Extraordinary Conversations with askChenai
Extraordinary Conversations with askChenai
Podcast Description
Have you ever met someone whose story was so incredible, you thought: this needs to be told?
That’s what this podcast is about - the real, raw, often-unheard stories of people (mostly Zimbabwean, mostly women) living extraordinary lives.
Chenai and Vimbai keep it real, going beyond titles and achievements to ask:
What’s your origin story?
How did you actually do it?
What did it cost you?
And just for fun — how would you survive a zombie apocalypse?
Raw, human, funny, and deeply emotional, this is a space where truth matters more than polish, and your grandmother’s epic story gets told.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers an array of themes including identity, personal growth, and cultural heritage, with episodes diving deep into topics such as generational trauma, the journey of motherhood, and the impact of cultural identity. For example, Episode 2 investigates the process of personal reinvention through conversations about overcoming people-pleasing and perfectionism.
Two Zimbabwean women. A mic. And the kind of questions you only ask when the formalities are over.
Forget polished bios and LinkedIn headlines. Extraordinary Conversations with askChenai is where Zimbabwean origin stories get unpacked and your grandmother’s epic tale finally gets the spotlight.
No story is too heavy, no question too cheeky, and no guest too grand to dodge the zombie apocalypse test.
It’s a living archive of extraordinary Zimbabwean lives, told with laughter, tears, and zero filters.
It’s raw, funny, emotional – and always unforgettable.
New episodes every Friday.
In Part 2 of this extraordinary conversation, Chenai and Vimbai dive deeper with Monica Shupikai Simmons — global investment banker, author, and proud “Africa girl” — to unpack the stories and lessons behind her book What’s the Deal, Africa?
This episode is about building, belonging, and believing in African founders:
Why What’s the Deal, Africa? had to be written — and how Monica finished it between chemo sessions and boardrooms
The truth about capital raising on the continent (and the myths we need to unlearn)
How she balances ambition, motherhood, and rest — even when switching off doesn’t come easy
Why gardening, swimming, and cleaning are her unexpected therapy
And, of course, how she plans to survive the Zombipocalypse
Wise, funny, and refreshingly grounded — this is Monica in her element: honest about the grind, passionate about the continent, and still ready to fight to the end.
To learn more about Monica, follow her on LinkedIn ( / Monica Shupikai Simmons ( / monica-shupikai-simmons-2a4b084 ) ) , and visit her website ( / https://monicashupikai.com/ ) To learn more about askChenai – visit our website (https://www.askchenai.com/ ) or follow us on Linkedin ( / https://www.linkedin.com/company/askchenai/ ) , TikTok ( / https://www.tiktok.com/@askchenai_vas ) or Instagram ( / https://www.instagram.com/askchenai/ )
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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