#BeFree Bookworms Podcast

#BeFree Studios
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#BeFree Bookworms Podcast is a monthly show that helps promote literacy & encourages a love of reading among Namibian youth aged 10 to 25. Hosted by youth advocate Ismael Sefanya, the podcast brings stories to life with lively book discussions, author interviews, and peer reviews. Each episode inspires creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning, while helping to build a strong community of young readers. With the slogan “Read, Dream, Be Free,” in collaboration with the #BeFree Studio to support informed, inspired, and connected young people through books.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 04: Making the Most of Your 20s — A Conversation with Mirjam Matheus

    In this episode of #BeFree Bookworms, our host, Ismael Sefanya, sits down with Mirjam Matheus, a medical professional whose work bridges public health innovation and women's empowerment. Mirjam is the founder of Becoming Health Namibia, and the author of Making the Most of Your 20s.  Drawing on her new book, Making the Most of Your 20s, Mirjam takes us through the journey of coming out of hiding and stepping into purpose, unpacking the difference between divine concealment and unnatural hiding, the concept of innate potential, and how to identify purpose even when the future feels uncertain. The conversation moves through dreams and visions, building the systems success requires, and the powerful blueprints of Deborah and the Proverbs 31 woman, closing with Mirjam's principle of "creating your own table." Whether you're in your twenties or simply searching for direction, this episode offers practical wisdom for building a life driven by purpose, vision, and unstoppable momentum. 🎧 Get your copy of Making the Most of Your 20s, and tune in for more inspiring stories on #BeFree Bookworms.

  2. Jul 9

    Episode 03:“Bloom Where You Are Planted” – A Conversation with Emeritha Niipare

    Some stories take years to find the words, and Emeritha Niipare's is one of them. In this episode of #BeFree Bookworms, our host, Ismael Sefanya, sits down with Emeritha Niipare, hydrologist and author of Wings of Resilience, to talk about growing up in Keetmanshoop, studying in China, and the letters, faith, and quiet resilience that shaped her into who she is today. With a Bachelor of Engineering in Geological Engineering, a Master of Science in Water Resources Management, and a 2025 selection for the Future Energy Leaders Programme, Emeritha has built a career rooted in science. But this conversation is about the choice to also become a storyteller. In this episode, we cover: Her childhood in Keetmanshoop and the big dreamers within a small town. Becoming an author: from diary entries to a published book. Writing with full authenticity about unemployment and uncertainty. The meaning behind the title, Wings of Resilience. Navigating a male-dominated field as a scientist and as a storyteller. Advice for readers who feel like their journey is unfolding differently than everyone else's. "Your journey is unique, even if some journeys might look similar. You have much more to offer than just your degree," says Emeritha Niipare. This episode is part of #BeFree Bookworms, a series that sits down with authors and storytellers who've chosen to put their lived experiences on the page. 🎧 Also available on YouTube.Follow us on social media: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | X: @BeFreeStu8io

  3. Jun 19

    Episode 02 | Driving Through Life, Faith, Failure, and Finding Your Direction — A Conversation with Petrina Mathews

    She did not set out to write a book. She started writing down lessons from her driving lessons until she realised she was not just learning how to drive. She was driving through life. In this episode, our host Ismael Sefanya sits down with Petrina Mathews, transformational speaker, businesswoman, and author of Driving Through Life: A Christian Guide from Driving Lessons, for a conversation about faith, failure, patience, and finding direction when the road ahead feels unclear. Petrina opens up about what it took to trust herself, why starting over is never the same as starting from scratch, and what it means to show up for your goals and your faith even when you do not feel like it. "Our minds can convince us of failure that is not even there. But we can rewire our minds to think of victory, and we actually get the victory," she said.  Fear does not have to stop you. Failure does not define you. Every difficult road still carries lessons capable of shaping your purpose. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.  Recorded at #BeFree Studio under the One Economy Foundation | Follow us @befreestu8io | Read. Dream. Be Free.

  4. May 14

    Episode 1: Good Vibes and Butterflies — A Conversation with Steven Bernardus ǀHaraǂgeib

    "Good vibes for all the happy days, and butterflies for all the transformation." For our first episode, our host Ismael Sefanya sits down with Steven Bernardus ǀHaraǂgeib, storyteller, systems thinker, development strategist, and author of Good Vibes and Butterflies.  With over a decade of driving social change across Africa, Steven has led national efforts on Gender-Based Violence(GBV), HIV/AIDS, mental health, and youth leadership. Today, he consults on transitional justice, governance, and mental health, and is pursuing a Doctor of Social Work at Cardiff University. In short, this is someone who has lived everything he writes about. His book is an honest, courageous dive into the inner world of changemakers, the hopes that keep them going, the fears that keep them up at night, and the butterflies that can either paralyse you or set you in motion. Think of it as an invitation: for the seed to grow into everything it was always meant to be. In this conversation, Ismael and Steven get into the real stuff. Why healing isn't just a personal journey, it's a strategy. How the tension between authentic African identity and Eurocentric influences shows up in our everyday lives. And why something as simple as genuinely asking someone "How are you, really?" can change everything about how we support each other. Steven also opens up about what it was like to write and publish a book in Namibia, the intergenerational trauma that so many families carry in silence, and what he hopes young people walk away feeling after reading his words. This is the conversation that starts it all, and gives you a moment to reflect on your current journey. Read. Dream. Be Free. 🌱 #BeFreeBookworms #PoweredByYouth #LetTheYouthSpeak

  5. Trailer

    Welcome to #BeFree Bookworms Podcast!

    Welcome to the #BeFree Bookworms Podcast, where young minds meet great books.  Join us for exciting stories, inspiring Namibian authors, and fun book chats that spark imagination and big dreams. Whether you're just starting your reading journey or already a proud bookworm, this is your space to read, grow, and connect.

Trailer

About

#BeFree Bookworms Podcast is a monthly show that helps promote literacy & encourages a love of reading among Namibian youth aged 10 to 25. Hosted by youth advocate Ismael Sefanya, the podcast brings stories to life with lively book discussions, author interviews, and peer reviews. Each episode inspires creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning, while helping to build a strong community of young readers. With the slogan “Read, Dream, Be Free,” in collaboration with the #BeFree Studio to support informed, inspired, and connected young people through books.

Information

  • Creator
    #BeFree Studios
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © #BeFree Studios
  • Show Website
    #BeFree Bookworms Podcast