Amazing Exploits Podcast w/ Joshua Olaniyi

What does it really take to do great creative work? In this episode of Amazing Exploits , I sit down with David Udoh — Art Director and Designer, the creative mind behind The Huddle, Caveat Emptor, Doodle & Drift, and Still.practice. We explore the principles that shape meaningful creative careers: embracing the process, conducting intentional research, preserving culture through design, build...

What separates dreamers from doers? In this episode of Amazing Exploits , I sit down with filmmaker, cinematographer, designer, and creative entrepreneur Ariyo Adebanjo to explore the mindset behind building a meaningful creative life. From his journey from Computer Science to filmmaking, design, storytelling, and music, Ariyo shares why talent alone is never enough. We talk about taking action be...

What does it take to build a career, company, and community in tech? In this episode of Amazing Exploits, I sit down with Abiola Rasaq, Founder and Chief Testing Officer at The Bug Detective (TBD), a Quality Assurance as a Service (QAaaS) company serving clients across Africa. Abiola's journey is anything but conventional. With a background in History and International Studies, she transitione...

Why do so many businesses spend money on ads and still struggle to grow? According to Ebuka Chidube, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist at PiggyVest, many businesses are trying to accelerate growth before they've proven that customers actually want what they're selling. In this episode of Amazing Exploits, Ebuka shares lessons from building growth strategies for companies across fintech,...

What does it take to build a business that lasts? In this episode, I sit down with Seun Koshoedo , Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Xcentrique Media, to discuss her journey of building a marketing and communications company for over seven years, starting at just 23 years old. Seun shares the personal experiences that shaped her—from losing her father at the age of five and being raised by a res...

What does it take to build a business that lasts? In this episode, I sit down with Oreoluwa Shonibare, Co-Founder and CEO of WiiCreate, to unpack the lessons he's learned from over 8 years of building a business in Nigeria. We talk about the power of relationships, earning trust, growing through referrals, navigating a co-founder exit, finding the market before building, and staying consistent...

Mojisola Bello is the founder of House of Estilos — a fashion brand, garment manufacturing factory, and academy based in Nigeria. In this conversation, she shares her journey from studying Biochemistry at the University of Ilorin to becoming a fashion entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience building across ready-to-wear, manufacturing, and fashion education. We talked about the realities of...

What does it look like to build a life where ambition, creativity, faith, marriage, and purpose can all coexist? In this episode, Oreoluwa Macaulay, lawyer, poet, storyteller, recording artist, wife, and mother, shares her journey of navigating multiple callings without losing herself in the process. We explore the pressure to “pick a lane,” balancing corporate law with artistry, creativity as a r...

What does it really take to build a career in the creative industry? In this episode, Adeyinka Ibidapo shares his journey from studying Microbiology to becoming a filmmaker, lighting designer, and creative educator. We talk about career clarity, creative growth, filmmaking in Nigeria, the realities of the industry, and why lighting plays such a powerful role in storytelling. Adeyinka also shares t...

In this episode, Temitayo Olutayo, also known as Giveittotayo, shares his journey from studying law to leading creative work for some of the biggest brands in Africa. He talks about navigating an unconventional career path, his time at The Plug Entertainment, and how working with Basketmouth at Barons World Entertainment marked a turning point in his growth. We explore the role of storytelling in...

Emmanuel Michael’s growth as a designer didn’t happen slowly — it was exponential . In this episode, the Head of Design at Multigate shares the unfair advantage that shaped his journey from an entry-level designer to leadership in just a few years. Surprisingly, it wasn’t just design skills. With a background in Computer Science and hands-on experience in experiential marketing, Michael learned to...

What does it really take to keep going when nothing seems to be working? In this episode, I’m joined by Oluwatofunmi Adebayo , a travel and documentary filmmaker telling powerful stories across Africa. From starting out in Lagos with a camera to facing long periods with no jobs—and almost walking away from filmmaking entirely—his journey is one many creatives will relate to. We talk about what it...

What does it take to build and sustain a media platform for over 8 years? In this episode, I sit down with David Afolayan, Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Technext, to unpack the real journey behind building one of Africa’s respected tech media platforms. From studying English to leading a tech publication, David shares how his early experiences shaped his thinking, the realities of building in...

She applied to 300 opportunities in one year… and it changed her life. In this episode of Amazing Exploits , I sit down with Amb. Bukola Aladesulu — a youth leader, writer, and Global Peace Ambassador — to unpack the mindset and systems that helped her go from a young girl in Lagos to accessing life-changing opportunities across the world. From writing her first book at 17 to applying to over 300...

In this special recap episode of Amazing Exploits with Joshua Olaniyi , we look back at Season 2 — featuring highlights, punchy moments, and powerful insights from 14 conversations with founders, creatives, and leaders across tech, business, and culture. Whether you’re discovering the podcast for the first time or have been with us all season, this episode is a quick way to experience the best of...

In this episode of Amazing Exploits with Joshua Olaniyi , Joshua sits down with Okikiola Oloyede, a software engineer, founder of Kikillet Jewelry, and a mum , to talk honestly about balancing a tech career, building a business, and raising a family. Okikiola shares her journey from studying Computer Science at Ajayi Crowther University to becoming a Solutions Engineer , while launching and runnin...

In this episode of Amazing Exploits with Joshua Olaniyi , I sit down with Jordan Belonwu , Creative Director at Belonwus , to talk about building a design studio, leading creative teams, and doing meaningful work in a fast-changing industry. Jordan shares his journey from studying Fine Arts at the University of Benin , to working at Bamboo , and eventually founding Belonwus . We explore his creati...

In this episode of Amazing Exploits with Joshua Olaniyi , Joshua speaks with Bukola Olaomo — storyteller, voice-over artist, mental health advocate, and host of the Exhale Podcast . We discuss mental health in Nigeria, healing through storytelling, vulnerability, and the journey of building a purpose-driven podcast. Bukola also shares reflections on faith, showing up when impact isn’t visible, and...

In this episode of Amazing Exploits with Joshua Olaniyi , I sit down with Emmanuel Faith , HR Manager and Team Lead at Africhange , and Lead Consultant at HR Clinic . Emmanuel shares his journey from studying Economics at Obafemi Awolowo University to building a purposeful career in Human Resources , mentoring young professionals, and advising startups on people, culture, and leadership. We explor...

From studying Marine Science at FUTA to becoming the CEO of Chef Nahnah Food & Confectioneries and Pastry Hub Africa, Nancy Amaku’s journey is a masterclass in purpose, resilience, and faith. In this episode, she shares how a simple COVID experiment grew into a thriving food brand, how she rebuilt after her bakery was demolished, and why she continues to empower women through The Lady’s Lord E...

Join me on this Amazing Exploits episode as we sit down with Olanrewaju Akinsiku , founder and creative director of Sevunteen Tailored , a leading bespoke men’s brand in Nigeria. From studying Project Management at FUTA to spending a decade building a name in menswear , Olanrewaju shares his journey of craft, mindset, and entrepreneurship . In this episode, you’ll hear about: How early challenges...

What separates creators who build meaningful impact from the rest? It’s the obsession with finding problems worth solving. In this episode, I speak with Tunde Ogunkunle — founder and CEO of Dropp, founder of Nbari Kingdom, architect, and educator, about how culture, identity, and community shape creativity and innovation in Africa. We dive into: Why problem obsession is the ultimate superpower for...

In this episode of Amazing Exploits , I sit with Tobi Adara —Senior Product Manager at Vesicash and Co-founder of Terntribe—to unpack what it really takes to build fintech products that scale across Africa, thrive under pressure, and embrace the mindset of doing hard things . We explore the chaos of African fintech, the realities of product-market fit, expanding into multiple markets, and why open...

In this episode, I sit with Tunde Osinowo, a Continuous Improvement Specialist at FrieslandCampina, to unpack the mindset behind growth, leadership, and real change. Tunde shares why failure is part of the journey, how he helps teams embrace improvement using the Unfreeze–Change–Refreeze framework, and what it takes to lead in Nigeria’s tough manufacturing environment. He also shared how giving hi...

He studied Radiography but now leads Design and Data Visualization at Stears , Africa’s leading financial data company. In this episode, Dumebi Iwuchukwu shares how curiosity, creativity, and mentorship helped him pivot from the medical field to shaping how Africa sees data today. We talk about leadership, design culture at Stears, and practical advice for designers feeling stuck or overlooked. 🎧...