See Life Different

Zaakirah Muhammad
  • 5.0 (22)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Monthly

This weekly podcast features womenpreneurs as they share stories of advocacy, mindfulness, and entrepreneurship! They will teach and inspire you to step outside of your comfort zone. Your host, Zaakirah Muhammad is a creative strategist, photographer, PCOS Warrior, and cancer survivor. For show notes visit zaakirahnayyar.com/podcast

  1. 6d ago

    Who Gets Seen? Visibility, Accessibility, and Community

    What does it really mean to be seen — and what happens when being seen is paired with access and community? In this episode, Zaakirah shares reflections from attending SXSW London, the vision behind her panel "Who Gets Seen: Building Accessible Media, Events, and Experiences," and why accessibility can't be an afterthought — on stages, in content, or in business, the history of Black Business Month, and the power of LinkedIn networking. This episode weaves together visibility, accessibility, and community into one cohesive conversation that remains relevant long after any voting deadline. 0:41 — Black Business Month: history, policy, and barriers to capital 1:13 — Travel philosophy: accessibility and disabilities in mind 1:37 — See Life Different: childhood eye cancer, seeing in one eye, finding your platform 2:29 — Gaps on stages: invisible disabilities and the need for safe spaces 3:08 — Building See Life Different: podcast, book, summits, and accessible content 3:46 — The gap: speaking opportunities that don't pay you 4:04 — Same mission, same vision: making sure the overlooked are no longer overlooked 4:34 — Lived experience: no captions, can't lip read, being left out 5:00 — Don't leave out people who want to work with you + SXSW panel submission 5:16 — Chapter: Who Gets Seen? — SXSW history 5:26 — SXSW London: accessibility at the forefront, not the back 5:52 — "Who Gets Seen: Building Accessible Media, Events, and Experiences" 6:13 — Captions, image descriptions, sensory spaces 6:43 — Co-panelists: Erin Perkins (deaf-blind) and Derra Howard (epilepsy) 7:15 — All Three Coasts (A3C) in Atlanta and the SXSW connection 8:02 — Applied to speak, didn't get accepted, attended two days SXSW London 8:23 — Setting intentions: what am I gonna do at this conference? 8:58 — Long-term goals: speak on a panel, premiere a documentary 9:35 — Building blocks for community, advocacy, and a speaker bureau 10:00 — People with disabilities have stories to tell  10:18 — SXSW London's accessibility: interactive app, scheduling, networking 10:45 — Real connections vs LinkedIn, Instagram, or WhatsApp 11:01 — Disability accommodations 11:46 — Sensory overload and the quiet networking hack 12:27 — Trust your intuition: the best networking moments 12:54 — Fora co-working space  13:18 — Documentary about travel, disability, woman of color, faith, and childhood eye cancer 13:53 — Healthcare SXSW panel and the power of LinkedIn 14:28 — Don't underestimate LinkedIn or in-real-life connections 15:23 — Hidden disabilities and airport accessibility 15:45 — invisible disability and asking for help 16:02 — Accessibility as a business strategy: stronger brand, bigger audience, more clients 16:25 — Supporting the diaspora economy 16:31 — The Accessible Content Creator: getting on stages and getting started 16:57 — How to work with Zaakirah on your Goals for the quarter Connect with Zaakirah: Reach out via DM or comment to learn more about the Accessible Content Creator program, speaking opportunities, or working together. Email: zaakirah@zaakirahnayyar.com Website: http://zaakirahnayyar.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illuminousone/ Profile: https://www.facebook.com/zaakirah.n.muhammad/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@illuminousone Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illuminousone/ Email Newsletter: https://zaakirah-nayyar.kit.com/ Shortlink: https://bit.ly/seelifedifferentyoutube Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaakirahmuhammad/ Book: http://bit.ly/seeinglifedifferentlens Work with me: https://www.zaakirahnayyar.com/workwithme

  2. Aug 7

    ADHD, AI, Artistry: Amber Andrews on Building a Brand that's Honest, Creative and Converting

    Amber Andrews, co-founder of Amber's Artistry, shares how she turned an engineering-and-art background into a branding business that helps creatives turn attention into revenue. She gets candid about running a business with ADHD, why she's hesitant to let AI touch her design work, and how living with hearing loss has shaped her mission to make professional spaces more accessible for everyone. 1:03 – Amber's background: from engineering to art, building Amber's Artistry with Brooke 5:14 – The value of creative communities, online and in person 5:59 – Amber opens up about her hearing loss and advocacy for accessibility 7:47 – Tips for growing a business without losing yourself 10:13 – Living and working with an ADHD brain 11:23 – Where AI fits (and doesn't) in her web design and branding work 12:04 – Using AI for project management and research as an ADHD productivity tool 15:51 – Amber's legacy: confidence for creatives and accessible spaces for everyone 17:36 – Final thoughts on AI, authenticity, and staying human Connect with Amber Andrews Artistry: https://andrewsartistry.com/free-brand-clarity-kit/ https://andrewsartistry.com/podbrand/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/andrewsartistrystudio/

    ADHD, AI, Artistry: Amber Andrews on Building a Brand that's Honest, Creative and Converting

  3. Jul 31

    Heart Led Awakening Turning Grief into Strength with Debi Lynn

    Debi Lynn is the Founder of Heart-Led Awakening™, a Certified Grief Educator, keynote speaker, and international bestselling author. Drawing from her own journey through profound loss, divorce, and rebuilding her life as a single mother, she helps women leaders and entrepreneurs move beyond survival, restore confidence, and create lasting personal and professional success. In this episode, you'll learn how to navigate change, make confident decisions, prevent burnout, and lead with greater clarity and purpose. 0:00 — Intro: healing from the inside out; the show's mission 0:57 — Meet Debi Lynn: rebuilding after loss, divorce, and financial hardship 1:58 — Debi's story begins: connecting through shared resilience 2:58 — The turning point: losing her son, her job, and nearly herself 3:56 — The moment of crisis and the call that saved her life 5:08 — Introducing the HEART framework: Heal, Embrace, Awaken, Reclaim, Transform 7:55 — The Heart Framework Promise 8:43 — The Bounce Back Reset Guide explained 9:11 — The "Joy Jar" practice for finding daily moments of joy 10:04 — On legacy: "I matter" and building women's shelters worldwide 10:47 — A shared vision: giving back to local communities 11:49 — Where to find Debi Lynn online  12:38 — Final takeaway: "Your comeback story starts now" 13:01 — Closing thanks Connect with Debi Lynn: Website: https://heartledawakening.com / https://debilynnfl.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/debi-lynn/

    Heart Led Awakening Turning Grief into Strength with Debi Lynn

  4. Jul 24 ·  Bonus

    Sensory Reset: Soft Stories of Joy, Belonging, and Healing Inner Child Live from Essence Fest

    Sensory Reset: Rediscover Inner Joy — a live recording from the "Unbothered and Well" Activation during Essence Fest (New Orleans, July 4th, 2026). Timestamps: 0:41 — Session context: recorded live at Essence Fest's Unbothered and Well Activation 1:42 — Zaakirah shares her story as a childhood eye cancer survivor 2:48 — Learning to breathe, unclench the jaw, and reset the nervous system 4:03 — Reconnecting with your inner child through travel, art, and music 5:13 — Erica Chidi welcomes the room to the Talking Circle and explains Unbothered 7:02 — Explaining the "keeper" and "anchor" roles in the circle 8:14 — Zaakirah opens the guided sensory reset practice 8:36 — "When's the last time you had a safe space to say I'm not okay?" 9:03 — Circle members share moments of true belonging 10:32 — Group discussion: what helps you thrive (not just survive) 15:26 — Reconnecting with who you were before the world told you who to be 17:30 — Love languages and sensory needs 19:15 — Empathy for invisible disabilities and accessibility needs 20:41 — "What is a story you have not shared publicly yet?" 22:19 — A participant shares her story about caregiving and retirement 23:23 — Closing reflections: keep breathing, keep choosing you Intro Music by Derek of Northern Lights Connect with Zaakirah Website: http://zaakirahnayyar.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illuminousone/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illuminousone/ Listen to more episodes on your favorite streaming platform: Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2NYapeh Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2TdAZ87 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/33gUj9j Pandora: https://pdora.co/2PLMUXo

  5. Jul 10

    Essence Fest 2026 Recap As a Speaker And How to Become One

    Zaakirah recaps her third Essence Festival experience — this time as a speaker across three different platforms. She breaks down how she landed the opportunity, what she covered on each stage, and gives a full budget-friendly itinerary for anyone planning their own Essence Fest trip. In this episode: 0:00 – Intro: Who is Zaakirah & what See Life Different is about 0:42 – Overview: Speaking on 3 stages at Essence Fest 2026 0:58 – Zaakirah's backstory: childhood eye cancer, vision/hearing loss, and her Essence Fest history (2016 → 2024 → 2026) 1:27 – History of Essence Festival & the Essence magazine legacy 1:49 – How she got the opportunity: shoutout to New Voices Family (PACE program) 2:50 – Winning the New Voices Excellence Award 3:13 – Setting intentions to be part of Essence Fest 3:53 – Speaking opportunity #1: Moderating the "Reimagining Inclusion" panel 4:42 – Speaking opportunity #2: Wellness talking circles with Refinery29's Unbothered & Well 5:53 – Speaking opportunity #3: New Voices community programming 8:31 – Gifting & networking with fellow entrepreneurs 8:07 – Beautycon lines & wristband access tips 8:31 – Concert Floor seats: Brandy & Monica, T.I.,  10:24 – Why accessibility (captions, sign language interpreters, wheelchair access) matters at events 12:39 – How to work with Zaakirah as your brand/accessibility strategist 14:13 – Budget travel breakdown: hostels, flights, the airport express bus 17:12 – Planning your itinerary using the Essence Fest app 18:34 – Friday: off-site events, Sprout Social meetup, Sister Song concert 20:19 – Meeting Lachi for Zaakirah's upcoming documentary project 23:11 – Catching a live podcast taping of Because We Feud 24:17 – Friday night networking dinner & prepping for speaking day 24:36 – Food recap: Daily Beets, True Food Kitchen, Cafe du Monde, po'boys & more 26:13 – Sunday: exploring the DMV community presence & Baltimore mayor session at convention center 27:14 – Fun fact: descendant of Frederick Douglass via Stephen Bailey 27:36 – Mario Performance at the Coca-Cola stage 28:41 – Touring Black New Orleans & the Ninth Ward 29:20 – Recap & what's next: goals for the next Essence Fest 29:48 – Outro & how to connect with Zaakirah Connect with Zaakirah: 🌐 Website: https://zaakirahnayyar.com 📱 All social links: https://zaakirahnayyar.com/social Learn more about New Voices Family: https://www.newvoices.family/ https://smart.bio/newvoicesfamily/

  6. Jun 19

    WITS Travel Creator Recap and Keynote: How to Make Your Content More Accessible

    Listen to the full audio of Zaakirah's main stage talk on creating more accessible travel content from the WITS Travel Creator Summit in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as the recap of the conference experience. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: [0:00] – Introduction: Who is Zaakirah Muhammad? [1:09] – First time attending the WITS Travel Creator Summit in Chattanooga, TN [1:35] – About Zaakirah: brand strategist, travel creator, blind in one eye, hard of hearing [1:50] – Being in a room with women and gender-diverse creators; her first major keynote session [2:23] – Why she wasn't nervous: her 2024 TEDx talk experience [2:45] – Her keynote topic: accessible content creation [3:14] – Conference culture: WhatsApp group, community support, content collaboration [3:51] – WITS paid their speakers — a rare and valued practice [4:00] – Leaving WITS feeling seen, welcomed, and valued [5:42] – Bessie Smith Cultural Center: Chattanooga history, Usher, and Kane Brown [6:31] – Black Travel Alliance ice cream social at Scoop-alicious [7:10] – Speaker networking event at the Hotel Chalet (the old train depot) [9:16] – The Bessie Coleman Awards: honoring women trailblazers [9:55] – Should you attend WITS? (Coming to Michigan near Detroit in 2027!) [11:06] – 🎤 MAIN STAGE KEYNOTE BEGINS: "Making Your Travel Content More Accessible" [11:20] – Opening audience poll: travelers with disabilities you can't see [13:37] – Accessibility is not one size fits all — who gets left behind [14:35] – Real-world example: Aburi Botanical Garden in Ghana & asking for accommodations [15:25] – The Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard: a tool for invisible disabilities at airports [16:10] – Tip #1: Use and edit captions — don't rely on auto-captions alone [17:20] – Tip #2: Video and image descriptions — good for SEO and screen readers [18:00] – Tip #3: Include accessibility info in your travel content (ramps, noise, lighting, crowd level) [18:58] – Captions: every platform has them — use them or tell your audience how to enable them [19:15] – Using Canva's alt text feature for accessible graphics [21:09] – Empathy as an accessibility tool: the business case for inclusive content [21:46] – "Design your content so that no one is excluded" RESOURCES & LINKS: 📖 Book: Seeing Life Through a Different Lens by Zaakirah Muhammad https://amzn.to/4eAjnLx 🗓️ WITS Travel Creator Summit 2027 – Ann Arbor, Michigan (near Detroit) https://witsummit.com/annarbor 🌻 Get Your Accessible Content Guide: https://zaakirah-nayyar.kit.com/ 💻 Book a 1-on-1 mentorship with Zaakirah: https://bit.ly/4eFWmrw 📬 Email Zaakirah with questions: zaakirah@zaakirahnayyar.com CONNECT WITH ZAAKIRAH:  Instagram | YouTube @illuminousone Tell us in the comments: What is ONE thing you will do to make your travel content more accessible?

  7. May 29

    You are Leaving Disabled Travelers Out of Your Content

    This episode challenges content creators and travelers to make their content more empathetic and inclusive for disabled audiences. Timestamps 0:00 — Intro & welcome to the See Life Different podcast 0:28 — Zaakirah's background: cancer survivor, brand strategist, author, world traveler 0:42 — Episode topic: Are you leaving disabled travelers out of your content? 1:20 — Zaakirah's personal story: visually impaired and hard of hearing, visited 15+ countries and 4+ continents 1:48 — Her role as an accessibility advocate and travel consultant 2:21 — How the pandemic amplified the need for accessible content for disabled audiences 2:51 — Living with invisible disabilities: hearing loss, low vision, and the challenge of being seen 3:50 — What most people get wrong about disability — visible vs. invisible conditions 4:15 — Neurodivergence, recent injuries, and why empathy matters 4:35 — Upcoming speaking engagement: Women in Travel Summit (WITS) in Chattanooga, TN 5:18 — Zaakirah's history with travel content creation, dating back to the early 2010s 5:39 — How a Kodak Polaroid camera at age 5 sparked her love of storytelling 6:18 — From blog to vlog to podcast to TEDx stage 6:19 — Travel should expand how we see the world — but the world isn't designed for disabled travelers 6:49 — The Sunflower Lanyard: a tool for identifying hidden disabilities while traveling 7:08 — Lip reading, airport navigation, and advocating for yourself on tour 7:08 — The simple question most people forget: "How can I help?" 7:47 — Creating accessible visual content: font contrast, color readability, and DIY graphics 8:08 — Captions: why they matter beyond just muting your phone 8:30 — How social media platforms handle auto-captions — and where they fall short 8:37 — Captions as a tool for language learners AND those with hearing loss 9:11 — Describing images and videos the way you'd explain it to a five-year-old or an elder 9:35 — Screen readers and alt text: creating content accessible to those who cannot see 10:00 — SEO bonus: accessibility features also improve content discoverability 10:21 — Inviting disabled travelers into your hometown content 10:41 — Where to start: use your five senses to describe people, places, and things 11:02 — Enable captions and edit auto-generated ones for accuracy 11:28 — Why Zaakirah is personally passionate about accessible content 11:45 — Scrolling past content you can't hear or read — and the revenue creators lose 12:07 — How to work with Zaakirah: mentorship sessions and accessibility guides 12:39 — Booking a session: 30-min to 1-hour with an included accessibility guide 12:59 — Speaking at the WITS Travel Creators Summit 13:05 — The financial case for accessibility: disabled audiences represent real spending power 13:29 — Confidence, advocacy, and telling your story as a disabled person 13:48 — Zaakirah's personal experience with low vision at night and hearing high pitches 14:05 — Processing time and neurodivergence in accessible spaces 14:26 — Book written with her mom: resilience, confidence, and being the only one in the room 14:37 — Book available on Amazon (ebook, paperback, audiobook) 14:37 — Visit zaakirahtnayyar.com/social for all links 15:08 — Mentorship, brand strategy, and being a "brand therapist" 15:31 — Finding joy in creativity and entrepreneurship amid life's responsibilities 15:49 — 10 years of helping people build their brands and tell their stories 16:09 — Women in Travel Summit: stay tuned for more details 16:24 — In-person community with fellow creators and speakers 17:04 — Call to action: speak up in comments, advocate for accessibility, share this episode 17:09 — Closing: share this episode widely and see you next time Zaakirah is a hard-of-hearing, visually impaired traveler who has visited over 15 countries. She is an accessibility advocate, brand strategist, and travel consultant. Connect with Zaakirah Website & all links: https://zaakirahtnayyar.com/social Mentorship sessions + Accessibility Guide available for booking: https://zaakirah-nayyar.kit.com/profile? Book available on Amazon (ebook, paperback, and audiobook): https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Life-Through-Different-Lens-ebook/dp/B081MR9TKP/ If this episode resonated with you, share it — accessibility starts with awareness

  8. May 8

    Why I Left Kenya Went to Ghana, How I Grew Through It All

    In this  personal episode, Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad — eye cancer survivor, brand strategist, author, and world traveler — shares what the past six months have looked like since leaving Kenya. She opens up about a year of meaningful volunteer work at a Kenyan orphanage, the visa challenges that made long-term living there unsustainable, and the emotional weight of losing an aunt, uncle and her older sister in 2025. From Kenya to Ghana, Zaakirah takes us on her mother's bold solo move, her own 40-day visit to Ghana during Ramadan, and all the cultural, professional, and healing experiences in between. Key Topics Covered Why Zaakirah and her mother left Kenya after one year Mentoring youth at a Kenyan orphanage (public speaking, photography, chess) The realities of renewing visas every three months as a long-term traveler Her mother's independent move to Ghana and obtaining a Ghana Card Traveling to Ghana during Ramadan and celebrating Eid The "foreigner tax" and navigating Accra as a returning visitor Exploring Ghana: Aburi mountains, Kokrobite Beach, the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum, University of Accra, and a live boxing match Speaking at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital's caregiver workshop on Retinoblastoma survivorship Meeting African American women building lives and businesses in Ghana House-hunting across Kenya and Ghana with real estate company Vaal What's next: travel consulting, AI, disability empowerment content About the Host Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad is a disabled, visually impaired, hard-of-hearing Black American Muslim woman and world traveler who has visited 15+ countries across four continents. Diagnosed at six months old with Retinoblastoma (a rare childhood eye cancer), she wears a prosthetic right eye and hearing aid. She is the author of Seeing Life Through a Different Lens: A Survivor Memoir on Overcoming Adversity, a TEDx speaker, NPR media correspondent, internationally known speaker, and brand cultivating strategist who helps entrepreneurs build their digital intellectual property through AI and authentic storytelling. Resources & Links Mentioned Seeing Life Through a Different Lens — available on Amazon (paperback, ebook, audiobook) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081MR9TKP?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420 TEDx Talk: Seeing Life from a Different Lens https://zaakirahnayyar.com/tedx YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@illuminousone  Focus Black Oklahoma (NPR affiliate) Media Correspondent: https://bit.ly/fbonprz Connect with Zaakirah Social media (all platforms): @Illuminousone (I-L-L-U-M-I-N-O-U-S-O-N-E) Also searchable as: Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad If You're Interested in Ghana Travel Ghana's independence month is March, and 2027 marks 70 years of independence. Zaakirah is planning a group trip to Ghana — cultural, holistic, healing, and creative. Reach out to get on the list. https://secure.foratravel.com/intake/lMK1OBrjUH https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/zaakirah-muhammad The See Life Different Podcast is for Black, Indigenous, and women of color ready to step outside their comfort zone — inspiring you to confidently tell your story, travel the world, and build your brand. Follow, Subscribe, leave a comment and leave a review.

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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

This weekly podcast features womenpreneurs as they share stories of advocacy, mindfulness, and entrepreneurship! They will teach and inspire you to step outside of your comfort zone. Your host, Zaakirah Muhammad is a creative strategist, photographer, PCOS Warrior, and cancer survivor. For show notes visit zaakirahnayyar.com/podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Zaakirah Muhammad
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    124
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Zaakirah Nayyar
  • Show Website
    See Life Different

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