No gift is greater than having a Creator who listens to you even when you don't speak. Who forgives your sins even when you don't feel worthy of His mercy. And who always guides us back no matter how far we have been led astray. In today's episode, you'll be listening to a recording of a Clubhouse Chatroom that Alex Fox and I had hosted back in March with our special guest, A. Helwa, the author of 'Secrets of Divine Love'. We were all enveloped by the poetic words of Helwa and the room was fille...
Apr 20, 2021•1 hr 15 min
Is it possible that we can be doing something to block or delay our blessings in this world? In today's episode, I am grateful for the chance to re-introduce you to one of my absolute favorite spiritual counselors and that is Sister Hosai Mojaddidi! She is a public speaker, teacher, writer, mentor and mental health advocate, too! Do you ever find yourself questioning if your hardships are a result of the sins you may be committing? If these hardships are a punishment that we have to face because...
Apr 13, 2021•52 min
If I had asked you to name three female companions of the Prophet (pbuh) on the spot, would you be able to? This is a question that I had struggled with answering before having this discussion, yet ironically there isn't a shortage of female companions from our Prophet's (pbuh) time, nor a shortage in female scholars in today's society. But why is it that I am struggling with naming these powerful and admirable women? In today's episode, I sit down with Ustadha Maryam Amir, an illuminating light...
Apr 06, 2021•1 hr 7 min
The topic of Mahr at times can be so nerve racking when discussed between potential spouses. Questions such as 'how much one should ask for' and 'if there's a limit for the amount requested' are at the top of everyone's list. Often times, we can be so quick in discussing the details of the wedding hall and guest list, but do we also make it a priority to reserve the time for serious discussions such as financial compatibility, especially when it comes to Mahr? Western media likes to portray it a...
Mar 31, 2021•57 min
Have you ever played a game of tug of war, but with your parents, and it wasn't a game, but actually with your life? The tug of war I'm talking about is the one where what your parents want for you doesn't necessarily align with what you want for yourself. We've all been there, the shouting matches that end up with you and your parents not agreeing on certain life choices of yours. In today's episode I had the pleasure and honor of sitting down with Dr. Rania Awaad, someone who is truly a pinnac...
Mar 17, 2021•52 min
"These mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb." Beautiful words from one of my absolute favorite poems written by Najwa Zebian who is today's special guest on the pod. Heartbreak and pain are sometimes inevitable, so how do we grieve relationships that end, how do we process loss that comes with a broken heart and most importantly how do learn to trust ourselves again? Najwa Zebian, a Lebanese-Canadian activist, poet, educator and speaker is the author of three poetry b...
Mar 10, 2021•1 hr 6 min
If you're single, it shouldn't only mean that you're not dating. There's more to you than your relationship status. Often times we witness a woman's value being tied to her relationship status. So what message are we sending to those who are single or unmarried? What happened to the belief of trusting in God's timing? In this episode I sit down with Hafsa Hassan, a transformational coach with a holistic approach, to discuss the stigma surrounding single women, the difference between settling and...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 11 min
In the words of Lydia Elle: You have to be heard to heal. Trigger Warning: When discussing narcissists, it tends to go hand in hand with the topic of abuse. Within this discussion we cover traits of a narcissistic partner while also touching upon the various forms of abuse. In today's episode, I sit down with Doctor Nahla, where we both share our personal experiences with abusive relationships, what reactive abuse entails and the burden survivors carry with them long after they have left their a...
Feb 17, 2021•1 hr 8 min
The topic of intimacy in Islam is a conversation that may at times come laced with shame and stigma. In today's episode, I sit down with Noha Alshugairi, to dismantle the misinformation surrounding this while also educating women about their rights, the power of no in a marriage and diving deeper into what is haram vs halal. I often wonder how we deviated so much from the days of our Prophet (pbuh) when it comes to seeking knowledge and empowering ourselves in terms of intimacy in Islam. How hav...
Feb 03, 2021•59 min
Have you ever loved and resented someone at the same time and is it healthy? In Episode 3 of Season 3, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Yasmine Cheyenne, a self healing expert, teacher and speaker, to discuss how to set boundaries rather than having uncommunicated expectations, how to navigate past trauma that has transformed itself into present resentment and knowing the difference of what is and what isn't meant to be yours. Some of us struggle with the act of setting and enforcing boun...
Jan 27, 2021•49 min
"We do not worship God because God needs it, we worship God because we need it. Prayer is not you reaching out for God, it is you responding to God, Who first reached out to you." In Episode 2 of Season 3, I have the pleasure and honor of sitting down with A. Helwa, the award winning author of Secrets of Divine Love. It's not everyday that you come across a book, other than the Quran itself, that can speak to you in such a profound manner. Her novel is filled with insightful gems and metaphors t...
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr 9 min
Have you ever taken an honest moment to look at the life you have created only to realize it wasn’t your own? I am opening the new season as well as the New Year with Sara Luchetti, an intuitive healer and spiritual guide. The above question is one that Sara has posed and I couldn't help but to really dig deep into my own heart and soul to fully understand, who am I really? In Episode 1 of Season 3, Sara takes us on her personal journey of her transformational process, or as she would like to ca...
Jan 06, 2021•58 min
Pinch us...no really, please do, because we can't believe we are closing out another season of this podcast. In our Season 2 finale, we can't help but to tear up and laugh simultaneously at the year we have just had. 2020 was a year of reckoning but it was the year that pushed us beyond what we could have ever imagined for ourselves and for this platform. This podcast was birthed via a DM thread between Zaina and Dounya, both sharing their desire to create a platform for the stories that needed ...
Dec 23, 2020•45 min
How do we go from relationship struggles to relationship goals? In Episode 37 of Season 2, we sit down with Zahra Aljabri to discuss what it means to marry our unfinished business, how we can overcome the pain points of our current relationship and how to deal with insecurities from our past. Zahra is a spiritual coach who will help guide us when it comes to the obstacles we face in our relationships. She breaks it down for us when it comes to dealing with past issues manifesting themselves into...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Most of us have a story or two....ok maybe a whole book series...about how we grew up sheltered. In Episode 36 of Season 2, we sit down with Zaynab Bajwa to discuss the topic of growing up sheltered and if it leads to codependency. For some of us this could be a triggering topic, seeing that it brings back memories of every time our parents basically said no to anything without a valid explanation. We've all done it - where we found ourselves standing in front of a mirror practicing our speech t...
Dec 09, 2020•52 min
If I asked you, do you love yourself, what would you say? In Episode 35 of Season 2, we sit down with Alia Taha, who isn't a stranger to our podcast (she was a guest on Season 1), to discuss the root of self love and the resilient act of choosing to love ourselves despite our flaws, traumas and lived experiences. When you sit across from Alia, you know you will always leave the conversation feeling empowered, motivated and loved. Alia is the type of friend who beautifully reminds you of Allah an...
Nov 25, 2020•54 min
If you've ever experienced anxiety walking down the skincare aisle of your local drugstore, trust me when we say this, you're not alone! In Ep 34 of Season 2, we sit down with Dr. Fatima Fahs, aka Dermy Doctor, to discuss all things related to skincare. Most of us may have a love/hate relationship with our skincare routine and in this episode we dive deep into the do's and dont's when it comes to how to take care of our skin! Did you know that acne is the most common skin issue in the U.S.? If y...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr
Our votes have been cast, our ballots have been counted, the new President-elect and VP have been announced and the world can finally let out a collective sigh...temporarily. On this week's Unfltrd Thoughts, we sit down with Arij Mikati, an activist and anti-racism educator, to discuss where do we go from here post election. A projected 161 million Americans voted in the 2020 elections - a nail biting, stress induced presidential race that resulted in Biden becoming President-elect and Kamala Ha...
Nov 11, 2020•13 min
Why is God angry with me? In Ep. 33 of Season 2, we sit down with Sarah Sultan to discuss those shameful but pressing questions we have about Allah and His presence during tough times, the impact trauma can have on our relationship with our faith and what to do when we're too depressed to even pray. We’ve talked about how trauma can have an ever-lasting effect on how we see ourselves, but it can also have an impact on how we perceive our connection to and our relationship with God. Although some...
Nov 04, 2020•57 min
On this week’s “Unfltrd Thoughts”, we discuss silly, but still kind of important deal breakers. Whether it’s the type of shoes that they wear (yes, this is a big concern to one of us, apparently) or what reality shows they’re into, we all have those little pet peeves that’ll send us packing. In this light-hearted conversation, we talk about some of the obvious and not so obvious things we can’t put up with. Head to our Instagram page @unsweetenedandunfiltered and join the conversation. Do you ha...
Oct 28, 2020•7 min
Stressed out? Ladies, let’s talk! In Ep. 32 of Season 2, we sit down with Zermina Akbary from Living Wholelistic to talk about the mind, body & spiritual connection, the benefits of seed cycling and ways to reduce & manage our stress. In a very raw and vulnerable conversation, Zermina opens up about her life journey and the moments she felt at her lowest. She explains that during tough and ultra-stressful times it isn’t just our physical wellness that takes a hit, but also our spiritual ...
Oct 21, 2020•54 min
On this week’s “Unfltrd Thoughts”, we answer the question: “Would you rather know the truth no matter how painful, or would you prefer being comforted by little white lies?” The truth is a powerful tool, one that can unlock many layers of a relationship. But what if a truth is too much for you to handle? We discuss our own personal thoughts on radical honesty, and just how hurtful it can be to find yourself on the receiving end of a lie being told. Head to our Instagram page @unsweetenedandunfil...
Oct 14, 2020•6 min
Leaving a trail of hair strands everywhere you go? If you’re worried about hair loss and hair thinning, trust us when we say you’re not alone. In Ep. 31 of Season 2, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Kiani and Pari to discuss a topic that has been on the top of the minds of many women, literally. We dive right into our own personal hair loss journeys and the reason its become a taboo topic to discuss. Dr. Sarah breaks down the lifespan of a hair follicle and explains why some hair shedding is completel...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr 29 min
On this week’s “Unfltrd Thoughts", we talk about how to handle finding out your friend’s true colors. Our differences make us who we are and when it comes to our friend groups it’s those differences that lead to intriguing conversations and learning more about the other. But what if those differences go against or negate your own life's values? We’re not talking about rooting for an opposing sports team here, but what if, for instance, you find out your friend supports Trump? We share our though...
Sep 30, 2020•6 min
When it comes to finding a naseeb, it seems like the odds are stacked against us from the start. But as a divorcee, the challenges are stacked even higher. In Ep. 30 of Season 2, we sit down with Lisa Vogl to talk about life post-divorce, the collateral damage that comes with it and how our community can band together to help change the negative perception of divorced women. Unfortunately, women are often seen as the reason for the divorce, even when it wasn’t their fault. We dive into the Scarl...
Sep 23, 2020•1 hr 12 min
On this week’s “Unfltrd Thoughts", we talk about soulmates and whether or not we think they exist. Life isn’t a Disney movie or romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks - unfortunately. But does that mean soulmates are a thing of fiction? The idea of finding your soulmate has become more of a cliche than anything else over the years, but the idea that there is someone out there made especially for you, is an idea we want to hang on to. We also dive into the ayah “we created you in pairs...
Sep 16, 2020•11 min
No matter how much time you take to prep the nursery, baby-proof your home or reread “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” - nothing will ever truly prepare you for what's to come. In Ep. 29 of Season 2, we sit down with Sara Ahmed to talk about postpartum depression, the internal and external struggles of seeking help and how we can learn to love and appreciate our bodies. Sara dives into her pregnancy and post-pregnancy journeys and debunks some pretty common postpartum myths. The anxiety, th...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 23 min
In our first "Unfltrd Thoughts", we talk about forgiveness. We dig deep into our own personal process when it comes to forgiving those who've wronged us and moments that may signal conflicts that are yet unresolved. One of the hardest relationships to have is the one you share with yourself. So, learning to forgive past mistakes you've made isn't the easiest thing to do, but we talk about how we're learning to cut ourselves some slack. Don't forget to head to our Instagram page @unsweetenedandun...
Sep 02, 2020•5 min
A chance to play a role of a lifetime is a dream come true for this week's guest, but how did the role of her parents influence her decision? In Ep.28 of Season 2, we speak to Zoha Rahman, who starred in the Marvel movie, "Spiderman: Far From Home", as the first hijabi character. We chat with Zoha about representation in the media and her thoughts on tokenism, as well as starting a career in acting; a profession not too often touched by those in our community. We also dive into the many conversa...
Aug 26, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Trigger Warning: In this episode we discuss sexual violence. If you find this topic to be triggering, please hit pause and check out some of our older episodes instead! Let's stop beating around the bush when it comes to our bodies and our health. Instead, let's empower each other with shameless knowledge and remove the stigma that follows. In Ep. 27 of Season 2, we speak to Aisha Ismail about the lack of sexual health & reproductive education in the Muslim community, the importance of under...
Aug 19, 2020•1 hr 33 min
