Maleeha Shahid Speaks: Conversations on Belonging and Public Life

In this episode of Maleeha Shahid Speaks, I sit down with Umer Farooque, founder of Life Sized Publishing and the publisher behind my book, Contradictions of Passion and Politics. Our conversation goes far beyond publishing. We reflect on the journey that brought Umer to Canada, the uncertainty of starting over, and the experiences that shaped his perspective on life, resilience, faith, and purpos...

In this episode of Maleeha Shahid Speaks, I sit down with Lindsay Smith, a local Durham Region realtor, mountain biking enthusiast, and someone deeply committed to personal growth and resilience. Our conversation explores what it truly means to continue working on yourself through life’s challenges. Lindsay shares how mountain biking across Canada and North America has shaped his mindset, discipli...

What does it really take to keep going when everything around you keeps changing? In this episode of Maleeha Shahid Speaks, we explore a powerful story of resilience, uncertainty, and unwavering belief. This conversation goes beyond business to uncover the human journey behind building something meaningful—through setbacks, financial pressure, personal sacrifice, and constant change. We talk about...

In this episode of Maleeha Shahid Speaks, I sit down with Niki Lundquist to explore her journey—from early challenges to becoming a successful lawyer. This conversation is about resilience, discipline, and the mindset required to keep going when the path is uncertain. Niki shares the realities behind her success, the obstacles she faced, and the determination it took to build the life and career s...

In this episode of Maleeha Shahid Speaks, I sit down with Effy Terry, a professional organizer, to talk about the power of organized spaces and how the environments we live and work in affect our daily lives. Effy shares insights from her experience helping people transform cluttered spaces into functional, calm environments. We discuss how organization can improve productivity, reduce stress, and...

In this episode of Maleeha Shahid Speaks, I sit down with my colleague on council, Rhonda Mulcahy, for a thoughtful conversation about the “Let Them” theory—a mindset that reminds us to release the need to control what others think, say, or do. We talk about how this idea applies not only to leadership and public service, but also to everyday life. From navigating criticism to staying grounded in...

Follow Maleeha Shahid Speaks on all our platforms:@instagram.com/maleehashahid_maleehashahidspeaks.calinkedin.com/in/maleehashahidIn this episode of Maleeha Shahid Speaks, I sit down with Alex Giancoulas as we talk about his experience committing to the 5AM Club and documenting his journey publicly. We explore what it really means to build discipline before the world wakes up — not as a trend, but...

If you’re listening to this, thank you for being here. This first episode is not about having all the answers. It’s about beginning — honestly, imperfectly, and intentionally. In this opening conversation, Maleeha Shahid shares why this podcast was created and what it stands for: reflection over performance, integrity over optics, and the inner work required to lead — especially in uncertain times...