Pause. And Rewind...
I’m Neil (he/him) - host of my podcast, Pause. And Rewind… I’ll be chatting to change makers, thought leaders & role models who all share a common goal. They’re striving to make the world a more inclusive place. And let’s face, we need it!
Each guest has a unique story when it comes to doing their thing. We often know who people are in the now. But how much do we really know about them?
Pause. And Rewind… takes a moment to explore the experiences in my guests’ lives that led them to where & who they are now. Cos’ everyone loves an origin story!
We’ll dive into tales, anecdotes and what makes our guests tick. So, are you ready to Pause. And Rewind… ?
Pause. And Rewind...
Pause. And Rewind... with Tolu Osinubi | Depth. Fierce. Adaptable.
“I thought at that time it definitely will get better. You'll be able to escape the situation, and I had a feeling within myself even at the time. I said, you will be able to escape it.”
This was one of many deep reflections from this week’s guest on ‘Pause. And Rewind…’ when thinking about their younger self at just 12 years old.
Tolu Osinubi (she/her) is a Director at Deloitte, passionate public speaker & an incredible advocate & ally for the inclusion, intersectionality & the LGBTQ+ community.
Little Tolu moved from Lagos to Greater Manchester and whilst she was initially wowed by this huge change, it wasn’t long before experiences of racism & feelings of otherness. Growing up was further compounded by a challenging home life & strict expectations. Her strained relationship with her parents went through additional friction especially after coming out.
Not feeling like she fit in has massively shaped Tolu’s journey in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Upon the topics of discrimination & exclusion, she straight up says “not on my watch.”
We discuss our mutual experiences of burnout & this coupled with a serious health complication has informed Tolu’s insistence on self-care, boundaries & empathy for others. It has also led to a firm commitment to appreciate all of life’s moments, including the hard parts. Tolu loves travelling & beams when talking about her recent trip to South Africa, including an appreciation for South African soap dramas!
There’s a beautiful moment in this chat where Tolu reflects on the fact she’s grown into someone that would have protected her as a child - something she feels truly proud of. And with it being Pride month, this feels very poignant for sure!
PLEASE NOTE | We cover some potentially triggering moments during this conversation related to Tolu’s upbringing, growing up queer & estrangement. Please take care of yourself whilst listening.