wocpodcast

***TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode discusses sexual assault

In this episode, I talk to content creator and a recent convert to Islam, Clarke Jones.

We trace her tumultuous Faith journey, and how she came to Islam, a few short weeks after October 7th, and the beginning of the relentless Israeli aggression against Palestinians. How that inspired her to be a content creators, and raise awareness
about the atrocities in Palestine.
And how her novel "makeup tutorials" are a clever workaround to the slew of
social media bans around the subject.

You can also view this episode on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/g0ZSmmWCn2k

Find Clarke's blog and social media handles below:

Blog: https://bestierebellion.com/
TikTok and Instagram: @clarkeunleashed 

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

In this episode, I talk to fellow podcaster from the 'Mommying While Muslim' podcast,
Dr. Uzma Jafri.

Not only is she a Physician and co-hosts an award-winning podcast, but she is
actually trained in civil protest protocols!

And at this time when protesting for the rights of the people of Palestine
is so important, she gives important pointers on how to do it safely!

The Mommying While Muslim podcast is also dedicating their December series to highlight the situation in Palestine, so don't forget to follow them on all major platforms!

You can also watch this episode on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/kpSVpixhj8I

Follow this link to find Mommying While Muslim podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mommyingwhilemuslimpodcast/

You can also get in touch with them via email at: salam@mommyingwhilemuslim.com

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

Having social media presence under any capacity does create its share of issues. But I never expected blatant censorship and shadow-banning would be one of them. Social media is not exactly the friendliest place for socially aware Muslims and those POC who refuse to stay silent on social justice issues.

In this episode I highlight some of the hurdles I have personally faced when trying to raise awareness about the plight of the Palestinian people, and I'm just a small time creator! I can only imagine how hard it must be for larger influencers who are putting everything on the line to be on the right side of history!

Below are some of the links for some of the things I have discussed in the episode:

Man sets himself on fire to bring attention to the genocide in Congo: https://themessenger.com/news/man-sets-himself-on-fire-while-holding-sign-stop-the-genocide-in-congo

My protest song (cover of "Zombie" by the Cranberries): https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy9Qnc-NO20/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

My metrics comparison video, and how suppression and shadow-banning affects content creators: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzB9zVvtl-7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/kRgF72oOMwM

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

In this episode I talk to, Dr. Rose Aslan, a certified Transformational Life Coach, and we talk about her time in the academic and public sphere, when she and other public Muslims became the "face" of an entire community. Especially after 9/11 and the Trump administration.

How that crippling pressure of representing and collectively defending Muslims can take a toll, especially when media rhetoric is less than favorable towards Muslims.

You can watch this episode on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/jO1eqxj6MVU

You can also follow Dr. Rose Aslan through these links:

https://compassionflow.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dr.rose.aslan/

https://www.facebook.com/rsaslan

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, this year will have no Halloween episode. Because we can all see that the horrors that humanity wreaks on itself are far more horrendous than any spooky story I could possibly find.

This episode is my monologue on the genocide that is going on on the Palestinian people. The oppression and killings are happening with blatant cruelty and our taxpayer dollars are funding it!

A ceasefire has to happen and it has to happen now! 

Call your Representative and call President Biden to demand a ceasefire and additional aid passage for the people of Gaza.

Below are links to contact your Representative and demand action, petitions you can sign to make your voice heard and accounts you can follow that will help you give a more balanced perspective about what is happening in Palestine:

• https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/take-action/#act-now
• https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/resource/email-congress-to-stop-fueling-violence/
• https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1UPPbp0d9QlRn1wvQ91YJQHLfd22WSp1d9b6dO4i0RmI/mobilebasic
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/119OD9wiAUtPPBpetZN_P7jjcHMHiR6ZJcWqOahS71Lo/mobilebasic?pli=1

You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/Zw25fyWbDqU

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

*Trigger Warning* Episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideation

It's another heavy one folks! But I am hoping that this one helps shed some light on how difficult it can be to get suicide research data, especially in underrepresented communities.

In this episode I talk to, Amelia Noor Oshiro, the Muslim suicide researcher, who has dedicated her PhD study to researching the potential causes of suicide within Muslim communities.

We discuss the various factors that are known to impact suicide rates
in immigrant and marginalized communities and how her research could help provide help to those that are under-represented in suicide research.

You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/SZ01E2bin1g

If you are Muslim and wish to help Amelia's research you can fill out her survey here:  www.tinyurl.com/muslimcommunitystudy

And you can also follow Amelia on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/muslim.suicide.researcher/

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

What does a podcast host do when they hit a creative block? They ask their audience of course!

Y'all I'm fast approaching 100 episodes and 4 years and I'm not sure how to carry on bringing y'all the best that I can! So, please help me out! If you have ideas or subjects you want me to cover, people you'd love me to interview, PLEASE tell me! Send me an email at : shehla.faizi01@gmail.com . Or just send me a DM on my socials (links below!).

But, I need y'all's help BAD, because I am stuck!

You can watch this episode on my YouTube channel too: https://youtu.be/WPSQJ6P3hac

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

*TRIGGER WARNING* - Discussion of Substance Abuse and Suicide.

This is a difficult discussion to have but an important one. No one wants to believe that themself or their children could be in a position where their vulnerability gets the best of them and they could end up in the depths of substance abuse and suicidal ideation.

But that is exactly what happened to my guest, motivational speaker, Belal Elkadri, and I am so grateful he sat down with me to have this frank discussion on this important topic. He gives insight into what often leads people, especially children, down these paths and how we as parents and the community can do more to be sources of support and help.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PWUalru1xC4

To get in touch with Belal or to find out more about the topics he speaks on you can use the following links to his website and social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbrotherbelal/
Website: https://belalelkadri.com/

Please, if you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide call the Suicide hotline at: 988
They can and will help you! You can find more helpful resources at their website: https://988lifeline.org/

Or if you are just having a hard time and cannot reach your counselor or cannot afford one there are warmlines you can call. You can find the number in your state here: https://warmline.org/

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

How do you get people to become more sex-positive? You pivot your medical career and train to become an intimacy coach and at the same time start a podcast to get more people aware about their sexual wellness! And that is exactly what Dr. Sadaf Lodhi did!

In this episode we have a wonderful conversation about how she discovered the lack of knowledge even within medical professionals about sexual fulfillment led her to become an intimacy coach to shatter the taboos around sex that hinder a lot of people from getting the most from their sex lives.

You can also watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/A_xZFfmG7qU

You can find out more about Dr. Lodhi through the following links:
The Muslim Sex Podcast: https://drsadaf.com/podcast
Website: https://drsadaf.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsadafobgyn/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsadafobgyn
 

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

Information and access to reproductive health is essential for all women but there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all . That is where HEART to Grow comes in, which provides reproductive health information and workshops specifically catered to Muslims of all different backgrounds.

I had the good fortune of interviewing Kiran Waqar, the Social Media and Youth Engagement Coordinator at HEART, and we talked about the need that led to the formation of the organization and how it helps create access to reproductive health for Muslim women through community driven needs.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/sjHiFLt6MUo

To find out more about what HEART does through it's social media handle @hearttogrow, and on its website: https://hearttogrow.org/

You can also find their Sex Talk book on Amazon over here: https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Talk-Muslims-Healthy-Relationships/dp/0578377446/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Z1C722OJP0D6&keywords=the+sex+talk+a+muslims+guide&qid=1692318123&sprefix=the+sex+talk%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

Season 8 is here!! And because I have been in an extra mood all Summer, I decided to start it with a bang with not one, but TWO guests!

This episode of "The Whole Muslim" segment features returning guest, Professor Rudolph "B-Ware" and his partner in rhyme, Chime "Chizabam" Umesi and we dive in on how they came together to form the rap/hip-hop duo, Slum Prophecy. We explore its beginnings and how B-Ware and Chizabam strive to create music through it that transcends conventional hip-hop to bring in a sound that is mature and is also spiritually driven!

You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/FOBAz2pCaDc

You can download Slum Prophecy's current album here:
https://the-ink-of-the-scholars.myshopify.com/products/slum-prophecy-vol-iv-whips-chains

Follow Slum Prophecy, Chizabam and B-Ware on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/slumprophecy/
https://www.instagram.com/chizabam/
https://www.instagram.com/butchware/

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

It is the last episode of the season and what better way to end a season than with a bang!

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Historian and Academic, Professor Rudolph Ware and I got to do what I love to do the most: tackle difficult subjects!

And for this episode we discussed colonization and its impacts on BIPOC communities in the U.S. and globally, specifically how colonization affects how we see ourselves in the context of the bigger picture. Professor Ware breaks down how colonization created racial and social hierarchies around the world and how we are  seeing the affects of it even now.

This episode is absolutely essential for all those who want to start their journey of decolonization and standing in their own power as members of BIPOC communities!

You can also view this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/mbalV4_1ZW4

You can follow Professor Ware on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/butchware/

You can find his books, "The Walking Quran" and "Jihad of the Pen" through these links: 

https://uncpress.org/book/9781469614311/the-walking-quran/

https://academic.oup.com/jis/article-abstract/32/3/436/6304990?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

War is Hell, but we often only see it as a conflict of grown ups and overlook how it impacts the children caught in the middle of it.

For this segment of "Gift of the Gab" I interview Dr. Nour Akhras, a pediatrician and who has been on a number of medical missions in war-torn areas. Her experiences there and how 9/11 impacted her being Muslim in America, inspired her to write her book, "Just One: A Journey of Perseverance and Conviction".

We discuss her experiences working within the areas of conflict and what are the impacts of war and displacement on children?

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/0kuy3-RP5q8

You can find out more about Dr. Akhras's work and her book through these links:

https://nourakhras.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nourakhrasmd/
https://www.facebook.com/nour.akhras
Proceeds from Dr. Akhras's book go to support MedGlobal that do incredible humanitarian work in areas of conflict. Please consider supporting them: https://medglobal.org/

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

May is 'Mental Health Awareness' and there could be no better time for me to have a discussion with, Allissa Torres, the Director of Mental Health Equity at the non-profit organization, Mental Health America (MHA)!

We talk about the stigma around mental health in BIPOC communities and the need to overcome taboos through education and resources. MHA provides a number of educational resources and tools, including free diagnostic tests, guidance toolkits and resources specifically for people of color!

You can watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/WKKu7BM0Q9s

To find out more about the MHA organization click on the following links:

MHA Website: https://mhanational.org/
Mental Health Screening Tests: www.mhascreening.org
MHA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthamerica/

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

I welcome my guest, Saira Sufi, to take a deep dive into the discussion of how one of her twin son's diagnoses of a rare bone marrow disorder, Aplastic Anemia led her and her remaining son to become staunch advocates for bone marrow donations. 
Recruiting bone marrow donors of racial minorities is important, because finding bone marrow matches for minorities and mixed race individuals is especially hard. 
This is why Saira works hard to raise awareness and to recruit as many people to be bone marrow donors as possible.
This episode is a testament to the fortitude of a family in memory of a very special young boy.

To find out more about being a bone marrow donor please visit the following website and consider being a donor yourself. It is a chance to truly change someone's life!

https://bethematch.org

https://www.aamds.org/

www.teamwatience.org

You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/xgImkpUhWJg

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

Happy Eid to my Muslim listeners and to EEEEVVERYONE! Even though Ramadan is over but with my kids fasting this time I learned some new lessons from the month and by the end of it we will be celebrating Eid!

This episode is just a few reflections from Ramadan that sort of came up for me and how Muslims in the U.S. are trying to make Eid extra special for their kids.

You can also watch the episode on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/pJvitSrLthk

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

It is that time of year again! Ramadan and all the Muslims be fasting from dawn to dusk! And my kids doing it too (Bless them!)

Watching my kids I suddenly realized how different it is being a Muslim kid celebrating Ramadan in the U.S. as opposed to in a Muslim country. So, join me as I take a nostalgic look and comparison between Ramadan here and Ramadan when I was growing up in Pakistan.

You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Rf4sH5Dopks

If you have any questions you'd like me to answer about Ramadan, please feel free to send me an email at shehla.faizi01@gmail.com

You can also DM me in my socials below!

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

*TRIGGER WARNING*: Episode speaks of suicide and suicidal ideation. Listener Discretion is advised.

This episode is a tough one because life threw a curve ball and it hit me square in the face. I discuss everything from major life changes to a very real mental health crisis I faced. I was caught unaware, but I got lucky, because it could have ended very badly for me.

I learned that suicide and suicidal ideation are not reserved for those who are "very depressed".

Please, if you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide call the Suicide hotline at: 988
They can and will help you! You can find more helpful resources at their website: https://988lifeline.org/ 

Or if you are just having a hard time and cannot reach your counselor or cannot afford one there are warmlines you can call. You can find the number in your state here: https://warmline.org/

If you are unsure of either of these resources you can find more information about how they work in this "Smarter in Seconds" video by the wonderful Blair Imani: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmNMLBpA3kZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Or if nothing else, I'm always here if you need someone to talk to in private about this to sort this out. You can always email me at shehla.faizi01@gmail.com, or you can DM me on Instagram @imamuslimpodcast

This episode is also available to view on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/XpzbHwHahDY

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

Sometimes your ideal guest just falls into your lap in the form of a book!

That's exactly what happened when I was sent a copy of, "Broken: The Failed Promise of Muslim Inclusion" , by one of the leading experts on the history of representations of Arabs and Muslims in the US. media, Evelyn Alsultany.

I had the great privilege of talking to her about how Muslim representation has evolved over the years, and how she outlines in her book that certain Muslim tropes in the past have been very problematic even when they move past the "terrorist" narrative. We also talk about her co-authored media benchmark, the Obeidi-Alsultany test and how studios are using that to create more authentic Muslim diversity in the media context.

You can also watch this interview on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/0y3bjwK0kuE

You can find out more about Evelyn on her website at: www.evelynalsultany.com
You can also follow her on Twitter: @evelynalsultany
And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelynalsultany/

You can buy Evelyn's book, "Broken: The Failed Promise of Muslim Inclusion", wherever books are sold and also on the NYUPress website: https://nyupress.org/9781479823963/broken/

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast

I know the Winter was hard without me! But I am back and bringing to you season 7 of "I'm A Muslim (And That's Okay!)", with all new solo episodes, interviews and the crowd favorite 'Ask a Muslim' segment. So, if you have any questions that you'd like this Muslim to answer just send them my way via email at shehla.faizi01@gmail.com . Or send me a DM on my socials (links below!)

And not just that, I have been podcasting now for THREE YEARS! Can you believe it??? I can't! And also I am coming up on 100 episodes, so tell me y'all should I do a giveaway for three years or 100 episodes? (unfortunately, I can't do two giveaways :')

But thank you to all of you who have stayed with me for so long , and enjoy this episode of my breakdown for this season. And if you'd rather watch this episode you can do so here: https://youtu.be/0igNaxZWyGk

Please don't forget to follow me here and on social media! Click the links to keep up with my shenanigans on social media and listen to all my episodes in one place:
https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imamuslimpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ImAMuslimAndThatsOkayPodcast