Episode 5

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Published on:

5th Feb 2025

Dialing Through Decades: My Journey from Rotary Phones to Cell Phones

Take a nostalgic trip back to the 1950s and 1960s with Wambui Bahati as she reminisces about the era of rotary phones, a time when telephones were a stationary piece of home decor, and long-distance calls were a luxury. Wambui reflects on the cultural shifts in communication, from the cherished landlines of her childhood to the indispensable cell phones of today. Discover the evolving role of telephones in our lives and how the rapid disappearance of payphones led to the necessity of mobile communication. Join "70 Years and Beyond" for a personal look into the past, highlighting how far we've come in staying connected. #TelephonesThenAndNow #NostalgicTechnology #CommunicationEvolution

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About the Podcast

70 Years and Beyond
Capturing Yesterday. Inspiring Tomorrow.
Welcome to '70 Years and Beyond' with Wambui Bahati, exploring history through personal stories from the 1950s to now. Born in the mid-20th century, Wambui brings the past alive, answering your questions with humor and insight. Dive into episodes spanning civil rights, music evolution, technology, and societal changes. This channel is more than a collection of stories; it invites engagement, learning, and reflection. Curious about those transformative years? Got questions? Join the conversation and become part of a community that cherishes history, storytelling, and the impact of personal experiences. Subscribe to a journey through time with Wambui.

About your host

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Wambui Bahati

Wambui Bahati, born John-Ann Washington in Greensboro, North Carolina, is an American performer, author, and motivational speaker. She began her professional theater career in 1972 with "Godspell" at Ford's Theater. She later performed in Broadway productions of "Godspell" and "Jesus Christ Superstar". She has traveled across the United States and Canada, playing leads in many Broadway show tours, such as "The Wiz" and the rock version of "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

In 1995, she changed her name to Wambui Bahati—meaning "singer of songs" and "my fortune is good" in Swahili—to symbolize a fresh start on her path from tough times to triumph.

Wambui shares mental health awareness and lessons on "How to Get Up When You've Been Knocked Down" with her highly acclaimed one-woman musical entitled "Balancing Act." Her one-woman show about domestic violence has educated and inspired audiences across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Her life is a testament to turning personal challenges into opportunities to inspire and make a difference.

In addition to her work in theater and advocacy, this nostalgia enthusiast is a crafter and shares tutorials on various crafts, with a special emphasis on loom knitting, through her YouTube channel, "Wambui Made It."

Her autobiography, "You Don't Know Crazy: My Life Before, During, After, Above, and Beyond Mental Illness," details her journey with mental health and has been well-received by readers.

Wambui continues to inspire others with her message of resilience and hope.