Know To Grow: Recent Episodes
Know To Grow
The KnowToGrow podcast breaks down the latest in education, growth, and culture. With over two decades of experience in education, healthcare, & business, host @DrIvanKhan helps listeners tackle the day to day in their personal growth journeys.
Join host @DrIvanKhan as he interviews Ifti Chowdhury, founder of RoyalBengalTeaHouse. RoyalBengalTeaHouse is a community organization that brings people together from various backgrounds through their musical jam sessions & cultural nights. Listen in as they talk about Ifti's journey from Sylhet, to Dhanmondi, and later the University of Buffalo to becoming a leader in the Finance & Technoogy industry. Tune in at 20:03 to hear about the growth of RoyalBengalTeaHouse. Finish up later at 34:07 to hear about the various cultural influences that shaped Ifti & his vision for RoyaBengalTeaHouse.
Join host @DrIvanKhan as he discusses Adolescent Mental Health w. Dr. Ricky Qadeer. Dr. Ricky discusses his experiences in his childhood that shaped his love for community & family medicine. Tune in at 25:43 as Dr. Qadeer talks about his work with youth in the Bronx, getting through depression, supporting anxiety, helping teens through LGBTQ+ support. Dr. Qadeer also discusses the role that his writing platform plays in his work. Tune in at 40:30 to hear about the musical & sports influences that shaped his approach to patient care. Stick around for Dr. Qadeer's first-hand account of time as a student of the late Dr. Mansur Khan.
Join host @DrIvanKhan as he interviews Aria Mustary, founder of Mai Soli Foundation, a non-profit organization revolutionizing young girls' access to education, entrepreneurship and ending child marriage in developing countries, specifically targeting child marriages in Bangladesh. Listen in at 15:19 as they cover Aria's journey from being a full-time student at Babson College to revolutionizing and paving the path for many young women in her trips abroad. Tune in at 35:39 to learn about the cultural influences that established Mai Soli as one of the top youth organizations for young women's empowerment today.
Join host @DrIvanKhan on a special Eid episode as he interviews Rima Begum, MSW about Queens Mutual Aid. Queens Mutual Aid is a support network for New York City Queens residents looking to organize their own communities and help each other out during the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic. Tune in later to hear about Rima's academic journey & earning her Master's Degree in her field of social work. Jump in later to find out ways to organize your fellow community members around issues like food insecurity & housing justice.
Join host @DrIvanKhan as he interviews Nafisa Islam, the mother of Childrenof1971, one of the fastest growing platforms that is building & healing the Bengali community, one story at a time. Listen in as they cover Nafisa's unique journey as a rising leader in the Pharmaceutical Industry, and how she & the team are growing their community simultaneously. From organizing events in Brown Excellence to fundraising heavily for COVID relief in Bangladesh, learn about the fantastic culture building by Childrenof1971!
On a very special return episode, Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by the Masked Man, @MacksJulien to discuss pop culture during the global quarantine. Listen in as the lifelong friends discuss Ozark, Tiger King, Ballers, the latest Sports documentaries and more. Jump in later as we re-rank the all time NBA greats post The Last Dance.
On a very special minisode, Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by his 7 year-old daughter, Arianna Khan! Arianna joins us in the studio to talk about her life and her upcoming projects. Tune in (08:29) for an in-depth look at Arianna's hobbies, her Lemonade start-up idea, and her outlook for the future. Jump in at (16:08) when Arianna turns the tables and interviews her father.
This week, Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Shaniyat Chowdhury, Veteran and Congressional Candidate for New York's 5th District, to talk about his upbringing and how he entered thewolrd of activism and politics. Tune in at (22:09) to learn about Shaniyat's time in the Marines, AOC's campaign, and his current campaign. Jump in at (44:04) when Shaniyat tells us about his journey from amateur rugby player to captain of the Indian National Team. Later Dr. Khan and Shaniyat discuss their favorite food spots around District 5.
On a hilarious episode of #KTG, Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by comedian and filmmaker, Zubi Ahmed. Jump in at (23:40) to hear Zubi talk about what lead her to pursue a Master's Degree in Film and establish her comedy show, Kutti Gang. Tune in at (44:16) for Zubi and Host @DrIvanKhan's discussion on the media they consumed as children and how it has influenced their interests today.
From the ABXY Gallery, Host @DrIvanKhan speaks with dancer and artist, Zeehan Wazed about his solo exhibition, Reality Show. Zeehan joins us to talk about his roots in Jamaica, Queens and his early interest in street performance and urban culture. Later we discuss his background in perceptual psychology and his break into the art world. Join us at (43:12) to hear Host @DrIvanKhan and Zeehan discuss the realities of pursuing your passion and empowering communities through art.
On this episode of #KTG, Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Nafiul Bahri, President of the Bangladesh Development Project and Male Lead of short film, Dawat. Tune in to hear about Nafiul's working class roots in NYC that would eventually lead to his activism work for Bangladesh. Later (17:14) we discuss Nafiul's beginnings as a actor, the motivation behind his activism, and his experiences working on Dawat. Jump in at (33:17) to hear Nafiul and Host @DrIvanKhan discuss their favorite actors and actresses in Hollywood and Bollywood.
Good evening, from the #KTG studio, Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by born-and-bred Bangladeshi New Yorker, accomplished journalist, and dedicated mother Narmeen Choudhury. Tune in to hear about Narmeen's journey from Boston University student to Anchor for PIX11. Jump in at (20:11) for Narmeen's take on growing within your field, working through tough stories, and putting your mental health first. At (42:22) Host @DrIvanKhan and Narmeen discuss their Hip Hop Mount Rushmores and juggling parenting and your own self care.
Join @DrIvanKhan for a bonus NBA trade deadline episode. After a rough offseason, the NY Knicks have been trending this week with major front office changes! Knicks twitter star @macksjul1en & Knicks SI writer & @LockedOnKnicks co-host @Alexwolfe visit the show for their takes from a crazy trade deadline week in the NBA! Kiss from a Rose...
NYS Assembly Candidate and JhalNYC founder Mahfuzul Islam (@mahfuzulfor24) joins us in the studio for this episode of #KTG to talk about growing Jhal and community building. Tune in at (16:14) to hear Mahfuzul talk about his experience starting a social entrepreneurship venture and the impact he's had thus far. Jump in at (30:53) to learn about his experience growing up in Queens, his favorite movies, places to eat, and artists.
On a very solemn episode of #KTG, we remember Kobe Bryant, a legendary retired basketball player, a philanthropist, an entrepreneur, and most importantly, a loving father following his passing on 1/26/20 . Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Karishma Rahman, Mohammad Hossain, Nafis Ahmed, Dr. Ricky Qadeer, and writer for Sports Illustrated Knicks, Alex Wolfe. In our first segment hear lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan, Karishma Rahman talk about her love of the Lakers and what Kobe Bryant meant to her. Jump in at (16:55) to hear Adjunct Professor at Zicklin School of Business, Mohammad Hossain talk about growing up a Los Angeles Lakers fan and how the Mamba Mentality motivates him. Tune in at (34:34) for Nafis Ahmed's take on how Kobe influenced the culture around him in Sydney, Australia. Join Dr. Ricky Qadeer at (50:37) on managing your grief and being kind to yourself. Hear Sports Illustated writer, Alex Wolfe at (1:08:27) on hearing the news and how he approached covering sports that day at Madison Square Garden.
On Episode 33 of #KTG, NYC Councilmember Helen Rosenthal joins us at SOMOS to talk to Host @DrIvanKhan about his son Ian and how he inspired Khan's to make better strides for children with developmental needs. Councilmember Rosenthal has advocated for every family to have equitable access to early intervention resources and programs. Jump to (11:59) to hear about her work and her proposal on how to improve crucial social services for children and families. Later (25:37) we discuss the importance of self-care for parents and Councilmember Rosenthal's strategies for handling stress.
On a very special episode of #KTG, Sita Sarkar joins Host @DrIvanKhan to talk about her journey from Bengali child in NYC's Lower East Side to accomplished actress and writer. Jump to 14:45 hear how @newyorksita approached passing her knowledge onto a new generation of actors and how she went from intern for the NY Knicks to winning 3 Emmys as part of their broadcast team. Tune in at 34:22 to hear them discuss the 90's comedians that bound Sita's South Asian family together across cultural barriers.
Former Vice President of Khan's Tutorial and Strategy Management Consultant Mohammad Hossain joins us for our first live audience podcast taping to discuss workplace culture in corporate America and Khan's Tutorial. Tune in at (20:40) to hear Moho talk about his growth journey and his decision to switch from being a pre-med student to business after undergrad, as well as his experience as a Professor at the Zicklin School of Business. Jump in at (33:00) to hear Moho chat about football, leadership, and his ability to keep the gears moving with his busy schedule.
On a very special episode of #KTG, entrepreneur, angel investor, and best-selling author TK Kader joins us to talk about his path to success from creating an app in college to becoming Senior VP of Strategy and Alliances at Marketo. Tune in at (19:41) to hear TK and Host @DrIvanKhan talk about his experience building a company, the obstacles he faced, and what it took for him to make it a success. Jump in at (36:19) to hear TK talk about connecting with other Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and his love for Singas Famous Pizza.
Bengali R&B Singer Rahmaan (@xRahmaan) joins us in the studio for this episode of #KTG to talk about his life, his career, and his constant battle to find balance within himself. Tune in at (13:20) to hear Rahmaan talk about his mental health, how he approaches it in the public eye, and being aware of the support he needs going forward. Jump in at (25:45) to learn about the artists that helped Rahmaan grow into the musician he is today and how they influence his sound.
Ali Najmi, Esq. joins host @DrIvanKhan on this episode of #KTG to talk about his life, his path to success, and his work with taxi drivers in NYC. Jump in at (11:06) to hear Ali talk about graduating from College and Law School debt-free, becoming a Legislative Director for a City Councilmember, and eventually establishing his own practice. Tune in at (19:12) to hear Ali talk about his experience being on the Queens episode of Parts Unknown hosted by the late, great Anthony Bourdain.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Councilmember Vanessa Gibson to speak about growing up in the Bronx. Tune in at (8:41) to hear Councilmember Gibson reflect on her college experience and how it inspired her to explore the world of politics. Later (16:36) we discuss cultural influences that helped Councilmember Gibson strive for greatness.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Elder Kirsten Foy and his colleague Yvette Buckner to talk about their respective upbringings and journeys through the NYC education system. Tune in at (15:28) to hear Yvette, Elder Kirsten, and @DrIvanKhan talk about representation of minorities in their neighborhoods and representation of women in office. Later (28:56) we talk about their visions for their culture and how POC can build bridges to achieve common goals.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by entrepreneur, investor, and hustler, Ani Sanyal aka @anihustles, Founder at some incredible impact driven organizations that include Green Room Creative, Idea Exchange, Sanyal Capital Group, and Kolkata Chai Company, among several others. We talk with Ani about the benefits of his upbringing in a family that brought together technical skills and an emotional quotient. These experiences led to his work as a dedicated community builder and businessman (18:02). Later, we discuss our favorite characters on The Wire and what Paul Pierce means to basketball fans from the early 2000s (33:48).
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Bronx Congressional Candidate Ydanis Rodriguez to talk about his upbringing in New York City from the age of 18 when he immigrated to the US, and how his youth motivated him to fight for neighborhoods that are an enclave of immigrants like himself. Jump to 13:19 where Council Member Ydanis talks about his new campaign and raising a family in the Bronx.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by KT Business Development Coordinator Tahseen Chowdhury at the SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico to discuss his journey to running for the NYS Senate and his experience growing up as a politically minded Bengali teenager in NYC. Jump to 10:24 to hear about his ongoing struggle to juggle being a full-time student, being a full-time teammate at Khan's Tutorial, and making time for himself.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by SOMOS Chairperson and Assembly Member Maritza Davila at the SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico to discuss her journey to the NYS Assembly and her experience providing aid to Puerto Ricans after the devastating tragedy of Hurricane Maria. Jump to 11:29 to hear about her upbringing in Brooklyn and her work rebuilding her community well before she took office.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Assembly Member Reverend Al Taylor to discuss Harlem, its history, and his journey to the New York State Assembly. Jump to 8:19 to hear about how he started out as a troubled youth who went on to lead his community. Later at 15:02 we discuss the top places to grab the best breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Harlem.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Major Jophiel Philips to discuss his upbringing as a Malayali-American and his work in the US Air Force as a military lawyer and JAG (Judge Advocate General). Jump to 15:17 to learn about his experiences in COT (Commission Officer Training) school to JAG school to being deployed to Afghanistan where he faced a near-death experience. Tune in later at 32:42 to hear about Major Philips' experiences growing up in Queens and learning about his cultural background.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Dr. Raihan Faroqui to discuss his work with NY community advocacy through Muslims for Progress (MFP) and a new organization Bangladeshi Americans for Progressive Politics (BAPP). Jump to 21:13 to listen to his fun stories about growing up as a young Muslim man in Orange County, NY and his high school experiences in acting and public speaking. Tune in later at 41:57 to hear about his important work with MALIKAH and the Muslim Masculinity Project.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by @Suswana_Sohinee and @pooshpaul to discuss their immigration stories, Bengali NYC culture, and their new short film Dawat. Suswana also talks about her family's struggle with the immigration process and how it has affected her life to this day. Jump to 19:09 to hear Suswana talk about her life as a Bengali woman living in NYC and her cultural experiences going into the making of Dawat. Start at 40:54 to hear @pooshpaul talk about his experience discovering and pursuing filmmaking.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by @DrNoorUSHealth to discuss health and life, her medical education abroad, public health, and her current research. She also talked about her experience being a first responder to Bangladesh's Rana Plaza disaster where a factory collapse killed thousands of people. Jump to 14:03 to hear @DrNoorUSHealth talk about her growth journey and how reading, traveling, and physical activity affect personal growth. Start at 32:11 to hear about her thoughts on maintaining a work-life balance and her experience with culture shock while she moved from place to place.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Christian Chae to discuss his NBA round-by-round Fantasy Draft results. Hear @DrIvanKhan speak about the origins of his two-decade Fantasy Basketball League started during his college days in Harlem. Ivan had the seventh pick in a fifteen category, twelve team Yahoo! H2H league. From KAT to Lauri to Trae Young, tune in to this very special episode with audiences from Australia to the US and every place in between! Hectic episode but...
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Unsha Bakker, an oncology nurse, and teammate from @bengalimentalhealthmvmnt to discuss her NYC childhood experiences and how important mental health was for her childhood. Tune in to the growth section where Unsha discusses the importance of finding mental health support as a young adult and her vision of increased mental health services and awareness for Bengali's and South Asians. (14:08). Later tune into the culture section (32:28) where Host @DrIvanKhan and Unsha discuss the various options for support ranging from therapy, group counseling, campus services, popular podcasts, and online therapy platforms. Follow @knowtogrowpod for more on education, growth, and culture.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by globally-known Youtuber and Comedian Abrar Bhai to discuss his NYC childhood experiences leading to becoming the most recognizable face in Bengali comedy worldwide. Tune in to the growth section where Abrar Bhai discusses the evolution of his comedy from sketch videos to socially conscious comedy (14:34). Later tune into the culture section (24:00) where Host @DrIvanKhan and Abrar Bhai talk about their "Mount Rushmore of Comedy" and perform their best rendition of Kanye West's "Slow Jam" off his album "The College Dropout." Follow @knowtogrowpod for more on education, growth, and culture.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Vivek Dadhania from the Knicks Film School to discuss his journey from growing up in New Jersey as a Knicks fan. Later (15:40), Vivek Dadhania talks about the story lines Knick fans should follow this year and what he expects for the 2019-2020 NBA Season. Tune in to the culture segment (29:52) where Vivek and host, @DrIvanKhan discuss Knicks Twitter culture and the battle between the Knicks and Nets for NYC Cultural dominance. Follow @knowtogrowpod for more on the culture.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by NYC Immigration Attorney Moumita Rahman to discuss her journey from growing up in Queens to attending law school and the importance of mentorship in education. Later (15:34), Moumita Rahman speaks about how legally supporting survivors of domestic violence as an attorney has helped her and her firm grow as a community. Tune in to the culture segment (29:42) where Moumita Rahman and host, @DrIvanKhan discusses life in Williamsburg and her Top 5 Hip Hop artists. Follow @knowtogrowpod for more on the culture.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by NYS Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman to discuss her experience immigrating to the United States as a child and the education environment while she was growing up. Later (15:05), Assemblymember Hyndman speaks about her journey from her local Education Council to the NYS Assembly, and about how she's evolved as a parent in the past decade. Tune in to the culture segment (29:10) where Assemblymember Hyndman and host, @DrIvanKhan discuss the culture of South East Queens, and the Assemblymember's history as an aspiring Hip Hop artist. Follow @knowtogrowpod for more on the culture.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Tai Abrams, the CEO of AdmissionSquad to discuss her education experience as a child in Brooklyn, earning her Mathematics degree from Duke and here early career in government consulting. Later (13:49), Tai Abrams speaks about ways to improve student proficiency levels and the importance of role models in underrepresented communities. Tune in to the culture segment (28:48) where Tai and host, @DrIvanKhan discuss her faith, how it influences her day to day, and Tai's goals for academic culture in NYC. Follow @knowtogrowpod for more on the culture.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Bengalis of NY (BoNY) host Kamrul Khan to discuss the growth of one of the hottest South Asian brands today, memorable interview experiences, and social issues Bengalis face worldwide. Later (13:49), Kamrul Khan speaks about his passion for challenging projects & taking on a creative endeavor. Tune in to the culture segment (25:23) where Kamrul and host, @DrIvanKhan discuss goals to increase South Asian representation in everyday life. Follow @bengalisofnewyork & @knowtogrowpod for more on the culture.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Senator Jamaal Bailey to discuss his approach to parenting while legislating, drop-offs and pick-up routines, and coordinating with close family when both mom and dad are working. Later (15:32), Senator Bailey speaks about his experiences as a legislative intern in Albany, growing through strong mentors, and his vision for the 36th chamber. Tune in to the culture segment (28:46) where Senator Bailey and host, @DrIvanKhan discuss pick-up basketball games in the state capitol, sneaker culture, and the upcoming New York Knicks season.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Israt Hoque to discuss her perspective on feminism as a college student, her experiences as a young Bengali woman, and challenging traditional South Asian family dynamics. Later (15:27), Israt speaks about podcasts, resources, and books she's encountered on her journey to learning about feminism and its various forms, including intersectional feminism. Tune in to the culture segment (26:10) where Israt and host, @DrIvanKhan discuss the rise of brown representation in pop culture.
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Jason Clark, Esq. President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association to discuss Criminal Justice Reform over the past 20 years. Follow Clark's journey from Queens to Bronx Science, to founding DREAMChasers a tutoring & mentorship program for underprivileged students in NYC 19:32. Start at 41:05 to hear Clark describe his Harlem Renaissance themed wedding & his top five hip hop artists of all time!
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Joe Vazquez, Esq. of Celino & Barnes to discuss their love for Fantasy Football. Follow Vazquez journey from Inwood NYC to Bronx Science, to Temple Law School, to a top legal firm in the country 18:05. Start at 37:00 to hear Vazquez & host @DrIvanKhan discuss top hip hop MCs and their best tips for a great fantasy football season!
Host @DrIvanKhan is joined by Dr. Niloy Jafar to discuss his decision to complete a double doctorate program and his experience of being an immigrant in healthcare. Jump to 17:32 to hear Dr. Niloy Jafar talk about his growth journey and how medical students tackle work-life balance. Start at 33:12 to hear about his faves in Bollywood.
Host@DrIvanKhan sits with NYS Assembly Member Catalina Cruz to discuss the DREAMER experience, her academic pathways & her decision to run for office (20:00). Then @DrIvanKhan discusses @catalinacruzny love for karoake parties & the late Selena Quintanilla (32:20) in the culture segment.
For the inaugural episode, @DrIvanKhan and guest host Christian Chae break down the Know To Grow podcast, why the podcast started, and their favorite takes in Education, Growth (13:30), and Culture (27:01).