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Stories That Shape Us

Stories That Shape Us

By: Samuel Agbede
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 Stories That Shape Us is a podcast which celebrates the power of personal stories to inspire and connect us. Everyone has a story worth telling and our aim is to curate life-defining lessons, experiences and stories of people around the world and democratise these to people who need them in their journeys. From tales of personal growth to tales of resilience, we explore how these stories have shaped the lives of our guests and how they can inspire us to live our own lives more fully and empathetically. Join us as we uncover the stories that shape us all.Samuel Agbede Social Sciences
Episodes
  • How She’s Travelled to 40 Countries — While Working a 9-to-5 | Ritika Thakkar

    How She’s Travelled to 40 Countries — While Working a 9-to-5 | Ritika Thakkar
    Oct 14 2025
    What if you could see the world — without quitting your job? 🌍✈️In this episode of Stories That Shape Us, Ritika Thakkar shares how she’s travelled to over 40 countries while working a full-time 9-to-5. From finding £30 flight deals on Skyscanner to learning confidence through solo travel, Ritika’s story is a masterclass in freedom through intention — proving that time isn’t found, it’s made.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to Finding Cheap Flights00:22 - Benefits of Traveling00:49 - Welcome to Stories that Shape Us02:03 - Rapid Fire Questions with RitIka10:33 - Navigating Visa Challenges16:52 - Budget-Friendly Travel Tips20:57 - Good and Bad Travel Experiences26:50 - Heartwarming Travel Experiences28:01 - The Benefits of Traveling28:52 - Travel Tips for Students on a Budget36:06 - Travel Tips for Busy Professionals39:58 - Romantic Getaways for Couples41:57 - Exploring Unique and Unusual Destinations48:17 - Final Reflections and Travel Challenge🎧 Whether you’re a mid-career professional dreaming of travel or someone craving balance between work and wonder, this episode will remind you that you always have time for what matters.Follow Ritika:Facebook – / ritika.rajput.16940 LinkedIn – / thakkarritika Gear I Use📷 Sony ZV-E10 - https://amzn.to/41nuUqP📸 Sigma 16mm F1.4 lens - https://amzn.to/4ieZJ7Y🌞 Variable ND filter - https://amzn.to/3QEMGku🎤 Rode Wireless Pro - https://amzn.to/4ipDjAO📍 Tripod - https://amzn.to/3F5hSqA💡 Lights - https://amzn.to/43fFVgu🎛️ Spider Greycard -https://amzn.to/43jYFv8Disclaimer - the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you choose to buy through them. It’s one of the ways I support this channel and keep creating content. Thanks for the support!
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    53 mins
  • How to Overcome Perfectionism and Finally Put Yourself Out There

    How to Overcome Perfectionism and Finally Put Yourself Out There
    Aug 24 2025

    Are you struggling with perfectionism, imposter syndrome, or feeling invisible in your career? In this inspiring conversation, singer-songwriter and podcaster Unoma Okudo shares her journey of evolving beyond boxes, finding courage to share her story, and creating an authentic personal brand rooted in both faith and creativity.We talk about:

    • How to overcome perfectionism and give yourself permission to fail
    • Practical ways to promote yourself without feeling fake
    • The truth about rejection as part of success (and how to handle it)
    • Navigating career growth and visibility as a creative or early career professional
    • Small steps to build confidence and put yourself out there without fear
    • Finding emotional freedom through faith and therapy as a Christian
    • Why courage, not perfection, is the key to living fully

    If you’ve ever wondered how to stop imposter syndrome or struggled to show up authentically in your career or creative journey, this episode will help you take the next brave step.
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    36 mins
  • Why Curiosity Might Be the Missing Key In Your Career | José Enrique Calderón

    Why Curiosity Might Be the Missing Key In Your Career | José Enrique Calderón
    Aug 4 2025

    🎙️ From Curious Kid to Fortune 500 Tech Leader | Career Reinvention & Joy in TechIn this episode, we sit down with Jose, a senior software engineer at a Fortune 500 financial institution, whose technology career journey started in a cyber café in Venezuela. With no formal training at first, Jose taught himself to code through curiosity, community, and pure joy. Today, he leads global teams—still driven by the same playful spirit.We dive into:🔹 How to be a good software engineer (without losing your soul)🔹 How to make your career more fun — even in a traditional 9-5🔹 Joy as a strategy for career growth (not just a “nice-to-have”)🔹 Career reinvention stories in tech that inspire🔹 Why fun matters in your tech career and how to bring it back🔹 Why joy matters in deciding your career, especially when stakes are highWhether you’re early in your journey or stuck in a rut, Jose’s story will remind you: your career doesn’t have to be linear—and joy might just be your best compass.🎧 Watch now and get inspired to reimagine what your career could look like.
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    55 mins
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