Overnight Wisdom 1m3l1b

Send us a text Today’s guest is Lola Akinmade, a Nigerian-born, U.S. raised and Sweden-based author, travel storyteller, photographer, and creative force whose work moves across borders and hearts. Through her bestselling novels, award-winning photography, and global expeditions, Lola captures the fullness of life with honesty, reverence, and grace. But more than just documenting the world, Lola writes and photographs to help us see each other more clearly, to create connection in a time of deep fragmentation. Whether she’s writing about the complexities of Black womanhood in Europe or reflecting on what it means to carry your voice across geographies, Lola does so with a kind of quiet courage that invites us to be more honest with ourselves. She is a National Geographic Explorer, founder of Geotraveler Media, and author of In Every Mirror She’s Black, Everything Is Not Enough and most recently, Bitter Honey. But more than her accolades, it is her unwavering commitment to truth and her belief in storytelling as a sacred act that makes her unforgettable. Lola s us today not just as a guest, but as a mirror — for those of us who have ever felt othered, muted, or unsure of where we belong. From listening to this episode with Lola Akinmade, you will gain: A Deep Understanding of Voice and Belonging Insight into the Sacredness of Storytelling Permission to Rest and Reclaim Joy Clarity on Navigating Identity in Global Spaces Reflections on Legacy, Integrity, and Enoughness: Wisdom on Creativity and Career: You will walk away with grounded, practical, and soul-deep advice about standing firm in purpose, resisting dilution, and thriving without assimilation. To connect with Lola or order her books: https://www.lolaakinmade.com/books/ Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:09 The Journey of Connection 02:51 The Power of Storytelling 06:45 Silence and Storytelling 10:05 Writing as a Therapeutic Process 13:58 Navigating Duality in Storytelling 17:32 Belonging and Home 20:51 The Complexity of Identity and Safety 25:15 Moments of Transformation 29:52 The Burden of Representation 33:33 Legacy and Impact 37:04 Seasons of Courage 42:29 Wisdom in Stillness 48:38 Finding Your Why 51:52 Outro ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Streaming & Social Links YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Chisom-Udeze Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5pD7OuPqWKDsd5ymoo7lSz Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/overnight-wisdom/id1804746544 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/overnight.wisdom/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/overnightwisdom/ RSS Feed https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2464633.rss Connect with Chisom on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chisomudeze/ Visit our website https://overnightwisdom.com/ Reach us at [email protected]

Send us a text Today’s guest is Michael Aboya, a self-taught Ghanaian photographer whose work doesn’t just capture images - it captures truth. With a lens attuned to emotion and a soul deeply invested in storytelling, Michael has emerged as one of Africa’s most celebrated visual artists. His photographs, rich with tenderness, dignity, and quiet power, have reframed how the world sees Black life, beauty, and being. Following the loss of his father in 2016, Michael made a bold decision: to pursue photography with everything he had, understanding that life’s fragility demanded authenticity. What has followed is a body of work that is as intimate as it is iconic. From his internationally acclaimed “Songs of Freedom” to his evocative portraits of everyday Ghanaians, Michael creates imagery that feels like memory and prayer all at once. He was the first Ghanaian artist featured on Adobe Lightroom’s splash screen, but more than accolades, it is his depth of presence, his reverence for his subjects, and his quiet devotion to truth that make him unforgettable. Today, we sit with a man who doesn’t just take photos. He listens with his camera - and shows us who we are. Buy the Limited Edition - Journey to the 8: https://www.issieditions.fr/en/products/michael-aboya-journey-to-the-8 Michael Aboya's Website: https://aboya8.com/ ----------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 01:08 The Impact of Personal Loss on Artistic Vision 11:03 The Journey to the Eight: Finding Purpose 15:13 Storytelling Through Imagery: The Emotional Connection 27:04 Reframing Narratives: The Beauty of Africa 30:43 Navigating Responsibility in Representation 34:12 Technical Mastery and Evolution in Photography 38:45 Songs of Freedom: A Powerful Image 42:42 The Importance of Community and Giving Back 44:47 Navigating Criticism and Finding Purpose 47:43 Reflections on Growth and Future Aspirations 51:50 The Healing Power of Photography 55:49 Whispers of Wisdom: Believing in Your Dreams ----------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Streaming & Social Links YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Chisom-Udeze Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5pD7OuPqWKDsd5ymoo7lSz Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/overnight-wisdom/id1804746544 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/overnight.wisdom/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/overnightwisdom/ RSS Feed https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2464633.rss Connect with Chisom on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chisomudeze/ Visit our website https://overnightwisdom.com/ Reach us at [email protected]

Send us a text Overnight Wisdom Podcast explores the personal philosophies, transformative moments, and quiet wisdom that shape how people live, lead, and create. It offers deep, reflective conversations that go beyond soundbites. It is anchored in truth, legacy, and cultural impact. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Streaming & Social Links YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Chisom-Udeze Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5pD7OuPqWKDsd5ymoo7lSz Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/overnight-wisdom/id1804746544 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/overnight.wisdom/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/overnightwisdom/ RSS Feed https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2464633.rss Connect with Chisom on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chisomudeze/ Visit our website https://overnightwisdom.com/ Reach us at [email protected]