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.

In this episode, Sundus Abdul Hadi, an artist and writer of Iraqi origin, shares her journey, discussing how the Iraq War shaped her political consciousness and artistic practice. The conversation delves into the role of art in social change, the importance of community, and the challenges within the North American art world. Sundus emphasizes the need for persistence over resistance and the significance of creating inclusive spaces.  Timestamps Guest Introduction (00:01:26)Introduction of Sundus Abdul Hadi, highlighting her background and artistic contributions. Understanding Impact (00:03:49)Sundus reflects on how her understanding of making an impact has evolved over time. Transformation of Impact (00:09:39)Sundus explains her journey from loud activism to a more calculated approach for lasting impact. Art as Resistance (00:12:09)Discussion on defining resistance and the importance of persistence in activism. Culture Over Commerce (00:15:51)Sundar emphasizes prioritizing culture and systemic change over capitalist approaches. Student Engagement (00:23:58)Comparison of student engagement in art and social change courses between Iraq and North America. Awakening Through Art (00:27:18)Discussion on the importance of art in revitalizing life and addressing societal pain. Cultivating Spaces for Community (00:35:01)Sundus shares her views on the significance of community spaces in fostering connection and identity. Creating Safe Spaces (00:44:50)Sundus reflects on the complexities of safety in community spaces and the responsibility to maintain inclusivity. Creative Life Force and Burnout (00:47:26)Sundus shares her struggles with creativity and burnout, emphasizing the need for self-care and ritual in daily life. -- Sundus Abdul Hadi is an artist and writer of Iraqi origin. She was raised and educated in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, where she earned a BFA in Studio Arts and Art History and a MA in Media Studies. Articulated through her artistic practice, writing and curation, Sundus’ work is a sensitive reflection on trauma, struggle, and care. She is the author/illustrator of Shams, a children’s book about trauma, transformation and healing. Her book titled “Take Care of Your Self: The Art and Cultures of Care and Liberation” (Common Notions, November 2020) is a non-fiction book about care, curation and community.  She is the cofounder of We Are The Medium, an artist collective and culture point. In 2022, she founded Makaba Bookshop in the old port of Montreal. Episode Resources: Sundus Abdul Hadi: Personal Website Maktaba: Website | Instagram If you are curious about what it would look like to work with a social impact coach, reach out to me on pauseimpact.org

I am so excited to announce the launch of Season 2 where we explore the CREATIVE LIFE FORCE.  As we orient towards our collective liberation, staying connected to our creative life force has never been more vital—it is the energy we need to birth transformative projects into the world. This season, I will be bringing on artists, writers, and filmmakers, who are actively imagining the new through creative projects so we can learn from their process.  Some questions you are invited to reflect on: - How does the creative life force manifest in your life? - Can you recall a moment when you felt deeply connected to it? - Who do you become when you fully embody your creative life force? -- Are you curious about how you can make an impact in the world while honoring your unique creative life force? Let’s explore this question together. Schedule a consultation call to learn more about my coaching practice at pauseimpact.org. I’d love to support you on this journey!

In this vulnerable episode, I share reflections from my dark night of the soul, where I retreated for months to listen inward. Some key questions I have been grappling with are: - How are we allowing the genocide in Gaza to happen? How are we not able to stop it as a collective force? - How do we embrace humanity and believe that we can do better together, while also having zero tolerance for all forms of oppression?  - How am I implicated in systems of oppression? - Is the economic system that we have built honoring life? 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-- I'd love to explore this question with you!

In this episode, I interview one of my former clients, Lina Barkawi on how coaching helped her build her business. Lina's business has been a source of motivation and connection during the difficult times in Palestine, and she dreams of every Palestinian in the diaspora making their own unique thob (traditional dress) that tells their story. Takeaways Coaching can help overcome limiting beliefs and empower individuals to try new things and simplify ideas. Taking action and talking to people about your ideas are important steps in pursuing your dreams. Tatreez can be a powerful tool for healing, coping, and connecting with others, especially during difficult times. Lina dreams of every Palestinian in the diaspora making their own unique thob that tells their story. Learn more about Lina's Thob on https://www.linasthobe.com/ and follow Lina on Instagram @linasthobe Are you building a venture and want some additional support? Join our next cohort of the Impact Circle, which launches on September 4th!