Create Your Life Series

Written by: Kevin Y. Brown
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  • Summary

  • The Create Your Life Series is for Self-starters looking to live life on their own terms. Join award winning entrepreneur, author and speaker Kevin Y. Brown as he shares the Strategies Behind the Successes of today’s Trailblazers by uncovering experiences, daily habits and defining moments of high achievers from around the world. Learn more at cylseries.com
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Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Management & Leadership Psychology
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Episodes
  • CYLS 206: Pt. 2 - Africa X Media - Redefining Reality Through Transformative Storytelling with Moses ”Ras” Mutabaruka

    CYLS 206: Pt. 2 - Africa X Media - Redefining Reality Through Transformative Storytelling with Moses ”Ras” Mutabaruka
    Dec 12 2023
    Episode Summary On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, host Kevin Y Brown continues his conversation with Ras Mutabaruka, a former refugee, sharing an inspiring life story. After spending over a decade as a refugee, he found stability in Canada, which opened doors to education and resources. Initially aspiring to be a lawyer, his mindset shifted, leading to a passion for storytelling about Africa. From a blog to a magazine and documentary, the guest aimed to challenge stereotypes. This episode explores his college experience, professional journey as a public servant, and entrepreneurial ventures. Emphasizing authenticity and consistency, the guest discusses personal growth and leadership. The episode concludes with insights into community recognition and the ongoing pursuit of goals, highlighting resilience and the power of storytelling in his journey from refugee to visionary entrepreneur. Tune in to this episode of the Create Your Life series for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation. Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision. Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more… Ras Mutabaruka Ras Mutabaruka founded The African Perspective (TAP Media Ltd) after being frustrated with seeing how Africa and Africans were often portrayed in global media. TAP is a Pan-African media platform that tells African stories from an African perspective with a mission to rebrand Africa, one story at a time. Born in Rwanda during tumultuous times, he and his family sought refuge in neighboring countries. The journey eventually led him to Kenya, where he settled and found a sense of belonging amid a diverse community. His journey then took him to Canada for higher education. Before working on TAP full-time, and to give back to his once adopted country of Canada, he spent five years working as a public servant in the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) where he received three back to back Ministerial Awards of Merit for service to Canadians. Insights From the Episode How to use collaboration as a tool for growthEmphasizes the importance of networking and persistenceDiscussion surrounding Intrinsic Motivation in Entrepreneurship: countering negative narratives about Africa and staying true to personal values as intrinsic motivations in entrepreneurshipReflecting on the historical impact of media, emphasizing its responsibility to tell authentic and responsible storiesDiscussion about the evolution of entrepreneurial journeys, showcasing diverse ventures and experiences over the years Quotes from the Show “​​I stayed true to myself and for the times where I didn't stay true to myself. It ended up rerouting me and telling me that you should have stayed true to yourself. And so when you look at a life at your life, you know what I mean? I think it's important to be able to say that you chose what you did, not that somebody else chose it for you and that you followed other people. But that you did what you felt was the things that you wanted to do and that you needed to do.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #206“Real people do real things and you know, sometimes it comes at the expense of what could have been, you know, the easy route, the more financially sound route, right? But you know, when you look back at it, you can always say, you know, I'm happy to waive it for what I did because I know that I chose me.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #206“My commitment to building a bright future for Africa is to continue to tell African stories in all its forms, is to continue to bring out a part of Africa that people don't know is to continue to inspire, to challenge and to move the needle forward, I think and part of that and also a commitment I have for Africa and for Africans is to continue to be me to live my life to, to share my story.” - Ras Mutabaruka, Create Your Life Series, #206“My biggest challenge was probably my biggest blessing. My biggest challenge was when, when my, when my older sister returned back to our biological family when I was 10. That time after that trying to figure out life on my own without someone being there, who I was familiar with and who I had known since the beginning was definitely a challenge. And I think choosing to stay on the right path, in spite of everything happening around me, I think, you know what I mean was it was a challenge that definitely helped me to to become the...
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    36 mins
  • CYLS 205: Pt. 1 - Africa X Media - Redefining Reality Through Transformative Storytelling with Moses ”Ras” Mutabaruka

    CYLS 205: Pt. 1 - Africa X Media - Redefining Reality Through Transformative Storytelling with Moses ”Ras” Mutabaruka
    Nov 28 2023
    Episode Summary On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, host Kevin Y Brown welcomes a truly inspiring guest to the studio, Ras Mutabaruka. A storyteller, entrepreneur, and community builder, Ras’ life is a testament to resilience, vision, and an enduring love for the African continent. Delving into the challenges he faced and the transformative impact of facing a traumatic past, including his experiences during the genocide in Rwanda. He opens up about the deep scars left by those events and the long journey toward healing. Ras also reflects on the importance of speaking out about personal struggles and advocating for mental health support, breaking the silence that often surrounds such experiences. The conversation takes a turn as Ras shares lighter moments from his life, including his time in Canada, where he discovered his purpose and passion for storytelling. As he navigated cultural differences and stereotypes, he found strength in embracing his identity and heritage. Ras Mutabaruka’s journey exemplifies resilience, the power of storytelling, and the unwavering commitment to make a positive impact on the continent he calls home. Tune in to this episode of the Create Your Life series for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation. Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision. Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more… Ras Mutabaruka Ras Mutabaruka founded The African Perspective (TAP Media Ltd) after being frustrated with seeing how Africa and Africans were often portrayed in global media. TAP is a Pan-African media platform that tells African stories from an African perspective with a mission to rebrand Africa, one story at a time. Born in Rwanda during tumultuous times, he and his family sought refuge in neighboring countries. The journey eventually led him to Kenya, where he settled and found a sense of belonging amid a diverse community. His journey then took him to Canada for higher education. Before working on TAP full-time, and to give back to his once adopted country of Canada, he spent five years working as a public servant in the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) where he received three back to back Ministerial Awards of Merit for service to Canadians. Insights From the Episode Reflecting on the Rwandan Genocide, Ras Mutabaruka underscores the healing power of facing the pastEmphasis on the need to challenge stereotypes about AfricaMutabaruka shares experiences in CanadaDissatisfaction with Western media narratives inspires TAP Media, evolving from a blog to a magazine, focusing on science in AfricaImportance of remaining true to oneself and consistent for personal growth and successStrategies for Building a Platform: discussion surrounding transitioning from a blog to a magazine format broadens TAP Media's platform, leading to partnerships with prestigious institutionsStrategies for overcoming Imposter SyndromeHow to use collaboration as a tool for growth Quotes from the Show “... the narrative about Africa was still the same, probably even worse because the academia surrounding African people of African descent is really terrible… There's not that much that the academia says we've done and I found that to be a challenge… And then one time he hit me like, OK, you didn't go to journalism school, you not a, you know, you're not a journalist but you can write. So if you, if you don't like what other people are talking about, you or your country or your continent do something about it.” - Ras Mutabaruka, Create Your Life Series, #205“the BBC says this, the CNN says the BBC is a British Broadcasting Corporation. They have their agenda, they are speaking for the British audience. So I'm like, so who, who's speaking for Africa or for Africans? And so it started out as a, as actually started very humble beginning, starts out as Facebook note. I would like write like notes about facts and things about Africa.” - Ras Mutabaruka, Create Your Life Series, #205“It's a pleasure to know you as a leader and someone who, you know what I mean has I, I would say rose to the occasion or accepted the challenge of being a leader, being a dynamic person.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #205“Create a group, create an insider group of people who can see the things you are doing and if they, and, and, and you can trust their feedback, of course, you're still the executive of your own story.” - Ras ...
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    43 mins
  • CYLS 204: Africa X Podcasting - The Rhythm of Innovation: A Deep Dive into the Data Driving Africa’s Podcasting Renaissance with Angela Machua

    CYLS 204: Africa X Podcasting - The Rhythm of Innovation: A Deep Dive into the Data Driving Africa’s Podcasting Renaissance with Angela Machua
    Nov 14 2023
    Episode Summary On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, Angela, host of Zen Moments, discusses the transformative power of podcasting, particularly for the youth. She emphasizes the platform's freedom for self-expression without limitations and encouraging aspiring creators to explore the diverse world of podcasting. Angela shares personal anecdotes, highlighting the role of mentorship, discipline, and motivation in her journey. The conversation delves into lessons learned in podcasting, such as the importance of time investment and planning. Angela reflects on moments when she contemplated giving up but found motivation in the positive impact her podcast had on strangers. The episode concludes with Angela expressing her commitment to shaping a vibrant future for Africa, particularly in the podcasting industry, aiming for inclusivity and financial opportunities. In the rapid-fire segment, Angela discusses favorite productivity apps, commitment to personal growth, and her love for art. The episode ends with Angela turning the tables, posing three unscripted questions to host Kevin Brown, adding a lighthearted and engaging touch to the conversation. Kevin Y. Brown Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision. Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more… Angela Machua Angela Machua, host of the impactful podcast "Zen Moments," is a trailblazer in the world of podcasting, advocating for limitless self-expression and empowering youth to embrace content creation without constraints. Her journey reflects resilience, disciplined commitment to personal growth, and overcoming moments of self-doubt. Angela's story is one of unwavering determination, embracing the challenges of podcasting with grace. Beyond her podcast, she is a talented graphic artist and is dedicated to elevating the podcasting industry in Africa, making it accessible and financially viable for creators. In essence, Angela Machua's life is a testament to the power of resilience, self-discovery, and pursuing passions, inspiring others to embark on their unique journeys with purpose. Insights From the Episode Importance of Africans telling their own stories without translation when needed to maintain accuracy and authenticityHow to maintain the integrity of the story: directly sharing ensures that the narrative isn’t influenced by external perceptionsSignificance of persevering in the face of challenges and chasing what you are passionate about: Angela’s drive for learning outside of office hours is emphasized in reference to her growth in the podcasting industryAngela’s approach to understanding challenges faced by new podcastersStatistics of podcast listenersPodcast listening behaviorAdvice for new podcastersImportance of mentorshipDiscussion of key elements of personal growthConversation surrounding how to create the life you want, from the perspective of Angela Quotes from the Show “​​… it's important for us as Africans to tell our own story the way we want to tell it. If we don't want to translate it, say it as it is because that's how it comes accurate and because sometimes things can get lost in translation.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204“It's been amazing to see your growth and watch you as this person who essentially to me, I've been watching your evolution going from a project manager who was primarily dealing in finance to I call you, that's my personal moniker for you, the data maven of African podcasting.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #204“Podcasting is so important because it gives you the individual the space to be who you want to be. There's no limitations in podcasting and I think that's what makes it different from other platforms. As a young creator, you're able to express yourself how you want to without any limits. And I think that it's important for the youth to be able to get into content creation as they would like without being told this is how you have to do it. And because I feel like that cripples creativity and podcasting has opened up that space that anyone can be anything they want to be.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204“Mentorship is important also because sometimes you might feel like I'm just doing something, you are only looking at the now, but with mentorship you're able to see the entire growth journey.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204“I feel like imposter syndrome is something that a lot ...
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    40 mins

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