Two Bees In A Pod
by Bee Lola and B.E. Lyonga
Bee Lola and B.E. Lyonga are the hosts of Two Bees In A Pod. Two Cameroonian immigrant women discussing our experiences in the United States, our perspectives on navigating various aspects of life while straddling both cultures, and our takes on trending cultural discourse.
Episodes
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B's August Book Review: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
The Bees review our August book of the month and one of our personal all time favorite novels, "The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives" by Lola Shoneyin. The story follows the goings-on in the household of Baba Segi, a polygamist Nigerian man, following the arrival of his fourth wife. Told through...
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Deportees & Deadbeat Dads
This week's discussion is a hodge-podge of topics trending across the internet, along with the usual sidebars and tangential rants. The Bees discuss a young woman making the difficult choice to self-deport from America back to Cameroon, while analyzing the current political landscape in both...
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The Attention Economy: A Quick Chat
There's only one Bee in the pod today! B.E. Lyonga shares her thoughts on today's "attention economy", and the ethics of being entertained by other people's real life experiences such as psychological crises, marital problems, and more. As examples she discusses recent viral videos including: a...
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*REPLAY* Girl Bosses & Trad Wives: Feminism In Her Flop Era
It's another throwback! While we're "out of office" again this week, we're replaying an episode from 2024. We discuss the history of feminism, the current wave of feminist movement, and trending discourse on gender roles in heterosexual relationships. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic...
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*REPLAY* Relationships & Gender Dynamics in the Diaspora
In this previously released episode of Two Bees in a Pod, the cohosts, Bee Lola and B.E. Lyonga dive into the realities of love and relationships in African diaspora communities, gender stereotypes, roles, and expectations that immigrants have when seeking romantic relationships in the U.S:...
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B's July Book Review: My Parents' Marriage
We're diving into our book of the month for July, "My Parents' Marriage" by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond. This is a story about a complicated but all too familiar (for us West Africans) family dynamic, and a daughter who is determined not to repeat the past. In this review we discuss various themes…
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AITA For Cheating At A Coldplay Concert?
This week we're clutching our pearls at a scandalous affair, and answering the question "am I the asshole?". Let us know if you agree or disagree with our takes. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2
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The Gay Agenda Continues...
This week The Bees are joined by Frank Oben to continue our conversation on queer experiences in the Cameroonian community and beyond. Frank shares his story of struggling with feeling different from an early age, and how the weight of tradition and cultural expectations impacted his mental and...
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B's June Book Review: These Letters End In Tears
The Bees discuss our June book of the month, "These Letters End In Tears" by Cameroonian author Musih Tedji Xaviere. We examine how the characters in this queer love story navigate a homophobic society where love can cost you your life. We share our thoughts on how class, gender expression, and...
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Pride and The Power Of Being Seen w/ Dr. Sirry Alang
The Bees are joined by Dr. Sirry Alang, a health services researcher and medical sociologist, to talk about attitudes towards LGBTQ people in the Cameroonian community and beyond. Sirry shares her personal journey from growing up in Bamenda to becoming a prominent academic in the U.S. She shares...
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Diary of a Third Culture Kid w/ Dr. Tema Fodge
The Bees chat with Dr. Tema Fodge about growing up as a Cameroonian-American 'third culture kid'. She shares her experience navigating two different cultures, and some of the pressures placed on TCK by their immigrant parents. We discuss the nuances of cultural identity, code switching, and…
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Breaking The Silence On Sickle Cell Disease w/ Ijeoma Azubuko
The Bees talk with Ijeoma Azubuko, founder and CEO of the Ruby Ball Foundation, an organization that advocates for sickle cell awareness, research, and support for people living with the disease. Ijeoma shares her personal experience living with sickle cell, and cultural taboos around the…
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Absolute Equality: The History of Juneteenth
In honor of Juneteenth, the Bees welcome two guests from the birthplace of Juneteenth. Creshonda Collins and Angela Taylor share with us some of their childhood memories of celebrations on the island, and historical context that is often left out of discussions about Juneteenth in popular media.…
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*REPLAY* Diaspora Wars
We're replaying an oldie but goodie! In anticipation of Juneteenth and our upcoming episode honoring this special holiday, we thought we'd rerun this conversation about bridging gaps and dispelling negative stereotypes amongst the Black Diaspora. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic...
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Losing My Religion Pt 2
It's part two of our most popular episode to date! This time we're talking about the history of the Catholic church, women finding community in the church including Bee Lola's return to church, and Christian influence in politics and social media. Be sure to check out the part one which aired on...
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Twin, Where Have You Been?
The Bees return for Season 3. We're catching up on what we've been up to this year, and some of the events that have occurred since the new administration took office in America. We discuss changes in immigration policy that would affect Cameroonian immigrants, layoffs of federal workers, and the...
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This Season on Two Bees in a Pod ...
We’re back! This season on Two Bees in a Pod, we’re diving into My Parents’ Marriage by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond and getting real about relationship dynamics in African marriages and of course, cheating in relationships! From African family dynamics to hard truths about love and betrayal—this one’s...
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Until Next Time...Season 2 Finale
The Bees reflect on the lessons we've taken away from our guests and the inspiring stories they've shared with us this season. As we enter the holiday season and the new year, we give thanks for everyone who has chosen to be part of our community. Opening music from UpbeatMusic...
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B's November Book Review: Arrow of God
The Bees review our final BOTM for this season and the year, "Arrow of God" by Chinua Achebe. In this novel, a prequel to the classic work "Things Fall Apart", we are taken back to 1920's Nigeria under British colonial rule. We discuss the culture and traditions of the Igbo society where the…
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Black Tax
This week The Bees discuss the concept of 'Black Tax,' a term that refers to the financial support that Black professionals provide to their families and communities. We extend this definition to include financial support that immigrants send back to their families in their countries of origin…
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Coconut Trees in Amerikkka
The Bees react to the results of the American presidential elections, discuss voter demographics, and what we can expect from the incoming administration. Opening music from UpbeatMusic https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/botswana License code: CNXX5ILE1JOBZYM2
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B as in Ballot
The Bees discuss the upcoming U.S. election on November 5th. We talk about what's at stake in this election, and why we believe down ballot races and propositions are just as important as the presidential race. We reflect on our first times voting as newly naturalized American citizens, and some...
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B's October Book Review: The Crown Of Thorns
The Bees review our book of the month for October, "The Crown Of Thorns" by Linus Asong. This Cameroonian classic is set in a fictional village shortly after independence. Our discussion touches on themes such as the ethics of the acquisition and display of African artifacts in Western museums…
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Superhero: A Survivor's Story w/ Anna Foncha & Dr. Nina Lum
The Bees are joined by Anna Foncha and Dr. Nina Lum, in a moving and important conversation about cervical cancer. Anna shares her journey from diagnosis to recovery, the emotions and grief that she navigated, and how the experience ultimately brought her closer to herself and God. She reflects…
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Shooting Your Shot w/ Flo Ngala
The Bees are joined by Flo Ngala, highly acclaimed African-American photographer and photojournalist. Flo shares her journey from picking up a camera for the first time in middle school to photographing celebrities like Cardi B, and joining V.P. Kamala Harris on a campaign tour. She discusses the...
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B's September Book Review: My Sister, The Serial Killer
The Bees review our book of the month for September, "My Sister, The Serial Killer" by Oyinkan Braithwaite. We explore various themes that we encountered in our reading of this thrilling story, including pretty privilege and colorism. We discuss family dynamics and how abuse may have shaped the...
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Notes On Grief: Part IV
In this fourth episode of our series on grief, The Bees are joined by Josiane who shares her experience of pregnancy loss and subsequent traumatic, life threatening childbirth experiences. We discuss the disparate treatment of Black women in the American health care system and the importance of...
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Notes On Grief: Part III
In the third epsiode of our grief series, The Bees are joined by Sidney Ngochi, who shares his experience of losing his wife suddenly. Sidney talks about his grieving process, the importance of family and community in navigating single parenthood, and offers valuable insights and advice for…
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Notes On Grief: Part II
In the second episode in our series on grief, The Bees are joined by Ning Tendo, grief guide and dream researcher, and author of Death Song In Green . We share personal stories about our experiences with grief, and Ning discusses the impact of cultural rituals, and the importance of community…
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Notes On Grief: Part I
This month we're doing a series of episodes on the topic of grief. Whitney Asaha joins us for our first discussion, to share her experience with grieving the loss of her parents when she was a teenager. She shares how the grieving process was different with each loss, and how cultural norms can...
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B's August Book Review: Butter Honey Pig Bread
*This episode includes discussions of child abuse.* The Bees review our book of the month for August, which was "Butter Honey Pig Bread" by Francesca Ekwuyasi. We discuss themes of magical realism in the book, and relate them to beliefs and practices from Cameroon and other African countries. We...
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Taste of Our History: Exploring West African Cuisine w/ Ozoz Sokoh
The Bees are joined by Ozoz Sokoh, culinary anthropologist and food historian, curator of the Kitchen Butterfly blog and Feast Afrique digital library. Ozoz shares the inspiration behind her work, and some eye opening discoveries she has made on her journey exploring the history and evolution of...
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Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health w/ Anim Aweh
The Bees are joined by Anim Aweh, a licensed mental health therapist, certified clinical health educator and co-founder of Aweh Support. Anim sheds light on the lack of mental health support in immigrant communities and the need for culturally competent therapists. We discuss some reasons why...
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Money Talks w/ Ashangndowah Akwo
The Bees are joined by Ashangndowah Akwo, co-founder of myNkwa, a digital savings app helping Cameroonians meet their financial goals. He discusses the challenges he faced as a startup founder and the importance of failure in the entrepreneurial journey. He emphasizes the need for resources and...
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B's July Book Review: Travelers
The Bees reviewed our book of the month for July, which was "Travelers" by Helon Habila. We discuss the experiences of the immigrants in this book, and consider how their experiences in Europe compare to our own experiences as immigrants in America. We talk about the realistic portrayal of…
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Bring Back Precedented Times
The Bees catch up on recent events, sharing our takes on trending topics including the U.S. presidential race. Please note this episode includes discussions of violence and may not be suitable for young or sensitive listeners. Opening/Closing music from UpbeatMusic...
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*REPLAY* Cultural Crossroads: Raising Children w/ Coach Gbemi
A replay of one of our most popular episodes from Season 1. 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...
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The Migrant's Journey w/ Daniel Tse
The Bees are joined by Daniel Tse, founder of Cameroon Advocacy Network. Daniel shares with us his personal journey navigating the U.S. immigration system and how these experiences inspired the work that his organization does. We discuss recent wins, challenges in the immigration system, and how...
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B's June Book Review: Under The Udala Trees
This week on Two Bees in a Pod, the Bees reviewed our book of the month for June, which was "Under The Udala Trees" by Chinelo Okparanta. We discuss recurring themes in the book including war, grief, and homophobia. We considered familiar experiences described such as the practice of children…
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All That & A Bag Of Chips w/ Stephen Fusi
The Bees are joined by Stephen Fusi, CEO and founder of Dream Big Snacks and Root Flavors. Stephen shares with us his journey of opening and operating a potato chip factory in Bamenda, Cameroon. (For our British audience, that would be potato 'crisps'!) He discusses his inspiration for the…
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Pride & Prejudice w/ Teresa Morcho
The Bees are joined by Teresa Morcho, founder and CEO of Stud Model Project. Teresa discusses her work to create a diverse and inclusive network for stud models from around the world, in an industry where such representation is lacking. She also shares her journey as a Cameroonian immigrant in…
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African Folklore and The Dynamics of Culture w/ Helen Nde
The Bees are joined by Helen Nde, curator of Mythological Africans. Helen shares insights on myths, folktales, and spiritual practices across the continent, and the impact of colonization on the preservation and dissemination of this knowledge. We discuss the perspectives of Africans on our...
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Bees Are Back!
We're back with a second season of our podcast and we have visuals! (Check out our YouTube for full length videos and IG for reels). In this episode we're catching up on what we got up to on our break, world events, and internet nonsense. Warning: this episode includes mentions of domestic and...
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B Day Part Deux...Until Next Time
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,...
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Let's Talk *Art*
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...
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B's March Book Review: Honey and Spice
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…
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What's New?
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
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Do You Know Her?
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
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Girl Bosses & Trad Wives: Feminism In Her Flop Era
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...
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B's February Book Review
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...
About this show
Bee Lola and B.E. Lyonga are the hosts of Two Bees In A Pod. Two Cameroonian immigrant women discussing our experiences in the United States, our perspectives on navigating various aspects of life while straddling both cultures, and our takes on trending cultural discourse.
Hosted by
Bee Lola and B.E. Lyonga