Heeey!

Happy New Month! Happy Pride Month!

How is life treating you these days?

Well, I don’t really know how I feel about life at the moment. The only thing on my mind are the South African Election results and the negotiations that are taking place between the political parties. The country is in untested waters, where the dominant African National Congress (ANC) lost the national elections for the first time in the country’s 30-year old democracy. You can read more about my two cents on the outcome, later in the newsletter. The official results were announced and elections declared free and fair this past weekend, amidst threats of disruption from “dissatisfied” quarters - but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Before we get into all of that, a reminder to share this newsletter and ask your friends to ask their friends too to join the squad and subscribe.

Here’s how we’re doing in this edition:

-Studio Update

-Companion Listening

-Broken Promises

-Giving Me Joy

Alright pod friends, time to get to business. LET’S GO!

STUDIO UPDATE

HEALING RACIAL TRAUMA

In the latest episode, Lizzy Hudson and I talk all things South African and American. We are both from South Africa and connected on social media while living in Seattle. I have previously been a guest on Lizzy’s podcast, Live to Thrive talking about our experiences as Southern African immigrants in the Pacific Northwest. This time around we discuss the importance of providing a platform for people of color to share their stories and how these narratives can impact others. We also get deeper in to Lizzy’s personal story, which includes growing up in apartheid South Africa, being a cross-racial adoptee and how the murder of George Floyd sparked her latest journey in to healing and podcasting.

COMPANION LISTENING

THRIVING ABROAD

One of my favorite interviews on Shades and Layers is a conversation with Nkuli Mlangeni Berg, who has the sustainable and handmade interior design studio, The Ninevites. Based out of Southern Sweden, she collaborates with makers across the African continent and South America to create unique pieces that are inspired by the geometric patterns of different tribal groups in South and West Africa. Her operation is structured to support local artisans and preserve African cultural heritage. Our conversation about her approach to work and artistry will leave you inspired to make something, anything!

ON MY MIND THIS MONTH: BROKEN PROMISES