Unplug with Ani

Emotional resilience starts with boundaries. This episode covers what healthy creative boundaries look like and how to set them without guilt Ready for an emotional reset? Enroll in my guided course designed to help you reconnect, release, and realign — available now at ⁠payhip.com/unplugwithani⁠.  Looking for one-to-one support? I offer personalised coaching for a select few. Email ⁠unplugwithani@gmail.com⁠ to learn more and join the waitlist.

If your nervous system is in survival, your creativity is in shutdown. This episode explains how regulation, rest, and somatic safety unlock creative power. Ready for an emotional reset? Enroll in my guided course designed to help you reconnect, release, and realign — available now at ⁠payhip.com/unplugwithani⁠.  Looking for one-to-one support? I offer personalised coaching for a select few. Email ⁠unplugwithani@gmail.com⁠ to learn more and join the waitlist.

How do you keep creating when your inner world is falling apart? This episode explores how grief, transition, and healing affect the creative process — and how to keep going gently.

You're not what you produce. This episode explores how creatives link identity with productivity, and how to untangle your value from external success.

This season is all about emotional resilience, purpose, identity, and healing - designed for creatives, sensitives, and visionaries in a noisy, fast-moving world.The Emotional Cost of Creating in 2025 — and How to Build Resilience Without Burning Out 

This is your space to reset emotionally, rewire your mindset, and reconnect with your purpose — without the noise, without the pressure, and without pretending to have it all together.Here, you'll hear honest conversations with creatives, dreamers, and doers from around the world — plus powerful solo episodes to help you break patterns, heal, and level up emotionally.After launching the 8-Day Emotional Reset and living through my own transformation... I knew it was time for this podcast to evolve too.If you're ready for real growth, deep stories, and the tools to thrive — you're in the right place.

Welcome to a brand new season of Unplug with Ani.This podcast started with a simple idea: to have real conversations with creatives about their journeys — the highs, the lows, and the messy middle.But since then... my own journey's evolved...My 8 Day Emotional Reset is out soon!

Creative director, artist and entrepreneur Enitan Bereola II is redeeming culture and building scalable value at the intersections of storytelling, commerce and tech. A 3x best selling, 8x award-winning author, who wrote the books that Oprah and The Obama's own, Enitan emerged from Internet anomaly to Male Author of the Year with an NAACP nomination for outstanding literary work. Notably, Enitan is cofounder of FLOURYSHTM — the largest community driven marketplace to discover and shop Black- owned brands. An alumni of Florida A&M University, Enitan sits on the Cultural Architect board of 7th Ave who raised $2.5M to provide Black communities with the tools to connect in a space that prioritizes cultural needs. He advised and partnered with NBCUniversal, 20th Century Fox, McDonald's, Bergdorf Goodman, Jordan Brand and more. He's enjoyed collaborations with award-winning actor Meagan Good, Michelle Williams, Grammy award winning platinum producer Bryan-Michael Cox, Jidenna, Super Bowl champ Bobby Wagner, 5x NBA All-Star Chris Webber and others. Bereola produced the short film, "This Time" directed by Academy Award winning director Matthew A. Cherry. He produced sold out events at SXSW, ESSENCE Festival and internationally in London, Australia and Toronto. Bereola's sold- out Exhibit Gray tour was named one of the most progressive social experiments in the country. Enitan sustains culture by giving back with a track record spanning nearly two decades amplifying the voices of community. He built a vertically integrated 7-figure entertainment enterprise off book publishing, sales, touring and e-commerce. His first loves are his Emmy-nominated wife, Letisha, son Miles Berkeley and daughter Ava-Sky. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/anisa-ani/message

Julie grew up in a small town in Canada called Quebec City, she then moved to Los Angeles where she learned English and graduated from CSUN in journalism.   After a year in broadcasting, she realised something else was calling for her and jumped on the opportunity to move to London.  During her first year in the UK, Julie worked in commercials.  She had the chance to produce and direct commercials for Panasonic and Sony.   Julie then transitioned to the film industry and by not knowing so much the field she ended up in VFx where she worked most of her career.  Having her last name on the latest Marvel, Disney, Warner Bro and Netflix, Julie figured out her creativity wasn't used to its fullest.  With her strong passion for short videos, short moving storytelling...she gained credibility in the world of social media.  After a year in Paris, Julie relocated to Montreal where she focuses on the storytelling of branding in visual while focusing on an upcoming vegan project.   Athlete, producer, creator and entrepreneur, Julie is known to move with intention and purpose. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/anisa-ani/message

Shahid Iqbal Khan is an Offies-finalist and Olivier-nominated playwright published by Methuen Drama. He has been part of BBC Writersroom and Write To Play. His recent stage plays are Stardust (Belgrade Theatre) and 10 Nights (Bush Theatre). His radio work includes Bhavika, Night of the Living Flatpacks (both on community channels) and Brandlesholme (Sheltering) (BBC Radio 4). Shahid Iqbal Khan is on attachment and under co-commission to Graeae and Royal Court Theatre for the year of 2022. He has been commissioned to write a play. As part of his attachment, he is running discussions about disability and dramaturgy at the Royal Court, and mentoring writers at Graeae.

I speak to dynamic power couple Natalie and Hamza about their journeys from Acting to Writing/Directing, dismantling South Asian stereotypes and embracing the mess of who we are as people. Natalie Perera is British actor and writer. She trained in Classical Acting at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Natalie has written four short films, two of which have been award-winning, Arts Council-funded and selected for a BAFTA-qualifying festival. She has also written a feature film and is currently co-writing a sitcom. As an actor, Natalie played a major supporting role in Swiss-German feature, Der Koch and featured as the lead in hit Caribbean musical, Bazodee. Natalie has gone on to study Clowning and has featured in online comedies from Jack & Dean and Hot Pepper. Natalie co-created Sketchy Ones with an aim to play a range of bold, messy South Asian female characters - something rarely seen on British TV. Hamza Jeetooa is British actor, writer and filmmaker who trained in Screen Acting at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. He has played leading and supporting roles in TV shows including Zomboat!, Luther and Doctor Who. Hamza was nominated for an EE ACTA award for Best Actor for his leading role in BBC iPlayer romcom, My Jihad. As a filmmaker, he has been a part of producing and directing award-winning, Arts Council-funded and BAFTA-longlisted short films. Hamza's love of performing began in secondary school where he would watch Goodness Gracious Me and then tirelessly reenact characters for his friends the next day.

Naz Ahmed has a wealth of editorial experience in soap and continuing drama roles having worked across script and story on Doctors, Eastenders and Coronation Street as well as producing/directing BBC radio drama for a number of years. She also created and script edited several issue-led specials around the subjects of Homelessness and Mental Health Awareness for Doctors during her tenure on the show, as well as stepping up as Producer of the ‘Bollywood Marriage proposal' that won ‘Scene of the Year' at the British Soap Awards in 2018. Naz also fought off fierce competition to win the ‘Services to Media Award' at the British Muslim Awards, in recognition of her vast work around diversity in storytelling and script editing for the BBC. We discuss the journey so far, the challenges she has faced as well as whether or not representation for artists has diversified over the years.

Afshan d'souza-lodhi was born in Dubai and bred in Manchester. She is a writer of scripts and poetry and was recently commissioned to write and direct a short film for Channel 4 (An Act of Terror) and a radio play for BBC Sounds (Chop Chop). Afshan is currently a Sky Writes writer-in-residence for Rotherham, a partnership between Sky Studios and New Writing North. She is also currently developing a TV series with Sky Studios. Afshan has edited many anthologies and has an essay featured in Picador's collection by Muslim women called Its Not About The Burqa. Her debut poetry collection ‘re:desire' (Burning Eye Books) has been longlisted for the Jhalak Prize (2021).Her most recent play,Santi & Naz, described as “tender yet sharply political” by The Guardian, won the Vault Outstanding New Work Award in 2020.

Anthony Vander is an award winning Filmmaker and producer. In 2017 and 2018 Anthony was nominated by the Chairwoman of Media Com UK as a top ten creative trailblazer for Black History Month. Anthony's work was featured during We Are Parable and British Film Institute 'WHO WE ARE' season in July 2020 which shined a light at Black British filmmakers in the UK. Anthony is a BFI x BAFTA Crew 2021 filmmaker. His first short film ‘Hooligan' screened at The Short Film Corner at Cannes Film Festival in 2012. In 2014, Anthony's directorial debut feature film, 'Sweetboy' had its North American première at the American Black Film Festival and in 2017 aired on London Live television multiple times. His second short film 'Spar' screened at festivals including S.O.U.L Connect and The Miami Independent Film Festival.

Gurmit launched Impress in 2009, a video production company producing and directing adverts for online companies. Through BGP Ltd Gurmit produced & directed his first short film ‘7 Reasons Why' which was selected for Cannes Film Festival ‘Short film corner' in 2013. In early 2017 Gurmit released a documentary ‘Attract Any Woman Anywhere' released for Amazon Prime. It also secured distribution in Poland, Berlin, Finland and Sky Italy. Gurmit has relentlessly bought his visions to life on a number of projects. Planning is key where all aspects of the production are drafted by him providing a solid foundation for collaborations with all creatives involved. ‘The team have to believe in you first, and then in your vision in order for it to come to life.'

On this season's finale, I host Vipul Bhesania, who is the host of the Know Your Legacy podcast, author of ‘Searching in Silence' and seeker of truth. His words stir emotion to reach people on a deeper level. We talk about his poetry, how we conquer ourselves and commit to self growth and why gratitude is key.

Stefanie Sword Williams is the founder and author of F*ck Being Humble. She set up the platform to encourage individuals to be unapologetically proud of their achievements and overcome the fear of self-promotion. Named as Forbes 30 Under 30 in Europe, she has delivered workshops for global brands including Unilever, Warner Music, Google, ASOS, Microsoft, The Guardian and for conferences such as Cannes Lions Festival and D&AD. In 2020 Stef released her first book ‘F*ck Being Humble: Why self-promotion isn't a dirty word.'

Adeeba Aqeel is a Self-Care & Personal Development Blogger and Motivational Speaker. Her purpose is to help people embrace who they are, to be more confident and pursue their passions. As well as living their best life, through spreading positivity. Blog: www.adeebaaqeel.online

Harshh was born & raised in Mumbai, India. He played professional football for junior clubs in India and internationally for clubs like AC Milan junior team & Leicester City Junior in England. He was at the peak of his performance as an athlete when a sudden knee deformity compelled him to stop playing. The deformity required an immediate surgery. He was encouraged to attend the Shaolin Temple as a Warrior Monk (in China) and he studied the 3 principles of Shaolin Culture in Mandarin. After serving the temple for 4.5years & mastering the art form, he decided to come back home to revive Bodhidharma's teachings in India & spread the Shaolin Culture through Warrior Monk Academy.

James was selected for the Channel 4 Screenwriting Scheme and was a finalist on "Coming Up". Since then he has developed projects with Ridley Scott's Scott Free, Addictive Pictures, ITV Studios and Channel 4, and is currently writing a feature film with Screen Scotland's Scottish Film Talent Network. In September 2019, he won the BAFTA/Rocliffe New Writing Competition for his family script, THE MINISTRY OF UMBRELLAS

Geeta Sidhu-Robb is an author, inspirational speaker, CEO and Founder of Nosh Detox.  Her frequent appearance on Radio and National TV has given her a strong media profile as an expert on Natural Health Solutions.  Geeta gave up her career as a corporate lawyer to set up her own business, Nosh Detox in 2008, after her son's severe food allergies, eczema, asthma and anaphylaxis as a baby led her to retrain as a Raw Chef and functional nutritionist.

Nadine Kaadan is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator from Syria now living in London. She is published in several countries and languages and her mission is to champion empowered and inclusive representation in children's books so that every child can see themselves in a story.  

Joey Kidney is a YouTube sensation, mental health advocate, and author of his new book titled What's The Rush? Joey has built a 6-year-old brand based on his endless knowledge of mental health, personal battles with anxiety and his ability to look at his life objectively through the camera. He began like most YouTube creators, focusing on typical videos, “challenge collaborations” and relationships. Almost two years ago, he pivoted toward mental health and found the success he was looking for in the world of content creation. Joey recently partnered with WE Day, Telus, McDonald's, Crocs, and other legacy brands that allow him to explore the U.S. and Canada as he grows a sustainable mental health brand called “Stay You” that features a clothing line, live events, and a lifestyle brand. He calls Ottawa home as his channel has surpassed 750,000 subscribers and tens of millions of views.

 Tomfoolery is a spoken word poet, performer and filmmaker, born in New Zealand and brought up in London. He launched his YouTube platform on 22 March 2020 and, just five weeks later, uploaded a performance of ‘TheGreatRealisation',featuring a cameo from his seven-year-old brother. The video has since been viewed over 60 million. He currently resides in London.

Llewellyn Cornell Radford II was born in Bartow, FL to Llewellyn Cornell Radford Sr and Alexis Celeste Carter. He is the oldest of 7 children and was raised in Newport News, VA. He attended Hampton University initially as an electrical engineering major then switched to marketing. During his time in college, he started modeling which led to an interest in acting. His first acting job was on the movie The Box (2009) as Special Ops number 9. He fell in love with acting, then moved to Chicago in 2008 and took his first acting classes. Llewellyn loves acting and making his dreams come true, his mantra is “Dream On Dreamers”, which simply means the dream is infinite, never stop dreaming, and make your dreams a reality. It is also the title of his Book of Inspiration, which he wrote to inspire others with this belief. With the book he also became a motivational speaker, speaking at events around the US, inspiring young and old. As he says: “Dream On, Don't Stop.”

I speak to Natsune Oki, Japanese author of a book called "The game of self domination" out now on Amazon! She also host of Life Education TV, as well as start- up owner of Foreignconnect.org. We discuss the importance of perseverance and resilience, as well as the important life framework in the book, attacking your weaknesses and dominating yourself!

Dylan Mohan Gray is a globally-acclaimed Indian and Canadian filmmaker. His documentary feature film Fire in the Blood, premiered in competition at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and went on to enjoy the longest theatrical run of any non-fiction film in Indian cinema history (five weeks). Of Dylan's filmmaking, critics have said “Dylan Mohan Gray has made cinematic provocation something of a signature" (The Dallas Morning News) and that "Gray's images are exquisite and unsparing... artful in nearly every frame, perhaps so we don't avert our eyes” (The Village Voice & LA Weekly). We talk movies, the journey, and growing up with big dreams but wanting to tell provocative and engaging stories

Keisha Bloise, MS is a Scientist and the Creator behind, "The Love Scientist." Her brand is an empowerment community to elevate the collective to illuminate our inner light to love harder and vibe higher. The Love Scientist was birthed through lessons Keisha learned when faced with adversity. On her self-love journey, she realized she had to focus on inner work and healing, in order to break toxic cycles and patterns she learned along her path. Her mission is to inspire others to regain their power, rediscover and walk in their truth. Keisha shares messages of empowerment and her experiences to instigate love and excellence for a greater tomorrow.

Brenden is the founder of MasterTalk, a YouTube channel he started to help the world master the art of public speaking and communication. He coaches purpose driven entrepreneurs on how to master their message and share their ideas with the world.

Stephanie Riel is the founder, owner  and "RielDeal" behind RielDeal Marketing, a US-based boutique marketing and branding firm. She has a decade of digital marketing and brand strategy experience and has worked with brands across a variety of industries including technology, ecommerce, health and wellness, real estate, retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG). A timely reminder that we are not just confined to what we post. And if connection is what we desire, tapping into our authentic voice and being vulnerable to do so is necessary.

Carlos J. Malave is the self-published author of Translating Your Success and the CEO and Founder of Translating Success LLC. Before running his consulting company, Carlos was an educator, coach and mentor that has taught in and worked with some of the top charter schools in the country (Inwood Academy for Leadership, YES Prep & KIPP to name a few). His work within KIPP and the Houston community has been featured on ABC 13 News. As a Speaker and Consultant he helps schools understand the importance of Restorative Practices and helps them implement the practice with his Translating Success Curriculum

Nir Bashan is a world-renowned creativity expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals around the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales, improve customer service and ultimately create more meaning in their work. Nir has spent the last two decades working on a formula to codify creativity. That formula is found in The Creator Mindset, which has been translated into two languages. He was one of the youngest professors ever selected to teach graduate courses at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and also taught undergraduate courses at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Alyea is a game and play consultant who helps online entrepreneurs gamify their products, courses and programs. She has an in depth understanding about what it means to be human and to be playful through study and experience. She has a whole slew of degrees: A PhD is in Game Production, a Masters in Psychology, a Masters in Human Organizational Systems, and a Bachelor’s is in Public Relations and Communication. She has worked experience with academic institutions, non profits, game studios, corporations, start-ups and online entrepreneurs.

Dr Rakish Rana - The Clear Coach - is an experienced life coach. Rakish took to formal coaching near 6 years ago, after graduating from the Academy of Executive Coaching with a practitioner's diploma. Rakish uses a variety of coaching approaches to work with clients on an individual basis to help them achieve their success by working on their mindsets. His clients include people from all walks of life including business owners, people in the media, and fashion industry, as well as people trying to establish themselves with start-ups.

I speak to Natasha Kathi Chandra. She is a Theatre Director, Writer & Dramaturg. She also hosts her own talk show and is committed to spotlighting South Asian women working across industries all over the globe! She aspires to, through her work, influence the next generation of South Asian women.

I speak to Coach Cam, who begun his career in sports construction and went onto consulting, public speaking and coaching. Answering his entrepreneurial calling, he soon launched 5 Star Academy where he began his speaking career, writing curriculums, and consulting. He's done it all! We talk about his hustle, journey and how we can stay centered on the things which help us grow.

Jesse Quinones is an award winning writer/director/producer with over ten years experience in the film industry working across factual, fiction,and com- mercials both as a practitioner and as an educator. He is a Patron of the British Urban Film Festival. Jesse recently completed feature film CAGEFIGHTER: WORLDS COLLIDE, which stars Gina Gershon, UFC stars Chuck Liddell and Luke Rockhold, WWE stars Jon Moxley and Jay Reso. In 2018 he Co-Produced NO SHADE, which opened the British Urban Film Festival and subsequently was picked up by Amazon Prime In 2013 he completed feature film CALLOUSED HANDS. Calloused Hands stars Andre Royo (HBO's The Wire), Daisy Haggard (Back to Life), and Hans Howes (There Will Be Blood). It premiered at the Miami International Film Festival, and has gone on to screen in over 20 festivals around the world, picking up numerous awards

Rebecca is an Author and Clinical Psychologist. Her message centres on the task of living bravely in the truth of our experiences as finders and seekers of meaning and connection. Rebecca has been a Clinical Psychologist for the best part of two decades and is the creator of Radical Courage: Transforming Fear into Freedom, a digital journey for humans ready for their brave, inspired life. She is the author of The Art of Self-Kindness, The Universe Listens to Brave and Be Happy: 35 Powerful Habits for Personal Growth and Well-Being. Rebecca can be found online daily, interacting with her community about finding courage and living expansive lives while going gently on ourselves. Website: https://rebeccaray.com.au/

I speak to Salma Bernard, a Soft Skills Trainer, Transformation Coach, Image Enhancer & Motivational Speaker; Salma Bernard truly believes in EMPOWERING YOU to live life Victoriously!

Tony Loyd is a leadership development expert. He helps purpose-driven business leaders to thrive in life so that they can connect with others and contribute to the world. He is a former Fortune 500 executive with companies such as John Deere, Medtronic, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Today, Tony is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, business coach, and podcast host. He is the Executive Producer of the podcast Social Entrepreneur where he shares positive stories from underrepresented voices, focused on solutions.

I speak to friend and talent Sal Jobe. Sal is a business owner, author, former actor and Advisor. Sal is an Individual who has succeeded in multiple industries, and is inspired by community and the growth and success of others. He definitely has had to find purpose within a variety of industries but also in times of difficulty. 

Blerta Sejdija is a Political Science student at Charles University in Prague. She was born and raised in the Czech Republic but is of Kosovar Albanian background. She is a human rights activist specializing in women’s rights and founded her own NGO, “Beat Sexism,” at the age of 16. Her goal is to take a step toward achieving gender equality and enlightenment on the position and perception of woman in our society."

Tanya Alijani is a former model and trainer who found her calling to be of divine service after experiencing a life changing transcendental awakening through Meditation that changed the path of her life forever. She has studied with teachers from many different lineages and modalities from Shamanism to Quantam physics and has attended workshops and healing retreats from the US to Brazil to learn about the power and science of healing we all have within our own bodies.

I speak with John Kenny , The Relationship Guy, Founder of Interpersonal Relationship Coaching (IRC), Author of The P.E.O.P.L.E. Programme, Speaker and Documentary Maker.  He has been involved in the field of personal development for over fifteen years and in that time has not only helped thousands of clients, but has also completely changed his own life.  He spent his life full of self-doubt, carrying negative beliefs from his childhood that impacted in every area -  his relationships, his career and his time as an International Athlete.  It has become John's passion in life to help people find the healthiest, highest quality relationships possible and understand the complexities of human behaviour when it comes to how we relate to each other.

I speak to Maxwell Ivey, known around the world as The Blind Blogger. A totally blind man who has transformed himself from a morbidly obese failed carnival owner to a respected amusement equipment broker in the best health of his life. Maxwell has written three self-help books, done a dozen of podcast and radio interviews, travelled cross-country solo, sung in public, and now hosts his own podcast called "What’s Your Excuse."

John is High Performance Mindset Coach & International Speaker with a passion for helping others reach higher levels of success and fulfilment. He is a Guinness World Record Holder, National Bodybuilding Champion and Ex Special Forces & Celebrity Trainer. John has fine tuned the mindsets of Olympic Athletes, Professional Sports Teams, CEO's, Military & Service Personnel as well as thousands of other people through his life changing events and programs.

I speak to Lee Chambers, Environmental Psychologist, Wellbeing Consultant and Founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing. Having spent the last 10 years working in a variety of fields, including local government, a corporate organisation, and in elite sports, he has now brought his experience and qualifications with the aim to impact the wellbeing of thousands of individuals and businesses through organisational wellbeing advancement, while looking to promote conscious and purpose lead leadership internally. Lee has qualifications in Performance Nutrition, Environmental Psychology and Advanced Sleep Consultancy, and he delivers multi-discplinary workshops focused on improving performance and productivity through increasing employee wellbeing.

Christian Phyfier is a 31 year old Serial Entrepreneur and investor,  Entertainment Agent and the CEO Of Resist Entertainment Group.  Born in Hawaii and currently based out of Phoenix, Christian has helped develop and guide over 500 sports, music and other talented individuals to a path of strategizing, marketing and budgeting their independent careers. Christian is most well known for his influence in the music world being deemed a super agent by majority of his clients, having developed his very own music distribution, marketing and recording companies.

I speak to Anna Nyeste about her journey delving into self healing and the mind body connection. Anna helps people heal themselves from whatever pain, dissatsfaction, or discomfort they're experiencing, as well as helping people understand that it's not actually about what they need to do, but what they need to UNDO to find the peace, joy, and pleasure they're continually seeking.

I speak to Chris Messenger, Canada based entrepreneur who has been in the industry of personal transformation now for over 15 years helping people all across the globe achieve their goals through his philosophy and strategies. Chris's mission is simple - help others take their dreams, goals and ambitions and turn them into reality. 

I speak to Rob Collado who is a Christian speaker and thought leader devoted to helping young adults create a deep and meaningful relationship with God. Many young people are lost and searching for fulfillment, which is why he's made it his life's mission to help youth and young adults.