Sandstone

Let’s face it, the Arab world doesn’t have the best rep in town. Then again, neither does Appalachia. Sandstone chronicles the story of West Virginian native Clara Haizlett as she explores the nuance of the Arab world and encounters humans who are surprisingly… human. Tune into Clara’s peculiar pursuit of understanding and meet the individuals that rocked her West Virginia world. Clara was a NSEP David L. Boren Scholar in Amman, Jordan and recipient of the U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship in Tangier, Morocco. This podcast is sponsored in part by Honors College of West Virginia University and the Critical Language Scholarship Alumni Development Fund. Follow Sandstone updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesandstonepodcast/

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Episodes

Episode 11: Beity, My Home

In 2012, Bana and her family bought round trip tickets to the United States, planning to return to Syria once the war ended. But things didn’t get better, and they didn’t go home. With time, they made a new home in West Virginia, opening a restaurant called Beity, the Arabic word for “my home.” I had the pleasure to work at Beity with Bana and her husband. Every shift I would come in smiling and go out smiling. If you’ve ever worked in a service job, you know that’s rare. Meet Bana, hear her sto...

May 14, 2020•18 min

Episode 10: Chronicles from Gaza

Air strikes. Denied permits. Restricted freedoms. This is Gaza. Gaza is a Palestinian territory occupied by the state of Israel. In Episode 10, we’ll meet a Palestinian family from Gaza who will tell us what life is really like on the ground.

Apr 30, 2020•13 min

Episode 7: A Man Named Solidarity

Ted is Syrian, a refugee from a war torn country. But that’s just one of his stories, and it’s not the story you’ll hear today. Ted might be a refugee, but he’s an engineer, too. He’s a musician, an Uber Driver, and a Wendy’s Manager. He’s a friend and a fellow mountaineer. Tune in to meet the man named Solidarity!

Mar 19, 2020•22 min

Episode 6: Stranger Danger!

Stay alert. Lock the doors. Keep your eyes peeled, your phone on, and text me when you get home. Safety is important, but what happens when precaution is informed by prejudice? And when that prejudice is determined by color or culture? In Episode 6 of Sandstone, we'll hear real stories and real talk about prejudice and how it affects the world around us. Tune in!

Nov 08, 2019•18 min

Episode 5: A Really Bad Break Up: Parallel Journeys of Losing Faith

Mohammed was devoutly Muslim. Emma was devoutly Christian. Yet after years of devotion to their respective religions, they are both confronted with doubts and questions. Ultimately, they must choose to either make-up or break-up with the religions that they knew to be true. Tune in to hear the full story!

Oct 10, 2019•21 min

Episode 4: From Alabama to Imam: A Convert's Journey

In Episode 4 of Sandstone, we'll hear the story of Kip, a young Alabamian who converted to Islam and eventually became the religious leader of a Muslim community in West Virginia.

Sep 23, 2019•21 min

Episode 2: Love, Eggs, and John Cena

In Episode 2 of Sandstone, we meet Kafa, a Yemeni woman who spent a year studying abroad in West Virginia. During her time in West Virginia, she befriended a West Virginia gentleman, Andrew. But by the time Kafa and Andrew realized that they were falling for each other, it was too late. Kafa had already gone back to Yemen. Confronted with war, a travel ban, and an arranged marriage, will their love triumph? Listen to find out!

May 02, 2019•27 min

Episode 1: God, Family, Country

In this first episode of Sandstone, I'll give you a sneak peek into my West Virginia upbringing - a childhood guided by the values of God, family, and country. This patriotic trinity, however, was in danger. Across the ocean, men in turbans had waged war on my God, my family, and my country. And my middle-school self was determined to stop them. Inspired by an active imagination and a spoonful of spite, I resolved to join the FBI, take down Osama bin Laden, and save the world from evil. This pla...

Apr 18, 2019•25 min

Episode 0: Trailer

Apr 04, 2019•6 min

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