Travel Episodes

This week on White Label American, join us for an inspiring chat with Nnenna—a lawyer, entrepreneur, and founder of Òrentéh, revolutionizing period care for Nigerian and African women. Her journey spans Lagos, Ibadan, Port-Harcourt, Abriba, and Texas, highlighting the resilience and richness of the African diaspora. Discover why she chose law over nursing, defied conventions to find her own path, and balanced motherhood with her career. Plus, you'll hear about our long-lasting friendship and the vibrant Abriba community. Tune in for a conversation about embracing yourself and your dreams. Share this episode with two friends who will love Nnenna's story!

Join Raphael and Zenith as they explore immigrant life from Zambia’s Copperbelt to the US, diving into culture shocks, childhood sports, Tonga naming traditions, practical tips on leveraging local resources (like libraries), the NFL, Super Bowl, and the legacy of family and cows in Zambian Tonga culture. Discover Assorted Immigrant Stories Podcast and learn about the power of community, everyday wisdom, and keeping heritage alive across continents.

Join host Raphael and chaos connoisseur Ashwin as they dive into the year's top movies like "Sinners" and unpack that wild “Weapons” ending. They'll debate must-see TV and music, and even share a Humans of New York tale that'll tug at your heartstrings. 2025 in review: From epic films to tech blunders like “Bugonia” and the Signal chat leak, Raphael and Ashwin are here to make you laugh, ponder, and maybe even shed a tear. Plus, hear their thoughts on tech billionaires needing a lesson in email etiquette, and catch what they're excited for in 2026—GTA 6, anyone? Perfect if you're looking for friendly banter and insightful chats!

Voodoo, also known as Juju or Oru, has faced stigma for centuries, often used to suppress African spirituality. In this episode, Baudelaire Ceus unveils his latest project, "The Vodou Project," a captivating documentary that traces the journey of voodoo from Benin to New Orleans, Cuba, and Haiti. Discover the rich history and vibrant culture of voodoo and why embracing curiosity over fear can be enlightening. Join us for a fun and insightful conversation. Support Baudelaire's work to help end the cycle of misunderstanding and celebrate African heritage!

Well, the break is over, and episodes of White Label American are back! Nothing beats having the true owner of the podcast step out from behind the scenes for that rare appearance and cause that annual mutiny on your host. I guess, since I haven't dropped an episode for you all in a year, I earned this beatdown. If you want the video of this episode, head over to our Patreon for that and plenty of bonus episodes that kept coming during the break.

Baudelaire Ceus is a professional podcaster and the child of Haitian immigrants. For the past three years, he’s been sharing stories through the Atlas Obscura Podcast, which dives into fascinating but lesser-known places around the globe. Baudelaire has a special passion for highlighting locations within the African Diaspora, from Los Angeles to Haiti to Benin and everywhere in between.

Tom Máthé is an introspective storyteller with roots in New Hampshire, Hungary and Transylvania, Tom is not just a writer; he's also a filmmaker, bartender, and educator. He shares a wealth of diverse experiences and insights, diving into his distinctive writing process and the challenges he faces.

Cav Manning shares his personal journey, highlighting the impact of cultural backgrounds on his life. This episode also explores the vibrant dance, music, and poetry that have come to define Cav Manning aka Comrade Cav. Tune in and come on this inspiring journey that will also take you to Tokyo. There's a bonus conversation behind the paywall.

First off, I want to apologize for the delay in releasing episodes. In this special Q & A episode, our regular favorite Ashwin joins White Label American host Raphael Harry as they dive into questions pulled from a deck of Poddecks (I forgot to say that during the recording).

In this heartwarming 6th anniversary episode, we celebrate six incredible years of our podcast with an extraordinary guest my six-year-old daughter! Join us as she shares delightful stories about her recent birthday, her favorite movies, and the sports she loves watching at the Olympics, like gymnastics and basketball. We also dive into her favorite activities with her dad, making this episode a perfect blend of nostalgia, joy, and family fun. Tune in for a memorable celebration of our journey and the wonderful moments that make it all worthwhile.

This episode was originally recorded in April 2021. Welcome to another episode of "White Label American." Nigeria just marked its 64th anniversary (Oct 1st, 1960), so we've pulled a gem from the archives for you. Host Raphael Harry chats with Maurice Tam

Ready for a gold-medal conversation? Today, we’re diving into the world of the Olympics with an all-star panel featuring Mimi Jacks, Dominic Lawson, and Weyu Hodge. From surprise victories to standout performances at Paris 2024, we’ve got the inside scoop on all the unforgettable moments.

We’re joined by the dynamic Tasia, who takes us on an inspiring journey from the world of music videos to the high-stakes arena of live TV events. Tasia shares her experiences working behind the scenes at monumental events like the Democratic National Convention and the Tony Awards, offering valuable insights into the meticulous planning and teamwork that makes live TV magic happen. We dive deep into Tasia's personal story, discussing her childhood aspirations, her freestyle career path, and ...

Join us as we explore Vlad’s captivating story, tracing his revolutionary beginnings in Romania, introspective days in Bermuda, and vibrant life in New York City. Born in Bucharest, Vlad’s childhood was painted with outdoor escapades and lofty dreams of becoming a Formula 1 driver. But his journey was far from typical. From hustling at his cousin's restaurant at age 14 to weathering the storm of the financial crisis while managing real estate, Vlad’s path took a dramatic turn. Eventually, he di...

This was an incredible conversation with the amazing Paula Sima. We dove deep into her fascinating journey from Tanzania to the UK and Malaysia, exploring food, culture, and the beauty of embracing new environments. Paula shared her passion for hospitality, her vibrant family traditions, and the inspiring story behind her podcast, Talk Shit with P. We also had some fun moments reminiscing about eclipse viewings and unforgettable childhood memories. Don't miss out on this episode; it's full of in...

I'm super excited to present an incredible conversation with the amazing Dominic Lawson, a multi award-winning podcaster, on the latest episode of "White Label American". Dominic takes us on a captivating journey from his humble beginnings in the Mar Terrace Projects of Memphis, Tennessee, to his well-deserved success as the host of "Black is America" and other highly acclaimed shows. In this episode, Dominic dives into the fascinating story behind his name, with its Italian origins, and shares...

Obinna Elechi, a man of many talents. Hailing from Nigeria, he's an architect, comic book artist, and painter all rolled into one. In his solo episode, he delves into the complexities of parenthood, the societal pressures to adhere to traditional life milestones, and the unique challenges of fatherhood. Obinna candidly shares his experiences of living in the Netherlands, his deep-rooted passion for football, and his personal struggle with identity as a Nigerian living abroad. Furthermore, he of...

The month of June commences with a distinguished guest, Kwesi Foli, the host and founder of the African Time Podcast. Kwesi expounds on the embracing of dual identities, discovering cultural affinities, navigating his creative evolution, and the tribulations associated with being a fervent supporter of the Black Stars national team. This recording was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and we trust that you found it to be the same. We always value your feedback. Please use the links provided be...

I'm sorry for not releasing an episode last week. Remember Ep 169? It was related to that. I'm excited to release my first solo episode with Grace Nkem (who appeared in Ep 166 & 167). Grace discusses important topics such as her concerns about the impact of AI technology on society and culture, as well as the commercialization of art. We also talk about her passion for pre-Christian, pre-colonial Igbo sculpture and its influence on early abstract painting, and her experiences with art and sculpt...

With Mother's Day being celebrated earlier in many parts of the world before the United States, I couldn't resist sharing one of my dream episodes - a recording with my incredible mother, Emelia Harry Akponwei. In this heartwarming episode, she opens up about her passion for dancing, her health challenges, love for Ijaw musicians, her favorite American food, and so much more. We dive into topics like humility, forgiveness, respect, trauma, history in Ghana, Nigerian-Ghanaian relations, blended f...

On our latest episode, we have a lineup of three incredible creatives: Amir Bey, Grace Nkem, and Obinna Elechi. They will captivate you with their inspiring stories, starting from their birth cities to their childhood memories and early sources of inspiration. Brace yourself as we take down the artificial walls that confine creativity! Our journey begins in Port Harcourt Nigeria, Tver Russia, New York, and Ann Arbor Michigan, but it doesn't stop there. We explore the boundless world beyond these...

I am thrilled to present the second part of my conversation with Jonaed Iqbal, the founder of NoDegree.com and NoDegree Podcast. Join us as we delve deeper into Jonaed's incredible journey from being the "good immigrant kid" to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Discover how he empowers his clients to pursue their dreams and passions while achieving their career goals. Our conversation takes us through the bustling streets of New York and the vibrant culture of Bangladesh. We also explore Jonae...

In this episode, titled "Immigrant Odyssey: Thriving in Unexpected Career Avenues", Raphael, engages in a dynamic conversation with guest Jonaed Iqbal, founder of Nodegree.com and the Nodegree podcast. Join us as we unpack the empowering narratives of immigrants and redefine paths to success. In this engaging episode, we delve into various captivating topics such as the significance of family in Bangladesh, unforgettable childhood moments, the multifaceted role of sports beyond mere entertainme...

We kicking off November with a recap of our time in Baltimore at the 5th Afros and Audio Podcasting Festival. There's a question for you at the bottom. Corey and Weyu (and me too) had the opportunity to attend the 5th Afros & Audio Podcast Festival in Baltimore. In this episode, they will be sharing their key takeaways, personal testimonies, and valuable advice for future participants. Let's dive in and discover what this festival has to offer! Attending the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival prov...