Preserving Legacy and Amplifying Diverse Voices: Haleh Shoa on the Minority Report Podcast

Honored to Be a Guest on Minority Report Podcast with Kerel Cooper

I recently had the privilege of joining Kerel Cooper on the Minority Report Podcast, a show that amplifies the voices of people of color across business, media, and tech. This conversation wasn’t just another podcast appearance. It was a heartfelt exchange rooted in purpose, identity, and legacy—exactly the kind of dialogue that makes this show so powerful.

Kerel and his co-host Eric began this podcast in 2018, driven by the shared experience of often being the only men of color in rooms across the ad tech industry. Instead of just talking about it, they decided to do something. They created a platform that now holds what they call “the largest catalog of diverse content” in their field. With over 190 episodes and accolades from Adweek, this podcast has become more than a space for storytelling. It has become a movement.

In our episode, Kerel and I talked about why preserving family memories matters, especially for those of us whose past was fractured by political turmoil or migration. I shared how my own story of fleeing Iran at nine years old, with nothing but a suitcase and the family photo albums my mother insisted on carrying, became the root of my life's work. That work eventually became Picturli.

We discussed the healing power of photographs. How images can reconnect families across continents. How they can bring peace, joy, or even forgiveness. And how every scanned photo, every organized collection, every handcrafted album carries a little bit of magic with it.

Kerel and I also explored the emotional journey of entrepreneurship, what it's like to pivot from a 27-year advertising career to building something of your own, and how quality and intention guide everything I do, from how we back up a client's files to how we help them relive their son's first steps or a wedding day they barely remember.

It was a deeply meaningful conversation, and I'm grateful to Kerel for making space for stories like mine.

🎧 You can listen to the full episode here:
Minority Report Podcast with Haleh Shoa
(You’ll find any of their episodes on the home page or wherever you listen to podcasts, Apple, Spotify, etc.)

📱 Follow the show and connect with Kerel:

If you’ve never listened to Minority Report Podcast, I highly recommend starting now. Their catalog is rich with voices that are too often left out of the conversation—and this platform makes sure they are heard, respected, and celebrated.

Thank you again, Kerel, for having me.

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