147: ”I Began Removing Walls During Basic Training” ft Raphael Harry

In honor of reaching 100 subscribers on YouTube, I'm releasing a special episode to reintroduce new listeners to myself! On December 17th, 2019, I was interviewed on White Label American and the episode was published on the 3rd of January 2020 - just a few months before the world changed so much. My friend Julienne Ryan (aka Jules) handled the interview and we're already working on Part II for my upcoming birthday in May. I'm also planning my first live stream of the year - stay tuned for more details!   On this episode of White Label American, Raphael opens up about his podcasting journey, recounting his experiences growing up in Nigeria and his struggles with insecurity. Listeners will learn how Raphael's encounters with different cultures and attitudes towards LGBTQ+ and Middle Eastern communities impacted his view of the world and his role in the military. He also shares the importance of accountability and the pushback he has received for prioritizing that over tribal loyalty. Through his in-depth conversations with guests, Raphael encourages listeners to be open-minded and account for different perspectives. Join Raphael on his journey to discover new cultures and stories, and be inspired to challenge your own views and beliefs.  

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    📚 Timestamped overview [00:02:58] Insecure about my own voice, met people, accepted the gift of talking, and created a platform to share knowledge. [00:15:26] Teenage resilience: Dancing at parties, fetching water, doing long walks, doing house chores, and talking to strangers. [00:22:08] Experiencing cultural diversity in Benin City, but feeling like an outsider in Ibadan due to Eurobas being the biggest tribe in the area. [00:24:54] Shock of not speaking Yoruba; experienced in Ibadan and Lagos. [00:30:38] Applied for the visa, denied twice, needed legal documents, photos, and DNA test. [00:42:39] Introduction to American society through military training. [00:47:35] Learned to accept those who are different and discovered people in the Middle East were more tolerant than expected. [00:52:23] Give others a chance, listen and learn, and don't judge without knowing. [01:06:15] Holding people in power accountable regardless of the tribe; Nigerian friends don't like criticism; patriotism is not defined by oppressing others. [01:14:36] Ignorance, power, and justice; self-accountability; surprise; support; poem; knowledge; new plans.