This Nigerian Life.

Oluwatobiloba

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I’m a storyteller and an intuitive sharing my journey of personal transformation, self mastery and practical spirituality. I also capture the stories I find interesting. thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

Apr 16 · Bonus

Street Football, Adult ADHD and Surviving Mean Girls, with Lala

As a little girl growing up in Lagos, Lanre ( Lala) loved playing football with the boys and didn’t mind playing shirtless like they did, much to the annoyance of her mother; who sent her to Vivian Fowler College for Girls to “keep an eye on her”, instead of the military school that Lanre really wanted. We discuss almost getting expelled from school for defending herself from bullies; raising resilient, well-balanced children, living with ADHD (formerly ADD) and what she calls the “razzification” of Nigerian music. And of course, age-gap relationships 😄 What Makes you Tick is a series of conversations recorded in the summer of 2025, driven by a simple desire to understand the people in my life a bit more deeply and, more broadly, to explore what shapes us as individuals. What I discovered is that there are remarkable stories around us, we just have to be curious enough to notice them. Follow This Nigerian Life on all podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify & YouTube. And for the full experience subscribe to my Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

34 min
Apr 9 · Bonus

Boarding School is Not for The Weak + Women Should Lift Weights, with Rolake

At age 12, you couldn’t convince Rolake (Rolls) that she hadn’t caused a great offence to her mother. Why else would she be moved from her comfort zone in Lagos; South West Nigeria, to boarding school in Abuja in the North? We discuss culture shocks, her love for sports and fitness, why modern dating is problematic and becoming resilient after trauma. What Makes you Tick is a series of conversations recorded in the summer of 2025, driven by a simple desire to understand the people in my life a bit more deeply and, more broadly, to explore what shapes us as individuals. What I discovered is that there are remarkable stories around us, we just have to be curious enough to notice them. Follow This Nigerian Life on all podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify & YouTube. And for the full experience subscribe to my Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

1h 7m
Apr 2 · Bonus

Being a Girl in Science, TikTok "School" & Other Stories with Dija

Khadija (Dija) was 1 of 4 girls to graduate from her male-dominated engineering class. As a conservative muslim, it wasn’t common for girls to pursue Stem studies, but Dija’s father and grandmother particularly- were some of her biggest cheerleaders. We discuss life as a Muslim woman in tech; protecting children in this digital age, data privacy, demystifying AI for Africans and learning from Tik Tok. Dija is a tech engineer and entrepreneur living in Nairobi, Kenya. What Makes you Tick is a series of conversations recorded in the summer of 2025, driven by a simple desire to understand the people in my life a bit more deeply and, more broadly, to explore what shapes us as individuals. What I discovered is that there are remarkable stories around us, we just have to be curious enough to notice them. Follow This Nigerian Life on all podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify & YouTube. And for the full experience subscribe to my Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

39 min
Mar 26 · Bonus

The Village We Were Promised isn't Free, with Simileoluwa

Being a new mom can be daunting and Simileoluwa (Simi) knew she’d be a mother who isn’t shy to ask for help; she wouldn’t fall for the supermom trope. In this episode we discuss what the actual “village” is versus what we were sold. How her friendships changed after marriage, new-age grandparents and why open communication and practicality in marriage matters more than romantic love. What Makes you Tick is a series of conversations recorded in the summer of 2025, driven by a simple desire to understand the people in my life a bit more deeply and, more broadly, to explore what shapes us as individuals. What I discovered is that there are remarkable stories around us, we just have to be curious enough to notice them. Follow This Nigerian Life on all podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify & YouTube. And for the full experience subscribe to my Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

50 min
12/04/2025

Tobi's Thoughts: on Solitude and Knowing Thyself

What if the key to knowing yourself better is simply sitting still? It’s hard, I know! In this episode, I explore why solitude matters and how our thoughts shape the direction of our lives. With so much noise competing for our attention, creating quiet time helps us define who we really are on our own terms. I’m sharing my personal journey with solitude and why I believe it deserves more of our attention. My essay on the quiet that comes from making better choices is linked here : I’ve also linked my favorite episode on the topic of solitude from another podcast, it’s a conversation worth hearing if this topic resonates with you. That’s a wrap for 2025! I’ll be back in 2026 with the new new. Until then, catch me on TikTok 😉 @thisnigerianlifepod 💫On my playlist this season The Best Man Holiday is my go-to holiday watch, without fail. Sharing a song from the soundtrack that always hits just right this time of year. Enjoy! This podcast is best enjoyed on Substack.com so download the app and follow me there for the full experience. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

9 min
11/27/2025

Tobi's Thoughts: on Self Sabotage

If you asked me whether I believe in myself, I’d confidently say yes. But the truth is, that’s not always the case. In this episode, I dive into the quiet ways we sabotage our own progress: fear disguised as perfectionism, and the little lies we tell ourselves to stay comfortable. Real growth is doing what you said you would do, even when the circumstances aren’t great. For me, recording this podcast is part of moving through my fear of being seen. My voice matters, I trust my wisdom and I’m committed to carving my own path with courage, applause or not. I believe in myself, fully and it feels awesome. So I’ll ask you: how are you getting in your own way? And what are you doing to change that? This podcast is best enjoyed on Substack.com, so download the app and follow me there for the full experience. I’m also on TikTok @thisnigerianlifepod. 💫 What I’m enjoying: Caroline Myss on the Saboteur archetype This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

7 min
11/20/2025

Tobi's Thoughts: on Therapy & Counselling

This episode discusses counselling and therapy and why I believe they’re often conflated. They are similar but the key difference is that counselling is short term, offering quick relief while therapy is longer and deals with root causes of issues. Therapy requires deep vulnerability from the patient in a safe space created by the practitioner- so it’s not just vibes and as popular as it may seem, I don’t think we are quite there yet. Therapy services are not mainstream in Nigeria with crucial mental health services still out of reach for majority, this is where self-help comes in. Self-help may get a bad rap, but when done well, it can be beneficial. I encourage using the free resources within your disposal but remember, discernment is key. What are your go-to self-help resources? tell me in the comments. My Substack chat is OPEN, come and say hi! As always, the podcast is best experienced on Substack, so download the app and follow me there for all the good stuff. 💫 Recommended Resources: aka some of my “therapists” lol Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love Lovers by Shan, The School of Life, Francesca Hogi, Psychology Demystified P.S: I am currently obsessed with Yellowstone TV Series with Kevin Costner. I’m late to the party, but if you haven’t do check it out. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

13 min
11/13/2025

Tobi's Thoughts: on Being a Soft, Independent Woman

This episode explores self-worth, enlightenment, and releasing old identities. As a self-proclaimed independent woman, unemployment has helped me reconnect with my softer side- the part of me that isn’t constantly in survival mode. You know, that space where you can breathe a little- where you’re not “always guiding” (Nigerian slang for being tough, guarded, and completely self-reliant) and allow yourself to simply be. Not everything to yourself. Not the woman who never needed anyone. Unlike Lady Gaga, I wasn’t born this way. Like many hyper-independent women, I learned to depend on me because I had to, for self preservation. But I’ve come to see it as a trauma response, rooted in early experiences with money and self-worth. Now, I’m learning to show up fully as myself, to soften, and to receive, simply because I am worthy of it. How do you navigate your own feelings of self-worth and receiving? Tell me in the comments, and remember to subscribe if you haven’t already! My Substack chat is OPEN, come and say hi! As always, the podcast is best experienced on Substack, so follow me there for all the good stuff. Study with Caroline Myss [here] or at the link below: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

14 min

Trailer

An Announcement

Hey friends, Brené Brown said “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen”. So here I am, back with my mic ready to laugh, learn and have conversations that feel like catching up with your favorite people. It’s going to be fun, a little chaotic, and full of good realness. Hit play and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

S2

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1 min

I’m a storyteller and an intuitive sharing my journey of personal transformation, self mastery and practical spirituality. I also capture the stories I find interesting. thisnigerianlifepod.substack.com

Creator

Oluwatobiloba
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

31
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Oluwatobi Asekun
Show Website

This Nigerian Life.