WOMENA SUBSCRIPTION

Get exclusive episodes and more

US$1.99/mo or US$19.99/yr after trial

Sage Takes Thyme

This is not a cooking show, but it will nourish your soul (maybe). Womena’s founders open a new dialogue with their community and give their perspectives on relevant, topical issues that affect women in and from the Arab world. This podcast will serve as a space for genuine exploration of the authentic experience of two women in search of belonging and balance, using storytelling to reclaim and redefine the distorted narratives that surround them.

  1. Who Taught Men This? The Patriarchy is Exhausting

    1 DAY AGO

    Who Taught Men This? The Patriarchy is Exhausting

    In this episode, we unpack what toxic masculinity really is, not as a label to shame men, but as a pattern that often hurts men first before anyone else. Through an open conversation with mental health advocate Mohamed Elma'andi we explore how men are shaped by childhood and social expectations that leave little room for vulnerability. We dive into how therapy, leaving corporate life, movement, and spirituality helped him rewrite his own definition of masculinity. The episode also explores how women have been carrying much of the emotional labor, why male friendships rarely go beyond the surface, and what it would take collectively to build spaces where men can actually feel, share their emotions, and be understood. في الحلقة دي بنشرح إيه معنى الرجولة السامة، مش كاتهام للرجالة أو عيب عليهم، لكن كنمط غالبًا بيأذي الراجل نفسه قبل أي حد تاني. من خلال حوار مفتوح مع الناشط في مجال الصحة النفسية محمد المعاندي، بنتكلم عن إزاي الطفولة وتوقعات المجتمع بتشكل الرجالة وتخليهم ما عندهمش مساحة كافية لإظهار مشاعرهم. بنتعمق كمان في إزاي العلاج النفسي، وترك بيئة الشركات، والحركة، والروحانيات ساعدوا معاندي يعيد تعريف الرجولة بالنسبة له. الحلقة كمان بتناقش إزاي الستات غالبًا بيتحملوا معظم العبء العاطفي، وليه صداقات الرجالة غالبا بتكون سطحية، وإيه اللي محتاجين نعمله كمجتمع علشان نخلق مساحات تقدر تسمح للرجالة يحسوا، يشاركوا مشاعرهم، ويكونوا مفهومين. Hosted by Elissa Freiha (@freiha) and Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx) Guest: Mohamed Elma'andi (@ma3andi) SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts for EXCLUSIVE content and show us your love and support! : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sage-takes-thyme/id1765472572 Follow Sage Takes Thyme: - IG: https://www.instagram.com/sagetakesthyme/ - Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sagetakesthyme Follow Womena everywhere: - Subscribe to YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/womena ) - Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/womenaco ) - Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/womena ) - Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@womena) - LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/womenaco ) - Find out more (https://womena.com/ ) - Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/Womena-Collective

    55 min
  2. Are we still waiting for Mr Darcy? The World of Period Dramas; From Pride and Prejudice to Bridgerton

    2 FEB

    Are we still waiting for Mr Darcy? The World of Period Dramas; From Pride and Prejudice to Bridgerton

    In this episode, we step into the world of historical fiction, Regency romance, and period dramas, moving from “Pride and Prejudice” to “Bridgerton” to ask why these romantic classics still matter today. We look at how writers like Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott quietly pushed against a society that confined women, showing that their ideas about choosing love, desire, and independence were actually radical for their time. We also reflect on “Little Women” as an example of how this genre shaped Amira’s love for literature, reminding us that while the language may feel formal and slow today, it carried an early form of feminism that opened new possibilities for women. في الحلقة دي، هنتكلم عن عالم الروايات التاريخية والرومانسية الكلاسيكية، وهننتقل بين "كبرياء وتحامل" و"بريدجرتون" علشان نفهم ليه القصص دي لسه مهمة لحد النهاردة. هنشوف إزاي كتاب زي جين أوستن ولويزا ماي ألكوت تحدوا المجتمع اللي كان مقيد حياة الستات، وورونا إن أفكارهم عن الحب والرغبة والاستقلال كانت جريئة جدًا وقتها. كمان هنتكلم عن "نساء صغيرات" كمثال على إزاي النوع ده من الروايات حبب أميرة في القراءة، ويفكرنا إن رغم إن اللغة ممكن تحسها رسمية وبطيئة دلوقتي، إلا إنها كانت بتحمل شكل بدائي من النسوية وفتحت فرص جديدة للستات. Hosted by Elissa Freiha (@freiha) and Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx) SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts for EXCLUSIVE content and show us your love and support! : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sage-takes-thyme/id1765472572 Follow Sage Takes Thyme: - IG: https://www.instagram.com/sagetakesthyme/ - Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sagetakesthyme Follow Womena everywhere: - Subscribe to YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/womena ) - Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/womenaco ) - Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/womena ) - Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@womena) - LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/womenaco ) - Find out more (https://womena.com/ ) - Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/Womena-Collective

    24 min
  3. Is Ozempic fueling a "heroine chic" comeback?

    26 JAN

    Is Ozempic fueling a "heroine chic" comeback?

    Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, which some listeners may find distressing. Kardashian curves, “heroine chic,” Ozempic diets, and what’s considered a “tea body.” — In this episode, we dive into eating disorders and the pressures women face to fit ever changing ideals. We talk about how social media trends, AI, and deepfakes blur what’s real and how family and society’s invasive comments can amplify negative body image. We also share personal stories, the multilayered nature of these struggles, and our ways of reclaiming our bodies and confidence as we grow to embrace womanhood with all its fluctuations. تنبيه مهم: الحلقة دي بتتكلم عن اضطرابات الأكل، وممكن تأثر على بعض المستمعين. أجسام الكارداشيانز، “هيروين شيك”، ريجيم الأوزيمبيك والجسم اللي الناس بتعتبره مثالي… في الحلقة دي بنتكلم عن اضطرابات الأكل والضغط اللي الستات بتتعرض ليه عشان يلبّوا معايير الجمال اللي دايمًا بتتغير. كمان بنتكلم عن إزاي تريندات السوشيال ميديا، الذكاء الاصطناعي، والديب فيك بيخلو صعب التفريق بين الحقيقي والمصنع، وإزاي كلام العيلة والمجتمع ممكن يخلي إحساسنا بجسمنا سلبي أكتر. وكمان بنشارك قصصنا الشخصية والصعوبات المختلفة اللي واجهناها، وإزاي بنحاول ثقتنا بنفسنا ونحس براحة مع أجسامنا ونعيش أنوثتنا الكاملة على طبيعتنا. Hosted by Elissa Freiha (@freiha) and Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx) SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts for EXCLUSIVE content and show us your love and support! : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sage-takes-thyme/id1765472572 Follow Sage Takes Thyme: - IG: https://www.instagram.com/sagetakesthyme/ - Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sagetakesthyme Follow Womena everywhere: - Subscribe to YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/womena ) - Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/womenaco ) - Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/womena ) - Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@womena) - LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/womenaco ) - Find out more (https://womena.com/ ) - Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/Womena-Collective

    1h 1m
  4. Tea Thyme with Rythma

    18 JAN · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Tea Thyme with Rythma

    We sit down with our Head of Creative, Rythma Ekanayake, for a heartfelt conversation about growing into leadership while still figuring yourself out. We talk about impostor syndrome, the pressure to be “good enough,” and how creativity can feel both freeing and heavy at the same time. Rythma reflects on joining Womena at 22, evolving from writer to leader, and learning how to delegate, slow down, and trust both her intuition and her team. Rythma Ekanayake is our tastemaker and Head of Creative at Womena, Sri Lankan born, based in Dubai who leads with intuition, honesty, and a whole lot of love for storytelling. قعدنا مع ريذما ايكاناياكي، رئيسة الإبداع في ومينا، في دردشة صريحة عن ازاي تبقى قائد وإنت لسه بتحاول تكتشف نفسك. اتكلمنا عن متلازمة الشعور بعدم الاستحقاق، الضغط على إنك تكون أحسن، وإزاي الإبداع ممكن يكون مصدر للحرية وفي نفس الوقت صعبة. ريذما حكت عن انضمامها لـ ومينا وهي عندها 22 سنة، وتطورها من كاتبة لقائدة، وإزاي اتعلمت تفوض، تهدى، وتثق في حدسها وفي فريقها. ريذما ايكاناياكي هي صانعة الذوق ورئيسة الإبداع في ومينا، مولودة في سريلانكا ومقيمة في دبي، وبتقود بحدسها وصدقها وحبها الكبير للسرد القصصي. Hosted by Elissa Freiha (@freiha) and Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx) SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts for EXCLUSIVE content and show us your love and support! : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sage-takes-thyme/id1765472572 Follow Sage Takes Thyme: - IG: https://www.instagram.com/sagetakesthyme/ - Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sagetakesthyme Follow Womena everywhere: - Subscribe to YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/womena ) - Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/womenaco ) - Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/womena ) - Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@womena) - LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/womenaco ) - Find out more (https://womena.com/ ) - Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/Womena-Collective

    39 min
  5. Femininity, health and wellness with Tadros sisters

    12 JAN

    Femininity, health and wellness with Tadros sisters

    In this episode, we sat down with sisters Solenne and Christina Tadros to discuss femininity as a practice rooted in wellness, ease, and self-empowerment. Solenne Tadros (@solenneternet) is a Jordanian designer and creative technologist who brings ideas to life through storytelling, art, and immersive VR experiences. Keena (Christina Tadros) (@keena_ofc) is a Jordanian singer and DJ who blends Arabic lyrics and melodies with electronic music, bringing Arab identity into a contemporary global sound. They reflect on how generational influences from the women in their lives shaped the way they care for their bodies and carry themselves. This conversation reframes femininity beyond aesthetics and performative trends, and asks: what if femininity began with honoring yourself and your wellbeing first? في الحلقة دي بنتكلم مع الأختين سولين وكريستينا تادروس عن الأنوثة كحاجة مرتبطة بالراحة والصحة واختيار نفسك. سولِين تادروس مصممة وتقنية إبداعية أردنية، بتحوّل الأفكار لواقع من خلال السرد القصصي، الفن، وتجارب الواقع الافتراضي التفاعلية. كينا (كريستينا تادروس) مغنية ودي جي أردنية، بتمزج الكلمات والألحان العربية مع الموسيقى الإلكترونية، وبتقدّم الهوية العربية بصوت معاصر للعالم. بيتكلموا عن تأثير والدتهم وجدتهم عليهم وإزاي علموهم يهتموا بنفسهم ويقدموا نفسهم قدام العالم. في الحلقة دي بنحاول نبعد الأنوثة عن المظاهر أو الترندات، وبنسأل: ازاي الأنوثة ممكن تبدأ بتقدير نفسك وصحتك أولا؟ Hosted by Elissa Freiha (@freiha) and Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx) SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts for EXCLUSIVE content and show us your love and support! : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sage-takes-thyme/id1765472572 Follow Sage Takes Thyme: - IG: https://www.instagram.com/sagetakesthyme/ - Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sagetakesthyme Follow Womena everywhere: - Subscribe to YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/womena ) - Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/womenaco ) - Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/womena ) - Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@womena) - LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/womenaco ) - Find out more (https://womena.com/ )

    48 min
  6. Glorifying individualism and its effects on collective liberation

    5 JAN

    Glorifying individualism and its effects on collective liberation

    In this episode, we unpack the clash between collectivist cultures and individualistic ideals. We talk about what it means to carry one another through grief and joy. Reflecting on how community can be deeply nourishing and emotionally demanding, and how commercialization has turned human connection into a burden. We also explore women’s role in preserving family stories and lineage. This episode is a discussion on how to honor community without burning ourselves out, and why choosing not to live in solitude remains a radical act. في الحلقة دي، بنتكلم عن الصدام بين الثقافات الجماعية والفكر الفردي. بنناقش معنى إننا نقف جنب بعض في الحزن والفرح، وإزاي المجتمع ممكن يكون مصدر دعم كبير وفي نفس الوقت يتطلب مجهود عاطفي. كمان بنستكشف دور الستات في الحفاظ على قصص العيلة وذكرياتها. الحلقة دي مناقشة عن إزاي نقدر نحافظ على التكاتف الإجتماعي من غير ما نرهق نفسنا، وليه اختيارنا لعدم العيشة في عزلة لسه فعل مهم وجريء. Hosted by Elissa Freiha (@freiha) and Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx) SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts for EXCLUSIVE content and show us your love and support! : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sage-takes-thyme/id1765472572 Follow Sage Takes Thyme: - IG: https://www.instagram.com/sagetakesthyme/ - Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sagetakesthyme Follow Womena everywhere: - Subscribe to YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/womena ) - Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/womenaco ) - Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/womena ) - Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@womena) - LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/womenaco ) - Find out more (https://womena.com/ )

    45 min

Shows with Subscription Benefits

WOMENA SUBSCRIPTION

Get exclusive episodes and more

US$1.99/mo or US$19.99/yr after trial

About

This is not a cooking show, but it will nourish your soul (maybe). Womena’s founders open a new dialogue with their community and give their perspectives on relevant, topical issues that affect women in and from the Arab world. This podcast will serve as a space for genuine exploration of the authentic experience of two women in search of belonging and balance, using storytelling to reclaim and redefine the distorted narratives that surround them.

More From Womena

You Might Also Like