PODCAST · society
Selam & Hello
by Lilly Bekele-Piper
Selam & Hello is a show featuring stories of joy and justice from Africa and the diaspora. Produced in Kenya for global audiences - Selam & Hello curates conversations on identity and culture that inform, entertain and uplift.
Episodes
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African Parenting Wins and Fails | Blame or Claim Game
Does your face light up when your child walks into the room? Lilly and her husband, Dr. Ben Piper, reflect on parenting while playing 'Blame or Claim', a game about the wins they'll take credit for and the fails they'll pin on someone else (her? him?). Lilly and Ben have raised four children in...
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Raising Kids Between Two Worlds | Modern African Parenting with Dr. Ben Piper (&Lilly!)
What does it take to raise four children across two continents, and still like each other at the end of it? In this deeply personal Selam & Hello original, Lilly invites her husband of 27 years, Dr. Ben Piper, into the studio for an honest, funny and tender conversation about modern(ish?)...
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The Politics of Water: Dr. Anna Msigwa on Drought, Climate, and the Future of Food
#ClimateAction #SelamAndHello #LivingWithTheLand #PoliticsofWater In this final conversation for Selam & Hello's Living With the Land series, Dr. Anna Msigwa traces the path that led her into hydrology, climate adaptation, and agricultural water management. Based at the Nelson Mandela African...
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A Potato for Every Child: Dr. Dinah Borus on Food Security & Africa's Most Underrated Crop
More than one billion people eat potatoes every day. Yet this familiar crop is often overlooked in conversations about climate resilience, nutrition and Africa's food future. This episode is Part 2 of Living with the Land, a Selam & Hello series in partnership with the Australian High Commission…
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LIVE! 2026 Nairobi LitFest: Mothers Loom Large
Recorded live at the 2026 Nairobi LitFest on Mother's Day. What do our mothers give us beyond life? Language. Courage. Silence. Resistance. Sometimes even the freedom to choose a completely different life. Lilly Bekele-Piper sits down with three of today's most celebrated international writers,...
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Inside Lilly's Afro-Modern Home
(This episode is a special collaboration with @African Interiors. FULL episode can be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83vTSspY7jg&t=627s) What makes a house feel like home? Today, Lilly welcomes you into her Nairobi home, where Ethiopian heritage, Kenyan life and Pan-African...
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The Power of Food: Dr Agnes Kalibata on the Systems That Feed Africa
What if the future of Africa isn't hidden beneath the ground—but growing from it? In this special episode that is part 1 of a series in partnership with Australian High Commission Kenya, Lilly Bekele-Piper sits down with one of the world's foremost voices on agriculture and food systems, Dr.…
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Culture Is the Circle | Katungulu Mwendwa
Recorded live at the World Hope Forum: East Africa. What if culture isn't something we simply inherit but something we intentionally build? Fashion designer Katungulu Mwendwa has spent her career living that question. In this special episode of Selam & Hello, Lilly sits down with Katungulu…
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Kabi's Next Cup!
The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent the official views, positions, or policies of the Australian High Commission Kenya. Selam & Hello has partnered with the Australian High Commission as they celebrate 60 years of...
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The Body & The Blueprint
The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent the official views, positions, or policies of the Australian High Commission Kenya. In the second episode of the 'Saying the African Part Out Loud' series with the Australian…
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LIVE! Now & Next: Caleb Maru Curates Code Across Continents
The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent the official views, positions, or policies of the Australian High Commission Kenya. To commemorate 60 years of diplomatic partnership between Australia and Kenya, Selam & Hello…
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The Summit of a Lifetime: Lessons from Ato Nagizy Gebremedhin
In this poignant final episode of Selam & Hello, Lilly sits down with the extraordinary Ato Nagizy Gebremedhin—engineer, mountaineer, and a treasured elder of Nairobi's community. At 90 years old, Ato Nagizy recently climbed Mount Kenya for the 14th time, exemplifying a life lived with purpose…
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The Aftermath: What the US Election Means to the Continent and Diaspora
In this compelling episode of Selam & Hello, Lilly sits down with Robyn Emerson, Chair of Democrats Abroad Kenya, for a candid and insightful discussion on the 2024 U.S. election results. Together, they unpack the ripple effects of the American election on Africa and the diaspora, delving into…
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The Year That Was
In this reflective year-end episode of Selam & Hello, Lilly and Selam & Hello's Creative Producer, Rahma take a heartfelt journey through the show's most memorable milestones and candidly share the challenges and opportunities that come with sustaining their platform. They delve into the power of...
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(BONUS) Ethical Influence: Navigating Brand Engagement Amid Kenya's Revolution
We are back from our season break to bring you this special and timely conversation. Since June 18, Kenya has been immersed in a political and cultural revolution. This episode features a dynamic conversation with two trailblazers in the world of media and marketing who discuss what it means to…
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99 Stories and Counting ... (Part 2)
In part 2 of this special 99th episode, join Lilly and Njoki Munene as they discuss some of their favorite conversations and transformative moments from the show. They dish about what really happens before live shows and the non-negotiables that have to happen before every interview. Lilly and...
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99 Stories and Counting... (Part 1)
Tune in for part 1 of a behind-the-scenes peek into the heart and soul of Selam & Hello that you won't want to miss in this special 99th episode of Selam & Hello! Join Creator, Host, and Executive Producer Lilly Bekele-Piper as she swaps roles and sits down with the show's Researcher and…
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The Legally Joyful World of Adelle Onyango (Part 2)
Welcome back to part 2 of our conversation with the incredible Adelle Onyango! Adelle is the Founder of Legally Clueless Africa and the Adelle Onyango Initiative, and has quickly become and powerful and important voice in media and advocacy for women and girls. In this episode, Adelle shares her...
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The Legally Joyful World of Adelle Onyango (Part 1)
We had so much fun talking with Adelle Onyango that we had to break the episodes into 2 parts! Adelle Onyango is the Founder of Legally Clueless Africa and the Adelle Onyango Initiative and has quickly become and powerful and important voice in media and in advocacy for women and girls. In part 1...
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We Are Making This For Our Children
This week on Selam and Hello, we delve into the world of "Uli & Tata's African Nursery Rhymes," an animated series celebrating Africa's cultural heritage. Join us as we chat with Sarah Mallia and Manu Akatasa, the creative minds behind the project, about their journey to bring these brilliant...
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Congo na Biso: Our Congo
We are honored to host Kambale Musavuli, an analyst at the Center for Research on Congo & a leading human rights advocate in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the show this week. Kambale shares his insights on the challenges and resilience of the people of the DRC and the deep-rooted…
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Katush and the Tapestry of African Fashion
This week on Selam and Hello, we're honored to feature Katungulu Mwendwa, the visionary founder of Katush Nairobi. Join us as we delve into Katungulu's inspiring journey from studying fashion in the UK to establishing her own brand in Kenya, where she creatively blends traditional Kenyan…
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The Case for the Continent
This week on Selam and Hello, we're honored to host Lydia Namubiru, Editor-in-Chief of The Continent. Join us as we explore the inception of The Continent, and its innovative and empowering platform for African journalism. From celebrating African excellence to shedding light on humanitarian…
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The Case for Indigenous (Re)Imaginings
This week we embark on a visionary journey into 'The Case for Indigenous (Re)Imagining' as part of our ongoing exploration in 'The Case for Hope' series. Join Lilly as she sits down with two inspiring educators for liberation, Sajda Khalil and Amin Hussain, in a conversation brimming with…
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The Case for Choice
This week we are privileged to hear one woman's story on her journey towards choosing the life she wants to live. Muthoni Gitau, a notable content creator and podcaster shares her choice to be child-free, the many challenges she has faced in that journey, and ultimately, how she reached her...
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The Case for Traditional Medicine
This week on Selam and Hello, Lilly delves into the world of traditional medicine with Vitalice Ochieng, Senior Program Manager at the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH). Together they discuss the motivation and tenets of TICAH's book 'Using Our Traditions: A Health & Nutritional…
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The Case for Comedy
This week, Lilly delves into the world of comedy with Doug Mutai. Doug, Founder of the Kenya Standup Collective and Co-Founder of the Nairobi International Comedy Festival, joins us to share how he got started, the current trends in comedy in Kenya and what makes a good joke. Doug shares how...
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The Case for Truth
This week, Lilly dives into the world of journalism with Maya Misikir. Maya is the founder of SIFTER, a weekly newsletter that highlights the top five stories from Ethiopia, shining a light on the challenge of discerning truth in an age of misinformation. Maya shares her journey to journalism…
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The Case for Domestic Workers
According to the IMF, around 60 percent of the Africa's population engages in the informal sector - a world where many workers navigate the challenges of vulnerability while seeking dignified employment. In this episode, Lilly and her guest, Wangeci Kamau, the innovative founder of Good...
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The Case for Hope
In today's episode, Lilly explores how she is mining for hope amid hard days. She offers a 'case for hope' based on both the local and global 'microjoys' she's stumbled across lately. Her reflection kicks off an upcoming series of episodes that will make the case for some of life's most universal...
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LIVE! 2024 Africa Media Festival with Mwalimu John Sibi-Okumu, OGW
Dive into an electrifying live episode of Selam & Hello, recorded live at the 2024 Africa Media Festival, featuring the legendary actor, author, broadcaster, and teacher - Mwalimu John Sibi-Okumu, OGW! In this captivating conversation, Mwalimu Sibi-Okumu joins host Lilly to explore the...
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A Tech Safari for the People
Caleb Maru, is a tech entrepreneur and partner at Proximity Ventures. He joins Lilly this week to discuss the current trends in and the future of tech and innovation in Africa. He shares his journey from pursuing law in Australia to investing in the tech space in east Africa and starting a...
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The Fun, Fierce, Frivolous World of Wanuri Kahiu
In loving memory of Charles 'Charli' Ouda. In this captivating episode of our podcast, join Lilly as she dives into an enthralling conversation with the illustrious Wanuri Kahiu, a visionary force in Kenyan filmmaking and storytelling whose groundbreaking work has not only influenced African…
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Being a Woman Should Not Be a Death Sentence
Note: This episode contains mention of sexual assault and gender-based violence. In a powerful episode following the anti-femicide protests across Kenya on January 27th, 2024, Lilly converses with Maria Maina, a lawyer and writer who created the blog and social media platform, Social Justice...
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The Color Green: How Nairobi's 'Outlaws' Are Saving the City
Join Lilly for an enlightening conversation with urban anthropologist, Dr. Wangui Kimari. Dr. Kimari discusses her unique research blending local histories, urban political ecology, and the Black radical tradition to explore urban spatial management in Nairobi from the perspective marginalized...
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Trash to Treasure: Creating Enviornmental Dignity in Africa
Today's episode brings us into the innovative world of sustainable development and environmental technology. Lilly chats with Kidus Asfaw, the CEO and co-founder of Kubik, a company that is revolutionizing the transformation of difficult-to-recycle plastics into low-carbon building materials for...
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Words Have Wings
Happy New Year! Today, we are honored to welcome eminent Haitian-American author and the Wun Tsun Tam Mellon Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University, Edwidge Danticat. In this episode, Professor Danticat guides Lilly through her literary craft and prolific library of 17 published…
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(BONUS) 23 Joys of 2023!
At the end of every episode we ask our guests - 'what is bringing you joy today?' Join us in the seasonal bonus as we listen to 23 joys from 2023! Thank you for listening, for sojourning with us and we wish you all a joyous and blessed holiday and new year! GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: KEVIN...
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Behind the (Selam & Hello) Scences!
In the last episode of 2023, host Lilly goes behind the scenes with Sahihi Africa's Becky Muikia and Rahma Seif for an exclusive look into Selam & Hello's journey through 42 episodes, 54 guests, 4 live events and 2 spin-off shows in just 1 year! Sahihi Africa, a Pan-African communications agency,...
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A Supermodel Comes Home to Herself
In this episode, Lilly sits down with Kenyan supermodel and founder of the Ajuma Foundation, Ajuma Nasenyana, to explore her remarkable journey from the Turkana region to global fashion runways to her impactful work with the Ajuma Foundation. Ajuma shares her experiences growing up in Kenya and…
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Twende! Twende! Twende!
What if your best friend was a boda-driving, super-chill, urban pangolin? Today Lilly is joined by the star-studded cast of Showmax's trailblazing 2D animated series, 'Twende' which follows the adventures of Twende, the pangolin, his best friend and bird, Nuru - and the villains on their tale…
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The Sun is a Star
Join Lilly as she dives into a conversation with Susan Murabana, the visionary Kenyan astronomer and co-founder of The Travelling Telescope. Together, they unravel Susan's fascinating journey from a stargazing enthusiast to a trailblazer in community science education. Discover how The Travelling...
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Bread and (African) Wine with Chef Munashe
Did you know that although Black South Africans represent more than 80 percent of the country, only 1% of wine brands sold there are Black-owned? Our guest today is determined to see that change one sip at a time. Munashe Kwaramba, a dynamic sommelier and winemaker, and the chef and owner of Hari...
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LIVE! The Boundless African Imagination
In this engaging live recording from the Littlgig Festival in Lamu, Lilly sits down with the distinguished Tsitsi Dangarembga, one of the Continent's most prolific writers, playwrights, and filmmakers, whose narratives have touched audiences across the world. Tsitsi's interview recounts her...
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Black is Beautiful: Exploring Colorism
In this episode, Lilly sits down with social anthropologist and Rhodes Scholar Alaba Angole for a conversation on colorism and the skin bleaching industry in Zambia. Alaba shares the personal encounters with colorism that have informed her research and mission to dismantle damaging social...
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Injustice Anywhere Threatens Justice Everywhere
This episode was recorded on Thursday 26 October. 2023. Please note that themes of war, conflict and genocide are discussed. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King said: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment…
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Don't Call It a Comeback
Join Lilly as she engages in conversation with Mark Otieno Odhiambo, one of Kenya's top sprinters. In this episode, they explore his challenging journey back to running following a three-year ban due to an unintended violation at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. They delve into the complexities of being…
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Sheila Munyiva Takes the Spotlight!
Join Lilly as she delves into Sheila Munyiva's transformative journey in the film and theatre world. Renowned for roles in projects like 'Rafiki', Netflix's 'Country Queen', and Disney's 'Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire', Sheila recounts her rise from playing a made-up Bible character to reshaping...
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The One and Only Gado!
Legendary political satirst Godfrey Mwapembwa, better known as Gado, is proof that a picture is worth a thousand words. In this engaging episode, Lilly and Gado chart his unique path from his hometown of Dar es Salaam, to placing second in a drawing competition in Nairobi to becoming the Daily...
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LIVE! I Can't Breathe: Dr. Ijeoma Kola's Remarkable Journey in Scholarship & Social Impact
In our first public live recording of 2023, Lilly hosts the dynamic Dr. Ijeoma Kola, a professor of history a the University of Notre Dame and a versatile presence in digital content creation, social impact entrepreneurship, and much more. Dr. Kola, the founder of Cohort Sistas, talks about her...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Selam & Hello have?
Selam & Hello currently has 116 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Selam & Hello about?
Selam & Hello is a show featuring stories of joy and justice from Africa and the diaspora. Produced in Kenya for global audiences - Selam & Hello curates conversations on identity and culture that inform, entertain and uplift.
How often does Selam & Hello release new episodes?
Selam & Hello publishes regularly with 116 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Selam & Hello?
You can listen to Selam & Hello on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Selam & Hello?
Selam & Hello is created and hosted by Lilly Bekele-Piper.
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