Heartistry

Call it sliding doors, kismat, divine intervention - truly any or all of the above. This is what it felt like when Farah and Sara found themselves both attending the same conference earlier this year. Not only did they click personally, their mutual respect for their ever evolving professional paths was just as instantaneous. 

This conversation with Sara Mirza takes us to so many relatable and reflective moments. We especially loved her analogy of boxes vs chapters. Listen to this excerpt, and then we are certain you will want to hear the entire episode! 

Aug 14 & 15 marks the 79th anniversary of India's independence and the birth of Pakistan. This moment in my conversation with comedian and content creator, Nadir Shah, is a great reminder of how we can all find ways to bridge the divide that even today is still far too present. We love how Nadir uses his comedy to bring perspectives of shared experiences as well as ways for all of us to hold up the mirror to how and what we can be doing differently. Sometimes a little levity is what can help all of us to be more open. 

As the Executive Director of Narika, and with over 13 years in the field of domestic violence advocacy, management and leadership, Shailaja Dixit brings a diverse range of expertise to her work, heavily influenced by her passion for community building.

Learn more about this incredible organization, the critical work they do, and how we can all support their efforts.

Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts. 
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Drawing inspiration from everything around her, Muneeba Zeeshan’s mixed media artwork uses different kinds of inks on paper and canvas to create abstract work that simultaneously rises, evaporates, and transcends. Through the ebb and flow of inks, she creates something that is earthy, fluid, and ethereal all at once.

With her artwork having been represented at international and local art galleries and exhibitions, Muneeba's process of creating art is inherently organic, so no two art pieces are the same. But often, there are art pieces that come together cohesively, despite being completely different.

Kranti empowers girls from India’s red-light areas to become agents of social change. In the past decade, Kranti’s girls have become the first girls of their community to study abroad, to have received UN awards for their social work, given 50+ TEDx and other speeches around the world, and been featured in dozens of international media platforms. 

Kranti is also one of the world’s only schools for daughters of sex workers run entirely by daughters of sex workers. 

In this excerpt, Founder, Robin Chaurasiya, shares her "why"...

Hear the...

Jingqui and Farah were introduced by a brilliant dancer who knew that both dance artists have created work about the train as it relates to their own culture and personal histories. What a profound reminder that you just never know how you will cross paths (or tracks) with someone, find commonalities, learn from the similarities and differences, and share a strong desire to use an artistic medium to convey messages, feelings and lessons. 

Why the train? As Jingqui said, “The train is so connected to migratory stories,” and spoiler alert… plans are being explored to see...

For the second time, we welcome organizers of Aurat March Karachi to the podcast. Now in its 8th year, this grassroots movement in Pakistan advocates for gender equality and rights of gender-based minorities. Their mission is to create a society where all individuals, regardless of gender, have equal rights and opportunities. Through peaceful protests, advocacy campaigns, and community engagement, we aim to raise awareness about gender-based violence, discrimination, and other issues faced by women and marginalized groups.

At a press conference leading up to the march this week, some of the organizers were detained...

Anjali Rao brings an intersectional and decolonial feminist lens to the study of philosophy and religion (Indic traditions) integrating storytelling, art and poetry. Deeply influenced by her dance training, Anjali's work emphasizes an embodied approach and explores how spirituality, power and politics intersect. Her first book, "Yoga As Embodied Resistance: A Feminist Lens in Caste, Gender And Sacred Resilience in Yoga History" by North Atlantic Books was named one of the 10 most inspiring, and "insightful and seriously worthwhile" books of 2025 by Yoga Journal and "a scholarly work and a deeply personal journey" by L.A Book Review.

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Farhana Huq is a visionary social entrepreneur, executive coach, and thought partner who transforms ideas into meaningful social impact. Her expertise spans traditional arts preservation, immigrant women’s economic empowerment, and surf and ocean culture creation through her platform, brown girl surf.

In this conversation with Farhana, we hear how she balances her professional life with surfing, art creation, writing, travel, intellectual exploration, and a deep appreciation for community and nature. We are in awe of her evolving ability to reflect, grow, learn, pivot, and plant new seeds and ideas through it all.

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Dr. Nadhi Thekkek is the Artistic Director of Nava Dance Theatre, and uses the south Indian dance form of bharatanatyam to navigate place, identity, and politics through the lens of her lived experience as a South Asian woman and a child of immigrants. She reimagines how bharatanatyam and South Asian forms can serve marginalized narratives that need to occupy space in the US right now.

So many moments and interactions throughout this conversation were a gateway to reflection for Farah, and we are certain our listeners will feel the same way!

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Season 7 of Heartistry is here (!!), and we are launching with a joyful and inspiring conversation with the awesome Hamama Tul Bushra!

Trained as a graphic designer from National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan, Hamama earned her Master’s degree in Art History from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in the United States. Her thesis explored two folios (pages) from a Mughal album, Gulshan Muraqqa, at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, where she assisted the curator in research and write-ups for featured art and objects in exhibitions. While pursuing her doctorate, Bushra’s energies shif...

Aranyani is a Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer who began her training in 1990. Over time, Aranyani has developed her own distinctive approach to Bharatanatyam focusing equally on the human and divine; the religious and secular; and the traditional and modern.

In 2025, Aranyani Co-founded Indian Dancers for Gaza’s children to raise awareness about the plight of children in Palestine, and later Lebanon, and helped to raise a significant amount of funds through dance performances across the world for a paediatric charity in Gaza. 
For all our fellow dancers out there, check out this excerpt where Farah and Ara...

Mona Ahuja is a certified Yoga Instructor as well as a Pilates Reformer Instructor and Deep Stretch Coach. 

There were many moments that we loved in the conversation with Mona, but this had to be one of our favorites. Lesson: acknowledging - and acting on - the importance of how our own happiness and fulfillment can positively impact those around us. 

Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts. 
#PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast

This conversation with Mariam Magsi has been a long time coming, as Farah knew right away upon meeting Mariam in Pakistan in 2023, that this was someone that had to be heard on Heartistry! Finally, the stars (and schedules) aligned, and we are thrilled to share this episode and the infinite reflections, takeaways, words of wisdom, you name it, we know you're going to love it! 

Based in Toronto, Canada, Mariam Magsi is a multidisciplinary artist, writer and educator using photography, poetry, performance and other arts to amplify marginalized stories, challenge norms and ignite change.

Sisters and co-founders Lakshmi and Vinaya Ravi share their path to creating @vyoletclothing where simplicity meets quality and elegance in apparel.

Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.
#PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast

If you have seen either Roopa Mahadevan or Sruti Sarathy perform, you know just how brilliant they are! If you haven't, now is your chance!! And this time, they are premiering their collaborative project "Songs of Many Lives" which will bring their minds, hearts and music together in ways that are both rooted in their artistic sensibility, and bring so many unexpected layers to it. Swipe to hear @sruti.sarathy and @roopama speaking about the work, and even @farahyasmeenshaikh give her take on this uniquely grounded work.

Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app...

Nikita Shah is a brilliant Kalamkari and textile artist, originally from Mumbai, and now based in Brooklyn. This episode is extra special because Farah not only had the chance to learn so much about Nikita, but these two artists are both being presented as part of @whenyesspeaksf on Oct 11 & 12.

Nikita will be giving a workshop in Oakland on Sat, Oct 11, and Farah and @nooranidance company will perform on Sat & Sun in SF, sharing their unique and reflective project “Saabit Qadam - Perseverance.”

Nikita’s work will also make some special appearances in the performances! Hear them t...

Conversations like this one exemplify so much of what the Heartistry Podcast is all about. Spotlighting voices and stories of individuals who are equally focused on doing the same in the various ways that they show up in the world.

Preethi & Shruti are a dynamic duo that - through their own individual and collective artistic practice, as well as through their various endeavors, platforms and opportunities they are creating for others - are sparking reflection, dialogue, inquiry, healing, and so much more.

Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and...

Arjun Verma is an internationally acclaimed sitarist trained by Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, Alam Khan, and Roop Verma, and has recorded with GRAMMY-winning artists London Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, and John Beasley, performed with musical greats Swapan Chaudhuri, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, and Alam Khan, and presented music at the United Nations, the Fillmore, Prague Castle, and on NBC TV.

Throughout this episode, Arjun shares about the beautiful pathways and people that led him to where he finds himself at present. Much like his music, there is a deeply reflective nature...

Phoenyx Rose is a Bay Area-born, multi-hyphenated artist, healer, and movement educator whose work spans Broadway, film, music, and sacred storytelling. With over 2,000 students taught across the Bay Area, Phoenyx is known for weaving life values into every movement, igniting transformation in and beyond the studio. Her creative lineage merges ancestral power with modern expression, empowering others to see. As a performer, writer, and founder of Aurora Luxe Candles, she blends art with alchemy. 

This beautiful and inspiring conversation with Phoenyx is a little extra special as it includes Aziza Noor Shaikh, Farah's daughter, a...

Saadia Khan is the founder of Indus Threads, an impact driven fashion accessories brand that blends culture with elegance while empowering women through style. After leaving her corporate career, Saadia set out to build a brand that not only offers statement pieces but also inspires confidence and self-expression. With a keen eye for design and a passion for impact, she works with global artisans to create collections that celebrate individuality and bold fashion choices. A portion of each purchase goes to charities working towards women health and education. Saadia is on a mission to make fashion a force for...

Muhammad Joyo @mojofounds is a Pakistani-American, born in Karachi and raised mostly in the US. His moving around a lot while young made him curious about new places and ideas, and was driven by learning and challenging himself to obtain new skills. After working at Google for five years as a software engineer, Muhammad started Elaichi Co, a chai cafe in Berkeley, with his wife and parents, and found his current passion - entrepreneurship and growing Elaichi Co, bringing him new challenges every day. We love this excerpt of him talking about the importance of growing and evolving into...

Dr. Geetha Murali is CEO of Room to Read, a leading international organization that transforms the lives of children through education. Geetha is a driving force behind Room to Read’s presence in 24 countries — benefiting more than 45 million children. We loved hearing about how Geetha's diverse personal professional experience have culminated into "wins" in various environments, in ways that even she could not have predicted.

Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts. 
#PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast

Seenaya @seenayaofficial was born out of a deep love for Pakistani heritage and the desire to share its beauty rituals with the world. As a mother-daughter duo—Saman and Maha— grew up surrounded by potent, natural ingredients and age-old skincare traditions passed down through generations. Inspired by their grandmother’s rituals and guided by the wisdom of their roots, they created Seenaya to bring these time-tested secrets to a new generation of skincare enthusiasts.

Hear each of them speak about how their individual paths led them to becoming Co Founders of this skin care brand that connects genera...

Devanshi Somaiya is an obstetrician-gynecologist with 20 years of clinical experience and a strong background in public health, and has worked in low-resource settings. For the past decade, Devanshi has concentrated on cost-effective solutions for cervical cancer prevention, including screening and vaccination. Currently, Devanshi leads and serves as a clinical specialist on several local and global collaborative research projects on women’s health with Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII).

Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.  

Zainab Jeewanjee is a relationship-driven leader who believes “service is sales, and sales is service” and thus her work is rooted in service as a deepest form of connection. She exemplifies this in her actions, and so much of what she shares with Farah throughout this conversation. A Bay Area native, writer, yogi, and global thinker, Zainab brings heart, humility, and intention to everything she builds. It is no surprise that she was invited to be Chair for the upcoming OPEN Silicon Valley conference, “SYNERGY” on May 10th in the Silicon Valley, and with her self proclaimed “card carrying feminist”...

Kulsoom Aftab is a dramatist, poet, actor, original content creator, director, translator, voice-over artist, script consultant, writing and acting coach, and student counsellor, and the founder and artistic director of Theatre K productions. 

Before her building up her own theatre production house, she has served National Academy of Performing Arts in various capacities for twenty years. Kulsoom is an activist for meaningful entertainment, female empowerment, and original content. 

In this excerpt, we loved her reflection and analysis of the multiple artistic migrations that have taken place in and out of Pakistan, and how it is ha...

Rana Nadya is a certified fitness trainer and an entrepreneur. She has been a national swimmer for Pakistan as well. Rana completed her MBA, and like everyone in their masters dreamt of an ideal corporate job as the only future. Two years into corporate life, she knew that it was not for her, and that something was always missing.  This is when Rana started doing online certification courses and training at a local gym. 

In her 8 years of fitness training, she has been driven by a singular mission - to ignite a fire within ot...

Taabir Noorani is an artist and yogi living in Karachi, Pakistan. She owns a gym and an art business with a touch of interiors. Farah invited Taabir to be a guest on Heartistry, not just because of her artistry and other endeavors, but also because of her involvement with various other activists and humanitarian efforts. Taabir is a great example of showing up sometimes with something specific to offer (skills, etc), and at other times just "do what's needed"!

Founder of Scrumptious Wicks, Sonya Malani Panchal discovered a unique passion for candle making. When developing the scents she wanted in her candles, she made the beautiful connection between smell and taste, rooted in her nostalgia and overall love for flavors, and hence the name of her company.

We chat about her journey, and the far too often tendency of being exploited by those over asking for donated products. This is a relatable topic for so many, and we appreciated Sonya’s ability to both advise others to do what is right for them, an...

We are so glad that this week's guest, Silicon Valley Exec turned Award Winning Actor & Filmmaker, Renu Razdan, shared this advice she received. Listen to this conversation to hear more about the pivot she made, leaving "weekend warrior" days behind her. 

Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.

We are thrilled to share this episode with Saiyna Bashir @saiynabashir_studios - an incredible and award winning photojournalist based in Pakistan. Seriously check out some of her work in that area, and then while you are picking your jaw up off the ground, note that Saiyna is also a documentary filmmaker AND is currently working on "Ustad" @ustadthefilm - a documentary on the untold story of one of the world's greatest singers, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. 

Though it has been close to three decades since Nusrat Sahib's passing, needless to say, his m...

Hearing how an idea is born AND the name it is given, is always so fascinating! 

Alyzeh Rizvi, co-founder of Peepal People, a South Asian pantry brand bringing vibrant, punchy flavors to American kitchens, gave us the beautiful backstory of their company, and how it showcases her Pakistani roots through fresh, small-batch, low-sodium hot sauces.

Listen to the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.

#PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast #PakistaniEntrepreneur #PeepalPeople

We loved getting to know Nadia Rahman during our recent conversation (which happened to take place at the end of election week). Nadia is a communicator, organizer, and activist based in San Francisco. Standing up for what she believes in, navigating how to acknowledge support and endorse candidates who have made progress in some areas, but still holding them accountable to their shortcomings - all of this, and so much more, is what inspires us about this week’s guest!

Our conversation this week is with Bisan Shehadeh, Executive Director of Zawaya, based in the SF Bay Area. She says so much about their vision to achieve intercultural solidarity, respect, and understanding through the universal languages of music and the arts

On Nov 9th, Zawaya presents “We Are All Palestinian”, a concert honoring our shared humanity and the sacredness of life by diverse Bay Area communities coming together to denounce genocide and ethnic cleansing through the universal language of music, particularly by celebrating and preserving Palestinian folk music.

For Muthulakshmi Anu Narasimhan, art has always been a lifeline. Coming from a long line of artists and musicians, Anu has been painting from the moment she could hold something in her hand.  Art isn’t just an exploration of Anu’s cultural heritage or nomadic life, but has always been a way to heal her soul, find beauty in the world, and show the world that everyone can find healing in art.

And, as you’ll hear in this brief excerpt from her conversation with @farahyasmeenshaikh, when creating art, Anu hopes that art can also be a place...

This week's guest, Kalsoom Lakhani, has a pretty awesome "what", however, what we loved even more is her "why"?

Kalsoom is the Co-founder & General Partner at i2i Ventures, an early stage venture capital fund for Pakistan, and the country’s first female-founded VC fund, which opened its doors in 2019. She is also the Founder of Invest2Innovate, i2i Ventures' sister entity, which she launched in 2011 to support and unleash the potential of young entrepreneurs in growth markets like Pakistan. 

Listen to this snippet, and then to the entire conversation on @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app...

Preethi's #heARTivism is steeped in her personal experience as a Bharatanatyam artist, along with her extensive research and commitment to representation and the performance of myth among transnational Bharatanatyam practitioners. 

This conversation aired on @rukusavenueradio on the @iheartradio app, and is now available wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts 🎙

Irene Tcruz Shimizu is a self-taught, intuitive, channeled artist and divine messenger co-creating art that speaks to the soul. Irene manifests activation art so people awaken and amplify their gifts, and in turn share their gifts with the world, expressing her creativity with mixed media paintings that emanate love, beauty, hope, harmony, and faith.

Salman Ansari lives his life playing with many pursuits rather than specializing in a single path. He's worn different hats over the years - software engineer, startup founder & CTO, writer, illustrator, and DJ, to name a few - which he speaks to in this excerpt from the episode. 

We loved hearing about all that fill Salman's life, how and why it works for him, and so much more! 

Listen to @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio on on Fri, Aug 9 at 9pm PST / 9am PKT

#JackOfManyTrades #PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast