina. She has ineracted with quite a number of cultures; having lived with lived with 71 roomates from 16 different countries during the last 9 years. She talks about he experiences as she navigates through dating and life in general; sharing memories from attending a Russaian wedding to trips to places like Dubai, Lebanon and Montreal. Her book 'Alone in the Back Seat' is out now. Jenny's first book: https://www.amazon.com/Alone-Backseat-Jennifer-Lourie/dp/0692977023 Jenny's Dating Data: http://www.aloneinthebackseat.com/2018/05/dating-data.html Jenny's Spreadsheet: http://www.aloneinthebackseat.com/2017/05/the-spreadsheet.html

Walton worked briefly for the Recording Academy (populalry known as The Grammy's). She talks about how the Academy is structured, criteria required for membership and how Grammy nominations are decided. She shares her experiences growing up an Army brat (in the same town as J.cole), attending a HBCU, sorority life, travel experiences and why Black history month is important.

The Juba-Nimule Road is a major primary road connecting the capital of South Sudan to other East African countries like Kenya and Uganda. Our guest Miriam was forced to leave her birth country due to conflict. She lived in Kenya for several years but went back to South Sudan after they gained independence. She talks about her experience trying to re-connect with South Sudan, her travels to Norway, UK and USA......and how all roads eventually lead back home (like the Juba-Nimule)

CT is my very first interview with a Nigerian. He talks about being born in the US as we trade funny 'Nigerian Parent' stories. Fun fact about CT; he considers himself a 'Disciple of Christ' but not necessarily a Christian. He explains the difference and also touches on the Nigerian civil war, why he became Vegan, his passion for education and why #BlackMenDontCheat

Kimora Kathaleya Green Polamalu is from Hawaii. She talks about how the Hawaiian culture is preserved despite being part of the US. She also shares from her experience growing up on the island and being shipped off to boarding school in Britain, how she plans on using her law degree, Hawaiian Pidgin English and why all Hawaiian girls are taught the Hula Dance.

He wants to distill in your home He wants to purify his whiskey He wants youto keep him warm He doesn't want to pay the taxes Adora Luster reads from her book #WhiskeyChocolate. She also talks about being named by her Older sister, growing up an Army Brat, experiencing racism for the first time in Germany , how she got into Chair Yoga & working for Playboy Enterprises. Her book Whiskey Chocolate (about love, sex and romance) is out now. Retraction: Divine Oduduru runs for Texas Tech and not Texas A&M Buy Adora's book whiskey chocolate here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1717080081/ref=sr_1_2

Yabbing or Roasting? Yo Momma or Ya Mama? Why are comedians so sensitive? Nosa & Scott draw similarities between Nigerian & American Stand Up Comedy. Scott also gives an insight into his Comedy journey; from being adopted and Growing up without his twin brother, to life in the Military and how he got into the business. He also shares his opinion on how comedians approach Netflix specials, writing jokes and why he loves Luois C.K.

In the spirit of Copa America, Nosa and Romina talk about soccer; what Forlan and the Uruguayan team did to Ghana & South Africa at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and how the team is performing now. Romina is a fascinating individual. She obtained scholarships to school in four different countires, speaks four languages and has lived in five countries. She shares some tips on how to study, talks about her brief stint in the Uruguayan Army, why she wants to road trip through Africa and if she'll someday run for President Learn more about the Pomodoro Study Technique: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique

Did you know the FIFA World Cup Soccer Ball is manufactured in a Pakistani city called Sialkot? Natasha talks about growing up in the enterprising city, her passion for Educational Psychology, the Fulbright Scholar Program and why she loves Coke Studio Pakistan. She also lectures Nosa on what Ghazal is and the difference between Punjab and Punjabi. Watch Coke Studio Pakistan's rendition of 'Afreen Afreen' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb4X1BWNO5k Support the Podcast: paypal.me/supportcultureclass

Morgan just came off a year+ of travelling. She shares her experiences in some of the 34 countries she has visited so far. She also talks about getting into trouble growing up, her interaction with Burmese women and why Bumble is her most trusted app while embarking on travel adventures. Check out her new website where she documents some of these trips (the-american-odyssey.com)

No guest today. Nosa talks about how and why he started the podcast and his plans for the future. This one is for the history books.

Tadai talks about her love for basketball, why she joined a sorority, her work with Monumental Sports and how her sports charity (Hustle Hard Global) is making an impact in Kenya.

Jonathan talks about his Hatian roots, his love for the violin, why he is re-learning spanish and countries he would love to visit. He also talks about the Hatian diaspora, the Creole language and what he feels is needed to better the lives of people in his country

Jess talks about growing up in North Carolina, the culture shock she experienced when moving to Washington DC, getting a swimming scholarship and her first time in an Uber

Aaamina is visting Washington DC for the first time in 14 years and talks about her trip. She also talks about growing up in a small town and her love for fashion.

Khalese talks about her struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and gives tips on how to cope with and better understand mental health issues. Disclaimer: We are not psychologists and recommend you get professional help. But maybe we can help in our own little way

Khalese talks about challenges growing up in the US Virgin Island, her interest in infectious diseases and how her Father found out she was gay. Follow us on soical media: Twitter: @CultureClassPod Facebook: Culture Class Podcast Instagram: @CultureClassPodcast

Did you know El Salvador means 'Our Saviour' and is a country located in central America? Well, to be honest, we didn't. Today's guest (Nathalie) tries to teach Nosa some Spanish. They also talk about her stay in Carlifonia and her love for Pupusa

Nosa & Alazar pick up where they left off. Talking about life after high school in New Jersey, how he got into college and giving back (in his own little way) to his home country

Alazar talks about escaping the Ethopian army as a boy and fleeing to the US to start a new life. He touches on how the memories of the conflict and the culture shock in the US influences his life now as a man.

Nosa sits down with Nthanze; an aspiring Kenyan filmaker interested in telling unique African stories through documentaries. What's up with the Kenyan entertainment industry, why is Tanzania claiming Lupita N'yongo and how important is Mount Kilimanjaro ? They both trade stories and draw similarities between East Africa & West Africa.

Nosa sits down with Hang to talk about life in Vietnam, the Vietnamese war, the police, food and the love she has for her cat.

Nosa is in Sydney for the MBA World Summit and sits down with an Indian student schooling in Hong Kong; talking about his experiences in multiple countries and how he came up with his Instagram Handle @idiotnomad

Tongwa's been away for a few episodes. She's back with explanations as to why!

Nosa speaks with Ghada about life Saudi Arabia, moving to the US, Black Churches & Arabic.

Nosa sits with Molly Igoe as they talk about holidays in the US and how they sometimes differ with African/Nigerian holidays.

Nosa has a conversation with his roomate Fahim Syed; a first year medical student and second generation Indian/Pakistani living in the US. The conversation touches on growing up, the pressure of med school and what its like to have Indian/Pakistani parents.

Nosa attends a friend's bday and records conversations among guests. Happy Bday Cara and shout out to her roomates Ady and Nthanze. Other guest Cassandra, Dave, Nate and Alazzar also featured. Follow us on Instagram; @cultureclasspodcast, Facebook: @culutureclasspodcast, Twitter; @cultureclasspod Email us at [email protected]

Nosa & Tongwa talk about traveling overseas (from a West-African perspective). Why are more and more Africans moving out west and what does the future hold for Africans in the diaspora? Follow us on Instagram; @cultureclasspodcast, Facebook: @culutureclasspodcast, Twitter; @cultureclasspod Email us at [email protected]

What expectations do West-Africans have from their 'cousins abroad' and how does it shape our perspective on wealth and financial freedom. Hint: MoneyGram is a popular international remittance service. Follow us on Instagram; @cultureclasspodcast, Facebook: @culutureclasspodcast, Twitter; @cultureclasspod Email us at [email protected]

Nosa & Tongwa discuss foreign aid to Africa. The need for it in the 21st century and how that shapes the perception of the continent to the world. We are not economists by the way. Follow us on Instagram; @cultureclasspodcast, Facebook: @culutureclasspodcast, Twitter; @cultureclaspod Email us at [email protected]

Nosa and Tongwa talk about their new year goals. Follow us on Instagram; @cultureclasspodcast, Facebook: @culutureclasspodcast, Twitter; @cultureclaspod Email us at [email protected]

Do you have an unconventional sounding name? In this episode, we discuss names that others consider "difficult to pronounce", and what it means when young Africans pick out an "American" name in lieu of their traditional names. Follow us on Instagram; @cultureclasspodcast, Facebook: @culutureclasspodcast, Twitter; @cultureclaspod Email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we share our experiences with speaking English language with heavy accents as a result of our international linguistic backgrounds. Follow us on Instagram; @cultureclasspodcast, Facebook: @culutureclasspodcast, Twitter; @cultureclaspod Email us at [email protected]

Welcome to Culture Class Podcast, your home for culture talk. For this intro episode, we discuss our backgrounds and the premise of the podcast. Follow us on Instagram; @cultureclasspodcast, Facebook: @culutureclasspodcast, Twitter; @cultureclaspod Email us at [email protected]