You are Leaving Disabled Travelers Out of Your Content
See Life Different
This episode challenges content creators and travelers to make their content more empathetic and inclusive for disabled audiences. Timestamps 0:00 — Intro & welcome to the See Life Different podcast 0:28 — Zaakirah's background: cancer survivor, brand strategist, author, world traveler 0:42 — Episode topic: Are you leaving disabled travelers out of your content? 1:20 — Zaakirah's personal story: visually impaired and hard of hearing, visited 15+ countries and 4+ continents 1:48 — Her role as an accessibility advocate and travel consultant 2:21 — How the pandemic amplified the...
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Why I Left Kenya Went to Ghana, How I Grew Through It All
See Life Different
In this personal episode, Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad — eye cancer survivor, brand strategist, author, and world traveler — shares what the past six months have looked like since leaving Kenya. She opens up about a year of meaningful volunteer work at a Kenyan orphanage, the visa challenges that made long-term living there unsustainable, and the emotional weight of losing an aunt, uncle and her older sister in 2025. From Kenya to Ghana, Zaakirah takes us on her mother's bold solo move, her own 40-day visit to Ghana during Ramadan, and all the cultural, professional, and healing...
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Grief, Love, and Recalibration of Self: Reflects on Islam and the Anthony Joshua Tragedy
See Life Different
In this episode, host Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad talks about the intersections of grief, love, and self-reflection. Drawing from her perspective as a cancer survivor, world traveler, and death doula, Zaakirah reflects on how loss reshapes our understanding of faith, identity, and legacy. Prompted by the collective loss of Abdul Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami—friends and teammates of Anthony Joshua—Zaakirah revisits her own upbringing as an African American Muslimah. She discusses the complexities of living between cultures and expectations, and the early lessons learned from navigating diverse...
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How to Create Vision Board Manifest Dream Life and Goal Set 2026
See Life Different
In this episode, we dive into the power of vision boards, intentional goal setting, and manifestation. Zaakirah Muhammad offers practical steps, personal stories, and actionable advice to help you set meaningful goals for 2026—whether in your personal or professional life. Learn how to overcome limiting beliefs, use both digital and traditional tools, and turn your dreams into reality. This podcast is perfect for women of color ready to step outside their comfort zone and see life differently! Zaakirah is a cancer survivor, brand strategist, and world traveler. Zaakirah is also the...
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Adapting and Pivoting Your Brands in the Artificial Intelligence Era
See Life Different
Learn how brands and creators can adapt to the rapidly changing world of social media and artificial intelligence. Zaakirah shares practical strategies for owning your digital content, building authentic communities, and leveraging AI tools to streamline your creative process. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, you’ll find actionable tips to help your brand thrive in the AI era 00:00 – Introduction 00:29 – About the Host 00:44 – Episode Overview 01:03 – Why Your Audience Isn't Buying 01:29 – Owning Your Digital Intellectual Property 02:08 – Adapting to...
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How to Build Your Brand Around Storytelling
See Life Different
This is a flashback episode of the 2023 See Life Different Virtual Summit Zaakirah explains how the summit evolved from her book and podcast, and her mission to empower women Zaakirah Muhammad shares her personal journey as a cancer survivor, brand strategist, and global storyteller. Zaakirah guides listeners through the power of storytelling in building a personal and professional brand, emphasizing the importance of embracing your unique story, overcoming adversity, and living with intention. Key Topics Covered: Zaakirah’s background and the creation of the See Life Different Summit ...
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Embracing Kenya: Journey of Culture, Style, and Boundaries with Taneka J
See Life Different
Taneka J, an American entrepreneur who moved to Kenya, details her journey, challenges, and the founding of her fashion business catering to curvaceous women who value style. Taneka shares her journey from the U.S. to Kenya as a Black woman, detailing her process of cultural adjustment, business ventures, and the importance of planning and open-mindedness for those considering a similar move. The conversation emphasizes the vibrancy of Kenya, from its beautiful beaches to its rich wildlife, and provides practical advice for diaspora members looking to reconnect with their roots. 00:31 Welcome...
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Why You Should Retreat, Rest and Reset This New Year's in Kenya
See Life Different
In this episode of the See Life Different podcast, Zaakirah shares her recent experiences in Kenya, highlights her advocacy for disability-friendly travel, and announces exciting travel opportunities, including the Journey Back to Eden Expo and her own creative arts retreat. explore in-depth cultural immersion, wellness activities, and brand development while navigating personal and professional pivots, with empowerment and transformation. 00:43 Embracing Life's Pivots 01:43 Advocacy and Travel 02:57 Travel Tips and Personal Insights 05:21 Journey Back to Eden Expo 09:07 Sanaa Nomad Retreat...
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Disabled and Thriving Empowering Disabled Voices: A Live Panel Discussion on Disability Pride
See Life Different
Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad celebrates Disability Pride Month with a special in-person panel discussion recorded in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The panel, titled 'Disabled and Thriving,' dives into topics of navigating ableism, mental health, and creating an inclusive workforce for black, indigenous, and disabled creatives. Zaakirah shares her personal journey of living with retinoblastoma, advocating for herself and others, and the importance of community and resources. The episode also covers practical advice for accessibility in the workplace, travel, and social settings. The panel includes Dr. Anthony...
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Why I Moved to Kenya And What The Experience Is Like
See Life Different
In this episode, Zaakirah shares insights about her connection to Kenya, her unique identity as a disabled Black American Muslim woman, and her volunteer work at the Al Walidayn Rescue Center. Highlighting her previous travels in Africa and her connection to Kenya through photography, she discusses local culture, cost of living, transportation, and the vibrant technological scene. The episode also invites listeners to join her for a transformative retreat on the Kenya Coast in January 2026, focusing on coastal beauty, wellness, and content creation. 00:00 Welcome to See Life...
info_outlineThis episode challenges content creators and travelers to make their content more empathetic and inclusive for disabled audiences.
Timestamps
0:00 — Intro & welcome to the See Life Different podcast
0:28 — Zaakirah's background: cancer survivor, brand strategist, author, world traveler
0:42 — Episode topic: Are you leaving disabled travelers out of your content?
1:20 — Zaakirah's personal story: visually impaired and hard of hearing, visited 15+ countries and 4+ continents
1:48 — Her role as an accessibility advocate and travel consultant
2:21 — How the pandemic amplified the need for accessible content for disabled audiences
2:51 — Living with invisible disabilities: hearing loss, low vision, and the challenge of being seen
3:50 — What most people get wrong about disability — visible vs. invisible conditions
4:15 — Neurodivergence, recent injuries, and why empathy matters
4:35 — Upcoming speaking engagement: Women in Travel Summit (WITS) in Chattanooga, TN
5:18 — Zaakirah's history with travel content creation, dating back to the early 2010s
5:39 — How a Kodak Polaroid camera at age 5 sparked her love of storytelling
6:18 — From blog to vlog to podcast to TEDx stage
6:19 — Travel should expand how we see the world — but the world isn't designed for disabled travelers
6:49 — The Sunflower Lanyard: a tool for identifying hidden disabilities while traveling
7:08 — Lip reading, airport navigation, and advocating for yourself on tour
7:08 — The simple question most people forget: "How can I help?"
7:47 — Creating accessible visual content: font contrast, color readability, and DIY graphics
8:08 — Captions: why they matter beyond just muting your phone
8:30 — How social media platforms handle auto-captions — and where they fall short
8:37 — Captions as a tool for language learners AND those with hearing loss
9:11 — Describing images and videos the way you'd explain it to a five-year-old or an elder
9:35 — Screen readers and alt text: creating content accessible to those who cannot see
10:00 — SEO bonus: accessibility features also improve content discoverability
10:21 — Inviting disabled travelers into your hometown content
10:41 — Where to start: use your five senses to describe people, places, and things
11:02 — Enable captions and edit auto-generated ones for accuracy
11:28 — Why Zaakirah is personally passionate about accessible content
11:45 — Scrolling past content you can't hear or read — and the revenue creators lose
12:07 — How to work with Zaakirah: mentorship sessions and accessibility guides
12:39 — Booking a session: 30-min to 1-hour with an included accessibility guide
12:59 — Speaking at the WITS Travel Creators Summit
13:05 — The financial case for accessibility: disabled audiences represent real spending power
13:29 — Confidence, advocacy, and telling your story as a disabled person
13:48 — Zaakirah's personal experience with low vision at night and hearing high pitches
14:05 — Processing time and neurodivergence in accessible spaces
14:26 — Book written with her mom: resilience, confidence, and being the only one in the room
14:37 — Book available on Amazon (ebook, paperback, audiobook)
14:37 — Visit zaakirahtnayyar.com/social for all links
15:08 — Mentorship, brand strategy, and being a "brand therapist"
15:31 — Finding joy in creativity and entrepreneurship amid life's responsibilities
15:49 — 10 years of helping people build their brands and tell their stories
16:09 — Women in Travel Summit: stay tuned for more details
16:24 — In-person community with fellow creators and speakers
17:04 — Call to action: speak up in comments, advocate for accessibility, share this episode
17:09 — Closing: share this episode widely and see you next time
Zaakirah is a hard-of-hearing, visually impaired traveler who has visited over 15 countries. She is an accessibility advocate, brand strategist, and travel consultant.
Connect with Zaakirah
- Website & all links: https://zaakirahtnayyar.com/social
- Mentorship sessions + Accessibility Guide available for booking: https://zaakirah-nayyar.kit.com/profile?
- Book available on Amazon (ebook, paperback, and audiobook): https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Life-Through-Different-Lens-ebook/dp/B081MR9TKP/
If this episode resonated with you, share it — accessibility starts with awareness