TESON FILES Podcast

Some of you were the brightest students in primary school or secondary school. Some were head boys, head girls, class captains, and the students everyone expected to succeed. Your parents, teachers, and community knew you as the Grade A student who was always expected to come first.

But life changes.

You meet different people, different challenges, and different realities. Not everyone learns the same way, and not everyone progresses at the same pace. Yet many parents still expect the same results they saw years ago, without realizing the pressure their children carry every day.

Some students are trying their absolute best. At a point, they stop chasing first place and just hope to be promoted, pass their exams, or move to the next stage. Not because they are lazy, but because they are exhausted.

And sometimes, even that does not work out.

The saddest part is when a child is already struggling and all they hear is pressure: “If you don’t make it this time, this is the last time we will support you.”

Not every child can carry that weight.

Some lose confidence. Some lose themselves. Some fall into depression. Some make decisions that can never be reversed.

That is why parents must learn to understand their children. Good grades are important, but your child is more than a report card. Pay attention to their emotional well-being. Talk to them. Guide them. Encourage them. If one path is not working, help them find another path instead of making them feel like failures.

To every student reading this: keep pushing. Even when nobody sees your effort, keep pushing. You are building your foundation, and not every foundation is laid at the same speed.

And to parents in Sierra Leone and around the world: build a relationship with your children. Don’t let them fear you so much that they cannot confide in you. Let your home be the place they run to when life becomes difficult, not the place they run from.

Today is International Youth Day.

I’m reminded that youth is not just about age…it is about purpose, choices, courage, and responsibility.

As young people in Sierra Leone, we may not have everything, but we have something powerful: the ability to decide what we become.

Let’s not only celebrate our youth.
Let’s use it to build, serve, lead, and leave something meaningful behind.

Happy International Youth Day. 🇸🇱

Last week, I started a UNICEF online course through the AGORA learning platform. Today, I am happy to have successfully completed the course, Child Rights Toolkit: Integrating Child Rights in International Partnerships.

The course had 8 learning modules with exercises and assessments. Completing all 10 stages took time, focus, and a stable internet connection. Because of my daily responsibilities, I could not finish everything at once. I often had to pause, return later, and continue where I left off until I completed every stage.

One lesson that stayed with me is that every child has rights that must be respected and protected. When we work together and put children first, we help create a better future for every child.

I am grateful for this learning experience and the certificate is a reminder that learning is a journey worth taking.

– Tennyson Kaynie

UNICEF UNICEF Sierra Leone Council of the European Union TEDx

It's gradually becoming a lifestyle. The wait will be worth it.
Teson Files

BO, ARE YOU READY?

The Teson Files Podcast "Real Life Review Tour" hits Bo on August 28, 2026.

Host Tennyson will be live to discuss the issues that matter to us. No filters. No fake talk. Just honest conversations with the people of Bo.

This tour is for you. Your voice matters here.

Want to be a guest? Want to partner with us?
Reach out now.
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Why do we expect our partners to be mind readers?

One of the biggest reasons relationships fail today is because of the "Silent Test." We create a test in our head for the person we love. We think "If they really loved me, they would know I am sad" or "If they cared, they would have bought me flowers today without me asking."

Then, when they don't do it, we get angry. We pull away. We become cold. But the truth is, you are punishing them for a rule they didn't know existed.

We have been told by social media that "if he wanted to, he would." But this idea is actually destroying good relationships. Real love is not about guessing games. It is about clear communication. Your partner is a human being with their own stress and their own thoughts. They are not a machine built to serve your every unspoken wish.

If you have to ask for what you need, it does not make the love less real. In fact, asking for what you need is the highest form of respect you can give to your relationship. It stops the cycle of hidden anger and builds a foundation of truth.

Stop testing your partner and start talking to them. A relationship without communication is just a ticking time bomb.

In this session of The Teson Podcast we are breaking down why we set these traps and how to stop sabotaging your own happiness. We are choosing peace over performance.

The Question for You

Do you believe that if you have to ask for something, it loses its value? Or do you think clear communication is the only way to stay together? Tell me your story in the comments.