Jeicy Kivuyo is an MBA graduate from UWS who, alongside her career in tech, is the founder and host of Stories Next Door – a storytelling platform that shines a light on everyday people with extraordinary stories.  

Through engaging interviews, cinematic visuals and grassroots storytelling, the podcast explores themes of identity, resilience, culture, and community.  We caught up with Jeicy to find out more.

The Stories Next Door podcast is one year old this month. Can you tell us how the podcast came about? 
There’s an African proverb that says, ‘Little by little, the bird builds its nest.’ It means big goals are achieved through small, consistent efforts over time. That proverb sums up my journey with storytelling. 

I’ve always loved radio. I worked part-time at my local radio station in high school back in Tanzania and I was hooked – honestly, give me a mic and I’ll talk until someone cuts me off! But at the time, my parents weren’t exactly cheering on my radio dreams. Like most African parents, they said, ‘Please, pick a serious career.’ 

Fast-forward a few years, that little voice at the back of my head kept whispering, ‘You belong in storytelling.’ So, when I moved into tech and finally had the resources (and courage) to start, I thought, why not create my own platform? That’s how Stories Next Door was born. I wanted to take that radio dream and turn it into a reality that fits today’s world -podcasting, storytelling, video, the whole works. And now, one year later, we’re still telling one story at a time. 

Is there a theme to the podcast and who have been your favourite guests so far? 
The main theme is everyday people with extraordinary stories. I’m talking about people who might live next door to you, sit beside you on the bus, or pass you in Tesco – but when you hear their story, you think, ‘Wow, this should be on Netflix.’ 

We’ve covered resilience, identity, culture, grief, and community – all through real voices. Picking a favourite guest feels like picking a favourite child… but if I must, I’d say my conversation about grief with my good friend Darwin Aseka. We both share the loss of our beloved siblings, and we connected on such a human level. Grief is often treated like a foreign language that no one wants to speak, but it’s a reality that connects so many of us. That episode reminded me how storytelling can create space for resilience and healing. 

Reflecting on one year of the podcast, what are your top takeaways? 
First, consistency is harder than it looks – it’s not just ‘press record and vibe.’ It’s planning, editing, and convincing people to sign consent forms. 

Second, people are so generous with their stories when you create a safe space. I’ve laughed, cried, and had moments where I just sat there thinking, ‘Wow, humans are incredible.’ 

And finally, the biggest takeaway: start before you feel ready. If I had waited for the perfect mic, the perfect studio, or the perfect plan… we’d still be waiting. 

You grew up in Tanzania and studied the MBA at UWS London campus. Can you tell us about your educational journey and how you came to choose UWS? 
I came to London knowing I wanted more than just a degree – I wanted a community. UWS stood out because of its practical approach and international network. The lecturers weren’t just teaching theory; they had real-life experience and pushed us to think beyond textbooks. I still remember lectures with Dr. Rajendra Kumar – he had this way of making even the most complex topics feel practical and relevant. You didn’t just leave with notes, you left thinking differently. 

And then there’s the friendships. I met some amazing people, like Kevin Migum, who became one of my closest friends. Honestly, I don’t know if I would’ve survived group projects – or my general dramatic meltdowns – without him. 

To be honest, doing the MBA while working stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but it also taught me resilience, time management, and how to write essays at 2 a.m. with cold pizza as motivation. Those lessons, the friendships, and the mentorship from lecturers like Dr. Rajendra are the things that stayed with me long after the graduation cap came off. 

What’s next for you and the podcast? 
The podcast is just the beginning. I’m currently working on a book – also called Stories Next Door – which is a collection of the most inspiring stories I’ve gathered. Think of it as the podcast you can hold in your hands. What’s even more exciting is that the book has been sponsored through Fiverr, thanks to Simon Squibb an entrepreneur, angel investor, and champion of dreamers – who believed in the vision and facilitated it. 

A portion of the book sales will be donated to Kwanda, a cooperative funding community projects, which makes this project even more meaningful to me. It’s not just about telling stories – it’s about making an impact. 

And honestly, none of this would have happened without the power of networking. A simple introduction, a conversation, or showing up in the right room can open doors you didn’t even know existed. The podcast itself has grown through connections and community – proof that people really are your greatest resource. 

Beyond the book, I want to grow the platform, collaborate with more brands, and maybe even take the show on the road. Who knows – next year we might be knocking on doors in New York, Nairobi, and Naples. 

If you could offer one piece of advice or top tip to recent graduates, what would it be? 
Your degree is your ticket in, but curiosity and persistence will keep you in the room. Don’t be afraid to pivot, to try something new, to fail loudly and learn quickly. And please – don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter twenty. 

Oh, and network. Seriously. The person you grab coffee with today might be the person who opens the biggest door for you tomorrow. (Also, be nice – people remember nice.) 

Find out more about the podcast here: 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/storiesnextdoorpodcast/  

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@storiesnextdoorpodcast  

Jeicy’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeicy-kivuyo/