Babes, how did you get here

What does it really mean to leave everything behind and build a life somewhere new? In this Best Of episode of Babes, How Did You Get Here?, Kikombe shares some of the most personal and eye-opening moments from his journey as an African expat in Thailand. From facing racial discrimination and repeated challenges when looking for work, to navigating identity, family expectations, and the feeling of belonging, Kikombe opens up about the experiences that have shaped who he is today. In this conversation, we explore: ◼The reality of being an African expat in Thailand and facing racial stereotypes ◼His experience with discrimination and challenges when seeking employment ◼ The emotional moment of reconnecting with his father and hearing "my son" ◼ Raising mixed-race children and navigating questions of identity ◼ The cultural responsibility of supporting family and community back home ◼ Taking risks, leaving home, and embracing the unknown ◼ The meaning behind "Kikombe" and how the things we let into our lives shape our future This is more than a story about moving abroad. It's about identity, resilience, family, and the courage to take a chance on a different life. Sometimes, you have to leave what you know to discover who you can become. Follow April: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@apriljacksonofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apriljacksonofficial/ Follow A Life Elsewhere: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@april_jackson_show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_life_elsewhere/ Follow Kikombe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekikombe/ A LIFE ELSEWHERE What does it really mean to start over somewhere new? A Life Elsewhere explores the extraordinary stories of people who have built lives beyond the places they once called home. Through honest conversations about identity, culture, relationships, and personal transformation, we discover how living elsewhere can change not only where you are, but who you become.

Yumi is a Japanese social media professional and content creator who has spent the last five years building a life in Cambodia. Originally planning to attend a university in Japan, she found herself questioning her future after failing the entrance exams twice. Instead of giving up, she enrolled at a university in Cambodia, studied hospitality management, learned to speak Khmer, and eventually discovered an unexpected career in social media. After experiencing the pressures of studying and working in Japan, Yumi decided that the slower pace, welcoming communities, and opportunities in Cambodia were a better fit for her. But building a life abroad also comes with difficult sacrifices. In this episode of A Life Elsewhere, April Jackson sits down with Yumi to discuss failure, ambition, Japanese work culture, happiness, social media, cultural identity, and what it really means to build a life on your own terms. She explains: ◼ Why failing her university entrance exams twice in Japan became one of the most important turning points in her life ◼ The intense academic pressure she experienced in Japan, including studying from morning until late at night ◼ Why she believes Japanese work culture can be stressful, and how living in Cambodia completely changed her perspective on happiness ◼ Why she chose to build her future in Cambodia instead of returning to the traditional career path she once imagined in Japan ◼ Why learning Khmer helped her connect with Cambodian people in ways that translation technology never could ◼ Whether AI could replace social media professionals, and why she believes cultural understanding and human connection still matter ◼ The differences between Japanese and Cambodian culture, from workplace expectations and food to friendships and everyday life The views and experiences expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or A Life Elsewhere. This conversation is intended for general informational and discussion purposes only. CHAPTERS Chapters 00:00:00 Intro: She Failed Twice in Japan and Found Happiness in Cambodia 00:00:51 Meet Yumi: A Japanese Woman Who Chose Cambodia 00:01:14 How Failing University Entrance Exams Changed Her Life 00:02:22 What If She Had Followed the Traditional Japanese Career Path? 00:03:34 Why Life Doesn't Always Go According to Plan 00:03:53 Why She Chose to Study in Cambodia 00:04:34 Her First Impressions of Cambodia 00:05:29 Subscribe for More Conversations Like This 00:05:51 The Intense Pressure of Japan's Education System 00:07:42 Studying Hospitality and Finding a Different Career 00:08:29 Why She Chose Cambodia Over Life in Japan 00:09:13 What Makes Cambodian People Feel Like Family? 00:11:33 Is Living in Cambodia Really Cheaper Than Japan? 00:12:00 Japanese vs. Cambodian Food and Culture 00:13:15 How She Built a Career in Social Media 00:15:27 Can Social Media Help You Build a Life Abroad? 00:16:12 Why Learning Khmer Changed Everything 00:19:49 How She Learned Khmer Without Growing Up Speaking It 00:20:57 Could AI Replace Her Job in Social Media? 00:22:00 Why Japanese Marketing Doesn't Always Work in Cambodia 00:25:28 The Japanese Food She Misses Most 00:27:38 Growing Up in America Before Moving to Cambodia 00:29:24 What She Would Miss Most About Cambodia 00:29:40 The Cultural Differences She Had to Adjust To 00:31:42 What Life in Phnom Penh Is Really Like 00:33:02 The Unspoken Pressure of Japanese Workplace Culture 00:34:54 Dating and Relationships in Cambodia 00:36:45 Losing Her Father While Living Abroad 00:38:33 Her Career Ambitions and Future Plans 00:39:00 How a Simple TikTok Introduction Went Viral 00:40:23 Why She's Grateful She Failed Twice 00:41:37 Why Social Media Success Is So Unpredictable 00:43:53 What Really Works on TikTok? 00:45:24 Her Advice for Anyone Thinking About Moving Abroad Follow April: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@apriljacksonofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apriljacksonofficial/ Follow A Life Elsewhere: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@april_jackson_show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_life_elsewhere/ Follow Yumi: Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@yumiinkh ABOUT A LIFE ELSEWHERE What does it really mean to build a life somewhere new? Hosted by April Jackson, A Life Elsewhere explores the extraordinary stories of people who have chosen to live beyond the places they once called home. Through honest conversations about identity, culture, relationships, entrepreneurship, and personal transformation, we discover how moving elsewhere can challenge everything we thought we knew about ourselves. Subscribe for more inspiring stories, unexpected perspectives, and meaningful conversations from around the world. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Would you rather build a successful career in a high-pressure environment or choose a slower, happier life somewhere else? Let us know in the comments.

His family escaped Cambodia. He was born in a refugee camp and raised in America. Decades later, he bought a one-way ticket to the very country his family had once fled, a place he had never visited, but one that would eventually become his home. Vanna Sann grew up in the United States, pursued higher education, and built an international career working with prestigious organizations and global brands. Yet despite his achievements, something was missing: an understanding of his family's past, his Cambodian identity, and where he truly belonged. He is a Khmer-American entrepreneur and the Managing Director and owner of Dorsu, a slow-fashion label based in Cambodia. With a background in philosophy, film, and communications, he has worked on major cultural projects in New York, with the luxury retail division of LVMH, and with an Apple distributor in Cambodia. In this episode of A Life Elsewhere, April Jackson sits down with Vanna to explore refugee identity, family expectations, cultural belonging, entrepreneurship, and the uncomfortable truths about the global fashion industry. He explains: ◼ Why his family feared his decision to return to Cambodia, the very country they had once escaped ◼ How being born in a refugee camp and growing up in America shaped his understanding of identity, responsibility, and belonging ◼ Why being rejected for a prestigious Fulbright fellowship ultimately pushed him to pursue his dream independently ◼ How he left New York with a one-way ticket to Cambodia, despite never having visited the country before ◼ Why he believes immigrants strengthen societies, and what people misunderstand about refugees ◼ How he went from working with global luxury brands to owning a slow-fashion business in Cambodia ◼ Why he believes the fast-fashion system encourages overconsumption, and why sustainable fashion requires more than marketing claims The views expressed are those of the guest, and this conversation is intended for general informational and discussion purposes only. The podcast and its associated materials should not be considered a substitute for professional legal or financial advice. CHAPTERS Chapters 00:00:00 Intro: Why His Family Feared His Return to Cambodia 00:01:50 Meet Vanna Sann: From Refugee Camp to Business Owner 00:02:29 The Rejection That Changed Everything 00:04:06 Why You Don't Need Permission to Follow Your Dreams 00:05:57 Growing Up as a Refugee Child in America 00:08:53 What People Misunderstand About Refugees and Immigration 00:11:59 The Responsibility of Growing Up Between Two Cultures 00:14:54 Why He Never Felt Like He Fully Belonged 00:17:14 Why Education and Skilled Work Matter 00:22:08 Growing Up Differently From His Siblings 00:25:24 Cambodian vs. American Values: The Cultural Divide 00:29:01 The Pressure to Succeed and Represent His Community 00:36:56 Why He Left New York for Cambodia With a One-Way Ticket 00:42:57 How a Six-Month Volunteer Trip Became a New Life 00:47:35 Why His Family Was Worried About His Decision 00:50:10 Feeling Like a Foreigner in His Own Homeland 00:54:01 From New York's Art Scene to Global Luxury Brands 00:59:46 How He Became the Owner of Dorsu 01:04:09 Why He Believes in Slow Fashion 01:05:51 The Uncomfortable Truth About Business Ownership 01:07:21 Fast Fashion, Workers, and the System Behind Cheap Clothes 01:12:25 Why Buying Less Could Change the Fashion Industry 01:16:28 Where Our Discarded Clothes Really Go 01:18:25 The Challenges of Running a Business in Cambodia 01:24:05 The Differences Between Asian and American Work Culture 01:28:11 Building a Business Without Leading Through Fear 01:32:27 Has Sustainability Become Just Another Marketing Buzzword? 01:34:42 Why Money Should Never Be the Ultimate Goal 01:35:32 Why Cambodia Finally Feels Like Home 01:38:02 If His Life Were a Postcard, What Would It Look Like? Follow April: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@apriljacksonofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apriljacksonofficial/ Follow A Life Elsewhere: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@april_jackson_show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_life_elsewhere/ Follow Vanna San: Personal Website: https://www.vannasann.com/ Dorsu Official Website: https://shopdorsu.com/ Dorsu Social Channels: https://linktr.ee/shop_dorsu A LIFE ELSEWHERE What does it really mean to build a life somewhere new? Hosted by April Jackson, A Life Elsewhere explores the extraordinary stories of people who have chosen to live beyond the places they once called home. Through honest conversations about identity, culture, relationships, entrepreneurship, and personal transformation, we discover how moving elsewhere can challenge everything we thought we knew about ourselves. Subscribe for more inspiring stories, unexpected perspectives, and meaningful conversations from around the world. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Would you ever move back to a country your family once escaped, even if you had never lived there yourself?

Benjamin van Wijk is a former member of the Dutch military police who spent seven years serving in the Netherlands, including assignments at Amsterdam's airport and royal palaces. After leaving his career behind, he planned to start a new life in Australia. Instead, an unexpected series of events kept him in Bali, where an invitation to church would eventually change his perspective on life. From drinking, partying, and experimenting with drugs to embracing Christianity and choosing to wait until marriage. Now almost two years sober, Benjamin has left his old party lifestyle behind and become involved in a growing Christian community in Bali, where a Friday-night Bible study has expanded from just 10 people to 150. In this episode of A Life Elsewhere, April Jackson sits down with Benjamin to explore faith, personal transformation, relationships, modern masculinity, and the unexpected decisions that can completely change the direction of our lives. He explains: ◼ Why he walked away from seven years in the Dutch military police and the life he had built in the Netherlands ◼ How a rejected Australian visa and a last-minute decision to stay in Bali led him down an unexpected path ◼ Why his girlfriend's ultimatum to attend church became a turning point in his relationship with Christianity ◼ How he went from drinking, partying, and experimenting with drugs to nearly two years of sobriety ◼ Why he says praying for others gives him a feeling even stronger than his past experience with ecstasy ◼ How a Friday-night Bible study in Bali grew from just 10 people to 150, and what that says about the search for community and belonging ◼ Why he believes more young men need faith, purpose, and direction in today's world The views and experiences expressed are those of the guest. This conversation is intended for general informational and discussion purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or substance-use advice. CHAPTERS Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:05 Growing Up in the Netherlands 00:03:31 Why He Joined the Military Police 00:05:47 Backpacking Asia & Bali’s Energy 00:06:52 Adjusting to Bali Pace 00:09:56 The Church Ultimatum 00:12:30 From 10 to 150 People at Bible Study 00:13:56 Does Faith Fill the Void 00:15:42 Prayer & Building a Relationship with God 00:18:02 Partying & Dutch Drinking Culture 00:22:31 Parenting & Talking About Drugs 00:23:45 Ecstasy vs Prayer 00:24:38 A New Creation: Two Years Sober 00:25:35 Old Friendship After Faith 00:27:25 Masculinity & Young Men Finding Faith 00:29:02 Why He Chose Celibacy Until Marriage 00:30:43 Misconceptions About Being Christian 00:34:43 Helping Men Overcome Lust & Addiction 00:39:26 Bali is Temptation Island 00:45:16 The Real Bali Behind Social Media 00:49:34 Is Bali His Forever Home? 00:50:17 Advice for Anyone Making a Big Change 00:51:22 Forgiveness Isn’t a Credit Card 00:53:40 Faith, Respect, & Friendship 00:57:03 Quickfire Questions 00:58:34 Life as a Postcard & Closing Follow April: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@apriljacksonofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apriljacksonofficial/ Follow A Life Elsewhere: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@april_jackson_show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_life_elsewhere/ Follow Benjamin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminvanwijk/ A LIFE ELSEWHERE What does it really mean to start over somewhere new? A Life Elsewhere explores the extraordinary stories of people who have built lives beyond the places they once called home. Through honest conversations about identity, culture, relationships, and personal transformation, we discover how living elsewhere can change not only where you are, but who you become. Subscribe for more honest conversations and inspiring stories from around the world. Join the conversation: Do you believe finding faith can completely transform someone's life, or is personal change possible without religion? Share your thoughts in the comments. #ALifeElsewhere #AprilJackson #BaliLife #PersonalTransformation #FaithAndPurpose

After walking away from New York and breaking free from America’s suffocating mold of Black masculinity, Baba Siete Saldávez made the ultimate decision: he moved to South Africa, built a life of complete spiritual sovereignty, and vowed never to return. In this raw, unapologetic, and deeply grounding second chapter, he pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to dismantle societal programming, find love across borders, and rebuild yourself from the inside out. Baba Siete’s transition from Brooklyn survivor to Cape Town priest is one of the most compelling relocation stories you will ever hear. Abroad, he stopped shrinking: he grew his hair to honor his ancestral taboos, shed the fear of judgment, and learned what it feels like to finally be seen as a whole man. From braving Cape Town's townships during lockdown to deliver food and supplies, to sitting in rooms with former ambassadors and ancestral elders, he reveals the unspoken reality of the Black expat experience—and why going back to the US is no longer an option. In this episode, Baba Siete opens up about the loneliness of living oceans away from family, finding romantic love during a global pandemic, the myth of "safe" vs. "dangerous" spaces, and why true freedom meant deciding that African soil is where he will one day be buried. This is a story of radical self-definition, ancestral alignment, and the courage to claim a home on your own terms. If this conversation moved you, make sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. TIMESTAMPS: Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Leaving the American Script Behind 00:01:28 The Sleep Schedule of a Night Owl & Spiritual Worker 00:03:10 Adapting to Cape Town: From Vacation to Calling It Home 00:05:15 The Hardest Truth About Living Abroad: Missing Your People 00:07:22 "Abroad Is Where I Truly Became a Free Black Man" 00:09:14 Hair Politics: Why America Won’t Let Black Men Just Exist 00:12:05 Colorism, Homophobia, and Dismantling Toxic Hypermasculinity 00:15:30 Reclaiming His Ancestral Taboos Without Apology 00:18:45 Visiting the US: "I Saw Their Faces, But That’s Not Home Anymore" 00:22:00 "I Will Be Buried on This Land": Deciding to Stay Forever 00:24:10 Finding Love During Lockdown 00:27:15 What It Feels Like to Be Loved as a Human, Not a Spiritual Figure 00:29:30 The Reality of Dating in Cape Town 00:31:45 Driving Into Townships During COVID: Taking Action Over Fear 00:34:50 "I Grew Up in 90s Brooklyn—I Don’t Run Away From Reality" 00:37:25 Digital Nomads & Giving Back: The Responsibility of Privilege 00:40:15 Navigating Expat Communities and Distance from Whiteness 00:43:00 Sitting at the Table with Elders and Ambassadors 00:46:10 Never Shrink: What True Elders Demand of the Next Generation 00:48:50 Why Cape Town Over Johannesburg: Water, Islands, and Spiritual Energy 00:53:30 Final Thoughts: Freedom, Full Circle, and Holding Space #CapeTown #BlackExpat #BlackMasculinity #AncestralWisdom #SouthAfrica #BrooklynToCapeTown #MovingAbroad #TrueStory #PodcastInterview #IdentityJourney #SpiritualAwakening #AfricanDiaspora #SelfSovereignty #LifeStory