Explore every episode of the podcast Unswtnd + Unfltrd
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muslim Women in the Workplace: Advice on Pivoting Careers and Gaining Confidence w/ Maariyah Choudery | 21 Jun 2022 | 00:49:29 | |
We have all heard the phrase : follow your passion and everything will fall into place. I find it funny that when I was younger and I was asked 'what do you want to be when you grow up', my response was one that was very confident and it came with no hesitation…mind you I was also five years old at the time. But if you were to ask me this same question today, I would be confident in saying that I actually don’t know. Now this isn't to say it’s a bad thing to not be able to pinpoint what it is that you want to do for the rest of your life…and that’s because we’re finally realizing we are multifaceted human beings who are constantly growing, learning and embracing different versions of ourselves. Of course, change can be frightening, especially in today’s world which is laced with so much uncertainty, but what do you do if you no longer enjoy the career path you had chosen for yourself? In today’s episode, I have an insightful conversation with none other than Maariyah Choudrey, who is a Chief of Staff at Uber, content creator and your big sis in tech! Chances are you have come across a post or video of Maariyah’s account, which is @lifewithmaars, where she shares business tips and advice for working women, her love of modest fashion and beauty, and where she documents her adventures as a foodie in NYC. So, what is the secret of those who do make it to the other side? The ones who take the leap and pivot careers? In this conversation, Maariyah shares her career transition journey from pre-med to finance and her most recent role in tech. We also navigate the ways in which one can leverage their skills and their network to successfully pivot careers. Fear of failure may be at the forefront of our minds, but Maariyah discusses her own personal experiences with self doubt and finding the confidence within her that is needed to move forward. As Muslim women, in today’s society, how can we show up as our full selves in the workplace without comprising our beliefs and faith? Tune in to find out! | |||
| God's Plan vs Our Plans: The Intersection of Grief and Gratitude w/ Halima Jama | 07 Jun 2022 | 00:49:54 | |
What do you do when the things you want most are happening for everyone but you? Who do you become when your plans don't fall through? When you are in the waiting period of your life? When I look back on my own life journey thus far, I realize that if everything had gone according to my plans and not God’s Plan, I don't think I would have been as intentional or filled with all of the gratitude I have for all that I was blessed with today. Maybe my relationship with Allah wouldn’t be as strong as it is today, either. Today I am a bit more grateful that my life path came with a couple of bumps in the road and just the right amount of rerouting. I am where God has intended for me to be. Subhanallah, how even in the delay there is khair and you can almost see how Allah is working on you, bettering you for the next chapter of your life. A chapter that includes an answered dua of yours. And so while your dua is coming to life, Allah is also preparing you for it. In today’s episode, I sit down with a dear friend of mine, Halima Jama. Not only is she a talented photographer but she is the type of sister that is always right on time with her words of encouragement. She is the friend who will send you a reminder at 2am letting you know how much you are loved. And for me she is a reminder of Allah’s mercy. And in our discussion Halima reminds us that two things can be true - we can grieve what we had hoped to be and we can be grateful for what is right in this moment. In the process of holding on and believing that relief is being sent our way from Allah, we have to also come to terms that there will be setbacks and loss along the way. Every single thing that happens to us, is happening for us and it’s all part of the most intricate puzzle known to mankind and that is God’s Plan. Let that sink in - look back at how things in the past have unfolded and how you had become grateful for the way that things worked out. How every detail and every single event happened in the way that Allah had written. Look at how meticulous God is - how He creates every single thing with a purpose and you are no different. In today’s conversation we are reminded that our life story is in the palms of Allah. Our life story is in the hands of our Creator. Our life story is being handled by the most Merciful and loving beings we will ever come to know. | |||
| Is God Angry w/ Me: The Journey of Surrender and Acceptance w/ Shakirah Sabira | 16 Feb 2022 | 00:47:22 | |
*Content Warning: this episode discusses topics such as pregnancy loss and miscarriage* How does one come to terms with any hardship in their life where you have to accept what is happening to you while it’s happening to you? From time to time I am hit with the realization that sends a chill down my spine, that everything that has happened to me, not only affects me, but also affects so many others, even strangers whom i’ll never meet. Every single thing that is written for us is just a piece of a puzzle that is larger than us and every hardship and life experience we go through connects each and every single one of us to one another. Today’s special guest is Shakirah Sabira, founder of Barakah's Doula, and someone who wears many hats which includes being a midwife, womb healer, and meditation teacher to name a few. Through this conversation with Shakirah she takes us on a very intimate journey recalling a moment in her life that had changed her forever, that while a baby was growing inside of her, little did she know what she was truly preparing for. Shakira's story reminds us of our own moments in life where we had asked ourselves...is Allah angry with me, am I not good enough and what did I do to deserve this? Subhnallah, how every woman carries with her a story that has changed her forever, and even though Shakira and I may have each been tested differently by our Creator, we have found commonalities in the process of surrendering and understanding that the pain we may be experiencing does not mean that Allah intends to hurt us. To every woman out there who has experienced a loss in the form of a miscarriage, I am deeply sorry and I know that grief knows no timeline, and I pray that you are surrounded by loved ones who remind you to be gentle with yourself and that you are not alone. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: Follow Barakah's Doula here: | |||
| Befriending Failure and Embracing Our Thirties with Sahar Shafi | 18 Sep 2019 | 01:05:40 | |
In Episode 26, Sahar Shafi leaves us feeling all types of ways with her vulnerability, honesty and all around adorable charm. Although, she's currently a successful Periodontal & Implant Surgeon (mashallah), Sahar tells us she's no stranger to failure. After moving away to attend a fairly large university, her grades suffered tremendously during her freshman year. Sahar talks about accepting the fact that something she once really wanted wasn’t in God’s plan for her. She discusses her choice to move back home and how she pulled herself out of that hole and to go on and graduate Magna Cum Laude. Her positive outlook on life is prevalent in everything she does; from aging to tackling life’s toughest obstacles, Sahar gives us some insight on how she uses her faith to keep moving forward. This positivity is put to the test as Sahar begins to discuss her journey with Crohn’s disease and Endometriosis. She explains how they have impacted her life and the ways she’s found peace in accepting the diagnosis. Sahar also opens up about her infertility journey and she shares with us the life changing decision that she has had to make.
Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered | |||
| From Shamed to Unashamed: Turning Wounds Into Wisdom with Khitam Masoud | 11 Sep 2019 | 01:16:17 | |
In Episode 25, we are joined by Khitam Masoud, a cancer survivor and nonprofit organization founder. In 1998, when she was just 16 yrs old, Khitam decided to take her parents to court and fight for her emancipation in order to avoid an arranged marriage. With no relationship with her family she has had to overcome obstacles on her own, which proved to be silver linings once the dust had settled. Khitam walks us through the struggles she had faced as she learned to navigate life on her own at such a young age. She balanced multiple jobs as she tried to stay afloat, scrambled to find the time and funds to get an education, and dealt with a cancer diagnosis on her own. Khitam talks about her hardships and how she has found the motivation to get up everyday and work on bettering herself. But it was through her struggles that "Blessons for Women" was born. Khitam's non-profit organization provides free mentorship, educational workshops and wellness clinics for all women, in addition to scholarships to disadvantaged, low-income women who are 25 years or older and who have had their higher education interrupted due to challenging life lessons such as: mental health conditions, physical or emotional abuse, sex trafficking or who are first generation female immigrants. Her life goal is turning wounds into wisdom and lessons into blessings. Shop FabFitFun: Use coupon code UNSWEETENED for $10 off your first box at www.fabfitfun.com | |||
| Practicing Mindfulness & Sunnah Through our Diet with Alaa Elharezi aka Haus of Blush | 04 Sep 2019 | 01:22:35 | |
In Episode 24, Alaa Elharezi enlightens us as we talk about health and wellness in a whole new way. As a certified Hijama therapist, Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic Health Advisor, Alaa offers up some simple ways to improve our daily lives and overall health. Although, the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) and those of Ayurvedic medicine vary, she finds a way to incorporate both into her regimen, seamlessly. By integrating Prophetic wisdom and medicine into the way we eat, drink and sleep, | |||
| "No, I'm Not Done Venting" with Ayesha Malik | 28 Aug 2019 | 00:54:40 | |
In Episode 23, we are joined by Ayesha Malik, the Pakistani-American woman who unapologetically called out Priyanka Chopra at Beautycon. The reason for the confrontation: Kashmir. Pakistan and India have been in a custody battle over Kashmir for over 7 decades now. With tensions rising, a tweet by Priyanka supporting India’s armed forces at a time where Ayesha'a family feared for their lives, was all the motivation Ayesha needed to confront the actress and goodwill ambassador of UNICEF. Ayesha is a blogger, inter-faith activist and natural-hair influencer who lives in Alaska with her family. She wants to bring attention to the Kashmir situation at a time where it is rarely mentioned in mainstream media and urges others to pass down the mic to Kashmiris, too. | |||
| Pelvic Pain, PMS, Migraines and Everything in Between with Heba Shaheed | 21 Aug 2019 | 01:34:52 | |
In Episode 22, we get down to the real truth with Heba Shaheed, in regards to period pain, the many myths surrounding PMS, how to be more in tune with our bodies and the importance of mental health overall! Heba provides women’s health and pediatric pelvic health services including physiotherapy, exercise, nutrition and pain education. She specializes in sexual pain, pelvic pain and endometriosis just to name a few! Through her personal story, Heba unravels almost everything we need to know about our bodies, such as where do migraines come from or what’s the difference between a migraine and a headache? We learn if there’s a difference between a natural birth vs a C-section when it comes to the effects they have on your pelvic floor. Trust me we don’t hold back and Heba answers all of your questions in this special episode. It’s time that we learn more about our bodies and remove the shame behind wanting to know what really goes on down there! | |||
| Conversations with a Muslim Therapist and Learning How to Humanize our Prophet with Sara Bawany | 14 Aug 2019 | 01:39:13 | |
In Episode 21, Sara Bawany gives us a crash course on all things mental health. Scheduling an appointment with a therapist isn't on the top of every Muslim's to-do list due to the intimidation and misconceptions that surround therapy, however, Sara explains why paying attention to our mental health is just as important as our physical health. We learn about what traits to look for while choosing a therapist, instances in the Quran that highlight the importance of mental health and how to de-stigmatize therapy in our culture. We also discuss certain moments in the Prophet's (pbuh) life where mental health was a priority and reasons why we should humanize the feelings he had shared with those around him. Sara is a clinical social worker, a writer and published poet. She currently works at the Muslim Community Center for Human Services in Fort Worth, where she provides free mental health counseling and education. Sara is also on the board of FACE, an organization that tackles spiritual abuse in the Muslim community. She is also the author of her debut poetry and prose book titled, "(w)holehearted". Resources: | |||
| Intercultural Marriage, Infertility and the Shift in Modest Fashion With YazTheSpaz | 07 Aug 2019 | 01:17:37 | |
In Episode 20, we chat with Yasemin Kanar aka YazTheSpaz and trust me she doesn’t hold back. Yasemin gives us an in depth look into the melting pot of cultures which is her life. With a mother from Cuba and her father from Turkey, she decided to add to her hybrid life when she found her soulmate, who is of an Egyptian background. We talk about the struggles that come with an intercultural marriage and the beauty it also brings. Yasemine lets down her walls to also discuss the truth about marriage outside of a perfectly curated Instagram photo. With a positive attitude, this OG hijabi fashion icon talks about her struggles off camera with infertility, her battle with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and how she came about having her two beautiful children (mashallah). Talk about being completely Unsweetened and Unfiltered, Yasemin sure gave us a run for our money. | |||
| Sorry Not Sorry with Jackie Courtney | 31 Jul 2019 | 01:25:49 | |
In Episode 19, we talk to Jackie Courtney, the mastermind behind the incredible website NearlyNewlywed.com. Prior to creating Nearly Newlywed, Jackie worked as a publicist for international fashion designers including Marni, Thakoon, Matthew Williamson and Emilio Pucci and top stylists/editors at Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle and more. Jackie walks us through where the idea of her business came about, why it's so important we unlearn the habit of apologizing (yeah, sorry not sorry is actually a thing), the reason taking up space is something we need to be proud of and how we need to quit the habit of saying we are bad at things. If you're in need of an (almost) new designer wedding dress at an affordable price or have one taking up way too much space in your in-law's basement (guilty) take a look at NearlyNewlywed.com, a place to sell or shop preowned or new wedding dresses.
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| Navigating Life Through Trauma and Body Dysmorphia with Leah Vernon | 24 Jul 2019 | 01:13:36 | |
In Episode 18, Leah Vernon blessed us with her presence. As a plus-size model, author, body-positive activist and Muslim feminist, Leah is creating a new narrative for women who don't fit into normalized beauty standards. We dive deep into Leah's childhood and the trauma she had endured, why she decided to embrace her body after a lifetime of shaming and the ways she deals with an influx of social media hate. Whether it's through her eccentric outfits, documenting her bouts with mental health or sharing her dancing videos with her supporters, Leah is the breath of fresh air that you’ve been looking for on Instagram! | |||
| Dear Baba, I Miss You with Mna Eldaas | 17 Jul 2019 | 01:10:33 | |
Grab some tissues! In Episode 17, we talk to Mna Eldaas, who unfortunately lost her father to liver cancer in 2016. Coming from an extremely tight-knit family, Mna walks us through the pains, struggles and upsets she had experienced after his passing. In a completely vulnerable state, she explains her grieving process, why it's crucial to understand that grief is unique to each individual and the reason why finding a way to connect to those who we have lost is fundamental in order to heal. Through this heavy loss she has found a special way to honor her father by creating an Arab American platform called @themeemshop , which empowers us through humor. | |||
| I'm Tired of Being the Strong One: Second Puberty, Past Lessons and Finding Yourself w/ Tahmina Begum | 02 Feb 2022 | 00:51:15 | |
"It's about time we address the 'second puberty' nobody warns us about." Tahmina is a brilliant journalist, writer and editor - alongside her newsletter she has written many articles and one of them discussing the second puberty. She defines this as the necessary shedding of old skin. Not only are you now making choices for yourself but you are also redefining who you are. It’s like a spiritual awakening and a rebirth all in one. Second Puberty Article: | |||
| A Mother's Intuition with Fawzieh Kahook Awad | 10 Jul 2019 | 01:03:12 | |
In Episode 16, we sit down with Fawzieh Kahook, a mother of two beautiful boys. Fawzieh walks us through the first time she began noticing things about her younger son that set him from apart from his older brother. These little red flags set alarms off in her head, but seemed minimal to family and friends when she expressed her concerns. The toys he liked, not answering to his name and the way he avoided eye contact were all warning signs. Fawzieh explains why she decided to finally listen to her own gut instincts and get her son in front of a doctor. She walks us through the emotional rollercoaster of receiving the diagnosis and how she felt when she found out the news. Explaining to others, especially in our community, of her son's condition was not easy. Nonetheless, Fawzieh decided to learn all there is to know about his diagnosis and how she became a resource for other parents dealing with a similar situation. | |||
| How to Heal Post Divorce | 03 Jul 2019 | 01:07:00 | |
In Episode 15, we are joined by an anonymous guest who takes us through the roller coaster ride that was her marriage. An unexpected pregnancy and already unsure of where her relationship stood, she discovers something truly unbelievable about her now ex-husband. Our guest walks us through her thought process on why she initially decided to stay and when she decided enough was enough. Wise beyond her years, she explains her healing process, the way she regained the strength to stand on her own two feet and the reason co-parenting is a necessity. This is an episode full of audible gasps and realizations. Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered | |||
| Unapologetically Me with Shaymaa Ismaa’eel | 26 Jun 2019 | 01:23:50 | |
In Episode 14, Shaymaa Ismaa’eel joins us to discuss her journey in connecting spiritually to her faith. Although, that journey varies from one person to the next, Shaymaa's approach to finding her place in Islam is truly inspirational. We also talk about what it's like to be visibly Muslim in today's political climate and how she deals with racism. We learn though that racism doesn't always come from outside of one's religious group and as a Black-Muslim, Shaymaa deals with this problem in different forms, including from within the Muslim community. | |||
| Eating Disorders in the Muslim Community with Adeline Ania Hocine | 19 Jun 2019 | 01:03:28 | |
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode focuses primarily on eating disorders. If you feel the content discussed could be triggering, please either proceed with caution, or feel free to listen to any one of our previous episodes. Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered | |||
| Defeating Postpartum Depression with Faten Albanna | 12 Jun 2019 | 01:11:30 | |
In Episode 12, we are joined by Faten Albanna, a teacher, photographer and mother of two who had suffered from Postpartum Depression. PPD is the most common pregnancy complication, with one in seven mothers experiencing it, but it is still highly stigmatized. Faten uses her personal experience to break down some of those stigmas as she discusses her journey through new motherhood, the signs of depression she initially ignored and the reason having a support system is crucial. | |||
| Allow us to Reintroduce Ourselves with Zaina and Dounya | 05 Jun 2019 | 01:16:28 | |
In Episode 11, we celebrate our three month anniversary! Yes, three months despite what Zaina might have said - hey we never promised to be good at math lol! To commemorate this milestone we get a little personal by letting our walls down and by answering all of your questions regarding our personal lives. We talk about how we met and the ins and outs of the UNSWTND + UNFLTRD podcast. So please allow us to reintroduce ourselves - cue Jay Z’s voice! | |||
| Spiritual Healing with Youssra Kandil | 29 May 2019 | 00:55:12 | |
In Episode 10, we sit down with Youssra Kamel Kandil, a motivational speaker whose videos have gone viral by capturing the hearts of thousands of Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Youssra shares her thoughts on maintaining patience during hardships, keeping our faith strong even post-Ramadan, the importance of giving back and so much more. If you’ve felt a disconnect this Ramadan, then this episode is a must listen. | |||
| Using our Platforms for Good with Isra Chaker | 22 May 2019 | 00:48:33 | |
In Episode 9, we are joined by Isra Chaker, a civil rights activist, campaigns and advocacy expert, and public speaker. Isra walks us through her high school days and explains how the bullying she endured essentially influenced her decision to become an activist. We also talk about the Muslim Ban and how we can use our voices and platforms to fight for what's right, especially in the current political climate. If you're ready to feel enlightened, take a listen! | |||
| Breaking the Silence Around Infertility with Faten Odeh | 08 May 2019 | 01:02:36 | |
In Episode 8, our guest Faten Odeh shares her story about her struggles with infertility. We learn about the IVF process and the effects it has had on her physical and mental health. Faten discusses the hardships she has dealt with in regards to conceiving and how she has found the silver lining throughout it all. We hope this episode leaves our listeners with more knowledge about infertility and how to better approach this topic with family and friends. Watch our IGTV sit down with Dr. Abeer Salhia where we talk all things fertility. | |||
| Beyond the Kitchen with Abeer Najjar | 01 May 2019 | 01:38:30 | |
In Episode 7, we discuss food, self love, improving ourselves spiritually for Ramadan and everything in between with Abeer Najjar. Abeer is a self-taught chef, blogger and the founder of the Huda Supper Club. Through her Palestinian background and her childhood growing up on the south side of Chicago, Abeer is using food and her cooking to break down cultural barriers. Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered | |||
| Seeking vs Accepting: How Does Your Heart Feel These Days w/ Sara Luchetti | 22 Dec 2021 | 01:01:55 | |
Pablo Picasso once said that the first half of life is learning to be an adult, and the second half is learning to be a child. We can all agree that life has been an interesting ride these past few years. It has been extremely rough for some of us and for others it has given us the opportunity to finally come face to face with our fears, our worries and most importantly ourselves. Today’s special guest is a dear friend of mine - someone whom you have all met before - Sara Luchetti. She was this season’s opener and it only felt right to have her close out the season, too. Subhanallah, how life always comes full circle. I simultaneously have all the words and no words to describe who Sara is - and if you ask her, she’ll simply say, I'm human. But if i were to describe how she makes me feel - that’s a whole other story. She is a sister for life, a kind and genuine soul and someone who has embraced me with the love that I needed. In today’s episode we discuss how our heart feels these days and what is it trying to tell us, especially since our emotions are the language and messengers of our hearts. Sara guides us through the concept of letting go of expectations and instead of drowning in what ifs, we instead swim in what is. How do we live a life of accepting instead of a life with balled up fists ready to fight any change or hardship that comes our way. Recently I’ve shared how I’ve transitioned from traditional therapy to seeking Sara’s services - which specifically focuses on heart work. I want to take a moment to say thank you to our teachers, our therapists, our loved ones who have helped us on this journey, who have stood by our side through the most difficult of times and who have shown us how strong we truly are. Lastly, thank you to every guest and every listener, every kind word and every piece of advice that was gifted to me. Like I said, words don't do our feelings any justice sometimes, so for now all I can say is - I will forever keep you all in my duas! | |||
| Overcoming the Fear of Hijab with Nilly Naseer-Farooqui | 24 Apr 2019 | 00:47:09 | |
In Episode 6, we are joined by the lovely Nilly, who is behind the Instagram page @wordsbehindasmile , to discuss all things hijab related! She shares her story behind the first moments in her life where she decided to put the headscarf on. Nilly gives us tips on how to take this next step and gives us insight on overcoming the fear of becoming a hijabi. We touch upon how one defines what the hijab means to them and we also dissect the struggles that hijabis + non hijabis face in today’s world. Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered | |||
| Overcoming Anxiety & Depression with Summer Shatat | 17 Apr 2019 | 01:14:53 | |
In Episode 5, we get real with Summer Shatat, the owner of Anonymous Addictions. She is a daughter, mother, wife, entrepreneur and mental health advocate. Summer opens up about her struggles with anxiety, PTSD and depression that all stem from a traumatic event she went through at the age of 16. We discuss her healing process and road to recovery. We hope you use this episode as a wake up call to take control of your mental health and benefit from the advice given by our guest. | |||
| 'Not Your Habibti' with Yasmeen Mjalli | 10 Apr 2019 | 00:45:57 | |
In Episode 4, we bring on Yasmeen Mjalli, the founder of BabyFist. She is the driving force behind the three words that have started a revolution, Not Your Habibti. We discuss the need to confront street harassment head on while also educating young girls about their bodies. Through Yasmeen’s various efforts, she has put together the Typewriter Project as well as the Menstrual Education Campaign. We also dissect the term feminist, what it means to be one as a woman of color and not allowing the West to continue narrating our stories. | |||
| Preserving Our Identities with May El Calamawy | 02 Apr 2019 | 00:41:40 | |
In Episode 3, we talk to May El Calamawy who stars in the upcoming American comedy series titled "Ramy” which is set to premiere on April 19th on Hulu. The show follows the life of a first-generation Egyptian American Muslim learning to balance his dual-identity. May plays Dena, Ramy’s younger sister, who struggles to live her life under her Egyptian family’s rules and all of the double standards that come with it. We dive into the importance of representation in the media, why more young Arabs need to create their own roles and the possibility of a spin-off.
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| Finding the Silver Lining with Lisa Vogl | 26 Mar 2019 | 00:36:23 | |
In Episode 2, we are joined by Lisa Vogl, who is an award winning international fashion photographer and founder of Verona Collection modest fashion brand. Vogl's Verona Collection is aimed at Muslim women and others who prefer to dress modestly. The collection launched last year online at Macy's, but now will be offered in the Dearborn store. We also discuss how to heal and find the silver lining through our hardships. | |||
| The Dark Side of Our Culture with Etaf Rum | 19 Mar 2019 | 00:37:46 | |
In Episode 1, we are joined by Etaf Rum, author of the debut novel “A Woman is No Man”. We kick off our podcast with a discussion about marriage, divorce, domestic violence, etc. We dive into the notion of culture versus religion, how our community is in need of healing, as well as focusing on the worth of a woman and how we can find our voices even when society tries to silence us into obedience. | |||
| Unswtnd + Unfltrd: It's Really Happening! | 06 Mar 2019 | 00:17:57 | |
Welcome to the Introduction Episode of the "Unsweetened & Unfiltered" podcast. Hosts, Zaina and Dounya, are so excited to start this new venture! They discuss the need for this initiative and what to expect in the upcoming episodes. Get to know them and their vision for this podcast. | |||
| Comedy and Relationship Talk: There's Nothing Funny About Relationship Struggles w/ MaisVault | 24 Nov 2021 | 00:45:50 | |
Who would have known that one of the worst things about adulting, would be relationship struggles?! Since, we are in the midst of dealing with seasonal depression, I had to bring on my girl Mai, from MaisVault, to cheer us up a bit! Before I give you the scoop on today’s episode, Mai pulled the oldest Arab girl trick in the book - you know the one where people can’t tell if we're single, or if we’re in a 7-year relationship, or possibly getting engaged tomorrow night - who knows! Well, when recording this episode, Mai was as single as can be, or so I thought - this past week we found out Mai got engaged and the internet erupted with joy. A huge congrats to one of my favorite people and I am truly wishing Mai and her fiancé endless love and happiness inshallah! As for today’s episode, we have a lot of important topics to cover such as who is more famous, Mai or Mama Wafaa - who we have all come to know and love! And in this conversation, Mai takes us through her journey of becoming a viral sensation and how she continues to come up with relatable content that sends us all laughing. It’s true when they say that laughter is the best form of medicine and I’m not alone when it comes to appreciating Mai for creating such hilarious skits that truly take a lot of effort behind the scenes. In this episode I may have flipped the script on Mai and asked her very juicy relationship questions from deal breakers to turn offs and what would she do if her date asked her to split the bill… Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| Doing Things for the Sake of Allah: Imagine Your Voice Being Known in the Heavens w/ Asmaa Hussein | 10 Nov 2021 | 00:51:18 | |
'Islam is meant to be practiced by human beings who are flawed and in pain, who struggle to succeed but sometimes fail, and who return to God after those failures.' These words were birthed from pain, on a journey of healing and understanding, words spoken by today’s special guest, Asmaa Hussein. Lately, my duas have been accompanied by a tear soaked prayer mat. Moments of reflection where I unload every burden weighing heavy on my heart. Nights where I allow my heart to speak on my behalf and mornings where I wake up feeling a bit more lighter knowing that my Creator is the only Being that understands the wishes that lie beneath my tongue and the wounds my tears may still carry. Asmaa is an author, blogger and mother - just to name a few of her successful endeavors. If you take one look at her writing, from her books to her online posts, your heart would have no choice but to be enveloped with words that will deeply move you. We both discuss our experiences with making dua and the beauty that lies behind what Allah has planned for us even if at times we may not understand how or why certain things unfold. Asmaa shares with us the wisdom she has gathered from her experiences dealing with motherhood and widowhood. This conversation led us to the topic of the Hereafter and how we can navigate this dunya with this on our minds - knowing that one day we will exist in another realm. And so, Asmaa left me with these words that sent a chill down my spine: Imagine your voice being known in the heavens. | |||
| Honesty is the Best Policy: Haram Police, Halal Dating Woes and Having Strict Parents w/ Salma Hindy | 26 Oct 2021 | 00:56:39 | |
When it comes to relationships, are we entitled to the "carfax" of this potential partner? And if so, where can we get the honesty is the best policy when it comes to relationship warranties? In today’s episode, I sit down with Salma Hindy, a biomedical engineer by day and accomplished comedian by night. Salma takes us back to her earlier childhood days which were void of music, going to the mall and basically anything a normal teenager was allowed to experience. If you grew up in a household with strict and conservative parents then you will most likely relate to Salma’s crazy childhood stories. By default she also found herself as one of the elite members of the Haram Police. We talk about how her high school friendships were difficult to navigate because of her past judgmental ways. I genuinely applaud Salma for her authenticity and her ability to not shy away from difficult conversations by being transparent about her experience with relationships, halal dating and how therapy has truly impacted her. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| God's Timing: How Much Do You Truly Trust in God's Plan and God's Pace w/ Melanie Elturk | 12 Oct 2021 | 01:07:25 | |
God’s timing is never rushed by our impatience in this Dunya, for He is always in control of all plans and we are in control of the steps we take toward His plans. One quote that always lingers in my mind is: If your heart became closer to Allah as a result of something that has happened to you, it was the biggest blessing. You know, sometimes in moments of hardship we tend to feel as if God has forgotten us, but it’s in these moments when we are truly reminded of Allah’s mercy and His love for every one of His creations. Today’s special guest, Melanie Elturk, CEO of Haute Hijab, said something that resonated deep within my heart, she said, just because you’re far from Allah, does not mean that Allah is far from you. How often do we feel distant from God, reluctant to make dua, and the desire to be in the driver’s seat of our life even in moments where we feel like we are being tested beyond belief? And so, I had the honor to sit down with Melanie to discuss how to better understand the concept of trusting God - like really trusting God. She is someone who hasn't had a shortage of hardships herself, from dealing with grief, loss and recently opening up about going through a divorce, I wanted to gain a better insight into how one can truly let go, and let God. In this episode we discuss why we are so keen on carrying the deep and emotional pain we have gone through rather than unpacking it once and for all, we talk about the stories our wounds carry and how therapy has been both eye and heart opening for the both of us. You know in life, we go through multiple rebirths, and more often than not our rebirth happens when we hit rock bottom and not because there is nowhere to go, but because we don’t want to feel this way again. So how does one prepare for radical change? How do we learn to accept not only God’s plans but also God’s pace? Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| Eating Disorder: Struggles w/ Body Image, Mental Health and Faith w/ Asma Elbadawi | 28 Sep 2021 | 00:52:09 | |
*Trigger warning - this episode primarily focuses on eating disorders. If you feel the content discussed could be triggering, please either proceed with caution, or feel free to listen to any one of our previous episodes.* If these words sound a bit familiar to you that is because they were written by the poet Asma Elbadawi who also happens to be today’s special guest. Asma’s poems are known for their rawness and their unfiltered truth when it comes to covering subjects such as mental health, racism and many other personal life struggles. On this podcast we have covered ED before in our first season, but in sharing Asma’s story today - you will realize that when it comes to being Muslim and having this specific struggle, there is no one experience. Adding the layer of being Muslim can make ED that much more difficult to face due to how little this is talked about in our community at times, how it can impact an individual’s ability to practice their faith and how they can feel overwhelmed when Ramadan approaches. In this conversation - Asma discusses how society has played a role in how she views herself physically and how these feelings were internalized ever since she was a little girl. It’s no surprise that society is obsessed with a woman’s body image - but it’s the harmful ways that some of us choose to cope with not feeling good enough that happens behind closed doors. Asma also shares that the idea of control or lack thereof is another component as to why she experiences bouts with ED. And so she also shares with us her relationship with her faith, her family and herself through this process and how we can do better as a community when it comes to being there for our loved ones who may be struggling with ED as well. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| God’s Plan: When Everything Begins to Fall Apart with Huda Alvi | 14 Sep 2021 | 00:55:42 | |
It’s understood that Allah’s plans are always greater than ours, but how strong is your trust in Him if after making dua, everything in your life begins to fall apart? Did you know that one mustard seed can produce a tree-like plant that is a little over 6 feet tall. Imagine that - a tiny seed that has the ability to grow into something larger than life. What if this hadith used the seed as an example to show how having a tiny bit of faith can transform into complete reliance on Allah. This seed reflects how faith can grow and become strong enough to overcome the most difficult of hardships. In today’s episode, I sat down with Huda Alvi, founder of The Girls Trip, to discuss her journey of self discovery. Recently, Huda returned to social media after a year or so long hiatus - with her return came an update, one filled with affliction, tears, hope and an emphasis on extending compassion to others and sharing our truth. Within this conversation we touched upon how as women we sometimes fear what’s on the other side of friendships + relationships - which is a journey of solitude that no one has truly prepared us for. Huda shares intimate details of her marriage falling apart and her road to self growth and acceptance of Allah’s plans no matter how much we tend to resist them at first. I want to extend my deepest gratitude for Huda for being so vulnerable and sharing her story - her words and her journey have helped me immensely in terms of my own healing - and I hope the same for you, too. | |||
| Shame and Silence: The Dangers of Victim Blaming and Lack of Accountability w/ Eman Idil Bare | 31 Aug 2021 | 01:00:23 | |
In the words of bell hooks: We cannot dismantle a system as long as we engage in the collective denial about its impact on our lives. In today's episode, special guest Eman Bare is choosing to courageously share her story by speaking up about the various accounts of abuse, harm and hyper sexualized rumors that have been spread about her. Given the lack of accountability, we are creating loopholes for abusers to get away with what they have done which means that we are also inherently protecting these same abusers and instead dissecting and placing blame on the victim - sending a clear message that they are not safeguarded or to be believed by their community. In this conversation, we discuss how shame is used as a tool by the oppressor against victims and survivors of abuse, why it's important to publicly name abusers, the lack of accountability amongst our communities and the dangers of victim blaming. To anyone who has ever endured such harm, may Allah protect you in the same manner that you are choosing to publicly share your story in order for others to not fall victim to these abusers. May you always be believed and supported in every capacity. Please pass on the following resources to your family and friends: Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| Self Growth for an Arab Woman: Balancing a Relationship w/ Our Parents and Navigating Emotional Independence w/ Abeer Najjar | 24 May 2022 | 01:05:37 | |
Going after what makes you happy as an Arab Muslim woman doesn’t always come with instant gratification. There is pain and guilt involved when finally making a decision for yourself. I often wonder to myself, will I ever experience happiness without allowing myself to poison the moment by the idea that I’m making others unhappy in return. But I’m trying my best to not allow grief to paralyze me, or to instill fear in me and prevent me from entering this new chapter of my life. I am someone who has stayed in her comfort zone for far too long and so, naturally self doubt is trying to keep me here a bit longer but for the first time I’m refusing to do so. Someone else who may understand what I am going through is none other than Abeer Najjar. She is a self taught chef and food writer, born on the Southside of Chicago to Palestinian immigrant parents - and in today’s episode Abeer shares with us her journey of self growth and self development as an Arab woman. I have a heart to heart with Abeer in regards to some of her most recent decisions that she has made and how that has impacted her relationship with her parents. I’ve realized that when discussing the topic of self development as an Arab woman it is almost impossible to not touch upon our past and current relationship with our immigrant parents and how that has shaped the decisions we are making today. As grown adults how can we transform our bond with our parents to welcome them into the new chapters of our lives? We also can't forget about the picture of Abeer at Umrah going viral - a picture that had captured a beautiful moment between Abeer and her brother - but I also wanted to discuss the experiences she had at Umrah, the ones that weren't captured within this photo and the reflections she can share with us that she has brought back from her trip. How does ihsan and taqwa play a role in our lives as Muslim women who are trying to forge a new path for themselves, while balancing a relationship with their parents and working towards emotional independence? Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| Spiritual Awakening: Who Am I and Why Am I Here w/ Hanan Abdel-Khalek | 17 Aug 2021 | 01:12:40 | |
What exactly is a spiritual awakening and why is it so painful? In today's episode, I sit down with Hanan Abdel-Khalek, the founder of Young Nevertiti, and somehow even though we live thousands of miles apart, we are always on the same wavelength. It may be a terrifying feeling for you to finally give yourself permission to be yourself, but in this conversation you'll see that you are not alone on this journey and as painful as spiritual awakenings can be, they are such a gift to experience in this world. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| Career Talk: Resume Do's and Dont's, Salaries and Overcoming Rejection w/ Wardah Khalid | 03 Aug 2021 | 01:03:03 | |
I'm not sure what's worse : a rejection letter from the company I had just applied for or no reply at all. But on a serious note, we fail to realize that our emotional and mental health can be greatly impacted because our career is also an indication of who we are, it's a part of our personal identity. Personally, I didn't want to just find a job that pays my bills. Recently, I had released an episode with Alex Fox to discuss how to better align our purpose in life with our passions. Our conversation gave me so much more clarity on what I was seeking and it was the motivation that I needed to continue pursuing my job search. So, in today's episode I sit down with Wardah Khalid, a political analyst, activist and career coach, just to name a few of her notable positions, to discuss the topic of career coaching. I realized that I needed all of the help that I can get and I wanted to lend these same resources to anyone else out there searching for a new career, too! In this conversation, Wardah discusses resume do's and dont's, why cover letters are so important, how to not close the door in our own face and how to better advocate for ourselves in the interview process. So while you guys are tuning in, I'll be fixing up my resume... Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| Finding our Life's Purpose and Using Our Gifts to Serve Allah feat Alex Fox | 27 Jul 2021 | 00:52:52 | |
Why is it that we stay put in positions that our minds and even our hearts want a way out of? Recently, I have found myself at a crossroads - one that many others have discovered along their own life's journey. The intersection of fulfilling our life's purpose and choosing the path that best fits with our intentions. This topic brings me back to the question of who am I? Who am I stripped of all of my labels? The label of being someone's sister, friend, daughter and etc? I found myself dissecting this question and the reason why I hesitate in answering it for myself is simply out of fear. What I mean by this is that to understand who I am, I have to pave my own path. A path that no one else has ventured onto before. And so, in today's episode I sit down with Alex Fox, the founder of Origin of Mind, to discuss what it means to align our purpose in life with our passions. Alex is someone who I had the pleasure of crossing paths with on the Clubhouse app, where she has created two of the largest Muslim clubs, which gave us all a platform to foster discussions surrounding faith, relationships, women empowerment and so much more. Alex and I may not be experts on this topic, but we each come with our fair share of personal life experiences and hardship that we have overcome. A laundry list of obstacles that we have faced in our own career paths and so we believed it was necessary to have more dialogue surrounding the idea of setting our intentions, understanding the role that our hardships play in figuring out our purpose and so much more. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| Muslim Representation in Media (or Lack Thereof) featuring Arij Mikati | 06 Jul 2021 | 00:52:52 | |
Raise your hand if you grew up believing that you wanted to be Jasmine from Aladdin only to realize that this movie was perpetuating orientalist stereotypes of the Middle East and Asia. If you've caught yourself holding your breath when you've seen a Muslim cross your television screens, you're not alone. You're silently hoping this Muslim character won't be portrayed as the villain, the terrorist or someone who is oppressed and needs to detach from their faith if they want to be accepted by others. Frankly, we are tired of these dangerous tropes and stereotypes that have been overdone for decades now. These are the words of Arij Mikati, today's special guest and someone whom I have been vocal about when it comes to how much I admire her and how many doors she has opened for herself and the rest of us as she continues to challenge these roadblocks and stereotypes. Recently, Riz Ahmed, with the help from Pillars Fund, USC Annenberg and the Ford Foundation have unveiled the Blueprint for Muslim Inclusion in Media and the Arts. Over 90% of films from 2017-2019 were missing Muslim characters, that's 181 out of 200 films that had no Muslim representation at all. In today's episode, Arij explains how the erasure of Muslim filmmakers behind and in front of the camera means that countless of stories go untold. She dives into what representation actually means and why it's so important. We discuss how the lack of positive and accurate portrayals of Muslims is directly linked to horrific and Islamophobic attacks on our Muslim communities and so much more. Arij and her peers are excited to announce what can be done to change the narrative and it all starts with the Muslim Visibility Challenge and the Pillars Artist Fellowship, just to name a few of the initiatives that are currently unfolding. Thank you once again to Arij, Pillars Fund, Riz Ahmed and the many others who are working tirelessly on this initiative. I am so incredibly honored to have Arij join us today to discuss the building blocks of a brighter future for Muslim creatives. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| Arab Women: Carrying the Burden of Our Family's Honor feat. Alya Mooro | 29 Jun 2021 | 00:53:04 | |
Growing up, I can't tell you how many times I used to hear the words 3aib, haram or the most triggering of all: "What will people say." But in today's episode you're going to hear what Alya Mooro, my special guest, has to say about navigating the many facets of her identity as an Arab woman. As a first born and the daughter of immigrant parents, I've come to realize that my life path was already written for me by my parents, extended family and members of the community before I ever had a say in it. Navigating life as an Arab woman meant that I was responsible for carrying the burden of my family's honor on my shoulders. I was always paralyzed by the fear of making any wrong decisions that could jeopardize the reputation of my family name. I never understood why this huge responsibility was placed on us women and never on our male counterparts until Alya Mooro directly said this in her book: It's this obsession and constant policing of women that dictates our every move. As an Egyptian born and London raised Arab woman, Alya shares the struggles she had faced and is still facing as she is trying to figure out who her authentic self truly is. In this episode we discuss how our identities can dictate how we behave, the East vs West mentality (haram vs halal), juggling different versions of ourselves, halal dating and how to deal with rejection in life. It's important to note that all of us still have our own unique experiences growing up as Arab, Muslim or as women in general, and the obstacles we faced as women isn't limited to only our Middle Eastern culture, these issues are also very prominent in Western societies. I hope that we can continue to have these conversations and for us to continue providing spaces to do so. We all have a voice and we all have the right to be heard. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| The Myth of Coexistence and the Right of Return feat. Lara aka Gazan Girl | 08 Jun 2021 | 01:04:45 | |
The unconditional support that the U.S. has for 'Israel' is unmatched but will we ever witness a breakup when it comes to this toxic relationship? More than 50,000 of these arrests are children. I would like to also add that a generous amount of these Palestinian prisoners died as a result of torture, medical negligence, and there are those who have been murdered by the IOF after they have been released from prison. In today's episode, I sit down with Lara who is a Palestinian-American International lawyer and the cohost of the Palestine Pod which is a weekly podcast that breaks down the latest Palestine related news with the aim of supporting Palestinian liberation, justice and equality on the ground and in exile. In this discussion, Lara mentions how her friend Iyad Burnat was unable to record a podcast episode with her because the IOF raided his home and kidnapped his two sons. And when I say raided, I mean that the IOF destroyed everything in sight. While Lara and I were recording this episode, Iyad was unaware of the location of his children. But as of today there has been an update and unfortunately the discovery of his sons whereabouts should have brought him relief, but instead it brought on more heartache. 'It is a miraculous feat of propaganda that an occupying army convinced so many that it is the victim of the people it is occupying.' Not only are the IOF terrorizing Palestinian families but they are also brutally attacking our journalists in order to further suppress the truth, while the world continues to turn a blind eye. In this discussion, Lara also covers the myth of coexistence, 'Israel's' blatant intentions to separate Palestinians from one another, the importance of using the correct terminology when it comes to what is unfolding in Palestine and 'Israel's' racist and discriminatory laws. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| 'We, the People, Have Become the Media' feat. Sumayya Tobah | 01 Jun 2021 | 00:54:52 | |
How does one lose their job for reporting the truth, yet their job description is to report the truth? Now that's a riddle that I can't seem to solve. Growing up Muslim, I have always felt unsettled when I would watch the news on tv. It was always the same paintbrush followed by the same brush strokes, painting Muslims as the aggressors and terrorists. This same paintbrush is also used when it comes to what is happening in Palestine and to no surprise, Palestinians are continuously painted as the provokers and 'Israel' as the victim. How does the media get away with writing news articles that are not always factual and why is it that they can't say the word Palestine on air? Sumayya's name was also one of the signatures on this open letter that I had just discussed. She shares with me the behind the scenes of newsrooms and the current response to this letter. I had so many questions for Sumayya in regards to why it's so difficult for media to accurately cover what is happening in Palestine. I wanted to know why Palestine couldn't be said on air by reporters and journalists alike, and her response was a bit heartbreaking. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| A Conversation w/ Alana Hadid: My Palestinian Identity, Philanthropy and Becoming an Entrepreneur | 19 May 2021 | 00:49:13 | |
In today’s episode, I sit down with Alana Hadid, one of the many gems of our Palestinian community and her family is just as admirable as her. Recently, we have seen Alana and her sisters, including Bella come out full force and show their love for their people and their identity, from raising awareness to attending protests. In today’s discussion, Alana and I had sat down to discuss our Palestinian identity and what role it has played in who we have become today. We also discussed her business, La Detresse and how one can bring their dreams into reality. Once again, thank you to the Hadid family, for their resilience, their support and their endless love for their people. | |||
| Is God on Your Invite List: How to Make Sense of Our Hardships w/ Halima Jama | 04 May 2021 | 00:49:13 | |
Sometimes Allah (swt) wants a certain level of Jannah for someone and when their good deeds alone can't get them there, He gives them hardship. Some silver linings can be much more difficult to find than others, but there is always goodness and khair in everything that we endure. Subhanallah, how Allah grants us the strength to face the most difficult of hardships in this dunya. Know that through all of these moments, Allah is right there with you. So, ask for His guidance, pray for better days, soften your heart and open your eyes to the beauty in this dunya and the rewards of Allah's mercy. As always, be gentle with one another. Most of us are going through something that we are choosing to only keep between us and our Creator. I only pray that Allah showers you with ease and patience. I intentionally chose to keep this conversation as the last discussion of Ramadan. Halima Jama is someone who you will find yourself indebted to Allah for allowing you to cross paths with her. Her words always touch me and leave an imprint on my heart for more reasons than one. And in this episode we dive into the notion of cultivating a strong bond with Allah and focusing our lens, no pun intended, on the many ways Allah has chosen to provide us with rizk, mercy and blessings we could have never imagined for ourselves. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||
| Loss and Grief: What Death Teaches Us About Life w/ Chaplain Sondos Kholaki | 27 Apr 2021 | 01:26:08 | |
We say that if we knew our expiration dates, we would live life differently. Yet, it's written that tomorrow is not guaranteed and we still go on living our lives no differently. It's truly a wake up call when you realize that death is written for every one of us. But why is it that we avoid talking about it? What do we truly fear when it comes to this concept? Is it the fact that we will one day leave our loved ones behind or is it that we fear we are not fulfilling our soul's purpose? I would like to also take a moment to give my condolences to the family of Chaplain Sohaib Sultan, who was Princeton's first Muslim Chaplain and Sondos's first mentor. He is someone who has led a life of inspiration, compassion, kindness and so much more. May Allah grant him the highest of heavens inshallah. Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram: | |||