Heartistry

S7, Ep 5: Aurat March - Grassroots movement in Pakistan advocating for gender equality

For the second time, we welcome organizers of Aurat March Karachi to the podcast. Now in its 8th year, this grassroots movement in Pakistan advocates for gender equality and rights of gender-based minorities. Their mission is to create a society where all individuals, regardless of gender, have equal rights and opportunities. Through peaceful protests, advocacy campaigns, and community engagement, we aim to raise awareness about gender-based violence, discrimination, and other issues faced by women and marginalized groups. At a press conference leading up to the march this week, some of the organizers were detained in a physically aggressive and unlawful manner, and in the midst of all the planning that goes into this gathering each year, those involved in the movement are also responding to what has unfolded in this most recent situation.  Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.  #PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast

S7, Ep 4: Anjali Rao, Story teller, Educator & Author

Anjali Rao brings an intersectional and decolonial feminist lens to the study of philosophy and religion (Indic traditions) integrating storytelling, art and poetry. Deeply influenced by her dance training, Anjali's work emphasizes an embodied approach and explores how spirituality, power and politics intersect. Her first book, "Yoga As Embodied Resistance: A Feminist Lens in Caste, Gender And Sacred Resilience in Yoga History" by North Atlantic Books was named one of the 10 most inspiring, and "insightful and seriously worthwhile" books of 2025 by Yoga Journal and "a scholarly work and a deeply personal journey" by L.A Book Review. Sometimes it’s not even about the "what" that defines our purpose, but also the "how". This moment in our conversation with Anjali reflecting on how and when she wrote her book resonated so deeply with us (as I’m sure it will so many other women). We often put off what is calling us, waiting for the right time to do IT, confront IT, be IT. Sometimes the realization of the totality of what feminism can be the most important and powerful lesson.  Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.  #PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast

S7 Ep 3: Farhana Huq, Social Entrepeneur & Executive Coach

Farhana Huq is a visionary social entrepreneur, executive coach, and thought partner who transforms ideas into meaningful social impact. Her expertise spans traditional arts preservation, immigrant women’s economic empowerment, and surf and ocean culture creation through her platform, brown girl surf. In this conversation with Farhana, we hear how she balances her professional life with surfing, art creation, writing, travel, intellectual exploration, and a deep appreciation for community and nature. We are in awe of her evolving ability to reflect, grow, learn, pivot, and plant new seeds and ideas through it all. Just one example that feels so indicative of this incredible journey is how in 2012, Farhana received a $500 Amber Grant to launch a surf storytelling platform. Thirteen years later, she has just been awarded a $10,000 Amber Grant from the same organization — this time for a sustainable beauty brand that grew directly out of that journey. This is a highly competitive business grant awarded to female entrepreneurs across the U.S and Canada, and now places Farhana in consideration for a year-end Amber Grant in the amount of $50,000. We couldn't be happier for Farhana, and know that listeners will be inspired by this and so many aspects of this episode! Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.  #PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast

S7 Ep 2: Nadhi Thekkek. Bharatanatyam Artist & Artistic Director of Nava Dance Theatre

Dr. Nadhi Thekkek is the Artistic Director of Nava Dance Theatre, and uses the south Indian dance form of bharatanatyam to navigate place, identity, and politics through the lens of her lived experience as a South Asian woman and a child of immigrants. She reimagines how bharatanatyam and South Asian forms can serve marginalized narratives that need to occupy space in the US right now. So many moments and interactions throughout this conversation were a gateway to reflection for Farah, and we are certain our listeners will feel the same way! For those in the Bay Area, come see Nadhi and other brilliant artists of Nava Dance Theatre perform "Rogue Gestures Foreign Bodies" on Fri, Mar 13 at Dance Mission Theater in San Francisco - sourcing community interviews, historical texts, and poetry to explore the intersections of labor, agency, and belonging in our South Asian ancestry. Listen to this excerpt for a little more about the show, and get your tickets today! Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.  #PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast

S7 Ep 1: Hamama Tul Bushra - Graphic Designer & Painter

Season 7 of Heartistry is here (!!), and we are launching with a joyful and inspiring conversation with the awesome Hamama Tul Bushra! Trained as a graphic designer from National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan, Hamama earned her Master’s degree in Art History from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in the United States. Her thesis explored two folios (pages) from a Mughal album, Gulshan Muraqqa, at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, where she assisted the curator in research and write-ups for featured art and objects in exhibitions. While pursuing her doctorate, Bushra’s energies shifted during the initial Covid era/isolation to visual art. Meanwhile, provoked by the social, political and personal environment she was compelled to respond to her inner dialogue through painting, a passion she returned to.  Today, Hamama practices a unique style of figurative painting defined by stylized forms that carefully preserve and highlight the soul and personality of each subject, enriched by cultural and traditional references and metaphors. Her signature bright color palette in acrylic on canvas and the application of material reflects her graphics background, separating her paintings from mainstream work.  Fun fact: Hamama was inspired by a photo she saw of Farah and created an original work as a result! If you "watch" this episode, you might catch glimpses of this piece on both Hamama's and Farah's walls. Swipe to see this beautiful and vibrant work by Hamama. Hear the full episode of @heartistrypodcast on @iheartradio app @rukusavenueradio and wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.  #PassionCompassionCommitment #Heartistry #Podcast