20 episodes

“Elevate Your Life: A Transformational Podcast” will inspire you to “Connect, Move and Meditate. This Podcast serves as a safe space to openly dialogue authentic, real and transformative conversations.

Elevate Your Life: A Transformational Podcast Farhan Dhalla

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

“Elevate Your Life: A Transformational Podcast” will inspire you to “Connect, Move and Meditate. This Podcast serves as a safe space to openly dialogue authentic, real and transformative conversations.

    S2 Ep8 "Mehndi Boy with Zain Bandali"

    S2 Ep8 "Mehndi Boy with Zain Bandali"

    Zain Bandali is an author, poet, and unapologetic diversity advocate. His debut children's book Mehndi Boy, is a Silver Birch Express Nominee and was recognized as a “Best Bet” by the Ontario Library Association and as a “Best Book for Kids” by the New York Public Library in 2023. Zain studied at the University of Waterloo and was awarded the Upkar Arora Social Impact Leadership Scholarship for his work in creating a grassroots community initiative. Even in his day job as an HR professional at a leading financial corporation, Zain strives to bring the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion to everything he does. He is an avid vegetable gardener but cannot always stomach the chilli peppers he grows. In this episode we dive into conversations about Zain’s Queerness as a South Asian, Indo-Tanzanian, Ismaili Muslim, his debut book and how he’s pushing the gender norm narrative. We also discuss his love for international recording artist Ali Sethi and his advice for anyone struggling with being true to themselves.  

    Order your copy of Mehndi Boy

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    #gay #gaypodcast #mehndi #queer #queerpodcast #islam #navroz #lgtbq


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    • 1 hr 13 min
    S2 Ep7 "The United States first Openly Gay Imam Daayiee Abdullah"

    S2 Ep7 "The United States first Openly Gay Imam Daayiee Abdullah"

    Imam Daayiee is the first openly Gay Imam in the United States. He was born in Detroit Michigan and the son of Southern Baptist parents and converted to Islam at the age of 30. He is the author of the book titled  “Progressive Islam: The Rich Liberal Ideas of the Muslim Faith”(2021),  He is the Founder and ED of the nonprofit MECCA Institute, and CEO of MECCA Institute Publishing LLC. He is the Former Imam of the  Light of Reform Mosque, Washington, DC (2010-2015).  Imam Daayiee is a linguist  and holds  Masters Degrees  in  Chinese and Arabic languages and linguistics, and a scholar of Quranic Interpretation and Shari’ah Sciences. To continue to add to his impressive bio he is also a  former public interest lawyer specializing in comparative Islamic and Western law. He is currently working on his  second book to be released in 2024. In this episode we explore what it's like being an openly gay imam, his educational pursuits, activism, why he opened an all inclusive mosque:"Light of Reform Mosque," the MECCA Institute and a lot more.

    Contact: Email

    TEDx Talk

    Website: The MECCA Institute

    Facebook Group: The MECCA Institute

    Facebook Group: Light of Reform Mosque





    If you wish to support the show please donate to Buy Me A Coffee! Thank you!  ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/farhandhalla




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    • 1 hr 4 min
    S2 Ep 6 "Mediumship and Queer Relief with Galit Deri Shearouse"

    S2 Ep 6 "Mediumship and Queer Relief with Galit Deri Shearouse"

    Galit Deri Shearouse is a medium who's mission is to help support grieving parents by connecting them to their lost child in spirit. In this episode Gait does a reading for me and during our session my beloved late mother came through. Galit delivered some messages that had a huge impact on me. We tackle in depth how my mother felt about me being gay including her struggles. Galit also made two surprising predictions about my future!



    Contact: https://www.myspiritualconnections.com/



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    • 1 hr 2 min
    S 2 Ep 5 "Breaking Fast and Queer Relief with Mike Mosallam"

    S 2 Ep 5 "Breaking Fast and Queer Relief with Mike Mosallam"

    Mike Mosallam  is a two-time Tony Award nominated producer, director, writer for theatre, film and television. Two days after recording this episode he won his his first Tony Award for producer in the category of "Best Revival of a Musical" for "Parade!" He graduated with degree in musical theatre from the University of Michigan and headed to New York to follow his Broadway Dreams. After 911 Mike called into question both his place in this world and as a Muslim what was his story to tell? Mike redirected his energy towards writing, directing and producing. He wanted to change the narrative of the stories that were being told about Muslims. He changed the landscape of media by writing and directing movies like his film debut "Breaking Fast" an award winning gay romcom about Mo, a practicing Muslim living in West Hollywood who is learning to navigate life post heartbreak. He meets Kal, an All-American guy who surprises Mo by offering to break fast with him during the holy month of Ramadan. In this episode we do a deep dive getting to know Mike including his coming out journey and how he says being gay has made him a better Muslim.



    Website

     @watchmmp 



    If you wish to support the show please donate to Buy Me A Coffee! Thank you!  ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/farhandhalla






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    • 1 hr
    S2 E4 "Desi Love at First Pride"

    S2 E4 "Desi Love at First Pride"

    Everyone deserves a great love story like this one. Vaibhav Jain and Parag Mehta are two gay South Asian husbands who's love story began when they first met at a pride parade in Washington D.C. They are true trail blazers who along with their families are leading and role modelling to many what it means to live a life lead with love. We discuss all things Queer Desi including the viral video of the beautiful speech Parag's father made on their wedding day. His speech has helped many open their minds but more importantly their hearts to love and acceptance of members of the Queer community and helped parents of all faiths with antiquated beliefs. Their love has been championed by all their parents and the union of their families have proven that love isn't limited to the heteronormative status quo even in the South Asian community. Their love has turned into a force for human rights and the two are plaintiffs in a landmark court case before the Delhi High Court in India which seeks to legalize same-sex marriage for 1.4 billion people in the world’s largest democracy. In addition to being global advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, Vaibhav and Parag recently became fathers of two beautiful children born via surrogacy. In 2023, the couple welcomed a daughter Parineeti followed by a son Vivaan.



    A Loving Indian Dad's Moving Toast at His Gay Son's Wedding

    Instagram

    vaibhav86jain

    paragvmehta



    Youtube



    #gaydesi #queerdesi #gaylove #queerlove #pridemonth #pride #queer #queerpodcast #gay #selflove



    If you wish to support the show please donate to Buy Me A Coffee! Thank you!  ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/farhandhalla










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    • 1 hr 18 min
    S2 Ep 3 "Ramadan and Queer Relief with Rizwan Jagani"

    S2 Ep 3 "Ramadan and Queer Relief with Rizwan Jagani"

    Rizwan Jagani, is an American violist of Indian and Pakistani heritage. In this episode Jagani talks about how he dove into the practise of his religion during the holly month of Ramadan and chose to come out as gay. He describes how he set the intention for Ramadan to help him come out and survive a very demanding performance schedule. Jagani offers a deep insight into his personal relationship with "Allah" (God). For years Jagani says he had a strained relationship with Allah and with Islam. He felt like he was not a true Muslim and that he did not belong to the faith. He finally accepted his sexuality and when he did, grew closer to Allah. He recognized that Allah made him this way and that was not a mistake. A gay Muslim, violist, and friend.  Follow Rizwan to learn more about him and his well accomplished musical career.

    Youtube

    Website

    Facebook

    Instagram 



    #gaymuslim #islam #ramadan #pridemonth #pride #queer #queerpodcast #gay #selflove



    If you wish to support the show please donate to Buy Me A Coffee! Thank you!  ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/farhandhalla


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    • 1 hr 3 min

Customer Reviews

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Rizzzzzzzzzzyyyyyyy ,

Wonderful storytelling

Farhan gets to the most vulnerable and personal elements of a person. This is how one feels seen/heard. Was honored to be a part of his podcast journey and I hope more and more this will continue.

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