S2, EP2: Maryam Ishtiaq on Breaking Free of Labels

Dallas-based lifestyle content creator and social media strategist Maryam Ishtiaq joins season two, episode two of Creators with Influence Podcast. Maryam is a multidimensional creator passionate about cooking, travel, beauty, and home. She’s not one to be defined by labels or a particular niche. Maryam’s creative point of difference is expressing her expertise on the many subjects she loves. Her career started in food and tech, working as a social media strategist for New York and San Francisco startups, where she executed brand creative campaigns and e-commerce development. These early defining experiences helped her launch a cooking website, itsactuallyspicy.com, and a YouTube channel with the same name to showcase her culinary skills. On these platforms, you can find recipes crafted by Maryam and her husband, Nabeel, including the Nihari Pizza, a community favorite. Maryam’s work has been profiled in top media outlets, including Southern Living Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, Hello Pakistan, and more. Some of her brand partners include Albertsons, Nordstrom, HerbalEssence, Aveeno, Grove Collaborative, and Dose & Co.

Product developer is also one of the many titles she holds. Maryam illustrated a book series for children, The English Meets Urdu, available online via Anchor and Oak Publishing. As an immigrant, she wanted to create stories that make it easy for parents to teach Urdu to their children. She also produces a timeless accessory drop in collaboration with Jewels By Sunaina.

In this episode, hosts Qianna Smith Bruneteau and Karston Tannis talk with Maryam about motherhood, sharing seasons of her life with her community, managing creator burnout, sharing traditions through food, and where she sees her career heading —and yes, it includes a cookbook and starting her own café!

The American Influence Council produces the Creators with Influence Podcast.

Visit the AIC: https://www.americaninfluencercouncil.com/

Nihari Pizza recipe: https://www.itsactuallyspicy.com/recipes/nihari-pizza

ENGAGE WITH MARYAM 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MaryamIshtiaq 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryamIshtiaq1 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maryamishtiaqshah 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryamishtiaq_

ENGAGE WITH #CreatorswithInfluence

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Creatorswithinfluence  

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Creatorswithinf  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Creatorswithinfluence  

Learn more: http://creatorswithinfluence.com