97 episodes
Selam & Hello Lilly Bekele-Piper
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- Society & Culture
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4.9 • 55 Ratings
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Selam & Hello is a show featuring stories of joy and justice from Africa and the diaspora. Produced in Kenya for global audiences - Selam & Hello curates conversations on identity and culture that inform, entertain and uplift.
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The Case for Truth
This week, Lilly dives into the world of journalism with Maya Misikir. Maya is the founder of SIFTER, a weekly newsletter that highlights the top five stories from Ethiopia, shining a light on the challenge of discerning truth in an age of misinformation. Maya shares her journey to journalism, the creation of SIFTER as a beacon for reliable and inclusive news, and her commitment to impartial reporting amidst Ethiopia's political and economic complexities. They discuss the significance of language accessibility and media literacy, while Maya offers invaluable insights for young journalists and stresses the importance of mindful news consumption. This episode is a testament to the power of informed storytelling and the critical role of journalists in shaping our understanding of the world.
Follow Maya:
Sifter: https://sifter.substack.com/ Maya's work for VOA: https://www.voanews.com/author/maya-misikir/oivvy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-misikir-3a2b2a83/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsMayaMisikir Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmayamisikir/
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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sselamandhello/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGmO35TpU1jj2fGlzFQwLgA TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@seovelamandhello Website https://www.selamandhello.com/
Email us at:
lilly@selamandhello.comproducer@selamandhello.com
Music Credits: Selam & Hello Jingle by Silas Piper
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions -
The Case for Domestic Workers
According to the IMF, around 60 percent of the Africa's population engages in the informal sector - a world where many workers navigate the challenges of vulnerability while seeking dignified employment. In this episode, Lilly and her guest, Wangeci Kamau, the innovative founder of Good Housekeeping Africa, shine a light on the realities of domestic work and informal employment, advocating for dignity, respect, and fair treatment. UNDP's insights into the informal economy, post-COVID-19, underscore the critical moment for African governments to embrace inclusive, sustainable recovery strategies that acknowledge and bolster the informal economy's role. This episode is a call to action, urging a transformation in the domestic help industry and inspiring hope for a more equitable future.
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Email us at:
lilly@selamandhello.comproducer@selamandhello.com
Music Credits: Selam & Hello Jingle by Silas Piper
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions -
The Case for Hope
In today's episode, Lilly explores how she is mining for hope amid hard days. She offers a 'case for hope' based on both the local and global 'microjoys' she's stumbled across lately. Her reflection kicks off an upcoming series of episodes that will make the case for some of life's most universal needs and concerns and how we can find hope in each of them. Its a short - but poignant - offering we hope you enjoy.
"Discovering more joy does not save us from the inevitability of hardship and heartbreak. In fact, we may cry more easily, but we will laugh more easily too. Perhaps we are just more alive. Yet as we discover more joy, we can face suffering in a way that ennobles rather than embitters. We have hardship without becoming hard. We have heartbreaks without being broken."
Archbishop Desmond Tutu (source)
Links to resources cited in the show:
Cyndie Spiegel's book 'Microjoys' Anne Lamott's book 'Help, Thanks, Wow'AFRICAN GOOD NEWS (X)Worldview Upgrader In Kenya, over 90% of electricity is generated by renewable energyThe malaria vaccine that just rolled out has a surprise benefit for kidsLesotho Tourism Life expectancy in Ethiopia was 69 years in 2019; just a few years behind USA at 77
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Email us at:
lilly@selamandhello.comproducer@selamandhello.com
Music Credits: Selam & Hello Jingle by Silas Piper
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions -
LIVE! 2024 Africa Media Festival with Mwalimu John Sibi-Okumu, OGW
Dive into an electrifying live episode of Selam & Hello, recorded live at the 2024 Africa Media Festival, featuring the legendary actor, author, broadcaster, and teacher - Mwalimu John Sibi-Okumu, OGW!
In this captivating conversation, Mwalimu Sibi-Okumu joins host Lilly to explore the transformative power of artists as disruptors within media and society. Through gripping anecdotes and vivid storytelling, he shines a spotlight on hidden stories of some of Africa's most influential political figures, illustrating how disruption can be a potent instrument of truth and change.
Mwalimu Sibi-Okumu examines the critical role artists have to 'speak the unspeakable,' and challenges us to embrace our role as activists and amplify the voices of those whose stories remain unheard. With his trademark humor and grace, Mwalimu shares invaluable lessons from his five decades in media and the arts, inspiring a live audience of over 200 people to shift their focus inward, champion African agendas, and disrupt the status quo for the advancement of our own knowledge and progress.
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Mwalimu John Sibi-Okumu has had a storied career as a writer, columnist, stage actor-director-playwright, TV & film actor, voice-over artist, and radio & TV broadcaster. In 2022, he was named to the Order of the Golden Warrior in recognition of his outstanding contributions to arts and culture in Kenya.
Mwalimu JSO has played more than 40 characters on stage, including Romeo, Shylock, and King Oedipus, and has acted in global films, including The Constant Gardener, Shake Hands with the Devil, and The First Grader. Mwalimu JSO is the author of six original, published plays and has also written published prose and poetry. On television, he memorably presented not only prime-time news but also The Summit and The Zain Africa Challenge. On the former, he is credited with being the only TV host to have had a one-on-one interview with the late President Daniel arap Moi, complementing the interviews he has had with four other African presidents. Read more of his bio here.
John Sibi Okumu Collected Plays 2004-2014 by John Sibi Okumu is available at Nuria Store and Prestige Book Store.
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lilly@selamandhello.comproducer@selamandhello.com
Music Credits: Selam & Hello Jingle by Silas Piper
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions -
A Tech Safari for the People
Caleb Maru, is a tech entrepreneur and partner at Proximity Ventures. He joins Lilly this week to discuss the current trends in and the future of tech and innovation in Africa. He shares his journey from pursuing law in Australia to investing in the tech space in east Africa and starting a bi-weekly newsletter, Tech Safari, which has over 18,000 subscribers. Caleb highlights the challenges faced by tech entrepreneurs and the importance of bridging the gap between Africa and the diaspora through impactful investments and collaboration. Caleb also shares insights into the seed-to-scale pipeline, highlights some exciting new companies in the region and offers insightful advice for entrepreneurs entering the tech sector.
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Follow Caleb Maru:
Twitter/XLinkedInRead/Subscribe to Tech Safari Proximity Ventures
Email us at:
lilly@selamandhello.comproducer@selamandhello.com
Music Credits: Selam & Hello Jingle by Silas Piper
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions -
The Fun, Fierce, Frivolous World of Wanuri Kahiu
In loving memory of Charles 'Charli' Ouda.
In this captivating episode of our podcast, join Lilly as she dives into an enthralling conversation with the illustrious Wanuri Kahiu, a visionary force in Kenyan filmmaking and storytelling whose groundbreaking work has not only influenced African cinema but has also captivated audiences worldwide. Today, we discover the vibrant world of AFROBUBBLEGUM, an innovative genre and media company, co-founded by Wanuri, aimed at creating, curating, and commissioning fun, fierce and frivolous African art. Lilly and Wanuri explore the underlying motivations and storytelling ethos behind her cinematic feats, including the delightful Rafiki, the award-winning movie that was the first Kenyan film invited to the Cannes Film Festival, her Netflix blockbuster, Look Both Ways and the upcoming series, Washington Black, which she directed for Hulu/20th Century Fox. Wanuri offers her aspirations for the future of the Kenyan film industry and shares how joy is the north star in her cinematic galaxy.
Follow Selam & Hello:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sselamandhello/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGmO35TpU1jj2fGlzFQwLgA TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@seovelamandhello Website https://www.selamandhello.com/
Follow Wanuri:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wanuri/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/wanuri Website - http://www.wanurikahiu.com/
Email us at:
lilly@selamandhello.comproducer@selamandhello.com
Music Credits: Selam & Hello Jingle by Silas Piper
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
Customer Reviews
Truth spoken with love, justice and interest
I love listening each time a new episode of Selam and Hello comes. Lilly speakers to each guest with love, justice and a genuine interest and joy of what they add to our world, especially in the East African region. I learn so much each time from an area of the globe that is and always will be a slice of my heart. Thank you Lilly.
This week it was especially endearing hearing her interview her two daughters with those same qualities. Throughout the hour all three brought a smile to my face. I loved it.
My thoughts.
I have been a listener of this podcast from the time it started, I really love the topics, the diversity and the discussions in each episode. I love the energy, the laughter and the ease of the conversations that makes us all connected to the topic. Thank you for educating us, connecting us and enlightening us in each episode.
Insightful and Substantive
Lilly has a tactful ability to shine a light on stories that need to be heard. With her guests, she explores nuanced ideas pertaining to the continent of Africa, and indeed beyond.
Her ability to weave through guest to tell their story, and contextualize their experiences, while opening larger topical issues, is humanizing on a micro level, but also places discussions in relatable, urgent, and global level.
A must hear!