In this episode of The Spark It Podcast, Hellen Kimaru and Kimzy open up about landing their first jobs, the struggles of job hunting, the pressure to stick to a career path, and learning how to speak up at work. From night shifts to nonprofit work, they share personal lessons about soft skills, setting boundaries, and why starting from the bottom isn’t failure. If you’re job searching, new to work, or building your dreams from scratch, this episode gives insights you might find helpful.

In this episode, Hellen Kimaru sits down with Kimzy, a multi-talented Kenyan creative who is a fashion designer, YouTuber, and play writer, director, actor, and producer. Together, they dive into the controversy around the student play Echoes of War by Cleophas Malala, performed by Butere Girls in Kenya. They discuss why the play was stopped by the Kenyan government and the issues it raises about censorship, freedom of expression, and the ability of art to speak truth to power. They also explain why this play matters, how it shows the real struggles of life in Kenya, and why giving young people a voice through art is so important. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about freedom of speech, youth expression, and the power of storytelling.

In this episode of The Spark It Podcast, Hellen Kimaru and Patrick Chandiga Justine sit down with Emmanuel Taban, a political commentator and a final-year governance student at Yukon University, Canada. He shares how war forced him to leave his home in South Sudan. He talks about escaping to Uganda, starting life from zero in a refugee camp, and how education and hope helped him rebuild. His story is about courage, learning, and believing in yourself no matter what. A great listen for anyone interested in refugee stories, youth leadership, resilience, and rising through tough times.

In this episode, Hellen Kimaru speaks with her sisters, Lydia and Ann, about growing up with poetry, acting, and music. Lydia is a fashion designer, YouTuber, and mom who has loved theater from a young age. She now supports her son’s music and poetry. Ann discovered poetry at age nine and once performed for Kenya’s First Lady, Lucy Kibaki. Together, they share how art helped them gain confidence, heal from trauma, make new friends, and learn public speaking. They also talk about how their mother’s support helped them perform in church, weddings, and school, teaching them valuable lessons in leadership and teamwork. Now, they are passing on their love of art to the next generation. Enjoy their inspiring stories!

Discover how volunteering can change your life and community! In this episode, Hellen Kimaru shares her journey from being a university student and passionate volunteer to founding LatitudeZero Opportunities, a social enterprise empowering hundreds of youth in Kenya. We discuss the transformative power of volunteering, building hands-on skills, breaking gender stereotypes, and turning passion into meaningful action. Tune in for powerful stories, practical advice, and heartfelt insights to help you turn your ideas into action.

President William Ruto promised schools in Nairobi a machine to make one million chapatis each day! Kenyans quickly reacted with jokes, questions, and serious debates. Patrick and Kimaru discuss if this promise is realistic or just another funny story. They talk about how costly chapatis are, if it's smart spending, and whether important things like roads, healthcare, and jobs should come first. Listen to funny stories, understand why chapatis mean so much to Kenyan kids, and find out why people worry mama chapati might lose her job. Join us to laugh and learn as we explore if one million chapatis each day is a smart idea or just a tasty joke!

In this episode of The Spark It Podcast, Hellen Kimaru and Patrick Chandiga Justine discuss finding purpose. Is it something we find, or does it find us? Patrick shares how his faith, refugee experience, and passion for service shaped his purpose. We discuss how purpose evolves, why it’s okay to feel lost, and how to recognize what truly drives you. If you’ve ever questioned your purpose, this episode is full of laughs, insights, personal stories, and motivation to help you move forward. Tune in and get inspired!

Learn more about projects mentioned in this episode:
CECIuganda.org
JobsToApply.com
WANII.com

Is love truly the foundation of relationships, or have we overhyped its importance? In this episode, we dive into relationships that function out of duty, shared goals, or cultural expectations. From arranged marriages to transactional relationships, we explore whether love is essential or just one of many possible foundations. Can mutual respect, companionship, or mutual benefit replace romantic affection? What happens when love is one-sided? Tune in, and you might walk away with a new perspective on what truly sustains relationships.