Just Cillah: My Perfectly Imperfect Immigrant Life
19 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsI am a Zambia-born American citizen, media maven, mother, divorcee, girlfriend, sister, daughter, friend and a Sagittarius. I own Gazelle Media, with the anchor being my women's lifestyle magazine, Gazelle. Join me on this wild journey called womanhood, and we will grow together, cry together and laugh together. Let's talk work, family, love, sex and all the things that make our lives so wonderfully dynamic.
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Episodes
Former News anchor/Reporter Jeff Small's Meth Arrest, Addiction and Recovery Journey
January 30, 2020 23:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBHe went from covering the news on a top-rated NBC affiliate to being the news. Anchor and reporter Jeff Small's addiction to drugs and alcohol cost him his job, reputation, friendships and loss of self. Now a graduate of drug court, Small is ready to sit down and share his journey, including a traumatic struggle with his sexual identity, his very public arrest for drug possession, attempts at recovery and bankruptcy, in hopes of inspiring others struggling with addiction, or those who are tr...
Year End Edition:My Relationship Breakup and Publishing Business Updates
December 17, 2019 16:00 - 12 minutes - 8.34 MBTwo months after my relationship breakup post on Facebook, I am talking about what happened and what's next. I am also talking about my luxury Magazine Gazelle and the recently launched STL County News for my community. So much happened this year! Enjoy. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/justcillah)
The Little Boxes in a Man's Brain that Mean "Nothing"
October 23, 2019 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBWhen you ask a man what he's thinking about and he says, "nothing"...or when you ask him what's wrong and he says, "nothing"...what does it really mean? Diane Kline has some interesting tidbits about men's "nothing" boxes. I hope you enjoy this podcast about communication between partners. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/justcillah)
The "5 Love Languages" Help My Relationship Thrive
October 15, 2019 21:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBNobody wants to feel like they are doing all the loving and giving. In his #1 New York Times bestseller, The "5 Love Languages", by Dr. Gary Chapman presents a simple truth: relationships grow better when we understand each other. Everyone gives and receives love differently. Understanding my partner's love language and him understanding mine has been a relationship saver for us. I am joined by journalist and my friend Diane Kline to discuss how love languages have made a difference in our l...
It is Not Too Late to Change Your Financial Situation
October 09, 2019 20:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MB"When you go to college, you are being taught how to be an employee, not an employer. So that educational process was teaching me how to manage other people's money. There was never a course that taught you how to manage your own money." - Deletra Hudson, financial educator. Deletra Hudson joined me to chat about breaking the cycle of poverty by learning good financial practices. Deletra says it is never too late to lay a strong foundation for a stronger tomorrow. Support the show (https://...
Celebrity Photographer Maarten de Boer's Dyslexia Didn't Stop Him
October 04, 2019 23:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBI sat down with celebrity photographer Maarten de Boer to chat about his journey from Scotland to Los Angeles. His exhibit of celebrity portraits "Het Gezicht/The Face" was on view at Webster University. His photographic subjects are a Who’s Who of Hollywood’s film and television A-List. He has photographed Morgan Freeman, James McAvoy, Rebel Wilson, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lady Gaga and countless others. See more of his work at maartendeboerphotography.com Support the show (htt...
Q&A Edition: 13 Personal and Career Questions from my Facebook Audience
September 24, 2019 23:00 - 18 minutes - 13.2 MB"What is your secret skill?" "Are you happy?" In this special edition, I went directly to my Facebook audience to let them chime in on things that they are interested in knowing about my life and career. The feedback will help me hone my topics for future podcasts. Thank you for submitting, and enjoy. cillah.com Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/justcillah)
What Happened After We Shared Our #MeToo Stories of Child Sexual Abuse
September 17, 2019 17:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBIt has been more than two years since Wellness and Life Coach Delisa Richardson and I, along with a number of other women, shared our stories of child sexual abuse and work harassment in a special feature for my magazine, Gazelle. So much has happened since then, but one thing remains constant: our desire to heal and empower. This episode is dedicated to those who still haven't found their voice, who struggle every day to heal the deep wounds, and who stand at the forefront, speaking for wom...
I Got Tired of Being ‘Strong,’ so I Turned to Therapy
September 11, 2019 21:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBIn this episode, I share my reasons for seeking therapy. The truth of the matter is that I was tired of being "strong." I needed to just let go and unburden myself of life events that were impacting my choices in love, family and career. I am joined by wellness and life coach Delisa Richardson, who also turned to therapy. Among several things we have in common is the fact that we are both survivors of childhood sexual abuse. More on that when she joins me again for Episode 12. For now, we ho...
Journalist Trish Muyco-Tobin Shares Her Immigrant Story from the Philippines
September 04, 2019 17:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBLike most immigrants, journalist Trish Muyco-Tobin’s life story is complicated and inspiring. Trish is an award-winning journalist who currently serves as community editor for my magazine, Gazelle. She is rather private, so I was super thrilled when she said yes to appearing on my podcast. “My experiences from one continent to another, from childhood into adulthood, from one chapter to the next, continue to form the layers of my personal history. While my story is inherent to my being...
Should You Ask a Woman Why She Does Not Have Children? Yes and No
August 27, 2019 18:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBIIs it appropriate to ask a woman why she doesn’t have children? I think it depends on your intention. Though it was a sensitive topic to bring up, I mustered the courage to ask our community editor at Gazelle Magazine why she doesn’t have kids. I believe that every woman has the right to do what she wants with her body, and Trish's response—though not what I expected—filled me with admiration for her for making a different life choice from the social norm. Support the show (https://www.pay...
Challenges in My Interracial Relationship
August 20, 2019 23:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBIn Episode 7, you met my significant other Donald Broughton and heard our relationship story. In this episode, we discuss the challenges we have faced as an interracial couple, from me being called a gold digger to him being given the side-eye. We share anecdotes of experiences we have had, both good and bad, and hope our life will inspire you to live bravely. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/justcillah)
My Unexpected Interracial Relationship
August 13, 2019 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBNow that you've gotten to know me better through my first six podcasts, I thought this would be a good time to introduce you to my partner. The differences are many, including the fact that he is white, white, white—and I am black, black, African black. And that is just the beginning of the many things that would normally keep two people apart. But here we are, giving it a serious shot. Meet my significant other, Donald Broughton. Join our conversation in Episode 7 and 8. Support the show...
Let's Use Our Power as Progressive Women to Impact Change
August 06, 2019 19:00 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MBAs we navigate the political combustion between the left and the right, we discuss issues of race, inequality and immigration that impact us as women. We talk about “The Squad" in Washington (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan). We also discuss how we can use our power to impact change, what patriotism means, and whether we are enslaving ourselves once again through activism. Also on the agenda: Fergus...
Discussing the Divide Between African Americans and African Immigrants
July 30, 2019 17:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBImmigration is front and center in Washington, in the news, on social media and in everyday conversation. More than 20 years after I came to America, I feel well-adjusted and proud to be a naturalized American citizen. I do, however, feel the tension between African immigrants and African Americans. Sometimes it is subtle, other times it is pretty blatant, with attacks based on perceptions of one another. While one would think that having the same ethnic background would create a kinship, it...
"Bizships": Are Work-Related Friendships Real or Fake?
July 23, 2019 00:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBHave you ever wondered if your work-related friends are real? Maybe you talk everyday or eat lunch together. Maybe you serve on a nonprofit board or co-chair an event together. You are vested in the relationship, but is it real? I am joined by Diane Kline to talk "Bizships." Follow me on Instagram @justcillah. Like my page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/justcillah/ If you prefer video, my podcasts are also on youtube. Find all links on my website cillah.com Support the show (http...
How Personal Friendships Help or Hinder Growth
July 15, 2019 19:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBIn this episode, journalist Diane Kline joins me for a candid conversation about friendships. We discuss how we handle friendship breakups and what we look for in friends. If you listen long enough, you will hear a story about one of my friendship breakups. As you can imagine, it wasn't pleasant. Diane also shares a funny story about a friend who broke up with her. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/justcillah)
Divorce Was My First Big Step to Growth
July 09, 2019 17:00 - 13 minutes - 9.07 MBIn Part 2 of my launch episodes, I talk about divorce, because it is a huge part of the transformation that led to who I am today. I call it an awakening of myself as a woman. Though there are many unpleasant things I am not ready to share out of sensitivity for my children, I feel comfortable sharing enough to give you a better understanding of my life path that led to this moment. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/justcillah)
My Journey from Africa to Media Publisher
July 09, 2019 01:00 - 15 minutes - 10.3 MBIt is easier to talk about yourself when someone else is asking the questions. In this introductory episode, I asked one of my favorite journalists at Gazelle magazine to interview me. Get to know how I went from Africa to America, from television news producer to magazine publisher. Along the way, I became a mother, learned a lot from that; I got sued, survived that; I got married, survived divorce, and I am miraculously, still sane. Or am I? This episode will hopefully, inspire you to take...