Padded Cell will be a weekly conversation with different people from different facets of our society about our state of well-being, how we deal with the normal stresses of life, how we can work productively and fruitfully and how we enrich our contribution to our communities. It will be candid, it will be blunt, it will be passionate and I hope that it will encourage all of you to reach out to someone and talk about what you are going through.

Trailer

A little bit about me and why I am doing this podcast...

Meet Your Host

A conversation with Masego Seane about dealing with mental health as a single, working mom.

Episode 01 - Masego Seane

A conversation with Rev. Jide about homosexuality, religion, faith and mental health

Episode 02 - Rev. Jide Macaulay (Happy Holy Homosexual)

A mother who lost her son speaks to me about him, his mental health and how it all affected her life. Also, what her resilience is allowing her to do to touch the lives of many others 32 months after the death of her son.

Episode 03 - A Tribute to Akshay Maharaj

As a follow up to last week's episode, a detailed conversation with expert Cheryl Johnston about depression and ways to deal with it.

Episode 04 - Cheryl Johnston

House of Guramayle is a collaborative intersectional platform created by exiled Ethiopian activists based around the world. This is one of 12 stories in their new book, Tikur Engeda about coming to terms with one's sexuality in a country that does not accept you for who you are.

Episode 06 - House of Guramayle - Tikur Engeda

It is important to know that it is okay to feel down in times of isolation and uncertainty. It is also okay to speak to someone and when our friends who are going through the same thing we are are overwhelmed, it is okay to seek professional help.

Episode 07 - It Is Okay Not To Be Okay

What options do victims of domestic violence have when everyone is under government order to stay home?

www.powa.co.za
https://www.soulcity.org.za/
https://www.gov.za/TCC
www.joko.co.za

Episode 08 - Domestic Violence On Lock - Down

A conversation with Graham Wood, CEO of Aga Khan Foundation in Eastern Africa about the psychological impact of the lockdowns on persons who are vulnerable and living from paycheck to paycheck.

Episode 09 - On Vulnerable People And The New Normal

A chat with Tiffany Mugo of HOLA Africa on most matters sex, the link to mental health and making the most of what we have when it comes to sex.

Episode 10 - On Sex Positivity And Mental Health

Africa is breaking the silence. Meet the hosts of Padded Cell Podcast's 10 day event starting Thursday 14th May 2020 on LGBTQ+ mental health from across Africa.

Breaking The Silence - Meet The Hosts

With hosts from Zambia, Kenya, Botswana, Algeria, Egypt, Burundi, Eswatini, Ghana, Ethiopia and South Africa, Padded Cell Podcast is going to break the silence on Mental Health and LGBTQ+ issues. 

May 14th - May 23rd

Breaking The Silence - Promo

Bradley Fortuin hosts this episode joined by Maitumelo Tsekane a counsellor at Lesbians and Gays of Botswana (LEGABIBO). They talk about the importance of building a sense of self, how to build resilience and the need for providers psychosocial support to be sensitized on LGBTIQ+ issues. They both stress the need to be kind to each other, and ourselves.

Breaking The Silence - Botswana

Due to safety concerns, Padded Cell Podcast did not find a host and guest based in Ethiopia. Bahiru Shewaye, an Ethiopian born activist hosts this episode with Zelly, a poet, writer, performance artist and human rights activist. They are both co-founders of House of Guramayle. In this conversation, they talk about their various coping mechanisms, dealing with anxiety and depression and the importance of knowing who you are. They also stress the need to be kind to each other, and ourselves.

Breaking The Silence - Ethiopia

Lethabo Mailula hosts this episode with Jamil Khan, a researcher, PhD Critical Diversities Studies candidate and author of the book Khamr: The Makings of a Waterslams. They give incredible advice to activists talking about the problems that we face in the work that we do, the critical importance of self empathy and the power of ignorance; specifically refusing to admit that you know something.

Breaking The Silence - South Africa

Melusi Simelane hosts this episode joined by a being of pure light, love and energy, Alex Ndzinisa, founder and CEO of Who I Am. They discuss the importance of prioritizing mental health in the work we do and motivate us to find our true selves while knowing our worth and knowing that none of us is alone.

Breaking The Silence - Kingdom Of Eswatini

Depuis l'Algérie, Zoheir anime cet épisode avec Star Rugori du Burundi et Solange Kibibi du Burkina Faso. Iels parlent de leurs expériences en tant qu'activistes qui vivent souvent l'épuisement intellectuel, et ne reçoivent aucun soutien. 

Cet épisode est entièrement en français afin de toucher le public francophone du continent africain.

Briser le Silence - Algérie, Burkina Faso et Burundi

Alessandra Ogeta from Jinsiangu, an intersex, trans and gender non-conforming organization in Kenya hosts this episode with guest Winnie Orodi, a psychologist working with the ITGNC community in the country. They emphasize on the need to focus on what we can actually influence in our lives in times of heightened anxiety.

Breaking The Silence - Kenya

This episode is in Arabic to reach the Arabic speaking audience in the African continent. From Egypt, [Anonymous] speaks to a fellow Egyptian about how mental wellbeing is often viewed as a luxury and not a priority in the country. They talk about the intersectional differences that exist in society and the need for access to mental health services.

Breaking The Silence - Egypt

Nimu Githahu, a mental health practitioner talks to me about some of the issues raised in the Breaking The Silence series. She emphasizes the need to be able to ask for help and talks about some of the ways in which we can access mental health services.

11: Nimu Githahu - On being able to ask for help

This week, I have a chat with Bisi Alimi, a wonderful, exuberant activist from Nigeria living in London. We talk about some of the challenges he has faced in his life and how he has managed to handle them.

12: Bisi Alimi - On surviving his demons

Zukiswa Wanner, winner of the Goethe Award, opens up about her writing process and how it affects her own, and other writer's mental health.

13: Zukiswa Wanner - On The Writing Process

This week I shall be having a chat with Tshepo Ricki Kgositau, a human rights defender, a trans-feminist activist, and executive director of Accountability International.

14: Ricki Kgositau - On seeking a queer theology

The Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, will be chatting with me this week. We will be talking about his work, how his work affects people and how as activists, we need to think a lot about selfcare.

15: Victor Madrigal-Borloz - On Understanding Vicarious Trauma

I spoke to Michael James, Kim Reynods, Treyvone Moo and Marc Thompson about Black Lives Matter. Here's what they had to say.

Bonus - Black Lives Matter

I have a chat with fellow Kenyan, Kevin Mwachiro, a journalist, gay rights activist and podcaster. His fortnightly podcast, Nipe Story (Tell Me A Story), gives a voice to Kenyan short stories. We talk about his life, his journey and surviving cancer.

16: Kevin Mwachiro - On Living One Day At A Time

The host, Anthony Oluoch, talks about a year of publishing a mental health podcast, the toll it has had on him, the resilience it has taken to keep it going and what to expect going forward.

17: Anthony Oluoch - On One Year of Padded Cell

Giles Addison, a freelance writer, mental health advocate and a friend who is a truly luminous being has a chat about living with bipolar schizoaffective disorder. The challenges and the hope. 

Photo Credit: Adam Khadaroo

18: Giles Addison - On Living With Bipolar Schizoaffective Disorder

World-renowned addiction consultant who believes in treating the problem of addiction not the symptoms, Dr. Robb Kelly talks about addiction and recovery.

19: Dr. Robb Kelly - On Addiction and Recovery

Hosted by Anthony Oluoch, Padded Cell is a series of candid, blunt and passionate conversations on #MentalHealth.

Popular tracks by Padded Cell Podcast