Send us a text Shyam Konnur and Ram (Sriram) Sridhar have a trailblazing love story. They met at a Pride event in Bangalore India and sparks ignited. Their first attempt at a date was thwarted when Sham was assaulted and hospitalized. Despite their obstacles they fell in love and decided to get married out of necessity to protect their relationship in the event of medical reasons, potential legalities and furthermore to prove that their love was meaningful and to be taken seriousl...

Send us a text Imam Daayiee is the first openly Gay Imam in the United States. He was born in Detroit Michigan and the son of Southern Baptist Parents. Imam Daayiee Abdullah, is the author of the book titled “Progressive Islam: The Rich Liberal Ideas of the Muslim Faith”(2021), He is the Founder and ED of the nonprofit MECCA Institute (www.meccainstitute.org), and CEO of MECCA Institute Publishing LLC. He is the Former Imam of the Light of Reform Mosque, Wa...

Send us a text Dr. Rizwan Jagani is an American violist of Indian and Pakistani heritage based in the Washington DC Area. He is an accomplished multi-genre solo artist, orchestral musician, and chamber musician. Dr. Jagani has performed with Grammy Award-winning artists Dwight Yoakam, Burna Boy, and Indigo Girls. He recently performed alongside musicians of the Kuwait National Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, as a member of the International Pride Orchestra in collaboration with the Gay...

Kevin Mwachiro is a Kenyan writer, podcaster, queer activist, and journalist with a media and communications career spanning over 20 years. He began as a journalist with the BBC, contributing to its radio, TV, and digital platforms. A self-described custodian of people's stories, Kevin's work reflects his commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. His first book, Invisible – Stories from Kenya's Queer Community, was the first of its kind in Kenya. In 2017, Kevin launched Nipe Story, a stor...

John-Michael is the founder of An Athlete’s Silence. As a 14-year-old Olympic-bound athlete, the adults entrusted in his training groomed and trafficked him into silence. Through his experiences he created the Predatory Grooming Trifecta©, Predatory Internet Grooming© (PIG), and Athletes’ Arena©. He is the author of Surface Tension and Cracked Surface and the eBook Understanding Predatory Grooming Trifecta©. He is a certified Self-Talk, Neuroscience, 2SLGBTQAI+, and NLP coach and helps empowe...

Vijay Wadhavan is the founder and creative director of ILA, a queer South Asian fashion brand. ILA was born out of Vijay’s desire to fully embrace both his queerness and his South Asian identity and to do so in a way that felt beautiful, authentic, and expansive. Fashion has always been more than just clothing for him. To him, it’s wearable art. A way to express complexity, challenge norms, and create space for joy. It has served as a personal tool for reflection, self-discovery, and connecti...

I have a Queer family! I’m a proud Guncle to my niece Amira and their spouse Dana. They are my special guests in this episode. We talk about the changes that have taken place in Queer presence in our family and what it has been like from my generation to theirs and our family to follow. We dive into the beautiful relationship Amira and Dana share including how they met, the proposal and the surprisingly way they got married. We discuss representation, a bit of current events and i...

Since I came out on my podcast I've had great feedback and many members of the Queer community messaged me to tell me that they could relate to my story. Little did I know that there was larger platform for me to talk about my Queerness. My personal Queer story was at the centre of attention when my family and I went on Family Feud Canada where I was asked to talk about my dating life! Was this a sign that doors of opportunity were opening for Queer South Asians in mainstream media? So I thou...

Season 3 is titled "Queer Voices" Follow me on Instagram "Elevate Your Life: A Transformational Podcast" Farhan Dhalla

Zain Bandali is an author, poet, and unapologetic diversity advocate. His debut children's book Mehndi Boy, is a Silver Birch Express Nominee and was recognized as a “Best Bet” by the Ontario Library Association and as a “Best Book for Kids” by the New York Public Library in 2023. Zain studied at the University of Waterloo and was awarded the Upkar Arora Social Impact Leadership Scholarship for his work in creating a grassroots community initiative. Even in his day job as an HR professional a...

Imam Daayiee is the first openly Gay Imam in the United States. He was born in Detroit Michigan and the son of Southern Baptist parents and converted to Islam at the age of 30. He is the author of the book titled “Progressive Islam: The Rich Liberal Ideas of the Muslim Faith”(2021), He is the Founder and ED of the nonprofit MECCA Institute, and CEO of MECCA Institute Publishing LLC. He is the Former Imam of the Light of Reform Mosque, Washington, DC (2010-2015). I...

Galit Deri Shearouse is a medium who's mission is to help support grieving parents by connecting them to their lost child in spirit. In this episode Gait does a reading for me and during our session my beloved late mother came through. Galit delivered some messages that had a huge impact on me. We tackle in depth how my mother felt about me being gay including her struggles. Galit also made two surprising predictions about my future! Contact: https://www.myspiritualconnections.com/ If you...

Mike Mosallam is a two-time Tony Award nominated producer, director, writer for theatre, film and television. Two days after recording this episode he won his his first Tony Award for producer in the category of "Best Revival of a Musical" for "Parade!" He graduated with degree in musical theatre from the University of Michigan and headed to New York to follow his Broadway Dreams. After 911 Mike called into question both his place in this world and as a Muslim what was his story to...

Everyone deserves a great love story like this one. Vaibhav Jain and Parag Mehta are two gay South Asian husbands who's love story began when they first met at a pride parade in Washington D.C. They are true trail blazers who along with their families are leading and role modelling to many what it means to live a life lead with love. We discuss all things Queer Desi including the viral video of the beautiful speech Parag's father made on their wedding day. His speech has helped many open thei...

Rizwan Jagani, is an American violist of Indian and Pakistani heritage. In this episode Jagani talks about how he dove into the practise of his religion during the holly month of Ramadan and chose to come out as gay. He describes how he set the intention for Ramadan to help him come out and survive a very demanding performance schedule. Jagani offers a deep insight into his personal relationship with "Allah" (God). For years Jagani says he had a strained relationship with ...

In part 2 of this special series on my coming out journey I talk about the conversation I had with my mom the day she found out I am gay. I describe how the conversation happened, my parents response and how it all impacted me. Coming out can be difficult especially for a person of colour. It's important to formulate a support system as it can feel isolating. Bellow are list of resources for those that are struggling. Resources ⁠LGBTQ Family Acceptance/Culture Based Resources⁠ ⁠It Gets B...

This is part one of a two part special series where I describe in detail my personal coming out story. I talk about my challenges including internal struggles, fears and how it impacted my life and relationships with my family. Resources LGBTQ Family Acceptance/Culture Based Resources It Gets Better Canada #gay #pride #pridemonth #queer #queerpodcast #gaypodcast If you wish to support the show please donate to Buy Me A Coffee! Thank you! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/farhandhalla...

Season 2 is titled "Queer Relief" Follow me on Instagram "Elevate Your Life: A Transformational Podcast" Farhan Dhalla

Award winning multidisciplinary artist Mariam Magsi shares her deep and insightful experience as an artist and her personal and professional evolution through multiple sources of her own grief journey including the transitioning of her beloved Mother. Links to Follow Mariam Magsi: Website: www.mariammagsi.com AGO Residency Instagram: @mariam_magsi If you wish to support the show please donate to Buy Me A Coffee! Thank you! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/farhandhalla Follow me on I...

Our transitioned loved ones never really die but our relationship with them changes because they are no longer in physical form. In this conversation Rishma Govani, author of the book "Sushi and Samosas: A Trip of Tasty Transformations," and I share the many unique rituals we have created to continue our relationship with our loved ones on the other side and how it has strengthened our bond of love with them. Instagram: @rishmagovani In honour of Rishma's husband Aly and my Mother...