Advertise on podcast: Zaka Presents: My Journey

Paul Herman sits down with Ché Ahn, a Korean American immigrant, longtime pastor, global faith leader, and now a candidate for Governor of California. Ché shares his extraordinary journey from immigrating to the U.S. with nothing, to dropping out of high school at 17, battling addiction and homelessness, and ultimately experiencing a life-altering spiritual encounter that redirected his purpose. With raw honesty, he reflects on family conflict, failure, and faith and how those early struggles shaped his compassion for the most vulnerable in society. After 46 years in ministry and leading a global network of churches across more than 70 nations, Ché opens up about the moment that changed everything: being awakened in the early morning hours and feeling called reluctantly but obediently to run for governor. This episode is a vulnerable, hope-filled conversation about obedience over comfort, leadership forged through adversity, and why an immigrant who once hit rock bottom now believes his calling is to serve California at the highest level. 

Leaving comfort is never easy especially when you’re an immigrant professional who’s been taught to value stability. In our latest conversation with Rodhmir, a seasoned Product Leader who has helped launch 30+ products across tech, finance, energy, and consumer brands, he opens up about the quiet courage it takes to walk away from “safe” roles after mastering them and choosing growth anyway. His journey is rooted in that familiar tension many immigrants carry: gratitude for opportunity, paired with the relentless feeling that you’re meant to do more. Rodhmir speaks candidly about taking “reach roles,” embracing risk before feeling fully ready, and redefining failure not as an endpoint but as a mindset. He shares how assuming responsibility early, even when the stakes felt high, forced him to grow faster, sharpen his decision-making, and build frameworks that now guide how he leads, builds, and executes with clarity. It’s a powerful reminder that progress often comes from failing forward and trusting yourself before the world catches up.

Vijay Rajendran has coached founders in more than 80 countries, but in this conversation we go far beyond Silicon Valley buzzwords and venture metrics. Vijay opens up about growing up between countries, learning to read new cultures and power dynamics from scratch, and how those immigrant experiences shaped his approach to leadership, risk, and resilience. He shares how watching his father serve patients from every walk of life led him to microfinance work in Cameroon, and how that calling to “be of service” eventually evolved into coaching entrepreneurial leaders around the world. We talk about pressure, expectations, and that simple but life-changing question: “Would I ever want my children to feel this way?”  Vijay breaks down imposter syndrome as a sign of growth, not failure, and explains how to find the “joy of juggling” when you have a lot on your shoulders. He shares practical tools to minimize regret, find clarity in uncertainty, and reclaim your agency so your confidence can finally shine through. 

Brandon Baptiste grew up in a Haitian home where every guest “crossed the threshold into Haiti,” greeted parents first, and learned that community and respect come before everything. In this episode, Brandon, now an Assistant Director of Training and Program Development, traces his path from the only Haitian family on the block in New Hampshire, with parents commuting daily to Boston, to leading 100+ peer-mediation trainings across NYC schools. He shares how Haitian values of faith, service, and “How can I help?” shaped his trauma-informed approach to conflict resolution, and why immigrant grit prepared him to start his role on the very day the city shut down and still build programs that last. A self-described “learned leader,” Brandon opens up about choosing discomfort to grow, the difference between being good at something and being good at the process to get there, and how unmet needs and miscommunication sit at the heart of most conflicts. He honors the siblings and mentors who sharpened his competitive drive, explains why he left security work to help kids before harm happens, and offers practical tools any student, educator, or child of immigrants can use to turn tension into understanding.

When Veronica Moya arrived in the U.S. from Buenos Aires at just 19, she spoke little English but carried something far greater, an unshakable belief in the power of the mind and spirit. From her early days learning the language through total immersion to building multiple businesses, including her children’s mindfulness company Mindful V, Veronica has turned her immigrant story into a movement that’s changing lives. In this heartfelt episode, Veronica shares how she redefined meditation as a playful, soul-awakening experience for kids helping them manage anxiety, silence negative self-talk, and grow into confident, self-loving individuals. She opens up about overcoming language barriers, discrimination, and reinvention, rising from waitress to general manager, from wedding officiant to Telemundo’s metaphysical expert, and from a dreamer to a thought leader featured in The New York Times. Through affirmation, meditation, and gratitude, Veronica teaches what she calls “mental hygiene”, a daily ritual to prevent the emotional struggles many adults face today.  She built a movement rooted in empathy, resilience, and belief that every child, no matter where they come from, carries infinite brilliance

From child refugee to chart-topping pop star, and now a mentor to thousands, Christian Ray Flores’ journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and unshakable hope. Born in Moscow to a Chilean father and Russian mother, his earliest memories were shaped by displacement after a brutal coup left his father imprisoned in a concentration camp. By the age of seven, Christian had lived in four countries, speaking four languages while navigating war, exile, and cultural upheaval. Out of that adversity, he rose to global stages, with his music once becoming the anthem of freedom during Russia’s pivotal presidential campaign. Today, Christian channels that same passion into mentoring high-achievers, leading nonprofits in Mozambique and Ukraine, and equipping leaders to build personal brands that multiply both income and impact through his company, Xponential Life.

From Security Systems to Scaling Startups: Meet the Engineer-Turned-CEO Powering Fashion’s Digital Backbone This week, we interview Harish Chandramowli, the brilliant mind behind Flaire a lightweight, intuitive ERP system that’s quietly transforming how fashion brands manage inventory, purchasing, and operations. Before stepping into the world of fashion tech, Harish built his reputation in elite engineering circles leading cloud infrastructure teams at MongoDB, securing sensitive systems at Bloomberg, and co-founding India’s first P2P bike-sharing platform, Ridengine. With over a decade of technical leadership under his belt, he’s now steering a venture-backed startup in New York that bridges deep tech with business empathy. Flaire isn’t just software, it’s a founder-led, customer-first movement that’s reshaping how emerging brands scale with clarity and control. And Harish isn’t your typical CEO. He codes, jumps on sales calls, rolls out productivity tools like Greptile, and builds remote-first teams with care and culture in mind. In this interview, we go beyond the product. We unpack his immigrant journey, his childhood curiosity, and how he found the courage to shift from code to customer balancing resilience, reinvention, and the business of listening.

What does it take to go from not knowing how to hail a cab in Manhattan… to becoming a Vice President of Technology Strategy at a global company? In this deeply moving and energizing episode, we sit down with Gustavo “Guga” Netto, who shares his remarkable journey from São Paulo to New York City with no English, no connections, and no safety net. Gustavo opens up about the early years in survival mode working as a dishwasher, waiter, and roller-skating through Fifth Avenue to stay mentally afloat. But what makes his story extraordinary is the mindset shift he made: choosing growth over fear, and vision over circumstance. From discovering healing routines at Barnes & Noble to becoming a self-taught programmer during the internet boom Whether you’re an immigrant navigating a new beginning or someone dreaming of a seat at the table, Gustavo’s story proves this: you don’t need to have it all figured out, you just need to keep building. Because, as he says, “Survival is just the first stage. Then comes growth. Then comes abundance—and giving back.”

In this soul-stirring episode of The Zaka Podcast, we sit down with Rwandan-born author Cedric Muhikira, the brilliant mind behind Grow Your Roots Where You Land and Libaax. A self-taught writer and former youth leader, Cedric shares his deeply personal journey of immigration, identity, and the resilience it takes to carve out belonging in a new country. From his early days in Rwanda to rebuilding his life in America at age 25, Cedric opens up about navigating cultural fusion, loneliness, and the power of storytelling to humanize the immigrant experience. This conversation is packed with insight for anyone who has ever felt caught between two worlds. Cedric reflects on the importance of mingling across communities, advocating for yourself as a creator, and finding your voice no matter your background

Robenson Lauvince is a pioneer Haitian filmmaker, who’s redefining the narrative around Haiti and proving that purpose, passion, and persistence can shatter any ceiling. From secretly filming after hours while working a day job to becoming the first to bring a Haitian Creole-language film to the U.S. and Canadian box offices, Robenson opens up about the immigrant hustle, the courage to create without permission, and why he never starts anything he doesn’t finish. If you're a creative just getting started or a dreamer questioning your path, Robenson’s story will remind you: don’t wait for a seat build your own table. "Imagine it. Achieve it."

Patrice Washington is a first-generation American, award-winning podcaster, author, transformational speaker, and one of SUCCESS Magazine’s Top 25 Influential Leaders in Personal Development. She joins to unpack her remarkable journey from real estate mogul to global financial wholeness leader. Patrice built a seven-figure real estate business by the age of 25, but a devastating fall during pregnancy, the 2007 recession, and the heartbreaking loss of her first child forced her into the most difficult surrender of her life. Bible and journal in hand, she learned that surrendering isn’t giving up, it’s releasing what was never ours to control. That pivotal moment became the seed for her reinvention, leading her to create the Redefining Wealth movement and inspire millions to see wealth as well-being, purpose, and freedom. In this episode, Patrice opens up about breaking generational cycles, navigating family expectations as a Caribbean American, and building confidence not from accolades, but from the lives she’s touched. She shares how to distinguish knowledge from wisdom, how to honor your own story, and why listening to life’s “nudges” can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. 

This week, we reconnect with our brother and classmate, Frandy Peña, founder of Mission Barbers and Mission Haircraft. Known for his ever-present smile and generous heart, Frandy is one of those rare souls who makes everyone feel seen. In this vulnerable and uplifting conversation, he opens up about growing up in a Dominican immigrant household where family meant everything and giving even when there was little to give was a way of life. We explore how those early lessons shaped his values, his journey from IT project management to barbering, and how his barbershop became more than a place for fresh fades it became a sanctuary for emotional healing and connection. Frandy speaks candidly about his mental health journey, the power of vulnerability, and why barbers are often the unofficial therapists in our communities. We also dive into his mission-driven grooming brand, Mission Haircraft, which provides affordable, high-quality products while giving back to youth in foster care through personalized gift boxes. 

Joubert Joseph is a Haitian immigrant, civic entrepreneur, cultural curator, and founder of FOCO Digital and SocialPay. Joubert takes us back to his earliest lessons in business and community, watching his mother bring life and joy to a flea market stall, prioritizing people over profit. Those childhood experiences became the blueprint for his purpose-driven leadership today. Through stories of grit, generosity, and growth, Joubert shares how he transformed grassroots marketing skills into a career rooted in impact building platforms that empower communities, bridge culture, and fuel civic engagement. We explore his immigrant journey, the values that shaped him, and the mindset that drives him to lead with empathy, creativity, and courage. This episode is a masterclass in turning heritage into innovation and struggle into strength.

We had the pleasure to interview Sandro Gohoho, President of Film Licensing and Operations at Echelon Studios, whose life and career span continents, cultures, and transformative moments. Born in North Macedonia to West African parents, Sandro moved across Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, The Gambia, Senegal, France, Canada, and beyond, each chapter forging a deeper sense of identity, resilience, and leadership. Sandro shares how witnessing his father start from scratch in a foreign land taught him the meaning of perseverance, trust, and hard work. Fluent in multiple languages and shaped by a global lens, he now sits at the helm of international film licensing, helping bring stories from around the world to audiences everywhere. In this conversation, he opens up about the evolving landscape of global content, the importance of mentorship, and why diverse voices matter more than ever in the age of AI and digital storytelling.

Born in Montana to immigrant parents and shaped by a global perspective, Hassan Akmal is more than an author and executive, he's a visionary in the world of career and life design. From competing as a Division I tennis player at UCLA to reimagining career services at Columbia, UCLA, and now UC San Diego, Hassan’s path is rooted in purpose, resilience, and reinvention. Hassan shares how he’s leveraging the power of AI and human potential to design a more inclusive future, one where clarity is the true wealth and institutions don’t just create talent, but nurture identities that reshape the world. His message of synchronicity, when inner purpose meets divine timing is a call to action for every immigrant, dreamer, and leader navigating today’s uncertainty.