It's our season finale! This week we're celebrating Bee Lola's birthday, a majestic solar eclipse, and 26 episodes of this incredible journey. We're so grateful for all your support, feedback, and for coming along with us as we strive to create content that is authentic, entertaining, thoughtful, and most of all the kind of podcast that we would love to tune in to every week. We look forward to the next season (after a short break), and continuing to build this community with you....

The Bees give our takes on cultural representation in various art forms, and discuss our early influences and experiences with literature and film. We talk about the role of social media in exposing artists and content creators to a global audience. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

The Bees review our March Book Of The Month, "Honey and Spice" by Bolu Babalola. We compare our reactions to this genre of romance, discuss familiar themes of second generation immigrant experiences, and some lessons we took away from the characters' stories. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

This week the Bees are catching up on recent events in U.S. and international news, as well as other unserious matters that have been trending on social media. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

In honor of Women's History Month, The Bees share the stories of four women we think everyone should know, and talk about more. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

To kick off Women's History Month, the Bees discuss our views on the history and current state of feminism. We share our perspectives on trending online discussions and how that may be impacting women's views on feminism. (This conversation was centered around cishet women and heteronormative relationships, as that is the limited pool of experience from which we draw, and we acknowledge that there is much more to be said on queer women's experiences). Opening/Closing music from...

The Bees review our February Book Of The Month, "Chain-Gang All-Stars" by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. We share our thoughts on how the book ties a fictional dystopia to the present reality of the U.S. prison industrial complex, and our society's ideas of entertainment. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

In reflection of Black History month in the U.S., the Bees discuss the concept of Black excellence and respectability politics. We give our takes on the shift in how Black American icons are viewed, and weigh in on why certain parts of African history are sensationalized over others. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

The Bees reflect on love and how we as a society and individuals view and prioritize platonic relationships compared to romantic. We also discuss making and maintaining friendships as adults, and the heartbreak of friendship breakups. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

The Bees review our Book Of The Month for January, "Behold the Dreamers" by Imbolo Mbue. Before that, we catch up and share our takes on some current events and politics. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

The Bees are joined by Viola Welang, co-owner of Lakelle fashion studio and owner of The Business Essentials. Viola shares her experience in founding multiple business in the U.S. and in Cameroon, the lessons she has learned along the way and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on identifying opportunities, and betting on yourself. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message:...

The Bees discuss our deconstruction journeys, what triggered our departure from the church and where we stand today. We also ask questions about how people from marginalized groups engage with their Christian faith. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

The Bees talk new year fitness goals with our guest Alexa Idama who is a Pilates instructor and trainer with extensive experience in the fitness industry. Alexa shares tips for success, breaks down some cultural food myths, and discusses diversity in fitness spaces. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

Happy new year to all our listeners! B's Book Of The Month for January is "Behold the Dreamers". Join us as we read this debut novel by Cameroonian writer Imbolo Mbue. At the end of the month we will discuss our thoughts and hope to hear yours too. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

The Bees discuss the knowledge gap that many women are bridging as adults when it comes to their reproductive health. We also look at the history and current state of women's reproductive health in America. Please listen to the content warning at the start of the episode. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

The Bees are joined by Gbemi Adekoya, a licensed psychotherapist, counselor, and board certified assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA) to discuss parenting approaches across generations and borders. Coach G helps us understand different parenting styles, and helpful approaches to consider when trying to correct unwanted behavior. Learn more about Gbemi, her practice, and educational resources at untangletogether.com. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic...

In this episode The Bees discuss the different ways immigrants maintain connections to their homelands and loved ones back at home. We start off with an unrelated but relevant icebreaker on current events and our thoughts on the obligations of celebrities in our culture. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

In this episode we're celebrating one of the Bee's birthdays by sharing some life advice, talking about how we met, and why we decided to start this podcast. We also share some feedback from our listeners, and thank you all for coming along on this journey with us. Cheers to the future! Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

In this episode the Bees discuss some topics that have been taboo in our communities, but that we (and many of you) believe need to be brought out into the open. Please listen to the content warning at the beginning of the episode. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

As we enter the holiday season, the Bees discuss our first impressions of American holidays, and some adjustments immigrants make when integrating into this culture. We also talk about seasonal depression and mental health struggles around the holidays. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

In this episode the Bees discuss the online phenomenon known as Diaspora Wars, and the harmful negative stereotypes that Africans and Black Americans have about each other. We also go on a lengthy (but entertaining) side bar about Afrobeats. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

In this episode, the Bees discuss our experiences as boarding school students in Cameroon: the good, the bad, and the ugly. A heads up that this episode may not be suitable for all listeners as we mention child abuse, bullying, and predatory behavior. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

In this episode the Bees talk about learning the American banking and financial system as immigrants. We also discuss financial milestones and goals, and the pressure to "keep up with the Joneses". Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message

In this episode the Bee Lola and B.E. Lyonga discuss gender stereotypes, roles, and expectations that immigrants have when seeking romantic relationships in the U.S.. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bee-bea/message