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. 1h ago

    Losing an Eye and Building Eyehesive Community with Shelby Perry

    Shelby Perry lost her right eye in a snowboarding accident in 2021 and turned that life-changing chapter into a worldwide mission called Eyehesive — creating adhesive eye patches, the One Eye retreat, and now a vision supplement. She shares what it was like to build a global community while protecting her vision at all costs. [1:27] Childhood Cancer Awareness Month & introducing Shelby Perry [2:17] Welcome — catching up after years of social media connection [3:05] Shelby's snowboarding accident   [5:50] Emergency care, surgeries, and the road to eye removal [6:02] the moment EyeHesive was born [6:12] Zaakirah's story: retinoblastoma, losing an eye at 9 months old, childhood cancer awareness [7:57] Adjusting to life with one eye   [9:36] Surrendering to healing: rest, asking for help, relearning to drive, strengthening the seeing eye [10:53] Breaking the stigma  [11:27] Navigating cruelty and ableism online — finding your people and ignoring the rest [12:14] Saving nice comments as armor against the rude ones [13:09] In-person community: the One Eye Era retreat, retinoblastoma events, and conferences [15:28] EyeHesive sponsoring the Retinoblastoma One World conference [16:18] Zaakirah's experience at the Hawaii conference — becoming a Know the Glow ambassador, speaking at a caregiver workshop in West Africa [17:36] "Find your tribe" — why niche conferences matter [17:52] Building what you need — "I couldn't find what I wanted, so I created it" [18:50] First products: Eye Connect virtual conference and One Eye Gang merch [19:37] The adhesive eye patch idea — couldn't find a sleek, black patch anywhere [20:26] Four years from idea to market — the importance of not giving up [21:20] Zaakirah reviews the eye patches — travel-friendly, secure, discreet [22:54] "Things that are worth it are gonna take a while"   [23:53] Vision Defense — a supplement for eye health, blue light protection, and night vision [25:46] Personal story: how her boyfriend's lifelong dry, red eyes made the mission even more personal [26:54] Bringing eye care to the forefront — "Get your eyes checked" [27:24] "Less screen, more intentional screen time"   [28:12] The Vision Stack — daily habits for eye health and overall wellbeing [29:11] Protecting your vision at all costs — physical vision AND the vision for your life [29:46] Bringing visionaries together — first in-person vision event coming to San Diego [30:42] Where to find Shelby and EyeHesive [32:26] "Go one more day" — Shelby's closing message on perseverance and self-doubt [33:25] "Keep fighting for your vision and your dreams"   Connect with Shelby Perry: Website: eyehesive.com Instagram: @Eyehesive TikTok: @Eyehesive YouTube: Eyehesive Email: customercare@eyehesive.com Vision Defense: linked in the Eyehesive Instagram bio Products & Events Mentioned: Adhesive eye patches (black & tan, holiday collection) Vision Defense eye supplement One Eye Era Retreat  Eye Connect Virtual Conference Retinoblastoma One World Conference Organizations Mentioned: Know the Glow — knowtheglow.org

    Losing an Eye and Building Eyehesive Community with Shelby Perry

  2. Sep 4

    Wealth, Discovery And Alignment through Human Design and Gene Keys with Danielle Eyman

    Danielle Eyman shares her journey from 24 years as a registered nurse to founding Wealthy and Aligned by Human Design. After hitting burnout and experiencing severe anxiety, she discovered human design (the "how") and Gene Keys (the "why") and transformed her life. She discusses the high-frequency formula, a deconditioning method for emotional alignment, her podcast with 300+ "mini master classes," and why human DNA trumps AI when it comes to self-discovery.  Key Resources Mentioned - Danielle's website:  https://danielleeyman.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedanielleeyman Wealthy and Aligned by Human Design Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wealthy-aligned-by-human-design/id1561011751  Wealth Code System https://danielleeyman.com/thewealthcodesystem-8628

    Wealth, Discovery And Alignment through Human Design and Gene Keys with Danielle Eyman

  3. Aug 28

    Ghana Cultural Immersion Trip with Certified Africa March 2027

    Zaakirah talks with Key (Ebenezer Kwame Yeboah) of Certified Africa about the 10 Day Ghana 70th Independence Day Celebration Experience happening March 1–10, 2027. Your trip to Ghana isn't a vacation—it's a chance to connect with history, culture, ancestry, celebration and community This is about experiencing Ghana. about history. about culture. about celebration. about ancestry. about connection. If Ghana has been calling you, this is your sign. This is not tourism. This is homecoming with purpose. Make your deposit and review the itinerary: https://certifiedafrica.wetravel.com/i/6a7c8694a16c7ce29c606343#the-ghana-heritage-experience-march-1-10-2027 1:28 — Trip overview 2:44 — Zaakirah's backstory: Returning to Ghana after 15 years and realizing the need for accessible, immersive travel 3:07 — Invisible disabilities and why this trip considers all ability levels 3:36 — Introducing Key from Certified Africa 3:41 — Key introduces himself: Ebenezer Kwame Yeboah  4:15 — What is Certified Africa?  5:36 — Key's role: The bridge between traveler and experience — itinerary, logistics, and on-the-ground support 6:05 — Zaakirah on the importance of local involvement and her first Ghana trip with Operation Crossroads Africa 7:20 — Itinerary overview  7:46 — Why these places were chosen:  8:19 — Accra: The modern heartbeat of Ghana and the independence history (Independence Square, Kwame Nkrumah Museum) 8:33 — Cape Coast: Reflecting on ancestry and the transatlantic slave trade 9:11 — Art, culture, and storytelling through the Nkrumah Museum 9:18 — Inclusive by design: Considerate of all religions, dietary restrictions, and disability needs 9:42 — No alcohol on this trip — choosing healing and sobriety; "chocolate high" instead 10:25 — What makes this trip special during Independence Day 10:53 — Kwame Nkrumah's declaration: "The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of the African continent" 11:09 — Martin Luther King Jr.'s visit to Ghana in 1957 and his "birth of a new nation" sermon 11:49 — The concept of Sankofa  12:50 — Travel requirements: Visa (multiple entry recommended), yellow fever vaccination, passport valid 6+ months 15:58 — Certified Africa's travel medical insurance requirement 16:15 — Flight options: Nonstop from NYC or DC recommended via stopover programs  17:15 — What's included in the price 18:39 — What's NOT included 20:33 — Pricing: $2,535 USD (double occupancy) / $2,950 USD (single occupancy) 21:21 — Payment plan: $200 minimum deposit, then equal monthly installments until 60 days before travel 22:42 — Weather in March: Warm and sunny — pack light breathable clothing, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, reusable water bottle 23:15 — Fitness tip: Some walking required; stay hydrated and prepare physically 23:35 — Fashion in Ghana: Get a custom outfit tailored — a unique souvenir experience;  24:19 — Power adapters: Type used in Ghana 24:50 — Money in Ghana: Cards widely accepted ATMs available; team assists with currency exchange 25:25 — Phones and connectivity: eSIM options, adding international plans, mobile money networks, and preparing for occasional power outages 26:20 — Final invitation and Closing remarks Quote Sources:  https://www.modernghana.com/news/1322073/nkrumah-ghana-is-not-free-ever-the-second-indep.html https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/forward-ever-backward-never-and-the-present-state-of-ghana/

  4. Aug 14

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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/

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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
    127
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Zaakirah Nayyar
  • Show Website
    See Life Different