ALSA UK

ALSA UK
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A podcast series dedicated to Albanian students & professionals, looking to gain new insights from various fields & industries.

  1. 10/22/2025

    Marcela Shehu: Building with Purpose, Across Borders

    What if leadership wasn’t about being loud, but about building quietly with care, clarity, and contribution?In this episode of the ALSA UK Podcast, we sit down with Marcela Shehu, recruiter, co-founder of Honest Solutions and Dental Tourism Albania. From London to Tirana, Marcela’s story is one of bridge-building, mentorship, and purpose-led entrepreneurship.We talk about creating apprenticeships that open real doors for women in tech, building trust across cultures, and why honesty is the foundation of every lasting partnership. Marcela opens up about the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship, the realities of leading teams across borders, and what it truly means to invest back into Albania with intent.🎧 Whether you're a young professional in the diaspora, a founder balancing two homes, or someone dreaming of giving back, this episode is filled with grounded wisdom and heartfelt motivation.You’ll hear about:– Leading with integrity: how honesty and accountability shape every decision– Building trust across teams, clients, and countries– Creating long-term apprenticeships and empowering women in tech– Lessons from Honest Solutions and Dental Tourism Albania– What failure can teach you about clarity and resilience– Diaspora investment as a form of contribution, not escape– Advice for young Albanians who want to start something of their own📌 Chapters00:00 – Identity, Roots & What Marcela’s Building02:49 – Leading with Values: Honesty, Accountability & Boundaries05:51 – Building Trust Across Borders & Cultures08:42 – Women in Tech: Internships, Apprenticeships & Inclusion14:19 – Success Stories & Course Corrections in Early Careers16:46 – Internships from a Business Perspective19:50 – Soft Skills & Workforce Readiness in Albania22:46 – Finding Strengths & Career Alignment25:32 – Giving Back: Solidarity Day & Community Engagement28:25 – Diaspora Investment & Why She Chose Albania30:31 – Risks, Sacrifices & Lessons from Entrepreneurship32:49 – Advice for Future Entrepreneurs & Career Starters🎯 Watch this if you want to:✅ Learn what purpose-led leadership looks like in practice✅ Understand how diaspora investment can create opportunity✅ Hear honest lessons on risk, resilience, and business ethics✅ Feel inspired to bring your skills home and give back👤 Connect with Marcela Shehu🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcela-shehu-4a36b951/🌐 Honest Solutions: https://honestsolutions.co.uk🌐 Dental Tourism Albania: https://dentaltourismalbania.com📩 Email: info@dentaltourismalbania.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentaltourismalbania_/🔗 Follow ALSA UK🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alsauk👥 Join the ALSA UK Community: https://www.alsauk.co.uk/membership📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsa_uk_/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ALSA_UK🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76KXivrg70p7E87L2cF2wD📩 Email: info@alsauk.co.uk

    36 min

  2. 10/15/2025

    Dr Egzona Morina: Mapping the Mind, Rooted in Purpose

    What if neuroscience wasn’t just about data but about place, memory and healing?In this episode of the ALSA UK Podcast, we sit down with Dr Egzona Morina, a neuroscientist, educator and founder of the Xheladin and Xhufe Morina Foundation. From Prishtina to Boston, MIT to BrainCamp, Egzona’s story is one of scientific purpose, emotional honesty, and deep-rooted love for community.We talk about rebuilding after failure, finding your calling through detours, and creating space for young minds to grow, in Kosovo and across the diaspora. Egzona opens up about navigating academic pressure, grief, and self-doubt, while also building a neuroscience lab from scratch and pioneering research in environmental stress.🎧 Whether you're a young professional in the diaspora, a student figuring things out, or someone who’s ever felt like an outsider, this episode is for you.You’ll hear about:– Returning to Kosovo as healing, not just heritage– Why failure doesn’t define you—but who stays around does– Building BrainCamp, from idea to impact– Neuroscience that centres culture, context and care– Invisible stressors: what noise and pollution do to our minds– Her foundation, her father, and the legacies we choose to carry– Advice for young Albanians who want to give back📌 Chapters00:00 – Identity, Return & What Egzona Is Building Now08:45 – Diaspora Tensions: Pressure, Belonging, and Second Chances23:15 – Discovering Neuroscience (by Accident) & Getting Started in Labs31:45 – From Personal Gaps to BrainCamp: Making Science Accessible38:00 – Building a Lab from Scratch & Starting ENRI46:30 – Culture, Context & Caution in Scientific Research54:45 – Failures, Grants & Self-Worth in Academic Spaces01:03:40 – Why Her Foundation Carries Her Parents’ Names01:12:00 – Pressure vs Love: A Diaspora Reframing01:24:00 – What Success Means Now: Joy, Purpose & Building with Others🎯 Watch this if you want to:✅ Hear an honest story of academic resilience and purpose✅ Understand how science and community can serve each other✅ Get inspired to give back, even if you’re still figuring it out✅ Reflect on what it means to carry your roots into your work👤 Connect with Egzona Morina🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/egzona-morina-claudi/🌐 Foundation: https://xhmf.org/🧠 BrainCamp: https://xhmf.org/braincamp📸 Foundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xhmfoundation/🔗 Follow ALSA UK🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alsauk👥 Join the ALSA UK Community: https://www.alsauk.co.uk/membership📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsa_uk_/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ALSA_UK🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76KXivrg70p7E87L2cF2wD📩 Email: info@alsauk.co.uk

    1h 26m

  3. 10/08/2025

    Jona Doda: Reimagining Therapy for Our Communities

    What does it mean to build a mental health platform that truly reflects who we are? In this episode of the ALSA UK Podcast, we sit down with Jona Doda, founder and CEO of Bliss, a wellbeing platform designed for diaspora communities who’ve long been underserved by traditional therapy models. Jona shares the story behind Bliss, from growing up in Durrës and moving to the UK at 16, to confronting shame, burnout, and generational silence. With honesty and clarity, she walks us through what it means to lead with empathy, design with cultural sensitivity, and care without compromise. 🎧 Whether you're a founder, a diaspora listener, or simply navigating the complexities of identity, this conversation is a deep breath and a clear mirror. You’ll hear about:– Building Bliss from lived experience and professional expertise– How shame, silence, and sacrifice shape mental health in Albanian families– Using tech and AI to scale culturally rooted therapy– Why returning to Albania was both strategic and soulful– The emotional language of switching between Albanian and English– What it means to care for yourself while building for others 📌 Chapters00:00 Introduction & Jona’s Journey to the UK08:21 Burnout, Therapy & Founding Bliss18:51 Cultural Sensitivity & Mental Health in the Diaspora26:58 Returning to Albania & Building Community Trust35:11 Identity, Language & Expanding to Global Diasporas44:20 Leadership, Feedback & What We Deserve in Care 🎯 Watch this if you want to: ✅ Understand how therapy can reflect, not erase, cultural identity✅ Learn what it takes to build a care-focused startup✅ Hear real talk about burnout, AI, and breaking taboos in the diaspora✅ Feel seen in the tension between gratitude and unmet needs 👤 Connect with Jona Doda🌐 Website: https://bliss.al📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bliss.al🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonadoda📩 Email: info@bliss.al 🔗 Follow ALSA UK🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alsauk👥 Join the ALSA UK Community: https://www.alsauk.co.uk/membership📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsa_uk_/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ALSA_UK🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76KXivrg70p7E87L2cF2wD📩 Email: info@alsauk.co.uk

    55 min

  4. 10/01/2025

    Sara Payman: Singing Memory Into Meaning

    What does it take to create across cultures, and stay rooted in meaning?In this episode of the ALSA UK Podcast, we sit down with Sara Payman, a British Indian-Iranian artist, trained dentist, and performer who now calls Albania home. Through music, faith, and storytelling, Sara shows how creativity can honour heritage, inspire healing, and connect people across borders.From her tribute song TEN, written from her grandfather’s imagined perspective, to her beloved Albanian serenades, Sara’s work reminds us that art isn’t just expression. It’s responsibility, memory, and service.🎧 Whether you're a multilingual creative, a diaspora dreamer, or someone building a path that doesn’t yet exist, this episode is full of warmth, wisdom, and depth.📌 Chapters00:00 Identity, Heritage & Storytelling05:10 Songwriting, Emotion & Faith11:00 Spiritual Life & Moving to Albania16:38 Community & Connection in the Bahá’í Faith19:47 Music, Memory & Cultural Responsibility22:34 Everyday Life in Albania26:31 Navigating Albania and the UK29:50 Building a Personal Brand34:44 Dealing with Hate & Owning Your Identity40:34 Creative Dreams & Cultural Impact43:32 Owning Your Story👤 Connect with Sara Payman🌐 Website: https://sarapayman.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarapayman_/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarapayman🔗 Follow ALSA UK🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alsauk📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsa_uk_/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ALSA_UK🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76KXivrg70p7E87L2cF2wD📩 Email: info@alsauk.co.uk

    49 min

  5. 09/24/2025

    Ronnie Koldashi: Bridging Worlds with Vision, Grit and a Lens

    What does it mean to bet on yourself. Fully, early, and without a backup plan?In this episode of the ALSA UK Podcast, we sit down with Ronnie Koldashi, a creative entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Seven Media Agency in London. At just 21, Ronnie has built a career that blends creative storytelling, brand-building, and property investment.From reselling trainers in school to buying his first HMO at 19, Ronnie opens up about the decisions that shaped him, including turning down university, building a business from scratch, and redefining what success can look like for young Albanians in the diaspora.We explore how personal brand can unlock opportunity, why representation starts with ownership, and what it means to build across borders with purpose.🎧 Whether you're a creative, a first-gen entrepreneur, or just figuring out your next step, this conversation is a reminder that it's not about waiting. It's about starting.You’ll hear about:– Choosing risk over tradition: why Ronnie didn’t go to university– How he went from filming properties to investing in them– Building Seven Media and creating content that converts– Working in Albania: the mastermind retreats and new markets– Personal brand as positioning, not just visibility– What ownership means, of time, assets, and identity– Lessons in delegation, networking, and building the right team– What he’s building for his family, and what he’s building next📌 Chapters00:00 – Choosing an Unconventional Path & Early Lessons in Resilience09:00 – Creative Hustle: From YouTube Thumbnails to Building Seven Media17:30 – Storytelling That Sells: Client Work, Value, and Vision25:26 – Stepping Into Property: First Investment & Financial Lessons33:41 – Family, Freedom, and Building for the Future39:26 – Bridging Cultures: Working in Albania and What ‘Home’ Means43:51 – Personal Branding: Visibility, Positioning, and Purpose52:34 – Teams, Delegation & Trusting Your Gut in Business57:33 – Partnerships & Networking: The People Who Shape Your Path01:05:58 – Advice, Legacy & What Ronnie Wants You to Hear🎯 Watch this if you want to:✅ Learn how to turn creative skills into capital✅ Hear honest talk on risk, doubt, and betting on yourself✅ Understand the power of networks and personal branding✅ Get inspired to start, even if you don’t feel “ready”👤 Connect with Ronnie Koldashi📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronniekoldashi/🎥 Website: https://www.sevenmedia.agency/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ronniekoldashi🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnie-koldashi-651417231?originalSubdomain=uk📸 Agency Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenmedia.agency/🔗 Follow ALSA UK🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alsauk👥 Join the ALSA UK Community: https://www.alsauk.co.uk/membership📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsa_uk_/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ALSA_UK🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76KXivrg70p7E87L2cF2wD📩 Email: info@alsauk.co.uk

    1h 17m

  6. 07/08/2025

    Loresa Leka: Performing Her Truth, Writing Her Way In

    What does it take to turn personal memories into powerful theatre? In this episode of the ALSA UK Podcast, we sit down with Loresa Leka, an actress, writer, and performer whose bold storytelling has captured national stages and now, our hearts. From navigating identity in the diaspora to writing her award-winning play Teapot Troubles, Loresa opens up about her creative process, the legacy of her family’s journey, and the reality of making space in an industry that doesn’t always make room. This episode is for anyone creating their own path in the arts, and especially for those who know what it means to carry more than one home in their story. You’ll hear about: – How her family’s stories became the foundation of her art – What it felt like to see Albanian culture at the National Theatre – Translating the Kosovo war into personal, creative memory – The emotional challenges of putting on her first solo play – Advice for young creatives navigating doubt and identity 📌 Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Loresa Leka 01:19 – The Creative Path: From Music to Theatre 04:33 – Identity and Storytelling: The Albanian Influence 08:24 – The Impact of Family on Creative Expression 11:22 – Navigating Identity as a Young Albanian 15:18 – The Dual Role: Writing and Acting in Citizen 17:31 – Emotional Depth in Performance: The Heart of Citizen 21:26 – Cultural Pride and Integration: A Balancing Act 24:17 – Teapot Troubles: A Milestone in Recognition 29:47 – From Table Read to Production 32:15 – Adapting for Audio: A Creative Challenge 35:16 – Translating History into Personal Narratives 39:40 – Navigating the Creative Industry: Struggles and Growth 44:48 – The Importance of Community in the Arts 47:22 – Embracing the Process: Advice for Aspiring Artists 51:16 – Lessons Learned: Trusting the Creative Journey 55:08 – What’s Next: Upcoming Projects and Aspirations 🎯 Watch this if you want to: Understand how lived experience becomes theatre Learn what it takes to write, act, and produce your own work Hear real talk about rejection, resilience, and representation Be inspired by a young creative writing her own future 👤 Connect with Loresa Leka 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loresa_leka/ 🎭 A Womans Truth: https://camdenfringe.com/events/a-womans-truth/ 🎭 Camden Fringe Shows: https://camdenfringe.com/ 🔗 Follow ALSA UK 🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alsauk 👥 Join the ALSA UK Community: https://www.alsauk.co.uk/membership 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/alsa_uk_/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCow0hd01cvfIJ8Cvd92n8Rg 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76KXivr...📩 Email: info@alsauk.co.uk

    59 min
  7. Ariana Krasniqi: The Playbook for Young Diaspora to Lead Change

    06/24/2025

    Ariana Krasniqi: The Playbook for Young Diaspora to Lead Change

    What does it mean to come back, not just to a place, but to yourself?In this episode of the ALSA UK Podcast, we sit down with Ariana Krasniqi, a communicator, strategist, and one of the most thoughtful voices in the Albanian diaspora. Ariana returned to Kosova to take part in the Citizen Diplomacy Fellowship, helping to shape how her country is seen by the world.From her early career in Denmark to working with Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ariana shares the deeply personal and strategic journey behind her return. We talk identity, media, purpose, and what it means to tell your story before someone else does.You’ll hear about:Why she left a stable career abroad to return “home”What it really means to be a citizen diplomatHow storytelling can rebrand a countryThe balance between vulnerability and strategy onlineHer message to young diaspora navigating multiple identities📌 Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Ariana Krasniqi02:42 – Returning to Kosovo: A Long-Awaited Homecoming05:07 – Navigating Professional Roots in Kosovo06:23 – Citizen Diplomacy Fellowship: Bridging Cultures08:57 – Challenges and Wins in Shaping Kosovo's Image11:05 – Moments of Inspiration During the Fellowship11:16 – Ariana's Diverse Career Path12:21 – Skills from Denmark Applied in Kosovo14:14 – Content Creation: Authentic Storytelling18:18 – Connecting with Albanian Communities Abroad25:47 – Preserving Cultural Heritage Through Content Creation27:11 – Navigating Identity in a Globalized World28:47 – Becoming a Cultural Bridge for the Diaspora31:03 – The Journey of Moving Back to Kosovo33:02 – Changing Perspectives on Returning Home39:33 – The Role of Emotion in Modern Diplomacy41:48 – Overcoming Negativity in Content Creation43:32 – Living in the Present and Embracing Change45:30 – Taking the Leap: Moving Back to Your Roots49:17 – Future Aspirations and New Opportunities🎯 Watch this if you want to:Understand what returning to Kosova feels like after 30 years awayLearn how storytelling can change political narrativesSee how identity is shaped through movement, work, and cultureHear real advice for speaking up online with authenticity👤 Connect with Ariana Krasniqi:🌐 All Links: https://lnk.bio/arianakra📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianakra/🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arianakra🔗 Follow ALSA UK:🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alsauk👥 Join the ALSA UK Community: https://www.alsauk.co.uk/membership📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsa_uk_/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeaWithALSA🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76KXivrg70p7E87L2cF2wD📩 Email: info@alsauk.co.uk

    52 min

  8. 06/10/2025

    Lirim Krasniqi: Why Diaspora Engagement Is the Key to Lasting Change

    What does it really mean to engage the diaspora? Not just through remittances, but through identity, innovation, and long-term impact.In this episode of Tea with ALSA, we speak with Lirim Krasniqi, Co-Executive Director at GERMIN, one of the leading organisations working to connect the Western Balkans with its global diaspora.We explore how migration has shaped our collective story, how programmes like OriginAL are reconnecting second and third generations with their roots, and why the average diaspora member has more to offer than just donations.🎧 Whether you’re part of the diaspora, working in development, or curious about how we build bridges across borders, this episode is for you.📌 Chapters00:00 – Introduction: Who is Lirim Krasniqi02:40 – Why diaspora, migration and development became his purpose06:00 – Studying at CEU, time in Romania and early leadership lessons10:20 – How history of migration drives GERMIN’s mission14:10 – The meaning of diaspora as soft power18:40 – From remittances to investment, real examples of impact22:00 – How the diaspora can engage beyond sending money26:10 – Diaspora voting and why it matters more than ever32:00 – How the OriginAL Programme was created37:30 – What it means to witness the impact of OriginAL42:00 – Why sponsors support OriginAL and what they value in it47:30 – The importance of business and investment from the diaspora50:50 – Identity, generation gaps and preserving our culture56:00 – What diaspora youth misunderstand about home01:01:00 – The power of “Unofficial Ambassadors” today01:05:30 – What gives Lirim hope for the future💡 You’ll learn:✅ What meaningful diaspora engagement really looks like✅ How GERMIN is shaping policy, programmes and participation✅ Why youth-focused initiatives like OriginAL work✅ What governments can do better✅ How to build identity while living across borders👤 Connect with Lirim Krasniqi:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lirimkrasniqi/🌐 GERMIN: https://germin.org/🌍 OriginAL Website: https://origin-al.org/📸 OriginAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/originalbanian/?hl=en-gb🔗 Follow ALSA UK:🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/alsauk👥 Join the ALSA UK Community: https://www.alsauk.co.uk/membership📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsa_uk_/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeaWithALSA🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76KXivrg70p7E87L2cF2wD📩 Email: info@alsauk.co.uk

    1h 5m
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About

A podcast series dedicated to Albanian students & professionals, looking to gain new insights from various fields & industries.

Information

  • Creator
    ALSA UK
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © ALSA UK
  • Show Website
    ALSA UK