Photo Credit: Farrah Skeiky

Zakiya is a charismatic podcast and live show host.

She’s known for her humor, curiosity, and uncanny ability to establish genuine connections with guests and facilitate vulnerable, in-depth conversations no matter the guest or topic.

As a seasoned audio producer, reporter, and story editor, Zakiya’s hosting style is not only personality-driven but also informed by years of experience as an audio journalist at the top shops in the audio industry. She knows how to stay in the moment of an interview while maintaining an aerial view of the story, getting the best tape possible, and working with a team in a non-hierarchical, collaborative way.

HOSTING

A woman in yellow clothing stands on stage at a conference with a large screen behind her. The screen displays the event name 'on air FEST', the upcoming segment titled 'Modern Love' at 2:00 pm, and an artistic drawing of two lions with tangled manes. The audience is visible in the foreground, and the stage area has black curtains. Overhead, stage lighting and audio equipment hang from the ceiling.

Notable hosting highlights:

  • Story edits and hosts the breakout hit podcast Hang Up, which was voted one of the best podcasts of 2023 and 2024 by Vulture Magazine, Vogue Magazine, CBC, Tink Media, and WNYC’s “All of It.”

  • Hosts Outside Voice, a B2B Spotify podcast where Zakiya sits down with creative and advertising-industry leaders whose work amplifies marginalized voices and the importance of diversity and inclusion

  • Co-hosted an episode of ICYMI and broke down the Skibidi Toilet craze taking over Gen Alpha

  • After the smash hit Hang Up live show at On Air Fest 2024, she MC’d the big finale of On Air Fest 2025, introducing big names like Seth Meyers and Bon Iver.

  • MC’d The Big Sho, a circus-themed music festival celebrating hip-hop and creativity with big artists like Zack Fox and Chuck Strangers.

A group of people singing on a stage during a karaoke night with one woman in a red blazer holding a microphone, surrounded by smiling audience members.

Zakiya is a fun, energetic, and thoughtful podcast guest who speaks on a range of topics: