Listen To Your Footsteps

• Tsoku Maela, What Isn't Seen Still Speaks

  In this week’s episode of the Listen To Your Footsteps podcast, host Kojo Baffoe sits down with visual artist and storyteller Tsoku Maela, whose deeply introspective work bridges the seen and unseen, the spiritual and the intellectual, the personal and the collective.Raised in Limpopo, South Africa, Tsoku’s life and creative journey have always lived in the margins, and it is in those liminal spaces that he’s found the deepest truths. In this conversation, he reflects on the complexity of identity, grief,mental health, and what it means to return to yourself as both creator and creation. “You’re not just making the work,” Tsoku says. “The work is also making you.”From his early struggles with self-worth and depression, to walking away from a promising film career to pursue art, Tsoku shares how he learned to listen to silence and honour the things that live beyond words. He and Kojo explore the intersectionsof cultural memory, masculinity, healing, and how Tsoku came to see his work not as a performance, but as a communion.Whether you're an artist, seeker, or simply curious about the deeper rhythms of life, this conversation invites you to pause, reflect, and ask better questions of yourself. Tsoku’s voice is gentle but unwavering, reminding us that there is no blueprint for becoming, only the courage to sit in your truth and allow what isn’t seen to speak.FeaturedTopics:• The power of visual language• Navigating mental health & spiritual alignment• Identity, masculinity & self-permission• Art as ritual and personal archive• Creating from authenticity, not approvalExplore more of Tsoku’s work: https://www.iamtsoku.comSubscribe, watch/listen now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. Leave a comment or review and join the conversation. For more on Kojo’s book, Listen To Your Footsteps check out: https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zebra Culture Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now.Listen now on your favourite podcast platform and follow@KojoBaffoe [everywhere] for more thought-provoking conversations.Don’t forget to rate, review & share.Recorded at Spotify Africa Joburg StudioShow Music by Kweku 'Taygo' BaffoeProduced by Ayob Vania

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• RJ Benjamin, Notes from the Soul

  What does it take to turn a childhood love for He-Man theme songs into a career shaping South Africa’s music scene? RJ Benjamin—vocal coach, producer, and reluctant performer—reveals the raw, unvarnished truth in this electrifying episode of Listen To Your Footsteps.From his early days mimicking Michael Jackson to coaching stars like Trevor Noah and composing for Netflix, RJ’s story is a masterclass in embracing duality. “Creating music came easily, but the red carpet? That felt like a betrayal of who I am,” he confesses. His candid reflections on impostor syndrome, industry competition, and the “miles” required to succeed will resonate with anyone who’s ever doubted their place in their craft.But this isn’t just a story about music—it’s about reinvention. RJ’s pivot from solo artist to behind-the-scenes maestro proves that success isn’t linear. “The streaming era forced me to ask: Do I want fame, or do I want to live?” he muses.And then there’s fatherhood. His daughter’s perfect pitch mirrors his own childhood, blurring the lines between legacy and letting go.Key Moments:The Stage Fright Paradox: RJ reveals why performing felt unnatural despite his vocal genius (“Ishmael fed off the audience—I just froze”).Behind the Boards: How pivoting to production and TV scoring during Covid saved his career (“Client said, ‘Make it blues-hip-hop’—I had to unlearn my ego”).Fatherhood & Perfect Pitch: His daughter’s uncanny musical gift (“She’s five and identifies notes while eating cereal”).Industry Truths: The real story behind his shelved album—and why awards left him cold (“Best Adult Contemporary? I was offended”).This conversation is a symphony of humility, hustle, and heart. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or simply seeking proof that passion can pay the bills, RJ’s journey will leave you inspired—and maybe even humming a new tune.Listen now. Your creativity will thank you.Subscribe, watch/listen now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. Leave a comment or review and join the conversation. You can find the latest from RJ Benjamin on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Stream RJ's music on SpotifyFor more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zebra Culture Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now.Recorded at Spotify Africa Joburg StudioShow Music by Kweku 'Taygo' BaffoeProduced by Ayob Vania

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  1:32:45
• Siphiwe Mpye, The Expanded Man

  In this unfiltered, thought-stirring episode of Listen to Your Footsteps, host Kojo Baffoe sits down with Siphiwe Mpye, media executive, former editor of Business Day Wanted Magazine editor, current Strategic Revenue and Growth Manager at Wanted and founder of Noted Man, for a conversation that challenges, inspires, and reshapes how we see masculinity, media, and personal evolution.  From his early days as a journalist to navigating career shifts and fatherhood, Mpye’s journey is a testament to adaptation, self-awareness, and quiet strength. He dissects the "good guy" facade ("We applauded success without digging deeper"), the rise of performative masculinity, and why expanded identity - "You can be firm and flexible" - matters now more than ever. Key Discussions: ✔ Media’s Role in Identity – How stories shape (and distort) who we think we should be.  ✔ Fatherhood as a Mirror – "My kids need to see me learning, not just lecturing."  ✔ Access + Effort – "Talent isn’t enough. Who opens doors for you?"  ✔ Stoicism in Chaos – "Control your reactions, not the storm."   Why Listen?  This podcast episode is a guide for anyone tired of surface-level conversations about manhood, success, and growth. Whether you’re a leader, parent, or creative, Mpye’s insights will shift your perspective.   Key Quotes:  - "We need to be a different kind of man."  - "Real strength is nuance, not noise."  - "Your kids need to see you unfinished, it gives them permission to grow."  Listen now, and prepare to rethink masculinity, media, and the stories we tell ourselves.  Subscribe, watch/listen now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. Leave a comment or review and join the conversation. You can find the latest from Siphiwe Mpye on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or Instagram⁠⁠For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zebra Culture Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now.Recorded at Spotify Africa Joburg StudioShow Music by Kweku 'Taygo' BaffoeProduced by Ayob Vania

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• Loyiso Gola, Echoes of Laughter

  Two-time Emmy-nominated comedian Loyiso Gola joins KojoBaffoe for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious and profound. From his early days dreaming of playing football for Orlando Pirates to shaping South African comedy with Pure Monate Show and Late Night News, Gola unpacks his sometimes messy, always brilliant journey of authenticity.  Key Moments:  - Race vs. Capital: Gola dismantles the illusion that corporations care about identity. “…people think it’s us vs. them. No, it’s us vs. capital.”   - Therapy as a Mirror: His raw take on self-work.  “Therapists won’t make you a better person. They’ll help you see you’re an asshole.” - Fort Hare’s Hidden Agenda: How elite education was designed to suppress radical thought, and why it matters today.  - European Comedy Grind: Surviving 12 gigs in one night. “Simplify your language. They don’t get wordplay.”   - Creating Late Night News: The balance of humour and responsibility. “People wanted takes, not just jokes.” Why Listen?  Reflections on fame: “I’m an introvert with shitty temperament.”History: “No one taught us the truth”, and "The Rand Revolt will reshape how you see power."His “just do it” ethos is a rallying cry for creators.  So, listen now, this episode is a masterclass in thinking deeper, laughing harder, and challenging everything.  Subscribe, watch/listen now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. Leave a comment or review and join the conversation. You can find the latest from Loyiso on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zebra Culture Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now.Recorded at Spotify Africa Joburg StudioShow Music by Kweku 'Taygo' BaffoeProduced by Ayob Vania

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  1:19:53
• Lebohang 'Lebo M' Morake, The Alchemy of Collaboration

  In this gripping episode of Listen To Your Footsteps, host Kojo Baffoe sits down with Grammy-winning composer Lebohang Morake, known the world over simply as Lebo M, the voice and vision behind some of the most celebrated music in cinematic and stage history. From his early days in Johannesburg to his groundbreaking work on The Lion King, Lebo M discusses the deep cultural roots of his music, his inspirations, and the personal and professional journeys that have shaped his illustrious career.He shares stories of the challenges he faced, the triumphs he celebrated, and the wisdom he’s gathered along the way. This episode is not just about music; it's about making a global impact while staying connected to one’s heritage.From his beginnings in Soweto’s Pelican Club to exile in Lesotho and global acclaim, Lebo’s journey is a testament to the power of intuition, passion, and unshakable authenticity.Key Moments:The Hustle Begins: At 14, Lebo became the youngest background singer in South Africa, thanks to a mother who “threw [him] at anything arts-related”—even when school wasn’t a priority.Exile & Survival: A gig in Lesotho turned into a political escape. “I collapsed at the Caledon River. They carried me across,” he recalls. His refugee hustle? Playing piano for ambassadors to fund his passage to America.The Power of Naivety: How a coffee-run kid co-composed The Power of One soundtrack without formal training. “Hans Zimmer’s orchestrators said, ‘Call a lawyer—that’s YOUR work.’”Lion King’s Magic: Lebo reveals the serendipity behind Circle of Life: “I was bored, humming over Hans’ chords. That ‘ahhh’? One take.”Broadway Revolution: Why The Lion King’s stage adaptation redefined African storytelling: “It was tech meets tradition—and it worked.”Parenting & Sacrifice: “My older kids grew up in hotels. I’m still making up lost time.”Lin-Manuel & Mufasa: Why he embraced the prequel: “If it’s Lin, I’m in.”Why Listen?Lebo’s story isn’t just about music—it’s about trusting your voice when no one else does. His reflections on collaboration (“Art isn’t work when you love it”) and confronting fear (“I’m terrified until I step on stage”) will inspire creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating reinvention.Join us to explore the profound impact of Lebo M’s work, learn from his approach to creativity and innovation, and get inspired by his commitment to mentoring the next generation of artists. This is a journey through the life of a man who has not only made music but also made history.Listen now to uncover how exile shaped an icon, why authenticity outlasts trends, and how to turn chaos into creativity.Subscribe, watch/listen now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. Leave a comment or review and join the conversation. You can find the latest from Lebo M on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or get the latest from her ⁠website⁠⁠.For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zebra Culture Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now.Recorded at Spotify Africa Joburg StudioShow Music by Kweku 'Taygo' BaffoeProduced by Ayob Vania

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