White Label American Raphael Harry

Obinna Elechi, a man of many talents. Hailing from Nigeria, he's an architect, comic book artist, and painter all rolled into one. In his solo episode, he delves into the complexities of parenthood, the societal pressures to adhere to traditional life milestones, and the unique challenges of fatherhood.
Obinna candidly shares his experiences of living in the Netherlands, his deep-rooted passion for football, and his personal struggle with identity as a Nigerian living abroad. Furthermore, he offers insights into the transformative impact of AI on architecture and the art world, and expresses his aspirations to bridge the gap between his work and Nigeria through potential art residencies and architectural projects.
This episode has something for everyone, whether you're a parent, an art enthusiast, a football fanatic, or simply seeking inspiration. Obinna's journey is filled with valuable lessons and perspectives that resonate with adults from all walks of life.
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📚 Timestamped Overview
00:00 Podcast featuring immigrant stories, breaking down barriers.
07:17 Organized school soccer tournament with knockout rounds.
15:25 Art is asking questions and expressing observations.
20:47 Group chat with Nigerian and Dutch friends.
24:03 Played football in small town, then moved.
28:56 Struggling with identity and belonging in multiple cultures.
34:21 Interest in Nigerian art and architecture opportunities.
40:50 Positive work environment in architecture, balancing art.
43:30 Architects unionizing due to outdated industry practices.
51:49 Feeling calm and validated by other dads.
59:02 Pressure in Nigerian culture to start family.
01:00:09 Choosing marathon is not a measure of superiority.
01:08:53 Flow state relaxes and TV shows entertain.
01:11:10 Man discusses love and marriage in dialogue.
01:20:26 AI used for realistic image and 3D visualizations.
01:22:10 Final question: What message do you have?

  The month of June commences with a distinguished guest, Kwesi Foli, the host and founder of the African Time Podcast. Kwesi expounds on the embracing of dual identities, discovering cultural affinities, navigating his creative evolution, and the tribulations associated with being a fervent supporter of the Black Stars national team. This recording was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and we trust that you found it to be the same.
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📚 Timestamped Overview:
 

00:00 Podcast creator, writer, loves jollof rice, basketball.
06:29 Online personas use different names for privacy.
14:31 No discussion, common names are universal.
16:41 Moved from Benin City to Ibadan, outsider.
23:56 Africans in Madison united at shrine in Harlem.
30:23 Unexpected fight, reflecting on past decisions.
33:59 Got into UW Madison, diverse community support.
40:49 Studying English doesn't define your opportunities.
43:08 Friend Scott, Columbia, job fair, lucky encounter.
50:39 TVs were on French, game on English. Buffet: various stews, including Nigerian-style.
57:23 Shirley film featuring Regina King challenges stereotypes.
01:03:00 Struggling to write, need inspiration, speaking from experience.
01:07:45 Chicago Bulls, scrappy team with key players.
01:10:30 Abedi Pele, great Ghanaian soccer player, remembered fondly.
01:15:53 First Afghan, house popular for watching matches.
01:20:57 Love for country makes football the greatest.
01:26:18 South American leagues thriving, African talent needs support.
01:30:30 Acknowledgement of Mauritania's responsible use of funds.
01:36:29 Son hides DVD from pastor during visit.
01:41:25 Listen, review, follow, support, download app, thanks.



 
 
 
 

I'm sorry for not releasing an episode last week. Remember Ep 169? It was related to that. I'm excited to release my first solo episode with Grace Nkem (who appeared in Ep 166 & 167). Grace discusses important topics such as her concerns about the impact of AI technology on society and culture, as well as the commercialization of art. We also talk about her passion for pre-Christian, pre-colonial Igbo sculpture and its influence on early abstract painting, and her experiences with art and sculpture collection. Additionally, we delve into the controversial world of modern commercial art, the role of billionaires in the art scene, and share some entertaining personal stories and lighthearted banter. Grace offers a unique perspective that you won't want to miss.
 
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📚 Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Empowering immigrant stories in White Label Podcast.
07:59 Found a costly mine, but bought souvenir.
12:11 Reflection on sit-ins and experience of segregation.
19:59 Three comic book artists discussing their work.
23:13 Black square painting displayed as holy object.
28:49 Art market perfect for money laundering, taxation.
33:17 Fascinated by pre-Christian Igbo sculpture influence.
41:17 Struggles to keep up with streaming series.
46:00 Switched from Netflix to HBO Max.
49:25 Struggling to find humor in deep conversations.
56:59 Limited balance, not a digital artist. References digital world in painting.
01:00:57 Poor get AI entertainment, food; rich maintain luxury.
01:05:01 Next episode, follow, review, website, app, gratitude.

Welcome back to another eye-opening episode of White Label American. We dive deep into the extraordinary journey of motherhood with repeat guests Verena, Preet, Mimi, and Arabella. They discuss how cultural upbringing significantly influences their approach to parenting, how they navigate societal expectations, and the challenges and joys of motherhood drawn from their diverse backgrounds. This episode is a celebration of mothers in all their resilience and strength across the world—hear inspiring stories of triumph and transcendence against societal judgments.
Don't miss out on this enlightening episode that beautifully explores the complex yet rewarding world of parenting, celebrates cultural diversity, and supports the spirit of family unity.
 
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Timestamped overview
00:00 Podcast features 3 returning guests for celebration.
09:37 Comparing life stages with peers and acquaintances.
15:32 Realized societal judgment of late parenting choice.
17:04 Aunt faced fertility struggles but eventually succeeded.
25:43 Defying family expectations, empowering self-expression, breaking silence.
29:29 Teaching empathy and kindness through listening and chatting.
37:37 Parenting advice, perfect parents, child's rights. Disconnect.
41:06 Encouraging diverse interests in child's extracurricular activities.
47:25 High school diversity leads teens to discover heritage.
52:50 Creating a supportive network of parent friends.
56:47 Appreciate, thanks, wrapping up, bond, songs, trick questions.
59:48 Combined playlist reflects both our musical tastes.
01:09:01 Husband discovers new dish, brings excitement.
01:11:10 She's independent, cooks Korean, learned American.
01:16:34 Trust your instincts, set boundaries, take care.
01:25:13 Rate, review, subscribe, and follow for support.

With Mother's Day being celebrated earlier in many parts of the world before the United States, I couldn't resist sharing one of my dream episodes - a recording with my incredible mother, Emelia Harry Akponwei. In this heartwarming episode, she opens up about her passion for dancing, her health challenges, love for Ijaw musicians, her favorite American food, and so much more. We dive into topics like humility, forgiveness, respect, trauma, history in Ghana, Nigerian-Ghanaian relations, blended families, remarriage, and even her experience with a car accident in Nigeria and subsequent medical treatment in the U.S. We also touch on her educational journey, memories from Benin City, her relationships with siblings, family reunions, career struggles, and the beautiful legacy she's building. Emelia also shares powerful immigrant stories, her advocacy for women in Nigeria, the meanings behind her name, and her experiences with Catholic education. 
And of course, no conversation with my mother would be complete without unraveling some fascinating Ijaw history.
Stay tuned for part 2 once we lock in the logistics! This is a conversation you won't want to miss.
 
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📚 Timestamped overview
00:00 "White Label American podcast empowers immigrant stories, featuring in-depth interviews."
10:34 Papa's job and struggles with finding a Catholic school vacancy.
17:37 Family traveled, locked up in Lagos due to travel regulations.
21:48 Agatha went with Harrison; Albert and Akwesi went with their mothers.
27:19 Interest in migrating to America post-retirement from civil service.
29:37 Near town, the driver speeds, the warning is ignored, and an accident occurs.
34:31 Nominated for a course, needed medical treatment in the US.
38:38 Reluctant to go to America, suspicious of marriage intentions.
47:23 The speaker had a meaningful conversation with someone about a family reunion before leaving for the United States.
48:58 Before leaving for Ghana, the speaker had directions from a relative.
57:06 Encounter with the director at the village, writer's works mentioned.
01:01:14 Woman talks to son about her health and gives resume to son's colleague, concerned for mother's health.
01:05:56 Difficulty connecting to Agua. Concerns for improved service in Agbere. Inquiring about plans.
01:10:35 Inquiring about nicknames and artists for dancing.
01:18:22 Encouraging words to listeners to support and share content for future episodes.

Hello everyone, in this solo episode, I open up about my recent health challenges and express my gratitude to you, our patrons, for sticking with me during a creative slump. I'm excited to share incredible stories lined up, including heartfelt family histories and insightful guest interviews that explore diverse cultural backgrounds and personal triumphs. I also discuss my experiences guest-starring on other podcasts and my engagement in a political leadership program for veterans.
 Join me on this heartfelt journey to understand the importance of saying 'no' and setting boundaries, both personally and professionally. Don't forget, your support means everything. Follow us for more stories that bridge cultures and inspire. Thank you for the privilege of your company.
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Timestamped overview
00:00 Recorded podcast episodes with family and guests.
06:11 Transparency about future plans and current projects.
07:46 Video shows celebrity saying no, causing controversy.
11:50 Encouraging vocalizing emotions and setting boundaries.
14:38 Cherishing a beautiful no inspired continued perseverance.
17:25 Rate, review, subscribe, suggest, and follow podcast.