In Episode 199 of My First Step Ever, Ishani Nigam welcomes Liz van Zyl, a key figure in Australia and New Zealand’s startup ecosystem, for a thoughtful conversation about courage, resilience, and the foundations that shape who we become.

Liz shares stories from her childhood in South Africa, where strong family values, curiosity, and community were deeply ingrained. She reflects on formative moments — from stepping up for a school race she felt unprepared for, to learning how support and belief from others can carry us further than we imagine.

This episode explores:

• How family values shape confidence and character

• Why courage often begins with saying “yes” before feeling ready

• Planning for worst-case scenarios without letting fear run the show

• How completing difficult challenges rewires self-belief

• Lessons from navigating uncertainty — in life and in startups

Today, Liz operates across founders, funding, and networks — helping startups access alternative capital and scale sustainably. But at the heart of her work is a simple truth: growth comes from stepping forward, even when the path isn’t clear.

This is a grounded, inspiring conversation for anyone building something meaningful — professionally or personally.

Learn more about Liz: linkedin.com/in/liz-van-zyl

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

***

Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

***

Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

In Episode 198 of My First Step Ever, Ishani Nigam welcomes Rukaiya Khan, a transformational leader, smile strategist, and founder of Smiltastic, for a heartfelt conversation about conviction, resilience, and the power of self-expression.

Rukaiya shares her journey from a childhood shaped by cultural expectations and empathy, to discovering her voice through poetry, and later navigating the upheaval of displacement during the Gulf War. Through every transition, one thing remained constant — her ability to listen deeply, connect authentically, and believe in the power of words.

This episode explores:

• Why self-conviction matters more than motivation

• How early life experiences shape empathy and leadership

• The healing power of writing and communication

• Resilience during cultural shock and emotional upheaval

• Transforming life challenges into purposeful impact

Rukaiya’s story is not just about success — it’s about becoming, about honouring where you come from while courageously choosing where you’re going.

If you’re on a journey of self-discovery, leadership, or personal growth, this episode offers grounding insights and gentle reminders that clarity often comes after courage.

Learn more about Ruqya here: https://ruqyakhan.com/

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

***

Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

***

Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

In Episode 197 of My First Step Ever, Ishani is joined by Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360 — a digital agency elevating how trade and construction businesses show up online.

Wes is known for blending AI with authentic human storytelling. But behind his professional success is a powerful personal story of emotional resilience, learning through experimentation, and embracing the mindset of “let’s give it a try.”

In this episode, we explore:

• The emotional and mental resilience needed to grow

• The foundational building blocks of personal and business success

• Why being willing to experiment opens life-changing opportunities

• How authenticity wins in a crowded digital landscape

• What success really means — and how it evolves over time

If you’re navigating uncertainty, building something new, or simply trying to stay grounded in a noisy world, Wes’s journey will leave you inspired and equipped with practical wisdom.

Tune in, take a breath, and take your first step ever.

Learn more here: Learn more: https://uplift360.com.au/

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

***

Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

***

Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com