admin
Arts Reporter
She has effectively revolutionised the art of podcasting in Zimbabwe.
With her show dubbed ‘The Big Vibe with Loewi’, fashionista and television personality Lorraine Mugariri-Swanepoel, has turned heads and recorded high views each time she features a guest.
But Swanepoel who trades as Loewi revealed that she was aiming for television with the guest list that includes regional and international high profile stars.
She said the show gives a deeper meaning to society on how they view artistes and influencers, and that has also helped her develop personally.
According to Loewi, the show came as an idea to redefine the modern terminology “vibes”.
“I thought, whatever it is I get to sit with my guests and discuss on the podcast is what the “vibe” is all about and not always linked to “good times or play times”,” she said.
The diva presenter said the show helped her to rediscover herself.
“The show when I look back was always something I had always wanted to do, but these thoughts were just thoughts, but after the loss of my parents in 2020 and 2021, I went on a solo journey of self-discovery”
“I wanted to open myself up to who I really am and because of that, I got to meet so many incredible people from across the globe and each one had a unique story that I felt,” she said.
“Honestly, when I was asked by my partners at Nash TV, how I wanted to grow the show, I highlighted that I’d love for my first episodes to grow organically. I want people to want to listen to me before bombarding them with the show.”
Loewi said through the deep conversations she manages to have with various artists have not only, but helped her to grow but was willing to share the nuggets with relative arts bodies.
“One thing I have respected and got to understand is that the artists have a lot to share despite their musical career and besides there are important people in society who are viewed differently but we should give them a chance to push some societal solutions,” she said. “If we could all connect with each other despite of where we come from we will realize and learn from one another. I want to connect with people and have deep conversations.”
She said has brought a lot of artists and was aiming to interview more.
“I have worked with Asaph, Ammara Brown and King 98 on the podcast as my guests. My sound engineer Jamal No Limits is also doing incredibly well as a producer for a number of artistes today.”
“I have partnered with Nash TV and to say for a new show of this kind, we are doing well with room to grow of course when more people familiarize with the kind of vibrations the show has,” said Loewi.
Asked who her role model was, she loves Angelina Martinez.
“I love and enjoy watching Angelina Martinez ‘In Real Life’ podcast because she knows the majority of her guests personally which allows for them to connect authentically when they come on her show.
“She’s an incredible listener and knows how to go deeper with her guests. I love real followers of the show, and as that grows we will be also expanding across the globe. There aren’t any limits with, ‘The Big Vibe’ brand. We will interview whoever we feel has an authentic story and journey to share.”
Despite having more views on social media, Loewi said it is not an easy walk on the path.
“I believe I gave challenges every time. Believe it or not! From technical challenges to something like anxiety creeping up, but honestly, I’ve learned to take it all a moment at a time! Sometimes I’ve cried then quickly wiped off my tears, deep breaths and at times just talking to my team (Kelvin, Tendai, Aurther, Belinda and Motrish) because they remind me that we are doing fine,” she said.
But with all this, she remembers her blunders. “One of my blunders was we recorded an episode 1 hour and 30 minutes long with a prominent guest and turned out, one of our mics went off during the entire episode which forced us to plan a reshoot,” she said.
“By this time, the guest had already left, so unfortunately we’ve had to ask to reshoot. The guest has been quite understanding. But my goodness that was the worst.”
Loewi said besides podcasting she is still into her fashion business.
“I am back to designing garments still with the brand Maison Du Style, which some pieces you will see me wear throughout the episodes. MDS media is still letting out billboards for rentals for your Out Of Home advertising. I’ve also recently launched a Shisha company titled “Mystic Shisha” which offers premium Shisha and is based at La Casa restaurant in Chisipite, but we also offer private party services and events.”
Online Reporter