A deep dive into the 2026 World Cup moment — and what it really means for African fans.

In this episode, we break down:

• What the FIFA PASS actually is (and isn’t)

• The emotion and pride surrounding AFCON, Zambia 2012, Ghana 2010, and Africa’s 10-team milestone

• The reality of U.S. travel bans affecting fans from qualifying nations

• And the quiet pause of the Diversity Visa Lottery following recent U.S. events

It’s about sport, yes — but also about access, memory, migration, and the bittersweet experience of cheering from afar.

🎧 Tune in for truth, heart, and perspective — from the stadium to the screen, and everywhere in between.

When I first came to the U.S., the only library I knew was in Towson. I took buses just to check my email—sometimes months apart—because I didn’t yet understand how accessible public and student libraries really were.

In this episode, I reflect on how libraries quietly supported my journey as an international student: free internet, quiet study spaces, and access to university libraries simply by having a student ID.

I also share what reignited this conversation for me—an appreciation talk with my former primary school headmistress, memories of borrowed books and office libraries, conversations with fellow podcasters building libraries across Africa, and recent reminders that libraries are still deeply relevant in a world of TikTok and short-form content.

Most importantly, I talk about discovering library programs for children—reading, music, play areas, computers—when my son needed them most, and realizing we could have been using these resources years earlier.

Libraries are not just for studying. They are community spaces, creative spaces, and places of access. Whether you’re new to America or thinking about libraries back home, don’t sleep on them.

It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and I’m still smiling from yesterday — the food, the laughter, the football, and the simple joy of making memories. In this episode, I reflect on what it means to immerse yourself in the things Americans love, even when those traditions weren’t part of the world you came from.

I share my own journey: from working holidays for time-and-a-half, to slowly learning that building community, enjoying a good game of football, baking with my son, and creating new traditions can be just as meaningful as the ones we grew up with. You’ll hear how working only with fellow immigrants shaped the advice I received early on — things like “don’t invest,” “don’t stay,” “don’t buy a house” — and how stepping into more diverse spaces opened my eyes to opportunities I wish I had known sooner.

Football was never part of my life growing up in Zambia, yet here I am, a proud Baltimore Ravens fan. And yes — I finally understand the love for Lamar Jackson! I also share why Thanksgiving holds a special place in my heart, especially the baking, which connects me deeply to memories of my mother.

I touch in the money conversations people keep asking me for (that needs its own series!), the joy of building a village, and why I’m now committed to sharing books by Black American authors so we better understand the shoulders we stand on.

Yes, Thanksgiving is complicated. And football isn’t the only way to immerse yourself in American culture. But for me, these two have become beautiful entry points into belonging, connection, and gratitude.

A reminder that there are countless ways to immerse yourself in your new home while honoring the one you came from.