47: Anna Xwexx Morena on asylum and being a Ugandan transgender activist
Release Date: 11/20/2019
74: Brenden Kumarasamy on competition and communication
And Then Suddenly
When Brenden Kumarasamy was 19, his life goal was to get a lucrative corporate job. When he learned about case competitions, which provided the opportunity to present to business executives, everything shifted. We talk about competition culture and how the experience led him to become an expert communicator with goals even greater than his corporate dreams.
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73: Maynard Okereke on finding his lane
And Then Suddenly
Maynard Okereke was keeping his artistic pursuits away from his engineering job when one day he went into work and found his colleagues listening to his music. That moment sparked his pivot into entertainment and eventually led him to create the Hip Hop Science Show. We get into all things science as we talk about his road to STEM communication, what it means to find your passion, and why everyone should stay curious.
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72: Kate White on seriously listening to her body
And Then Suddenly
In 2016, Kate White was having a lot of pain but at the time she didn't think it was a lot. What happened a few months later made her realize she needed to take her pain seriously and that's when everything shifted. In the presence of her purring cat Penny, we talk about women's health, women's bodies, and how a series of diagnoses finally allowed Kate to understand herself.
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71: Leilani De Nieva on everything supernatural in Pittsburg
And Then Suddenly
In July 2016, Leilani was celebrating her sister's wedding in Pittsburg when she saw God- as in the actor who plays "God" in the television show Supernatural. A superfan of the show, running into the cast leaving a Supernatural convention ended up being an important sign. We talk family, religion, and the power of things we can't see.
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70: Kwazar Martin on his grandmother and art
And Then Suddenly
Growing up in a rough area in Indianapolis, Kwazar Martin's grandmother kept him focused. But after she passed, he strayed from what she taught him. We talk about his journey from prison to art, life and light, and the never ending energy of his grandmother.
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69: Brandon Saiz on getting validation
And Then Suddenly
On episode 36, Brandon Saiz shared a moment about achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He's back to share a new moment that has altered his outlook and how he views his time in the Coast Guard: a recent diagnosis of ADHD. We talk about changing perspectives, new understandings, and finally getting validation.
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68: Lorna Rose on her unexpected pregnancy
And Then Suddenly
After genetic testing early in her second pregnancy, Lorna Rose learned her baby screened positive for a serious genetic disorder. When told she didn't have to carry the baby, Lorna's reaction to that statement changed her outlook and beliefs. We talk about guilt, high risk pregnancy, and the complexities of motherhood.
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67: Jaimie Sherling on getting a late night message
And Then Suddenly
One Friday night, Jaimie Sherling was in bed when she got an Instagram message from a stranger that changed her marriage and home. We talk about all the brutal and beautiful aspects of her moment, from her battle with cancer to her journey becoming a drag queen aficionado.
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66: Marinke van Riet on leading and belonging
And Then Suddenly
Seeing the phrase "nothing about us without us" in action made Marinke van Riet question her actions as a person and as a leader. We talk about her subsequent resignation as director of Voice, why representation matters, the future of international development, and what it means to belong.
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65: Big D on being a biker who empowers the abused
And Then Suddenly
As a Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) volunteer, Big D was working with a child and realized he was where he belonged when he saw the light come back to her eyes. We talk about epiphanies, giving back to the community, and what bikers at B.A.C.A. are doing to help empower abused children.
info_outlineThis episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s)
About four years ago, Anna Xwexx Morena sought asylum in Denmark for her safety and the chance to freely express herself. But the experience was not what she expected and feeling unsafe and used as a transgender woman, she returned to Uganda. We talk about her mission to help other Ugandan transgender women with their mental health needs, her experience as a grassroots activist, and her vision for the future.
This episode is in honor of Transgender Remembrance Day.
Additional Resources
- Connect with Anna Xwexx Morena on Facebook
- Invisible Scars: a focus on the mental health of queer people in Uganda
- Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)
-
"Ugandan MPs press for death penalty for homosexual acts," The Guardian
- Voice
And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s)
This special series of episodes features conversations with partners from Voice. Based in Africa and Asia, these individuals -often leaders of organizations or small groups- are working tirelessly to ensure that their own voices as well as those they represent are at the table and not on the menu. The moments they share are their very own and the conversations are impromptu and candid.
About Voice:
Voice is an innovative grant facility that promotes inclusion and diversity in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and Indonesia. It aims to amplify and connect thus far unheard voices in efforts to leave no one behind based on the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us. Voice is financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and executed by Oxfam Novib and Hivos.
About And Then Suddenly:
The podcast about unexpected moments, writer Angela Santillo asks one question: What’s a moment that turned your life upside down? Never knowing what her guests will say, the conversation takes twists and turns that go beyond our ordinary stories about big life moments. Impromptu, funny, and always honest, this show explores what really happens after everything changes in an instant.