No Shame In My Name

THERESA LOLA

In the 100th episode of the No Shame In My Name podcast, we hear from British-Nigerian poet Theresa Lola, as she offers meditative reflections on the process of writing her second collection ‘Ceremony for the Nameless’ – a layered exploration of the life and stories behind names. Listen as she first offers a peek into the context of her own middle name ‘Theresa’ – and then her other names, showing how they blend perfectly together to reveal themes of faith, family, prayer and purpose. 

Themes explored:

• Names as an expression of faith 
• ‘Ceremony for the Nameless’ - the process of writing the collection
• Naming matters 

 

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Theresa's Instagram: @theresa_lola

Theresa's TikTok: @theresalola

Ceremony for the Nameless is available across all major bookstores in the UK.

*Check out @yourenvoi on Instagram – for poetry-inspired guided journals and conversation cards.*

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Unravel more name and origin-stories here:

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmyname/ 

https://twitter.com/nsimn__

https://www.youtube.com/@noshameinmyname 

#NSIMN

2026 - Bye to the hiatus.

After an almost three year hiatus, our host Juliana brings a short reflection on the genesis of the No Shame In My Name podcast — now platform. 

A note from Juliana: 

Thank you to all the wonderful family, friends, mentors, creatives, guests and listeners who have helped to shape this platform into a capsule of beautiful stories, memories, discoveries and more. 

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Unravel more name and origin-stories here:

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmyname/ 

https://twitter.com/nsimn__

https://www.youtube.com/@noshameinmyname 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-shame-in-my-name/?viewAsMember=true 

#NSIMN

SHEELA BANERJEE

In the opening chapter of Sheela’s book – What’s In A Name?, she writes, ‘our names reveal a multitude of stories, reveal feelings, states of consciousness and lost histories that embody who we really are and where we come from’. Listen as she exposes the deeply intimate process of writing a book about her own hybrid name – and that of her close friends. 

Themes explored:

• Hybrid name in 60’s Britain
• What’s In A Name? - The book & the process
• Speaking Bangla 

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Sheela’s Instagram: @sheelabanerjeewords

*What’s In A Name? is available across all major bookstores in the UK.*

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Unravel more name and origin-stories here:

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmynamepod/ 

https://twitter.com/nsimnpod 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-shame-in-my-name/?viewAsMember=true 

 

#NSIMN 

OTIENO

From an early age, Bryan was exposed to a side of Africa seldom spoken of in mainstream media. In 2016, after a trip to his home-country Kenya with close friends, he returned with an idea. To expose the sounds and creativity that were pulsating from Africa. Listen as he shares the community-fuelled origin story of ‘The Ubunifu Space’, as well as giving us an insight into his Luo name and culture. 

Themes explored:

• Naming patterns in Kenya
• The Ubunifu Space
• Luo, Language & Culture
• Creativity from the continent

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Bryan’s Instagram: @bryanobonyo

Check out The Ubunifu Space: @ubunifuspace

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Unravel more name and origin-stories here:

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmynamepod/ 

https://twitter.com/nsimnpod 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-shame-in-my-name/?viewAsMember=true 

#NSIMN

 

NDUKWE

Ndukwe is from a place called Abiriba, in the eastern part of Nigeria.

He grew up on a large and varied diet of stories and words which has since translated to a varied career in advertising, poetry and politics. Listen as he breaks down the story behind his name, revealing the depth of his Igbo identity. 

Themes explored:

• Abiriba in Abia
• Storytelling in Nigeria
• The Voice Of The People 
• Igbo Dialects 

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Ndukwe’s Instagram: @endi2g

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Unravel more name and origin-stories here:

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmynamepod/ 

https://twitter.com/nsimnpod 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-shame-in-my-name/?viewAsMember=true 

#NSIMN

ADÉBÍSÍ

In 2014, Bísí was crowned the winner of Miss Nigeria 2014 UK. It follows that her full Yoruba name is full of uncanny symbolism. ‘The crown has given birth to more’. Listen as she reveals her name-story, and tells of her curiosity with documentaries, African history and skincare.  

Themes explored:
The Crown Has Given Birth To More  
All things – @AllThingsAfrica
The genesis of SELF:I:E 
This current season is called…
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Bisi’s Instagram: @bissakins
Follow @allthingsafrica for African facts and insights
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Unravel more name and origin-stories here:

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmynamepod/ 
https://twitter.com/nsimnpod 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-shame-in-my-name/?viewAsMember=true 

#NSIMN 

 

 

ASHABI

Confidence has been a key hallmark of Zainab’s life story so far. By way of her Yoruba name – Ashabi, listen as she beautifully shares the multiple streams of her self-expression journey.

Themes explored:

• Ashabi’s journey 
• Confidence club 
• Multiple streams of self-esteem
• Expression through movement

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Zainab’s Instagram: @ashabisjourney

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Unravel more name and origin-stories here:

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmynamepod/ 

https://twitter.com/nsimnpod 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-shame-in-my-name/?viewAsMember=true 

#NSIMN

CLAYTON

The meaning of Clayton’s name – ‘bearer of clay’ – alludes to setting the foundations of a building. In this episode, listen as he unearths the layers of stories behind his name and shares his journey of building business, building networks and building a successful podcast. 

 

Themes explored:

• The aspiration of names 
• New markets, new names 
• Business world
• The Cashflow Show Podcast

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Listen to The Cashflow Show Podcast: https://thecashflowshowpodcast.com/ 

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Unravel more name and origin-stories here:

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmynamepod/ 

https://twitter.com/nsimnpod 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-shame-in-my-name/?viewAsMember=true 

#NSIMN

NAUREEN

Meet Naureen. She's one of the co-founders of NameShouts – a digital company on a mission to make pronouncing names easier. Listen as Naureen guides us through her name-story, reflecting on her love for languages and the country where she grew up. 

Themes explored:

• Growing up in Bangladesh 
• The value of name pronunciation 
• The building of NameShouts 
• Finding common ground in different lands

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NameShouts:  

Twitter: @NameShouts

Website: https://www.nameshouts.com/ 

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*Interested in sharing your own name-story?*

Drop us an email – noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com. 

Follow us on socials: 

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmynamepod/ 

https://twitter.com/nsimnpod 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-shame-in-my-name/?viewAsMember=true 

https://linktr.ee/noshameinmynamepod 

#NSIMN 

HASAN

Hasan’s name-story is layered – covering nuances of family, tradition and language. 

Listen as our guest host Nobandile delightfully probes Hasan about his name, making interesting discoveries. 

 

Themes explored:

• The evolution of the Arabic language
• Favourite names
• Theory: When people embody their names 

Nobandile: 

#NSIMN episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wGFmX5MKsZVCdcY4FahsW 

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*Interested in sharing your own name-story?*

Drop us an email – noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com. 

Follow us on socials: 

https://www.instagram.com/noshameinmynamepod/ 

https://twitter.com/nsimnpod 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-shame-in-my-name/?viewAsMember=true 

https://linktr.ee/noshameinmynamepod 

#NSIMN