A Few Things

On this episode we talk about the richness of African literature and the vibrancy of the Kenyan bookish culture. Stacy Sakari runs the @pagepoetica on Instagram where she reviews and recommends books to her audience.
 
Instagram Links
Stacy Sakari - https://www.instagram.com/stacy.sakari/
Page Poetica - https://www.instagram.com/_pagepoetica/
Gatewall Media - https://www.instagram.com/gatewallmedia/
Medrine Nyambura - https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/
 
 
Books & Authors Referenced in the episode:
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/533857/homegoing-by-yaa-gyasi/9780385686150
Books by Leo Tolstoy - https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/128382.Leo_Tolstoy
Fyodor Dostoevsky - https://mostrecommendedbooks.com/series/fyodor-dostoevsky-books-in-order
How to Love Your Afro by Page Lewis - https://www.howtoloveyourafro.com/
My Life in Crime - https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/My-Life-in-Crime-John-Kiriamiti/14019879
Books by Barbara Kimenye - https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/454677.Barbara_Kimenye
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - https://www.chimamanda.com/americanah/
Sojourner by Nyambura Ng’ang’a - https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Sojourner/Nyambura-Nganga/9798683599836
Books by Buchi Emecheta - https://www.readersvibe.com/author/buchi-emecheta-256189e958
Books by Chinua Achebe - https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/chinua-achebe
African Writers Series - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/73176.African_Writers_Series
A Little Life - https://www.indigo.ca/products/a-little-life
The Color Purple - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52892857-the-color-purple
The First Woman by Jenniffer Nansubuga Makumbi - https://oneworld-publications.com/work/the-first-woman/
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga - https://www.graywolfpress.org/books/nervous-conditions
 
Bookstores in Nairobi, Kenya:
Savanis Book Centre - https://savanisbookcentre.co.ke/
Kibanga Books - https://kibangabooks.com/
Nuria Bookstore - https://nuriakenya.com/
Cheche Books - https://www.instagram.com/chechebooks/
 

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Where to Find Hallease
YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@hallease
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/Hallease
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hallease.mp4/
Skillshare - https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/learn-adobe-premiere-pro-and-edit-a-how-to-video-for-beginners/955239512
Stumble Well - https://stumblewell.com/
Webinar on how to run a creative business
Navigating Finances, Contracts and Budgets with Hallease Narvaez - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ietzq9KIF0o&t=2983s
 
Creative Work
Complexion of Law - A Legal Travel Series - https://www.behance.net/gallery/226773929/Complexion-of-Law-A-Legal-Travel-Series
This could have been an email - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUMkIIWfWAE
PBS Say It Loud - https://www.pbs.org/show/say-it-loud/
Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hallease/vanguard-a-dystopian-comic
 
 

I fell into an academic career and was sure that I had found my long life career. 7 years in I bid the halls of knowledge goodbye for what feels right in my gut. In the midst of external uncertainty, there is a solid internal clarity of where I am headed. 
In this episode I share my experience in academia as an international faculty member having been an international graduate student, my departure and a hopeful future.
If you are in academia and are needing support or would like to share your story, reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com 
Follow Me On Social Media 
Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/
Gatewall Media Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gatewallmedia/

If I asked how you feel about your hair, what would you say? Do you sigh at the thought of hair wash day? 
It has been a 16 year journey of discovering my hair, what she likes and what works for her. I can confidently say that I love my hair unconditionally. In this episode I walk us through the journey of how to love your African hair when the world screams otherwise. 
Also highlighted is a study that was done in the wake of the passing of the Crown Act in  2022. I hope by the time you are done,  you find a starting point on a recovery journey with your hair. 
 
Sources 
The CROWN Act: A jewel for combating racial discrimination in the workplace and classroom - https://www.epi.org/publication/crown-act/
Dove Partners with LinkedIn in support of The CROWN Act to Help End Race-Based Hair Discrimination in the Workplace - https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dove-partners-with-linkedin-in-support-of-the-crown-act-to-help-end-race-based-hair-discrimination-in-the-workplace-301748816.html
 
Recommended Media 
Hair Love | Oscar®-Winning Short Film (Full) | Sony Pictures Animation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNw8V_Fkw28
Hair Love By Matthew A. Cherry, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/585658/hair-love-by-matthew-a-cherry-illustrated-by-vashti-harrison/
Book: How To Love Your Fro by Paige Lewin - https://www.howtoloveyourafro.com/
Podcast: Texture Talks with Paige Lewin - https://www.texturetalks.com/about
 
Follow Me On Social Media 
Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/
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Someone told me a few years ago that no one was coming to save me. That was a foreign concept at that time but years later I have learned that the person we are waiting to save us is LITERALLY us. 
If you experienced a ton of trauma, this episode is a nudge for you to get your power back and get on with your life’s assignment. I hope one you find what you need to be brave again. 
For questions and feedback:
You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com 
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Follow me on Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/ 
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Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way showed up in my life when I literally couldn’t make any more excuses for why I was not doing creative work. My main struggle has been trusting that I have everything I need to begin and the anguish of creative stagnation was literally choking me. 
I do not promise that this book will make all your creative dreams come true, but may be it will offer a place to start.
For questions and feedback:
You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com 
Buy The Book: 
ThriftBooks - https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-artists-way-a-spiritual-path-to-higher-creativity-by-julia-cameron/248426/#edition=2583034&idiq=5437677
Barnes and Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-artists-way-julia-cameron/1123638709
Penguin Random House - https://www.penguinrandomhouseretail.com/book/?isbn=9780143129257 
 
Social Media
Follow me on Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/ 
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This episode was recorded on May 7th, 2024. I had just started A Few Things and as any podcaster would, I asked one of my friends to join me for an episode. Two years later, it is the episode I need in 2026. If you are contemplating stepping out on faith to walk in obedience, this episode is for you. 
Amber Majors is an art director who walked away from a senior role in obedience to what she feels is a call by God to use art to build community and restore creative joy in adults, beyond working on creative projects for a myriad of clients. She walks us through the decision of abandoning comfort to embrace the wonder of a faith journey.
 
Contact Amber Majors
You can find Amber Majors on her website - https://amberlatricecreative.com/about
 
For questions and feedback:
You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com 
 
Social Media
Follow me on Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/ 
Follow our work instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatewallmedia/
 
 

All immigrants are not perceived the same. Black Immigrants have to interrogate their identity in the face of the racial and class hierarchies in America. In navigating work, academic and social spaces, a Black Immigrant has to learn another language of how their blackness and ethnicity moves in these rooms. In this episode we look at how to navigate spaces as a Black Immigrant.
Are you a black immigrant? I’d love to hear from you.
- What has been your experience in navigating spaces as a black person and/or someone of your ethnicity? 
Send me your story on helloafewthings@gmail.com 
 
Social Media
Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/ 
Listen
Academic Asylum - https://open.spotify.com/show/05lTnkxEgCHNHtNn6tkCm4
Read
Check out my professional website - https://medrinenyambura.com/

I am not sure about you, but the world feels very dark right now and if you struggle with dark thoughts, each day probably feels like a mental minefield.  In this episode, I share insights from my own personal experiences with dark thoughts, researchers who have linked child verbal abuse to adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety and self-harm tendencies.
This episode shares how we can address the root of dark thoughts and practical ways to rewire our brains. There is a world where we have a healthy dialogue with our inner voice. To share your comments, feedback or personal experiences please send an email to info@gatewallmedia.com 
Sources
Neuropsychology Coach Iveta Harris founder of Neuropsychology Coaching, who has a Master’s degree in Neuroscience, and is completing her PhD in Neuropsychology, specializing in the connection between the mind, body, and healing - http://neuropsychologycoach.com/ 
As a neuroscientist, I’ve seen the impact of harsh words on children’s brains. We need to prevent childhood verbal abuse.
https://theconversation.com/as-a-neuroscientist-ive-seen-the-impact-of-harsh-words-on-childrens-brains-we-need-to-prevent-childhood-verbal-abuse-255533
Verbal Abuse: Definition, Signs, Examples, & What to Do https://www.choosingtherapy.com/verbal-abuse/
The Neuroscience of Journaling: How Expressive Writing Transforms the Mind and Body - https://neuropsychologycoach.com/neuropsychology-coaching-blog/the-neuroscience-of-journaling-how-expressive-writing-transforms-the-mind-and-body
 
For questions and feedback:
You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com 
 
Social Media
Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/ 
Follow me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/medrinehnyambura 
 
Listen
Academic Asylum - https://open.spotify.com/show/05lTnkxEgCHNHtNn6tkCm4
 
Read
Check out my professional website - https://medrinenyambura.com/

This episode focuses on fatherhood based on the book, Father Yourself First: Everything You Need to Become the Father Your Family Deserves by Glen Henry. My goal was to offer a resource with positive guidelines to fatherhood after the previous episode. I speak on this topic as someone who is constantly looking for positive parenting examples to share with you so we can all have a chance at positive parenting experiences.
Disclaimer: I am not a parent (yet 😊) so take everything I say with a tiny bit of salt.
For questions and feedback:
You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com 
Sources
Jackie Hill Perry Instagram post referenced on the episode - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVUWdE4kTHa/?img_index=1  
Book 
Father Yourself First: Everything You Need to Become the Father Your Family Deserves by Glen Henry
Christian Connection - https://www.christianconnection.biz/product/9781400252558
Thriftbooks - https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/father-yourself-first-everything-you-need-to-become-the-father-your-family-deserves/55138159/#edition=75322784&idiq=88502600
Christianbook - https://www.christianbook.com/father-yourself-everything-become-family-deserves/9781400253982/pd/132782EB
Watermark Christian Store - https://watermarkchristianstore.com/product/father-yourself-first/
For questions and feedback:
You can reach out to me on helloafewthings@gmail.com 
Read
Check out my professional website - https://medrinenyambura.com/
Social Media
Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/ 
Listen
Academic Asylum - https://open.spotify.com/show/05lTnkxEgCHNHtNn6tkCm4
Read
Check out my professional website - https://medrinenyambura.com/