This Is Not The Daria Show Daria Alexander-Sefre

Welcome back to part two! 

In this part we talk about Oxford university and how Kwabena found it all. 

We start the episode by talking about diversity at Oxford and the backgrounds many of the students have. We dive into the world of class and what is perceived as 'normal' by certain groups in society. Kwabena shares his experiences and thoughts on 'Diversity and Inclusion' and how the university and wider society can be most welcoming to people of all backgrounds. It's so interesting to hear Kwabena's take on the relationship between the media and Oxbridge and how the media continues to present Oxbridge as a distant and inconceivable place for a 'normal' person to attend. 

We talk about Kwabena's TikTok and how his first TikTok went lowkey viral! As Kwabena says, he's hopefully (he most certainly is!) creating TikToks he wanted to see when he was at school. It's so interesting to hear how much Kwabena's social anxiety has dropped because of the people around him and the support and encouragement he received from fellow Oxford students around him. We also reflect upon the realness of TikTok and how, if engaged with right, TikTok can really help users share advice and experiences. It's so amazing to hear that Kwabena's aim with him TikTok is to inspire and encourage people to apply to Oxford and make everything achievable. Truly remarkable stuff. 

We also talk about university counselling services and Kwabena's experiences with it and how 2022 was the year in which Kwabena wanted to make a change. Kwabena shares with us some of his highlights from 2022 including being in the 150 most outstanding black students on the Future Leaders Powerful Media list magazine! 

Towards the end of the episode we talk about Kwabena's plans of being a commercial lawyer and how despite his 'education buffet' which he loved he's now pursing this path. We talk vacation schemes, internships and networking & Kwabena being Vice President of the Oxford Law Society! Also, we couldn't have an Oxford episode without talking about the Oxford colleges and their personalities so get ready to choose your favourite!

And of course, as promised, we talk about Kwabena's experience with meeting King (Prince at the time ;) Charles!

Thank you so much Kwabena for coming on the show - it's been an absolute pleasure. Thank you for being so open with your experiences allowing us to have such an honest and meaningful conversation on so many important subjects that matter to our generation. Make sure you all give Kwabena a follow on TikTok's @Kwabena.hmk ;) 

And of course, thank you guys so much for listening to today's episode, it's so nice to share a new podcast with you ( I know it's been while ) and I really hope you enjoy it :) As always, let me know your thoughts by dropping me a dm on @thisisnotthedariashow or emailing thisisnotthedariashow@yahoo.com, would love to hear from you :)) 

Sending you all lots of love & wholesome good vibes! 

See you soon! 

Daria x

Hey Guys, it's 2023!! 

I can't believe we're in 2023, honestly, I think as we grow up the years just go by quicker and quicker, it's actually quite scary! 

Anyways, welcome back to This Is Not The Daria Show and welcome to our first episode of the new year! I'm super excited for this podcast because we talk about education, young people and what it means to be ambitious from a working class background today. Please can we welcome our first guest of 2023 *drumroll* ... KWABENA!! 

Some of you may already know Kwabena from his TikTok @kwabena.hmk ;) where he shares relatable videos on being a university student and making the most out of opportunities, British youth culture and everything in between. Our podcast today is really Kwabena's story ; the story of everything being achievable with hard work, dedication and most importantly self-belief. 

In this first part we get to know Kwabena's life before Oxford where he studies History and Politics. We talk about Kwabena's experiences of being at a school which he felt suffered from a lack of resources and ambition for its students and what that consequently meant for him. 

We talk about Kwabena's Oxford application process and the support and guidance along the way. We cast ourselves back to Spring 2020 when the world turned upside down and the news of school closures and public examinations being cancelled caused great concern. We hear about Kwabena's unique experience of being part of the 2020 cohort and how Gavin Williamson's algorithm (ikr throwback) rejected him both from Oxford and his insurance. The anxieties felt by students whose futures lay in an algorithm which disadvantages those from certain backgrounds is one hard to imagine. 

Join us in part two where we talk about life at Oxford and making the most out of the university experience! 

Welcome to Part 2! 

In this part we focus on the transition from education into the working world and how to get yourself to where you want to be :))

Cerys shares with us her application process into The Big 4 and how she secured her competitive graduate scheme. It's so interesting to talk about how companies are increasingly using digital technologies and their own aptitude tests to determine which candidates proceed to the next stages. We talk about what working life is like for Cerys at 'a leading global provider of audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory tax, and related services' ;) Cerys really does give us such a real insight into what it's like to work at one of the world's largest accounting & consultancy firms.  

We reflect on the use of Cerys' degree in her current working life (spoiler, it's barely anything) and consider what it really means to go to university nowadays. It's particularly interesting to hear Cerys talk about the 18 year olds who've just left school but learn alongside her and other graduates. 

Towards the end of the episode we explore the idea and feeling of  'Purpose' ; knowing why you're doing something at a particular point in your life and having it feel right. As someone who took an unexpected 'gap year' it's so interesting to hear Cerys' thoughts on it and how she wished she had taken one - team Gap Year all the way! 

Thank you so much Cerys for coming on the show and sharing your experiences and thoughts with us in such an open, honest and insightful way. I absolutely loved our conversation & I learnt so much and I'm pretty sure everyone who listens to this podcast will to :) Don't forget to follow Cerys on instagram @cerysparnell ) and ofc ...  Linkedln! @Cerys Cooksammy-Parnell. 

Finally, thank you to you guys, our amazing listeners. Honestly, it makes me so happy that you listen and enjoy the show :)) As always, please do let me know your thoughts on today's episode or the show in general by messaging us @thisisnotthedariashow ( Insta & TikTok ) or emailing us , thisisnotthedariashow@yahoo.com ;)

Wishing you all health & happiness. 

See you soon! 

Daria xo 

Hi everyone! 

Hope you're all doing well or as well as can be with all that's going on in the world at the moment. It's a very difficult time for many people so don't forget to check up on your family & friends and please do ask for help if you're ever struggling with anything or have something on your mind - help & support really is out there ( & also a hug from your favourite family member or friend :)

Today's guest is someone who I personally really looked up to growing up and to hear that she's now a real fan of the show really warms my heart and makes me so happy. She's an icon and everyone who knows her knows it. Please can we welcome, the one, the only .... CERYS !! 

Cerys has very recently undergone a massive life change. Indeed, only a few months ago, she was in her final year of PPE at Warwick university. Now, Cerys is living her 'best London life' after securing a job on graduate scheme with one of the 'Big Four', the nickname used to refer to the four largest accounting firms, aka every finance student's dream workplace ;) 

In this two part podcast we talk about this transition; the transition from education into the working world. We dive into the world of personal and professional growth through the three stages; school, university and working life. 

In this first part we talk about Cerys' experience at Warwick, the university culture and how she's now finding the big move to London. It's particularly interesting to hear how Cerys has found this move coming from the midlands where the price of a good night out won't cost you a fortune! 

However, alot of this first part is centred around themes of friendship, self-development, understanding people & self-awareness. Towards the end of the episode we talk quite a bit about our experience of an all girls school and how it impacted us ( spoiler - it was a very positive experience :)

Join us in Part 2 where we talk applications, The Big 4, the working world and most importantly the theme of purpose - see you there! 

Hey guys! 

Welcome back to the show! This podcast's a bit different to our regular style because not only is it not in two parts - shock horror - but it's a real mix of personal life story, current anecdotes and general thoughts about GenZ culture and wider society. I'm so excited to introduce you to this week's guest ... the man, the myth, the legend himself ... ARDI ALEXANDER-SEFRE!!

In this hour and a bit convo we get to know Ardi's story. We talk all about personal growth, development and becoming a young adult and navigating the culture and society we live in. We also give an exclusive insight into what our family life was and is like - let's just say us being the youngest was very impactful on our development & character :)) 

Physical activity is not only a big part of Ardi's identity but also, how as he puts it, is the way in which he retains his sanity. We talk about this and specifically climbing both the highs and the lows (get the pun ;) But seriously, only a couple of months ago Ardi had a big accident where the President of Sussex Climbing Society wasn't "Getting High since 1964',  in fact quite the opposite. We talk about this injury and the impact it's had on Ardi. 

Mental health, especially men's mental health and the male suicide epidemic are issues that both Ardi & I feel passionate about. We talk about how important it is to have quality conversations with your friends and build meaningful relationships where friends feel comfortable and safe opening up about their real thoughts and feelings. Fully engaging in a conversation with not only your loved ones but with everyone you meet along the way is one of the biggest things that will change your life in the most positive and dare I say it, magical way. 

Towards the end of the pod we talk about the relationship between passion & success with a focus on the creative industry. We talk about the "Do you have sisters?" question & how growing up Ardi didn't even realise it was a thing until people often pointed it out - Ardi has three older sisters btw! We discuss  the interaction between guys and girls in the modern world and how Ardi's mindset differs quite a bit to your average boy. 

We finish off with Ardi's final words and it gets beautifully magical and wholesome so enjoy :)) 

Thank you so much Ardi for coming on the show. I absolutely loved this convo with you & I can't wait to relisten to this as we get older & discover more about the world. Also, kinda crazy that now with technology advancing the way it is, future generations of the Sefres, the generations we won't ever meet, will get to hear how their great great uncle & aunt sounded - madness! 

I hope you guys enjoyed today's podcast & well done if you made it to the end! Defo do let me know if you prefer the pod to be in two parts or rather as one and as always let us know your thoughts on the episode by emailing us, thisisnotthedariashow@yahoo.com or DMing @thisisnotthedariashow on insta & tiktok! Make sure you give Ardi a follow too @rdsefre ;) 

Thank you guys so much for listening, much love to you all. Until next time :)) 

Stay Safe & Stay Swag, 

Daria xo 

Welcome to Part 2! 

In this part we talk all about the journey of taking Kirsten & Aiyven's books from an ordinary word document into professionally published books;  available to buy on Waterstones, Amazon and on their website ;) We dive into the world of 'Kickstarter' and the girls' next steps once the funds were secured. 

Of course, naturally, we talk about everyone's favourite online retail giant ( & monster ) Amazon. Its shocking to hear about how little the sales from amazon finds their way back to the authors themselves - boycott Amazon! 

We also talk about the girls' amazing subscription reading box business, 'Happier Every Chapter' ! We talk about the impact Covid had on their business and how in some ways, being stuck at home, a reading subscription box became more appealing. Its insane to hear about the stats & facts which provided the impetus to create a subscription box to include a diverse range of characters something which the publishing world severely lacks. 

We finish our conversation with the future of 'Happier Every Chapter' and what to expect from these two remarkable girls. 

Thank you so much girls for coming on the show, it was an absolute pleasure & privilege to have you both. Make sure you follow their journey on pretty much all social media platforms @mbawabooks and their website 'Happier Every Chapter.'

As always, thank you guys for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed listening as much as I enjoyed recording! Please do send us an email on thisisnotthedariashow@yahoo.com or drop us a DM on @thisisnotthedariashow on Insta & TikTok, we'd love to hear your thoughts :))

Can't wait to bring you our next episode. 

Stay Safe & Stay Swag, 

Daria xo