Patience Otokpa on Vulnerability, Vision & Starting a Podcast | Creative Alchemy Abuja | Nigeria

0:00Hi, everybody. My name is Pasha and it’s nice to have me here. Thank you for having me. We Them Media. On the We Them Niggas podcast. Oh, okay. We Them... She said, what do I do? We Them Niggas is my podcast. We Them Media is like the media company I’m trying to build around it. Okay, We Them Niggas podcast, okay. I feel like the ability to let me free, be free with my style, be expressive with how I feel, and not really close them or make them feel, not really compromising how I should be. And I think that’s what I love. And the fact that it’s for young people, yeah, I think I really like that.

0:39Podcast. Yeah, yeah. What’s up, everybody? I’m Maceo. Welcome to another episode of We Them Nicas. And this past summer, I traveled to Africa for the first time, specifically to Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. This journey is all about connecting with the incredible members of our We Them Media community and deepening our partnership with Creative Alchemy, a community deeply aligned with our mission to bring artists, Nigerian communities, and African communities broadly on chain.

1:08Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of We Them Niggas. This is our final interview of the Creative Alchemy Meetup. Are there any podcasts you listen to that you feel like are standouts or people that are really popular here in Nigeria? Yes, I said what I said. I love I love those sisters and there’s this other one, Reality Podcast. It’s owned by a friend and there’s this other one but it’s like a church but it’s not so churchy. It allows you to express yourself and then yeah, I listen to some other podcasts. I don’t really know some of their names but I just make sure I listen to people that are not so judgmental and sentimental. I appreciate that and like I appreciate you sharing. You know, I really didn’t start listening to podcasts since I decided I wanted to start my own podcast.

1:56So, you know, I should try and build a platform. What does this look like? And I feel like it’s still been, I’m still figuring out, you know, like, what am I doing here? How does it work? And stuff like that. But I think the most beautiful thing is that it’s helped me connect with people that I wouldn’t otherwise necessarily stop and take time to have conversations with. Like, I feel like I’ve gotten to know so many people on a deeper level because, like, even though people say your energy should be 30 minutes, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, you know, I’m like, okay, like, we can talk for two hours and people are really into. Like, for me, it’s about, you know, what do we think about something and, like, can we get through the whole thing? And, like, maybe we can never get through the whole thing, but, like, how far can we go in one sitting?

2:33I’ve been doing that for a very long time because I’ve realized over time that I’ve been one person people just assume would have an answer to a lot of their questions because I do a lot of listening and then when they just most especially when it comes to relationships they just feel like oh talk to patients she has something definitely to say and then when they come to you You either have an experience from someone else’s experience because you’ve listened to them or you’ve probably just seen it somewhere and you’re like, okay, I think if you do it this way, it’s going to work. And not just for relationships, lifestyle in general, music, fashion, school, religion and all of that. Exposure to things and to people just puts you in that spotlight where you’re like, okay, before I make this judgment or before I look at this person in a particular way, okay, what is the reason behind their behavior? What is the reason behind the way they act or they think?

3:25So, I’ve always wanted, I’ve always liked, um, being a public speaker, being, owning a podcast or listening to people with good podcasts like yours It just gives platform to see that, oh, there are other opinions, there are other alternatives from what I think Yeah Right? Yeah, so there So it’s nice to hear alternative perspectives Yeah, alternative perspectives, very important And they don’t argue with you They will argue But I mean, when you’re listening, when you have the podcast yes yes yes very true that’s why most of the time when you listen to some podcasts you’re like who brought this one here in the first place because people people people say dumb stuff

4:07but then you’re like like i said you’re like you’re just looking at them they’re like they don’t have they don’t have they’re not enlightened that’s why there are other people who are enlightened that’s why you were there that’s why you have the platform to bring You’re not just bringing in whether you’re the speaker or you’re bringing in other speaker you’re not just saying these things cluelessly you have made your research you have you’re coming in not judgmental but you have you’re coming in with facts right because a lot of people most especially young people just go out and they just say things to the internet and people you see them later they’re coming to the internet and they’re crying somebody dragged me for saying this has just been me we all have passed we all have somehow

4:51Some have good parts, some have bad parts There are some things you should not be saying on the internet In as much as you are trying to help people You are supposed to say Okay, there was a bad part But this is a good part So avoid treading through the bad part Not necessarily coming out to tell us that Oh, I was a hoe for 10 years And I did all the bad stuff and all of that But nobody is judging you, but at the same time Your own reputation is very important In as much as you are trying to enlighten people And all of that, so yeah

5:18Yeah, I think it’s like a challenging thing to like be vulnerable and also like preserve your reputation I think like people can be like very quick to judge, very quick to turn you into a meme, a clip, a 10 seconds I’m telling you like You get 45 minutes of context and they don’t care, it’s gone You are everywhere and you’re like, was it that bad? Did I say that? Was I not thinking like, oh, I was just trying to be free and the next thing I’m trending on social media for being dumb Dumb me is Twitter Yeah, like it’s there, everywhere Hashtag Dumb and Sayo makes me go on Twitter

5:50I see, and so what makes you want to start a podcast? What makes you like be interested in like having your own platform? Okay, basically I would want to give people opportunity to express themselves and drop their opinions and also learn Because if I were to have a podcast or if I were to be in sessions, right? If people invite me to their podcast sessions, I always tell them, okay I always want to have an insight of what we are talking about before I come Because I would not just want to It’s not everything that, you know, Nigerian, we always want to catch cruise It’s not everything that is cruise

6:24Like, it should be educated What does cruise mean? What do you mean? Okay, when you say cruise, like, we make fun out of things That’s what we call cruise, yeah, like, we just want to make fun Whether important or not important things, right? So, people just want to make fun out of a lot of things and it shouldn’t be so So I feel like I would want to start my own podcast because I want to enlighten people about relationships About their money, let’s make the money while we are young, you know, but Stop playing with it Yeah, so we need to be able to put out

6:55Media mobile energy Yeah, all of that So I feel like bringing in people in text, in media, in the fashion industry, art, whatever it is It’s like I’m bringing platforms that are enlightening people, oh if you do this to make money, oh you could do this, oh you’re having health issues, oh you’re depressed, oh this is someone who was once depressed, this was how they came out of it, nobody’s judging you, you’re feeling very like oh so there’s a platform like this who’s not judging me for doing this, oh I’m not, oh you know that time where something that has happened to you and you see someone talk about it and you’re like damn I’m not alone, that feeling is so

7:38So relieving. So picking topics, picking people that have experiences that are relatable, you will be shocked how much of a lifesaver you’ve been to someone listening. Because then maybe you just hear someone talk about your story and like, oh wow, I’m not the only one who went through this. You are eager to want to hear their testimony of that story. So I feel like a good podcast would do that. A good podcast or a talk show or whatever it is would really do that. So I think I would be passing out my own information, not through just photocats, through fashion. I’m a fashion designer. I started doing that from a very little age. I remember when my neighbor would tell her, when she’s done cutting all those fabrics and she throws them in the husband, I would go and pack them. Oh yeah? And my mom would always be like, you did that to my house. I’m always bringing in those wraps and then I just use needle and I stitch and I make clothes for my door.

8:35and that’s how she’s like oh this child can be creative. I made my graduation dress from my secondary school. I made it with needle and thread myself. I used my hand and I just and I went and my mom was so proud and she’s like this is so nice what you can wear it out there. I’m like but she was so proud and she supported me and I’m in it now for about three years. I’m a unisex designer and it’s not just basic outfit. I let people express themselves in my outfits and I’m hoping to not just own a fashion house, but let people feel confident in their style

9:14I’m also a voice over artist, which also relates to being a podcast Because it basically has to do with you talking and all of that And you’re a singer as well? Yeah, you know the whole singing thing, we all started from church, you go to church, you join the choir and then you’re like okay should I take such a career but it’s not a profession but I just do it for fun because I just when I’m angry I sing when I was when I just want to ease off some certain pain or distress I just sing or I listen to songs. And so you write your own music? I have but none have been published.

9:52Now what? I’ve not published any. That’s okay. It could be for yourself. Yeah I just keep them for myself and I write one time I was I’m going to sell my lyrics, but you know how it can get where they breach agreement. It just happened. You shouldn’t sell your lyrics. You should record your songs and book them out. That’s what I think. I think it’s valid to be scared. It is vulnerable sometimes to put your music out there. I used to think, all these rappers, they don’t like music about stuff at surface level, but the truth is they probably make really vulnerable music. And they’re like, I’m not giving that to them

10:29No one’s gonna accept that from me, but you will never know And I feel like maybe it’s not even about acceptance, it’s just like, I don’t want to see me that way It’s like, how can I keep up an appearance if I put up this kind of music And so I think it’s like, are you more committed to the appearance, or are you more committed to like the people that resonate with you, really getting to know you, and like, you know, get something from you expressing yourself Like what the podcasts are saying, right? Like maybe a young person really get a lot from here in a certain conversation

10:51But if that artist never puts out that song, you know, the only things they’re putting out are things that are talking about drugs, and sex, and they’re at the strip club, and it’s like, what are those kids getting from that kind of music, you know? But when you take a moment to let down your guard to be vulnerable, maybe that young person now is more vulnerable to be vulnerable themselves, asking for help, asking questions they weren’t going to ask before. So I think it’s like, I always say, if you’re an artist and you write music, like, you should put your music out. yeah and i i think when basically when it comes to the music industry most certainly here in africa

11:20we we are more sexist about our music and it’s it’s quite disheartening to talk about what you mean by that yeah okay let me use my country yeah yeah please nigeria ah must your music be about boom boom. Ask him. Why? Why is it always about somebody shaking? My mom would be like, why are the men covered and the women are not? They are barely never covered. And then you’re like, oh, my children can’t watch that. But you see some other, you can be so creative and not promote nudity. You can be so creative and not promote nudity. Yeah, and just like the sexualization, the education of women

12:04Yeah, you can have like X-rated music and all of that, not bad Because, you know, I think the stereotype is like also my music to blow Yeah Or my music to trend I must have some certain exposure Yeah, yeah But it’s not supposed to be like that It’s the sound Yes, the visual can also matter where people are saying stuff But sometimes, everybody Somebody was saying something about I Spice And you’re like, remove your ass, nobody’s going to be watching your video Because girl, your next song should be worth it Because we are tired of... After we ask what else have we seen Give us real content

12:42Give us real content, right? And I think this is something that all artists should work at There should be meaning to your songs There should be meaning to your art Not just promoting nudity It should be educated Catering to horny boy energy You could just educate people I’m telling you, it’s so dope, so dope Nah, the video is super dope, and I agree with you And it’s awesome to hear you bring that up Because I’m really curious to hear about You’re experiencing Creative Alchemy You’re here at the event by way of that community How did you first get introduced to Creative Alchemy? Okay, I was introduced by a friend

13:17She’s like, oh, girl No, she posted one thing one time And she’s like, tech buddy I’m like, oh, what is this about? And then she’s like It’s a community where they could teach me, like for a beginner, how to own my own forex, how to create my own NFTs. They’re willing to take me through the process. They’re willing to give me other platforms where I can meet with other creators and do other fun stuff. So this is like my first physical meaning. Yeah. Yeah. Me too. Yeah. I’ve been in the group. I think I got into the group like two weeks. I’m not sure how I’ve been two weeks, but I just got into the

13:56Group, so I’m not really engaged in, I only joined the spaces one time, and then I was looking really lost because they were talking more of this out and so I really like, okay, maybe over time I’ll get to really know what they do, but from today’s meeting, it’s been really good. I’ve loved it already. I’m like, oh, definitely. So it’s not as difficult as I thought it was. Yeah. And so what was your favorite part of today? Like, what stood out I think the workshop, the fact that it was so beginner-friendly, and this podcast too, and I got, I think, I have, should I say this on camera, but I think where I can be very shy, I talk a lot, but I just want to be with my own people to talk, right, and then my friend is telling me, she’s over there, she’s like,

14:50If you want to be that influencer, you have to be able to meet two people and then talk to people I remember when I came this morning, I didn’t meet anybody. I saw Daniel, but I couldn’t talk to him Oh, you didn’t speak? But I had an idea that this person was coming for this war, so how to approach them and be like, hi But she’s like, just say it anyways, they’re not gonna bite you like so I’m even surprised that oh, I’m I’m just able to click and bond with this community easily But I can go to an entire party and just be like this

15:23I’m like hurry up I want to go home Yeah And just maybe talk to the persons I know But like I like a community where everybody can just be themselves And nobody’s judging At least by the time I’m leaving here I’m talking to like 2-3 persons And then we’re sharing ideas We’re checking up on each other Because the world is hard now Everybody’s all smiley but people are depressed and sad so any little thing to keep them sane Anybody wants to hop on that. Yeah, I think that’s the reason my community is so important Like I think you’re really pointing to like the welcomingness being one of your parts like

15:57Yeah, the like the conversation is beginner friendly. I think at times we started veering away from beginner friendly I’m not gonna lie, but I think for me It was still cool to see like who in this community is like has like the most depth of knowledge about this This Conversation as well. I feel like it’s cool to know who the thought leaders when it comes to blockchain are in this community because just to have one is really valuable. Yeah, very true. And so to have three, four, five, the core team. You could literally just go to this. This one says I’m busy. You could go to the next. You could go to the next.

16:29And then there’s a lot of knowledge because imagine having this session online. It will cost you a lot of dollars. Yeah And then you just have, all you just have to do is make friends and then go to them and ask questions for free So this is the importance of community and I think I’m going to like it here You hear that? And I’m really, you know, I’m really happy here to see that because I know belonging is so important to them That’s something I’ve learned in conversation with them over the last week And you know, like for me it’s the same, you know, I really have been aspiring to be building a space like crypto

17:03what black person is talking about crypto in America. I saw one podcast called Earn Your Leisure. They’re talking about Bitcoin. But they don’t know anything about the Ethereum ecosystem and how people are building apps. They’re not really talking about that stuff. And I was like, that could be me. That could be me. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, I know. I know. I mean, I don’t know, actually. But it’s like, but I’ll learn and I’ll ask people who know. I’ll ask people who know. I don’t ask the black people. i do this thing right when you come to me okay let’s say you come now you’re like i’m looking for

17:31uh what should i use as an example i’m looking for an artist i am an artist

17:38even when i’m not all i just have to do is make it feel because i’ll get a friend as an artist and yes we are all artists oh i just all i just have to do is learn give me time i will learn i can do what you need i can get you what you need is that i can do it or i know someone who can and that’s The essence of community, you’re giving platforms to other people to do things that you can do But other than let it go outside, you’re bringing it home, community’s home So I think that’s the whole essence And I was going to, I mean, I absolutely agree

18:07And I was going to say, you know, for me, such a big thing has been like Crypto is so intimidating, just to learn about, it’s like crypto, finance If you don’t feel like you understand finance, then crypto can just feel like tech finance And it’s like So when people just went, I used to think so too I’m thinking tech, I’m like, ah, count me out Yeah, mm-hmm Count me out, but then when you have platforms like where they make you realize, oh, it’s not so deep It’s deep, it’s actually deep, but it’s not so, it’s not as deep as I thought, right? It’s not as hectic as I thought it would be, yeah

18:39It’s not so above your head Mm, you can actually learn it Yeah, and I think like spaces like this, that’s what I was going to say Like when I got into crypto, I was in like five, six, seven different communities asking my questions until the community would fade. And I’d be like, all right, I guess I’ll go find friends somewhere else. But they’re not really my friends long-term, but I have to do that all the time. And so I think over time, it’s been awesome for me to discover that with consistency, you can find spaces like these. I think I go to conferences in the US.

19:06I’ve been to more than 10 different crypto conferences. And I met probably maybe 60, maybe 70 different black people in crypto. But it’s like, I have to do all that to meet those people. The idea that you all have a community within a three-hour radius that you can see and be in conversation, learn, and grow together. I think you all are so lucky to have that and to have thought leaders that are local to have a space to be able to build together I think you all are so fortunate to have that and that many people don’t get to have that But that’s really the reason that I’m creating my platform is that I can start to find the people who want to be the leaders in creating spaces like these

19:37So we can have more of them be accessible to people in our diaspora around the world Because it’s important for us to feel resource, it’s important for us to feel like we can learn And like there’s a place for us to go to learn even if it is online you know It’s just like we need to feel like we have like a friend in the game as someone else to ask our questions with So I appreciate you saying that and I’m curious How do you feel like the Nigerian culture fits into your into your creative expression and your vision for this platform that you want to create?

20:02Okay Nigerian culture They’re very colorful We are very creative You’ll be shocked at how much you can do All you just have to do is ask questions So, like I said, I would like to express myself more in style, in styling people and then putting up my own designs and then when it comes to the top part of it, like my podcast and all, I also want to give out platforms to young individuals to be able to express themselves in diverse forms, in those places where you best feel you can express yourself. If I can talk better on tech, you can talk better on something else and everybody has where their strength lies, look for people in their strengths and just let them bloom there. I already have a brand, Rush Adon, you can check it on Instagram. I just style people, I style women, I style men, whatever representative, you just make them feel beautiful, you make them feel unique in whatever the child they choose to show them.

21:15So that’s what I’ve done to do It’s been really nice to hear you talk about your vision of a podcast and the kind of conversations that you would have when you talk about music and the sexism and like how there’s room for cultural progress for it to be a space that promotes things that actually serve people I’m curious like with your brand, what’s your vision for your brand? Like what’s your impetus? You say making sure people can feel beautiful and self-express and not be judged I also want to make sure I teach people I want to make sure, like myself now, I’m trying to be confident, I’m trying to be bold

21:50I also, I’m very sure that people like me out there who is finding it difficult to be able to relate to people for different reasons I want to be the platform where I’ll be able to educate young individuals to be bold, to be able to speak out, to express their creativity And not just express it, show it out to the world in different platforms in whatever, like I said, bloom in where they flourish, like whatever platform they flourish in, give them platforms to build, give them that, be there to show them the stage until they’re out there, in whatever platforms they choose, yeah, just make sure I’m following them up until they progress, you know, there are some people that are meant to be behind the scenes, right, there are people that are meant to be behind the scenes, you’re just, nobody knows, but just that person knows that, oh, this was who put me out there, oh, this was who trained me, and all of that,

22:38that give these platforms to young people, mostly teenagers, because the world is so loud right now. There’s so much going on. There’s so much going on. And there are a lot of people that just need someone to listen to them. So I just want to be that ear that listens. And probably that voice that you need to just give you that to my ear. Fly baby, fly. You have the wings, fly. I didn’t really get that. I have to do that myself. So I want to make sure I’m giving it out to you as much as I can while I can I appreciate that, I definitely feel like I also feel like in many ways I wasn’t comfortable

23:16Especially as a teenager figuring myself out like discovering what I want to do with my life Who do I want to be and I feel like having a space someone’s gonna listen to you is so invaluable I know when I was talking to Bayo and Eno they were talking about like people are really busy You know, and there’s not a lot of people who are necessarily emotionally available here in Nigeria and like in Africa probably But even like in the in the US, I would say like everybody’s working, you know, everybody’s at work Everybody’s working like who actually has time to do things that don’t pay you, but still demand attention and care

23:45Yeah And I think that’s a shame and so people that I think are holding those spaces like you’re talking about Like creative options, creative people who feel like they belong and say whatever they want, you know, be themselves I think they’re so essential Yeah, very I think especially for young people because everyday matters, you know Everyday matters

24:05This is the time to do it because when I can because the next thing you get a job You’re so busy trying to make money and then you find out you’re not really leaving the life You really want to live because you’re trying to chase chase chase chase chase money. It’s never enough So even in the midst of chasing that money, it has to be what makes you happy It has to be you doing what makes you happy That’s the only way you can feel proposed You can feel like you’re really working in purpose You’re delivering that purpose at that time Yeah, so I think that’s just it

24:37Well, I think you have so much wisdom to be able to say all the things that you’ve been saying And I’m so glad that we made sure to sit down and have this conversation I am, please Thank you for the platform It’s been a while I actually spoke to I like it If you know me, my love language I like small people When I just see small people, ooh, butterflies in my belly. Like, I just like it when I just see small people and I’m like, oh wow, speak, I can hear you. You have my attention. Yeah, yeah. That’s just it. So it just gives me a platform that, oh, there’s somebody I can learn from. I just love it. Like I said earlier, I think I’m just going to love it here.

25:16No, I definitely think you are. And I would say that’s the reason I love being here in Nigeria so much. I’ve met so many incredibly brilliant black people, you know, and I feel like it’s a shame, like how undervalued I feel like people can be here to be so smart and to feel like they just don’t have resources or a platform. I think like I’m so excited to continue to figure out what my role is, what our role is, We Them Media here in Africa and in Nigeria, but just like on the global scale, how do we bring people who have so much knowledge and value to the people who are excited to receive that value?

25:43Yeah And I’m so blessed that we got to have this conversation, that I got to have this experience, you know, putting myself out there Thank you so much for having me Do you have any final words for my audience? Oh yes, please, please, this is going to be an awesome, it is awesome, so you should watch his videos, listen to his podcast, subscribe, like, leave a comment, engage, everything you can do, everything you can do, engage, because you’ll be surprised that share the links if necessary Once you find anything related, there’s definitely someone who’s going to need something someone is saying at a time Just spread love

26:22Well, thank you everybody for tuning in to my podcast today Thank you for being along with me on this journey as I’m building this platform As I’m connecting with people who are new to the community And who are new to my community, those communities I’m new to as well I think this whole experience here in Africa and Nigeria has been mind-blowing, eye-opening in so many ways I feel so blessed to have had this homecoming as the first person in my family to return to Africa, which is like crazy to realize But also to feel like I’m finding belonging in a space that, you know, from across the world feels foreign

26:50Even though it’s a place full of people who look like me And so I feel so lucky, I feel so enlightened to be in this space and so excited to return in the future And just really say thank you for you for giving us your attention I hope that you do return, I hope you make our way to the Discord and you join us sometime soon So we can learn about what you are and how we can support you and I hope that you do launch your podcast even as an NFT And I hope that you all go and collect those NFTs and support precious patience in creating that platform

27:17To think that you’re such a beautiful soul and I hear that your vision is going to be so impactful if you really do take time to put energy into it So I hope that you do. I will, I will, I will. I’m going to hold you to that. Oh, well, definitely So thank you so much and I hope that you all have a blessed day. I like to say booyah to close out the interview So we say 3, 2, 1 Booyah!