Roots, Routes & Voices That Shape America

Roots, Routes & Voices That Shape America

Born from lived experience and deep curiosity, Roots, Routes & Voices explores what it means to leave, to arrive, to adapt, and to thrive. From boardrooms to grocery store aisles, from mother tongues to second homes, the podcast delves into the layers of identity, integration, and belonging. It’s about the beauty and bravery of becoming, the messiness of culture, and the stories of people not just surviving immigration — but reshaping America through it.

Episodes

The Voice She Became: Shakila Ahmad’s Journey as a Muslim Woman in America

August 15, 2025 • 67 mins
In this episode of Roots, Routes, and Voices, Clara Matonhodze and Bryan Wright engage with Shakila Ahmad to explore the journey that has defined her as a Muslim woman in America. Moving to Cincinnati from Pakistan at nine years old, Shakila faced the challenge of being the only brown Muslim girl in her class. Her experiences during these formative years fostered a sense of resilience and belonging, ultimately leading her to become...
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The Cost of Freedom: Bao M. Nguyen’s Story from Saigon to Cincinnati

August 11, 2025 • 70 mins
In this episode of Roots, Routes, Voices, Clara Matonhodze and Bryan Wright engage with Bao M. Nguyen to explore his transformation from the vibrant streets of Saigon to the serene neighborhoods of Cincinnati. Bao shares his enduring memories of life in Vietnam, the upheaval of immigrating to the United States, and his quest for a sense of belonging in the Midwest. His story highlights his family's resilience amid war and separatio...
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Bridging Continents, Building Community: Fatou Souare and the Power of Cultural Advocacy

August 1, 2025 • 64 mins
Welcome to "Roots, Routes, Voices," the Cincinnati Compass podcast showcasing stories that shape America's diverse community. In this episode, host Clara Matonhodze and cohost Bryan Wright interview Fatou Souare, an HR professional, cultural advocate, and co-founder of the Kentucky African Women's Association (KAWA).

Originally from Senegal, Fatou shares her journey of moving to the United States, navigating cultural shifts, and ove...
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From Two Continents To One Heart: Daniela Patterson’s Love Story

July 29, 2025 • 27 mins
For over thirty years, Daniela Patterson has spearheaded marketing, branding, and communication strategies that build, expand, and rejuvenate global brands for startups, midsize firms, and Fortune 500 companies. With extensive experience both in-house and within agencies, Patterson has managed and led projects across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, bridging developed and emerging markets.

Welcome to Roots, Routes, an...
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From Mexico City to Midwest Powerhouse: Karla Boldery’s American Rebuild

July 18, 2025 • 52 mins
In this episode of Roots, Routes, and Voices That Shape America, hosts Clara Matonhodze and Bryan Wright engage with Karla Boldery—a business advisor, media leader, and founder of the Latino Entrepreneur Academy in Cincinnati. Karla details her journey from the vibrant streets of Mexico City, where she cultivated independence and resilience, to becoming a pivotal figure empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs in Ohio. Transitioning from ...
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Model, Diplomat, CEO: Sarah Tsai’s Unbelievable Journey To America

July 11, 2025 • 75 mins
Join Clara Matonhodze Strode and Bryan Wright on "Roots, Routes & Voices that Shape America" as they converse with Sarah Tsai—model, diplomat, CEO, and founder of Sarah Tsai Consulting. Sarah shares her journey from Taiwan to Cincinnati, highlighting her multicultural upbringing and early aspirations in diplomacy. She discusses the challenges of changing careers as an immigrant and her successful integration into Cincinnati’s b...
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Breaking Barriers: Dr. Kotagal Shashi Kant On Medicine, Immigration, And The American Dream

July 4, 2025 • 58 mins
Welcome to Roots, Routes & Voices that Shape America, a Cincinnati Compass podcast that highlights the journeys of immigrants contributing to our nation's growth. In today’s episode, “Breaking Barriers: Dr. Kotagal Shashi Kant on Medicine, Immigration, and the American Dream,” hosts Clara Matonhodze Strode and Bryan Wright speak with Dr. Kotagal Shashi Kant.

Dr. Kant’s path takes him from a small town in India to the esteemed Al...
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From Ghana To True Shea: Manny Addo On Building A Business With Soul

June 27, 2025 • 61 mins
In this episode of Roots, Routes, and Voices, hosts Clara Matonhodze and Bryan Wright speak with Manny Addo, the founder of True Shea. Manny brings West Africa's prized beauty secret—100% pure shea butter—to American homes through his Cincinnati-based company.

Raised in Ghana, Manny shares his journey from aspiring medical doctor to entrepreneur after the loss of his mother at fifteen. He details his early ventures selling shoes and...
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Belonging Beyond Borders: Nazly Mamedova's Journey From Post-Soviet To Cincinnati

June 20, 2025 • 48 mins
In this episode of "Roots, Routes & Voices That Shape America," we introduce Nazly Mamedova, an immigration attorney whose personal history fuels her commitment to her clients. Born in the Soviet Union, Nazly's journey to American citizenship was shaped by her family's deportations under Stalin and her upbringing across diverse cultures and languages.

Nazly shares her experience of settling in Cincinnati, where she established h...
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The Holy, The Hilarious & The Hall: David Chimusoro’s Cincinnati Trilogy

June 13, 2025 • 60 mins
Welcome to "Roots, Routes, Voices," a podcast highlighting immigrant narratives that influence Cincinnati and beyond. Hosted by Clara Matonhodze and Bryan Wright, today’s episode features David Chimusoro, whose life story unfolds as a trilogy in the Queen City.

David’s journey begins in Zimbabwe and leads him through roles in Cincinnati's megachurch, city hall, and comedy stages. Raised in a creative family, he learned the importanc...
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Pilot Episode

June 7, 2025 • 10 mins
Born from lived experience and deep curiosity, Roots, Routes & Voices explores what it means to leave, to arrive, to adapt, and to thrive. From boardrooms to grocery store aisles, from mother tongues to second homes, the podcast delves into the layers of identity, integration, and belonging. It’s about the beauty and bravery of becoming, the messiness of culture, and the stories of people not just surviving immigration — but re...
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