In This Time (Shorts): Episode 13 – The Rhythm of Us

Ever wondered what happens when an astrophysics professor meets a former baseball player over a pot of West Indian soup? Or what a Great Dane and two rescue Beagles do on a playdate? Get ready for a story about family, faith, and finding your rhythm in the most unexpected places. This week in episode 13, we’re stepping into the heart of the MWendo-Joseph home in Kalorama, where the soup is hot, the cocktails are terrible, and every conversation is a journey. You won't want to miss it.

You know, some of the most beautiful stories are born not from grand plans, but from simple, unexpected moments. I’m thinking about a particular Sunday in Kalorama, Washington, D.C., at the home of Ayo and Ashanti MWendo-Joseph. The air was thick with the scent of cinnamon-braised plantains and okra stew.  Ayo, fresh from his work at Howard University, was pouring hibiscus tea, and the whole family was buzzing with a quiet joy.

Their friends and neighbors, Alma and Agustin Rivera, arrived with their Great Dane, Bruno. Agustin, a former baseball player, brought fresh Cuban bread, and Alma, a real estate agent with a heart for community, came with her signature saffron rice. Bruno, an emotional support Great Dane, bounded through the front door, launching himself straight into a joyful chaos with the family's two rescue Beagles, Uno and Duos.

As the evening unfolded, it was a beautiful mash-up of cultures and stories. Agustin, the quiet former athlete, bonded with Caleb over baseball analytics, bridging the gap between an old-school sport and new-age tech. Alma and Ashanti, both powerful women in their fields, connected over shared dreams of building legacies—one in tech for social good, the other in nonprofit work for dignity and art.

But it was more than just a dinner party. It was a testament to how different lives can come together and form something new and wonderful. Alma, who once felt out of place in her affluent neighborhood, created a space for everyone to belong. Agustin, who missed the clarity of the baseball field, found a new rhythm in conversations with a curious young mind. And Ayo and Ashanti, who were grappling with their children leaving the nest and the weight of their global careers, found their home refilled with new life, new purpose, and new stories. They realized that empty spaces weren't a sign of loss, but simply rooms waiting for new stories to be written.

The stories of Ayo, Ashanti, Alma, and Agustin remind us that legacy isn't just about big achievements; it’s about the small moments of connection that shape us. I want to hear from you. Who in your life has taught you about finding your rhythm? Share your story with us using #TheRhythmOfUs on social media, and you might be featured in a future episode.

Experience their story.  Get your copy of In This Time on Amazon.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHGCHHYD

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