AuntyB

You are a good radio host."

Those were the exact words of my guest today after her first-ever radio interview.

In commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, the Ivy Cup Initiative took to the airwaves to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and introduce the Ivy Menstrual Cup a sustainable and innovative period solution.

It was such an insightful and educative session!
If you haven’t heard about the Ivy Menstrual Cup yet, you should definitely check out their page across all social media platforms: .

Now, back to me.

In one of my earlier posts, I shared some interview tips, and one that I hold dearly is:
“Ensure your guest is comfortable.”

It may surprise you, but guests often feel more nervous than we realize especially if they’re not used to being on-air. That’s where you, the host, come in. It’s your job to create a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.

How do you do this?

* Maintain good eye contact

* Nod in agreement when appropriate

* Smile warmly

* Avoid blank or confused expressions

* Be mindful of your gestures and overall demeanor

These subtle cues communicate reassurance and confidence. Your guest feeds off your energy it’s the unspoken signal they use to measure how well they’re doing.

Remember, your guest needs you to perform optimally.

Dear Journalism Newbies Continuation;

Hosting interview sessions is one of the things I do effortlessly as a broadcast journalist. Regardless of the time frame, I always show up prepared and bring my A-game.

Over time, I’ve discovered a few key things that elevate a great interview:

1. Research is non-negotiable.Study to show yourself approved.” No matter how limited the time, never show up empty-handed. Do your homework, dig deep into both the topic of discussion and the profile of your guest.

2. Build rapport.
Make your interviewee feel at ease. A warm smile, steady eye contact, and a timely nod can go a long way in creating a comfortable atmosphere.
Listen attentively.
Don't just hear, listen. This helps you connect more deeply and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. Trust me this works magic.

4. Avoid closed-ended questions.
Skip the "yes" or "no" type. Go for open-ended questions that invite stories, opinions, and rich insights.

5. Time management is key;
Especially when time isn’t on your side, knowing how to manage it effectively is everything.

These little things? They make a BIG difference.

Dear Journalism Newbies Continuation,

Just because you're passionate about broadcasting doesn't mean you'll always feel over the moon doing it.

Let me explain…

I absolutely love speaking. I enjoy hosting my shows it's what I was born to do. But honestly, there are days I show up on air completely drained. Days I don’t feel the excitement. Days I whisper a version of Jesus’s prayer: “Father, let this cup pass over me... but not my will, but Yours.” (The second part comes quietly because deep down, I really just want the cup to pass!) 😅😅

Here's the thing: having low days doesn’t mean you’re not passionate. It means you’re human. And it’s totally okay to not feel 100% every single time.

But one thing you'll have to learn is how to manage your energy professionally. Your audience doesn’t always see the behind-the-scenes trust me, you must show up, show up strong, and deliver with joy. They connect with the happy version of you.

This doesn’t mean you’re faking it; it means you’re honouring your craft even on hard days. And that’s a true mark of a professional.

Keep going, dear newbie. You’re doing better than you think.

Dear Journalism Newbies Continuation

Learn Aggressively!" A Turning Point in My Journey

At the early stage of my career, I told my brother that where I was at the time afforded me the opportunity to learn if not 100%, then at least 85% of what I needed to know about media and journalism.

And then, he said something that struck a deep chord. Quoting him verbatim: “Then you need to learn aggressively.”

Oh, those words! They hit me hard and clear. In that moment, I knew I had to give it everything. I needed to stretch myself and leave my comfort zone.

Before that conversation, I had boxed myself into doing just one thing. I wasn’t particularly eager about expanding my knowledge or trying new things. All I wanted was to stick to what I was already doing hosting the daily Kiddies Timeout with AuntyB on radio. I was comfortable doing that one thing, and honestly, I felt content.

But my brother’s words came at just the right time. They ignited a shift.

So, I gave myself a target. Within two months of that talk, I had learned program production and started undergoing training for newscasting. And I haven’t looked back since

Now here’s what I’ve come to learn:

While it’s absolutely okay to find your niche and own it, I sincerely believe this should not happen too early especially when you're just starting out. Don’t box yourself in unnecessarily. Don’t limit yourself when there’s so much more to learn and explore.

Dear Journalism Newbies,
Please, learn all you can now that you can. I often say, “The knowledge you glean is yours for life no one can take it from you.” The more you know and are good at, the more valuable you become.

Dear Journalism Newbies 👇👇👇

It's okay to learn on the job."
Those words came so subtly from a senior colleague during a casual conversation, I smiled and thought, if only you knew how much those words mean to me. Honestly, I could write a whole book on this (winks).

If there's anything I’ve truly had to master, it’s the art of learning on the job.

Learning on the job is more than just catching up with tasks. It’s about decoding what’s not being said, paying attention to body language, unspoken expectations, and becoming an intentional observer.

There are so many things I’ve had to figure out on my own and I’m still learning. But one thing is clear: you must open yourself to knowledge through quiet observation, personal initiative, and consistent study.

Waiting endlessly for the “perfect time” to start that’s a one-way ticket to stagnation. Growth doesn’t wait for perfection it happens as you journey through the process.

Don’t be afraid to be a learner. Stay curious. Stay teachable. Stay moving.

You grow as you go.