The Busy Being Born Podcast

#79: Building African Tech on Our Own Terms: Angela Oduor Lungati on AI, Leadership & Community

In this episode, we sit down with Angela Oduor Lungati a tech leader, community builder, and Executive Director of Ushahidi [https://www.ushahidi.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  to explore what it means to build technology that truly serves people. Angela reflects on her journey from software intern to leading a globally recognized civic tech organization whose crisis response tools have been used in over 160 countries. Along the way, she shares the realities of leadership, fundraising, motherhood, grief, and navigating spaces where African voices are often overlooked. Together, we unpack the urgent need for Africa to shape its own tech future — from ethical AI governance and digital inclusion to ensuring African languages, communities, and lived experiences are represented in the systems being built today. This conversation is a thoughtful reflection on leadership, resilience, community, and the responsibility of building technology that centers people over profit.  Listen in to learn: * Why Africa must take ownership of its tech narrative and resources * How AI can either empower or exclude African communities * The importance of ethical data governance and local language inclusion * What it takes to lead mission-driven organizations through uncertainty * Lessons on resilience, mentorship, community, and purpose-driven leadership Resources & Mentions: * Ushahidi [https://www.ushahidi.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Creative Commons [https://creativecommons.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Masakhane Research Foundation [https://www.masakhane.io/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * AI governance, open-source technology & digital inclusion initiatives * Community-centered technology and African innovation ecosystems Connect with us: Instagram & X (Twitter): @busybeingborn_  Visit busybeingborn.africa [https://busybeingborn.africa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] for more episodes and updates

#78: The Unforgettable Actor: Moses Kiema on Craft, Fatherhood & Sustainable Success

In this episode, we sit down with Moses Kiema an actor, coach, and author for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a lasting career in the creative industry. Moses reflects on starting out in traveling theater, where he developed the discipline and confidence that later carried him into film and television. His breakthrough role in Kina became a defining chapter. Four intense years of back-to-back filming that expanded his reputation and financial stability, but also tested his health and endurance. Rather than chase constant screen time, Moses made a deliberate shift. Today, he chooses shorter projects, prioritizes family life, and invests deeply in mentorship. Fatherhood reshaped his discipline and mental health, grounding him beyond the spotlight and influencing how he approaches both work and legacy. He also shares insights from his book, The Unforgettable Actor, a practical guide for emerging talent navigating auditions, contracts, and professional conduct. Lessons often learned the hard way. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on craft, resilience, reinvention, and choosing sustainability over burnout.    Listen in to learn: * Why theater builds stronger screen actors * The hidden costs of long-running TV productions * How fatherhood reshaped Moses’s discipline and priorities * Why rest and reinvention are essential in creative careers * Practical industry knowledge every aspiring actor should know  Resources & Mentions: * The Unforgettable Actor by Moses Kiema * Coaching & mentorship for aspiring actors * Moses on social media: @MosesKiema  Connect with us: Instagram & X (Twitter): @busybeingborn_  busybeingborn.africa

#77: Building What the System Missed: Dr. Kiptolo Boit on Sport, Ethical Leadership and Youth Development

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kiptolo a 2025 BD Top 40 Under 40 honoree, former national swimmer, sports scientist,  and founder of Next Gen Multi Sport Academy to unpack what it really takes to develop athletes in systems that often fall short. Dr. Kip reflects on his journey through competitive swimming, from intensive training in South Africa to representing Kenya internationally, and the repeated funding gaps, broken promises, and governance failures that ultimately wore him down and led him to step away from elite sport. His experience mirrors a wider issue in Kenyan athletics: abundant talent, but inconsistent support. Out of this frustration, Next Gen Multi Sport Academy was born. Now supporting around 150 children, the academy focuses on multi-sport development, sports science, injury prevention, and holistic care especially for vulnerable youth before early specialization. We also examine Kenya’s sports ecosystem, from misplaced investments in mega stadiums to the lack of basic grassroots facilities, coach education, and data-driven training. Dr. Kip makes a clear case for ethical leadership, smarter systems, and long-term thinking in sport. This episode is a grounded conversation about rebuilding from the ground up and choosing to create what the system failed to provide. 🎧 Listen in to learn: * Why many Kenyan athletes fall through the cracks despite clear talent * The dangers of early specialization and why multi-sport development matters * How poor governance and funding misalignment kill athletic careers * How data and sports science can transform performance * The role of sports science, data, and injury prevention in performance * What it takes to build ethical, long-term sports systems from the ground up 🏊🏽‍♂️ Resources & Mentions: * Next Gen Multi Sport Academy & Foundation [https://nextgenkenya.com/multisports/] * Business Daily Top 40 Under 40 (2025) [https://top40.businessdailyafrica.com/men/] – Dr. Kiptolo Boit recognised among Kenya’s influential young leaders * Youth development programs in swimming and football * Sports science, biomechanics & data analytics in training * Grassroots sports infrastructure vs. high-cost stadium projects * Advocacy for ethical governance in Kenyan sports Connect with us: Instagram & X (Twitter): @busybeingborn_ 🌍 Visit busybeingborn.africa for more episodes and updates

#76: Aligning Smiles and Returning Home to Care: Dr. Wanjiru Stuhler on Orthodontics, Public Health & Building with Intention

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Wanjiru Stuhler, an orthodontist who spent nearly two decades training and practicing in Europe before returning home to Kenya to build her life’s work. Dr. Wanjiru shares her journey through rigorous German dental training, navigating licensure back home, and the intentional seven-year process that led to the launch of Stuhler Orthodontics in Nairobi just weeks ago. Her story is one of patience, precision, and choosing long-term impact over rushing milestones. Beyond the clinic, we explore her deep commitment to public health education. From teaching children the importance of flossing to raising awareness about fluoride levels in Nairobi’s water and the health benefits of early orthodontic assessments. She explains why orthodontics isn’t just about straight teeth, but how it can also affect breathing, sleep, confidence, and overall wellbeing. This conversation is a powerful reflection on returning home with global expertise, building trust-based businesses, and practicing care that centers people before profit. And because she loves the Busy Being Born community: Busy Being Born listeners are eligible for a complimentary orthodontic consultation from 12th January to 12th February 2026 at Stuhler Orthodontics. A special invitation to take the first step toward your healthiest smile. Listen in to learn: ·        What it takes to train and specialize in dentistry abroad ·        Why early orthodontic checks matter for children’s health ·        The role of flossing in preventing long-term dental issues ·        How Dr. Wanjiru built her brand before opening her clinic ·        Lessons on patience, consistency, and intentional growth Resources & Mentions: ·        Stuhler Orthodontics (Nairobi) – complimentary orthodontic consultation  for Busy Being Born listeners ·        Website: https://www.stuhlerorthodontics.co.ke [https://www.stuhlerorthodontics.co.ke/] ·        Invisalign & modern orthodontic treatments ·        Oral health education & public talks  Connect with us: Instagram & X (Twitter): @busybeingborn_ 🌍 Visit busybeingborn.africa for more episodes and updates.

#75: 2025 Wrap up: Culture Check, Music, AI & the Road to 2026

In this end of year episode, the Busy Being Born crew is joined by Thuita and Monski and reflect on the cultural moments that defined the year 2025. From the evolution of African music and storytelling to the accelerating influence of AI, shifting political realities, and what lies ahead. We talk about Kenyan and African music, celebrating hip hop, reggae, and cross-border sounds alongside a renewed focus on live performance and intentional artistry. The conversation also explores how audiences are consuming shows on television, differently gravitating toward quality, emotional depth, and culturally resonant stories. We then turn to technology, where 2025 marked a turning point for AI. Tools like Gemini, GPT-5 and Claude are reshaping creative and technical workflows, raising questions about productivity, ethics, and the importance of maintaining human judgment in an automated age. Finally, the conversation zooms out to politics, culture, and hope, acknowledging growing global and local tensions while emphasizing civic engagement, accountability, and the quiet resilience found in art, community, and personal milestones as we look toward 2026.   Listen in to learn: * How African music evolved in 2025 and where it’s headed * Why storytelling is winning in film, TV, and animation * How AI is transforming creative and tech work — and its risks * Why civic engagement and accountability matter more than ever * What gives the crew hope as 2026 approaches Highlights & Mentions: * * Kenyan hip hop, reggae & cross-border collaborations * Monski’s upcoming EP Here and Now * Standout films, series, and animated storytelling * AI tools: GPT-5, Claude, and custom models * Live theatre, music collectives, and community arts * The New Zealand All Blacks rugby tour (South Africa) * Connect with Monski [https://linktr.ee/MONSKI254] * Thuita on BBB EP #3 [https://busybeingborn.africa/podcast/3-could-it-get-thuita-than-this-edtech-in-africa-and-spirituality/]   Connect with us: Instagram & X (Twitter): @busybeingborn_ 🌍 Visit busybeingborn.africa for more episodes, resources, and updates.