CYLS 204: Africa X Podcasting - The Rhythm of Innovation: A Deep Dive into the Data Driving Africa’s Podcasting Renaissance with Angela Machua

Create Your Life Series

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 authenticity
• How to maintain the integrity of the story: directly sharing ensures that the narrative isn’t influenced by external perceptions
• Significance 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 industry
• Angela’s approach to understanding challenges faced by new podcasters
• Statistics of podcast listeners
• Podcast listening behavior
• Advice for new podcasters
• Importance of mentorship
• Discussion of key elements of personal growth
• Conversation 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 of people struggle with, but if you just decide and tell yourself this is not real, you can do what you want to do and there are no limits, you can go ahead.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204
• “​​We need to build a platform or an industry that is easily accessible by everybody… make it possible for people to make a living out of podcasting. Because content creation, yes, it's still a new thing, but it's a viable option for monetizing yourself, whether you're a company or you're just trying to build your own brand, your personal brand or your company brand. We need to make the space viable for everyone to be able to be successful. And my commitment in that is just being involved in the industry in whatever capacity, but mainly in data to push for platforms to provide the space for this to be possible.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204

Resources Mentioned

• Notion
• Akiflow

Favorite Book

• The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho

Favorite Quote

• “Just do it.” - Nike

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

1. Visioning and Goal Setting:

Angela emphasizes the importance of envisioning the life you want and writing down your goals. Breaking down these goals into achievable steps, whether monthly or weekly, helps track progress and encourages a sense of accomplishment.

1. Taking Action:

Angela advocates for taking action without waiting for the "perfect" moment. She suggests breaking down tasks into manageable steps and enjoying the journey of personal development, growth, and achievement.

1. Enjoying the Journey:

Angela highlights the significance of finding joy in the process of pursuing your goals. It's not just about reaching the end goal but relishing in the experiences, growth, and connections made along the way.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

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Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Angela Machua

Linkedin: Angela Machua
Instagram: @angela_machua

Podcast: Zen Moments (Afripods, Apple, Spotify)

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This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com).