Talking Tech With Creatives

From Lion King to Iwaju: Hamid Ibrahim of Kugali Media on Building African Worlds That Travel - ep 28

In this episode, I speak with Hamid Ibrahim, creator and production designer of Iwaju, the groundbreaking Afro-futuristic series produced in collaboration between Kugali Media and Disney. We dive into his journey from portrait artist, to Hollywood VFX work on films such as The Lion King, Dumbo and Doctor Dolittle, to building one of the most important African creative IP houses of our time.
Hamid shares the origins of Iwaju, how a BBC interview unexpectedly led Disney to their door, and what it took to build a futuristic Lagos that resonated globally. We talk about African IP, ownership, investment, the realities of raising funds as an African founder, and why authentic stories still matter in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
If you care about African storytelling, animation, technology, creativity or the future of global IP, this conversation offers valuable insight.
Highlights:
• How Kugali Media caught the attention of Disney
• The making of Iwaju and its cultural impact
• African IP as a global asset
• The business realities behind storytelling
• AI and what it can and cannot replace
• Why meaning and authenticity still matter
• Building creative businesses without a roadmap
 
Guest Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamidibrahimportfolio
Instagram (Kugali): https://www.instagram.com/kugalimedia
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/hamid-ibrahim-564892a7
Twitter: https://x.com/hamid_portfolio
 
My Links:
About Stella: https://stellaonithewriter.com/about
Podcast Website: https://talkingtechwithcreatives.com/episodes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TalkingTechWithCreatives
Substack: https://stellaoni.substack.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-oni-065788140
 
 
 ISSN 2978-8307  

Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm on Building Platforms for Women Writers - ep 27

This week I have a lively conversation with author and literary activist Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm about building platforms for women of colour from the 1990s to today.
Rasheda traces her path from founding Candace magazine to writing fiction, creating the WILDE Foundation, running writing retreats in Jamaica, and launching the H&F Writers’ Festival in West London. We explore how technology and community remove old gatekeepers, the healing power of journaling, and WILDE’s future plans to expand retreats, mentorship, and international collaborations.
It is an inspiring story of creativity, persistence, and the ongoing work of empowering women’s voices through literature, activism, and connection.
Key takeaways:
• Community and craft can coexist and strengthen each other.
• Journaling helps survivors find voice and confidence.
• Technology widens access and continuity beyond physical events.
• WILDE seeks collaborators, mentors, and publishing partners to platform emerging writers.
We also spent time talking about Jamaica, where Rasheda runs her writing retreats and where I recently attended the Calabash Festival. Sadly, the country has since been hit by Hurricane Melissa and suffered devastating damage. Journalist Nadine White has compiled a helpful list of trusted aid sources here:
Hurricane Melissa – How Can We Help
 
Please do your due diligence before making any donation.
You can read more of Nadine White’s reporting here: https://www.independent.co.uk/author/nadine-white.
Explore more:
Talking Tech with Creatives – talkingtechwithcreatives.com
Podcast Instagram – @talkingtechwithcreatives
My author website – stellaonithewriter.com
Author Instagram – @stellaonithewriter
Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm – @ashantirashedaauthor
H&F Writers’ Festival – handfwritersfestival.co.uk
H&F Writers’ Festival Instagram – @hfwritersfest
If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe to Talking Tech with Creatives, follow us on Instagram, and share the episode to help amplify the stories of women shaping creativity and culture.
 
 ISSN 2978-8307  

Inside the Publishing World: A Literary Agent’s View with Francesca Riccardi - ep 26

In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I sit down with my literary agent, Francesca Riccardi of Kate Nash Literary Agency, to unpack how publishing really works. Drawing on her 15 years at publishers like Harper Collins, Atlantic Books, and Canelo, Francesca explains the differences between traditional, indie, and self-publishing; what agents actually do; and how deals, rights, and marketing come together. We also talk frankly about author income, why building community matters, and how AI is reshaping the industry and what protections authors need. If you’re a writer, or curious about the business of books—this conversation will help you navigate the landscape with clarity.
 
 ISSN 2978-8307  
 

Reimagining Entrepreneurship: Dr. Carlton Brown on Race, Data, and Doing the Work - ep 25

In this powerful episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I’m joined by Dr. Carlton Brown, founder of the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC), business strategist, and author of the Black Entrepreneurs Report.
Dr. Brown shares his personal journey from watching his Jamaican mother run blues parties and the community padner financial schemes to becoming a leading voice for change in UK entrepreneurship. We discuss what’s really holding Black business owners back—and what must change, from biased lending to lack of market access.
We explore: • The “race paradox” and what the data reveals • His vision behind BBEC and its real impact (like a founder getting into                 450 Tesco stores) • Why the US and UK differ in Black entrepreneurial culture • How tech and AI are being used to level the playing field • What the future of inclusive business could look like
If you care about innovation, inclusion, and building an equitable business landscape, this episode is a must-listen.
Mentioned in this episode:
Www.thebbec.com
Www.aspire-consultancy.co.uk
LinkedIn Dr Carlton Brown 
Instagram : @BBEC_UK
 
Previous guests include:
 • Ajay Chowdhury – Tech entrepreneur and author of the Kamil Rahman crime      series • Nanna S. Soenya – Founder of Fundhership  • Obi Asika – Creative industries leader and co-founder of Storm360 • Corina Goetz – Middle East business strategist and founder of Star-CaT • Jendella Benson – Author and Head of Editorial at Black Ballad
Follow the podcast and never miss an episode.
Host: Stella Oni | Instagram : @stellaonithewriter, @talkingtechwithcreatives
Watch on YouTube: @TalkingTechWithCreatives
Links to organisations mentioned on the podcast:
Foundervine 
WeConnect
#TalkingTechWithCreatives #BBEC #DrCarltonBrown #BlackEntrepreneursUK #BusinessEquity #RaceParadox #TechAndInclusion #Innovation #DiversityInBusiness

From Shazam to Bestselling Crime Fiction: Ajay Chowdhury on Tech, Creativity & Storytelling - ep 24

In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I sit down with prize winning crime fiction author and tech entrepreneur Ajay Chowdhury. His career journey spans co-founding Shazam, leading innovative tech ventures, and writing the  Kamal Rahman series.
Ajay shares how his early years in India shaped his creative and business mindset, why food, culture, and immigrant experiences run through his fiction, and his frank views on diversity in publishing and the future of AI in writing. We dive into:
Building Shazam and seeing it become a global tech phenomenon
Winning a major crime writing prize with The Waiter — and how it changed his life
Writing authentic immigrant narratives with humour, heart, and high stakes
Food as a storytelling device and the joy of making readers hungry
Using AI to enhance creativity without replacing the writer’s voice
The shifting landscape of tech innovation in publishing and beyond
Navigating identity, risk-taking, and success across cultures
Whether you’re a writer, tech enthusiast, or just love a gripping story, this conversation blends creativity, innovation, and real-world insights in a way that only Ajay can deliver.
Listen now to discover:
How to balance creativity and technology in your career, why failure is part of the journey, and what the future holds for both crime fiction and AI.
Talking Tech with Creatives podcast
Website: https://talkingtechwithcreatives.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TalkingTechWithCreatives
Instagram: @talkingtechwithcreatives
Host: @stellaonithewriter
 
Links & Resources Mentioned:
Ajay’s Website: https://www.ajaychowdhury.com
Ajay on Instagram: @ajaychowdhurywriter
Get Ajay’s free interactive thriller here: https://theinvitation.ajaychowdhury.com
 
 

Women, Wealth, and Change: Nanna S Soenya’s Fight for Inclusive Funding - ep 23

In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I sit down with the dynamic Nana S Soenya, founder of Omega Seven Global Limited. Nanna shares her powerful journey—from her early life in Ghana to becoming a passionate advocate for women’s rights in Mexico.
We talk openly about the systemic challenges black and brown women face when trying to secure funding for their ventures. Nana breaks down how she’s tackling these barriers head-on through her bold new initiative, Fundhership, which aims to reshape the funding landscape for women of colour in the UK.
This conversation goes beyond funding. Nanna also opens up about her background in high-end hospitality, her love for permaculture, and how she manages to balance a life filled with advocacy, innovation, and personal growth.
Whether you’re passionate about women’s empowerment, social justice, tech-enabled funding solutions, or just curious about what it takes to challenge the status quo, this is a must-listen episode.
Join me for this inspiring and thought-provoking conversation.

PropTech, Power & Purpose: Dr. Chenai Gondo on Leading in UK Real Estate and African Startups - ep 22

In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, host Stella Oni speaks with Dr. Chenai Gondo—a British-Zimbabwean award-winning business strategist and entrepreneur.
With a rich background in real estate, PropTech, sustainability, and corporate leadership, Dr. Gondo shares her unconventional journey from synthetic chemist to tech-savvy executive leading multimillion-pound M&A deals and digital transformation projects across Europe and Africa.
We explore:
What exactly is PropTech and why it matters
Strategy 101 for both executives and entrepreneurs
How AI is shaping business and real estate today
Her personal creative journey as a short story writer and passionate gardener
Lessons on leadership, visibility, and self-belief as a Black woman in exclusive industries
If you’re curious about PropTech, African innovation, business strategy, and the power of creativity in tech, this episode offers inspiration, insight, and a few laughs.
 

Business & Culture in Saudi Arabia: Tech, Tradition & Opportunity | w/ Corina Goetz - ep 21

In this fascinating episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, host Stella Oni sits down with Corina Goetz, founder of Star-CaT and a leading Middle East business strategist, to explore Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, cultural intelligence in business, and the evolving role of technology in Gulf economies.
 
Corina shares her personal journey from luxury hospitality to becoming a sought-after cultural advisor for companies wanting to navigate the complex and rapidly changing Saudi business landscape. They discuss the rise of tourism, the importance of relationship-building in Gulf business culture, and the transformative impact of initiatives like the $800 billion Vision 2030 plan.
 
Key topics include:
How foreign businesses can prepare to enter Saudi markets
Cultural etiquette and non-verbal cues in Middle Eastern business
The role of women in Saudi Arabia’s evolving professional space
The rise of social media in Gulf networking and entrepreneurship
What luxury means in a Saudi context—art, heritage, hospitality, and beyond
 
Perfect for entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, and cultural consultants, this episode offers deep insight into how to balance modern technology with rich traditions in one of the world’s fastest-evolving regions.
 
Guest Info:
Follow Corina on Instagram: @starcatcorina
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