Episode 8 - Scammed, Hacked, Bamboozled

In this powerful and timely episode of Shine Your Eye, we kick things off with a Praise Report honoring Kase Lukman Lawal—a Nigerian-born business titan whose name may not be trending online, but whose impact spans the globe. From founding CAMAC Holdings to leading Texas’ only Black-owned bank, Unity National Bank, Lawal has proven that you can be powerful and principled, global and grounded. We highlight his rise from Ibadan to boardrooms, his philanthropic contributions, and his role in creating access to capital for underserved communities.Then in Wednesday Wahala, we get real about something that’s hitting close to home: scams. From sophisticated phishing emails to that sneaky WhatsApp 6-digit code trick, we break down the fraud landscape and why no one—young or old, rich or broke—is safe. Abby shares a chilling story of a local Houston resident who almost lost everything in a single phone call, and we dig into the cultural side of why fast money often gets celebrated even when it comes with shady receipts. We share practical tools to protect yourself, including the S.C.A.M. method, and call for a shift in mindset—from glorifying flash to asking real questions about where money comes from.We round out the episode with “What We’re Digging,” and this week Uchenna's been binging Survival of the Thickest on Netflix. Season 2 hit different—with more heart, better pacing, and real Black joy at the center. A beautiful reminder that representation doesn’t always have to be rooted in trauma.Whether you’ve ever gotten a scammy DM or know someone flexing a little too hard online, this episode will open your eyes. Tune in, share with your people, and most importantly—shine your eye.

Episode 7 - Dating Nigerian Men: Blessing or Wahala?In this hilarious, honest, and slightly spicy episode of Shine Your Eye Podcast, Abby and Uchenna dive into one of the most requested topics in their DMs: dating Nigerian men. Is it all "sweet love and jollof" or a passport to premium wahala?We kick things off with a Praise Report celebrating Tope Awotona — the Nigerian-born tech visionary and founder of Calendly, a $3B platform revolutionizing how the world books meetings. His journey from Lagos to Silicon Valley reminds us that frustration can spark innovation — and Black brilliance is not an exception, it's a calling.Then it’s time for our main course:Why are Nigerian men trending, especially among Black women in the U.S.? From Afrobeats to TikTok thirst traps, we explore the hype, the heartbreaks, and the cultural code-switching involved in loving Naija men.💥 Topics include:Why Nigerian men are having a moment right nowThe good: strong values, big love, and that “I got you” energyThe wahala: ghosting, hidden wives, and visa dramaCulture vs. character: how tradition shapes behaviorReal advice on dating Nigerian men without losing your peaceWe close with a reminder: Love isn’t about the accent or the aesthetics — it’s about alignment, boundaries, and truth.And in What We’re Digging, we highlight the power and controversy of TikTok — the app changing lives, boosting small businesses, and creating millionaires... while fighting for survival in the U.S.🎧 Whether you’ve dated a Naija king or are just TikTok-curious, this episode is for you.

If you’re listening to this while running on fumes and your third cup of coffee... this one’s for you.In Episode 6 of Shine Your Eye Podcast, we're getting real about rest. From the sleepless trenches of early parenting to the hype around melatonin and the quiet magic of magnesium, we’re breaking down the science, the struggle, and the solutions around sleep. You’ll hear our stories, hard truths, and our favorite sleep hacks that actually work — no sleep score anxiety required.But first, this week’s Praise Report goes to Yvonne Orji and Pop the Balloon LIVE—the viral dating show that made its Netflix debut on April 10th! Originally launched on YouTube by Congolese couple Bolia “BM” Matundu and Arlette Amuli, the show has taken the world by storm. And we were extra proud to see our very own Yvonne Orji hosting the Netflix edition with brilliance and grace. Pop culture, but make it African excellence!In What We’re Digging, Uchenna is deep into Dream Count, the newest novel by literary icon Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. If you love complicated characters, messy friendships, and pandemic-era reflections, this one’s a must-read.🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Why sleep is not a luxury — it’s health care (literally!)How parenting destroys your sleep schedule and potentially your sanityMelatonin: miracle or menace?The underrated power of magnesiumWhat sleep trackers get right — and what they ruinEasy habits that actually help you fall (and stay) asleepPraise for Nigerian excellence in global media (shoutout to Yvonne Orji!)A powerful new book recommendation from Chimamanda Adichie📚 What We’re Digging:Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieTag us when you finish reading—we want to hear your take!✨ Episode Extras:🗣 Got a wild sleep story or a hack that changed your life?💬 DM us @shineyoureyepod or leave a comment on this week’s post.📲 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a fellow sleep-deprived soul.

Episode 5 - The Check, The Chaos, and The CultureWe’ve all been there: the group dinner that turned into a math problem. This week on Shine Your Eye, we’re breaking down the real-life chaos of splitting the bill—from the friend who orders cocktails and steak but wants to “just split it evenly,” to the awkward shortfalls and birthday dinner debates. 👀We kick off with a Praise Report celebrating Vivian Odior, the Global Head of Marketing at WhatsApp, and a proud Nigerian-American woman making serious global impact—from award-winning campaigns at Johnson & Johnson to reshaping how billions connect on WhatsApp.Then it’s time for Wednesday Wahala: we dive into the drama of check-splitting with four familiar scenarios: • The Big Spender • The Light Eater • The Shortfall Surprise • The Birthday DilemmaWe share practical, friendship-saving advice inspired by an NPR etiquette guide on how to handle group dining with grace. You’ll get tips on setting expectations upfront, discussing money without awkwardness, and remembering to include the tip (because please, don’t be that person).We also round up four helpful apps—Splitwise, Plates by Splitwise, Tab App, and Settle Up—that make check-splitting smoother and less stressful, especially in large groups.And finally, in What We’re Digging, we’re spotlighting Houston’s own Rhay’s Restaurant, an Afro-Fusion gem with serious heart, soul, and flavor. Whether it’s for a birthday dinner, date night, or your next girls’ night out—Rhay’s is the vibe.

Episode 4: The Bride Price Dilemma

This week on Shine Your Eye, we’re talking all things bride price—the traditions, the tensions, and the taboos. From million-Naira demands to symbolic token payments, Nigerian bride price culture is layered, loaded, and deeply rooted. Is it love or is it a transaction? We address the debate: should bride price be abolished, adjusted, or appreciated?

Praise Report

This week, we’re lifting up Judge Derek Obialo, the Nigerian-American judge appointed as Associate Judge of the 240th District Court in Fort Bend, Texas! His story is proof that representation matters—and that we’re out here breaking ceilings.

What We’re Digging

Abby is digging: Rent the Runway—because why buy another dress you’ll only wear once? Uchenna is not digging the size uncertainty.

Join the Conversation

Do you think bride price should still be a thing in 2025? Let us know on Instagram or TikTok @shineyoureyepod

Support the Podcast:Follow, rate, and share with your tribe!

#ShineYourEyePod #BridePriceDebate #JudgeObialo #NigerianPodcast #RentTheRunwayFails #WednesdayWahala

Episode 3 – Traveling While African (and American)

This week, we unpack the viral WhatsApp post that sparked confusion in African communities worldwide. It told the story of an Ivorian-American woman allegedly denied reentry into the U.S. for using her Ivorian passport to travel abroad—and returning with her American one.

We break down:

• What U.S. law actually says about dual citizenship and using your American passport.

• Why this viral post caused so much fear—and why it may be more fear-mongering than fact.

• The facts on birthright citizenship, the 14th Amendment, and Trump’s January 2025 Executive Order.

• What rights you do (and don’t) lose when you travel internationally as a dual national.

• A breakdown of how and when the U.S. government can revoke your citizenship (spoiler: it’s rare).

Plus, Praise Report: Uchenna spotlights Dr. Norman Ajiboye, a Nigerian-American neurologist transforming stroke care in South Florida.

And, What We're Digging: The local library. Check yours out!!

Key Takeaways:

• Yes, you must use your U.S. passport to enter and exit the U.S. if you’re a citizen.

• No, simply using your other passport abroad doesn’t mean you’ve broken the law.

• Executive Orders don’t change the Constitution—but they can scare folks into dangerous choices.

• Don’t fall for fear tactics—shine your eye!

Join the conversation:

What would you do if you were a dual citizen at the airport?

Would you support limits on birthright citizenship?