FannBoy Friday with Shahjehan Khan

FannBoy Friday with Shahjehan Khan

A weekly podcast of bite-sized interviews, hosted by actor, musician, and producer Shahjehan Khan in partnership with the Fann database for Muslim creative projects. Fann, which is Arabic for art, is a brand new website where you can basically get a quick overview of all the cool stuff American Muslim creators are up to these days. Each episode of the podcast brings a conversation with an amazing American Muslim creative. Learn more at www.createfann.com For advertising opportunities please email: PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com. We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy

Episodes

December 22, 2023 19 mins
Adam Ashraf Elsayigh, an Egyptian-American playwright and theater-maker known for his works that explore intersections of queerness, immigration, and colonialism, discusses his current projects and personal influences. Adam recounts growing up in Dubai and moving to the United States in his early 20s. This conversation also delves into ideas around representation, where Adam argues that progress is not solely about seeing yourself ...
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Amin El Gamal, the first openly queer Muslim actor to play a leading role on a TV show, discusses his early life as a child of Egyptian immigrants, his acting roles in various productions, and the exploration of his queer and Muslim identities. Amin discusses his transition into writing and producing, exploring gender and neurodivergence in his recent short film, 'Unmasking.' He also speaks candidly about his struggles with self-ac...
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December 8, 2023 16 mins
Rehana Lew Mirza, a playwright, filmmaker, and founder of Desipina, discusses her career, including her work on a musical titled "Bhangra Nation." She discusses the empowerment she felt in her career, especially through founding Desipina with her sister and taking control of producing her own work. The interview also delves into the challenges of representation in the arts, both in theater and film, and Mirza emphasizes the need fo...
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December 1, 2023 22 mins
Johana Bhuiyan, a senior tech reporter and editor at The Guardian, discusses her coverage of surveillance practices targeting marginalized groups, with a focus on immigration surveillance. She delves into her investigation of a former cattle monitoring company working with ICE to surveil migrants using ankle monitors, facial recognition apps, and smartwatches. Johana highlights the lack of transparency in the use of such technology...
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November 17, 2023 24 mins
Arti Ishak, a biracial, non-binary Muslim American, discusses their recent directing projects and experiences in the entertainment industry. Arti discusses their journey, emphasizing the challenges of navigating representation and identity in the arts. Arti shares insights into their creative process, the impact of the pandemic on their perspective, and the importance of striving for diverse and authentic Muslim representation in m...
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November 10, 2023 20 mins
Canadian-born director, playwright, and screenwriter Kareem Fahmy discusses opening multiple theater productions across different parts of the country. He also emphasizes his journey of feeling empowered as a storyteller and how he navigates his dual identity in the theater and entertainment world. Kareem discusses his perspective on theater versus other creative media, as well as the challenges and freedoms associated with each. H...
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November 3, 2023 12 mins
Rafay Rashid discusses the release of his debut album, "Kitchen Weapons," and an upcoming tour with Deer Tick. Rafay explains how "Kitchen Weapons" reflects his personal identity formation as a first-generation Pakistani in the US, highlighting the vulnerability and insecurities of his background in contrast to his previous work. He also shares the challenges and four-year journey of bringing the album to fruition and his hopes for...
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Journalist and documentary producer Iliana Hagenah discusses her work and passions. She mentions a recent piece she worked on concerning the royal family's connections to slavery, highlighting her role as a journalist. Iliana shares her experiences covering global stories and her interest in decolonialism, the exploitation of resources, and forced labor. She also talks about her unique project, writing her first script based on her...
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October 20, 2023 14 mins
Allana Akhtar, a reporter for The Juggernaut, discusses her focus on topics related to longevity and aging. She explores the increasing interest in anti-aging startups and technology, particularly in South Asian communities, and how research on extending health spans has become a significant area of interest. She also touches on her early experiences in journalism, how the industry has evolved, the importance of listening and empat...
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October 13, 2023 25 mins
Sabrina Siddiqui, a White House reporter at the Wall Street Journal, discusses her coverage of major stories, including President Biden's potential rematch with former President Trump in the next election and Biden's trip to Ukraine. Siddiqui also touches on her coverage of AI technology's impact on society, specifically in schools, and highlights her experiences as a journalist, including the adrenaline rush of publishing impactfu...
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October 6, 2023 24 mins
Abbas Rattani, the founding director of MIPSTERZ, discusses the evolution of the arts and culture collective focused on Muslim creative expression. Abbas highlights the community-focused initiatives of MIPSTERZ, including the Good Fun Muslim Friends Show, a monthly variety show that fosters connections among members. He reflects on the organization's journey, from receiving grants and exhibiting at prestigious venues to the realiza...
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Aisha Jemila Daniels discusses her musical journey which started at a young age, with a strong foundation in piano and a deep love for jazz. She temporarily shifted her focus to visual arts during high school and throughout her master's degree. A pivotal moment came when she decided to leave her job at the United Nations and pursue music seriously, leading to her debut as a jazz singer in Ethiopia, where her unique voice gained rap...
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September 22, 2023 17 mins
Mariam Hydara, a junior at Boston University majoring in journalism and the social media manager of Black Muslim TV (BMTV), discusses the mission and significance of BMTV. Founded as a platform in June 2020 by CEO Latifah, BMTV aims to provide representation and support for Black Muslims through three core pillars: art, education, and programming. Mariam shares how BMTV addresses the need for spaces where Black Muslims can express ...
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September 15, 2023 16 mins
Hanifa Abdul Hameed is a designer and illustrator renowned for her work on projects such as Disney's Ms. Marvel and worn by celebrities like Padma Lakshmi and Mindy Kaling. Hanifa shares her artistic journey, rooted in a childhood fascination with fashion and culture, and discusses her foray into digital illustration during the pandemic. She emphasizes her commitment to addressing pressing societal issues, such as women's empowerme...
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September 8, 2023 19 mins
Journalist Issam Ahmed discusses the significant impact of climate change on extreme weather events, highlighting ongoing climate litigation, such as a case in Montana where children are suing the state over its fossil fuel-friendly policies. He also touches on the fascinating intersection between artificial intelligence and music, where AI is used to recreate voices and songs of famous artists, potentially raising legal and ethica...
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September 1, 2023 11 mins
Mike Mosallam, a talented producer, director, and writer, discusses the significance of intersectional storytelling and representation in today's media landscape and the hope that it can become commonplace. Mike emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and collaborative environment for actors and creatives, and he shares his experience with directing actors and tailoring approaches to individual needs. He highlights the signifi...
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August 25, 2023 13 mins
Nayab Hussain, a versatile actress with a background in pharmacy, shares her journey of pursuing acting while managing a full-time job and family responsibilities. She reflects on her early interest in the arts, despite the challenges and lack of support due to cultural norms. Nayab discusses her experiences working on TV shows like Law & Order SVU and Veep, highlighting the importance of representation and breaking stereotypes. Ho...
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August 18, 2023 15 mins
Fatima Gloria Shahzad, an actress, producer, activist, and businesswoman, discusses her dedication to writing her own short film, with a focus on American Muslim stories. She reflects on the freedom of sharing personal narratives without the pressure of representing everyone. Fatima also delves into her open approach to sharing personal stories and vulnerability, particularly regarding pregnancy loss and IVF. She talks about her im...
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August 11, 2023 13 mins
Sheherzade Raza Preisler, a filmmaker and MFA candidate at Brooklyn College's Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema, discusses her journey from pre-med to filmmaking, sharing insights into her recent projects, including a short film about high school girls searching for the original 4 Loko. She discusses the challenges faced by women of color in the industry and highlights the importance of telling stories of marginalized communities...
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August 4, 2023 9 mins
Michelle Naik, a Pakistani American wardrobe stylist and co-founder of the clothing line Basim & Michelle, shares her journey in the fashion industry, from starting a fashion blog to becoming a wardrobe stylist and creative director. She also discusses the importance of maintaining a connection to her Pakistani culture, which inspires and sets her apart in her creative work. Hosted by Shahjehan Khan. Check out Michelle Naik's Insta...
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