In this episode, I talk about the importance of taking action when on a journey of transformation. What will it take for you to take action? I share some tips from my personal experience and that of clients.
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Are you feeling stuck in life and like you are capable of more? Schedule a consultation call to learn more about my coaching practice at pauseimpact.org
In this episode, I share the inspiration behind Creative Flow for Liberation—an 8-week group program designed to help you bring a soul-aligned idea to life.
We explore what it means to create from a place of purpose rather than pressure, why this moment in time is asking for new visions, and how you can move through self-doubt to take aligned action. Whether you’ve been sitting on an idea or feeling creatively stuck, this episode is an invitation to remember your power and plant the seed.
Learn more at creative-liberation.com
Registration closes May 9.
It is an art to strike the balance between "flow" and "structure". Many clients I work with say things like:
- I have too many ideas
- I need a structure
- I need to focus
In this episode I offer a structure that allows you to create from flow-- even from seemingly irrelevant ideas.
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Are you feeling stuck and looking to reconnect with your creative life force? Schedule a consultation call to learn more about my coaching practice at pauseimpact.org
In this episode, Brooklyn-based filmmaker and writer Maryam Mir shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a consulting career to filmmaking. As a Kashmiri-Canadian born in Germany, raised in Bahrain, with Kenyan ancestry, Maryam finds inspiration in the warmth, joy, and gentleness of her many communities.
She explores the powerful intersections of identity, storytelling, and social impact, emphasizing how filmmaking can create a sense of belonging and possibility. Maryam reflects on the discomfort of being a beginner in creative endeavors, the collaborative nature of filmmaking, and the importance of nurturing one’s creative life force.
We dive deep into the process behind her acclaimed short film Sweet Refuge, which has been screened at over 40 festivals and won multiple awards. Maryam takes us through the entire journey—from the initial spark of inspiration for the story, to the careful selection of actors, the challenges of filming over five days in Brooklyn, and the joy of sharing the film at festivals around the world.
Watch Sweet Refuge here.
[Bio]
Maryam Mir is a Pillars Artist Fellow ‘24 (founded by Riz Ahmed x Netflix), Gotham Marcie Bloom Fellow ’23, NYFA Artist Awardee ’22 and Asian American Writers' Workshop Fellow '19.
Her narrative short, “Sweet Refuge”, screened at 40+ festivals, won several awards, including a Directors Guild of America Jury Award and was acquired by AMC+ as part of their "Future of Film: AAPI Rising Stars". Her latest narrative film, "Grandma Swim", set in Bahrain, is currently in post-production, with support from the Doha Film Institute. She also recently produced "Sarah Thankam Mathews: After All This" for PBS' American Masters and is currently producing another documentary short in partnership with REI and The Redford Center. She holds an MFA degree from NYU Tisch’s Graduate Film Program, where she was an Ang Lee Scholar and concentrated in writing and directing. Prior to film school, she worked in consulting for half a decade in New York and Dubai, where she helped Fortune 50 organizations strengthen their culture through storytelling and design.
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Are you ready to connect with your creative life force? Schedule a free 30 minute consultation here!
In this episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between desire and willpower, exploring how they influence our behaviors and decision-making processes. We discuss the limitations of relying solely on willpower to resist temptations and the importance of connecting with our desires as a pathway to flow.
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Are you feeling stuck and looking to reconnect with your creative life force? Schedule a consultation call to learn more about my coaching practice at pauseimpact.org
In this interview with Rula Khoury, an art curator living in the city of Haifa, we talk about the role of Palestinian artists in the movement and how art is leveraged to convey a political message. When is dialogue constructive and when is dialogue destructive? And how do we embody the creative life force?
Bio: Rula Khoury is an art curator, historian and critic. In 2011, she received a Masters degree in Art History from Haifa University, and an additional Masters degree in Writing Art Criticism from the New York School of Visual Arts in 2017.
Khoury was the General Director of the Arab Culture Association in Haifa. Her curating experience includes: It’s as if, O Badr, we never came and never left in Haifa in 2018, Sensorial Immunity in Ramallah in 2017, A Black Hole in the Sun in Jerusalem in 2016. Moreover, Khoury curated a street exhibition in Haifa titled Wisdom of the Crowd. In 2014, while holding her position as the Artistic Director of Khalil Sakakini Culture Center in the same year. Within the Qalandiya International Biennale (2014), she managed and curated two major projects: Manam exhibition in Haifa, and Mapping Procession a happening in the streets of Ramallah.
Additionally, Khoury has published critic pieces for Independent Online Art Magazine, Tohu Magazine, Arab 48, and Tribe Photo Magazine. She has also been an instructor and advisor in higher education institutions since 2010, teaching at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, International Academy of Art in Ramallah.
Are you ready to connect with your creative life force? Schedule a free consultation here!
In this episode with Coco Madari, we talk about decolonizing creativity and what it looks like to authentically create.
Coco Madari is a vision-led, neurospicy, and multi-passionate coach, visual artist, music producer, singer-songwriter, and comedian living in beautiful Vancouver Island, BC.
Key Discussion Points
- Understanding Impact: From feeling the weight of the world to discovering the lighter impact through self-care and authenticity.
- The Multi-Passionate Identity: Coco reflects on embracing her diverse talents and rejecting societal pressures to "choose one path."
- Decolonizing Creativity: Discussions on how rest, play, and authentic expression contribute to impactful living.
- Coaching and Artistry: How Coco's coaching philosophy integrates with her artistic endeavors and supports her clients in pursuing sustainable and ethical business practices.
- The Role of HSPs and Neurodivergence: The unique challenges and strengths of highly sensitive people and their contributions to creativity and innovation.
Follow Coco on her creative journey and learn more about her coaching services through Instagram.
Enjoy this list of 20 affirmations to help you tap into your creative flow!
At a time when many people feel like the world is falling apart, especially here on Turtle Island, I am feeling incredibly optimistic about the opportunity we are being given to build anew.
In this episode I share three unique opportunities I see to create-- the rise in ethical consumerism, the need for community spaces, and demand for organic products.
I hope this episode inspires an idea for you to create at this critical time.
Check out: https://passionplanner.com/
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Are you interested in exploring how you can make an impact in the world that honors your unique life force? Schedule a consultation call to learn more about my coaching practice at pauseimpact.org
In this interview with Meryem Alaoui, a professional dancer and choreographer originally from Morocco, we explore the body's role in the fight for collective liberation and the power of sharing our gifts with the world. Meryem discusses the concept of 'rigorous play'—how she balances discipline in her training with creating space for magic to unfold.
Bio: Meryem Alaoui is a Toronto-based dancer and choreographer from Morocco. Founder and artistic director of Jasad Dance Projects, her work is at the intersection of somatic research using movement and voice, and the exploration of contemporaneity through the reclamation of embodied performance practices, dances and knowledge from her culture as a Moroccan diasporic dance artist.
A 2009 graduate of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, she has danced for choreographers Amanda Acorn, Peggy Baker, Angela Blumberg, Antony Hamilton (with the company Dancemakers), Karen Kaeja (Kaeja d’Dance), among others.
Her choreographic work has been presented nationally and internationally, notably in SummerWorks in Toronto, Tangente in Montreal and at the Théâtre National Mohammed V in Morocco.
Meryem has received residency support nationally and internationally, and project funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario and Toronto Arts Councils.
She is a certified Body-Mind Centering® Somatic Movement Educator and she enjoys facilitating movement explorations for dancers in professional settings and in community and arts-education contexts, such as with Toronto Dance Theatre, Tanya Lukin Linklater, Haneen Women Choir and The Arab Community Centre of Toronto.
Are you ready to connect with your creative life force? Schedule a free consultation here!
In this episode, I sit down with Mayra Yadir, a talented mixed media artist, creative writer, and illustrator. Mayra reflects on her journey from spending 30 years as a corporate designer to pursuing her MFA and a master’s in media psychology. Together, we delve into the impact of AI on our creative life force and discuss what this means for the future of humanity.
Learn more about Mayra Yadir here.
Resources:
Guardian article on former Facebook employees in Kenya taking legal action How Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) Differs from PTSDAre you ready to connect with your creative life force? Schedule a free consultation here!
This is a 12 minute guided meditation to help you connect with your higher self and receive guidance on how you are being asked to show up at this moment. Not from a place of guilt or obligation, but from a place of allowing life to flow through you.
Hope this helps you kickoff 2025 strong and in alignment!
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Are you looking to connect with your purpose and create what you are being called to create in the world? Schedule a FREE 30 minute consultation: pauseimpact.org
How does your work contribute to the fight for our collective liberation? This is the question I have been asking myself for the past few weeks and it has given me so much fuel to continue to show up in my full power ️🔥
I hope this episode helps you do the same!
I'd love to hear how this episode resonates with you-- drop me a DM @pauseimpact on IG.
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Are you interested in exploring how you can make an impact in the world that honors your unique life force? Schedule a consultation call to learn more about my coaching practice at pauseimpact.org
In this episode, Besan has a conversation with Anam Raheem, a creative writer with a background in international development. Anam shares her transition from international development to full-time writing, emphasizing the power of storytelling and personal connections. She reflects on her transformative experiences in Gaza, the emotional toll of witnessing violence, and the importance of personal relationships in making an impact. Anam also discusses her project, Gaza Champions, which connects global allies with individuals in Gaza, fostering personal connections and support amidst ongoing violence.
What We Discuss:
Anam's Journey in International Development (00:02:38)
Storytelling as a Political Act (00:11:38)
Love as a Sustainable Motivator (00:20:19)
Embracing Identity as a Writer (00:36:05)
Navigating the Writing Economy (00:41:37)
Episode Resources:
Gaza Champions | Website
Gaza Champions | Instagram
Anam Raheem | Instagram
Are you ready to connect with your creative life force? Schedule a free consultation here!
Why do we create? To the artist, this might be a very intuitive question, but it is something we all deserve to be asking ourselves. I share a perspective from the healing arts as it pertains to creativity.
And for a limited time, you can book a 75 minute PURPOSE CLARITY CALL with me! This could be the perfect holiday gift. Learn more here.
In this episode, Sundus Abdul Hadi, an artist and writer of Iraqi origin, shares her journey, discussing how the Iraq War shaped her political consciousness and artistic practice. The conversation delves into the role of art in social change, the importance of community, and the challenges within the North American art world. Sundus emphasizes the need for persistence over resistance and the significance of creating inclusive spaces.
Timestamps
Guest Introduction (00:01:26)
Introduction of Sundus Abdul Hadi, highlighting her background and artistic contributions.
Understanding Impact (00:03:49)
Sundus reflects on how her understanding of making an impact has evolved over time.
Transformation of Impact (00:09:39)
Sundus explains her journey from loud activism to a more calculated approach for lasting impact.
Art as Resistance (00:12:09)
Discussion on defining resistance and the importance of persistence in activism.
Culture Over Commerce (00:15:51)
Sundar emphasizes prioritizing culture and systemic change over capitalist approaches.
Student Engagement (00:23:58)
Comparison of student engagement in art and social change courses between Iraq and North America.
Awakening Through Art (00:27:18)
Discussion on the importance of art in revitalizing life and addressing societal pain.
Cultivating Spaces for Community (00:35:01)
Sundus shares her views on the significance of community spaces in fostering connection and identity.
Creating Safe Spaces (00:44:50)
Sundus reflects on the complexities of safety in community spaces and the responsibility to maintain inclusivity.
Creative Life Force and Burnout (00:47:26)
Sundus shares her struggles with creativity and burnout, emphasizing the need for self-care and ritual in daily life.
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Sundus Abdul Hadi is an artist and writer of Iraqi origin. She was raised and educated in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, where she earned a BFA in Studio Arts and Art History and a MA in Media Studies. Articulated through her artistic practice, writing and curation, Sundus’ work is a sensitive reflection on trauma, struggle, and care. She is the author/illustrator of Shams, a children’s book about trauma, transformation and healing. Her book titled “Take Care of Your Self: The Art and Cultures of Care and Liberation” (Common Notions, November 2020) is a non-fiction book about care, curation and community. She is the cofounder of We Are The Medium, an artist collective and culture point. In 2022, she founded Makaba Bookshop in the old port of Montreal.
Episode Resources:
Sundus Abdul Hadi: Personal Website
If you are curious about what it would look like to work with a social impact coach, reach out to me on pauseimpact.org
I am so excited to announce the launch of Season 2 where we explore the CREATIVE LIFE FORCE.
As we orient towards our collective liberation, staying connected to our creative life force has never been more vital—it is the energy we need to birth transformative projects into the world.
This season, I will be bringing on artists, writers, and filmmakers, who are actively imagining the new through creative projects so we can learn from their process.
Some questions you are invited to reflect on:
- How does the creative life force manifest in your life?
- Can you recall a moment when you felt deeply connected to it?
- Who do you become when you fully embody your creative life force?
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Are you curious about how you can make an impact in the world while honoring your unique creative life force? Let’s explore this question together. Schedule a consultation call to learn more about my coaching practice at pauseimpact.org. I’d love to support you on this journey!
In this vulnerable episode, I share reflections from my dark night of the soul, where I retreated for months to listen inward.
Some key questions I have been grappling with are:
- How are we allowing the genocide in Gaza to happen? How are we not able to stop it as a collective force?
- How do we embrace humanity and believe that we can do better together, while also having zero tolerance for all forms of oppression?
- How am I implicated in systems of oppression?
- Is the economic system that we have built honoring life?
I'd love to hear how this episode resonates with you-- drop me a DM @pauseimpact on IG.
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Are you interested in exploring how you can make an impact in the world that honors your unique life force? Schedule a consultation call to learn more about my coaching practice at pauseimpact.org-- I'd love to explore this question with you!
In this episode, I interview one of my former clients, Lina Barkawi on how coaching helped her build her business. Lina's business has been a source of motivation and connection during the difficult times in Palestine, and she dreams of every Palestinian in the diaspora making their own unique thob (traditional dress) that tells their story.
Takeaways
Learn more about Lina's Thob on https://www.linasthobe.com/ and follow Lina on Instagram @linasthobe
Are you building a venture and want some additional support? Join our next cohort of the Impact Circle, which launches on September 4th!
In this episode, I share what it means to have a practice of "enoughness" in a world driven by capitalist greed.
Takeaways
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Are you looking to make an impact in the world and feel lighter doing it? Schedule a consultation through pauseimpact.org