What Shapes Us

About What Shapes Us

What Shapes Us is an exploration into the incidents and accidents that shape us into being. Selema Masekela, a relentlessly curious narrator of the human experience, takes us on a journey through personal anecdotes from his own life and in depth, conversational exchanges with a wide landscape of dynamic and interesting individuals. Athletes, activists, artists, critical thinkers, disruptors; anyone with a unique perspective on this thing called life, is welcome to contribute answers to the always evolving question...What Shapes Us

Publisher

Rebel Talk Network

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jun 2020

Latest episode

5 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

16 of 37 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   5 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT

   36: Mikey February on Flow, Freedom, and Finding Rhythm

   In this episode of What Shapes Us, Selema Masekela sits down with South African surfer and creative soul Mikey February (@mikeyfebruary) for a conversation about carving your own path—on and off the board. From competitive circuits to free-surfing liberation, Mikey opens up about how music, community, and his Cape Town roots have shaped his fluid style and global perspective. The two explore how Mikey redefined success in surfing by stepping away from the rigid structure of contests, embracing his role as a cultural connector, and allowing intuition and joy to guide his work. Expect stories of purpose-driven travel, soul-infused style, and reflections on what it means to create movement—through art, water, and life. Follow us: Host: @selema Guest: @mikeyfebruary Show: @whatshapesuspodcast

2. 

   29 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   35: Jagger Eaton on Going Big and Staying Grounded

   From Olympic podiums to personal pivots, Jagger Eaton (@jaggereaton) joins Selema Masekela on What Shapes Us for a raw and real conversation about what it takes to thrive in the pressure cooker of pro skateboarding. They dive into the mental toll of being the “youngest ever,” the lonely road of elite competition, and the surprising ways self-worth evolves outside of contest results. Jagger opens up about learning to slow down, rediscovering his love for skating, and building an identity not just on the board, but beyond it. Whether you're chasing medals or meaning, this one’s for anyone redefining success on their own terms. Follow Us: Jagger Eaton: @jaggereaton Selema Masekela: @selema What Shapes Us Podcast: @whatshapesuspodcast

3. 

   22 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   34: Faith Briggs Rose on Movement, Meaning, and Making Space

   In this illuminating episode of What Shapes Us, Selema Masekela (@selema) sits down with documentary filmmaker, activist, and lifelong runner Faith Briggs Rose (@faithbriggs) to explore the intersection of identity, storytelling, and the outdoors. From running across national parks in This Land to co-directing award-winning films like Bearlike, Faith shares what it means to chase truth and community through movement. She opens up about navigating predominantly white outdoor spaces as a woman of color, the responsibility of shaping narratives from behind the lens, and how becoming a mother reshaped her relationship with creativity and time. With warmth, curiosity, and conviction, Faith reminds us that the act of storytelling—much like running—isn’t always about speed. It’s about endurance, direction, and showing up for the long haul. Social Media Tags: Faith Briggs Rose: @faithbriggs (https://www.instagram.com/faithbriggs) Selema Masekela: @selema (https://www.instagram.com/selema) What Shapes Us Podcast: @whatshapesuspodcast (https://www.instagram.com/whatshapesuspodcast)

Inside a recent episode

36: Mikey February on Flow, Freedom, and Finding Rhythm

Published 5 Sept 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] You and your dad. Yeah, I mean, we didn't have no idea that we were going to go there. And then my dad literally the night before I was like, hey, do you want to come? And then booked him a ticket and yeah, he got to go to Hawaii for his first time, which was actually quite like an emotional one for me, you know, because he, how high is one place as a surfer that it's like kind of the first place that you, you know, and you know, obviously there's many amazing surf destinations around the world. But Hawaii, as seen as the birthplace of surfing and Duke or those people. And just growing up, my dad used to show me all those magazines and, you know, images of buttons and Jerry Lopez and all those guys. […]

Who has been a guest on What Shapes Us

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Trevor Andrew
• Tony Hawk
• Tyler Bereman
• Gabby Reece
• Kate Courtney

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

113 ratings

Spotify

4.6 / 5

19 ratings

Contact What Shapes Us

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about What Shapes Us