
In this conversation, I have the pleasure of interviewing my longtime friend Valentine Makoni, who is a writer, debate enthusiast, and creative thinker. We explore various themes including cultural traditions, the significance of music and performance, the pursuit of truth in debate, the impact of ideas on society, and the role of activism in the media. We also reflect on our personal experiences and the broader implications of these themes in contemporary life, exploring the complexities of navigating creative expression in a world fraught with the fear of cancellation. We also discuss the importance of finding alternative sources of sustenance to maintain artistic integrity, the evolution of writing as a medium for preserving thoughts, and the challenges of engaging with politics in a toxic environment. The dialogue also touches on the disillusionment felt by many Zimbabweans and the personal preferences in hip hop, particularly the contrasting styles of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. Enjoy! Chapters: 00:00 Intro 05:19 Winky D New Year Concert 09:00 The Pursuit of Truth 11:17 College Debate & Idea Exchange 16:00 Substitutes for Truth 19:00 Activism & The Role of Media 27:00 Alternative Media & Propaganda Antidotes 29:00 Navigating Cancellation 34:32 The Power of Writing and the Creative Pursuit 43:00 Reading and Knowledge Consumption 49:00 Engaging with Politics in Toxic Environments 56:00 The Art of Hip Hop, J Cole vs Kendrick Lamar 📱Follow Valentine: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valentinewrite_/ Twitter: https://x.com/Valentinewrite_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valentinermakoni ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📲 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepenandpulsepod Twitter: https://x.com/phiwemhlope TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepenandpulsepod 🔗 Check out my website: https://www.mhlopephiwe.com/ 🎙️ Don’t forget to Subscribe, Share and Turn on Notifications!: https://www.youtube.com/@UCznNtAguf40a4UMSWUklkJw or leave a nice comment, or just say hie. 📚Mentioned Literature #49 Crushes :https://valentinemakoni.co.zw/books/49crushes/ Phiwe's 25th Birthday Ebook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w2yohbwUK7ZO4O3VWEbPc90ibjrzbNES/view ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Music Attribution: Track Title: Kid Kodi Artist: Blue Dot Sessions Source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Skittle/Kid_Kodi/ License: Creative Commons CC BY-NC 4.0/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Changes Made: No changes made.