A Few Things

Consider this episode a catch up and a progress report on going full time as a podcaster among many other side hustles. The goal is not to take life seriously.

Kofi Som-Pimpong is a digital creator, an engineer, a husband, a brother, a believer, and a son of Ghana and the American South. He shares his journey of growing up as a pastor's child, tumultuous 20s and the making of person he is today. He is on an extended leave from his job as an automotive engineer and is exploring the possibilities in content creation. His content creation focuses on Marriage, Fitness and Finances. We explore self-shame, the need for grace and why despite all the detours you end up exactly where you are supposed to be. 
 
Social Media 
Follow Kofi Som-Pimpong on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kofisompimpong/ 
Follow (his brother) Kwadwo Som-Pimpong on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craftedglory/ and you can find his wood working on the business website - https://www.craftedglory.com/contact
Gatewall Media - https://www.instagram.com/gatewallmedia/
Medrine Nyambura - https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/
 
Verse referenced in the podcast:
Ecclesiastes 11:9
You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
 
Quote referenced: 
As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. 
                                                                                                   ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
Resources from the episode 
Kanban Board Resources - https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering/what-is-kanban-board/ 
Stan Store - https://www.stan.store/ 
 
For feedback, questions or story pitch, email us at helloafewthings@gmail.com
 
 
 
 
 

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/
 

Send Your Feedback
Comment on Spotify 
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Send Email on helloafewthings@gmail.com
 
A Few Things Social Media
Follow Gatewall Media the home of all our podcasts - https://www.instagram.com/gatewallmedia/
Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@medrinenyambura
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/
Gatewall Media Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gatewallmedia/
 
 
 
 
 

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 
Social Media
Follow me on Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/medrinenyambura/ 
Follow our work instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatewallmedia/
 

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/ 
Follow our work instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatewallmedia/
 

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/