Season 2 Episode 01: Danielle Desir

Have you ever been in a position where you wanted to make a life-changing purchase like buying a car or a home, or maybe you’ve wanted to make a life-enhancing purchase like taking that group trip to Ghana with the homies (which really ends up being a solo trip because you know folks are noncommittal, talking bout “man I was waiting on you to tell me…) Anyway, anyway… you’ve probably wanted to make some huge change in your life that required money only to remember that, like many of us millennials, you’re saddled with student loan debt that makes it feel impossible to accomplish any of these dreams? 

Danielle Desir, a Haitian-American entrepreneur, is no different. When she looks back at her journey from $63000 in student debt and living with her mom, the determination to fulfill her dream trip to Paris puts her on a path to exceed her own expectations. 

Today, through her award-winning affordable travel and personal finance blog and podcast, Danielle is changing the lives of thousands of people by sharing her stories and tips on affordable travel, paying off debt, and building wealth while taking that dream trip they’ve always wanted.

When we spoke, she was in the Green Mountain State also known as Vermont, where she was vacationing with her husband and their dog Murphy, reflecting on her childhood travels to Haiti and sharing how $25 a day led her to her first trip in Paris despite having a massive amount of student debt...

Season 1 Episode 16: Moving Back to America and Why We’re Ready To Leave Again

What is culture shock like when returning to your own country?

Welcome to part three of our "Get To Chech and Devione" series. We have thoroughly enjoyed sharing our personal stories of struggle, triumph, adventure, and growth with you. In part one of this series, we shared why we left America. In part two,  we talked about why we stayed abroad for collectively 10+ years despite challenges with our families, jobs, and our futures. And this week, we wrap up this series with part 3 and share why we moved back to America and why we are beyond ready to leave again. 

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• The exact reasons why we left China and our difficulties transitioning home to America.

• The unexpected struggles we’re facing in America that show we need to leave...again.

• Where we are considering moving to and why.

Hope you enjoy it!

If you enjoy this episode or know someone who would also enjoy it, don't be stingy -- please, pay it forward then subscribe to The Buddy Pass to never miss a new episode.

Season 1 Episode 15: Why Chech and Devione Stayed Abroad for (Collectively) 10+ Years!

Why would anyone pick up and leave their home to move abroad...for 5 years?!

In this week's episode, we bring your Part 2 of a 3-part series that explores the lives and travel stories of co-host Chech and Devione. In Part 1, they shared the personal struggles that led them to leave the U.S. (if you haven't listened to that episode yet, I suggest you have a listen before diving into Part 2. It's pretty dope.) 

In Part 2, this week's episode, you'll learn why they stayed abroad for collectively 10+ years despite challenges with their families, jobs, and their futures. You'll learn why they stayed and built lives despite:

• Not Feeling Supported by Family and Friends

• Realizing their first jobs were scams

• Knowing that they wouldn’t be abroad forever

Hope you enjoy it!

If you enjoy this episode or know someone who would also enjoy it, don't be stingy -- please, pay it forward then subscribe to The Buddy Pass to never miss a new episode.

Season 1 Episode 14: Why We Left America: Chech and Devione's Search For...Self.

Hey this is Chech and this is Devione — we’re two friends who met in China who interview other black people who see beyond the American dream. This week's episode will kick off a three-part series that explores the stories of Chech and Devione, the host of The Buddy Pass. You've heard hours of interviews with other people but you haven't heard our stories. So, by popular demand, that's what you'll hear over the next three episodes. You'll learn: The personal struggles that led us to leave the United States.Why one of us believes Africa is where Black people can find themselves and why one of us don't (you'll be surprised who thinks what)Also, why Beyonce's Black is King is crucial to why we left (yes, it just came out, but the themes PREACH!)Hope you enjoy it! If you enjoy this episode or know someone who would also enjoy it, don't be stingy -- please, pay it forward then subscribe to The Buddy Pass to never miss a new episode.

Season 1 Episode 11: Dr. Anima Adjepong on Growing Up Queer in Ghana, African Spirituality, and Liberation Through Black Studies

On this week's show, we're graced by the presence of Dr. Anima Adjepong, a sociologist whose research examines culture, identities, and social change in West Africa and the diaspora. 

During this episode you'll learn:

• What it's like to grow up queer in Africa.

• How to develop spiritual practices to connect with ancestors.

• And, how studying Black Studies can help you feel grounded and healed in this crazy crazy world. 

Anima is a beacon of inspiration and was a joy to speak with. We hope you all enjoy this listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed creating it. 

If you enjoy this episode or know someone who would also enjoy it, don't be stingy -- please, pay it forward then subscribe to The Buddy Pass to never miss a new episode.

Season 1 Episode 10: Fmr. U.S. Diplomat, Chris Richardson, on Re-imagining Foreign Policy toward Global Liberation

Have you ever asked yourself: Who are the people that represent America on the international stage?

Our guest this week, former U.S. Diplomat and Immigration attorney, Chris Richardson, answers that and more. Chris Richardson spent 7 years as a diplomat and served in Nigeria, Nicaragua, Pakistan, and Spain. In this episode, he discusses his newly published article in the NY Times titled: The State Department Was Designed to Keep African-Americans Out and offers us a unique insight into the mindset of his white colleagues as it pertains to their understanding and acknowledgment of racial and cultural strife in other countries versus their own country - America. 

You should NOT miss this episode if: 

• You want to learn how the State Department has historically prevented African Americans from joining the diplomatic community. 

• You wish to understand the domestic and global implications of having a predominately white Foreign Service represent America.  

• You want to learn how the Black travel movement can contribute to American diplomacy, particularly with predominately Black countries. 

• You would like to understand what a radical reimagination of the State Department could look like and what this would mean for a new and liberated global society.

Whew! There's a lot to unpack there. And we do just that on this week's episode of The Buddy Pass!

If you enjoy this episode or know someone who would also benefit from this information, don't be stingy -- please pay it forward then subscribe to The Buddy Pass to never miss a new episode.

Season 1 Episode 1: Chech, LD, and Devione: Three Friends Who Met in China Share Their Story

Devione

We’re Uchechi, Lionel, and Leroy --  three black creatives who’ve collectively spent more than 20 years living abroad. From China to Peru to Jordan and everywhere in between, we’ve seen Black Americans thriving and creating new lives in unconventional places. That’s why we created our podcast, The Buddy Pass, to tell their stories. On this week’s show, you’ll hear how we all met in China and what life was like for us as African Americans. Plus, we’ll make a quick stop (but it won’t be our last) in Africa as we discuss our experiences there and what to look forward to from The Buddy Pass.