In this episode, Kea Wakesho Simmons, the visionary behind Traverze Culture and the Journey Back to Eden Expo, discusses her journey from Charleston, South Carolina to becoming a world traveler and advocate for Pan-Africanism. Kea shares her experiences in the US Army, her travels to countries like South Korea, China, Japan, Ethiopia, and how they shaped her views on culture and Black empowerment. Simmons also delves into the mission of the Journey Back to Eden initiative, aiming to foster deeper relationships and cultural exchanges between Africans in the diaspora and the continent. Kea is using her platform to inspire global connections and cultural understanding.

00:00 Introduction to See Life Different Podcast

01:06 Meet Kea Wakesho Simmons

02:02 Kea's Journey and Military Experience

04:39 Discovering Pan-Africanism

06:50 First Impressions of Kenya

08:35 Journey Back to Eden Initiative

16:30 Future Plans and Legacy

18:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join me this New Year’s Eve in the cradle of humanity— Magical Kenya. This is your chance to connect with 200+ like-minded travelers, with an exclusive 12-day experience available for 50 adventurers. Locals are welcome too and can secure their spot for a 2-day pass! Make a Deposit: $200 (non-refundable) or pay in full by visiting https://bit.ly/jbezaakirah

Have Questions? Email:  info@tverze.com.

For Disability Pride Month, Zaakirah shares her journey as a retinoblastoma eye cancer survivor and introduces Erin Perkins, who has Usher Syndrome. Erin details her experiences with hearing and vision loss and the creation of her business, Mabley Q, which aids businesses in becoming more accessible. They discuss the challenges of living with invisible disabilities, their personal stories, and how both have used their experiences to educate and inspire others. The conversation also touches on the importance of advocacy, allyship, and the need for better support and understanding for people with disabilities.

00:00 Welcome to the See Life Different Podcast

00:43 Re-release and Updated Statistics

01:20 Introducing Erin Perkins and Her Journey

02:14 Zaakirah's Personal Story

03:37 Erin's Experience with Usher Syndrome

06:25 Challenges and Advocacy in the Workplace

09:42 Navigating Disabilities in Daily Life

15:32 Understanding Usher Syndrome and Retinoblastoma

26:29 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Watch On YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/8T3I8tf-_OI

Links Mentioned:

zaakirahnayyar.com

Seeing Life From a Different Lens TEDx Talk

RisingTideSociety.com

MabelyQ.com

Previous Episode Mentioned:

Momatrician Dr Lulu on Therapy, Suicide, and Depression

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/12013829

In this episode of the See Life Different podcast, you'll hear inspiring stories from retinoblastoma survivors, Leia Hunt, a two-time unilateral retinoblastoma survivor and founder of Leia's Kids, Grace Padilla, a neuroscience Ph.D. candidate and Genevieve McCarthy, the president of the Canadian Retinoblastoma Society, and Know the Glow partner, also a unilateral retinoblastoma survivor. They discuss their battles with cancer, advocacy for pediatric cancer awareness, and how their journeys have influenced their careers. Important themes include resilience, the global impact of retinoblastoma, and the necessity of community support.

00:41 Understanding Retinoblastoma

01:14 Leia Hunt: A Survivor's Journey

04:33 Grace Padilla: From Survivor to PH.D NeuroScientist

13:20 Genevieve McCarthy: Advocacy and Parenting

18:00 The Importance of Community and Support

18:12 Mental Health Awareness and Resources

18:41 Advocacy and Personal Stories

27:52 Legacy and Reflections

Links

https://zaakirahnayyar.com/podcast

One World Retinoblastoma Conference Adult Survivor Panel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhhHWVG5P6g&t

leiaskids.org

knowtheglow.org

https://www.rbcanadaresearch.com/

wechope.org

https://www.rbsociety.ca/who-we-are

https://www.cancer.org/