This episode challenges content creators and travelers to make their content more empathetic and inclusive for disabled audiences.

0:00 — Intro & welcome to the See Life Different podcast

0:28 — Zaakirah's background: cancer survivor, brand strategist, author, world traveler

0:42 — Episode topic: Are you leaving disabled travelers out of your content?

1:20 — Zaakirah's personal story: visually impaired and hard of hearing, visited 15+ countries and 4+ continents

1:48 — Her role as an accessibility advocate and travel consultant

2:21 — How the pandemic amplified the need for accessible content for disabled audiences

2:51 — Living with invisible disabilities: hearing loss, low vision, and the challenge of being seen

3:50 — What most people get wrong about disability — visible vs. invisible conditions

4:15 — Neurodivergence, recent injuries, and why empathy matters

4:35 — Upcoming speaking engagement: Women in Travel Summit (WITS) in Chattanooga, TN

5:18 — Zaakirah's history with travel content creation, dating back to the early 2010s

5:39 — How a Kodak Polaroid camera at age 5 sparked her love of storytelling

6:18 — From blog to vlog to podcast to TEDx stage

6:19 — Travel should expand how we see the world — but the world isn't designed for disabled travelers

6:49 — The Sunflower Lanyard: a tool for identifying hidden disabilities while traveling

7:08 — Lip reading, airport navigation, and advocating for yourself on tour

7:08 — The simple question most people forget: "How can I help?"

7:47 — Creating accessible visual content: font contrast, color readability, and DIY graphics

8:08 — Captions: why they matter beyond just muting your phone

8:30 — How social media platforms handle auto-captions — and where they fall short

8:37 — Captions as a tool for language learners AND those with hearing loss

9:11 — Describing images and videos the way you'd explain it to a five-year-old or an elder

9:35 — Screen readers and alt text: creating content accessible to those who cannot see

10:00 — SEO bonus: accessibility features also improve content discoverability

10:21 — Inviting disabled travelers into your hometown content

10:41 — Where to start: use your five senses to describe people, places, and things

11:02 — Enable captions and edit auto-generated ones for accuracy

11:28 — Why Zaakirah is personally passionate about accessible content

11:45 — Scrolling past content you can't hear or read — and the revenue creators lose

12:07 — How to work with Zaakirah: mentorship sessions and accessibility guides

12:39 — Booking a session: 30-min to 1-hour with an included accessibility guide

12:59 — Speaking at the WITS Travel Creators Summit

13:05 — The financial case for accessibility: disabled audiences represent real spending power

13:29 — Confidence, advocacy, and telling your story as a disabled person

13:48 — Zaakirah's personal experience with low vision at night and hearing high pitches

14:05 — Processing time and neurodivergence in accessible spaces

14:26 — Book written with her mom: resilience, confidence, and being the only one in the room

14:37 — Book available on Amazon (ebook, paperback, audiobook)

14:37 — Visit zaakirahtnayyar.com/social for all links

15:08 — Mentorship, brand strategy, and being a "brand therapist"

15:31 — Finding joy in creativity and entrepreneurship amid life's responsibilities

15:49 — 10 years of helping people build their brands and tell their stories

16:09 — Women in Travel Summit: stay tuned for more details

16:24 — In-person community with fellow creators and speakers

17:04 — Call to action: speak up in comments, advocate for accessibility, share this episode

17:09 — Closing: share this episode widely and see you next time

Zaakirah is a hard-of-hearing, visually impaired traveler who has visited over 15 countries. She is an accessibility advocate, brand strategist, and travel consultant.

• Website & all links: https://zaakirahtnayyar.com/social
• Mentorship sessions + Accessibility Guide available for booking: https://zaakirah-nayyar.kit.com/profile?
• Book available on Amazon (ebook, paperback, and audiobook): https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Life-Through-Different-Lens-ebook/dp/B081MR9TKP/

If this episode resonated with you, share it — accessibility starts with awareness

In this personal episode, Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad — eye cancer survivor, brand strategist, author, and world traveler — shares what the past six months have looked like since leaving Kenya. She opens up about a year of meaningful volunteer work at a Kenyan orphanage, the visa challenges that made long-term living there unsustainable, and the emotional weight of losing an aunt, uncle and her older sister in 2025. From Kenya to Ghana, Zaakirah takes us on her mother's bold solo move, her own 40-day visit to Ghana during Ramadan, and all the cultural, professional, and healing experiences in between.

Key Topics Covered

• Why Zaakirah and her mother left Kenya after one year
• Mentoring youth at a Kenyan orphanage (public speaking, photography, chess)
• The realities of renewing visas every three months as a long-term traveler
• Her mother's independent move to Ghana and obtaining a Ghana Card
• Traveling to Ghana during Ramadan and celebrating Eid
• The "foreigner tax" and navigating Accra as a returning visitor
• Exploring Ghana: Aburi mountains, Kokrobite Beach, the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum, University of Accra, and a live boxing match
• Speaking at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital's caregiver workshop on Retinoblastoma survivorship
• Meeting African American women building lives and businesses in Ghana
• House-hunting across Kenya and Ghana with real estate company Vaal
• What's next: travel consulting, AI, disability empowerment content

About the Host

Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad is a disabled, visually impaired, hard-of-hearing Black American Muslim woman and world traveler who has visited 15+ countries across four continents. Diagnosed at six months old with Retinoblastoma (a rare childhood eye cancer), she wears a prosthetic right eye and hearing aid. She is the author of Seeing Life Through a Different Lens: A Survivor Memoir on Overcoming Adversity, a TEDx speaker, NPR media correspondent, internationally known speaker, and brand cultivating strategist who helps entrepreneurs build their digital intellectual property through AI and authentic storytelling.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Seeing Life Through a Different Lens — available on Amazon (paperback, ebook, audiobook) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081MR9TKP?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
• TEDx Talk: Seeing Life from a Different Lens https://zaakirahnayyar.com/tedx
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@illuminousone
• Focus Black Oklahoma (NPR affiliate) Media Correspondent: https://bit.ly/fbonprz

Connect with Zaakirah

• Social media (all platforms): @Illuminousone (I-L-L-U-M-I-N-O-U-S-O-N-E)
• Also searchable as: Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad

If You're Interested in Ghana Travel Ghana's independence month is March, and 2027 marks 70 years of independence. Zaakirah is planning a group trip to Ghana — cultural, holistic, healing, and creative. Reach out to get on the list. https://secure.foratravel.com/intake/lMK1OBrjUH https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/zaakirah-muhammad

The See Life Different Podcast is for Black, Indigenous, and women of color ready to step outside their comfort zone — inspiring you to confidently tell your story, travel the world, and build your brand. Follow, Subscribe, leave a comment and leave a review.

In this episode, host Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad talks about the intersections of grief, love, and self-reflection. Drawing from her perspective as a cancer survivor, world traveler, and death doula, Zaakirah reflects on how loss reshapes our understanding of faith, identity, and legacy.

Prompted by the collective loss of Abdul Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami—friends and teammates of Anthony Joshua—Zaakirah revisits her own upbringing as an African American Muslimah. She discusses the complexities of living between cultures and expectations, and the early lessons learned from navigating diverse worlds.

This is a conversation about recalibration: the way slowing down and releasing pressure can realign us with our inner truth. Zaakirah speaks on the love that transcends dimensions, the sharpening of intuition after tragedy, and the experience of grief as "love left unsaid."

Whether you are navigating any kind of loss, survivor's guilt, or seeking to honor a lost loved one, this episode offers a look at healing and resilience. If you have ever felt pulled back or slowed down by the weight of loss, this episode is for you on finding purpose, witnessing faith, and embracing intentional living again.

Connect with Zaakirah https://www.zaakirahnayyar.com

Introduction song by Northern Lights

00:44 – Grief rearranges us and leaves us in unfamiliar territory, questioning reality after loss.

01:06 – Reflecting on Anthony Joshua's recent losses and the episode's focus on grief, love, and clarity.

01:36 – Survivor's guilt after losing a childhood friend to cancer.

01:57 – A personal story about losing friend Jackie and the impact it had.

02:26 – Coping with grief and survivor's guilt and the significance of music in healing.

02:49 – Music as a soundtrack for reflection and growth, and its influence on her advocacy.

03:12 – Experiencing the deaths of more childhood friends and becoming known for staying calm in the face of grief.

03:35 – The impact of celebrity deaths and the commonality of grief in family and community.

04:36 – How life's pace doesn't slow down for grief and the realization that grief recalibrates us.

05:01 – Comparing grief to a chiropractor's alignment—adjusting what's been carrying too much weight.

05:24 – Doing fewer things with more intention and redefining peace and joy.

05:37 – Using metaphors like a slingshot and a boomerang to describe the process of gathering strength before moving forward.

06:20 – Learning to trust intuition and practicing interdimensional love after loss.

06:44 – How being a Muslim woman shapes understanding of love and letting go.

07:07 – Legacy is about how we show up and treat others, not just material things.

07:32 – How faith, upbringing, and living between cultures prepared for understanding love and loss.

08:02 – Learning to advocate for self and the challenges of feeling different in various communities.

08:26 – Returning to faith on own terms, similar to returning to oneself after grief.

08:48 – Hijab as more than fabric—representing modesty, humility, and alignment.

09:13 – Grief is love left unsaid, and learning to live with it is a lifelong process.

09:33 – calling to become a death doula and experiences with loss and family stories.

09:55 – Embracing storytelling, legacy and calling as a death doula.

10:17 – "the hereafter," and life's purpose.

10:43 – Reflect on how grief and love have shaped their lives and legacy.

10:51 – Closing & Call to Action Thanking listeners and inviting them to connect, leave reviews, and visit website

In this episode, we dive into the power of vision boards, intentional goal setting, and manifestation. Zaakirah Muhammad offers practical steps, personal stories, and actionable advice to help you set meaningful goals for 2026—whether in your personal or professional life. Learn how to overcome limiting beliefs, use both digital and traditional tools, and turn your dreams into reality.

This podcast is perfect for women of color ready to step outside their comfort zone and see life differently! Zaakirah is a cancer survivor, brand strategist, and world traveler. Zaakirah is also the author of Seeing Life Through a Different Lens, a TEDx speaker, and a trusted voice in inclusive entrepreneurship.

Links and Resources:

Email Newsletter: https://zaakirah-nayyar.kit.com/

YouTube: https://bit.ly/seelifedifferentyoutube

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaakirahmuhammad/

Purchase Your Copy of the Seeing Life Through a Different Lens Book: http://bit.ly/seeinglifedifferentlens

Work with Zaakirah: https://www.zaakirahnayyar.com/workwithme

Download your Vision Board and Goal Setting guide and slides: https://zaakirah-nayyar.kit.com/99d89e9cb6

00:00 – Introduction to the See Life Different Podcast 00:29 – Meet Zaakirah: Cancer Survivor, Brand Strategist, Author, World Traveler 00:44 – Year-End Reflections & Setting Intentional Goals 01:09 – Zaakirah's Story: Eye Cancer Survivor & Brand Therapist 01:36 – Overcoming Challenges & Manifesting Dreams 01:59 – Vision Boards: Concepts & Overcoming Negative Connotations 02:21 – Free Guide: Word of the Year, Goal Setting, and Manifestation 02:48 – Zaakirah's Experience: Business, Marketing, and Tech Tools 03:12 – The Role of AI in Goal Setting 03:28 – Vision Boarding Since 2018 & Manifestation Examples 03:53 – TEDx Speaker Journey & The Power of Visualization 04:07 – Admiring Others' Success Without Envy 04:30 – Living in Kenya: A Manifested Dream 05:04 – The Power of Speaking Goals Aloud 05:27 – Essence Music Festival & Vision Board Success 05:46 – Taking Action: Small Steps Toward Big Goals 06:08 – Booking the Flight: From Vision to Reality 06:26 – Music as Healing & Concert Manifestations 06:43 – Turning Inspiration into Action 06:57 – Declaring New Goals at Concerts 07:11 – Networking & Opportunities in Photography 07:31 – Breaking Barriers & Photographing Eminem 07:53 – The Power of Writing Down Goals 08:13 – Hosting Vision Board Parties 08:33 – The Value of Shared Experiences 08:49 – Vision Boarding as a Vibe & Community 09:04 – Visualizing Your Unique Vision 09:30 – Why Use Vision Boards? Reminders for Tough Times 09:47 – Goals That Tug at Your Heartstrings 10:09 – Setting Goals by Life Categories 10:30 – The Road to Achieving Goals Changes 10:47 – Word of the Year: Abundance, Stability, Discipline 11:01 – Tools for Success: Digital & Physical Vision Boards 11:27 – Using Social Media & AI for Inspiration 11:49 – Recognizing Signs & Taking Inspired Action 12:12 – How to Start Your Vision Board 12:37 – Defining Success Beyond Money 12:56 – Family, Health, and Personal Goals 13:11 – The Meaning of Family & Travel Aspirations 13:25 – Career Goals: Returning to the Film Industry 13:43 – Using Magazine Clippings & Digital Collections 14:00 – Manifesting a Dream Home 14:12 – Visualizing & Recognizing Your Dreams 14:36 – Using AI or Traditional Methods for Visualization 15:00 – Writing Letters to Your Future Self 15:30 – SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely 15:53 – Planning a Documentary Series 16:17 – Being Timely & Flexible with Goals 16:35 – Making Goals Attainable & Measurable 16:54 – The Three Ps: Prayer, Persistence, Patience 17:14 – Being Open to Receiving 17:30 – "Meant to Be" – Trusting the Process 17:48 – Practicing Gratitude for Small Steps 18:06 – Feeding Your Mind, Body, and Spirit 18:22 – Overcoming Adversity & Isolation 18:44 – Dealing with Imposter Syndrome 19:02 – Self-Reflection & Survivor's Guilt 19:30 – Turning Challenges into Purpose 19:50 – Scheduling Time for Goal Setting 20:07 – Reviewing & Updating Your Goals 20:25 – Embracing Detours on the Path to Goals 20:47 – Planning Ahead: Quarterly & Yearly 21:05 – Your Turn: Digital & Physical Vision Boards 21:27 – Key Takeaways: Clarity, Action, and Affirmations 21:50 – Taking Action: From Planning to Doing 22:12 – Using AI for Execution Steps 23:01 – Music for Focus & Goal Setting 23:12 – Getting Support & Accountability 23:28 – Connect with Zaakirah for Guidance 23:47 – Closing & Thank You

Intro song by The Northern Lights

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1GpwgKzyUlA384o6IKrNIM?si=GuiGphlISJi89sODx5_hDQ

Learn how brands and creators can adapt to the rapidly changing world of social media and artificial intelligence. Zaakirah shares practical strategies for owning your digital content, building authentic communities, and leveraging AI tools to streamline your creative process. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, you'll find actionable tips to help your brand thrive in the AI era

00:00 – Introduction

00:29 – About the Host

00:44 – Episode Overview

01:03 – Why Your Audience Isn't Buying

01:29 – Owning Your Digital Intellectual Property

02:08 – Adapting to Short Attention Spans

03:12 – Building Community & Brand Recognition

03:50 – Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Authentically

04:36 – Navigating Change & Staying Grounded

05:31 – Streamlining Your Creative Process

06:36 – Podcast as a Lead Magnet

07:02 – The Shift in Digital Media

07:34 – 3 Ways to Work With Zaakirah

08:36 – Multiple Streams of Income

09:35 – Final Thoughts & Accountability

11:17 – Kenya Retreat Invitation

12:46 – Closing

Let's embrace these digital changes and "lock in" to your purpose!

Ready to team up with Zaakirah? Here are three ways:

1. One-on-one strategy sessions

2. Awesome in-person retreats

3. Join her email list for all the future happenings

Find out why having multiple income streams is a must and how Zaakirah can help you get clear on your strategy. If you're ready to put in the work, take action, be accountable, Zaakirah's got your back!

https://zaakirahnayyar.com/workwithme

Spots are limited for the retreat on the Kenya Coast in January 2026! Head over to zaakirahnayyar.com/retreat for all the deets.

This is a flashback episode of the 2023 See Life Different Virtual Summit Zaakirah explains how the summit evolved from her book and podcast, and her mission to empower women Zaakirah Muhammad shares her personal journey as a cancer survivor, brand strategist, and global storyteller. Zaakirah guides listeners through the power of storytelling in building a personal and professional brand, emphasizing the importance of embracing your unique story, overcoming adversity, and living with intention.

Key Topics Covered:

• Zaakirah's background and the creation of the See Life Different Summit

• The pivotal role of storytelling in personal growth and branding

• How journaling and intuition shaped Zaakirah's journey

• Discovering your purpose by reflecting on childhood passions and skills

• Overcoming adversity and using your story to empower others

• The significance of branding, color, and legacy

• Affirmations for courage, clarity, and emotional balance

• Actionable steps to break down your story and articulate your brand

• Invitation to the Kenya Coast Retreat for creative women of the diaspora

Actionable Takeaways:

• Reflect on your childhood interests to uncover your true purpose

• Use journaling as a tool for self-discovery and healing

• Embrace your story, including challenges and triumphs, as part of your brand

• Define your legacy and take steps to live intentionally

• Don't be afraid to ask for help and surround yourself with a supportive community

Resources & Links:

• Get Summit Replays, learn more, and connect: zaakirahnayyar.com/seelifedifferent

• Book Your Spot for the January 8-11, 2026 Retreat and view details: zaakirahnayyar.com/retreat

Affirmations from the Episode:

• I am a woman of courage.

• I am bold and fearless.

• I am growing in faith.

• I am a woman of vision.

• I am calm, poised, and emotionally balanced.

Connect with Zaakirah:

• https://Instagram.com/illuminousone

• https://zaakirahnayyar.com/podcast

Thank you for listening! Share your aha moments, leave a review, take notes, and remember: your story is your superpower.

Taneka J, an American entrepreneur who moved to Kenya, details her journey, challenges, and the founding of her fashion business catering to curvaceous women who value style. Taneka shares her journey from the U.S. to Kenya as a Black woman, detailing her process of cultural adjustment, business ventures, and the importance of planning and open-mindedness for those considering a similar move. The conversation emphasizes the vibrancy of Kenya, from its beautiful beaches to its rich wildlife, and provides practical advice for diaspora members looking to reconnect with their roots.

00:31 Welcome to the See Life Different Podcast

01:58 Meet Taneka J: From Chicago to Kenya

02:52 Journey Through Tanzania and Settling in Kenya

04:14 The Birth of Taneka J: A Fashion Brand

05:58 Navigating Life and Business in Kenya

10:55 Advice for Aspiring Expats

14:46 Upcoming Events and Opportunities

20:53 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/tanekaj_kenya/

Traverze Culture is all about reconnecting with African roots and creating unforgettable cultural experiences. Their upcoming "Journey Back to Eden" is the ultimate blend of culture, connection, and exploration. Secure your spot for December 28-January 8! This is your chance to connect with 200+ travelers and experience Kenya in a way you'll never forget. Only 50 spots available for the 12-day trip! More info + bookings: https://bit.ly/jbezaakirah

Join a curated circle of 12 Black women of the diaspora on January 8-11, to pause, breathe, and rediscover joy. It combines wellness, creativity, and travel, providing a space to recharge and reconnect from a place of abundance and fulfillment, Including: Daily journaling + spiritual grounding Creative storytelling + branding sessions Wellness rituals led by local women Cultural excursions across Kenya Sisterhood, rest, and reflection

This is not just a retreat—it's a reclamation. You deserve ease, elevation, and your own narrative. Book your spto

Reserve your spot: https://zaakirahnayyar.com/retreat

In this episode of the See Life Different podcast, Zaakirah shares her recent experiences in Kenya, highlights her advocacy for disability-friendly travel, and announces exciting travel opportunities, including the Journey Back to Eden Expo and her own creative arts retreat. explore in-depth cultural immersion, wellness activities, and brand development while navigating personal and professional pivots, with empowerment and transformation.

00:43 Embracing Life's Pivots

01:43 Advocacy and Travel

02:57 Travel Tips and Personal Insights

05:21 Journey Back to Eden Expo

09:07 Sanaa Nomad Retreat Details and Logistics

17:20 Final Thoughts and Invitation

Book Your Deposit and learn more about both events:

https://www.zaakirahnayyar.com/travelwithme

https://www.zaakirahnayyar.com/retreat

Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad celebrates Disability Pride Month with a special in-person panel discussion recorded in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The panel, titled 'Disabled and Thriving,' dives into topics of navigating ableism, mental health, and creating an inclusive workforce for black, indigenous, and disabled creatives. Zaakirah shares her personal journey of living with retinoblastoma, advocating for herself and others, and the importance of community and resources. The episode also covers practical advice for accessibility in the workplace, travel, and social settings. The panel includes Dr. Anthony Cherry and Alana Mbanza of Empower MS but they are not featured.

Watch the full panel Disabled and Thriving by Tri City Collective on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/live/ybMt9QlBttc?si=TI-8wGNz5Pv2D2NN

Read the Book:

Anti-Ableist Manifesto,

Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World

Order on Amazon here:

https://amzn.to/3N81KoT

Kindle:

https://amzn.to/4eRPi8t

Seeing Life Through a Different Lens: A Survivor's Memoir on Overcoming Adversity with Resilience

Order Amazon Paperback:

http://bit.ly/seelifedifferentlensebook

Digital Download: http://bit.ly/seeinglifedifferentlens

Get on Audible:

https://adbl.co/32HDofz

Get Your reusable Eyehesive Eye Patch:

learn more or visit https://bit.ly/eyehesivezaakirah.

00:00 Welcome to See Life Different Podcast

00:43 Introduction to Disability Pride Month

01:05 Disabled and Thriving Panel Discussion

02:42 Zaakirah's Personal Journey with Retinoblastoma

05:13 Navigating Life with a Disability

06:03 Advocacy and Community Support

15:03 Traveling with Disabilities

18:59 Empowering Work Environments

21:39 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Music from Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/dope-cat/taste-of-fresh

License code: 8X4AL9JCWFOAUJKP

Intro Music by The Northern Lights

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1GpwgKzyUlA384o6IKrNIM?si=bQCcMtmBRaiRkG1EzsdJHg

In this episode, Zaakirah shares insights about her connection to Kenya, her unique identity as a disabled Black American Muslim woman, and her volunteer work at the Al Walidayn Rescue Center. Highlighting her previous travels in Africa and her connection to Kenya through photography, she discusses local culture, cost of living, transportation, and the vibrant technological scene. The episode also invites listeners to join her for a transformative retreat on the Kenya Coast in January 2026, focusing on coastal beauty, wellness, and content creation.

00:00 Welcome to See Life Different Podcast

00:43 Life-Changing Journey to Kenya

01:39 Discovering Ancestry and Connection to Kenya

02:24 The Spiritual and Professional Path to Kenya

05:04 Volunteering and Building a New Life in Kenya

11:46 Experiencing Kenya: Culture, Costs, and Daily Life

14:27 Navigating Transportation in Kenya

15:29 Food, Technology, and Living Conditions in Kenya

16:38 Conclusion and Invitation to Consult

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zbnq12Y4SJI

Join Me on a Retreat: http://zaakirahnayyar.com/retreat

Book travel advisory call: https://bit.ly/sanaatravelsconsult

Watch Tour of Al Walidayn Rescue Center: https://youtu.be/x2NrgTlgH2g

Ancestry DNA referral link: https://refer.ancestry.com/znayyar2010