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

In this episode, Kea Wakesho Simmons, the visionary behind Traverze Culture and the Journey Back to Eden Expo, discusses her journey from Charleston, South Carolina to becoming a world traveler and advocate for Pan-Africanism. Kea shares her experiences in the US Army, her travels to countries like South Korea, China, Japan, Ethiopia, and how they shaped her views on culture and Black empowerment. Simmons also delves into the mission of the Journey Back to Eden initiative, aiming to foster deeper relationships and cultural exchanges between Africans in the diaspora and the continent. Kea is using her platform to inspire global connections and cultural understanding.

00:00 Introduction to See Life Different Podcast

01:06 Meet Kea Wakesho Simmons

02:02 Kea's Journey and Military Experience

04:39 Discovering Pan-Africanism

06:50 First Impressions of Kenya

08:35 Journey Back to Eden Initiative

16:30 Future Plans and Legacy

18:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join me this New Year’s Eve in the cradle of humanity— Magical Kenya. This is your chance to connect with 200+ like-minded travelers, with an exclusive 12-day experience available for 50 adventurers. Locals are welcome too and can secure their spot for a 2-day pass! Make a Deposit: $200 (non-refundable) or pay in full by visiting https://bit.ly/jbezaakirah

Have Questions? Email:  info@tverze.com.

For Disability Pride Month, Zaakirah shares her journey as a retinoblastoma eye cancer survivor and introduces Erin Perkins, who has Usher Syndrome. Erin details her experiences with hearing and vision loss and the creation of her business, Mabley Q, which aids businesses in becoming more accessible. They discuss the challenges of living with invisible disabilities, their personal stories, and how both have used their experiences to educate and inspire others. The conversation also touches on the importance of advocacy, allyship, and the need for better support and understanding for people with disabilities.

00:00 Welcome to the See Life Different Podcast

00:43 Re-release and Updated Statistics

01:20 Introducing Erin Perkins and Her Journey

02:14 Zaakirah's Personal Story

03:37 Erin's Experience with Usher Syndrome

06:25 Challenges and Advocacy in the Workplace

09:42 Navigating Disabilities in Daily Life

15:32 Understanding Usher Syndrome and Retinoblastoma

26:29 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Watch On YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/8T3I8tf-_OI

Links Mentioned:

zaakirahnayyar.com

Seeing Life From a Different Lens TEDx Talk

RisingTideSociety.com

MabelyQ.com

Previous Episode Mentioned:

Momatrician Dr Lulu on Therapy, Suicide, and Depression

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/12013829

In this episode of the See Life Different podcast, you'll hear inspiring stories from retinoblastoma survivors, Leia Hunt, a two-time unilateral retinoblastoma survivor and founder of Leia's Kids, Grace Padilla, a neuroscience Ph.D. candidate and Genevieve McCarthy, the president of the Canadian Retinoblastoma Society, and Know the Glow partner, also a unilateral retinoblastoma survivor. They discuss their battles with cancer, advocacy for pediatric cancer awareness, and how their journeys have influenced their careers. Important themes include resilience, the global impact of retinoblastoma, and the necessity of community support.

00:41 Understanding Retinoblastoma

01:14 Leia Hunt: A Survivor's Journey

04:33 Grace Padilla: From Survivor to PH.D NeuroScientist

13:20 Genevieve McCarthy: Advocacy and Parenting

18:00 The Importance of Community and Support

18:12 Mental Health Awareness and Resources

18:41 Advocacy and Personal Stories

27:52 Legacy and Reflections

Links

https://zaakirahnayyar.com/podcast

One World Retinoblastoma Conference Adult Survivor Panel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhhHWVG5P6g&t

leiaskids.org

knowtheglow.org

https://www.rbcanadaresearch.com/

wechope.org

https://www.rbsociety.ca/who-we-are

https://www.cancer.org/

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Did you know that 1 in 4 U.S. adults have a disability? That's about 61 million Americans. An estimated 10% of the US population has a non-apparent disability.

Globally, over a billion people currently live with a disability.

Although 15% of people worldwide identify as disabled, disability still remains ignored and misunderstood by non-disabled people.

In this episode of the See Life Different podcast, host Zaakirah Muhammad discusses 'The Anti-Ableist Manifesto' by Tiffany Yu, a powerful book aiming to dismantle stereotypes and promote disability inclusivity. Tiffany, founder of DiversAbility, shares her journey from a career in financial services to becoming a disability advocate. She highlights the importance of community and social connection, offering actionable steps for fostering inclusive environments in professional and personal spaces. Reflections on the impact of non-apparent disabilities, the value of Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the significance of allyship are thoughtfully explored. Tune in to learn how you can make a positive impact in creating a disability-inclusive world.

05:58 Host Introduction

06:14 Guest Introduction and Disability Employment Awareness Month

06:46 Career Journey and Disability Advocacy

10:56 Personal Story and Overcoming Challenges

17:52 Building Community and Diversability

24:20 Actionable Steps for Anti-Ableism

32:25 Book Launch and Future Plans

34:34 Legacy and Conclusion

Tiffany Yu, is the founder of Diversability and creator of the viral Anti-Ableism TikTok Series. She is the cofounder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, serves on the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Working Group, and was a co-chair of the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit. Her TED Talk, How to Help Employees with Disabilities Thrive, has over one million views. Get your copy of the book at your favorite book seller. https://tiffanyyu.com/book

LinkedIn post referenced: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tiffanyayu_disabilityinclusion-ndeam-disabilityemployment-activity-7246912898596253696-DGrI?

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q92_P2LY-CQ

For show notes visit https://zaakirahnayyar.com/podcast