Tri-lingual podcaster Mo! Sibyl hosts her own show called the More Sibyl Podcast. Her show is made for Black and Asian people, and those who love and support them. The cultural insights and common threads of humanity in these conversations are invaluable and a wonderful way for listeners to expand their worldview.
Mo was born in Nigeria and left in her 20s to pursue her education in the U.S. While getting her PhD, she also learned how to speak Korean and found community and friendship in the culture. She is currently a Professor of Pharmacy, focusing her studies on cancer and lupus in minority groups.
Listen to her story in her own words below, and tune in to her podcast at the links below (leave a review, too!):
Anchor | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Name:
Mo! Sibyl
Podcast Name:
Current hometown:
Edmond, OK
Originally from:
Nigeria
Tell us about your podcast in 3 sentences or less.
My podcast show, launched in 2018, is called The More Sibyl Podcast – a weekly podcast for Blacks and Asians, and those who love them. As a podcast host, I believe in sharing stories to connect humanity against the backdrop of cultural curiosity.
My unique perspective is derived from my experience growing up in Nigeria to now living in the US, learning and speaking Korean, and enriched by the adventures my travels have brought on. It is a platform about culture against the backdrop of important issues such as acculturation, travels, preserving cultural values, mental health issues, heart stories, and so much more.
What’s a quote or piece of advice that you try to live by?
“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.” ― Anne Lamott
Your superpower:
Building community.
One thing on your bucket list:
Do my sabbatical in Korea.
Personal Anthem:
“Everybody’s Free To Wear Sunscreen” – Baz Luhrmann
Last text message you sent:
“OK. Glad it’s been sorted out. Thanks.” (In response to the case worker who told us the children we were waiting to foster found placement closer to their home)
What was your first job?
Pharmacist intern
Any unusual hobbies?
Not unusual per se. If you consider I am Nigerian who enjoys teaching Korean.
Biggest Pet Peeve:
Paying for shipping
What inspired you to start your podcast?
I wanted to get conversations going, especially the ones that are not publicly discussed in Black and Asian communities. Also, I strongly believe in not doing life alone so I wanted to create a platform to show people the process behind the greatness. In other words, to help others set their stories free.
Tell us more about your work/life outside of your podcast.
My day job is as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy in a university here in Oklahoma, where I teach professional and graduate students, and conduct research on cancer and lupus. My research interests primarily involve understanding health behaviors among underserved, minority groups and the use of patient-reported outcomes to capture disease burden in patients with cancers and rare diseases.
What is your show’s USP?
The host’s unique experience derived from her experience growing up in Nigeria to now living in the US, learning and speaking Korean, and enriched by the adventures her travels have brought on.
What is one of the greatest challenges you have personally faced with your podcast?
Engagement with my audience.
What was one of your favorite episodes you’ve ever done? Why does it stand out?
자유를 위해| THE ONE WITH STEPHANIE FUCCIO – HYSTERECTOMY SAVED MY LIFE?: EPISODE 42 (2019) I was honored to have a fellow podfessional on the show – Stephanie Fuccio. We shared her story of her hysterectomy. Though we both agree that this is a procedure that’s too overprescribed in the US, it did save her life and relieve her of excruciating and heavy periods.
We shared this story create more spaces for women to be able to talk about their period and vaginal health. Also, to create a world where women are more comfortable talking to each other about these issues. To form allies and microcommunities and hopefully strike up a conversation with the woman next to us in the waiting room or checkout line.
What is one thing you have accomplished with your podcast thus far that you are most proud of?
I stuck to it. In a few more episodes, I will reach a hundred episodes. More importantly, the feedback I get from listeners, even though are few and far between, eggs me on to keep shining the light on the litany of issues I tackle.
What is one major milestone that you would like to accomplish through your podcast in the next year?
Increase my listenership. In the next year, I want to hit 300,000 downloads and reach more people around the world and engage more with my audience. I also will like more sponsorship or more ways to monetize my podcast.
What is a trend or development in the podcast industry that you foresee happening in the next few years?
More podcasts from other parts of the world, like Africa.
What is one of the best pieces of podcast-related advice you’ve ever received & why?
Be consistent. Practice consistency over perfectionism.
What is one of the worst pieces of podcast-related advice you have ever received & why?
The wars of mic. Too much airtime is given to mics. I think your voice as a podcaster is mightier than your mic.
What are some of your favorite women-hosted podcasts?
- Terrible, Thanks for Asking
- The Beautiful Mind Podcast
- Esther Perel’s podcast
Can you tell us about a time when you took a huge risk/did something you were scared to do, and it totally paid off?
Starting a podcast, initially I felt stupid about it and didn’t think I had anything worth saying. Before then, leaving Nigeria and moving to the U.S. to pursue a PhD was probably one of the scariest things I did.
Are there any great podcast-related resources you love that you would like to share?
The OSSA community 🙂
How do you feel you’re making a positive impact and generating change through your podcast?
Humbling – I don’t take it for granted to have people who come on my show to share their life story, especially the murky stuff.
Stay connected with Mo!:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | LinkedIn