Episodes

In the season finale of Japa Diaries, hosts Abimisola and Malik take a reflective journey through the year’s biggest moments. They share candid thoughts on producing the podcast and building community, and finding balance between.From the global rise of Afrobeats to the personal realities of activism, trauma, and growth, this episode explores how culture continues to shape our stories. The hosts also dive into intergenerational lessons on parenting, the beauty of being relatable, and the ong...

We sit down with Nigerian rap icon M.I Abaga to explore his journey from being a college student in the U.S. to becoming one of Africa’s most influential hip-hop voices.M.I opens up about navigating life between two continents, the lessons he’s learned about staying authentic in an ever-changing industry, and his mission to build bridges between African creatives across the diaspora.We laugh through stories of culture shock, creative growth, and M.I’s evolution as both “Jude” and “M.I.” ...

Being an international student can be tough… and expensive.In this two-part episode, we sit down with John, who once struggled to fund his education abroad but found hope through community support. That experience inspired him to co-found the African Leadership Bridge (ALB), which now provides scholarships for African international students studying in the U.S.In part two, we hear from Usomine, a current ALB scholar, who shares how the scholarship has lifted financial burdens, built her ...

This week on Japa Diaries, we’re diving into the big, beautiful, and sometimes complicated world of Pan-Africanism with our guest, Koko!From her journey moving from Africa to Canada, to her passion for African history and news, Koko walks us through the past, present, and future of African unity. We talk about everything from Marcus Garvey and Du Bois to what Pan-Africanism looks like in our everyday lives as part of the diaspora.Expect laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of love for the co...

This week on Japa Diaries, we’re giving you the full behind-the-scenes recap of our very first live event! 🎉 From the nerves of ticket sales to the joy of seeing our community show up in person, we're sharing the real ups and downs of organizing a live show.We talk venue selection, vendor shoutouts, and the creativity that went into our games 👀. Most importantly, we reflect on the power of bringing the diaspora together face-to-face.A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support, you mad...

What happens when immigrant parents and kids try to meet in the middle?In this episode of Japa Diaries, we’re diving into one of the most universal tensions in immigrant life: the relationship between parents and children. What does it mean to grow up between cultures, when your parents’ values were shaped in one country and yours are forming in another?We’re joined by our Aunty Tayo to get into what it’s really like raising kids abroad. Together we talk through the push-and-pull of immigrant ...

Afrobeats had a massive year, and we’re breaking it all down in this lively “year in review” episode!We welcome back Deji, a fan-favorite guest from last season to reflect on the past year in Afrobeats, from the global dominance of artists like Rema and Tems to the rise of fresh voices shaping the genre’s future.We chat about unforgettable moments, the song of the summer, and what’s next for Afrobeats as trends shift and expand worldwide.Plus, Deji shares a curated playlist of songs you need ...

In this episode of Japa Diaries, we’re talking about homecoming, literally and emotionally. Timilehin joins Abimisola and Malik to share the deeply personal story of returning to Nigeria after 15 years in the U.S. following the passing of his grandmother.From revisiting childhood spaces that felt both familiar and strange, to reconnecting with family members he hadn’t seen in over a decade, Timilehin opens up about the mix of grief, joy, and healing that comes with returning home.We explore wh...

We’re talking language loss, revival, and cultural pride with Jalil Anibaba and Oju, creator of Awujo. Hear how Yoruba speakers and learners in the diaspora are keeping the language alive through community, curiosity, and creativity.

We’re kicking off Season Four with real talk about the immigrant experience! From wedding planning to visa troubles, we’re catching you up on life since Season Three.