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Rerouted

Rerouted

Written by: Nicholas Karamanian
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Welcome to Rerouted, the podcast where host Nicholas Karamanian interviews unique guests to explore their uncommon and non-linear career paths. We discuss the highs and lows, the critical moments, and the key skills and lessons learned that have shaped the journey. Whether you're looking for a career pivot, the start of your path, or just an interesting story, this podcast is the place for you.Nicholas Karamanian Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • From Planning Weddings to Founding BobaTalks with Jeff Nguyen
    Jan 21 2026

    FOLLOW, RATE


    In this conversation, Jeff shares his journey from struggling in college to becoming a recruiter at Amazon and founding BobaTalks, a nonprofit aimed at mentoring students. He discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of finding one's North Star, and how his experiences shaped his desire to help others. Jeff emphasizes the balance between personal and professional life, and the need for a personal code to navigate career paths. He also reflects on the impact of BobaTalks on his career and offers advice for students navigating their own paths.


    Website: https://www.reroutedpod.com

    Email: nick@reroutedpod.com

    Instagram: @rerouted_pod

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rerouted-podcast/


    Jeff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvngyn/

    EWB-UIUC Website: ewbuiuc.org


    Keywords

    career advice, mentorship, recruiting, BobaTalks, Amazon, personal development, college struggles, public speaking, online presence, student support


    Takeaways

    Jeff's journey includes struggles in college and early career.

    He transitioned from a tech support role to recruiting at Amazon.

    Finding his North Star involved helping students and giving back.

    BobaTalks was founded to mentor students and provide career advice.

    Navigating conflicts of interest is a challenge for Jeff.

    BobaTalks has significantly impacted his career and perspective.

    Balancing personal life and professional responsibilities is difficult.

    Jeff encourages students to embrace their unique paths and timelines.

    Building a meaningful online presence requires authenticity and consistency.

    It's important to have a personal code to navigate career decisions.


    Sound bites

    "I want to help students feel less lost."

    "I want to help students the most that I can."

    "I want to make LinkedIn feel more accessible."


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Jeff's Journey

    02:27 College Experience and Early Career Struggles

    07:13 Transitioning to Recruiting at Amazon

    11:37 Finding His North Star

    14:41 The Birth of BobaTalks

    20:15 Balancing Recruitment and Mentorship

    25:55 Personal Growth Through BobaTalks

    28:14 Managing Time and Energy

    32:16 Navigating Career Changes and Identity

    34:49 The Philosophy Behind Mentorship

    37:48 Future Aspirations and Career Goals

    39:38 Building Communities and Seeking Help

    42:36 Crafting a Meaningful Online Presence

    48:27 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

    59:41 Final Thoughts and Advice for Career Navigation

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    57 mins
  • From Doctor to AI for Healthcare Innovator: Fuyuto Miyake
    Jan 14 2026

    In this conversation, Nicholas Karamanian speaks with Fuyuto Miyake, a resident physician focused on integrating AI into healthcare systems. They discuss Fuyuto's journey from medical school to developing innovative AI tools, his experiences at a hackathon, and the impact of social media on his career. Fuyuto shares insights on managing multiple projects, the importance of policy in healthcare, and his vision for the future of medicine, emphasizing the need for community-centric approaches and sustainable healthcare solutions.


    Website: https://www.reroutedpod.com

    Email: nick@reroutedpod.com

    Instagram: @rerouted_pod

    LinkedIn: Rerouted


    Fuyuto LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuyuto-miyake-md/

    Fuyuto X: https://x.com/FuyutoMiyake?s=20


    Keywords

    AI in healthcare, innovative solutions, medical technology, healthcare systems, career paths, hackathon, social media impact, time management, policy in healthcare, future of medicine


    Takeaways

    Fuyuto Miyake is a resident physician focused on AI in healthcare.

    He believes technology can help fix systemic healthcare issues.

    Curiosity and problem-solving are key to learning programming.

    Participating in hackathons can showcase skills and ideas.

    Social media can significantly enhance professional visibility.

    Networking can lead to unexpected career opportunities.

    Policy is crucial for implementing effective healthcare solutions.

    AI will play a transformative role in future medicine.

    Community-level data can drive healthcare improvements.

    Sustainable healthcare systems require innovative city planning.


    Sound bites

    "AI tools to improve healthcare systems"

    "Triage is very important"

    "My posts reached around 500,000 impressions"


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Fuyuto Miyake

    01:04 Journey into Medicine and AI

    04:31 Hackathon Experience and Triage Application

    06:40 Impact of Social Media and Networking

    10:07 Current Projects and Future Aspirations

    18:28 Policy, AI, and the Future of Medicine

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    27 mins
  • How to Make and Sell a Consumer Product with Abdullah Ikram
    Jan 7 2026

    In this episode, Nicholas Karamanian interviews Abdullah Ikram, a university student and entrepreneur who transformed his personal experience with back pain into a successful business by designing an orthopedic pillow. Abdullah shares his journey from identifying a market need to navigating the complexities of product design, manufacturing, and marketing. He emphasizes the importance of trust in supplier relationships, the challenges of balancing academic responsibilities with entrepreneurial ambitions, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in business. Abdullah also discusses his future aspirations and the potential for market expansion beyond the UAE.
    Website: https://www.reroutedpod.com

    Email: nick@reroutedpod.com

    Instagram: @rerouted_pod

    LinkedIn: Rerouted

    Product Link: https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B0C85PYM29?ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_RXV1SEFTC7DEPXE5J79C


    Keywords

    entrepreneurship, orthopedic pillow, manufacturing, marketing, university student, business challenges, product design, Amazon FBA, UAE, back pain


    Takeaways

    Abdullah turned his personal struggle with back pain into a business opportunity.

    He designed an orthopedic pillow specifically for people with back pain.

    The journey of entrepreneurship involves making mistakes and learning from them.

    Finding a reliable manufacturer is crucial for product success.

    Abdullah emphasizes the importance of trust in supplier relationships.

    Marketing strategies must adapt to different cultural contexts.

    Balancing academic responsibilities with business ambitions is challenging but essential.

    Setting deadlines for business goals helps maintain focus and direction.

    Collaboration with established entities can enhance credibility and market reach.

    Continuous learning and adaptation are key to entrepreneurial success.


    Sound bites

    "Comparison is the thief of joy."

    "You need capital to start off with this."

    "You have to document the whole thing."


    Chapters

    00:00 The Birth of an Idea: From Pain to Product

    03:25 Designing the Solution: The Creation Process

    06:22 Manufacturing Insights: Collaborating with Factories

    08:49 Navigating the Market: Finding the Right Audience

    11:37 Logistics and Fulfillment: The Amazon Model

    14:44 Growth Challenges: Learning from Experience

    17:31 Building Trust: The Importance of Reputation

    20:25 Future Directions: Setting Goals and Deadlines

    26:53 Exploring Market Differences: UAE vs. US

    29:34 Navigating Logistics and Market Entry

    34:23 The Importance of Local Knowledge in Business

    37:26 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship

    42:11 Funding Your Business: Lessons Learned

    44:44 Starting Your Entrepreneurial Journey

    46:00 The Importance of Continuous Improvement

    47:50 Entrepreneurship and Overcoming Challenges

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    48 mins
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