Episode 2: Warrior’s Burden—Emrys’ Journey with Sickle Cell and the Weight of Firstborn Expectations

Emrys, a young man whose childhood was shaped by sickle cell disease and the weight of being the firstborn son in an African home.

From endless hospital visits to moments of deep isolation, Emrys opens up about navigating a body that felt like a battleground—all while carrying the unspoken expectations of his father. How does illness reshape a parent-child relationship? What happens when vulnerability clashes with traditional notions of strength? And how do firstborn sons, expected to be pillars of the family, reconcile their struggles with the burden of responsibility?

This episode is a raw and emotional dive into chronic illness, masculinity, and the silent sacrifices of African firstborns. Tune in for a conversation that challenges perspectives, breaks the silence, and redefines what it truly means to be strong.