Heartistry

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 fo...

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...

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...

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 - al...

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...

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, a...

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 i...

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 @he...

Zainab Hussain is a proud Muslim woman, a multilingual, multi-ethnic immigrant, a person with disabilities and conqueror of mental illness, all of which contribute significantly to her work as a poet. Zainab’s poetry centers around embracing vulnerability, practicing self-love, navigating social issues and most importantly, healing trauma through self-expression. In this episode, Zainab generously...

Eben E. B. Bein is a high-school-biology-teacher-turned-climate-justice-advocate at the youth-serving nonprofit Our Climate. This conversation with Eben is a reflective culmination of their experiences since childhood, what led them to doing their present work, and the many encounters on their journey.  Farah and Eben connected on so much throughout their time together, and we just had to share a...

Being a storyteller, first of your own stories, and then as a conduit to and for others to share theirs, is Meghna Bhat's super power. We loved hearing from her about her inspiration to embrace this calling through various mediums, and how she is empowering others to do the same. Listen to @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio on on Fri, June 28 at 9pm PST / 9am PKT #SouthAsianS...

Rizwan Jagani is professional violist and educator of Indian and Pakistani heritage. He calls himself the “new-fit” violist due to his diverse career of many genres and styles in his performance with his most recent highlight being a performance with Grammy Award-winning Afrobeats artist, Burna Boy, in his Washington DC tour concert. He is currently finishing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at C...

Marvi Mazhar is a Pakistan based architect and researcher, with her practice combining visual culture, spatial advocacy and interventions. What she won’t often say about herself, but you’ll undoubtedly agree with, is that through her work, she has become not just an inspiration to many in her field, but a true change maker in thought and practice.

From developing a collective vision, to finding your individuality, to upholding tradition while simultaneously embracing and acknowledging the contemporary impact - this conversation with Aparna & Ashwini of Ragamala Dance Company was beautiful. These sisters speak of their unique history to present, and how the work of an artist encompasses so many known and unknown aspects.  

If you’ve already had the gift of reading Author @thealkajoshi books, you’re likely already a fan! What we loved is hearing about her journey that led up to becoming an author, her inspiration for her “Jaipur Trilogy” of novels, and so much more! 📖 This excerpt from her conversation with @farahyasmeenshaikh is also a great example of not always knowing where your path is leading you, but ironical...

Breaking mental health stigma in the South Asian community was the “why” for the creation of South Asian Americans for Change (SAAFC) @saaforchange - a non profit organization focused on promoting emotional, physical, and social well-being through art, education and community-building. Farah speaks with two of the co-founders - Neema Nardone @neema_nardone and Rupal Joshi @rkj5014 - who not only g...

In this special episode that is meant to encompass reflections of Ramadan, Farah speaks with Rabia Meghani and Maha Sami - both a part @nooranidance staff alongside Farah. They each share their own relationship with fasting and other aspects of Ramadan, and how this year has added a greater degree of global empathy and sensitivity.

We loved this conversation with Sabah Bano Malik who shared her unique story of moving from west to east, and making Pakistan not just home away from home, but truly home base. Once in Pakistan, @sabahbanomalik has endeavored into a role in multimedia journalism, hosting her own radio show, modeling as Pakistan’s first plus size model, becoming an author, and she is a dynamic and overall person on...

We all know representation matters, and our conversation with this week’s guest is a perfect example of exactly that. Dr. Anne Huang is the Executive Director of World Arts West, a 45 year old arts organization that supports cultural artists sustaining the world’s diverse dance traditions. As the first person of color and a cultural artist to lead the organization, annehuang29 has led @worldartswe...

Fashion has the potential to make a statement - sometimes literally!  This week’s guest is Salman Parekh - founder of Manto @wearmanto - a Pakistani born fashion label with a touch of the traditional, delivered on contemporary terms. Manto is bold and eye-catching, with an unapologetically rebellious streak. We loved having the chance to hear from Salman @maansals - a storyteller, psychology-marke...

@auratmarch is a grassroots movement in Pakistan advocating for gender equality and rights of gender-based minorities, challenging patriarchal norms and promoting inclusivity, diversity, and intersectionality. Through peaceful protests, advocacy campaigns, and community engagement, they aim to raise awareness about gender-based violence, discrimination, and other issues faced by women and marginal...

Bina Shah is a force, to say the least. Author of six novels, including “Before She Sleeps” (a selection in @lillyslibrary ) and “The Monsoon War”and two collections of short stories. Self proclaimed “writer with a global soul”, Bina’s work is recognized and sought out globally - as a commentator on women’s rights and female empowerment in Pakistan and across Muslim countries, and as a regular wri...