I'm A Muslim (And That's Okay!‪)‬ Shehla

*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
Support the showPlease 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
https://www.facebook.com/iamatopodcast/

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/
Support the showPlease 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
https://www.facebook.com/iamatopodcast/

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
Support the showPlease 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
https://www.facebook.com/iamatopodcast/

The end of 2022!!! How did that happen?? I mean, it started off with my 2 year, 50 episodes celebration giveaway. But the rest of the year...it's been a tricky, y'all, lots of things happened for me and for America. Some good, some not so good and I do a roundup of all that the year brought for me in terms of experiences and new episodes! I got to interview some amazing guests and you can check out all my previous episodes on your favorite platform through my linktree: https://linktr.ee/iamatopodcast

I had some episodes that were especially impactful for me that I mention in this episode and you can find them in the following links:
The Muslim Perspective: https://youtu.be/7UD43DkuBQAGift of the Gab!: Talking About Combating Sexual Assault Towards Children with Shariea Shoatz: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/podcast/episode/79aa03c8/gift-of-the-gab-talking-about-combating-sexual-assault-towards-children-with-shariea-shoatzThe Whole Muslim with Dr. Sameena Zahoor: Fostering Change: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/podcast/episode/7b5a875c/the-whole-muslim-with-dr-sameena-zahoor-fostering-changeGift of the Gab!: Examining the Foster Care System from the Inside with Nahela Morales: https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/podcast/episode/7d9d6a42/gift-of-the-gab-examining-the-foster-care-system-from-the-inside-with-nahela-moralesThe Whole Muslim: Re-Writing Perspectives with Leah V. : https://www.imamuslimpodcast.com/podcast/episode/7cdfb525/the-whole-muslim-re-writing-perspectives-with-leah-vYou can also watch my year end roundup on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/qeFJ1Y0-lKc

Thank you again for being with me through my podcasting journey. I'll be taking January off, but I'll be back with a new season in February of 2023! See you then!!
Support the showPlease 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
https://www.facebook.com/iamatopodcast/

In this episode I have the incredible opportunity to interview author, body-positivity activist and the first International plus-sized model, Leah V!

We talk about how her passion for writing gave way to her starting her modeling career, in an industry that doesn't take kindly to plus-sized models! But Leah V. pushed through the odds and has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times and has modeled for big brands like UGG, Adidas, Athleta, Dove, Target and SOOOO many more!

We discuss how all this culminated to her going back to her roots of writing and publishing her latest dystopian, fiction novel, "The Union".

Set in the future, "The Union" puts systems of class, race and oppression under the microscope in the most unconventional way possible. And I'm not gonna lie, I was not prepared by how uncomfortable 'the turning of tables' made me!

You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/0r2Raiq6dVw

To get your own copy of "The Union" you can find them at your local bookstores or you can find them on Leah V. 's website: http://www.leahvernon.com/unashamedleahvernonbook

You can also follow Leah V. on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/lvernon2000/
Support the showPlease 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
https://www.facebook.com/iamatopodcast/

In this episode of my 'Gift of the Gab' segment, I interview DEI Practitioner, Rahimeh Ramizany, and we discuss the importance of being inclusive in the workplace to the religious needs of practicing minority groups.  Specializing in religious inclusivity for minorities, Rahimeh helps companies create an environment that is accepting and accommodating for workers of Faith.

You can also watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/LarTgOv7wZc

To find out more about Rahimeh and what she does, you can find her on the following links:

https://rahimehramezany.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahimeh-ramezany/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rahimehramezany/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rahimehramezany
Support the showPlease 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
https://www.facebook.com/iamatopodcast/