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 1 of this powerful two-part episode, we sit down with Monica Shupikai Simmons — global investment banker, author, mother of two, and unapologetic outlier — to explore the fire, faith, and fight behind her extraordinary story.
This is not a finance episode. It’s about life after the breakdown — finding faith, identity, and purpose when everything you thought defined you falls away.
In this episode:
Growing up in Harare and thriving in male-dominated spaces
Why being “different” became her superpower
Real talk on marriage, motherhood, and the myth of having it all
What divorce, cancer, and courage taught her about surrender and starting over
And yes — why a Zimbabwean woman with a cat might just be the ultimate rebel
Raw, thoughtful, and full of quiet strength — this is Monica before What’s the Deal, Africa?!, before the headlines, before the healing.
To learn more about Monica, follow her on LinkedIn ( / Monica Shupikai Simmons ) , and visit her website ( / https://monicashupikai.com/ )
To learn more about askChenai – visit our website (https://www.askchenai.com/) , or follow us on Linkedin ( / askchenai ) , TikTok ( / askchenai_vas ) or Instagram ( / 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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