AWESOME People Unite & Conquer

Stepping out of the lab coat and into the entrepreneurial limelight, Dr. Shabnam Namin brings a fresh face to the beauty game with Genix. This trailblazing biomedical engineer turned skincare maven walks us through her transformative journey, from her roots in Miami to revolutionizing the cosmetic industry. Her academic prowess, combined with a relentless drive to innovate, has given rise to a skincare line that's as scientifically sound as it is beautifying. Tune in as Dr. Shab shares her insights on shaking up the status quo and the exhilaration of trading test tubes for product tubes. As a female force in the STEM world, Dr. Shab's narrative is as inspiring as it is instructive, reminding us of the grit required to break through barriers. Reflecting on her days of navigating male-dominated academia and industry, she encapsulates the evolving landscape for women in science and tech. Her story isn't just about personal triumphs; it's a beacon for young women with their sights set on STEM careers. Dr. Shab doesn't just discuss her path; she lays out a roadmap for how passion and perseverance can lead to carving out one’s niche, all while taking the dive into the competitive skincare market. From placental skincare marvels to juggling the demands of motherhood and business, Dr. Shab's narrative is a masterclass in balance and ambition. We unwrap the secrets behind Genix's innovative approach to beauty and the impact it has on users' confidence. As she recounts her ascent into content creation, we're reminded that growth often comes from stepping into the unfamiliar. Join us for an episode that's not just skin-deep—it's a profound look at the beauty of chasing dreams, the science behind self-confidence, and the art of making a mark on the world, one face at a time.

Welcome back to AWESOME People, and I'm your host, Iman Huschmand, here to bring you another inspired episode with deeper level conversations. Today marks an exceptional moment, as we launch the 2.0 version of our podcast with our first in-person guest, Sogol Afsharjavan.
From a childhood surrounded by palm trees in Iran, to her formative travels across Europe, Sogol developed a profound love for design and languages. These passions have guided her journey from aspiring United Nations interpreter to establishing her own space in the vibrant neighborhood of Miami's south of fifth—a sanctuary for interior design and art exhibits named "Platform."
This episode will take you through Sogol's fascinating story. Discover how her father's advice led her away from flight attendant dreams to teaching languages, which further blossomed into an earnest career in interior design. We'll delve into how Sogol has transformed properties into showcases of design harmony, intertwined with her stint in teaching, all while raising a family and pursuing her profound interest in cultural connections.
Join us as we explore Sogol's vision behind Platform, her intent to confiscate cell phones to foster true human connection, and her ambitious plans for intimate events like "barefoot in the garden." Our conversation will touch upon her transformative journey through the landscapes of Iran, Germany, and Washington, DC, before finding her love for Miami—a city that has witnessed her remarkable tenacity in building a community sanctuary amidst skyrocketing prices and the trials and opportunities born from a global pandemic.
As Sogol shares her invaluable insights into the world of interior design, from the vitality of creating meaningful experiences to the challenges of paperwork, we will illuminate the intricate dance between balancing creativity with business savvy. Learn about her dreams of melding modern and Persian cultures in a high-end restaurant project, her plans to engage the next generation with tactile elements of Persian heritage, and her aspiration to curate private collections.
Stay tuned for an episode brimful of insights, inspiration, and the art of meaningful connection. Welcome to the story of Sogol Afsharjavan—designer, connector, visionary—and indeed, an AWESOME person.

On my most recent birthday, May 31st, I was on a mission to make it special.
I decided to do an AWESOME People episode with a real life warrior who has defied all odds.
His name is Tymaz (which fittingly means “warrior” in Persian) and he’s a 23 year old, 3-time cancer survivor and 2-time bone marrow transfer recipient.
At one point he was told he has 6 months to live.
At another point he was told he would never walk again.
Yet here he is now, standing tall and pursuing his love of music and telling his story through lyrics.
Born in Toronto, Canada Tymaz Baghbani is one of the city's most inspirational hip-hop talents. As a youth, he was on track to becoming a professional soccer player - being scouted by Spanish soccer clubs such as Real Madrid. After beating Leukemia three times, it eventually debilitated his ability to walk for five years. That's where his love for battle rapping began.
He eventually won a rap battle for King of the Dot while in a wheelchair - making him the first artist to do so. Tymaz has gone on to create his own songs where he dives into his story of recovery and overcoming adversity. His story touched close to home because my father has been stricken with the same form of cancer since 2018 called Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
For this reason, I wanted to spend my birthday sharing the story of this strong young man while together, we bring awareness to AML.
I dedicate this episode to everyone that is bravely fighting cancer and the loved ones that are by their side showing unconditional love and support every single minute of every single day. It's undoubtedly the hardest thing I've had to go through in my life, so if you’re in the same boat, know that I can genuinely relate to the rollercoaster of emotions you're going through. BUT, as my father always passionately says, "mohkam boro jolo!" (move fiercly forward).
0:00 - 0:42 AWESOME People Intro
0:42 - Iman introduces the episode
3:37 - Introduction of Tymaz
4:54 - Tymaz’s stor
9:40 - How Tymaz beat cancer
12:12 - Tymaz’s love of soccer
14:43 - What music means to Tymaz
15:32 - Tymaz’s relationship with his mom
16:48 - Finding hope through music
20:45 - Tymaz promos
22:00 - The Sick Kids foundation
23:34 - Advice for sick children and their families
27:27 - Tymaz’s current projects
33:47 - Tymaz’s five year plan
36:25 - Tymaz’s closing message
Keep the faith, Iman Follow us on Instagram: @imanhuschmand @tymaz9 @letsuniteandconquer
Welcome to the conversation. Welcome to AWESOME people.

On Thursday, April 21st I had the pleasure of having Dr. Mona Vand as my guest on AWESOME People.
We talked about a wide range of things from her Persian immigrant life growing up, living a bicoastal life, her journey into Pharmacy, building her brand that has amassed a community of more than 2 million and much more!
She’s a truly awesome Persian doing awesome things that can help all of us live a happier and healthier life.
After studying pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Mona earned her Doctorate in just six years. Upon graduating, she returned to her native Los Angeles to pursue her career as a pharmacist, but learned that the 9-to-5 lifestyle wasn’t her calling.
She began to focus on sharing her health and wellness advice with the world through online content and was featured on The Doctors, NBC, The Telegraph, Yahoo Finance, and more. Once she began to grow a following from naturally sharing her passions, and many people started to express the impact she made in their lives, Mona decided it was time to make the career shift she always dreamed of.
While she no longer practices as a pharmacist, she used her education and work experience to share health information in a relatable and digestible way. If there’s one thing Mona’s audience knows, it’s that she never shares things she doesn’t love.
Mona believes that food is powerful medicine, and she lives by that philosophy each and every day. While medication and supplements can be part of the equation for leading a healthy life, she believes that food is the key for taking a holistic approach to wellness.
Mona doesn’t believe in perfection, but knows that every little bit of effort leads to a big difference. From quick tips for the kitchen (including her viral smoothie recipes and wellness shots) to her fan-favorite skincare tutorials and motivational talks, Mona will help you live life as the best and healthiest version of yourself.
As an expert, blogger, and content creator, she will open your eyes to a new level of wellness that you’ve never seen before. Between Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube she has built a community of over 2 million subscribers who are consistently learning what it really means to be healthy.
If you don't already, follow us on IG:
@imanhuschmand
@monavand
@letsuniteandconquer
Welcome to the conversation. Welcome to AWESOME people.
With gratitude,
Iman Huschmand
www.AwesomePeoplePodcast.com

It was a pleasure having Payam "Peter" Banifaz as my guest on AWESOME People.
Many of you probably know him from his hilarious character, Mr. Esfahani, who kept us entertained during quarantine and throughout the pandemic playing the role of the "quintessential Persian Baba".
What you might not know is that Payam is a talented actor and comedian based out of Los Angeles who has had a multitude of roles on popular shows such as Shameless, Veep, Silicon Valley and Brooklyn Nine-Nine to name a few.
I look forward to the wide ranging conversation I'll have with him about his journey, "Mr. Esfahani" and exciting projects he is working on as we slowly but surely come out of the pandemic.
In the meantime, here's a funny segment that I had with "Mr. Esfahani" during The Celebration of Norouz 1400, the 24 hour livestream that we produced in March:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L8_Oy9dkqM&ab_channel=Unite%26Conquer
Welcome to the conversation.
Welcome to AWESOME people.
- Iman Huschmand
PS: Below is the link to Episode 10 of ZENdegi:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYTWU_Va7nU
PPS: Text me at 202.918.3376 to join the community and be notified about new episodes and updates
follow us on IG: @imanhuschmand @letsuniteandconquer @pbani
To watch previous episodes:
www.AwesomePeoplePodcast.com 

On Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 I had the pleasure of having a virtual sit down with Dr. Mojgan Hakimi.
Dr. Hakimi is the Department Chair at the School of Psychology at Touro College in Los Angeles and the founder of the Persian American Women's Conference. PAWC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-based organization based in California that focuses on providing a collaborative forum, through which they explore, inspire, and unconditionally support all women.
I learned about Dr. Hakimi when I watched the documentary called "The Voiceless Refugees" which was produced by Iran International, that followed Princess Yasmine Pahlavi to the Moria Refugee Camp in Lesbos, Greece that is supporting many Persian refugees. In my previous AWESOME People episode, I learned that Princess Yasmine was utilizing the incredible organization that is PAWC, as a vehicle to provide a wide range of support to Cafe Patogh in Lesbos that is in turn, supporting the refugees.
In that documentary, Princess Yasmine invited Dr. Hakimi to join her in Greece to ascertain the situation at the camp as well as speak to some of the refugees to see how she, her fellow colleagues and PAWC can be of service to their fellow countrymen and women in dire needs.
In this episode, we talking more about the efforts of PAWC since it's inception in 2011, as well as the organizations collaboration with Princess Yasmine since 2019 to help the refugees in Greece.
We discussed the side-effects that refugees experience before migration, during migration and after migration. Many refugees, including young children, suffer from mental health, physical abuse, sexual abuse and much more, that can lead to profound, life lasting impact.
Lastly, we discussed how our Persian community globally can come together to support our brothers and sisters in need. I also made an announcement which I hope will help generate more awareness, which in turn, can result in positive change in the lives of those who are desperately seeking for it.
Below is a short clip from my previous episode with Princess Yasmine and Prince Reza Pahlavi where we discussed her visit to Greece:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jba1AaKLYS0
Here is also the link to the documentary I mentioned above which I highly recommend everyone watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI6TkEH42zQ
And below is the link to the GoFundMe for Cafe Patogh:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-cafe-patogh?utm_campaign=p_cp_url&utm_medium=os&utm_source=customer
Welcome to the conversation.
Welcome to AWESOME people.
- Iman Huschmand
PS: Text me at 202.918.3376 to join the community and be notified about new episodes and updates and follow us on IG: @imanhuschmand @letsuniteandconquer @pawc_la To watch previous episodes: www.AwesomePeoplePodcast.com