How Did You Get Here with Verastic

How Nigerian Contemporary Artist Benny Bing Turned Grief Into Healing Through Art

This episode of How Did You Get Here with Verastic is one that truly touched my heart. I sat down with Benny Bing, a Toronto-based Nigerian contemporary artist whose story is as powerful as his paintings. We talked about grief, forgiveness, masculinity, creativity, and the healing power of art. Benny opened up about losing his brother and father, the process of letting go of vengeance, and how art helped him find peace and purpose again. We also talked about us being African creatives — growing up in homes where “doctor, lawyer, engineer” were the only options — and how today’s generation of parents can nurture creativity in their children instead of suppressing it. If you’ve ever lost someone, struggled to forgive, or wondered how to turn pain into purpose, this conversation will speak to your soul. Connect with Benny Bing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bennybing Buy Benny's artwork on his website: https://www.bennybing.com/ 💌 Stay connected with me and get personal stories and podcast updates by subscribing to my newsletter http://eepurl.com/dc4Ptz 🎧 Listen to (and watch) How Did You Get Here with Verastic wherever you get your podcasts (YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and much more). 💬 Comment below and let me know what part of Benny’s story resonated with you most. LET'S CONNECT: Amazon Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/verasticvera https://instagram.com/verastic https://www.linkedin.com/in/verastic/ https://facebook.com/vera.ezimora https://threads.com/verastic https://www.verastic.com

“I Am More Than My Scars” — Kechi Okwuchi on Faith, Healing & Survival After the Sosoliso Plane Crash

In this deeply moving episode of How Did You Get Here with Verastic, I sit down with Kechi Okwuchi — one of only two survivors of the tragic Sosoliso plane crash of 2005. Kechi’s story is one of unimaginable pain, miraculous survival, and powerful transformation. From surviving burns over 65% of her body to undergoing more than 100 surgeries, from competing on America’s Got Talent to becoming a motivational speaker and author of More Than My Scars, Kechi’s life is a testament to faith, resilience, and purpose. We talk about her recovery journey, the strength of her mother’s love, her unshakable faith in God, and how she decided that her scars would tell a story — but never define her. If you’ve ever faced loss, pain, or seasons of doubt, this conversation will remind you that there is life — and light — after trauma. Connect with Kechi: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kechiofficial/ Buy her book: https://amzn.to/3KwlhBw  Subscribe to my newsletter “Love Notes” for personal reflections and updates from me: http://eepurl.com/dc4Ptz [http://eepurl.com/dc4Ptz] How Did You Get Here with Verastic is a podcast that tells honest stories about how people became who they are — because, truly, those who are doing it do not have two heads. #KechiOkwuchi #HowDidYouGetHerePodcast #Verastic #SosolisoCrash #SurvivorStory #MoreThanMyScars #FaithAfterTrauma #WomenInspiration #LifeAfterPain #NigerianPodcast #HealingJourney

EP 29 How One Mom Is Raising Two Children On The Autism Spectrum ft. Lola Dada-Olley

The world is still learning about autism. And I, Vera Ezimora, know even less about autism. My first "real" experience with autism was when I got my first professional job after I graduated college. It was as a Service Coordinator, and I walked with individuals with intellectual disabilities. It seems like such a lifetime ago now. I learned so much from that job. When I came across today's guest, Lola Dada-Olley on Facebook (through her husband), I just knew I had to bring her on because she has so many different experiences, all rolled into one human being: she's a mom, a mom of two children on the spectrum, a Nigerian, a sister to someone on the spectrum, a lawyer, an advocate, a podcaster, a writer, and many other things. Honestly, I don't know how Lola does it. Sometimes, I complain about having such a full plate, and then, I meet dynamic unicorns like Lola Dada-Olley, and she just blows my mind away. Like how does she do it?! I asked Lola so many questions that she told me I was a tenured professor with a curriculum in asking loaded questions. I'm still smiling from that. Please listen to this episode and give Lola Dada-Olley a mental high-five. Or better yet, reach out to her through any of the following means. Also, check out Lola's TedX talk below. Connect with Lola Dada-Olley on her podcast [https://notyourmamasautism.com/] and on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/notyourmamasautism/]. BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE RATE AND LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-am-african-by-verastic/id1500826309]. THANK YOU! Let's connect: * I Am African on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamafricanpodcast/] * I Am African on Twitter [https://twitter.com/iamafricanpod] * I Am African on Facebook [https://facebook.com/groups/iamafricanpodcast] * Vera Ezimora on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/verastic] * Vera Ezimora on Twitter [https://twitter.com/verastic] * Vera Ezimora on Facebook [https://facebook.com/verastic] * Monthly love notes in your email [http://bit.ly/2TBKj5k] * Web: www.verastic.com [http://verastic.com/] * Email: iamafrican@verastic.com

EP 28: How To Save Money Even When You Think You Don't Have It ft. Ronke Odewumi

This pandemic needs to just go away. Am I right? Or am I right? A lot of things have changed permanently, thanks to the pandemic. For example, remote work, when possible, will probably always be the norm. Another thing is money: how much of it we wake, how much of it we have saved for a rainy day, etc. In today's episode, we have Ronke Adewumi, a finance expert, teaching us creative ways to save money and stop wasting it. Yes, even when you think you don't even have money or don't have enough of it. Let me tell you a bit about Ronke: Ronke is a Personal Finance expert and the creator of The Bulletproof Life program.  She has helped many people turn their lives around positively, simply by teaching them to adopt the Bulletproof Life which is about taking continuous actionable steps to achieve financial freedom, career progression, and business growth while living an intentional life.  Ronke shares her Bulletproof Life knowledge through her Youtube channel and social media accounts.  A Chartered Accountant (ACMA, CGMA) and Management Consultant with about 16 years of experience, Ronke, in her day job, has led and delivered finance and program management solutions for blue-chip companies in Europe, Africa, and Asia. She is a published author, serial entrepreneur, mum of two girls, married to an amazing man. At the time of this recording, Ronke was about to have a class. That class has since expired, but Ronke always has new classes scheduled, so don't fret. Connect with Ronke to find out more. Check her out on her website [https://ronkeodewumi.com/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaP78OLdmbyb2l-OHIRVVag], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ronkeodewumi/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Ronkeodewumipage], and Twitter [https://twitter.com/ronkeodewumi]. And you can email her too ronkeadewumi@gmail.com. BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE RATE AND LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-am-african-by-verastic/id1500826309]. THANK YOU! Let's connect: * I Am African on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamafricanpodcast/] * I Am African on Twitter [https://twitter.com/iamafricanpod] * I Am African on Facebook [https://facebook.com/groups/iamafricanpodcast] * Vera Ezimora on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/verastic] * Vera Ezimora on Twitter [https://twitter.com/verastic] * Vera Ezimora on Facebook [https://facebook.com/verastic] * Monthly love notes in your email [http://bit.ly/2TBKj5k] * Web: www.verastic.com [http://verastic.com/] * Email: iamafrican@verastic.com

EP 27: IVF and Male Factor Infertility ft. Nonsi Martins

Infertility is one of the many taboo conversations in the African community. In the Christian African community, it's even worse. For starters, the bible says that there will be barrenness in the land, so both preachers and the congregation they're preaching to are quick to remind women who are trying to conceive of this verse. It's almost as if the infertility is thereby invalidated and denied. The problem is that it's usually still there. And what about the fact that altar calls in church only call for women who want children, never men. Are men never infertile? In today's episode, Nonsi Martins, a Zimbabwean woman, tells us about the male factor infertility - infertility in the male. Her husband, a Nigerian man, is the one experiencing infertility, but they are in this journey together, and Nonsi speaks very candidly and openly about their IVF journey, the cause of her husband's infertility, and how their family feels about this information being out in the open. Noni Martins is a Zimbabwean-British blogger at unfertility.com [http://verastic.com/i-am-african-podcast/on-dating-as-a-divorced-dad.html] who hopes to break the silence, stigma and shame by demystifying the infertility & IVF journey.  She is an Office/Project Manager by day on projects that work towards eliminating modern slavery and child labor through responsible recruitment and supply chain solutions. Social issues are also close to her heart. You can find her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/unfertility/]. BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE RATE AND LEAVE A WRITTEN REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-am-african-by-verastic/id1500826309]. THANK YOU! Let's connect: * I Am African on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamafricanpodcast/] * I Am African on Twitter [https://twitter.com/iamafricanpod] * I Am African on Facebook [https://facebook.com/groups/iamafricanpodcast] * Vera Ezimora on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/verastic] * Vera Ezimora on Twitter [https://twitter.com/verastic] * Vera Ezimora on Facebook [https://facebook.com/verastic] * Monthly love notes in your email [http://bit.ly/2TBKj5k] * Web: www.verastic.com [http://verastic.com/] * Email: iamafrican@verastic.com All content © 2021 I Am African by Verastic.