Episodes

  • AI, Money & Immigration: How This Tech Founder Built Success in America - Amadou Diallo
    Feb 18 2026

    In this episode of Atypical Journey with Namketa, Amadou Diallo shares his journey from Guinea to the United States from navigating education and cultural adjustment to breaking into the tech job market as an immigrant. We talk honestly about networking, and perception, and why he chose to build his own lane through entrepreneurship.Amadou is the founder and CEO of B-HiTech, and he breaks down in simple terms what his company does across cloud, cybersecurity, and AI, including MineLogX AI, a platform designed to help mining companies centralize operations, improve safety, and reduce infrastructure costs.We also get into the hot topics: AI hype vs real value, how AI is already reshaping tech jobs, data privacy, and what founders should know about fundraising vs bootstrapping .00:00 Introduction to Amadou Diallo and His Journey02:28 Growing Up in Guinea: Early Influences and Education05:22 Navigating the U.S. Education System: Challenges and Observations07:56 Cultural Adjustments: First Impressions of America10:25 Early Work Experiences: Adapting to Life in New York13:10 Transitioning into Tech: Education and Job Search15:27 Entrepreneurship: The Motivation Behind Starting a Company18:02 Overcoming Discrimination: Experiences in the Job Market20:51 Building a Company: The Process and Challenges23:10 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Networking and Self-Belief25:57 Reflections on Race and Opportunity in America28:36 The Role of Immigrants in Shaping America31:40 Understanding Beehive Tech: Services and Solutions33:03 AI in Mining: Transforming the Industry39:04 Challenges in African Tech: Mindset and Opportunities41:06 The Future of AI: Tools or Hype?44:58 Job Displacement: The Impact of AI on Employment53:20 Fundraising Strategies: Navigating the Startup Landscape01:00:08 Overcoming Challenges: Personal Growth and Resilience

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • He built a business at 17, lost everything, and started over | Maxwell Bentley
    Jan 15 2026

    In this episode of Atypical Journey, Namketa sits down with Maxwell Bentley, video producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Bentley Media.

    Maxwell is known for helping brands and leaders tell powerful stories through video, blending cinematic craft with strategic clarity. He walks us through his path from his early passion for filmmaking to building and scaling a creative business. At only 17, his work attracted Roblox as his first major client, marking an early moment of success and rapid growth.

    But behind that success lies a journey shaped by risk, ambition, failure, and deep personal transformation. Maxwell speaks openly about doubt, fear, and the pressure of carrying a vision as circumstances begin to turn against him.

    Somewhere along his journey, everything collapsed. The success vanished, and he entered the darkest season of his life, marked by loss, grief, bankruptcy, and financial collapse. He hit rock bottom, with nothing left to lean on except the decision to keep going.

    What makes this conversation powerful is not the hardship itself, but the honesty with which Maxwell reflects on resilience, inner drive, and the choice to keep moving forward even when confidence is shaken and the future feels uncertain.

    This episode is a reminder that success is rarely linear, that rebuilding is often invisible, and that purpose can survive even the hardest seasons.

    An honest, thoughtful conversation for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating transitions in life or career.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Sarah Drake: From Starving Artist to Global Changemaker:
    Mar 23 2025

    In this episode of Atypical Journey, Sarah Drake shares her inspiring path from rural America to fighting for clean water, education, and women’s empowerment globaly.

    A single mom, artist, and activist, Sarah overcame gatekeeping, harassment, and health struggles to create real impact through Her Arts in Action.

    🔥 Topics Covered:

    ✅ Turning adversity into activism

    ✅ The real struggles of running a nonprofit

    ✅ Gatekeeping & harassment in fundraising

    ✅ The fight for clean water & girls’ education

    ✅ Motherhood & biracial identity in activism#inspiration


    #CleanWater #women #nonprofit #socialjustice #education #Atypicaljourney

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • DR Andrea Bartoli: A Life of Service and Peacebuilding
    Feb 7 2025

    Andrea Bartoli shares his journey of faith, peace mediation, and humanitarian work. He reflects on the power of invitations, the role of spirituality, and the challenges of navigating global conflicts. As an immigrant in New York and a leader in Sant’Egidio, he discusses trust in mediation, the impact of serving the homeless, and why hope is essential for change.A powerful conversation on faith, community, and the path to peace.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Why he quit academia to fight injustice / Matt Wallaert
    Oct 7 2024

    In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of behavioral science with Matt Wallaert, a seasoned behavioral scientist with nearly 20 years of experience. Matt opens up about his journey from academia to working with startups and Fortune 500 companies. He shares candid insights about the challenges he faced, including the dark moments, and how he pioneered the application of behavioral science to tackle real-world problems. We discuss his approach to effecting change, his open stance on sharing knowledge, and his belief in the power of democratizing behavioral science. This conversation is filled with wisdom, humor, and thought-provoking ideas about how we can use science to improve lives and navigate the complexities of our world. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about change, resilience, and making a lasting impact! #activism #behavioralscience #inspiring #podcast

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Surviving Bankruptcy: Emmanuel Debuyck's Blueprint for a Successful Comeback
    Jul 22 2024

    Join Emmanuel Debuyck, CEO and founder of Adwarned Group, as he reveals his inspiring journey from a regular family in France to successful entrepreneur. With no role models in his family, Emmanuel developed his entrepreneurial skills through study and experience. He believes entrepreneurship is a skill set anyone can develop, focusing on common sense and problem-solving. Despite his first company's bankruptcy, he bounced back to launch Adwanted Group, a leading global adtech company. Emmanuel shares valuable lessons on cash flow, the importance of a challenging partner, balancing work stress, and the crucial support of family and friends. Don't miss this compelling story of resilience and growth

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    51 mins
  • Welcome to Atypical Journey
    Jun 23 2024
    Send us a Text Message.Welcome to "Atypical Journey," where we explore inspiring stories of people who have transformed their lives in unexpected ways. I'm your host, Namketa.Life is full of twists and turns. Sometimes, we face obstacles that force us to reconsider our choices and make significant changes. These moments can be daunting, but they also hold the potential for profound growth and transformation.What motivates someone to leave a secure job and pursue their passion? How does one fi...
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    3 mins