This week my talented, wise, and young guest will inspire you with her straight talk. A recent Columbia University graduate in Biotechnology with focus on drug development. She recalls that she used to get away from mostly anything when young from her parents but her mother was always stricter with her brother. Let us see what her brother thinks when I will talk to him. But for now, enjoy our open and candid conversation. She enjoys photography, art, rock climbing, reading, and spending time wit...
May 30, 2018•28 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Meet my guest, Yelena. a young Russian immigrant. An Attorney by profession and loves to learn about other faiths and cultures. And curious to learn about Muslims and Islam. During our conversation, Yelena recalls a great lesson from her mother while she was looking for a job. Her mother said, "If the door is closed, find a window, and if the window is closed then find a chimney..." "if you can't use your hands, use your elbows..." A lesson of hope! Subscribe and share. Thank you and enjoy! Amaz...
May 22, 2018•37 min•Season 1Ep. 37
A bright young man with a lot to offer the world. Meet my guest, Dennis. A 4th-year PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. Works in surgical image guidance, specifically working with an ENT surgeon on medical device design and studying tissue deformations during surgery to better provide navigation for the surgeons. His family moved around a lot when Dennis was growing up. He was born in Shanghai, China, but grew up in Singapore for most...
May 16, 2018•22 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Part 1 A bright young man with a lot to offer the world. Meet my guest, Dennis. A 4th-year PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. Works in surgical image guidance, specifically working with an ENT surgeon on medical device design and studying tissue deformations during surgery to better provide navigation for the surgeons. His family moved around a lot when Dennis was growing up. He was born in Shanghai, China, but grew up in Singapore f...
May 09, 2018•23 min•Season 1Ep. 35
I had a marvelous and truthful conversation with Kevin Singer. Hope you will enjoy this episode. Kevin Singer is husband to Brittany of seven years and father to four children (5, 4, 2, and 2 months). He is co-founder of Neighborly Faith, an initiative which asks, "What would it would for people of other religions to see evangelical Christians as the most hospitable and loving members of their society?" He is a PhD student at North Carolina State University, where he works with the IDEALS projec...
May 02, 2018•38 min•Season 1Ep. 34
I had a marvelous and truthful conversation with Kevin Singer. Hope you will enjoy this episode. Kevin Singer is husband to Brittany of seven years and father to four children (5, 4, 2, and 2 months). He is co-founder of Neighborly Faith, an initiative which asks, "What would it would for people of other religions to see evangelical Christians as the most hospitable and loving members of their society?" He is a PhD student at North Carolina State University, where he works with the IDEALS projec...
Apr 25, 2018•30 min•Season 1Ep. 33
This week my esteemed guest is Latif Rasheed, a trained therapist who runs Western Sunrise Integrative Energy Collaborative in Silver Spring, Maryland. A charming person who you would not guess to be an amazing conscious parent but grandfather as well. And most of all, a light of hope for his patients. A quote on his website says, "Is your life just good enough? Or does your life have enough of what's good? Above all the various strategies I may find the need to employ on behalf of my client, th...
Apr 18, 2018•37 min•Season 1Ep. 32
This week, I am delighted to introduce you to Paresh Motiwala, whose sense of humor is what I liked the most before learning about all his talents. Hope you enjoy this fun interview with him where he might surprise you at times with his believes and practices and at other times you might connect with him deeply. Paresh is a Boston resident for 22 years now. He works as a DBA Manager at Nuance Communications. He is more popularly known for his work as a Public Speaking Coach for children and beau...
Apr 11, 2018•32 min•Season 1Ep. 31
I had the privilege to have a conversation with Sunayana Kachroo Bhide, a poetess, dialogue and story writer in addition to many other hats she wears. She was born and brought up in Kashmir, she has a Masters degree in Computer Science from Pune University. She moved to USA in 2000 for work and been here ever since. Currently lives in Boston area. Her first poem was published at the age of 15, She continued writing and exploring different forms of poetic expressions like Kavita, English Poems, N...
Apr 06, 2018•35 min•Season 1Ep. 4
I had the privilege to have a conversation with Sunayana Kachroo Bhide, a poetess, dialogue and story writer in addition to many other hats she wears. She was born and brought up in Kashmir, she has a Masters degree in Computer Science from Pune University. She moved to USA in 2000 for work and been here ever since. Currently lives in Boston area. Her first poem was published at the age of 15, She continued writing and exploring different forms of poetic expressions like Kavita, English Poems, N...
Apr 04, 2018•31 min•Season 1Ep. 3
My guest this week is Air Gallegos, Director of Student Programs and Curriculum. A beautiful young women with amazing talents and abilities. Enjoy the conversation. Air Gallegos began her career as a middle school English teacher at Strive Preparatory Schools in Denver, Colorado. She lived in Denver for five years and served as a member of a curriculum design team and as a cultural responsive teaching lead, where she dedicated her energy to bringing culturally responsive teaching methods into cl...
Mar 28, 2018•23 min•Season 1Ep. 30
I am thrilled and honored to introduce you to Akhtari Alam, a women full of life and amazing experiences that an average person might not be able to imagine. Her journey of migration from Asian Sub-continent to the nation of immigrants has heart wrenching ebb and flows. I had the privilege to speak with her in Urdu, you can use the caption to convert it into Urdu where ever it is available. Akhtari Alam did her MS from Dacca University,East Pakistan (now Bangladesh ) in microbiology with top pos...
Mar 21, 2018•42 min•Season 1Ep. 2
http://votedilara.com/about-dilara/ Special Edition of Lightupwithshua Podcast. Dilara Sayeed's Elections are on March 20th, 2018 and would like to introduce her to all my listeners. Please spread the word. Thank you! Dilara’s very first memories are of playing double-dutch and hopscotch on the playground, and her graduation from the Head Start preschool program for low-income children in Chicago. She is a product of Chicago Public Schools and a Catholic high school. These experiences have fuele...
Mar 16, 2018•23 min•Season 1Ep. 29
http://votedilara.com/about-dilara/ Special Edition of Lightupwithshua Podcast. Dilara Sayeed's Elections are on March 20th, 2018 and would like to introduce her to all my listeners. Please spread the word. Thank you! Dilara’s very first memories are of playing double-dutch and hopscotch on the playground, and her graduation from the Head Start preschool program for low-income children in Chicago. She is a product of Chicago Public Schools and a Catholic high school. These experiences have fuele...
Mar 16, 2018•29 min•Season 1Ep. 28
My guest this week was born and brought up in Chicago, a child of immigrant parents. Asif Masood has a Masters Degree in Transformational Leadership and Coaching. He has been learning and teaching social / emotional intelligence skills for the past five years. He is part of the Interfaith group at MCC and recently lead an Interfaith trip to Houston to help rebuild. He is a Principal Architect by trade.
Mar 14, 2018•34 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Meet my guest, Founder and CEO, Mona Ahmad, who shifted gears from Wall Street to Mona's Curryations! Created and founded a start-up, which sells an innovative food product, frozen fully prepped ready to cook Halal entrees that represent Pakistani/Indian cuisine. This start-up opened for business on Nov. 30, 2017. Since its idea inception in April 2015, time has been spent building the business, such as conducting product specifications, label designs, compliance with regulatory authorities Unit...
Mar 05, 2018•34 min•Season 1Ep. 26
This week I am pleased to introduce my guest Maxine Lyons, MS, who was a professional educator with older adults for most of her 30+ year career, facilitating groups in northern CA and in the Boston area for diverse ethnic and faith groups. For the past years, she has been actively involved in CMM as a board member and Co-chair of the RUAH Interfaith Spirituality Program Committee, and acting as “spiritual accompaniment" with homeless individuals through several Boston-area organizations. She is...
Feb 28, 2018•38 min•Season 1Ep. 24
I am thrilled and excited to introduce Kausar Qidwai, born in Karachi, Pakistan, received her Master's degree in Microbiology and works in the field of Clinical Research. A mother who loves to enjoy her time, sing, and discuss all the topics of the world with her two children. Her love for music and poetry keeps her in the zone of musical gatherings. Her favorite quote is: Some see things as they are and say why...I dream things that never were and say why not. About her: She works for a device ...
Feb 26, 2018•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Today’s topic is on Fasting: So what is fasting? Is fasting relevant today Let us explore a little. So, it depends who is fasting and what their belief is. And what their respective faith tradition prescribes them to do or is it medically prescribed? First I will talk about what scientists and researchers are saying about fasting and its effects on our health and diseases. And then I will talk about what Islam prescribed about more than 1400 years ago. Links: https://www.vox.com/2018/2/14/170072...
Feb 23, 2018•9 min•Season 1Ep. 2
This week, you will meet Sumi Mukherjee, a extremely courageous author and speaker Sumi Mukherjee published his first book titled “A Life Interrupted – the story of my battle with bullying and obsessive compulsive disorder” in July 2011. A new version of his book was published by Mountain Springs House in Jan 2014. His second book, published by Mountain Springs House in July 2014, is titled “Father Figure – my mission to prevent child sexual abuse”. His third book titled “How to stand up to work...
Feb 21, 2018•35 min•Season 1Ep. 24
President and CEO at Ruitenberg Lind Design Group , meet this week's energetic, vibrant, and free spirited guest, mother of two, Jagjeevan kaur Ruitenberg. She believes that there is nothing more important than gratitude for everything in life, doesn't matter what you are facing. She does not let anything dampen her spirits. Her passion and approach to parenting, her business, and Sikh community is worth listening. She is born Jewish and converted into Sikhism. Don't miss the story of her conver...
Feb 14, 2018•35 min•Season 1Ep. 23
I am happy to bring you the word of the week called Islam. Welcome to the segment - Path to Totality. PTT, Today’s topic is the word Islam, its root and what it means from what I have understood from the Quran and the dictionary of the Quran. This is the root - S-L-M (seen, laam, meem) from which the word ISLAM ۔ اسلام ۔ is derived, its basic meanings are the following. Peace, Purity, Submission and Obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means Submission to the Will of God and obedience to God...
Feb 02, 2018•12 min•Season 1Ep. 1
This week I am honoured to introduce one of the most humble, disciplined and committed person I have met in recent years. He came and sat on a table that my sister and I were sitting at in Merrimack College, North Andover, MA. His conversation with us and humble demeanor couldn't tell that he was a highly accomplished Rabbi who was the winner of the 2012 Goldziher Prize, would present the 2014 Goldziher Lecture on, “From Cairo to Qatar, Oman and Beyond: Jewish-Muslim Dialogue in the U.S. and Int...
Feb 01, 2018•31 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Part 2 - Interfaith: Introducing Lubna Malik again for the second part. A beautiful soul, a teacher, an educator, a community organizer, a philanthropist, a mother, and a dependable friend. An extremely patient person who is willing to test herself by going out of her comfort zone. In her words, "Life is a journey – we enter from one door and exit via another. The way we make the trip determines our legacy. I want to share what I have learnt and what I am learning with my children. Because it is...
Jan 25, 2018•29 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Part 1:Parenting This week my guest is Lubna Malik. A beautiful soul, a teacher, an educator, a community organizer, a philanthropist, a mother, and a dependable friend. An extremely patient person who is willing to test herself by going out of her comfort zone. In her words, "Life is a journey – we enter from one door and exit via another. The way we make the trip determines our legacy. I want to share what I have learnt and what I am learning with my children. Because it is in giving that we c...
Jan 24, 2018•32 min•Season 1Ep. 19
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RODNEY PETERSEN (Just found out today) My guest this week is Rev. Rodney L. Petersen, Ph.D. An amazing amalgamation of knowledge and experience. An author of multiple articles and books. A wonderful human being! He is an Executive Director of Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries (Boston), and Executive Director of The Lord’s Day Alliance in the U.S., and a Research Associate at Boston University School of Theology. He is formerly Executive Director of The Boston Theological Institu...
Jan 17, 2018•29 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Part 2: Interfaith Another exhilarating and energetic person whom I had a chance to interview in New Jersey. Hope you will enjoy listening to her journey and lessons. Fatima Masood has been in the Field of Education since past 15 years. She holds a Masters in Special Education. Has worked in Marlboro Township Public schools and was a Sunday school Principal for 5 years In OLD Bridge Community. Eventually helping establish a full time Islamic School in the Old Bridge community. She was Principal ...
Jan 11, 2018•18 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Another exhilarating and energetic person whom I had a chance to interview in New Jersey. Hope you will enjoy listening to her journey and lessons. Fatima Masood has been in the Field of Education since past 15 years. She holds a Masters in Special Education. Has worked in Marlboro Township Public schools and was a Sunday school Principal for 5 years In OLD Bridge Community. Eventually helping establish a full time Islamic School in the Old Bridge community. She was Principal of ICOB Academy for...
Jan 10, 2018•31 min•Season 1Ep. 17
My this week's guest is another ingenuous and brave person. He has been serving and educating people. His upcoming book called 'The Gift of our Wounds: A Sikh and a Former White Supremacist Find Forgiveness After Hate will be released this year in April sometime. It is available on Amazon for pre-order. Pardeep is the eldest son of Satwant Singh Kaleka – the president of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, who was gunned down during the attacks of August 5th, 2012. Pardeep grew up in Milwaukee and gra...
Jan 03, 2018•38 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Happy holidays and Happy New Year. I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all the joy of the upcoming year 2018. I thank all the people who took out time to provide statements for this New Year Special. I hope you will enjoy listening to this episode. Here are the names of the participants. Introduction to the episode by Shua. Raaid Najeeb Amy Degen Eric Fraser Abdullah Jafri Maxine Lyons Saaid Haseeb Ending statement by Shua. Thank you for your presence and listening to this Special N...
Dec 30, 2017•14 min•Season 1Ep. 14
