Listen To Your Footsteps

What does it take to turn a childhood love for He-Man theme songs into a career shaping South Africa’s music scene? RJ Benjamin—vocal coach, producer, and reluctant performer—reveals the raw, unvarnished truth in this electrifying episode of Listen To Your Footsteps.

From his early days mimicking Michael Jackson to coaching stars like Trevor Noah and composing for Netflix, RJ’s story is a masterclass in embracing duality. “Creating music came easily, but the red carpet? That felt like a betrayal of who I am,” he confesses. His candid reflections on impostor syndrome, industry competition, and the “miles” required to succeed will resonate with anyone who’s ever doubted their place in their craft.

But this isn’t just a story about music—it’s about reinvention. RJ’s pivot from solo artist to behind-the-scenes maestro proves that success isn’t linear. “The streaming era forced me to ask: Do I want fame, or do I want to live?” he muses.

And then there’s fatherhood. His daughter’s perfect pitch mirrors his own childhood, blurring the lines between legacy and letting go.

Key Moments:

• The Stage Fright Paradox: RJ reveals why performing felt unnatural despite his vocal genius (“Ishmael fed off the audience—I just froze”).
• Behind the Boards: How pivoting to production and TV scoring during Covid saved his career (“Client said, ‘Make it blues-hip-hop’—I had to unlearn my ego”).
• Fatherhood & Perfect Pitch: His daughter’s uncanny musical gift (“She’s five and identifies notes while eating cereal”).
• Industry Truths: The real story behind his shelved album—and why awards left him cold (“Best Adult Contemporary? I was offended”).

This conversation is a symphony of humility, hustle, and heart. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or simply seeking proof that passion can pay the bills, RJ’s journey will leave you inspired—and maybe even humming a new tune.

Listen now. Your creativity will thank you.

Subscribe, watch/listen now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. Leave a comment or review and join the conversation.

You can find the latest from RJ Benjamin on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Stream RJ's music on Spotify

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zebra Culture Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now.

Recorded at Spotify Africa Joburg Studio

Show Music by Kweku 'Taygo' Baffoe

Produced by Ayob Vania

"Unlock the Secrets to a Life of Impact: Alistair Mokoena’s Blueprint for Leadership, Growth, and Legacy"

In this transformative episode of Listen To Your Footsteps, host Kojo Baffoe sits down with Professor Alistair Gaopaleloe Mokoena—a trailblazer in entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and academia. From his roots in a family of entrepreneurs to leading Google South Africa and shaping the next generation of leaders, Alistair’s journey is a masterclass in self-mastery, purpose, and intentional living.

Discover how Alistair’s philosophy of “Life is the next five minutes” can help you stay present while strategically planning for a future of significance. Learn why he believes in integration over balance and how this mindset can help you harmonize family, career, and personal growth without sacrificing what matters most.

Alistair shares actionable insights on:

• Navigating career transitions with confidence and clarity.
• The power of deliberate planning to create a life of impact.
• Leadership lessons from boardrooms to classrooms.
• Crafting a legacy that transcends titles and wealth.

This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a roadmap to living a life that matters. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, Alistair’s wisdom will inspire you to take action and redefine what success means to you.

Don’t miss this extraordinary episode—your future self will thank you.

Tune in now on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, subscribe, and join the conversation. Because the life you’ve always wanted is just one listen away.

You can find the latest from Alistair on ⁠⁠⁠any of these social spaces - ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠X [Formerly Twitter] For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠ to the ⁠⁠⁠Zebra Culture Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ now.

Recorded at: Spotify Africa Joburg Studio

Show Music: Kweku 'Taygo' Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this unfiltered, thought-stirring episode of Listen to Your Footsteps, host Kojo Baffoe sits down with Siphiwe Mpye, media executive, former editor of Business Day Wanted Magazine editor, current Strategic Revenue and Growth Manager at Wanted and founder of Noted Man, for a conversation that challenges, inspires, and reshapes how we see masculinity, media, and personal evolution.

From his early days as a journalist to navigating career shifts and fatherhood, Mpye’s journey is a testament to adaptation, self-awareness, and quiet strength. He dissects the "good guy" facade ("We applauded success without digging deeper"), the rise of performative masculinity, and why expanded identity - "You can be firm and flexible" - matters now more than ever.

Key Discussions:

✔ Media’s Role in Identity – How stories shape (and distort) who we think we should be.

✔ Fatherhood as a Mirror – "My kids need to see me learning, not just lecturing."

✔ Access + Effort – "Talent isn’t enough. Who opens doors for you?"

✔ Stoicism in Chaos – "Control your reactions, not the storm."

Why Listen?

This podcast episode is a guide for anyone tired of surface-level conversations about manhood, success, and growth. Whether you’re a leader, parent, or creative, Mpye’s insights will shift your perspective.

Key Quotes:

"We need to be a different kind of man."

"Real strength is nuance, not noise."

"Your kids need to see you unfinished, it gives them permission to grow."

Listen now, and prepare to rethink masculinity, media, and the stories we tell ourselves.

Subscribe, watch/listen now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. Leave a comment or review and join the conversation.

You can find the latest from Siphiwe Mpye on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or Instagram⁠⁠

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zebra Culture Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now.

Recorded at Spotify Africa Joburg Studio

Show Music by Kweku 'Taygo' Baffoe

Produced by Ayob Vania

From herding goats to the depths of his own soul, Hakeem Anderson-Lesolang's journey is an extraordinary testament to the power of resilience and self-discovery. Once known as the rapper Flex Boogie, he has evolved into a respected author, holistic transformational therapist, and poet.

In this episode of Listen to Your Footsteps, we delve into the fascinating life of a man who has faced adversity head-on, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and self-understanding, emerging stronger and wiser. Discover how Hakeem's experiences as a goat herder, his struggles with family dynamics, and his foray into the entertainment industry have shaped him into the the compassionate and insightful individual he is today which ultimately led him to embrace a career dedicated to helping others heal.

With raw honesty and philosophical insight, Hakeem shares his inspiring story of resilience, inner work, transformation, and the power of human connection. Join us as we explore the profound lessons learned and the transformative power of listening to one's inner voice.

You can find the latest from Hakeem on ⁠his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, LinkedIn, X [Twitter] and Facebook. You can learn more about Fola Wellness and Healing here.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Jason Rademeyer

Recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podhouse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe

Producer: Ayob Vania

In this episode of the Listen To Your Footsteps podcast, Bogosi Motshegwa, Chief Creative Officer at Black River FC & Brand Service Co, and
Thinkerneur Founder and Strategy Director, shares his journey into the world of advertising, how he has ruffled feathers through his writing, dealing with the loss of his brother and how he came back from that, being a father and balancing that with his professional responsibilities, and so much more.

You can find Bogosi on the Thinkerneur website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and on LinkedIn.

For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out https://kojobaffoe.com/book/

Please leave us a review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Editor: Another Dizhaman Production

Show Music: Kweku Baffoe