In this powerful and humbling episode, Bart connects across continents with Mumbere Dieme, a 27-year-old leader from the mountains of Western Uganda whose story redefines what it means to rise, serve, and give.

Mumbere grew up in a poor, war-torn region where sleeping on the ground and walking barefoot to school were not uncommon. His father—a struggling but steadfast pastor—taught him faith, kindness, and the importance of serving others, even when you have little. Through Compassion International, Mumbere was sponsored as a child, receiving not only education and medical care but also the belief that he could be more than his circumstances.

That gift of opportunity became his life’s mission. After earning his nursing degree, Mumbere chose not to pursue a hospital career. Instead, he returned home to rebuild a school that had once been destroyed by storms—reviving it under the shade of a single tree and growing it into the Kyarumba Joint Christian Orphanage, Nursery, and Primary School, now serving more than 100 children. Some students walk miles each day to attend. Some cannot afford shoes. But all are learning, laughing, and discovering hope because one man decided to lead with compassion instead of comfort.

What makes this story extraordinary is not only the miles that separate Bart’s suburban Virginia world from Mumbere’s mountainous village, but how kindness—and a shared belief in possibility—bridges the distance. This is not a story of charity. It’s a story of character, connection, and calling.

Major Takeaways

• Kindness multiplies. A sponsored child becomes the sponsor of many. What we receive in grace, we can give in gratitude.

• Adversity is not the opposite of opportunity. Mumbere’s struggles built his empathy, discipline, and leadership—traits that now anchor his community.

• Leadership is service in motion. His nursing background and compassion blend naturally into teaching, nurturing, and guiding young lives.

• Faith fuels resilience. Even after his father survived a rebel attack, Mumbere never lost hope. He learned that service is stronger than fear.

• Connection is powerful. Across languages, continents, and bandwidth limitations, kindness finds a way to connect—and to inspire action.

Memorable Quotes

“I used to sleep on the ground. Now I help children find a place to dream.”

“Those who have little can still give much. Sometimes hope is the only thing we own.”

“Most people don’t believe kindness can change a country—but it changed mine.”

“My father taught me to serve others, not to be served. That is where love begins.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a reminder that impact doesn’t require wealth—it requires will. Every act of kindness ripples outward, touching lives you may never meet. Mumbere’s story challenges us to re-examine comfort, gratitude, and purpose.

Wherever you live—whether it’s the suburbs of Northern Virginia or the mountains of Western Uganda—you have the power to create hope. Sometimes that begins with a single connection, a single conversation, or a single decision to do what Most People Don’t… but YOU Do.

In this heartwarming and insightful episode of For All the Marblisms, Bart welcomes Chicago-based photographer and creative professional Will Byington. Together, they explore the intersection of creativity, resilience, entrepreneurship, and authenticity, highlighting the struggles and successes that shape a meaningful career.

Will’s story is not just about capturing photos—it’s about capturing life, emotion, and connection while navigating the evolving demands of being a creative entrepreneur in a digital age.

Will’s Journey: From Film Cameras to Rock Cruises

• Early spark: Will grew up with disposable cameras and one-hour photo labs, enchanted by the magic of capturing candid moments.
• Education & pivot: A single darkroom photography class at the University of Alabama deepened his love for the craft.
• Unexpected detour: He pursued marketing in Los Angeles, working briefly in film promotion—but after a disheartening year, he returned home, feeling defeated.
• The turning point: A chance meeting with the New Orleans band Cowboy Mouth led to a touring role managing merchandise and photographing the band—his entry into professional photography.
• Today: Over 21 years later, Will has photographed 172 entertainment cruises for major artists like Bon Jovi, Kesha, and Pitbull, and works with brands like Sixthman and ALG Vacations.

Entrepreneurial Lessons & Insights

• Success Requires Failing Forward

“You’re not an entrepreneur if you don’t fail. You have to throw things atthe wall and learn.”

• It’s Not About the Photos—It’s About the Focus

Will credits his success to being part of the experience, not just documenting it. His empathy, professionalism, and genuine care make him unforgettable.

“I’m not there to be paparazzi. I’m there to capture the experience without blocking someone else’s joy.”

• The Power of Showing Up

Whether introducing himself to fans before a cruise or helping someone improve their phone photos, Will emphasizes presence, humility, and joy.

“Life is 80% showing up. And when you do, bring energy and curiosity.”

• Imposter Syndrome Is Universal

Will admits that self-doubt once kept him from teaching photography, fearinghe’d train away his own clients. He now sees teaching as empowering:

“Rising tides lift all boats. Helping others doesn’t take from you—it expands you.”

• Creativity Requires Business Balance

Will shares that being a freelancer means juggling roles—creative, legal, financial, HR, and marketing—all at once.

“Being a photographer is 90% business, 10% creativity. AI tools like Marblism help us flip that balance.”

AI, Efficiency & Creativity

Bart introduces Marblism, an AI-powered productivity assistant for entrepreneurs. Will reacts with curiosity and cautious optimism, seeing potential to regain time for creativity.

“If human interaction doesn’t make it better, let AI do it.” — Bart
“I’m on the AI train… maybe still in the caboose—but learning.” — Will

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Resilience: Moving from failure to reinvention.
• Curiosity over fear: Asking questions to connect and learn.
• Joy & authenticity: Leading with positivity in every environment.
• Focus: Erase “you” to make the experience about others.
• Gratitude & presence: Print your photos, share them, and celebrate moments.

Closing Reflections

Will and Bart reflect on how creativity and kindness intersect:

“It’s not about the coffee—it’s about the people.”
“It’s not about the photos—it’s about the focus.”

Will reminds listeners to capture and print their memories, because physical photos hold emotional power.

“Print your pictures. Hold them. Share them. You never know how much they’ll mean someday.”

Connect with Will

Website: willbyington.com

Instagram: @willbyington

LinkedIn: Will Byington

Classes: shotclubphotoclass.com

Final Quote

“We’re never finished. We’re evolving, learning, and sharing.
We are living our dream while chasing our dream.” — Will Byington

Live from IMEX America in Las Vegas, Bart sits down with Kevin Brown — Senior Manager of Go-to-Market and Editorial Strategies at Alliants. From an unexpected encounter with a hotel CEO to building a career on creativity, Kevin shares how gut checks, human connection, and breaking norms have shaped his professional journey and his philosophy on hospitality.

Major Takeaways /Learnings

• Gut Checks Lead to Growth: Kevin’s career pivots from music industry to hospitality were guided bylistening to instinct and embracing change, not rigid plans.
• Creativity Is a Muscle: His early years experimenting with acting, painting, writing, and failingforward built resilience and problem-solving skills.
• No One Succeeds in Isolation: Great ideas emerge through collaboration and challenging conventional thinking.
• Redefining Roles: At Alliants, Kevin’s hybrid position was created around his strengths and passions a model for modern organizations.
• Connection Through Better Questions: Asking meaningful questions like “What makes you come alive?” creates deeper, faster rapport.
• Technology as an Enabler: Alliants builds tools that reduce admin tasks and increase time for real guestconnection blending context with hospitality.
• Trust as ROI: Hospitality success is built on human trust more than on loyalty points or amenities.
• Happiness as a Metric: Kevin champions measuring “Happiness Per Employee” as a driver of service excellence.
• Competitive Socialization: Shared experiences (like F1 racing simulators) can teach workplace lessons oncollaboration, patience, and communication.

Memorable Quotes

• “Failure’s only a failure if you don’t learn anything fromit.” — Kevin Brown
• “It’s not about your idea. It’s about the best idea — andthat comes from collaboration.”
• “Most people don’t put people first… but they should.”
• “Technology should give time back to humans, not take itaway.”
• “Ask better questions, and you’ll build betterconnections.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

• For Leaders: Create roles around people’s passions, not just job descriptions.
• For Teams: Lead conversations with curiosity and connection not titles or logos.
• For Hospitality Pros: Use tech to build context, not walls. Every second saved on admin is a secondgained for real service.
• For Event & Sales Teams: Break formalities, ask meaningful questions, and connect on a human level.
• For Organizations: Measure and prioritize employee happiness to elevate guest experience.
• For Culture Builders: Gamified experiences (like F1 Arcade) can double as learning labs for communication and teamwork.

Resources and Links:

Bart Berkey: MostPeopleDont.com | LinkedIn