This week, we sit down with the dynamic duo Daniel and Toyosi Etim-Effiong to discuss their latest venture—TRANSPARENT, a podcast that dives deep into love, relationships, and personal growth. Toyosi, a seasoned media entrepreneur dedicated to amplifying authentic African stories, and Daniel, an award-winning actor and filmmaker, bring their undeniable chemistry and raw honesty to every episode.
The couple first captured hearts with their viral YouTube video, 7 Years Later: Our Love Story, which amassed over 245,000 views and thousands of heartfelt comments, igniting conversations on marriage, commitment, and self-discovery. Now, they’re taking things a step further with TRANSPARENT, a podcast designed to be a safe space for open and honest conversations about the beautiful, messy, and transformative journey of love and self-evolution.
With their signature authenticity and relatability, Daniel and Toyosi are on a mission to create a platform that feels both vulnerable and empowering. In this interview, they open up about their experiences as podcast hosts, the lessons they’re learning along the way, and why transparency is at the heart of everything they do.
Toyosi and Daniel, your journey from ‘7 Years Later: Our Love Story’ has led to the launch of your Podcast Transparent. What was the pivotal moment when you realised that there was a deeper conversation to be had about love, relationships, and personal growth and to make it a Podcast?
Toyosi: I think the turning point for us came when we realised how much people connected to our personal journey in ‘7 Years Later’. Everyone was asking us questions about how we made it work, how we grew together, how transparent we were and that sparked the idea of Transparent. People wanted more real talk, not just the fairytale stuff. It made us see a gap in the kinds of conversations that married couples were having publicly.
With your combined social media reach of over 1.2 million followers, how will you ensure that the messages you’re sharing on Transparent resonate with a diverse audience, especially regarding the realities of love, relationships, and self-growth?
Daniel: You know, one thing I love about social media is that you get to connect with so many kinds of people. It’s easy to get caught up in the glam side of things, but we want to show the real behind the scenes. Whether someone’s going through a breakup or celebrating a big anniversary, we want them to see that they’re not alone. Our podcast is about all kinds of love and growth, not just the ‘picture-perfect’ stuff.
As a married couple and individuals with rich media and film careers, what do you believe are the key ingredients for building a strong, lasting relationship in today’s fast-paced, social media-driven world?
Toyosi: I would say communication and mutual respect. Mind-reading is not a common competence, so you need to let the other person know what you’re thinking. It’s also important to truly regard your partner and show respect.
You both bring a wealth of experience—Toyosi as a media entrepreneur and Daniel as an award-winning actor—how do you feel these careers have shaped the way you approach the topics you will discuss on Transparent? Do your careers influence how you relate to each other?
Daniel: Absolutely! My work in acting has taught me a lot about empathy, being present, and understanding different perspectives. It’s made me more attuned to the way people feel and express themselves. That’s something I bring into our podcast—connecting with different stories and scenarios and making sure multiple stories are heard and respected.
You’ve already reached an incredible milestone with 7 Years Later, which broke the internet, and now, with Transparent, you’re reaching for even bigger goals. What’s your vision for the podcast over the next few years? How do you plan to expand and connect with even more people around the world?
Toyosi: Our vision is for Transparent to grow into a space where people come to find genuine advice, to laugh, to cry, and to feel inspired. We want it to be a community where people can learn from each other and grow together. Over the next few years, we’re looking to have conversations with guests from all over the world and connecting with listeners in new and exciting ways.
In the spirit of Valentine, what’s your favourite way to celebrate Valentine’s Day together, and how does it differ from what the public might expect?
Toyosi: My favourite way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is at a nice, quiet spot just spending time with him, away from the screams of, “Mummy, mummy, mummy”.
How do you balance your busy careers with keeping the romance alive? Do you have any tips for couples who struggle with finding time for each other?
Toyosi: Prioritise yourselves. It can be easy to get caught up in work, but we intentionally make out time to catch up, even if it’s a quick phone call or him stopping over at work on his way to set. It’s about making sure that we’re constantly connected, no matter how busy life gets, and I try as much as possible to share any major news I have with him first, no matter how long it takes to reach him.
What’s the most memorable or funny thing that’s happened to you on Valentine’s Day?
Toyosi: Somehow, we both forgot that it was Valentine’s Day!
Daniel: Hahaha, yeah, we were both so caught up with work, family, and life, and it just didn’t register that it was Valentine’s Day
What does love mean to you today compared to when you first met?
Daniel: When we first met, love was exciting and full of newness, you know? But now, love means growth, commitment, and partnership. It’s about being there for each other through the highs and lows. Love today is about supporting each other’s dreams, even when it’s hard, and growing together as individuals.
For those navigating the ups and downs of relationships—whether single, dating, married, or healing from a breakup—what’s one piece of advice that you both wish you had heard earlier in your own journeys?
Toyosi: One thing I wish I’d known earlier is how important it is to get acquainted and fall in love with yourself first before expecting someone else to love you in the way you want. Self-worth comes first. When you have that, everything else falls into place.
