Faith, Identity & the Fight for Safe Spaces with Blair Imani

Faith, Identity & the Fight for Safe Spaces with Blair Imani

Blair Imani is a brilliant author, educator, and the creator of viral web series Smarter in Seconds. But beind all of that is a story of deep self-discovery. In our season finale of The SafeTea Podcast, Blair Imani opens up about growing up Black in the South, finding Islam in college, and navigating queerness in religious spaces. From coming out on Tucker Carlson Tonight to writing bestselling books and building an inclusive digital empire, Blair shares what it means to embrace complexity, challenge stereotypes, and define safety on her own terms. We talk about reclaiming faith, surviving trolls, celebrating intersectionality, and why visibility isn't the finish line - it's the starting point for true transformation. Follow Blair: instagram.com/blairimani [http://instagram.com/blairimani] Follow us: instagram.com/thesafetea [http://instagram.com/thesafetea] | instagram.com/akbar.hamid [http://instagram.com/akbar.hamid] YouTube: youtube.com/@thesafetea [http://youtube.com/@thesafetea] TikTok: tiktok.com/@safeteapod [http://tiktok.com/@safeteapod] DM or email safeteapodcast@gmail.com [safeteapodcast@gmail.com] to share YOUR story or reaction!

From Wall Street to Sephora with AAVRANI's Rooshy Roy

She had a Wharton MBA, a finance career at Goldman Sachs, and a clear path to “success.” But something deeper was calling. In this episode of The SafeTea Podcast, Rooshy Roy, founder of Ayurvedic-inspired beauty brand AAVRANI, sits down with Akbar to unpack her journey of reclaiming identity, rejecting societal timelines, and building a business rooted in culture and purpose. From growing up as the only Indian girl in her Michigan school to redefining beauty on her own terms, Rooshy shares how shame gave way to self-expression, and how rituals passed down from her mother became the blueprint for a global brand now carried at Sephora! Follow Rooshy: instagram.com/rooshyroy [http://instagram.com/rooshyroy] Follow AAVRANI: instagram.com/aavrani [http://instagram.com/aavrani] Check out AAVRANI online and at Sephora: www.aavrani.com [http://www.aavrani.com] | sephora.com/brand/aavrani [http://sephora.com/brand/aavrani] Follow us: instagram.com/thesafetea [http://instagram.com/thesafetea] | instagram.com/akbar.hamid [http://instagram.com/akbar.hamid] YouTube: youtube.com/@thesafetea [http://youtube.com/@thesafetea] TikTok: tiktok.com/@safeteapod [http://tiktok.com/@safeteapod] DM or email safeteapodcast@gmail.com [safeteapodcast@gmail.com] to share YOUR story or reaction!

How Bibhu Mohapatra Found Power in Fashion & Identity

His designs have been worn by icons like Michelle Obama, Priyanka Chopra, and Zendaya... but Bibhu Mohapatra’s journey from a small town in India to the global stage is anything but ordinary. Bibhu opens up to Akbar about growing up queer in India, navigating life in America as an immigrant, and using fashion as a language of liberation. From his early days studying economics in Utah to designing couture in New York City, Bibhu reflects on reinvention, and finding safety in self-expression. He also shares stories about dressing First Lady Michelle Obama, taking the leap to start his own line, and why authenticity is the most luxurious thing of all. Follow Bibhu: instagram.com/bibhumohapatra [http://instagram.com/bibhumohapatra] Follow us: instagram.com/thesafetea [http://instagram.com/thesafetea] | instagram.com/akbar.hamid [http://instagram.com/akbar.hamid] YouTube: youtube.com/@thesafetea [http://youtube.com/@thesafetea] TikTok: tiktok.com/@safeteapod [http://tiktok.com/@safeteapod] DM or email safeteapodcast@gmail.com [safeteapodcast@gmail.com] to share YOUR story or reaction!

Taking the Leap from Colombia to Hollywood with Julieth Restrepo

You’ve seen her shine in Griselda, The Resident, and indie hits across Colombia - but behind the spotlight is a story of bold leaps, heartbreak, and tenacity. In this episode, Akbar Hamid sits down with actress Julieth Restrepo for a powerful conversation about leaving a thriving career in Colombia to start over in Hollywood. She opens up about navigating rejection, learning English in her 20s, auditioning while nursing a newborn, and finding her voice both on and off screen. Follow Julieth: instagram.com/julieticarestrep0 [http://instagram.com/julieticarestrep0] Follow us: instagram.com/thesafetea [http://instagram.com/thesafetea] | instagram.com/akbar.hamid [http://instagram.com/akbar.hamid] YouTube: youtube.com/@thesafetea [http://youtube.com/@thesafetea] TikTok: tiktok.com/@safeteapod [http://tiktok.com/@safeteapod] DM or email safeteapodcast@gmail.com [safeteapodcast@gmail.com] to share YOUR story or reaction!

Serving Face & Fatherhood with Creative Power Couple Amit Shah & Aditya Madiraju

They made headlines with their viral wedding story in 2019, but this love story is still unfolding. In this episode of The SafeTea Podcast, Akbar is joined by creative power couple Amit Shah (founder of AATMA Performing Arts) and Aditya Madiraju (beauty and lifestyle creator) for a hilarious yet honest conversation about discovering their queer identity, finding each other, and reinventing themselves, both creatively and personally. From growing up in Desi households in New Jersey (Amit) and New Delhi (Aditya) to chasing artistic purpose and building a shared life, the duo gets candid about the paths they took (and almost didn’t take) to arrive at their truth. We get into everything: first kisses, chosen family, making it work as creative collaborators, and what it means to be stylish new dads. Follow Aditya: instagram.com/adityamadiraju [http://instagram.com/adityamadiraju] | tiktok.com/@aditiyamadiraju [http://tiktok.com/@aditiyamadiraju] Follow Amit: instagram.com/thisisamitshah [http://instagram.com/thisisamitshah] | tiktok.com/@amitandaditya [http://tiktok.com/@amitandaditya] Follow AATMA: instagram.com/aatmaperformingarts [http://instagram.com/aatmaperformingarts] Follow us: instagram.com/thesafetea [http://instagram.com/thesafetea] | instagram.com/akbar.hamid [http://instagram.com/akbar.hamid] YouTube: youtube.com/@thesafetea [http://youtube.com/@thesafetea] TikTok: tiktok.com/@safeteapod [http://tiktok.com/@safeteapod] DM or email safeteapodcast@gmail.com [safeteapodcast@gmail.com] to share YOUR story or reaction!