They Say It Takes A Village

Raya Halet
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

'They Say It Takes A Village' podcast aims to give moms a fun, unfiltered and informative outlet to navigate all things parenthood. Based in the UAE, I Interview local heroes from my village who make parenting just that bit easier. You can think of it as your personal directory... bringing you recommendations when you need it the most. Presented and produced by a mom of two, Raya Halet. 

  1. 5h ago

    Episode 81 - No Manual for This: Maha Gorton on Divorce, Motherhood & The Pressure to Do It All

    Send us Fan Mail This one is for every woman who has ever been called مسكينة (miskeenah). In this deeply honest and refreshingly raw episode, we sit down with Maha Gorton - social impact professional, writer, brand ambassador, and mother of three - for a conversation that so many women have needed to hear but rarely get to have. We go there. All the way there. From the impossible juggle of modern womanhood to the crushing silence around divorce, Maha unpacks the cultural expectations, the stigma, and the unspoken judgments that women carry every single day and why it's time we stop pretending everything is fine when it isn't. In this episode, we talk about: - Divorce stigma and the painful misconceptions women face  - The myth of work-life balance and why women juggle rather than balance - The raw reality of motherhood  - The power of storytelling and why sharing our experiences matters more than we think - Navigating hardship without letting it consume everything around you -Self-compassion, dropping the ball, and giving yourself permission to be human Maha brings warmth, wisdom, and a no-filter honesty to every question — and by the end of this episode, you will feel seen, understood, and far less alone. For every mother who has whispered "can I just have a little break?" For every woman holding too many balls and afraid to drop a single one. You are not broken. You are not failing. You are human. 🎧 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with a woman who needs to hear it today. 📩 Follow us on Instagram for more clips and conversations.

    1h 17m

  2. Mar 24

    Episode 80 - Motherhood, Identity, and the Quiet Strength We Carry with Special Guest Ban Altoumah

    Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal Mother’s Day episode, I sat with someone who has shaped my life in every possible way my mother, Ban Altoumah. A clinical biochemist, a mother, and a woman who has lived through the many layers of what it means to give, nurture, and grow, she brings both wisdom and honesty into this conversation. Together, we explore the realities of motherhood beyond the surface. What it means to sacrifice while still trying to hold onto yourself. The pressure of “having it all” and how that definition is different for every woman. The invisible skills and strength that motherhood builds, and the constant effort it takes to stay grounded in a world full of distractions. We speak about balance, identity, faith, and the quiet responsibility mothers carry as they raise the next generation with intention and care. At its core, this episode is a reminder that there is no single formula, only the one each woman creates for herself, shaped by her values, her circumstances, and her heart. This conversation is raw, reflective, and filled with the kind of wisdom that only a mother can give. Tune in to They Say It Takes a Village on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

    1h 13m

  3. Jan 21

    Episode 79 - Beauty, Aging, and the Courage to Be Seen with Special Guest Caroline Labouchere

    Send us Fan Mail In this deeply moving episode, I sat with Caroline Labouchere, a woman whose story challenges everything we’ve been taught about beauty, worth, and aging. Known today for redefining visibility as a silver-haired model who began her career at 54, Caroline shares the quieter, more vulnerable chapters that came long before the spotlight. We talk about growing up never feeling beautiful, being taught not to look in the mirror, and carrying feelings of insignificance well into adulthood. Caroline reflects on marriage, motherhood, reinvention, and the moment she finally stopped second-guessing herself. Together, we unpack the most damaging lies sold by the beauty industry, the pressure women place on themselves and each other, and why aging has become such a contested space for female worth. This conversation explores femininity, traditional and modern gender roles, raising empathetic sons, partnership, and why men and women don’t need to compete to be equal. Caroline speaks honestly about invisibility, responsibility, and the freedom that comes with choosing authenticity over expectation. At its heart, this episode is about being seen — by the world, by others, and most importantly, by yourself. A powerful listen for anyone navigating identity, self-worth, and what it truly means to grow older without shrinking. Tune in to They Say It Takes a Village on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

    1h 12m

  4. 12/18/2025

    Episode 78 - Sovereignty, Feminine Power, and the End of Victimhood with Special Guest Rima Zanoun

    Send us Fan Mail In this profound and unfiltered conversation, I sat with Rima Zanoun -  entrepreneur, holistic coach, speaker, and founder of Makaw and Kream by Makaw - to explore what it truly means to live as a sovereign woman in today’s world. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in coaching, family and systemic constellations, and conscious entrepreneurship, Rima challenges modern narratives around femininity, power, choice, and equality. Together, we unpack the pressures women face from society, patriarchy, and each other, questioning whether today’s version of freedom has come at an unseen cost. Rima speaks candidly about victimhood, responsibility, and maturity, offering a powerful reframe on suffering, self-sabotage, and reclaiming personal agency. The conversation weaves through themes of feminine and masculine harmony, leadership, spirituality, motherhood, creativity, and what it means to live in alignment with one’s inner truth rather than external expectations. This episode is not about prescribing answers. It is about remembering what we already carry within us, and having the courage to live from that place. A deep, thought-provoking dialogue for anyone questioning identity, power, and what authentic expression truly looks like in the modern world. Tune in to They Say It Takes a Village on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

    1h 23m

  5. 11/21/2025

    Episode 77 - The Making of a Man: Redefining Masculinity, Fatherhood, and Strength with Saif Al-Yasi

    Send us Fan Mail In this compelling conversation, Raya sits down with Saif Al-Yasi, a health coach, men’s mentor, and founder of Alphacast Studios, to explore the realities of modern masculinity. Raised between Baghdad and the UK, Saif brings a unique perspective on identity, cultural expectations, and the unspoken pressures placed on men today. Together, they unpack the beliefs boys inherit about strength, emotional availability, and what it truly means to be a good man. Saif speaks candidly about the moments that shaped him, the roles men and women misunderstand about each other, and why raising boys in today’s world requires more nuance than ever. They discuss the influence of social media on young men, the weight men carry silently, and how fathers can show up with authority without losing their humanity. This episode challenges familiar narratives around relationships, parenting, vulnerability, and legacy. It offers a rare and honest look into the internal world of men and the conversations many are still afraid to have. Tune in to They Say It Takes a Village on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

    1h 23m

  6. 10/24/2025

    Episode 76 - Beyond Fear: Redefining Breast Cancer Awareness with Dr. Tatiana Khoury

    Send us Fan Mail Breast cancer is often spoken about with fear—but rarely with clarity. In this powerful episode, Breast Imaging Specialist Dr. Tatiana Khoury from King’s College Hospital London – Dubai joins Raya to demystify one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—diseases affecting women today. With over 500 lives saved through her work in Breast Interventional Radiology, Dr. Tatiana brings both expertise and empathy to the conversation. Together, they explore: Why breast cancer is increasingly affecting younger women The truth about mammograms, radiation, and early detection The real role of lifestyle, stress, and toxins in prevention How to emotionally and physically support someone through diagnosis and recovery More than a medical discussion, this episode is a reminder that awareness isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment, courage, and taking control of your health. Tune in to They Say It Takes a Village on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

    1h 24m

  7. 10/08/2025

    Episode 75- Presence, Not Punishment: A New Way to Understand ADHD With Special Guest Dominic Watts

    Send us Fan Mail What if ADHD isn’t something to be fixed... but something to finally be understood? In this episode of They Say It Takes A Village, we sit down with Dominic Watts holistic coach, former teacher, mindfulness practitioner, and author of Diary of a Mindful Dad - to unpack a radical yet refreshing approach to ADHD. Dominic challenges the mainstream narrative around attention, behavior, and neurodiversity by asking deeper questions rooted in both philosophy and lived experience. Together, we explore how presence—not punishment—can transform the way we view, support, and raise children (and adults) who think differently. This isn’t just a conversation about ADHD. It’s a call to rethink how we define intelligence, success, and emotional well-being in a world that often rewards conformity over authenticity. Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone navigating your own neurodivergent path, this episode will leave you with more compassion, insight, and practical wisdom than you expected.

    1h 24m

  8. 07/18/2025

    Episode 74 - The Menopause Conversation: Real Talk on Hormones, Health, and Healing With Special Guest Dr Sarah Sharif

    Send us Fan Mail What if “the change” was really just the beginning of a whole new chapter? No more whispering about hot flashes in the corner or Googling symptoms at 2 AM - it's time to have the talk. You know the one: about hormones, moods, sleep, sex, and the sneaky changes that show up before we even know what “perimenopause” means. In this refreshingly honest episode, I sit down with the brilliant and wildly relatable Dr. Sarah Sharif - a Family Medicine Consultant with over 20 years of experience and a real passion for women’s health. Together, we get into: 💥 The real definition of menopause (spoiler: it’s not what you think) 💥 Why you can still get pregnant in perimenopause (yep, really) 💥 What’s up with the mood swings, intimacy shifts, and “am I losing my mind?” moments 💥 Hormonal therapy: what it is, who it's for, and why it’s not as scary as it sounds 💥 How to advocate for yourself, tune into your body, and make peace with the shift Dr. Sarah isn’t just a doctor; she’s a champion for every woman who's ever felt confused, dismissed, or just plain exhausted by the changes no one warned us about. ✨ This episode is your permission slip to ask the questions, break the taboos, and take back control of your health, on your terms. So grab a cup of tea (or a glass of wine; we’re not judging), press play, and let’s turn this “midlife mystery” into a power move.

    1h 6m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

'They Say It Takes A Village' podcast aims to give moms a fun, unfiltered and informative outlet to navigate all things parenthood. Based in the UAE, I Interview local heroes from my village who make parenting just that bit easier. You can think of it as your personal directory... bringing you recommendations when you need it the most. Presented and produced by a mom of two, Raya Halet. 

Information

  • Creator
    Raya Halet
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 They Say It Takes A Village
  • Show Website
    They Say It Takes A Village