LOS ANGELES – In a campus environment often focused on achievement and productivity, one student, Rita Oppong, a Junior Sociology major, is creating a safe space through her podcast, Becoming Us. Oppong is encouraging listeners to escape from “survival mode” and become intentional with their lives.
Oppong said the idea for her podcast came from her personal life, and specifically her upbringing. “I realized a lot of us are living lives shaped by survival, not intention,” she said. “Especially within the African community, and for Ghanaian women, we’re taught to be strong, to push through, to perform but not always to heal.”
Her podcast has a mission and she says, that is to challenge that mindset by creating a safe space where people can reconnect with themselves. Becoming Us focuses on unlearning expectations and finding your own voice, even if the process is uncomfortable.
“It’s for people who feel like they have outgrown old versions of themselves,” Oppong said. “People who are tired of just operating and want to build a life rooted in peace, growth, and self awareness.”
The concept for this podcast is deeply personal to Oppong. She shared that her upbringing was very strict and she oftentimes felt like she was not seen. “Its also a space for people to be recognized,” Oppong said.
Each episode begins with a question or feeling she has been reflecting on or wants to explore. From there, she builds out a map of key points and messages for the episode to cover. “I focus a lot on making it feel like a conversation, not a lecture,” Oppong said.
While producing the podcast has been a rewarding experience, it hasn’t come without challenges. “The most challenging part is being vulnerable and consistent while being a student … showing up honestly, especially when you are still growing can feel uncomfortable,” Oppong said. Although this can make the podcast tough, she expressed the rewarding aspect of her podcast. “The most rewarding part is knowing that something I’ve said made someone feel seen or understood,” Oppong said.
Beyond the podcast, this experience has changed her academic approach. “It made me more intentional with how I move through life and speak to people. I think more critically and reflect more,” Oppong said. She also feels the podcast allowed her to build confidence in the classroom and leadership roles.
Looking ahead, she hopes to expand Becoming Us into a community past the podcast.
“Long term, I see it expanding beyond audio, into events, and experiences where people can truly step into who they are becoming,” she said.
