The Impact Lab

E07 - Designing with Barakah with Umar Shahzad | The Impact Lab Podcast

In this episode of The Impact Lab Podcast, Sajjad sits down with Umar Shahzad — a creative strategist inspired by the principles of Barakah-driven design and the idea that faith should sit at the heart of every creative process.

Together, they explore what it means to design with intention, presence, and purpose — where aesthetics meet spirituality and every project becomes a form of worship. Umar shares insights from his journey, how spiritually aligned design transforms brands from the inside out, and why the future of Islamic creativity lies in meaning, not metrics.

From Peter Gould’s “Heart of Design” philosophy to lessons drawn from prophetic excellence (ihsan), this conversation dives deep into how faith can inform creativity, leadership, and business strategy.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What it truly means to design with Barakah
- How to infuse spiritual intention into your creative process
- Why presence and purpose matter more than perfection
- The difference between output and impact in Islamic creative work
- How today’s Muslim designers can lead with faith and authenticity

If you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or leader seeking to align your work with divine purpose — this episode is for you.

E06 - The Impact of Sacred Healing with Omar Khan | The Impact Lab Podcast

Discover the top marketing strategies tailored for Muslim entrepreneurs navigating unique opportunities and challenges in today’s world! 

This episode of the Impact Lab Podcast dives into the story of Omar Khan, the visionary Co-founder of Ruh, a faith-based therapy platform making mental health care accessible for Muslims globally. 

Learn how aligning with Islamic values, building trust, and focusing on an underserved niche can create a ripple effect of change across communities.

We explore how mentorship and coaching can transform your journey, the role of Islamic brands in shaping global narratives, and the power of staying true to your mission. 

Omar shares his personal growth mindset, scaling Ruh from an idea sparked during the pandemic to a platform serving 20+ countries in 12 languages. His vision for impact and legacy is a reminder that service rooted in faith creates lasting value.

Takeaways from this episode:
- Build trust through authentic engagement with your niche.
- The impact we create starts with understanding and solving real problems.
- Surround yourself with the right people—mentors, coaches, and a supportive community.
- Invest in tools and strategies that align with your values for sustainable growth.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or leading a growing venture, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you serve your community while building a lasting legacy. Reflect on your journey, refine your goals, and remember: your efforts can create waves of positive change. 

Ready to take the next step? Start by embracing your mission wholeheartedly and ensuring your work reflects the values you stand for. 

#depression #anxiety #islamicfinance #mentalhealth #muslim

📌 Subscribe to The Impact Lab Podcast for more stories and strategies to help Islamic brands lead with purpose.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:14 - Welcome Omar Khan
02:44 - Omar's Story
05:32 - What is Ruh
10:44 - Mindfulness App Creation Challenges
14:19 - Ruh's Role in Global Muslim Mental Health
17:48 - Adapting to User Needs in Mental Health
20:33 - Common Mental Health Issues
23:10 - Islamic History and Mental Health
27:10 - Palestine Mental Health Response
32:56 - Scaling Therapy Accessibility
33:40 - Therapist Vetting Process Explained
37:15 - Therapist Well-being Strategies
43:00 - Importance of LaunchGood Platform
48:15 - Introduction to Institutional Investing
50:44 - Equity Considerations for Startups
55:48 - Ruh Marketing Strategies
59:50 - Building Community Trust
1:04:00 - Collaborating with Masjids & Schools
1:08:45 - Advice for Muslim Entrepreneurs
1:12:53 - Importance of Faith in Business
1:16:43 - Connecting with Omar
1:20:10 - Therapists at Ruh Institute
1:20:19 - Future Outlook for Ruh Institute
1:20:30 - Farewell

E05 – The Impact of Servant Leadership with Danyal Khan | The Impact Lab Podcast

In this heartfelt and raw episode, Sajjad sits down with Danyal Khan—Executive Director of The Family & Youth Institute—to explore what it really takes to build healthy communities, safe spaces, and transformational leadership rooted in sincerity.

Danyal opens up about his own journey—from aspiring illustrator to social worker to leading one of the most respected Muslim organizations in North America. The conversation dives deep into mental health, burnout in nonprofit spaces, and why storytelling is the secret weapon for impactful branding.

You’ll also hear reflections on parenting, intergenerational healing, imposter syndrome, and how to lead with empathy in an overstimulated world.

🎯 In this episode:
- Why emotional intelligence is the core of leadership
- How storytelling can turn a stagnant org into a thriving movement
- The immigrant hustle vs. healing for the next generation
- Burnout in nonprofit leadership—and how to fix it
- Building a brand with authenticity and heart
- What Muslim orgs must do to stay relevant and build trust

Whether you're an executive director, a community builder, or just trying to lead from a place of compassion—this episode is for you.

📌 Subscribe to The Impact Lab Podcast for more stories and strategies to help Islamic brands lead with purpose.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
03:11 - Danyal Khan: The Illustrator
09:54 - Youngest Executive Director Journey
10:37 - Joining as a Young Executive Director
18:12 - Proactive Leadership Strategies
24:04 - Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset
28:25 - Importance of an Infinite Mindset
32:20 - Understanding Burnout
35:50 - Principles of Servant Leadership
43:14 - Recognizing Rising Stars
44:31 - Mentorship for Rising Stars
47:14 - Collaboration in Leadership
55:50 - Mental Health Awareness
1:00:47 - Breaking the Generational Cycle
1:05:10 - Navigating Difficult Conversations
1:07:20 - Integrity in Business Practices
1:12:30 - You vs You: Personal Growth
1:21:20 - Understanding Your Motivation
1:23:35 - Making Research Accessible
1:29:37 - Marketing: A Long-Term Strategy
1:33:10 - Creative Storytelling Techniques
1:36:49 - The Compounding Effect in Growth
1:38:54 - Challenges of Organizations
1:40:18 - Building a Personal Brand
1:49:27 - Final Dua
1:54:41 - Closing Thoughts

E04 - The Impact of Influencer Marketing with Subhaan Ashrafi

In this episode of The Impact Lab, I sit down with my dear friend and longtime collaborator, Subhaan Ashrafi—marketer, community builder, and the creative force behind the Sabr App. We dive deep into the world of influencer marketing and how Islamic brands can authentically scale their reach by building meaningful relationships with creators.

Subhaan shares lessons from his time leading global partnerships at Wahed, where he helped launch campaigns with names like Khabib and Mufti Menk. We also explore his journey creating the Sabr App, a mindfulness platform tailored for Muslims—and his latest initiative, the Shukr App, focused on supporting Muslims struggling with addiction.

🔥 What you'll learn in this episode:
   ✔️What makes influencer marketing work (and what brands get wrong)
   ✔️How nano and micro-influencers can drive real community impact
   ✔️The role of sincerity, service, and trust in long-term brand growth
   ✔️Building apps with purpose for underserved Muslim audiences

🎯 Whether you're running a nonprofit, leading a startup, or just curious about the power of influence in the Muslim space—this one’s packed with practical gems and spiritual insight.

📌 Subscribe for more insights on impact, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
02:15 - How Sabr App Started
08:40 - Overcoming Mental Health Stigma in Muslim Communities
11:29 - The Muslim Experience in the West
15:45 - The Shukr App
19:20 - Being of Service
21:35 - Islamic Influencer Marketing
29:50 - Influencer Revenue Potential
33:10 - Mega, Micro, Nano Influencers
37:14 - Common Influencer Marketing Mistakes
40:00 - Maximizing Influencer Marketing Effectiveness
42:20 - Audience Shared Libraries
47:15 - Global Influencer Marketing Trends
49:13 - Importance of Content Marketing
54:53 - Final Thoughts
1:00:10 - Qutubee App
1:05:31 - Sunan’s Impact
1:05:50 - Jannah Portfolio
1:06:05 - Closing Thoughts

E03 - The Impact of Rewiring Your Mind with Kareem Asayed 🚀🧠

Are you holding yourself back without realizing it? In this episode of The Impact Lab Podcast, I sit down with Kareem Asayed, a certified high-performance coach and former Google leader, to break down how rewiring your mindset can unlock your full potential.

🔥 What you'll learn in this episode:
✔️ The biggest misconceptions about high performance and productivity
✔️ Why hustle culture is broken—and what actually drives success
✔️ How your nervous system controls your confidence (and how to rewire it)
✔️ The power of cognitive reappraisal—a game-changing tool for breaking negative self-talk
✔️ How to overcome fear, imposter syndrome, and procrastination
✔️ The exact steps to build momentum and consistency in your work & life

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or doubted yourself, this episode will give you the strategies to shift your mindset and unlock high performance.

🔗 Watch now and start rewiring your mind for success!

📌 Subscribe for more insights on impact, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

#TheImpactLab #MindsetShift #HighPerformance #Coaching #Success #SelfImprovement #Productivity #MentalResilience #Entrepreneurship

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:43 - Impact Lab Podcast
04:55 - What is High Performance
10:32 - The Work
18:02 - Importance of Energy
24:53 - Emotional Aspect & Nervous System
33:52 - How the Brain Learns
35:25 - Reconditioning the Nervous System
38:27 - Quick Reconditioning Techniques
41:17 - The Gap and The Gain
45:55 - Overcoming Emotional Obstacles
52:53 - How to Get Your Spark Back
56:43 - Day of Judgement Questions
01:01:47 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
01:05:43 - Rewiring Your Brain for Success
01:09:36 - Sustaining High Performance
01:14:39 - Essentials for Long-Term High Performance
01:17:30 - Tazkiyah's Role in High Performance
01:18:28 - Challenge
01:21:50 - Entrepreneurship as a Spiritual Journey
01:26:41 - Where to Find Karim
01:28:00 - How Sunan is Leveling Up
01:28:50 - Final Words

Episode 2: Maximizing Impact in Ramadan Fundraising with Adil Chowdhury 

In this episode of The Impact Lab Podcast, I sit down with my good friend and industry powerhouse, Adil Chowdhury, the Head of Business Development at LaunchGood, overseeing the entire global market. From North America to the Middle East, Adil has been at the forefront of empowering charities and changemakers to maximize their impact.

With Ramadan just around the corner, we dive deep into: 

✔️ The incredible success of LaunchGood, having raised +$700M for charities across 156 countries 
✔️ How charities and organizations can stand out in their Ramadan fundraising campaigns 💡
✔️ The power of the Ramadan Challenge—how one simple strategy can generate massive donations 
✔️ The role of gamification, contests, and peer-to-peer fundraising to unlock donor generosity 🎯
✔️ The Paradise Portfolio—how small, consistent giving can create lifelong impact 💖

Whether you’re an organization looking to optimize your campaign or an individual seeking smarter ways to give, this episode is packed with insider strategies and proven tactics to make this Ramadan your best yet!

🎙 Welcome to the very first episode of The Impact Lab!

Hosted by Sajjad Husain, CEO of Sunan Designs, The Impact Lab is where big ideas, bold voices, and purpose-driven brands come together. This podcast is built for Islamic brands, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits looking to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and storytelling.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ The mission behind The Impact Lab and what to expect
✅ Why branding and marketing are essential for Islamic brands
✅ The biggest challenges and opportunities in this space
✅ A sneak peek at upcoming topics and expert guests

Whether you’re a marketer, business owner, or nonprofit leader, this podcast will equip you with actionable insights to grow your brand and create meaningful impact.

📩 Join the conversation! Drop a comment, share your thoughts, and let us know what topics you’d love to hear.

🎧 Subscribe now and be part of the movement!

#TheImpactLab #IslamicMarketing #MuslimEntrepreneurs #BrandStorytelling #PurposeDrivenBusiness