In this luminous second episode of Sage Advice, ⁠Dr. Deena Shaffer⁠ joins host ⁠Hamza Khan⁠ for an inspiring, soul-expanding conversation about purpose, learning, and the quiet rebellion of choosing joy. A bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and the visionary behind Awakened Learning, Dr. Shaffer has dedicated her life to transforming education into an act of compassion. But it was the profound loss of both her parents in her mid-20s that clarified her life’s mission: to reduce suffering through meaningful, inclusive learning experiences. In this episode, Deena shares the timeless wisdom she would pass on at the end of her life: 1) Go right when everyone goes left, 2) Live life as if everything is rigged in your favour, and 3) Move in the direction of aliveness. Together, Hamza and Deena unpack these vibrant truths, exploring what it means to design a beautiful business, practice ethical entrepreneurship, and align your work with your wonder. From learning strategies to legacy, this episode is a tender blueprint for anyone seeking to live—and lead—with curiosity, integrity, and joy. Because sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is choose what feels most alive.

In the premiere episode of Sage Advice, Dr. Samra Zafar joins host Hamza Khan for a moving and deeply human conversation about healing, resilience, and the courage to lead with love. A child bride who escaped a decade of abuse, Dr. Zafar went on to become a celebrated psychiatrist, bestselling author, and global speaker. Through her work and her charity, Brave Beginnings, she helps others unlearn limiting beliefs and reclaim their agency. In this episode, Samra shares the timeless wisdom she would pass on at the end of her life: 1) Hurting people hurt people, 2) Everything happens for a reason, and 3) Make love more powerful than hate. Together, Hamza and Samra explore how these hard-won truths continue to shape her life’s work, from trauma-informed psychiatry to inclusive leadership. This conversation is a masterclass in living with purpose—and a powerful reminder that hope is not just a feeling, but a force.

Joshna Maharaj is a chef, two-time TEDx speaker, and activist. She believes strongly in the power of chefs and social gastronomy to bring hospitality, sustainability, and social justice to the table. Joshna is a regular guest on CBC Radio, a passionate public speaker, and co-hosts “Hot Plate,” a food and drink podcast. She was the recipient of Restaurants Canada’s Culinary Excellence Award in 2018. Her recent book, “Take Back The Tray,” is about her work building new models for institutional food procurement, production, and service. This book is a movement to reconnect food with health, wellness, education, and rehabilitation in public institutions around the globe. It is a passionate story about how a chef tried to disrupt the institution in hopes for systemic change.

In this conversation, we talked about food insecurity, the power of values & purpose, system change, everyday activism, staying motivated through adversity, paying invisible taxes, and unlearning hustle culture.

Connect with Joshna:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/joshnamaharaj
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshnamaharaj/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshna-maharaj-627772112/
Website: https://www.joshnamaharaj.com/