Bold Hearted

What a way to wrap up the year. Not on a hustle culture note touting accomplishments and stats, but with a grounded conversation about our messy middle process that often goes unnoticed.

Our guest today is Lindsey Lerner - a Bronx-based photographer, documentarian, and creative director behind Field Notes from the Work (and the Wild) — a storytelling project that captures the unseen labor, rituals, and quiet persistence that shape creativity, community, and change. Rooted in anthropology and portraiture, her work blends image, sound, and live performance to create spaces where people feel fully seen and deeply understood.

Before launching Field Notes, Lindsey spent over a decade building creative ecosystems — founding a Rhode Island music hub that hosted over a thousand community events and fifty music videos, tour managing nationally recognized musicians, and helping startups raise more than $4 million. Across every setting — stage, street, or strategy room — her focus has remained the same: translating the invisible work that makes transformation possible.

Now, through Field Notes LIVE, she’s expanding that practice into participatory performance. Each event weaves projected portraits, layered sound, and live narration into a shared experience that turns documentation into dialogue — inviting audiences to slow down, look closer, and recognize the art in everyday life.

Join Sabahat and Lindsey as they unpack hustle culture, talk about we are at risk of losing our humanity, and how we can build the muscle to slow down, in a world that tells us not to.

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In this solo episode of Bold Hearted, I dismantle one of the most overused—and misunderstood—labels in modern self-development: imposter syndrome. And I say it plainly — imposter syndrome is a lie. Building on the perspective shared by leaders like Reshma Saujani, I share how imposter syndrome isn’t a personal flaw to diagnose—it's simply the feeling of being in new, unfamiliar territory.

I break down why discomfort shouldn't be a diagnosis, how unfamiliarity is part of growth, and why labeling yourself an “imposter” only keeps you stuck. I also talk about the power of suggestion and how the stories we feed our minds shape the direction of our thoughts. Positive suggestion can pull us out of negative spirals and anchor us in truth. Negative suggestion, on the other hand, can trap us into believing the very narratives—like imposter syndrome—that hold us back.

This episode is an invitation to rethink what you’ve been taught, to stop pathologizing your growth, and to see new experiences for what they are: proof that you’re expanding and levelling up.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in the room, I think this episode will help you see yourself—and your journey—in a more empowering light.

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[Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicide]

What happens when the person who shares your DNA, your face, and your shared identity — suddenly isn’t there anymore?

In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with my former IE Business School professor, Balvinder Singh Powar — a global leader, mentor, and entrepreneur who has spent decades teaching others how to lead, collaborate, and innovate. But this time, the conversation isn’t about business strategy or leadership frameworks — it’s about humanity.

Balvinder shares the story of losing his identical twin brother to suicide, and the profound journey of grief, spirituality, and rediscovery that followed. From a formative psychology lens, twins often form a bond deeper than even that with their biological parents — making this kind of loss not just emotional, but existential. Through his healing process, including traditional plant medicine, Balvinder came to see that life is energy — and energy never dies.

Together, we explore the stigma around mental health, suicide prevention and the cultural silence around emotions. In cultures where parents weren’t taught emotional intelligence — and children were told to follow the straight and narrow — breaking the cycle takes extraordinary courage.

We also touch on the beauty of non-linear careers, and what it means to lead and live with empathy in an increasingly disconnected world.

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Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

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"Stories are how people remember us"

We live in a world that rewards the NOW, the instant gratification — the next milestone, the next win, the next announcement.

But legacy? That’s the slow burn, the series of small moments and choices that leave an impact on the lives around you. That's the stuff that make up the stories that transcend time, and stays forever.

In this solo episode, Sabahat reflects on the lessons her father left behind — quiet, powerful reminders of what it really means to live a life that leaves an imprint.

From humility and bravery to kindness, storytelling, and trust, this episode is a gentle reminder that legacy isn’t something you leave behind after you’re gone — it’s something you live, every single day.

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What does it take to rebuild your life from the ground up - after being told you don’t have one?

In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Dr. Samra Zafar, award-winning keynote speaker, doctor, charity founder, author and WXN Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women - to talk about her journey from being a child bride to becoming one of Canada’s most powerful voices.

Samra shares what it was like to live under control and isolation, how she fought her way back to education, and why it took nearly a decade to finally stand in her own power. We talk about how patriarchy is systemic — baked into how girls are raised, how women are treated, and how cultures (especially South Asian ones) groom us to stay small.

We also talk about the dangerous glamorization of the “tradwife” movement in North America - and why, from someone who actually lived that life, it’s nothing but a rebranded form of control.

This is one of those conversations that will leave you in awe. Samra is the very definition of Bold Hearted. She didn’t just survive - she rewrote the script, and inspires you to do the same.

Her new book, Unconditional, is out now - a story of liberation, resilience, and reclaiming your voice.

You can learn more about Dr Samra Zafar here: https://www.samrazafar.com/

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Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

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In this episode of Bold Hearted, we dive into grief and loss, and how you can show up for yourself and your work through it all.

Through a deeply personal and vulnerable story, Sabahat takes you through the journey of processing the loss of a loved one.

We go through

• The five stages of grief
• How to transform grief through somatic experiences
• Giving yourself grace as you process this
• Leaning on your support system
• How to ask for space and time when it comes to work and deadlines
• The shift in perspective to make the most of your limited time on earth

One of the great certainties in life is dealing with death and losing a loved one. This episode is not meant to be a morbid episode, but a call to action for us to live the rest of our lives intentionally.

Have you lost a loved one? If so, how did you process the grief and loss?

Liked this episode? Leave a rating or review, and share with a friend!

Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

Liked this episode? Leave a rating or review, and share with a friend!

Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we wrap up 2024, join me for a special end-of-year and season finale episode of Bold Hearted. I recap the incredible guests and inspiring stories that shaped the podcast this season, sharing the key lessons learned from bold entrepreneurs and changemakers.

The biggest takeaway: If you are wanting to live more in alignment with your values, good news is that all these guests are doing just that. You dont have to follow the prescribed path. You can blaze your own own trail.

Tune in for reflections on the season, a look ahead at what’s coming next, and reflections on living a bold authentic life true to yourself. Whether you’re a loyal listener or just joining us, this episode is all about celebrating bold moves and bold hearts.

Make sure to hit subscribe! We will be back March 2025!

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Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

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In this episode of Bold Hearted, I sit down with Ted Fleming, the founder of Partake Brewing—the leading non-alcoholic beer company in North America.

Ted’s journey started with a life-changing diagnosis, leading him to slow down and rethink his path. Now, he’s built a business with heart and purpose, and he’s here to share it with us!

Here’s what you can expect:

• Turning a challenge into opportunity: How Ted’s chronic illness (Crohn's disease) inspired him to start Partake Brewing.
• Building a purpose-driven brand: The story behind creating a non-alcoholic beer company that’s transforming the industry.
• The power of empathy in business: Why leading with compassion can make all the difference.

Tune in for an episode full of wisdom, heart, and game-changing insights!

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Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

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In this episode of Bold Hearted, we unpack the valuable lessons learned from taking part in a recent hackathon, focusing on three key takeaways:

• confidence
• curiosity
• community

But this episode is about much more than hackathons, it's for anyone willing to step out of their comfort zone.

You’ll discover how pushing yourself to pitch new ideas can build lasting confidence, why staying curious is essential for finding innovative solutions and working with diverse teams, and how the right community can uplift and fuel your growth. Whether you’re facing a big challenge, launching a project, or stepping into something new, these lessons will help you approach it with a bold, empowered mindset and remind you that: YES, you can.

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Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

Liked this episode? Leave a rating or review, and share with a friend!

Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

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Have you ever heard of trauma-informed leadership?

Our guest Danielle Smeltzer breaks down how leaders can use trauma-informed practices to better show up for their people. We also dive into how our nervous system can get affected by trauma, and how to quit your dream job, when it is time to.

Danielle Smeltzer is an advocate for trauma-informed leadership and progressive workplace well-being. As the founder of Awarely Embodied Leadership, she's on a mission to help leaders reclaim their well-being as they rise while challenging organizations to consider more sustainable paths to growth. 

By drawing on her 16+ years of leadership expertise and over 500 hours of training in trauma-informed practices, coaching, mindfulness, and somatics, she inspires high-performing women and organizations to transform how they lead (and live) through embodied leadership coaching, workshops, and thought leadership.

Social links: 

Website - https://www.awarely.ca

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-smeltzer-89202018/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danielle.awarelyleadership/

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Liked this episode? Leave a rating or review, and share with a friend!

Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

Liked this episode? Leave a rating or review, and share with a friend!

Find me on Instagram @boldheartedpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.