Journey of the Art

Lola Opatayo
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

On Journey of the Art, we discuss the artist, unravel the art, and explore the road between, celebrating the highs of artistic achievement and pondering the lows of the artist's sacrifice. This is our biggest question: what is the secret to staying on the journey of the art? Stay connected Find out more about the show: https://journeyoftheart.com/

  1. Sep 26

    Ep 48: Jollof wars: What our food says about us

    In this joyful episode with Yewande Daniel-Ayoade, we reflect on food and what it says about our identity and tolerance for others. Yewande tells me about how #jollofgate inspired her latest work, Dele and Aminata’s Jollof War, and how she wanted to create a book that opens up conversations about the beauty of traditional meals.  We also talk about territorialism and how it shows up in culinary wars, why we feel the need to compare culinary choices, and what it means to grow in tolerance for others who may not understand our food and its importance to us.  As we bring things to a close, Yewande shares a summary of her writing journey, and how the support of friends and sheer determination to make her dreams come true resulted in her first book and the subsequent ones.   There is laughter and joy in this episode, and I hope you enjoy listening/watching as much as we enjoyed making it.  FYI to parents or adults with children in their lives: Yewande’s book is a conversation starter. I hope you purchase it, read it to the child/children in your life, and reflect on your own interactions with food.  Show highlights 00:00 – Introduction 2:48 – Why are we so territorial about food?  4:47 – Why does the existence of Ghanian jollof rattle Nigerians so much? 6:28 – Is there a connection between what we eat and what we think of ourselves? 7:37 – Do we ever achieve tolerance? 9:33 – Thoughts on the recipe in the book?  10:54 – What should readers take away from the book?  12:19 – Choosing what to write about when she can feel other's pain 13:23 – The one thing Yewande has learned from being a children’s book writer 14:54 – What is Yewande Daniel-Ayoade’s writing journey? 18:24 – A shift to the whimsical and understanding seasons of change  20:31 – Which jollof is the best jollof? 21:39 – What is the secret to staying on the journey of the art?   _____________________ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_CZLt9bkUeg _____________________ Guest’s links Buy Dele and Aminata’s Jollof War: https://shop.owlkids.com/products/dele-and-aminata-s-jollof-war   Connect with Yewande: https://www.ydaniel-ayoade.com   _____________________  Host’s links Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/ Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/ Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

  2. Sep 12

    Ep 47: The fall-down effect of climate change | Liz Johnston

    In this episode, I’m joined by Liz Johnston, author of The Fall-Down Effect, a novel about fractured family relationships, environmental activism, and how personal ambition can test the bonds of family ties.    The novel follows the journeys of Sylvia, Fern, and River, after their mother leaves them to pursue her own path of environmental activism. Inspired by their mother’s activism, Fern commits an act of ecoterrorism, blowing up a mill at 19 and going on the run, leaving her family to try and make sense of her actions and cover up her crime. Years later, a forest fire forces their mother to return to the home she left and to confront her past. Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 2:47 - The haze that sparked the book 5:18 - First borns, middle borns, and last borns 8:54 - When radically begets radicality 14:06 - The weight of blame when loved ones make terrible decisions 17:47 - A glimpse into activist groups 21:55 - How to silence the editor brain as a writer/editor 25:40 - How does an editor manage being edited? 27:28 - How can writers know when they've achieved their goal? 30:07 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art  _____________________ Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/i36erZ2xG1o _____________________ Guest’s links Buy The Fall Down Effect: https://bookhugpress.ca/shop/books/fiction/the-fall-down-effect-by-liz-johnston/ _____________________  Host’s links Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/ Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/ Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

  3. Aug 8

    Ep 46: How culture impacts male infertility in Yejide Kilanko's In Our Own Ways

    How does culture shape a person’s response to male infertility? What happens when money can solve your problem, but your character won’t let you take the reasonable way out? What happens when a miracle is not in fact a miracle but a string of carefully planned cruelties? These are the questions In Our Own Ways, Yejide Kilanko’s latest novel, asks. The novel follows a well-to-do couple, Fadaka and Senami, who are thrilled by a seemingly miraculous pregnancy after five years of waiting. Yet, Fadaka’s pregnancy is haunted by nightmares a sense of unease.  A year later, their family doctor accidentally reveals that her pregnancy was a medical impossibility. This revelation leads to a confrontation with her husband and marks the end of the marriage and the beginning of other problems. 0:00 - Introduction4:21 - The impact of character and culture in navigating life’s challenges 5:53 - Broken childhoods and adult influences9:48 - The covering of shame within the context of the African culture 13:22 - When the law is not on your side16:34 - Honouring forgotten army wives 21:08 - The things that didn’t make the book 23:07 - Writing challenges and the road to publication27:04 - Favourite art form29:13 - Juggling life’s balls31:20 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art   _____________________ Guest’s links Buy In Our Own Ways: https://www.amazon.ca/Our-Own-Ways-Yejide-Kilanko/dp/9786092627 Connect with Yejide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yejidekilanko/   _____________________  Host’s links Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/ Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/ Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

  4. Jul 25

    Ep 45: Aging parents and the duty of care

    I'm joined by Ann Cavlovic to discuss her novel, Count On Me. The novel follows the story of Tia and her brother Tristan, who, alongside his girlfriend, proceeds to take financial advantage of their parents when they're ill. It’s a story of broken trust and the duty of love. Ann's novel explores the realities of elder abuse and the systems that continue to perpetuate it. It is a tribute to health care professionals who care for the elderly but also an expose on those who profit from this vulnerable group. Ann and I talk about dysfunctional upbringing and its impact on the relationship between adult children and their aging parents. And we zoom into the internal struggles and physical and financial demands of being in the sandwich generation—a generation of adults caring simultaneously for their dependent children and aging parents. In the end we wanted to know: what makes a person do the things they do? What do you think? Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 2:25 - Origin story 5:16 - What makes one child cruel and another kind? 8:42 - Breaking the cycles of childhood pain 12:50 - The eternal consequence of a dysfunctional family 15:12 - When the legal system perpetuates elder abuse 19:36 - A tribute to nursing home staff 22:16 - Shame that acts irrationally 25:35 - Obsessions and transactions 28:35 - The table of contents and accounting terms 32:07 - Perspectives and volume control 34:28 - A strict writing schedule 36:50 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art _____________________ Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0xyANJyZ0yE _____________________ Guest’s links Buy Count On Me: https://guernicaeditions.com/products/count-on-me?srsltid=AfmBOor0wrvJrg8XweO4YHCJwuhPRV-FoFSfhISC42uCknPcLrJ3tBvI _____________________  Host’s links Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/ Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/ Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

  5. Jul 10

    Ep 44: A black neurosurgeon’s journey through memory and upbringing

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Craig Yorke to discuss candid reflections on his journey through race, a strict upbringing, and his career as a neurosurgeon. Dr. Yorke is the author of Steep, an exploration of the psychological impact of childhood experiences on adult resiliency and identity. We discuss the inspiration behind the book, his early life in Massachusetts, and the influence of race and environment on his career. We also talk about a $40 million lawsuit he won and reflect on the contradictions of a life split between privilege and struggle. Now retired after decades of medical practice, he is on a path to learning the transformative impact of art. Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 1:55 - Would an artistic life have been a happy one? 4:30 - Origin of the book and the influences of James Baldwin and T.S. Elliot  9:10 - An upbringing that led to restraint 11:37: - Growing up poor and rich  13:42 - Giving his children the gift of choice 14:22 - The weight of blackness in professional spaces  19:02 - The decision to retire 21:15 - Exploring art after retirement 21:17 - The steep price of a regimented childhood 25:10 - The plasticity of an artistic mind  27:48 - Supporting the artist 28:12 -  Writing with the ears _____________________ Guest’s links Buy Steep: https://www.amazon.ca/Steep-Neurosurgeons-Journey-Craig-Yorke/dp/1953583989/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WVX5EQRZAUWZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.67TRNh7pqK8zTcZ6-ehGlQ.6p1wdsUa-O0edDRgXSPXCRrNbQo0tV1vU5dqu_mtofE&dib_tag=se&keywords=steep+craig+yorke&qid=1783576475&sprefix=steep+craig+yorke%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1   _____________________  Host’s links Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/ Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/ Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

  6. Jun 25

    Ep 43: The Story and Science of Hope

    Did you know that hope is a story and a science? In Episode 43, I'm speaking with journalist Andrea Curtis about her book for middle graders, The Story and Science of Hope.  Sparked by an observation of despair among children, Andrea set out to investigate the source and history of hope and what it could mean for the children she was observing. We talked about the difference between faith and hope, and most importantly, the difference between optimism and hope. We even discussed the role of goal setting in building hope.  Inspiring as it is, Andrea’s book acknowledges that not all kids have hope or live in hopeful situations. But “hope is not static,” she says, “It can be taught and nurtured.” This was such an insightful episode, and I hope you’re inspired by it. Chapters 0:10 - Introduction 1:51 - Time in the mountains 3:37 - Observing despair and investigating hope 6:32 - Hope is not static 10:45 - The difference between hope and faith  12:51 - How goal setting can help you build hope 16:17 - Hope in the classroom 20:44 - Kids with strong reserves of hope 23:03 - Hope is an action  26:45 - Writing about abstract topics in an interesting way 32:18 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art _____________________ Guest’s links Buy The Story and Science of Hope: https://houseofanansi.com/products/the-story-and-science-of-hope?srsltid=AfmBOor3dcZlAOT_rKoeAxG-BjhLqCqs0coxfaRqSG5dRMW3lHI5_CE- Find out more about Andrea: https://andreacurtiskids.ca   _____________________  Host’s links Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/ Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/ Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

  7. Jun 11

    Ep 42: An homage to Igbo ancestry and history

    I’m delighted to resume the show with a discussion on naming and history. In Episode 42, I’m chatting with Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto about his poetry collection, “The Naming,” a book about revelations and ongoing conversations with ancestors about identity, memory, and history. Our journey begins with the definition of names and Chinua’s claim that his name is perhaps the most important in all of Igboland! We discuss the connection between names and Igbo history, touching on the Igbo Landing of 1803 and experiences of slavery in Igboland.  We also discuss the impact of internal and external influences on his creative work. Son of the late Ezenwa Ohaeto, co-winner of the 2025 NLNG Prize, Chinua shares the realities of unfair comparisons to his father and his management of harsh criticisms. He also reveals the critical advice he received from Kwame Dawes, which led to the creation of his collection. Shaped by moving stories, Chinua’s “The Naming,” is for those searching for the paths that lead home. For those who want to initiate their own conversations with their ancestors. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 1:41 - The most important name in Igboland 4:13 - Unmonkeying the monkey’s hand 8:21 - The Igbo Landing of 1803 18:27 - Filling his father’s jacket and being called a fake Achebe 23:55 - Using storytelling to give poetry meaning 31:07 - A story of hope during the Biafran war 34:55 - How to prepare for a PhD 36:42 - The secret to staying on the journey of the art _____________________  Guest’s links Buy The Naming: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496244703/the-naming/ _____________________  Host’s links Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/ Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

  8. Mar 26

    Ep 41: How to Talk to Kids About Food Insecurity Through Storytelling

    In Episode 41, I’m joined by Canadian children’s book writers Eric Walters and Lana Button to discuss their award-winning book, One Can.  Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant, One Can tells the emotional story of a young boy’s generosity and the importance of community in tackling food insecurity. It is a story of hope and a reminder of the power of positive storytelling in children's narratives. Parents will love this book that shows children the cyclical nature of generosity, and in it, they will find a valuable resource for talking to kids about real world problems like hunger and poverty. More than an approach to writing moral stories, Lana and Eric share the incredible power children's book writers have to uplift and empower children in a chaotic world. They also share important tips for writing children’s literature and reveal their secret to staying on the journey of their art. 00:00 - Introduction 2:20 - What started the book 6:37 - The reason for hope 8:15 - The symbol of the can 13:16 - Writing the most critical part of the book 16:19 - The psychology you need to write for children 21:03 - The reception of the book 24:23 - Why this book is so special to Eric 25:50 - How to get into the psychology of a child 31:01 - Writing in changing times 32:45 - The secret to saying on the journey of the art 🛒One Can is available for purchase from Groundwood Books: https://houseofanansi.com/products/one-can?srsltid=AfmBOorKtGP--hPmbbjvBgNlGiOVgYaSHSH1D9OfpAXr1P6OQpw94HOJ_____________________Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/18DdCmw0rV0 _____________________ Host’s linksFind out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/ Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/ Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

On Journey of the Art, we discuss the artist, unravel the art, and explore the road between, celebrating the highs of artistic achievement and pondering the lows of the artist's sacrifice. This is our biggest question: what is the secret to staying on the journey of the art? Stay connected Find out more about the show: https://journeyoftheart.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Lola Opatayo
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lola Opatayo
  • Show Website
    Journey of the Art

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