In this poignant final episode of Selam & Hello, Lilly sits down with the extraordinary Ato Nagizy Gebremedhin—engineer, mountaineer, and a treasured elder of Nairobi's community. At 90 years old, Ato Nagizy recently climbed Mount Kenya for the 14th time, exemplifying a life lived with purpose and resilience. Together, they journey through his Ethiopian and Eritrean roots, his groundbreaking path to higher education in Kansas as one of eight students selected by Emperor Haile Selassie, and h...
Dec 23, 2024•56 min
In this compelling episode of Selam & Hello, Lilly sits down with Robyn Emerson, Chair of Democrats Abroad Kenya, for a candid and insightful discussion on the 2024 U.S. election results. Together, they unpack the ripple effects of the American election on Africa and the diaspora, delving into the emotional and political aftermath of Kamala Harris' loss and what it signifies for communities both within America and abroad. The conversation takes a hard look at what a Trump presidency could me...
Dec 18, 2024•54 min
In this reflective year-end episode of Selam & Hello, Lilly and Selam & Hello's Creative Producer, Rahma take a heartfelt journey through the show's most memorable milestones and candidly share the challenges and opportunities that come with sustaining their platform. They delve into the power of personal storytelling, how their guiding pillars of joy and justice shape who they are, and why these core values remain central to the community they've built. Join them as they look ahead to t...
Dec 10, 2024•34 min
We are back from our season break to bring you this special and timely conversation. Since June 18, Kenya has been immersed in a political and cultural revolution. This episode features a dynamic conversation with two trailblazers in the world of media and marketing who discuss what it means to be fully present, transparent, and ethical as content creators and brand managers during unprecedented times. Join Lilly as she sits down with Adelle Onyango, a powerhouse Kenyan media personality, founde...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 17 min
In part 2 of this special 99th episode, join Lilly and Njoki Munene as they discuss some of their favorite conversations and transformative moments from the show. They dish about what really happens before live shows and the non-negotiables that have to happen before every interview. Lilly and Njoki talk about the growth process that has come with 99 episodes, what has worked and what hasn't - and the hard and soft life of being a creative. We hope you enjoy the final chapter of our two-part sea...
Jul 03, 2024•33 min
Tune in for part 1 of a behind-the-scenes peek into the heart and soul of Selam & Hello that you won't want to miss in this special 99th episode of Selam & Hello! Join Creator, Host, and Executive Producer Lilly Bekele-Piper as she swaps roles and sits down with the show's Researcher and Community Manager, Njoki Munene. Get ready for an intimate conversation where they delve into Lilly's transformative journey from Up/Root to Selam & Hello, her bold move from the development sector t...
Jun 17, 2024•38 min
Welcome back to part 2 of our conversation with the incredible Adelle Onyango! Adelle is the Founder of Legally Clueless Africa and the Adelle Onyango Initiative, and has quickly become and powerful and important voice in media and advocacy for women and girls. In this episode, Adelle shares her views on politics, her advocacy work as a survivor of sexual violence and her (joyful) hopes for the future! Follow Adelle: Website Instagram Twitter Facebook Legally Clueless Africa Follow Selam & H...
Jun 11, 2024•48 min
We had so much fun talking with Adelle Onyango that we had to break the episodes into 2 parts! Adelle Onyango is the Founder of Legally Clueless Africa and the Adelle Onyango Initiative and has quickly become and powerful and important voice in media and in advocacy for women and girls. In part 1 of our two-part series, Lilly and Adelle discuss Adelle's transition from traditional media to creating her podcast, Legally Clueless, which features stories from extraordinary people across the contine...
Jun 04, 2024•38 min
This week on Selam and Hello, we delve into the world of "Uli & Tata's African Nursery Rhymes," an animated series celebrating Africa's cultural heritage. Join us as we chat with Sarah Mallia and Manu Akatasa, the creative minds behind the project, about their journey to bring these brilliant rhymes to global audiences and the importance of preserving cultural identity through storytelling. From the challenges of research to the joy of seeing children embrace their roots, this episode explor...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 4 min
We are honored to host Kambale Musavuli, an analyst at the Center for Research on Congo & a leading human rights advocate in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the show this week. Kambale shares his insights on the challenges and resilience of the people of the DRC and the deep-rooted historical and systemic issues contributing to ongoing conflicts. Kambale invites us to find ourselves in Congo's story and highlights what we can all do to care for 'our Congo' (Congo na biso). We also explo...
May 21, 2024•57 min
This week on Selam and Hello, we're honored to feature Katungulu Mwendwa, the visionary founder of Katush Nairobi . Join us as we delve into Katungulu's inspiring journey from studying fashion in the UK to establishing her own brand in Kenya, where she creatively blends traditional Kenyan influences with contemporary aesthetics. From showcasing her collections at prestigious global platforms like Paris Fashion Week to championing sustainability and ethical practices within the African fashion in...
May 14, 2024•44 min
This week on Selam and Hello, we're honored to host Lydia Namubiru, Editor-in-Chief of The Continent . Join us as we explore the inception of The Continent , and its innovative and empowering platform for African journalism. From celebrating African excellence to shedding light on humanitarian crises and preserving cultural heritage, Lydia discusses the pivotal role of media in shaping public discourse. Despite challenges, she highlights strategies for promoting positive narratives and amplifyin...
May 06, 2024•48 min
This week we embark on a visionary journey into 'The Case for Indigenous (Re)Imagining' as part of our ongoing exploration in 'The Case for Hope' series. Join Lilly as she sits down with two inspiring educators for liberation, Sajda Khalil and Amin Hussain, in a conversation brimming with optimism, insight, and passion. Sajda and Amin shed light on innovative approaches to African-centered education, advocating for a curriculum that reflects the diverse experiences and aspirations of the contine...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 15 min
This week we are privileged to hear one woman's story on her journey towards choosing the life she wants to live. Muthoni Gitau, a notable content creator and podcaster shares her choice to be child-free, the many challenges she has faced in that journey, and ultimately, how she reached her destination. Muthoni shares the questions and answers she has wrestled with in her path to reproductive health and that there are many ways women 'mother' without having children. Join us as we navigate the m...
Apr 23, 2024•55 min
This week on Selam and Hello, Lilly delves into the world of traditional medicine with Vitalice Ochieng, Senior Program Manager at the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH). Together they discuss the motivation and tenets of TICAH's book 'Using Our Traditions: A Health & Nutritional Guide for Kenyan Families' and explore their efforts in preserving and promoting traditional medical knowledge, the potential integration of traditional and modern medicine, and the challenges hindering...
Apr 16, 2024•46 min
This week, Lilly delves into the world of comedy with Doug Mutai. Doug, Founder of the Kenya Standup Collective and Co-Founder of the Nairobi International Comedy Festival, joins us to share how he got started, the current trends in comedy in Kenya and what makes a good joke. Doug shares how language is an important cultural signal when writing comedy and his insights into navigating sensitive topics like politics in front of a crowd. Aspiring comedians will find valuable advice from Doug's expe...
Apr 09, 2024•42 min
This week, Lilly dives into the world of journalism with Maya Misikir. Maya is the founder of SIFTER, a weekly newsletter that highlights the top five stories from Ethiopia, shining a light on the challenge of discerning truth in an age of misinformation. Maya shares her journey to journalism, the creation of SIFTER as a beacon for reliable and inclusive news, and her commitment to impartial reporting amidst Ethiopia's political and economic complexities. They discuss the significance of languag...
Mar 26, 2024•52 min
A ccording to the IMF , around 60 percent of the Africa's population engages in the informal sector - a world where many workers navigate the challenges of vulnerability while seeking dignified employment. In this episode, Lilly and her guest, Wangeci Kamau, the innovative founder of Good Housekeeping Africa , shine a light on the realities of domestic work and informal employment, advocating for dignity, respect, and fair treatment. UNDP's insights into the informal economy, post-COVID-19, unde...
Mar 19, 2024•53 min
In today's episode, Lilly explores how she is mining for hope amid hard days. She offers a 'case for hope' based on both the local and global 'microjoys' she's stumbled across lately. Her reflection kicks off an upcoming series of episodes that will make the case for some of life's most universal needs and concerns and how we can find hope in each of them. Its a short - but poignant - offering we hope you enjoy. "Discovering more joy does not save us from the inevitability of hardship and heartb...
Mar 13, 2024•15 min
Dive into an electrifying live episode of Selam & Hello, recorded live at the 2024 Africa Media Festival, featuring the legendary actor, author, broadcaster, and teacher - Mwalimu John Sibi-Okumu, OGW! In this captivating conversation, Mwalimu Sibi-Okumu joins host Lilly to explore the transformative power of artists as disruptors within media and society. Through gripping anecdotes and vivid storytelling, he shines a spotlight on hidden stories of some of Africa's most influential political...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Caleb Maru, is a tech entrepreneur and partner at Proximity Ventures. He joins Lilly this week to discuss the current trends in and the future of tech and innovation in Africa. He shares his journey from pursuing law in Australia to investing in the tech space in east Africa and starting a bi-weekly newsletter, Tech Safari, which has over 18,000 subscribers. Caleb highlights the challenges faced by tech entrepreneurs and the importance of bridging the gap between Africa and the diaspora through ...
Feb 20, 2024•49 min
In loving memory of Charles 'Charli' Ouda. In this captivating episode of our podcast, join Lilly as she dives into an enthralling conversation with the illustrious Wanuri Kahiu, a visionary force in Kenyan filmmaking and storytelling whose groundbreaking work has not only influenced African cinema but has also captivated audiences worldwide. Today, we discover the vibrant world of AFROBUBBLEGUM, an innovative genre and media company, co-founded by Wanuri, aimed at creating, curating, and commis...
Feb 13, 2024•57 min
Note : This episode contains mention of sexual assault and gender-based violence. In a powerful episode following the anti-femicide protests across Kenya on January 27th, 2024, Lilly converses with Maria Maina, a lawyer and writer who created the blog and social media platform, Social Justice Insights Kenya, which focuses on human rights and gender equality, and Audrey Mogeni, co-founder of Femicide Count - Kenya (FC-Kenya). In this discussion, Lilly, Audrey, and Maria tackle the pressing femici...
Feb 05, 2024•58 min
Join Lilly for an enlightening conversation with urban anthropologist, Dr. Wangui Kimari. Dr. Kimari discusses her unique research blending local histories, urban political ecology, and the Black radical tradition to explore urban spatial management in Nairobi from the perspective marginalized residents. Lilly and Wangui delve into the importantl role of Nairobi's "outlaws" in greening the city, the impact of colonial planning on green spaces, and the critical involvement of Nairobi's youth in d...
Jan 30, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Today's episode brings us into the innovative world of sustainable development and environmental technology. Lilly chats with Kidus Asfaw, the CEO and co-founder of Kubik, a company that is revolutionizing the transformation of difficult-to-recycle plastics into low-carbon building materials for emerging markets. Kubik was founded in 2021 and is already being lauded for their extraordinary ambition, design and impact, winning the African Startup of the Year and Best ESG Tech Company of the Year ...
Jan 23, 2024•58 min
Happy New Year! Today, we are honored to welcome eminent Haitian-American author and the Wun Tsun Tam Mellon Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University, Edwidge Danticat. In this episode, Professor Danticat guides Lilly through her literary craft and prolific library of 17 published books. The conversation probes the crucial role of literature in preserving and amplifying cultural legacies, and positions storytelling as a vital repository of collective narratives. Through the prism of he...
Jan 15, 2024•57 min
At the end of every episode we ask our guests - 'what is bringing you joy today?' Join us in the seasonal bonus as we listen to 23 joys from 2023! Thank you for listening, for sojourning with us and we wish you all a joyous and blessed holiday and new year! GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: KEVIN MWACHIRO, Writer, Podcaster, Journalist, and Queer Activist Ep 52: Black, Queer, Beloved ALABA ANGOLE, Social Anthropologist and Rhodes Scholar Ep 72: Black is Beautiful: Exploring Colorism DR. IJEOMA KO...
Dec 22, 2023•24 min
In the last episode of 2023, host Lilly goes behind the scenes with Sahihi Africa's Becky Muikia and Rahma Seif for an exclusive look into Selam & Hello's journey through 42 episodes, 54 guests, 4 live events and 2 spin-off shows in just 1 year! Sahihi Africa, a Pan-African communications agency, is at the forefront of amplifying diverse African narratives through media and partnered with Lilly to relaunch her show in November 2022. Becky shares the highs and lows of production, while Rahma ...
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr 31 min
In this episode, Lilly sits down with Kenyan supermodel and founder of the Ajuma Foundation, Ajuma Nasenyana, to explore her remarkable journey from the Turkana region to global fashion runways to her impactful work with the Ajuma Foundation. Ajuma shares her experiences growing up in Kenya and the bullying she experienced, her rise as a running champion, and how her modeling career also left her feeling isolated and alone. Ajuma has channeled her life experiences, positive energy, and optimism ...
Dec 13, 2023•1 hr
What if your best friend was a boda-driving, super-chill, urban pangolin? Today Lilly is joined by the star-studded cast of Showmax's trailblazing 2D animated series, ' Twende ' which follows the adventures of Twende, the pangolin, his best friend and bird, Nuru - and the villains on their tale - as they scope the city for adventures and snacks! This isn't just any show – it's a gem in the crown of African animation, a story woven on the continent and now dazzling audiences across the globe. Tod...
Dec 05, 2023•44 min
