Episode Overview

Podcast: Konnected Minds Podcast
Host: Derrick Abaitey
Guest: Nanaba (inferred from transcript)
Segment: "I'm an Opportunist" – How to Use Relationships to Get What You Want Without Apology
Release Date: February 19, 2026

This episode dives deep into unapologetically leveraging relationships for personal advancement. Guest Nanaba candidly shares her philosophy on being an “opportunist,” how she’s navigated mentorships and professional environments, and her perspectives on societal pressures, self-imposed expectations, and authenticity, particularly for women and young people aiming for success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Being an Opportunist as a Path to Success

• Nanaba openly embraces the label “opportunist,” explaining how deliberately seeking value in relationships has propelled her career.
• She describes how she intentionally ingratiated herself with established media figures to learn from them and secure opportunities (“If I’m not getting anything from the friendship, trust me, it’s useless to me.” [00:37]).
• Approach to Mentorship:
  • She sought proximity to Emma Morrison, a top news anchor, not out of flattery but strategic ambition.
  • “I made it my plan to be this close to her, skin to skin with her. Because I will learn from her.” [01:08]
  • “If I need something from you, trust me, I will serve you with my blood and my energy.” [01:36]
• Nanaba highlights learning by observation, turning a mentor’s weaknesses into her own strengths for career advancement.

2. Negotiation and Deliberateness

• She reframes her strategy as negotiation, not manipulation:
  • "That’s what I call negotiation. It was deliberate because I knew what I wanted at the end of the day. And I don’t care what you say..." [02:26]
  • “I just knew. Yeah. So Emma understood the assignment.” [02:47]

3. Women Supporting Women in Media

• Praises Emma Morrison’s leadership for giving women opportunities, not based on favoritism but on a willingness to see what others could do ([03:20]).
• Highlights the impact women in power can have by consciously opening doors for others.

4. Societal & Self-Imposed Pressures

• Derrick probes whether societal pressures are especially heavy on women and girls ([03:36]).
• Nanaba argues much pressure is self-created by unhealthy comparisons and internalizing others’ successes:
  • “Some of the pressure is self-imposed. Some of the pressure can be avoided. You don’t have to believe everything you see.” [03:54]
  • “Be authentic. Do not copy.” [04:22]
• Advises against buying into timelines for careers or life milestones, using her own academic record as an example:
  • “I didn’t get first class.” [05:11]
  • “But it hasn’t stopped me from being what I want to be.” [05:30]

5. Money, Entitlement, and Responsibility

• Critiques the idea that wealthy people owe their resources to others:
  • “How dare you? That is his or her money. He decides what he or she wants to do with their money.” [06:24]
• Emphasizes personal responsibility when choosing to have children or make big life decisions ([06:45]).

6. Life Timelines: Marriage, Children, and Authentic Progress

• Challenges the notion that everyone must achieve goals by certain ages (marriage by 28, etc.).
  • “You really never know what you want to do. There are people who are now discovering themselves in their 50s.” [05:53]
  • “Don’t make your life’s clock somebody’s clock…” [08:24]
• Dismisses public pressure stemming from social media:
  • “Don’t go and look for money to go and buy because Nanaba wore it. Whatever you have, make do with it.” [09:42]

7. On Boundaries and Self-Respect

• Derrick observes, “Nana would not let anybody put her in a box.” [10:52]
• Nanaba affirms she refuses to be controlled or limited:
  • "You’re not just limiting your potential, you are allowing people to control you, to control your narrative. You can’t control anybody’s narrative. I don’t know how that can ever happen to me. It’s not possible.” [11:05]
• Gives an example: Willing to walk out of important meetings if not respected for her time, even when she needs a favor ([11:13]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Intentional Opportunism:
  • “If I’m not getting anything from the friendship, trust me, it’s useless to me. And so I make friends because I know there’s something you have that I would like.” — Nanaba [00:37]
• On Learning From Mentors:
  • “I saw Emma’s weaknesses… I made that my strength. I perfected it.” — Nanaba [01:49]
• On Authenticity vs. Imitation:
  • “The fact that Derek is wearing a white shirt and it looks good on him doesn’t mean a white shirt will look good on me… Don’t buy pressure for yourself.” — Nanaba [04:22]
• On Societal Timelines:
  • “Don’t make your life’s clock somebody’s clock.” — Nanaba [08:24]
• On Personal Boundaries:
  • “I need a favor from you, but I’m out. I will not sit for hours because you think I’m at your beck and call.” — Nanaba [11:13]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–02:40 — Nanaba’s philosophy on leveraging relationships for gain, mentorship with Emma Morrison, and deliberate negotiation.
• 03:36–04:25 — Discussion of societal and self-imposed pressures, especially for young women.
• 05:10–06:38 — Perspectives on academic achievement, handling adult life milestones, and differentiating between superficial expectations and personal progress.
• 06:40–09:42 — Money, entitlement, social comparison, and authenticity in lifestyle decisions.
• 10:52–11:20 — Refusing to be boxed in or disrespected, maintaining boundaries even in need.

Takeaway

This episode offers a candid, unfiltered look at ambition, opportunism, and authenticity—especially from the perspective of a woman determined to chart her own course no matter societal pressures. Nanaba’s unapologetic stance invites listeners to shed limiting narratives, embrace calculated strategies, and resist external pressures, all while maintaining self-respect and supporting others along the way.