In the fourth episode of Sage Advice, host Hamza Khan sits down with his wife—and soon-to-be mother of their twins—⁠Bailey Parnell⁠ (CEO @ SkillsCamp) for a heartfelt and visionary conversation on purpose, self-leadership, and the psychology of becoming. A globally recognized speaker, entrepreneur, and thought leader, Bailey opens up about the influence of her mentors, the transformative power of reverse-engineering success, and why leading with heart is her North Star. Drawing from wisdom like “act as if” and “fake it till you become it,” she explores how mindset shapes our reality and how we can step into our fullest selves. The episode also delves into matrescence—the profound psychological shift that comes with motherhood—and how it parallels the growth required of leaders. Bailey’s timeless advice: 1) Act from the place of the goal, 2) Expect the worst and hope for the best, and 3) Lead with love. This deeply personal episode is a powerful meditation on self-actualization, purpose, and becoming the leader your future needs.

In the third episode of Sage Advice, ⁠Hamza Khan⁠ interviews ⁠Janany Jayanthikumar⁠—a trauma and attachment expert—for a soul-deep conversation about healing, identity, and inner leadership. Janany, a seasoned social worker and founder of the Centre for Social Work Education, opens up about her own experiences with childhood trauma and dissociation, revealing how these early wounds shaped both her personal and professional journey. Together, they explore the power of understanding attachment styles—secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized—and how these patterns influence our relationships, leadership, and sense of self. Janany shares how addressing past trauma through modalities like spirituality and internal family systems therapy can catalyze lasting transformation. In this episode, she offers the timeless wisdom she would pass on at the end of her life: 1) What happened is leading to purpose, 2) You are the creator of your world, and 3) Trust your truth. This conversation is a tender, insightful guide to honouring your lived experience and stepping into your full power. A reminder that healing isn’t just personal—it’s profoundly generational.

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/

Declan Edwards is a thought leader in the field of happiness and the Founder of BU Happiness College–an award-winning social enterprise growing global happiness. An avid believer in the potential of people, Declan has seen firsthand that when people are equipped with the strategies to manage their minds and master their emotions, they make a positive impact not only in their own lives but also in the lives of those around them. It is this impact that he is passionate about spreading. As a published author, podcast host, and keynote speaker Declan is actively bringing the skillset of happiness back to the people and creating a world where people can thrive. When he isn't working, you'll find him hiking and spending quality time with his wife and their two dogs, or you'll find him playing either country music or acoustic covers of RnB classics on his guitar.

In this episode, we talked about mortality, the link between love & happiness, country music vs. R&B music, hedonic vs. eudaemonic happiness, ego death, transcending GDP as a measure of success, color coding calendars, and making decisions that align with our head, heart, and gut.

Connect with Declan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-edwards-bu-coaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bu.happiness.college
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bu_happiness_college/ AND https://www.instagram.com/declanedwards_bu/
Website: https://buhappinesscollege.com/

Alicia Robertson is a transformative life coach who helps people navigate massive change. She is the founder and CEO of Lemonade Life–a coaching business and community for women going through major life changes such as the loss of a loved one, career pivots, midlife uncertainty, divorce, and more. In just the past three years, Alicia has coached over 1,000 women and built a community of over 30,000 people. She is a sought after speaker and thought leader who has been featured on SiriusXM, Thrive Global and The Papaya Podcast. It's Alicia's mission to help empower people to thrive through change and build their best life.

In this episode, we talked about rebounding from a divorce, navigating difficult change (such as layoffs or career pivots), burnout, living out and through your values, operating with love & kindness, and being perfectly imperfect.

Connect with Alicia here:

Website: https://www.lemonadelife.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemonadelifecoach/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lemonadecoach
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelemonadelifecoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-robertson-17ba5a210/