Wannabe Americana

Bianim Isibor

Wannabe Americana is the unfiltered outsider’s guide to culture, identity, and belonging. If you’ve ever felt caught between worlds, laughed at the absurdity of culture shock, or questioned what “making it” abroad really means—this is your space. Each week, we unpack the immigrant hustle, first-gen realities, returnee struggles, and all the hilarious misunderstandings in between. From navigating friendships to chasing dreams in a foreign land, Wannabe Americana is where the unspoken truths meet laugh-out-loud storytelling. 👉 New episodes every Wednesday. Hit subscribe and join the community.

  1. 11/12/2025

    The Traumas We Don't Call Trauma

    Have you ever wondered why you overthink every text, work yourself to burnout, or struggle to say “no”? This episode breaks down the hidden ways childhood conditioning shapes who we become — and how so many of our “normal” adult habits are actually coping mechanisms we picked up to feel safe, loved, or seen.From people-pleasing and perfectionism to emotional detachment and over-independence, Coco unpacks the everyday traumas we don’t call trauma — the kind that doesn’t always look dramatic, but leaves a quiet mark on how we love, work, and exist.It’s not therapy, it’s awareness — and maybe, a little healing.🎧 Listen now to discover how your childhood might still be showing up in your adult life. childhood trauma, hidden trauma, people-pleasing, emotional trauma, self-awareness, healing, podcast for women, emotional intelligence, therapy talk, adult coping mechanisms

    25 min

  2. 10/29/2025

    You're Not A Loser, So Stop Acting Like It

    If you’ve been feeling like life is moving too fast and you’re falling behind — this episode is your reminder that you’re not a loser. You’re just human.In this episode of Wannabe Americana, I talk about snapping out of that “I’m not doing enough” mindset, letting go of self-pity, and realizing that life doesn’t come easy for anyone — but that doesn’t mean you give up.💭 Whether you’re comparing yourself to others, feeling stuck in your career, or just tired of trying, this episode will remind you to reclaim your energy, show up for yourself, and start acting like the main character again.✨ Perfect listen if you’re:Reflecting on your year and feeling behindStruggling with self-doubt or comparisonNeeding a real, honest pep talk to keep going🎧 Tune in for an unfiltered conversation on growth, mindset, and self-worth.

    30 min

  3. 10/22/2025

    S2EP6: Style, Sound and the Art of Finding Yourself Again

    Ever gone through a phase where your fashion sense and music taste just… don’t feel like you anymore? In this episode, we talk about the weird, beautiful process of finding yourself again through style, sound, and community. From rediscovering your personal style to reconnecting with the music that actually moves you, this conversation dives into what it really means to fit back in — not with others, but with yourself. Whether you’ve just moved back home, outgrown an old version of yourself, or you’re simply in your reintroduction era, this one’s for you. ✨ Topics include: Reconnecting with your fashion identity How music shapes mood, confidence, and belonging Navigating creative communities after change The art of self-reinvention 🎙️ Wannabe Americana — for everyone learning, unlearning, and finding themselves again.

    30 min

  4. 09/24/2025

    The Good,The Bad and The Traumatizing Parts of Being a Returnee

    🎙️ Wannabe Americana presents: The Good, The Bad & The Traumatizing Parts of Being a ReturneeWhat really happens when you move back home after years abroad? In this episode, I sit down with fellow returnees to unpack the unfiltered truth about life after relocating back to Nigeria. From culture shock and lifestyle adjustments to career struggles, family expectations, and the hidden joys no one talks about—this episode is a raw, funny, and eye-opening look at what it means to be a returnee in 2025.🌍 Whether you’re:a Nigerian in the diaspora thinking of moving back,an expat curious about reverse culture shock,or someone navigating life between two worlds…This episode gives you real stories, multiple perspectives, and lessons from people living it right now.✨ Topics we cover:The good → community, culture, food, and rediscovering homeThe bad → frustrations, bureaucracy, lifestyle shiftsThe traumatizing → mental health, social pressure, and survival stories🎧 Listen if you’ve ever asked yourself: “Should I move back home?” or “What’s it really like being a returnee in Nigeria?”💡 Perfect for Nigerians abroad, first-gen kids, international students, expats, immigrants, or anyone curious about identity, home, and belonging.🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode if you enjoyed it!👉🏽 🔗 Follow me on IG + TikTok: @wannabeamericana 🎙️ Listen on Spotify + Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3JP5WeR#Returnee #Diaspora #MovingBackToNigeria #ReverseCultureShock #WannabeAmericana #ImmigrantStories #Podcast

    36 min

  5. 09/17/2025

    The Dating Scene Right Now is a Scary Place *especially as a returnee

    Dating in 2025 feels like a scary place—whether you’re navigating modern dating apps, long-distance relationships, or moving back home and re-entering a completely different dating scene. In this episode of Wannabe Americana, I share my experience as a returnee in Nigeria, unpacking what it’s like to date after living abroad, the cultural shifts you face, and the realities of dating local men in a society where love and relationships often feel transactional. From spotting “local mindset” red flags to comparing global dating culture with Nigerian dating norms, this conversation dives deep into the messy, funny, and sometimes frustrating truths of trying to find connection today. If you’ve ever felt caught between worlds—between Western dating culture and traditional expectations—this episode is for you. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to keep the conversation going.🔗 Follow me on IG + TikTok: @wannabeamericana 🎙️ Listen on Spotify + Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3JP5WeR

    28 min

  6. 09/10/2025

    S2EP3: Western Brain, Local Reality. I'm Done.

    Everyone talks about the West End dream — studying abroad, chasing opportunities, living that picture-perfect international life. But what happens when the reality doesn’t match the fantasy? In this episode of West End Brain, we’re breaking down the local reality: the struggles, the unexpected wins, and the unspoken truths that come with moving abroad and coming back home.From the pressure to “make it,” to dealing with family expectations, friendships that shift across borders, and the identity crisis no one prepares you for — this is the raw, unfiltered side of the West End story.🎧 If you’ve ever dreamed about going abroad, lived it, or returned home trying to figure out who you are in between, this episode will hit home.💬 Share your own West End stories in the comments or through the Wannabe Hotline — I’d love to feature your experiences in future episodes.👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to keep the conversation going. 🔗 Follow me on IG + TikTok: @wannabeamericana 🎙️ Listen on Spotify + Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3JP5WeR #WestEndBrain #LocalReality #ReturneeLife #ReverseCultureShock #ImmigrantStories #WannabeAmericana #ThirdCultureKid #LivingAbroad #ComingHome

    20 min

  7. 09/03/2025

    S2EP2: Reverse Culture Shock Is Real

    🌍✈️ Reverse culture shock is SO real — everyone hypes the idea of “going back home” after living abroad, but no one talks about how jarring it really is. You think you’re just slipping back into your old life, but news flash: you’ve changed, home has changed, and suddenly you’re the foreigner in your own country.In this episode of Wannabe Americana, I dive into the messy, funny, and sometimes traumatizing truth about reverse culture shock. From little things like food, fashion, and social norms, to deeper stuff like identity, friendships, and belonging — we’re unpacking it all.🎧 Whether you’re a returnee, immigrant, third culture kid, or just curious about what it feels like to “go back” when nothing feels the same… this one’s for you.💬 Drop your own reverse culture shock stories in the comments — I want to hear them!👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes of Wannabe Americana.Keep up with us : IG : Wannabe Americana TikTok: Wannabe Americana Youtube: Wannabe Americana

    26 min

  8. 08/27/2025

    S2EP1: Romanticizing Abroad (*even when you know better)

    Ever catch yourself missing that abroad life—despite knowing you struggled just to survive it? In Season 2, Episode 1 of Wannabe Americana, we dig into why returnees often romanticize the places they once called home—everlasting nostalgia blurring the reality. Join me as we unpack: The bittersweet fog of “reverse culture shock” – why home isn’t what we remember (or imagined) Why the “abroad fantasy” persists, even when you moved back knowing it wasn’t all glamorous The tension between missing the energy, freedom, and novelty of abroad—and needing to slow down, be present, and build where you are Real talk on how to move forward: small steps, real acceptance, & letting go of comparing your life to someone else’s memories Stories from Reddit that hit home: “Honestly the grass is always greener. I recently moved back… now all I want to do is go back… the feelings of FOMO will pass eventually.” “This is the curse of being an expat. You never fully fit into your new place, but you also no longer fully fit into where you came from.” Subscribe, like, and hit the bell to follow the journey of unlearning heavier-than-life expectations—and finally existing where you are, one step at a time. Drop your own returnee story in the comments—I want to hear your "I miss abroad, but…" moments. Keywords: romanticizing abroad, reverse culture shock, returnee struggles, missing abroad, diaspora nostalgia, moving home, expat FOMO, Wannabe Americana S2

    22 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Wannabe Americana is the unfiltered outsider’s guide to culture, identity, and belonging. If you’ve ever felt caught between worlds, laughed at the absurdity of culture shock, or questioned what “making it” abroad really means—this is your space. Each week, we unpack the immigrant hustle, first-gen realities, returnee struggles, and all the hilarious misunderstandings in between. From navigating friendships to chasing dreams in a foreign land, Wannabe Americana is where the unspoken truths meet laugh-out-loud storytelling. 👉 New episodes every Wednesday. Hit subscribe and join the community.

Information

  • Creator
    Bianim Isibor
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Bianim Isibor
  • Show Website
    Wannabe Americana