“Nobody is born bitter, sadness is put upon us.”

In this deeply moving episode of A SEAT WITH ME, I sit down with author, translator, and truth-teller Christina Fonthes to explore the quiet wounds we inherit, and the ones we choose to heal. Christina’s debut novel, Where You Go, I Will Go, unravels the tangled threads of a mother(s)-daughter relationship shaped by migration, silence, queerness, and love. But this conversation isn’t just about the book, it’s about the life behind the story.

Together, we talk about:

• Grief, generational trauma, and the emotional cost of being the first daughter

• Queerness within African families and diasporic shame

• The hidden struggle of working-class writers trying to survive and create

• The power of storytelling as resistance, healing, and rebirth

• How art gives us permission to speak what silence buried

Whether you’re a writer, a daughter, a dreamer, or someone searching for home in your own story… this conversation is for you.

So come and take,


A Seat With Me.

👤 WHERE TO FIND CHRISTINA:

https://christinafonthes.com

📚 GET THE BOOK:
Where You Go, I Will Go (available now in English & German) - https://christinafonthes.com

🔗 LINKS:
https://www.aseatwithme.com/newsletter

📫 WRITE ME:

aseatwithmepodcast@gmail.com

www.aseatwithme.com

📚THE BOOKCLUB:


https://www.instagram.com/rootsandpagesreads/

👤 WHERE TO FIND ME:

https://www.tiktok.com/@soleneallcaps

https://www.instagram.com/soleneallcaps

With Love, always,

Solène ☀️

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

👤 WHERE TO FIND:
My bookclub Roots & Pages:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rootsandpagesreads/
Join the circle: http://aseatwithme.com/rootsandpages

🔗 LINKS:
The bookclub Roots & Pages: http://aseatwithme.com/rootsandpages
https://www.aseatwithme.com/newsletter


📫 WRITE ME:

aseatwithmepodcast@gmail.com
www.aseatwithme.com

👤 WHERE TO FIND ME:
https://www.tiktok.com/@soleneallcaps
https://www.instagram.com/soleneallcaps

With Love, always,

Solène ☀️

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The road to success is paved with failures. Big failures, small failure, private and public failure. Today we discuss the strength that comes from embracing your failures in public.

This week’s episode invites you to explore the crucial lessons learned from failing in front of others. We discuss how putting yourself out there can build resilience, boost your confidence, and attract the right people into your life. You'll also hear about the importance of being visible and the transformative journey some well-known figures took before achieving success. I answer some questions about the fear of public failure and the hidden power it holds in shaping your path to success.

So come and take,

A Seat With Me

🔗 LINKS

https://www.aseatwithme.com/newsletter

📫 WRITE ME:
aseatwithmepodcast@gmail.com

www.aseatwithme.com

👤 WHERE TO FIND ME:

https://www.tiktok.com/@soleneallcaps

https://www.instagram.com/soleneallcaps

With Love, always,

Solène ☀️

#Motivation #Failure #PublicSpeaking #GrowthMindset #inspiration

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When you find yourself stuck between where you've been and where you want to be, how can you navigate these tricky times?

This week’s episode explores the concept of the “Messy Middle," a phase of uncertainty that everyone faces. We answer questions about overcoming doubts, sustaining motivation, trusting the journey despite setbacks, and I give you a “Messy Middle Survival Kit”. Gain insights into how to work through moments of chaos and confusion while understanding that your reality is simply a response to past beliefs and patterns. The goal is to learn how to move forward when nothing seems to be changing and how believing in your vision is key to manifesting your goals!

So come and take,

A Seat With Me

👤 WHERE TO FIND:

My bookclub Roots & Pages: http://aseatwithme.com/rootsandpages

InterKontinental (bookstore):

InterKontinental IG: https://www.instagram.com/ikontinental/

InterKontinental Website: https://interkontinental.org

InterKontinental Adress: Sonntagstr. 26, 10245 Berlin

The African Book Festival: afribanbookfestival.de (Come swing by!)

🔗 LINKS:

The bookclub Roots & Pages: http://aseatwithme.com/rootsandpages

https://www.aseatwithme.com/newsletter

📫 WRITE ME:
aseatwithmepodcast@gmail.com

www.aseatwithme.com

👤 WHERE TO FIND ME:

https://www.tiktok.com/@soleneallcaps

https://www.instagram.com/soleneallcaps

With Love, always,

Solène ☀️

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today we are talkings about Ambition. Although I will always promote Ambition, and tell you to be more ambitious, dreams bigger and all, being ambitious comes with an emotional cost. Let’s talk about how ambition can shape your life and what it truly costs. Are you ready to explore the fine line between chasing more and finding fulfilment? In this episode I delve into the impact of ambition on our lives, discussing how wanting more can lead to both achievement and potential pitfalls. We learn about the balance between striving for success and appreciating what you already have (!). Find out how ambition influences your happiness and the decisions you make, and gain insights on how to channel your desire for more in a healthy, productive way.

So come and take,

A Seat With Me.

📚 BOOK MENTIONED:
“The Gap and The Gain” by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear

🔗 LINKS:
https://www.aseatwithme.com/newsletter

📫 WRITE ME:

aseatwithmepodcast@gmail.com
www.aseatwithme.com

👤 WHERE TO FIND ME:
https://www.tiktok.com/@soleneallcaps
https://www.instagram.com/soleneallcaps

With Love, always,
Solène ☀️

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Let’s talk about Purpose today. I’ve always wondered: does our purpose stay the same, where you born with it or can it evolve as we change?

Whether it’s something that can shift as we grow or something we are meant to return to?

This episode explores whether our purpose changes with different life seasons or if we hold on to a singular purpose throughout life. We address important questions such as: What is purpose? How do we find it? Can purpose evolve as we grow older and gain new experiences? I give you a unique perspective on how the whispers of your soul guide you, showing that discovering your purpose involves peeling back layers of societal expectations and fears to reconnect with your true self.

So come and take,

A Seat With Me

🔗 LINKS

https://www.aseatwithme.com/newsletter

📫 WRITE ME:
aseatwithmepodcast@gmail.com

www.aseatwithme.com

👤 WHERE TO FIND ME:

https://www.tiktok.com/@soleneallcaps

https://www.instagram.com/soleneallcaps

With Love, always,

Solène ☀️

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Don’t do it for you, do it for them. That is my philosophy regarding Purpose. I want to help you understand that your purpose isn't just about personal fulfilment. Your purpose is an act of service to others. That’s why I believe ‘don’t do it for you ,do it for them." Many people talk about purpose, but often in a self-centered way, it’s time to change that.

In today’s episode, discover how to illuminate your path and inspire others by embracing your own purpose. I discuss the profound concept of purpose, emphasising that it goes beyond personal fulfilment. I’m giving you key insights including: understanding that your purpose is not just for you; it's an act of service that can create a ripple effect throughout your community and the world. Learn how to connect your unique talents with the world’s needs and the importance of community in discovering your purpose. We also address the challenge of overcoming fear and isolation, showing that stepping into your purpose can lead to both personal growth and the upliftment of others.

So come and take,

A Seat With Me

🔗 LINKS

https://www.aseatwithme.com/newsletter

📫 WRITE ME:
aseatwithmepodcast@gmail.com

www.aseatwithme.com

👤 WHERE TO FIND ME:

https://www.tiktok.com/@soleneallcaps

https://www.instagram.com/soleneallcaps

With Love, always,

Solène ☀️

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Have you ever had a moment when it’s just hard to believe? In your dream, your worth, your path, your prayer? This episode is for that moment: when nothing makes sense and belief feels out of reach, when you are struggling to keep going, when doubts start creeping in. In today's episode, we explore the complexities of believing in yourself when life gets tough. We answer questions like: How do we maintain faith during challenging times? What is the importance of surrendering control? How can you deal with setbacks and uncertainty while still pursuing your dreams? Learn how to navigate the turbulent waters of doubt and trust the unfolding of your life’s journey.

So come and take,

A SEAT WITH ME

👤 WHERE TO FIND:
Hallease YT: https://www.youtube.com/@hallease

Hallease IG: https://www.instagram.com/hallease.mp4

📚 SONG MENTIONED:
The Art of Surrender - GoldFord : https://open.spotify.com/track/6wdAUucLLvE5yLSpoUhVA8?si=fdb04f7e5f164588

🔗 LINKS:
https://www.aseatwithme.com/newsletter

📫 WRITE ME:

aseatwithmepodcast@gmail.com
www.aseatwithme.com

👤 WHERE TO FIND ME:
https://www.tiktok.com/@soleneallcaps
https://www.instagram.com/soleneallcaps

With Love, always,

Solène ☀️

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.