Advertise on podcast: Lighter Impact with Besan

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. --- 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. -- 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. -- 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. -- 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 ✨ The Multi-Passionate Identity: embracing diverse talents and rejecting societal pressures to "choose one path." ✨ Decolonizing Creativity: how rest, play, and authentic expression contribute to one another. ✨ The Role of HSPs and Neurodivergence: unique challenges and strengths of highly sensitive people and their contributions to creativity. 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/  -- 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 PTSD Are 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! -- 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.   -- 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: liminal fuzz substack 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.