Life As We See It Podcast with with Zuki

Odcinki

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  15 years living in America... hard truths and lessons i've learned 15.09.2026 20min

  I reminisced on 15 years living in America... hard truths and lessons i've learned. I migrated to America in September of 2011 from Nigeria and i must say it's been a very interesting journey. In this episode, I shared 7 lessons and hard truths I've come to realize after living in America for 15 years. Even though America is a land of opportunities, those opportunities do not always translate to success, you have to work at it. As an African immigrant living in America, you face a lot of unique challenges in so many spaces and knowing how to navigate them will determine your success. I spoke about navigating work, money, identity, friendships, relationships, etc and how to stay happy and successful. This episode is for anyone living in America or abroad or anyone interested in moving abroad or just curious about what living in America as an immigrant looks like. Thank you for watching, pls like, comment share and subscribe. #livinginamerica #livingabroad #africansabroad #diaspora #immigrantlife #japa #movingtoamerica Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  8 things people living abroad might be hiding from you 08.09.2026 16min

  On this episode i spoke about what people living abroad might be hiding from you. A lot of Africans migrate to foreign countries like the US, UK, Canada, etc seeking greener pastures however the journey/path to succeeding in those countries are sometimes wrought with challenges and struggles they never anticipated. Because of that, they might want to hide the true situation of things from their family and friends back home in Africa. Sometimes that decision comes froma place of protecting their families from worrying about them or it could come from a place of survival and keeping hopes alive. I shared top 8 reasons why people abroad might be hiding thinsg from you and how you can support and encourage them. This episode is for everyone living abroad or someone who has family or friends living abroad. I hope some of the insights shared here helps you understand the struggles people living abroad are experiencing. Thanks for watching. #livingabroad #livinginamerica #abroadlife #livingincanada #livinginUK Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  Living in America: I wish i knew these things before moving to the US 15 years ago 01.09.2026 20min

  On this episode, I spoke about living in America: 7 things i wish i knew before moving to America 15 years ago. I relocated to the US from Nigeria in 2011 as an adult in my early 30s. Prior to my move, all i knew about living in America was was what i saw portrayed on TV, movies and American books/novels. When i moved here, I realized i didn't take a lot of things into consideration and I was taken aback when reality set in. I listed out some valuable lessons and things i wish i knew prior to moving to America. As an African immigrant, i had assumed it will be easy to connect with the African American folks because we're blacks but was I in for a rude shock?! :-). I listed out 7 things i wish i would have known or someone would have told me before moving to America which included things like dealing with loneliness, time moving fast, speaking up for yourself, etc... This episode is for anyone who is curious about living in America as an immigrant or someone who is planning to relocate to a different country abroad. The lessons/tips i share on this episode will be very helpful for you. Hope you enjoyed this episode? Pls Like, Share, Comment and Subscribe. Thank you! #livinginamerica #usa #livingabroad #nigerianabroad #africansabroad #japa #diasporaPlease Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  Silent struggle immigrants face sending money back home 25.08.2026 31min

  We discussed the silent struggles of some immigrants sending money back to Africa to support their families. We talked about "black tax" and the sense of responsibility a lot of us feel to support our families back in Nigeria due to the communal lifestyle we grew up in where we feel a sense of duty to our own people. Dr Toyosi talked about how even though her mom and siblings do not expect financial support from her, she still supports them due to that sense of responsibility she has as the first child & first daughter in a Nigerian household where she is culturally expected to support. We talked about the root of entitlement some people demonstrate towards other people's resources, especially people living abroad. Toyosi shares how the family unit plays a huge role in how people act around money and feelings of entitlement. Some immigrants contribute to this problem by giving off the impression that things are rosy and easy for them abroad. We need to be careful of the message we send to people back home so that it doesn't encourage "request overload" from them. Toyosi shared how to put up and maintain strong boundaries when it comes to family members or relatives making asking incessant requests so that you don't get overwhelmed. This episode is for everyone who is the bread winner of their family and constantly weighed down with un-ending demands from family, friends or relative back home. Know that you're not alone. Thanks for watching. Pls like, comment, share and subscribe! #blacktax #africansabroad #familysupport #africansindiaspora #nigeriansindiaspora #entitlement #financialsupport Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  How i became a doctor in the US (in under 4 years) w/ Dr Toyosi 18.08.2026 49min

  In this episode Dr Toyosi shares how she became a medical doctor in the US in under 4 years. Dr Toyosi relocated to the US from Nigeria in 2022 and lives in Oregon with her husband and 2 lovely kids. She completed pre-med and medical school in Nigeria and always had the dream of moving to America to practice medicine. Upon graduating from medical school, she started working at a private practice and took the bold step to register for the US medical board exams (USMLE) while in Africa. She saved up a lot to be able to register for the exams and also had the support of her family. She talked about meeting her husband (who was also a doctoral student) on one of her visits to the US and he has become her greatest cheerleader and support since then. After writing and passing part 1 of the USMLE exams in Africa, she moved to the US shortly afterwards to join her husband in 2022. Upon getting to the US, she wrote and passed the remaining USMLE exams and got placed almost immediately for residency in her hospital of choice. Having recently completed her residency, she is now getting ready to get started on her Fellowship in clinical informatics after her maternity leave.This episode is for anyone who is curious about going to medical school, training to become a doctor, or just driven and inspired to succeed in life. Dr Toyosi is a well rounded and grounded individual whose story will inspire you. Thanks for watching, Please like, comment, share and subscribe. #doctor #becomingadoctor #medicalstudents #medicine #immigrantsuccess #nigerianabroad #africansabroad Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  The reality of living alone abroad in your 40s 11.08.2026 18min

  In this episode, i talked about the reality of living alone abroad in your 40s as a single woman. Living in a foreign country as an immigrant without family or close community of friends can be an isolating and very lonely experience, I talked about the highs and lows of living alone in America as a single woman with no husband or kids. Loneliness hits differently when you live abroad because it often feels like even though people see you, they do not really know you like your own people do. Living alone has its upsides because it gives you the opportunity to be by yourself and ruminate on your own thoughts and get to know yourself better. However, it can often be very isolating. I talked about the concerns and fears associated with growing old abroad, community is very key for thriving in your older post retirement years. I also talked about intentionally prioritizing finding your people abroad as they will help you through difficult times. This episode is for anyone who is considering moving/relocating abroad or anyone curious about what it feels like living alone in another country. It provides tips and personal anecdotal experiences that hopefully should help you. Thank you for watching, pls like, comment, share and subscribe. Thank you. #livingabroad #livingalone #movingabroad #africansabroad #americansabroad #abroadliving Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  My wife almost left me. How I helped save our 20 year happy marriage w/ Pesa Shayo 04.08.2026 39min

  In this episode, i interviewed Pesa Shayo, who shared the mindset that almost cost him his marriage but now, he is happily married for over 20 years. Pesa is a relationship expert and co founder of live your best marriage. He is Kenyan, married to an American woman Whitney, they have 4 beautiful daughters and are thriving in their marriage. He shared the challenges he encountered being in an interracial/intercultural relationship. He and his wife faced some challenges at the early phases of their marriage due to cultural differences and expectations. It was only when his wife threatened a divorce during their 10th year marriage anniversary did he begin to look inwards and challenge some of the cultural beliefs he believed on what the role of a husband should be. As an African, raised in a different culture, he admitted he had a wrong mindset on how a husband should show up in a marriage. His wife on the other hand, believed in a 50-50 type of partnership and they both came up with what works for their marriage. I also asked him some hot topic questions regarding African relationship and marriages & he offered great advice and questions of them In this episode, Pesa shares tips on how couples can navigate differences arising from in-law conflicts, having difficult conversations, handling marital conflicts, dealing with race issues, etc. If you're married, in an interracial or intercultural relationship, this episode is for you. Pesa's strategies are easy to follow and relatable. Hope you enjoyed this episode. Pls like, share comment and subscribe. Thank you #marriage #maritalconflict #inlawconflict #happilyeverafter #marriedlife #interculturalmarriage Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  Why i stopped seeking mentors as a grown woman 28.07.2026 18min

  In this episode i shared how trusting mentors messed with me. While having a mentor is fantastic, falling into the hand of a bad one will greatly slow you down and potentially short-circuit your destiny. I hear so many people push the narrative of mentorship and how everyone needs a mentor to succeed in life. That hasn't been my own personal experience as the mentors i've had in the past have rather hindered my growth and success. Choosing a mentor is one you must do very carefully so that you don't fall for the wrong person. Also, instead of waiting to be chosen by a mentor, you can choose to allow life and your past failures/experiences mentor you. Being in a community of like minded individuals can also be a source of mentorship for you, cos you learn from each other. Listening to growth channels on YouTube or podcasts can also be a useful resource for you. One of the downfalls of having an insecure person as a mentor is that they kept you down so you don't outgrow them, they keep you needing their validation and permission to soar, they keep you second guessing your decisions. The effect of having a bad mentor can be life altering so it's important you take choosing a mentor (if you absolutely need one) seriously. Hope you enjoyed this episode. Please like, share comment and subscribe. Thank you #mentor #lifelessons #growthPlease Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  I've worked 22 years & feel like I have nothing to show for it 21.07.2026 16min

  On this personal episode, i share how I've worked for 22 years & yet feel like I have nothing to show for it. I basically reflected on my last 22 years work history. I talked about the financial obligations, surviving & comparisons that seem to drown out my efforts in building meaningful wealth over the years. I find myself playing the comparison game to other people on social media (Linkedin particularly) which often leaves me wondering if i am making any progress at all. I also talked about the financial obligations I have as an African immigrant to support my community back in home in Africa and also how parenting and raising children can have a huge impact on how much wealth one is able to build. I talked about how i have been able to redefine success for myself, i do not measure my success by how fat my bank account is but by how much I've been able to support others/help them actualize their dreams. Surviving is something that comes hand in hand with being an adult, because even though my current 9-5 job doesn't fulfill me, i have to keep grinding and striving at it because it is the source of my daily sustenance. And instead try to find hobbies or other interests (e.g. podcasting & YouTube) that can give me a sense of purpose. This episode is loaded with so much insights and advice for anyone who is in a similar situation.This episode is for anyone who is curious or who is working at a job for many years and wondering how to navigate dissatisfaction or disappointment in their career and seeking some kind of solace or get some kind of encouragement. Hope you enjoyed this episode. Pls like, comment, share & subscribe. Thank you! #9to5life #worklife #regret #losttime #midlifecrisis #feelingstuck Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  I live in my head 80% of the time 14.07.2026 9min

  I live in my head 80% of the time. On this episode i shared a silent struggle i face quite often which is living in my head and overthinking everything. I realized that i see myself much better than people treat me sometimes which sucks. I constantly replay conversations in my head, overanalyze every situation and refuse to step out of my comfort zone to take risks. I realized that living in my head is a coping mechanism for me, it's easier to retreat into the comfort of my own thoughts than actually make real changes. Given that i'm an introvert, i internalize things a lot and living in my head is just one of the downsides of being introverted. I realized living in my head sometimes makes me not live in the moment and disconnects me from the world around me. This is something i'm working on and hopefully getting better at actually experiencing life than living in my head. Hope you enjoyed this short episode and thanks for watching. Pls like, share comment and subscribe #overthinker #inmyhead #personalityPlease Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  Cheating spouses, polygamy, paternity tests and dealing with exes 07.07.2026 27min

  On this episode, we talked about cheating spouses, polygamy, paternity tests and dealing with exes. Enuma and I basically discussed a range of topics related to marriage and relationships. We reacted to men who cheat on their wives and yet demand loyalty from them, such men even insist their side chicks to stay faithful to them which is ridiculous. We talked about polygamy and why African men are always quick to promote it because it favors them more. We also talked about paternity tests and how some women step out of their marriages, get pregnant by another man and lie about the pregnancy, many men are beginning to insist on paternity tests just to be sure their kids belong to them. We talked about how African men are being socialized and how that plays into the kind of husbands they become in marriage. We also talked about how some men have little or no ambition and therefore leave the whole financial burden of the home on their wives, some marriages have failed because of that. Finally we talked about dealing with exes and if there is such a thing as girl code or bro code while it comes to dating or being in a relationship with your friend's ex. This was a light hearted fun episode. Hope you enjoyed it, pls like, comment, share and subscribe. Thanks #cheatingspouse #paternitytest #polygamy #relationships #marriage
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  The problem with many African marriages in the diaspora plus How I met my Nigerian Prince 30.06.2026 32min

  We discussed the problems with African (Nigerian) marriages in the diaspora after relocation. Marriage is very complex and African marriages are twice as hard because of the patriarchal culture in which African (Nigerian) men were brought up in. Some Nigerian men get into marriage with the primal understanding that their wives are beneath them and are always there to serve them. However, when they relocate to other countries where women have rights and have a voice, it threatens the marriage. We talked about why men need to adjust their thinking/mindset when they relocate abroad to begin to see their wives as partners and not slaves. They also need to be able to pull their weights in domestic chores/duties just like the woman pulls are weight in providing for the household. We talked about conflict resolution in marriage, challenging patriarchal values & men leaving their spec to marry "wife material" only to cheat on their wives. We talked about the differences we've seen between dating Nigerian men in Nigeria vs dating Nigerian men who live in America. Some subtle differences we notices and Enuma shared the story of how she met her Nigerian boyfriend in America. Even though he is Nigerian, he treats her with great care & respect and sees the best in her. She also talked about how men are very visual and are most times are stuck in her outward beauty rather than digging deeper to get to know her more.This episode is packed with a lot of hoy gist and light banter that wil; keep you entertained and warm your heart. Hope you enjoyed it? Please Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe #marriage #africanmarriage #livinginamerica #africansabroad #relationship #nigeriansindiaspora #japa #relocation Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  "I went on a date with a scammer"- my horrible dating experience with an America 23.06.2026 48min

  On this episode, my friend Enuma narrates how she went on a date with a scammer . Enuma shared about her dating/relationship experience as an black immigrant woman in America and shared her date from hell experience (dating experience Storytime). She matched with a guy online (the first African American man she's matched with)and they went on their first date to a breakfast place. She said he looked nothing like his picture (that was the first red flag) he was not very gentle-manly on their date. He was rude, disrespectful and demonstrated some elements of greed. Even though shocked by his behavior she decided to give him the reason of doubt and patronize his phone-repair business. She asked him to repair her broken iphone (which she paid him for the repairs) with the understanding he would fix and return it to her in a couple days however, he had no intention of fixing the phone or returning it, he tried to scam her! She went through so much stress trying to get her phone and money back, that was one of the worst dates she's ever been on. We also talked about dating Apps, tips and tricks on how to use them, dating mistakes we've made and dating tips/advice for anyone currently dating.This episode is a juicy story time and is for anyone (men & women) who are curious about dating, in a relationship, wanting to learn about red flags to be on the look out for while going on a first date especially while using the Apps, or immigrants looking to date and settle down. Hope you enjoyed this episode. Please Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe. Thank you! #dating #relationship #datingfail #firstdate #podcastPlease Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  Young African immigrants narrate their experiences living with Americans 16.06.2026 46min

  In this episode, I'm joined by my 2 nieces to have a conversation about why African immigrants find relating with Americans confusing. They share their experiences about living in America as new immigrants from Africa (Nigeria). We compared how communicating and relating with Americans is different from how we interact with eachother (fellow Africans). Cultural differences seem to play a huge role as well a lack of interest & patience to understand the other person's culture, accent, mentality and way of life. Koskos talked about her high school experiences in America as an immigrant, the hurdles she's had to overcome to be able to fit in amongst her friends. Chii talked about the frustrations of trying to express yourself only to have some Americans not make the effort to try understand you. Zuki shared stories of the times when she's been was mis-understood because of her accent or confused about a conversation because of the American grammar or style of speech. We also talked about making friends, fashion and dating as a young immigrant in America, they shared their thoughts on those topics as well.This episode is for anyone who is curious about living in America as an immigrant or for young people/parents of young people who are interested to know how the young ones are navigating life in a foreign country or life abroad. Hope you enjoyed it. Pls Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe. Thank you #livinginamerica #livingabroad #nigeriansabroad #nigeriansindiaspora #newimmigrants #africansindiaspora #podcast #lifeabroad #abroadlife #naijagist #benefitsoflivinginusa Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  What it's like living in America today vs 15 years ago 09.06.2026 12min

  I moved to America 15 yrs ago and on this episode, i talked about the reality of living in the USA today in 2011 vs today (2026). A lot has changed in 15 years, from economic situation to the political landscape, life in America especially for immigrants is significantly different. I talked about how America has lost its charm for immigrants due to all the recent immigration laws, many are choosing to move elsewhere. I also reminisced about cost of living, gas prices etc in 2011 vs now in 2026. Also talked about what living in America looks like for immigrants and how they can never truly feel like they're a part of the society,This episode is for anyone looking to immigrate or learn more about life in America today, Hope you enjoyed watching. Pls Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe. Thank you! #livinginamerica #livingabroad #nigeriansabroad #africandiaspora #japa #livinginamerica #lifeabroad #abroadlife #benefitsoflivinginusa Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  Americans moving to Africa realizing they've been lied to (the TRUTH is...) 02.06.2026 21min

  In this episode i talked about Americans moving to Africa realizing they've been lied to about the reality of life in Africa. Americans can sometimes come off as very entitled and high maintenance. They expect to enjoy the same comfort they are used to in America and when they don't get it, they get very disappointed. Some Americans move to Africa hoping to enjoy a slower pace of life however the reverse is often the case. With all the challenges faced by some African countries (e.g. poor electricity, no water, lack of social amenities, etc), they find that they have to hustle to get the same level of comfort because it comes at a cost. Americans come off as being entitled when they complain about these things because they take them for granted in their own country. Also, I find that some African Americans move to Africa with the hopes of connecting with their heritage/roots. They often get disappointed as well because of all the complexities involved, connecting with one's heritage is very nuanced and is not very straightforward . Some Americans often believe that Africans live in cities/towns ruled by kings and queens and that could not be further from the truth. Hollywood & movies like Coming to America has romanticized African ;living/life in Africa that Americans visiting often get surprised at how things are.This episode is for Americans or foreigners who are curious/intrigued about Africa and are looking to migrate, visit or explore living in Africa. Africa is a great continent rich in culture and made up of several countries with many many tribal and ethnic languages. Africans are very welcoming and warm towards foreigners and have a strong send of community. Hope this episode enlightened you and if decide to visit Africa, it will be worth your time! Thanks for watching, Please Like, Share Comment and Subscribe. #movingtoafrica #lifeinamerica #immigrant #livinginafrica #africanamerican #relocationPlease Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  Overwhelming GUILT and the silent pressure to help others 26.05.2026 16min

  The overwhelming feeling of guilt and the silent pressure to support others. In this episode i share my personal experience of dealing with personal guilt that comes from having a savior complex mentality due to survivor's guilt. I put a lot of pressure on myself to rescue people I have left behind in certain seasons of my life. As someone who has deep levels of empathy, i find myself overly sensitized to other people's struggles. Part of the reason is because i have been there and i know how it feels so i am usually quick to break my own boundaries and carry weights & burdens that aren't mine to carry. Having a savior complex most times comes from surviving hardships and when it's mixed with having an empathetic temperament, it creates a pressure cooker situation inside where you're constantly carrying everyone's burden and feeling like it's your duty to save them. This is something a lot of immigrants like myself struggle with where they feel like they have to rescue and support their families and communities back home even at the expense of their emotional and mental well being. As a good person, you should support your family and community but there should be a limit to it. My earliest experience of dealing with this type of guilt was when i was a child and have experienced it in different phases of my life through out my adulthood. I still struggle with it from time to time but i'm learning to educate myself on how to overcome it and set up good boundaries. This episode is for everyone who is struggling with feelings of guilt and the intense desire to rescue people. Hope you enjoyed this episode. Please lIke, Share, Comment and Subscribe. Thank you! #guilt #peoplerescuer #rescuepeople #survivorsguilt Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  I threw away a 7-year career in banking to start over as an engineer in America 19.05.2026 16min

  I threw away a 7-year career in banking to pursue a PhD in engineering in the USA. In this episode I share my career transition/pivot from banking to engineering. Having worked in the financial sector for several years, i decided to pursue a different career path in my early 30s (mid career) and so i decided to go back to school. I moved across continents from Nigeria to America to pursue my graduate studies in Engineering. In this episode i shared my thought process, why i chose to start over in my 30s mid-career, mistakes & struggles I faced while pursuing my PhD and where I am now in life. I also shared 4 solid points to help anyone at a crossroads in their life or career wanting to make a change/pivot. Hope this episode helps you, pls Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe #startingover #startingoveragain #careerpivot #careerchange #midcareer #phdinusa #africansabroad #livinginamerica Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  My testimony (encounter with Jesus, false preacher & faith struggles) 12.05.2026 25min

  I share my personal testimony of salvation. I grew up in a Christian household and was raised in the Anglican (protestant) denomination. However, in the course of my childhood, my parents moved us to several churches/denomination some of which were bible based while others preached heretical doctrines that wasn't founded on Christ or Salvation. In 1997, I had a personal encounter with God where I experienced a radical transformation and my life was completely changed. I went from being timid/shy to becoming bolder and living without fear or condemnation. Despite that encounter with Jesus, my Christian journey hasn't been easy or linear. There has been a lot o bumps along the way and moments of doubt/unbelief, but God is keeping me through it all. Hope you enjoyed this episode. Please Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe. Thank you #mytestimony #storytime #cometojesus #salvationstory #podcast Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast
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  Why you look in the mirror and think you're ugly (how evil people use mirrors as portals) w/ Dr Nicole Avery 05.05.2026 22min

  You look in the mirror and think you're ugly because evil people use mirrors as portals. in this concluding episode with Dr Nicole Avery, she talks about signs of witchcraft attacks and how someone can know if they are being be-witched. She also talked about the evil agenda of the enemy/witches, how they use artifacts like mirror or cameras to set up portals in people's homes or lives. She also talked about the dangers of letting in strange people (in the name of maintenance workers) into your home. As believers, she warns that we must be alert and watchful to fight against these traps. She also talked about the importance of engaging prophetic voices/seeking spiritual counsel for one's life. Hope you enjoyed this episode. Pls like, share comment and subscribe. #spiritual #portals #witchcraft #spiritrealm #podcast Please Subscribe and watch our YouTube channel: @LifeAsWeSeeItPodcast