- If Your African Heritage Gives You Identity Crisis, Listen to This (BEST of 2025!)
In the final episode of 2025, a compilation of the best soundbites, insights and personal stories from host Ben Arthur's discussions this year with second Gen Africans on navigating identity, belonging, success and purpose.
1h 48m - Dec 24, 2025 - Lupita Nyong'o CNN Remarks Reveals this Truth of Our Reality
In this solo B2S episode, host Ben Arthur gives his takeaway from Lupita Nyong'o's recent viral comments regarding the film industry and how it ties into what he's pursuing with the podcast.
This episode is produced by Ben Arthur.
4m - Dec 10, 2025 - Step Out of the Box That the World Has Created For You | Abdie Mohamed
In this episode of B2S, host Ben Arthur chats with Abdie Mohamed, a Somali-American public speaker, cybersecurity expert and lead cloud governance engineer at Lockheed Martin. Abdie discusses stepping out of one’s culture for self growth, the importance of developing communication skills in the age of AI and much more in a wide-ranging conversation.
Connect with Abdie on LinkedIn at Abdie Mohamed or on Instagram at @abdiethespeaker.
Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
39m - Nov 26, 2025 - Why Second Gen Kids Help Each Other Succeed
In this solo episode, host Ben Arthur explains how second-gen kids can empower each other through their shared experience.
Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
6m - Nov 12, 2025 - If You Have African Parents, Listen To This
Join host Ben Arthur on 'Bridge 2 Self' for a compilation episode with the best soundbites and personal stories from guests over the past three months. Dive deep into discussions on identity, success, and purpose with the children of African immigrants.
The featured guests are Saron Tedla, a medical school student and aspiring ophthalmologist; Paul Faronbi, a chemical engineer and entrepreneur; and Kenneth Nti, an architecture designer and researcher. Hear their insightful journeys and experiences navigating cultures, finding self-acceptance, and maintaining a connection to their heritage.
Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
37m - Oct 29, 2025 - The Awkwardness of Being Unable to Speak Your Family's Native Language
In the latest episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur discusses the complex relationship that second-generation immigrants can have with their parents' native language. He shares personal experiences to explain how it can shape an individual's connection to their cultural heritage.
Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
6m - Oct 15, 2025 - The TRUTH About Being a Second Generation Black Immigrant
In this solo episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur gives a high level summary of what it means to be a second-generation immigrant in the United States, particularly in the Black context. The show aims to clarify misconceptions and offer a comprehensive overview for both Black immigrants and the show's wider audience.
Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
8m - Oct 1, 2025 - What it Means to Harness the Experiences of Your African Parents ft. Kenneth Nti
In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur chats with Kenneth Nti, a Ghanaian American architecture designer and researcher based in Seattle, to discuss the complexities of navigating cultural identity and success as a second-generation immigrant. Kenneth shares his unique experiences growing up between two cultures, the importance of community, and the challenges of preserving heritage for future generations. The conversation delves into valuable lessons learned, the significance of mentorship, and personal strategies for maintaining cultural connections. Kenneth also introduces a profound analogy about being the 'baton' in a family relay, highlighting the delicate balance of honoring one's roots while paving the way for future generations.
Connect with Kenneth Nti on LinkedIn or on IG at @kennethknti , his personal page, and @iteration95, his photography page.
This episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
48m - Sep 17, 2025 - Why Tyla's Quote About Identity Hits Close To Home
In this solo episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur examines a quote on cultural identity from Tyla, a prominent singer from South Africa. Providing context about her influence, he considers how her words might affect our understanding of identity formation. The episode touches on the nuances of personal growth and how we see ourselves.
Episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
5m - Aug 27, 2025 - Rediscovering You After Big Change | Paul Faronbi
Join host Ben Arthur as he welcomes back Paul Faronbi for a deep and insightful conversation on self-discovery, personal growth, and cultural identity in this episode of Bridge 2 Self.
Paul, a Nigerian-American chemical engineer, and founder of IncrediPaul and NALA(STEM), shares his experiences from ending a long-term relationship to understanding his true desires and balancing multiple roles. They delve into the challenges and strengths of being a 2nd/1.5 generation Black immigrant, the impacts of people-pleasing tendencies, and practical strategies for finding your strengths and thriving. Tune in for a wealth of wisdom and actionable advice.
Connect with Paul on incredipaul.org or nalastem.com. He is on Instagram and TikTok at @imincredipaul, as well as YouTube at @IncrediPaul .
This is episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
51m - Aug 13, 2025 - The Balance of Heritage & Assimilation as a 2nd-Gen Black Immigrant
In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur discusses the nuanced challenges for second-generation folks preserving their cultural lineage amid societal influences in the U.S., and the decision they must come to terms with to live out their authentic lives.
This episode is produced by Ben Arthur. The music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
4m - Jul 30, 2025 - How to Find Self-Acceptance Living Between Two Worlds ft. Saron Tedla
In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur is joined by Saron Tedla, an Ethiopian-American medical student at Oregon Health & Science University. Saron discusses her experience navigating life as a second-generation Ethiopian, how her cultural heritage has shaped her mission as an aspiring ophthalmologist and why both are tied to her journey of personal growth.
Connect with Saron Tedla on LinkedIn or on Instagram at @saronron_ .
This episode is produced by Ben Arthur. Music is courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
32m - Jul 16, 2025 - Creating Your Own Success as a Second-Gen Black Immigrant
In this solo episode of 'Bridge 2 Self,' host Ben Arthur delves into a profound question that resonates deeply with second-generation and 1.5-generation immigrant children: What does it mean to create your own success? Ben shares personal anecdotes, explores the challenges of balancing multiple cultural identities, and offers insights on recognizing and embracing your authentic self.
Produced by Ben Arthur. Music from Daniel Oyefusi.
10m - Jul 2, 2025 - Embracing 2nd/1.5 gen Black Identity, Improvement, Beating Fear (COMPILATION)
In this final episode of June and the second quarter of 2025, host Ben Arthur compiles the most impactful moments from recent guests on 'Bridge 2 Self.' The episode delves into the experiences of second-gen and 1.5-gen Black Americans and explores themes of overcoming fear, embracing one's cultural identity, and taking actionable steps toward achieving personal goals. Featured stories include the journey of an aspiring actor overcoming self-doubt, the evolution of cultural identity, and the influence of an immigrant background on personal drive and ambition. Tune in for a thought-provoking and inspiring compilation!
Episode produced by Ben Arthur. Music from Daniel Oyefusi.
23m - Jun 18, 2025 - Are You Loving or Romanticizing Your Cultural Heritage?
In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur delves into the nuances between loving and romanticizing one's cultural heritage as a second-generation Black American. Reflecting on recent conversations, Ben explains his own upbringing in a Ghanaian-American household and the importance of forming a fully contextualized view of Ghana. This episode offers a thoughtful look at cultural identity and the importance of comprehensive self-discovery.
Episode produced by Ben Arthur. Music by Daniel Oyefusi.
11m - Jun 4, 2025 - Larry Adigun Does More Than Create Funny African Parent Videos
In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur chats with Nigerian-American actor, writer, and director Larry Adigun. Larry shares his journey of overcoming fears, evolving from making viral comedic videos to pursuing his true passion of acting, and the influence of his Nigerian heritage on his life and career. Larry opens up about his aspirations, the challenges he's faced, and his love for acting, all while working on a significant new project. Tune in to learn about Larry's insights into taking actionable steps every day towards achieving one's goals and the importance of not letting fear dictate one's dreams.
Episode produced by Ben Arthur. Music courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
45m - May 21, 2025 - Max Prempeh Aspires to Design the Most ICONIC Uniforms in Sports
In this episode of Bridge to Self, host Ben Arthur is joined by Max Prempeh, a second-generation Ghanaian and sports product designer. Max shares his experiences growing up with Ghanaian roots in America, the impact of his cultural background on his design work, and the importance of consideration and hard work. He delves into the duality of being both Ghanaian and Black American, and how his heritage influences his perspective in the sports product design industry. Max also discusses the significance of storytelling through design and his aspirations to create culturally impactful uniforms for major sporting events like the World Cup and the Olympics.
How to connect with Max-
Instagram: @maxprempeh
Website: https://maxxprempeh.com/
Episode produced by Ben Arthur. Music courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
41m - May 7, 2025 - Why PG Taylor is Chasing Financial Freedom
Join host Ben Arthur on 'Bridge to Self' as he chats with PG Taylor, a Jamaican-American entrepreneur and real estate investor. PG shares her inspiring journey from immigrating to the United States at 11 years old to getting into the real estate space in Middle Tennessee. Learn about the challenges she faced, the role of her family in her motivation, and her relentless pursuit of financial freedom. Discover how PG is paving the way for immigrant women in the development space and striving to give back to her community. This episode is a testament to resilience, family, and the power of embracing your unique story.
How to connect with PG-
IG: @iampgtaylor
Facebook: PG Taylor
LinkedIn: Petergaye Taylor
website: pgtaylorrei.com
Episode produced by Ben Arthur. Music courtesy of Daniel Oyefusi.
37m - Apr 24, 2025 - What Makes Second Gen Black Experiences So Unique | Compilation
In this episode of Bridge to Self, host Ben Arthur revisits the most impactful moments and insights from the stories of second and 1.5 generation Black Americans shared in the first quarter of 2025. Tune in to reflect on standout interviews and soundbites as we enter the second quarter of the year.
Episode produced by Ben Arthur. Music by Daniel Oyefusi.
13m - Apr 9, 2025 - Second Gen Kids Have a Superpower the World Needs
In this episode of Bridge 2 Self, host Ben Arthur delves into the importance of empathy and understanding within the context of the second and 1.5 generation immigrant experience. Reflecting on his upbringing, Ben discusses how his varied friendships with other second gen kids shaped his perspective. He emphasizes the intrinsic ability of second gen immigrants to navigate different worlds, fostering a natural proclivity for empathy and understanding. Ben advocates for the essential role of these individuals in promoting acceptance in today's globally connected yet divided world. Tune in to explore how the stories spotlighted on this show can inspire us all to be better individuals.
Hosted and produced by Ben Arthur. Music by Daniel Oyefusi.
9m - Mar 26, 2025
