The Feminine Outliers
by The Feminine Outliers
Join two globally-minded, culture-curious women as they share the raw, real, and sometimes radical journey of uprooting their lives from the African continent to forge new paths in the US and UK. This isn’t just about immigration, it’s about Self Discovery. Through bold conversations and honest storytelling, they unpack what it truly means to seek sovereignty in identity, womanhood, work, and self-worth despite where you are from or where you are headed. From navigating culture shock to redefining success, love, and belonging, this is a space for anyone who’s ever questioned the script and dared to live beyond borders.
Episodes
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The Hidden Identity Shifts of Moving Abroad
In this episode, Choolwe and Zelda discuss the psychological, mental, and emotional shifts that happen when moving from a home country to a host country, beyond cultural shock. They explore code-switching and self-filtering in workplaces and social spaces, the pressure to blend in rather than…
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What Are You Driven By: Logic or Emotion?
In this episode, we discuss whether people are primarily driven by logic or emotion, sharing how being more logic-driven can create frustration when others communicate emotionally, especially through long, detailed stories or heightened reactions. We talk about the need for emotional intelligence...
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The Cost of Living Abroad
In this episode, Choolwe and Zelda engage in a heart-to-heart discussion about the challenges and nuances of maintaining family connections while living abroad. Reflecting on their own experiences of living in the US and the UK with family back in Zambia and Kenya, they explore the frequency of...
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Challenging Beauty Standards: A Deep Dive into Cultural and Personal Perspectives
Welcome back to the Feminine Outliers Podcast! In this episode, we tackle the topic of beauty standards and how they are influenced by cultural perceptions. We share personal anecdotes and discuss the impact of Western beauty ideals on black women, the challenges of embracing natural hair, and…
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Accents, Attitudes and Assumptions
In this episode of the Feminine Outliers Podcast, we delve into the complexities of accents, attitudes, and assumptions that arise when living abroad or in a multicultural environment. We share personal experiences about cultural misunderstandings and the biases faced due to different accents.…
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None of Us Are Perfect: The Art of Consistency
In this episode, we dive into 'The Art of Consistency'. Choolwe shares her fitness journey and insights on staying motivated. We discuss the challenges of transitioning our podcast from audio to video, the importance of planning, and how identifying with your goals can keep you on track. We…
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Why are Westerners Called Expats and Non-Westerners Called Immigrants?
In this episode we delve into the world of Double Standards that exist in this world especially from the Western and non-Western view points. We tap into our experiences as African women who have experienced some of these double standards. 00:00 Welcome Back to the Feminine Outliers Podcast 02:34...
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The Silent Crisis of Black Women's Health
Join Zelda and Choolwe as they dive into the multifaceted topic of Black women's health. From physical health issues like vitamin D and iron deficiencies to the emotional and mental health challenges encountered in the western world, this episode explores a wide spectrum of health-related...
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STEM Career But At What Cost?
In this episode, Choolwe and Zelda share their experiences as African women in STEM fields working in the western world. They discuss the unique pressures and mental exhaustion that come with high-functioning careers like medicine and engineering, while also highlighting the rewarding aspects of...
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To Travel Is To Live!
Life is about the adventures you take and the memories you make. Join us while we talk about Zelda's recent trip to Japan. Hope this inspires you to travel! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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We are back! 2025 Here We Are!
We are back and we are doing video now. Tune in to learn about what we have been up to and our plans for the podcast. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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How do You Cope with Change?
Hey Outliers, it has been said that one thing that is constant is change. Its constantly taking place whether we bury our heads in the sand or are willing to look at it straight in the eye. Tune in to learn more about navigating change. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Embracing Your Natural Beauty: Hair Part 2
Hair is something that is naturally a part of us yet it can feel foreign to many of us black women. In this episode we talk about some of our hair struggles as two black women that are working on embracing their natural tresses. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Patient Diaries!
Welcome to Patient Diaries! Dr. Zee's recollection of her many interesting patient encounters / stories that are both enriching yet entertaining. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Is Power the Root of All Evil? #P.Diddy
How are people using their power? Are some celebrities abusing their power? Is power the root of all evil? Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Does Women Leadership Bust The Weaker Sex Theory?
Women in leadership- something that technically should be normal but the world is still getting used to it / has not accepted it. How does it feel to be a female leader? What are some of the barriers we face? Tune in to this episode and let us know your thoughts as well!. Leave us a comment or...
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How Much Attention Are You Paying to Politics?
Politics play a daily and pivotal role in our lives whether we are conscious about it or not but how much attention do we give it? Stay tuned to hear our thoughts. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Do We Really Need Education to be Successful?
Education: something most of us are familiar with. But how important is education in our lives and do we really need it? Tune in and hear our thoughts on it! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Why is it Easier to Blame Others?
Have you ever wondered if you could control and manage your emotions? Zel and I dive into a love and pet peeve of ours-emotional intelligence! We talk about what it means to be emotionally intelligent and the practices associated with it. Can you relate? Leave us a comment or question or just say...
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Are Women Really Empowered?
In this episode, we delve into what it means to be a woman in our current society and what are the cultural shifts that have to be made to accommodate these shifts for both men and women. Tune also to learn what we have unlearned this week. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Dear Africans: Is Land the only form of Generational Wealth?
In this episode we dive into our current experiences of building generational wealth-the messaging we grew up with and what the current limitations are in building wealth. Again, without discussing it, we have similar unlearning pieces and so tune in to learn more Leave us a comment or question…
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Things that are just not Demure...
In this episode we talk about some of our pet-peeves. This is a fun, mostly light-hearted episode. What are some of your pet-peeves? Enjoy! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Where do I Belong in this Big Wide World?
In this episode, we talk about how our Identities have been shaped by our moves to the Western world and how it affects our daily lives / how we interact with others. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Is Religion Good or Bad?
Religion is fundamental to many people as they identify with it but how often do we step back and think about our faith and how we practice it. In this episode, we open up this discussion and delve into our upbringing, current religious experiences and some of the extremes and limitations of...
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Career Series: When is Time to Take a Break from Work?
Burnout is something that many of us experience. In this episode, we talk about workplace burnout specifically and how it has impacted us in our professional careers. Hopefully you learn something new! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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The Problem of Patriarchy
Patriarchal societies have been in existence for a very long time. In this episode, we dive into the challenges we face with this kind of system in today's modern world; the impact it has on both men and women. We also have great unlearning pieces. Tune in to hear more. Leave us a comment or...
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Travel Time: Scotland/England Trip!
In this travel episode, we talk about our recent United Kingdom Trip: what we learnt from this trip, our favorite parts of the trip and the less desirable parts as well. Welcome to another fun-loving episode! Disclaimer: Apologies for the sound quality with this episode. We did our best to edit…
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Representation in the Media
Let's face it...the media is a very powerful tool and a big part of our everyday life. It shapes our view of our lives. However, do we stop to question what we consume and whether what is presented in the media is truly our reality. In this episode, we dive into how media has shaped our…
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How come I can't? What is Stopping Me?
We are back! And this time we are reflecting on what are the symptoms and traits of self-sabotage and how we deal with it. We think its a good time to think about it seeing that half of the year is already gone! Could self sabotage be the reason you are not on track to reaching your goals? Tune…
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Career Series: Can Work Colleagues Be Friends?
If you are not working for yourself, you are probably working with other people and that alone comes with its own pros and cons. We dive into what workplace culture means and how to navigate it. Tune in to find out more. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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What Would You Do?
In this episode we go over some moral dilemmas, some fun others serious and see how we would handle these situations. Enjoy this light-hearted yet thought-provoking episode! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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How Far Can Community Really Take Us?
Ubuntu is a Zulu word directly translating into the phrase "I am because we are". It centers around the ideology of humanity and community. How can we live and evolve while serving each other? Community is a very big part of the African culture and we reflect on the benefits and limitations we…
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How to Become a Minimalist
Minimalism: do you love it or hate it? This is a concept that a lot of the world has embraced in different ways . In this episode, we discuss how minimalism has become a part of our lives. Enjoy! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Career Series: Imposter Syndrome
We dive into this phenomenon that most of us tend to experience especially when acclimating to new environments, people and skills. We discuss our experiences with imposter syndrome and how we have managed to deal with it. Tune in to find out if you can relate. Could this be holding you back in...
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Maintaining Friendships
Friendships are a valuable part of our lives, but keeping up with them varies in the different stages of our lives. In this episode, we dive into what maintaining friendships means to us, especially as adults. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Unravelling Travel Q and A Part 1
Choolwe and Zelda explore their travelling styles in their first Q and A session on travel. They of course dive into their unlearning pieces for the week. Tune in and find out if you can relate to their travelling styles. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Growing Up As An African Woman
In this episode we discuss what it was like growing up as African females in patriarchal societies. We are barely scratching the surface in regards to this topic but believe this will be an interesting listen! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Career Series: What Engineers Are Not!
Career Series Episode 2: In this episode, we delve into the myths surrounding Engineers from Choolwe's perspective. It is an enlightening but fun yet educative episode- enjoy! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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People That Inspire Us
Zel and I sit down to look at the people that we look up to and help us grow into the better versions of ourselves. We appreciate the great work that these people are doing and we would like to give them a shout out. Tune in to find out if they are also your inspiration. And what would life be...
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Is the 9 to 5 Dead?
In this episode we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a "regular" or "conventional" 9-5pm job. We hope this episode is enlightening to all! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Why Can't I Bring Myself to Exercise?
We all know the things we need to do to stay healthy and keep fit? But what is keeping us stuck and from not achieving our goals in this area of our lives. We delve into the barriers we have experienced. Can you also relate to us with these barriers? Of course, we have unlearned a couple of…
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Career Series: What Doctors Are Not!
On this episode, we dive into the world of the myths that surround Doctors/physicians. In particular, we delve into what people think doctors are and what they are not, based off the experience of Dr. Zelda Wasao. Enjoy! Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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How do I Find My People?
Choolwe and Zelda discuss how and where you find the people you want to spend the most time with. Is it time to reset your community as you work on your 2024 goals? Also, tune in to find out what they have unlearned this week. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Things To Try In 2024
This is a fun-filled episode with light-hearted ideas of things to try in 2024- The Zelda and Choolwe versions. These are the fun things we would like to accomplish in 2024, some of which include "Bucket-list Items". It is nice to set up light-hearted goals for yourself in addition to your…
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Reflections of the Past Year 2023
We would like to apologize for the background noise and echoes that you may hear during this recording. We are working to resolve this matter ensuring this does not happen again. We still believe that the episode is worth the release. Thank you for your understanding. Love Zelda and Choolwe. We…
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New Year's Resolutions
We would like to apologize for the background noise that you may hear during this recording. We will ensure this does not happen again. We still believe that the episode is worth the release. Thank you for your understanding. Love Zelda and Choolwe. New Year's Resolutions!- most of us have them,...
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What does it Take to Be a Global Citizen
Zelda and Choolwe explore what it takes to live outside your home country and the nuances, beauty and challenges that come with it. Tune in to hear also what they are unlearning this week. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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It's All About Christmas!! Christmas Traditions (And New Year's...)
This episode we discuss our various Christmas traditions growing up, how they have evolved and what we look forward to in the future. We also add in as a bonus New Year's traditions as well :) Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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YouTube is Not Just TV...its a University
Choolwe and Zelda are bona fide graduates of YouTube University. They dive in to discuss why this is their favourite social media platform and how to effectively use it. Also, don't miss out on their insightful unlearning pieces. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
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Food Without Borders
It's all about food! As two foodies, we talk about how food shapes our world and the world of those around us. Hopefully this is a palatable episode. Leave us a comment or question or just say hi :)
About this show
Join two globally-minded, culture-curious women as they share the raw, real, and sometimes radical journey of uprooting their lives from the African continent to forge new paths in the US and UK. This isn’t just about immigration, it’s about Self Discovery. Through bold conversations and honest storytelling, they unpack what it truly means to seek sovereignty in identity, womanhood, work, and self-worth despite where you are from or where you are headed. From navigating culture shock to redefining success, love, and belonging, this is a space for anyone who’s ever questioned the script and dared to live beyond borders.
Hosted by
The Feminine Outliers
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