Living Legacy Podcast
By Zaakirah Muhammad
At 9 months old, I was officially dubbed a cancer survivor
Now it’s my turn to share my story. I will teach and inspire you on how you can step outside of your comfort zone.
In this podcast will feature women as they share stories about Professionalism, entrepreneurship, business, travel, life, marriage, and more! Do you have any suggestions on the topics you want to be discussed? Send me an email or Leave them in a comment!
Please Subscribe and download and use #livinglegacypodcast
Living Legacy PodcastJun 17, 2020
Ep 01 Retinoblastoma Cancer Survivor
In this first episode of the Living Legacy Podcast Series, I begin by sharing the story where it all began: my cancer story. I share how a photograph my mother took lead to a diagnosis of Bilateral Retinoblastoma, how chemotherapy affected my hearing. Resiliency led me to not let my diagnosis and disabilities hinder my gift as a professional photographer and all the things I enjoy and have achieved to this day.
Mentioned in the Podcast:
Ciara, Chris Brown
Cases of Retinoblastoma
Survival Rates of Retinoblastoma
Kodak Polaroid Camera
Nikon
Commercial Photography
World Cancer Day
Childhood Cancer Day
To learn more about Retinoblastoma, visit www.wechope.org
Zaakirahnayyar.com
Follow me on social media:
twitter.com/illuminousone
www.instagram.com/illuminousone/
Share your thoughts and suggestions using #livinglegacypodcast on social media!
Intro: 0:55
Retinoblastoma Story: 0:59
Ocularist who makes prosthetic eyes: 8:30
Life Advice: 11:30
World Cancer Day and Childhood Cancer Day: 12:05
Medical Advice: 12:30
Doctor story on photoshopping the white glow: 12:50
Ep 05 Islam a Way of Life Becoming a Muslim
This will be the longest, most real and most raw episode I have recorded yet.
I don’t think I’ve talked about this outside of a journal or one on one conversation if someone asks about my hijab or headscarf or whenever I was fasting growing up in middle school
- How I automatically became a Muslim
- My conflict with Islam
- Islam is within me. My connection to God/Allah is strong
- Attending Islamic School which was a private school
- Finding that community as an adult
- Traveling to Muslim Countries
- Growing up listening to Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) at summer camps
- Why I choose Islam - Makes me a better person reason for being so fearless in others’ eyes
- Five Most Important Duties of a Muslim
- Reasons You are not required to fast if you are a woman
My first male guest In this podcast is my father. He shares his story of wanting to be a minister
One summer after going to Columbus Ohio and how Islam came into his life at a young age.
He shares how his childhood friends noticed the change in his character that lead him toward Islam.
He shares his life story and how he converted to Islam.
He shares how Islam brought himself and my mother together.
I share my experience growing up as an African American Muslimah.
I share Well known rappers, actors and comedians who are born Muslim or who have converted to Islam.
He shares what he did before he retired, about the time Islam first came into his life, how important religion is in his life, even as a teenage boy in the 60’s and an adult in the 70’s
How Islam shaped his businesses and affected being accepted into his first few jobs
He talks about his taxi cab business and company
How it shaped life as a father and changed his perspective of marriage.
The difference between faith and religion - what happens when you believe in things that you cannot see
How it helped to cope with my health and challenges as a childhood cancer survivor
Why it was important to live near a masjid-mosque-place of worship whenever we moved
How going to Hajj and fulfilling pilgrimage changed their perspective on Islamic principles
His decision to become a Moor and changing his name
The common misconception about Islam
Speaks from the perspective of both Christian and Muslim
My parents live near a state highway in my dad’s hometown of Etowah, TN, so you’ll hear the sound effects of vehicles speeding by.
- Akon
- Raekwon
- A Tribe Called Quest (Q-Tip)
- Dave Chapelle
- Ice Cube
- Busta Rhymes
- Muhammad Ali
- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
- Mike Tyson
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- French Montana
- DJ Khaled
- Mos Def
- Zayn Malik
- Lupe Fiasco
- Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam)
- Jermaine Jackson
- Michael Jackson
- Mahershala Ali
Muslim Women:
- Amal Clooney
- Iman (Model)
For More Info: listen to OneFootintheSink.com a Muslim Lifestyle Podcast where many guests share their experiences as reverts and business owners
Ep 04 Rideshare Driver Uber Lyft Postmates Grubhub
Imagine what life is like when you are always in a vehicle and always on the road. Imagine what it would be like if you were never the one to have to drive.
Which one Would you love? Which One Would you hate Or Hate It?
Today’s Episode is all about Ridesharing - How I became a Lyft, Uber and Food Delivery Driver. I also share my history with driving since it began a little before that - at age 15 to be exact
Listen on:
Rate and Leave a review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2NYapeh
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Show Notes:
Driving is in my blood - my dad was a taxi driver before becoming a CDL Driver.
He also did a little driving in the military during the Vietnam War in the Air Force.
Played lots of driving video games growing up such as Crazy Taxi.
I was surrounded by cars, new cars, old cars, rental cars.
Been driving since a child but with a permit since age 15, passed the test by age 16.
Living with one eye did not slow me down, more alert than most, I was ahead of the class because I had been driving for so long.
Blindspot/side view mirrors as a requirement on license
Glasses as a requirement when driving
Fast driving runs in my family
I’ve never gotten a major speeding ticket nor had an accident.
Have had my car since high school.
I have my dad’s driving genes.
A way to use my car - racking up no miles in D.C. due to taking public transportation and walking the streets like a local
By the time I was old enough to rent a car, Which was age 18 thanks to USAA
I must have been so used to having blind spots that I knew where to look.
It came up more than once however the time it really clicked was when my friend from high school Came to visit me in Tennessee from Florida.
It was her first time in Tennessee and it was my pleasure to show her around the tourist spots. She asked me out of the blue have you ever thought of becoming an Uber driver?
Fast forward a couple of years later, as I was in between jobs I applied for Uber and Lyft
I would do social media work, and then go out and drive
Why I love driving for Lyft
Perspective on being an Uber/Lyft Driver
Car Requirements for driving
Tips to get started with driving
Tips on Safety:
Not drive at night
Stay away from dark and fishy neighborhoods
Keep Pepper Spray and pocket knife on hand
I begin food delivery such as Uber Eats, GrubHub, and Postmates.
Why I love Uber Eats and GrubHub
I don’t have to pay for the meal
Learn new places to eat
It’s side income
Never a dull moment
Use My Code for an Uber Sign Up Driving bonus
Use this link for a Lyft Sign Up Driving bonus
Mystro: Free Trial with Mystro - Hands-free rideshare driving app for Androids http://ssqt.co/m5erAfA
Sign Up with Postmates: https://pmfleet.app.link/f0DExgMDfV
Ep 03 Operation Crossroads Africa Interview
This episode, I interview Jacqueline Hardaway Kakembo who went to Sierra Leone in 1965. She recruited me to Ghana in 2011. Operation Crossroads Africa is a U.S.-based, non-profit organization that has cross-cultural exchanges and small-scale service projects in Africa. It is the Peace Corps before the Peace Corps. For 7 weeks each summer, teams of 8 to 10 volunteers, a group leader and local volunteers join to work together. Learn more: operationcrossroadsafrica.org. For show notes: zaakirahnayyar.com/blog
Bear with me as audio is bumpy - this is a previously recorded interview with timeless gems about how she found out about Operation Crossroads Africa, why she stuck with the organization and some of her favorite memories.
Listen, Follow, Subscribe and Download on Soundcloud, Spotify, Google Play Music, iTunes, Anchor, and Stitcher.
Show Notes/ Points to Take Away:
- Operation Crossroads Africa description - Peace Corps before the Peace Corps
- I met my husband - through Operation Crossroads Africa
- Interviewing Jacqueline Hardaway Kakembo
How I met Jackie - Through a friend of my Dad
My Crossroads Trip and Application Experience
I briefly worked with helped them launch their social media pages
Jackie Was at my Wedding or Elopement in the Gambia
Crossroads Years
Sierra Leone 1965 - Participation - Nursing Student
2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 Niger - Group Leader - One project was the National Museum for Niger, Recreation Project Second Time, Medical Project for the third time
Togo 2010 - education project
The Gambia 2014 - Nursing
Uganda 2015 - Primary School
Why she is still involved in Crossroads
Impact of Crossroads on her life
How she found out about Crossroads
Fellow Alumni member Donald Scoggins
What Makes Crossroads Different - Peace Corps
Favorite Memory from The Gambia - Welcoming and Naming Ceremony
Why Should someone volunteer with Crossroads
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- Year of Return to Ghana (West Africa)
- Why it’s important to travel to Africa and not the modernized countries such as South Africa
- I’m glad Ghana was my first, the Gambia was my Second, Senegal was my third, South Africa was my fourth African country
- Application Deadline March 15 - If you are serious, tell them my name (Zaakirah) and they will extend application for you.
- Website - operationcrossroadsafrica.org
- Group Size
- Description of ideal volunteer
- Social Media Pages - @operationcrossroadsafrica Facebook and Instagram
- Pinterest and Twitter (@crossroadafrica)
- You will see my photos and videos on the website
- This is the shortened version of Peace Corps
- Or Solo Travel with Nomadness Travel Tribe
Ep 02 Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
Imagine what life would be like if you were at the doctor’s office at age 16 and were told you could not conceive.
In this podcast episode, I share the diagnosis, symptoms, and aftermath of living with PCOS aka Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Also in honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, I share the statistics and symptoms of the autoimmune disease of the same family.
I also advise on how I’ve managed inflammation through Holistic Eating and a Plant-Based Diet (and using natural ingredients).
I am not a doctor. I am simply sharing my personal opinion, knowledge, and experience. Please consult with your nutritionist/dietician, OB/GYN, or endocrinologist for the best regimen for your condition.
For more information on PCOS visit pcosdiva.com
Converse on social media using #livinglegacypodcast
To learn more and view show notes zaakirahnayyar.com/podcast
Listen, Follow, Subscribe and Download on Soundcloud, Spotify, Google Play Music, and Stitcher.
- 0:55 Diagnosis and PCOS Symptoms
- 2:02 I am Not a Doctor
- 2:23 Excessive Hair
- 3:10 Fatigue
- 3:30 Olympic Swimming and Athletic Abilities
- 4:10 Common misconceptions about PCOS
- 4:35 Irregular menstrual cycles
- 5:30 Living with PCOS - Active Lifestyle
- 5:45 PCOS is hereditary
- 5:55 Excessive Acne
- 6:10 Holistic Plant-Based Diet
- 7:05 Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap as face and body wash
- 7:25 My skin rash would glow in the dark
- 7:34 Sensitive Skin/Arm and Hammer/Natural Deodorant
- 7:50 Apple Cider Vinegar as facial astringent
- 8:00 Rose Water as a facial toner
- 8:15 Whole Foods | Sprouts are where to find the items mentioned
- 8:25 PCOS Statistics and symptoms
- 8:50 March 8 International Women’s Day | March is Women’s History Month and Endometriosis Awareness Month
- 9:00 Endometriosis statistics and symptoms
- 10:00 pcosdiva.com
- 10:20 Every woman’s condition is different
- 11:00 Visit endocrinologist and OB/GYN for diagnosis
- 11:20 Why not use birth control
- 11:30 PCOS and Endometriosis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation
- 12:15 How to start holistic nutrition (Eating Clean)
- 13:35 Try Gardein and Beyond Meat Frozen Foods Brands