The "Leading in a Mosaic World" podcast, hosted by Susan Popoola, explores the complexities of our modern, interconnected world with a rich diversity of guests. Today’s guest is Frederick Afrifa is an award-winning public speaking coach, TEDx speaker, and corporate communications specialist. From a shy immigrant growing up in Milan to a standout contender on The Apprentice UK, he now equips professionals with the tools to master persuasive communication and secure career-defining opportunities. His proven methodologies have delivered exceptional results - including one construction client winning £20 million in tenders within seven months of working with him. Combining expertise in executive presence with his unique journey of resilience, Frederick transforms nervous speakers into confident communicators who excel under pressure, whether presenting to boards, networking, or leading high-stakes meetings.

In this episode, Frederick Afrifa shares his journey from competitive athletics to becoming an award-winning public speaking coach and TEDx speaker. He discusses mastering high-stakes communication through his Apprentice UK experience, revealing how resilience and adaptability shape leadership. Frederick emphasizes crafting persuasive narratives that deliver results and introduces his "3 C’s" framework: curiosity, consistency, and courageousness. As a youth advocate, he explores empowering the next generation with communication skills in a complex world, advocating mentorship over restrictions. This conversation offers professionals actionable strategies for executive presence, entrepreneurs tools for impactful pitching, and all listeners a roadmap to transform self-doubt into unshakable presence.

You can connect with Frederick Afrifa via his LinkedIn and check out his website and Youtube where he shares practical tips on public speaking.

You can also connect with the host, Susan Popoola, the CEO of Mosaic Fusions, a specialist in human value optimisation, via LinkedIn. Learn more about her work on her Mosaic Fusions website. And publications on Mosaic Gold Ltd.

This series of the podcast is produced by Rafiat Akinwande.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Frederick Afrifa

02:40 Frederick's Early Life and Family Background

06:08 Growing Up in Italy: Cultural Experiences

11:02 Transition to London: A New Environment

12:30 Challenges of Adapting to Brixton

15:59 Athletics: Finding Focus and Discipline

18:31 The Journey in Competitive Sports

20:21 Navigating Career Changes and Public Speaking

24:09 The Apprentice Experience: Trials and Triumphs

30:58 Navigating Team Dynamics in Competition

33:09 Standout Moments and Lessons from The Apprentice

35:04 The Importance of Self-Care and Recharge

37:38 Evolution of Public Speaking Skills Post-Apprentice

41:38 The Art of Effective Communication

44:26 The Power of Storytelling in Presentations

45:36 Empowering Young People through the Free for Foundation

48:20 Inspiring the Next Generation: The Three C's

52:01 Understanding and Supporting Young People Today

56:33 Finding Hope in a Challenging World

01:00:33 Outro

Keywords - Public speaking, Presentation skills, Business pitches, The Apprentice, Immigrant success, Storytelling, Executive presence, Communication coach, Mosaic World, Human Value Optimisation

The "Leading in a Mosaic World" podcast, hosted by Susan Popoola, explores the complexities of our modern, interconnected world with a rich diversity of guests. Today’s guest is Jessica Willis.

Jess Willis is the Executive Director of Create Communities, where she leads the Data Science Festival, Data Idols, Two Beer Ideas and Founders500. With over a decade of experience in event and community building, she has helped start-ups grow, provided creative direction, and built global communities through events. Organising over 100 events annually for a diverse community of 50,000 members, Jess is committed to increasing the representation of girls and women in STEM and fostering London's most diverse tech community.

In this episode, Jessica shares her journey from growing up in Hong Kong and Canada to her current role in building diverse communities through events like the Data Science Festival in the UK. She discusses her experiences and perspectives on identity, belonging, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for underrepresented groups in tech. J

Jess emphasises the significance of consistency in community building and also the importance of community and opportunities, particularly for women and underrepresented groups. Jess also introduces Founders 500, a new initiative aimed at supporting aspiring founders with practical tools and networking opportunities. The discussion also touches on the ongoing relevance of diversity and inclusion efforts, and the challenges posed by recent rollbacks in EDI initiatives. The impact of parenthood on professional life is explored, highlighting the need for flexibility in the workplace.

You can connect with Jessica Willis via her LinkedIn, and check out what Create Communities are about via their website

You can also connect with the host, Susan Popoola, the CEO of Mosaic Fusions, a specialist in human value optimisation, via LinkedIn. Learn more about her work on her Mosaic Fusions website. And publications on Mosaic Gold Ltd.

This series of the podcast is produced by Rafiat Akinwande.

Keywords - Jess Willis, Create Communities, Data Science Festival, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, Community building, Women's rights, STEM careers, Founders 500, diversity, Tech, Parenting, Networking, Mosaic World, Human Value Optimisation

The "Leading in a Mosaic World" podcast, hosted by Susan Popoola, explores the complexities of our modern, interconnected world with a rich diversity of guests.

Today’s guest is Toki Mabogunje, a distinguished business development consultant, author, and advocate for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. With a background in law and extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, she served as the 3rd female President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). She is deeply committed to fostering economic growth, inclusion, and the empowerment of businesses. Toki is also the Vice Chair of Africa at the World Chamber Federation and a recipient of numerous awards, reflecting her impactful contributions in her field.

In this episode, Toki reflects on her journey from her early life in Nigeria to her impactful career. She shares insights from her time in the civil service, the unique challenges women face in business, and her leadership experiences. Toki also discusses her work with the Sickle Cell Foundation and her recent appointment as Honorary Consult for Tanzania, highlighting the importance of economic diplomacy and empowering small businesses.

You can find Toki’s latest book, This Is Not a Discoteke: Vignettes from the Life of a Young Lawyer, here. And the poetry book she co-wrote with her son, here.

To learn more about the Nigerian Sickle Cell Foundation mentioned in the episode, visit their official website. You can also connect with the host, Susan Popoola, the CEO of Mosaic Fusions, a specialist in human value optimisation. You can learn more about her work on her Mosaic Fusions website, LinkedIn, and publications on Mosaic Gold Ltd.

This series of the podcast was produced by Rafiat Akinwande.

Keywords: Business Development, Africa, Women in business, Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Business, Sickle cell disease, Mentorship, Entrepreneurship, Economic diplomacy, Leadership, Mosaic World, Human Value Optimisation.