The Swinging Palm Trees Podcast
Hi there! My name is Akin. What's your favourite quote?
On the podcast I am honoured to chat with amazing individuals about who they are, their unique lived experiences and stories, and them sharing the quote or saying that continually inspires them in this journey called life. I hope you find the conversations educational and enriching to your wellbeing. Keep Rising & Thriving, Aṣẹ!
Executive producer: Ashanti Omkar
Episodes
152 episodes
Episode #151 with Ashley Tabatabai
On today's episode I chat with filmmaker and actor Ashley Tabatabai. We talk about his Oscar® qualified short film 'Hamdardi' and why it was important for him to make, and the technical challenges he and his team had to navigate during pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 151
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52:09
Episode #150 with Deborah McLeod
In today's episode, I'm in conversation with British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter Deborah McLeod. Deborah talks about how she started off as an interpreter and why it has now become her calling in life. We discuss various aspects withi...
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Season 1
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Episode 150
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46:24
Episode #149 with Charlie Lamdin
On today's episode I chat with Charlie Lamdin, an entrepreneur, pilot and founder of BestAgent. We chat in-depth about the property market including new builds and house prices, the right time to invest, and what he believes is one, among...
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Season 1
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Episode 149
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1:08:18
Episode #148 with Mia Mask
On today's episode, I'm in conversation with Professor Mia Mask and talk about her book 'Black Rodeo: A History of the African American Western', and why she wrote this book. We discuss the film genre of the Westerns and look at issues of...
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Season 1
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Episode 148
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51:29
Episode #147 with Mario Van Peebles
On today's episode, director and actor Mario Van Peebles takes some time out to come on the podcast to chat about his career and life. We talk about the great influence his father, Melvin Van Peebles, has had in his career; hi...
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Season 1
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Episode 147
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50:06
Episode #146 with Allison Shadock
On today's episode I'm in conversation with Allison Shadock, an advocate for Glioblastoma (GBM) awareness and research. Recently her husband John sadly passed away from this malignant brain tumour. With Ali's consent, we made this episode...
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Season 1
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Episode 146
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36:46
Episode #145 with Drs. Sarah & Ata Anane-Adusei
On today's episode I'm in conversation with wife and husband medical practitioners Sarah and Ata Anane-Adusei. Sarah shares her career as a radiologist and why she chose this career path. She also stresses the importance for w...
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Season 1
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Episode 145
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1:09:34
Episode #144 with Stephen Yemoh
With the upcoming release of Season 2 of 'Squid Game', on today's episode I chat with BAFTA Award winning Executive Producer Stephen Yemoh. We talk about his work on the Squid Game: The Challenge TV series, how he started off his ca...
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Season 1
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Episode 144
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40:09
Episode #143 with Miguel Faus
On today's episode I'm in conversation with director, screenwriter and producer Miguel Faus and talk about his debut feature film "Calladita" ('The Quiet Maid'), the first European film that was funded via an NFT crowdfund that Miguel started.&...
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Season 1
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Episode 143
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41:22
Episode #142 with Zai Sylla
On today's episode I'm in conversation with actress and creator Zai Sylla. Zai shares how she started on her career path as a content creator, her immense interest in Black stories and lived experiences via the medium of books, film and T...
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Season 1
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Episode 142
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1:05:36
Episode #141 with Neeraja Raj
On today's episode I have the honour of chatting to the talented animator, director and screenwriter Neeraja Raj. We geek out over all things animation including Studio Ghibli, 'Wallace & Gromit', Stop-motion animation legend Ray Harr...
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Season 1
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Episode 141
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1:06:43
Episode #140 with Jess & Sarah of The HIV Podcast
In today's episode I have the pleasure of talking to the hosts of The HIV podcast, Jess and Sarah. The ladies talk about their individual careers before embarking on their current path working together at a HIV support organization for 16...
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Season 1
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Episode 140
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58:20
Episode #139 with Zainab Adigun
In today's episode I'm in conversation with Structural Engineer Zainab Adigun. Zainab shares how her early love for buildings put her on her career path, talks about the mindset of an engineer, her passion for calculations, problem ...
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Season 1
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Episode 139
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44:38
Episode #138 with Kadisha Kaur-Singh
In today's episode I'm in conversation with Social Media Strategist Kadisha Kaur-Singh. Kadisha draws on her expertise and advises on how to grow one's platform, why being able to hit certain metrics is important, and the relevance of bei...
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Season 1
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Episode 138
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56:58
Episode #137 with Coryell Hyatt
Music Producer Coryell Hyatt is the latest guest on the podcast. Coryell talks about how he started off within the music industry and his journey ever since. We discuss what his creative process is like, popular music today and why artist...
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Season 1
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Episode 137
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1:00:49
Episode #136 with Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and in today's episode I have a chat with Tonye-Faloughi-Ekezie, author and founder of Simone's Oasis Foundation. Tonye shares with us the story of her daughter, Simone, who has Down's Syndrome, a...
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Season 1
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Episode 136
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1:00:00
Episode #135 with Sangeetha Kowsik
On today's episode I chat with Sangeetha Kowsik , founder and creator of Ihsanishan Design. Sangeetha talks about her role as the serving Hindu Chaplain at NYU/Columbia, the importance of her faith and why she is affectionately called 'Th...
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Season 1
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Episode 135
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57:03
Episode #134 with Radek Sienski
On today's episode I have a chat with Film and TV Editor Radek Sienski. Radek shares how he started his career within the industry and what he's learnt thus far. He talks about the importance of a good edit, what attributes are need...
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Season 1
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Episode 134
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51:54
Episode #133 with Rishma Dhaliwal
On today's episode, Rishma Dhaliwal has a sit-down with me to nerd out over most things Hip-Hop related. Rishma shares her immense love for the music, why its cultural importance and influence is of continual importance and significance in soci...
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Season 1
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Episode 133
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1:03:15
Episode #132 with Nick Rizzini
On today's episode I talk with writer and film director Nick Rizzini. Nick talks about how he started his career and why he believes directing is his true calling rather than acting. We also discuss in depth of our shared passion fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 132
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53:08
Episode #131 with Enva Lewis
On today's episode, I chat with actor Enva Lewis. Enva chats about her film acting debut in 'How to Have Sex', and why the film is important in exploring issues of consent and relationships. Enva also shares how her heritage ...
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Season 1
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Episode 131
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1:15:22
Episode #130 with Zarrar Kahn
On today's episode I chat with Film director, producer and writer Zarrar Kahn. Zarrar shares with us how he started his career including his passion for theatre. We also talk about his debut feature film, 'In Flames', which was Paki...
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55:03
Episode #129 with Anthony Cheng
On today's episode I chat with Radio Producer, Photographer and Filmmaker Anthony Cheng. Anthony shares his story about his musical education as a classically trained pianist, how he started within the industry, and also talks about...
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Season 1
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Episode 129
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58:03
Episode #128 with Jeya Sivans
**Trigger warning*: contains descriptions of domestic violence**.In today's episode, I talk with entrepreneur and Revenue Consultant Jeya Sivans. Jeya talks about her career and what it takes to sustain a business in today's clima...
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Season 1
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Episode 128
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59:40
Episode #127 with Krishna Mckenzie
On today's episode, I chat with Farmer, educator and musician Krishna Mckenzie. Krishna shares with us his journey from childhood in England including his time at The Jiddu Krishnamurti School, to The Auroville Farms and setting up ...
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Season 1
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Episode 127
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1:08:52
