People Like Us with Mariam

Mariam
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Personal Journals
  • Weekly

People Like Us is a storytelling podcast that celebrates the extraordinary hidden in everyday lives. In each episode, Mariam sits with real people who have chosen courage, healing, and growth, people who turned their past into purpose and their struggles into strength. These are raw, honest conversations about resilience, identity, and transformation. Stories that make you feel seen. Stories that remind you that everyone carries something remarkable… including you.

  1. 2d ago

    Vincent Van den Broeck: How a 10% Survival Story Became a Winner’s Mindset

    Vincent's book: https://www.theuidclub.com/the-book A 10% chance of survival. A life-changing accident. And a completely new definition of what it means to win. In this episode of People Like Us, Mariam sits down with Vincent Van den Broeck for an honest and deeply moving conversation about resilience, ambition, identity, and the moments that change the course of our lives. Vincent's story begins long before the accident. From navigating childhood pressures and witnessing his mother's second battle with breast cancer to developing an uncompromising work ethic that took him from hospitality into entrepreneurship, Vincent spent years building the life he envisioned. Then, in Brussels, everything changed. A devastating car accident left him in a coma, with just a 10% chance of survival. Multiple surgeries, skull reconstruction, and an incredibly difficult road to recovery forced him to confront life in a way he never had before. But what happens when the person you were is no longer the person you can be? Together, we explore Vincent's journey of rebuilding, the difference between confidence and competence, and why he believes a winner mentality is built through action, not just intention. He opens up about turning trauma into momentum, finding purpose in the hardest seasons, and the mindset shifts that helped him move forward when the future felt impossible. We also dive into his book, Everything Feels Impossible Until It's Done, and how writing it helped him make sense of his past, recognize the patterns that shaped him, and redefine success. Vincent shares how surviving changed his perspective on marriage, emotional intelligence, relationships, and the importance of showing up for the people who matter most. This is a conversation about more than survival. It's about what happens after, how we find meaning in what we've been through, and how sometimes losing the life you imagined can lead you to build one with a whole new purpose. Because sometimes, the greatest measure of winning isn't how far you get, but how you choose to keep going. Follow People Like Us on Instagram: @ppllike_us

  2. Oct 7

    Tülay Kachar: How a Mother Shared Her Daughter’s Cancer Journey Without Losing Hope

    Link to Floringo: https://floringo.app/?fbclid=PAVERFWAUzO8FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAmZkaWQWUP2wd4GjX4bTLeT1_4HXftJxkKW4ZXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp3fUDcOKIGtQT7Iqb03cqmOCYVpy4dMET-FG6CixeoqbBh-o4n8jDdwXSXYD_aem_2ib_9M5xvobqPlKWSbQpZA In this episode of People Like Us, we sit down with Tülay, a mother, full-time working woman, and advocate, for a deeply personal conversation about identity, motherhood, language, and resilience. Tülaytakes us through her childhood growing up in Kuwait and the experiences that shaped her Turkish, Arab, and Muslim identity. We talk about raising children in a multilingual home, passing down culture and language, and navigating the many roles women are expected to carry at once. Then, Tülay opens up about the hardest chapter of her family’s life: her daughter Ayla’s leukemia diagnosis and treatment. She shares the fear, uncertainty, advocacy, and strength it took to navigate that experience as a mother, and the moments of hope that helped carry her family through. This conversation is a reminder that resilience doesn’t always look like having everything figured out. Sometimes, it looks like taking things one day at a time, trusting yourself, leaning on your faith, and continuing to show up for the people you love. Tülay's story is one of love, identity, motherhood, and finding strength in the middle of life’s hardest moments.

  3. Sep 24

    Abby Warr: Becoming a Lululemon Ambassador & Finding Your Purpose

    You don’t need to be “qualified” to build something that changes lives. Sometimes, the skills, resilience, and purpose you already carry are enough to start. In this episode of People Like Us, Abby shares how a childhood of constantly moving shaped her adaptability, confidence, and desire to create community. As the Development Director at People Helping People, a lululemon ambassador, runner, wife, and self-described eldest daughter, Abby has built a life rooted in service, movement, and connection, but getting there wasn’t always straightforward. She opens up about why supporting women in Utah became a personal calling, how serving others has transformed the way she sees herself, and what it really means to pursue a career that feels aligned with your values. We also talk about her journey training for the Boston Marathon, recovering from injury, and learning to approach wellness from a place of care rather than punishment. Abby shares the simple habits that have changed the way she trains and lives — from eating enough and prioritizing sleep to finding joy in movement. Then, we get into the story behind the lululemon Run Club she and her friend Grace built from a small idea into a community that can bring together more than 100 runners at a time. Because beneath the running, the ambassador title, and the miles, Abby believes people are ultimately searching for the same thing: connection. And finally, Abby gets candid about marriage, individuality, and building a partnership where two people can support each other’s dreams without losing sight of their own. If you’re navigating work, wellness, relationships, ambition, or simply trying to figure out what an aligned life looks like for you, this conversation is a reminder that balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about learning how to care for yourself, show up for others, and keep pursuing what matters to you.

  4. Sep 9

    Mariam Safeudien: The person behind the podcast

    For the Season 2 premiere, we’re switching things up. Instead of sitting behind the mic asking the questions, Mariam is in the hot seat as Emma interviews her about the story behind the person behind People Like Us. Mariam opens up about growing up between Egypt and America, navigating a dual identity, and learning to embrace all the parts of herself. She shares how growing up between cultures shaped the way she sees people, asks questions, and connects with stories that might otherwise go unheard. She also takes us back to where People Like Us began, the creative doubts that came with starting something of her own, and why she believes ordinary people can have extraordinary stories. A little bit about Mariam, a little bit about the podcast, and a lot about why our stories matter. Follow along: @ppllike_us on Instagram for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and more stories from People Like Us.

  5. Jul 9

    how a scholarship changed everything with renée martial

    In this episode, Renee shares the raw, unfiltered reality of navigating college as a first-generation student from a small, underrepresented community. You'll discover how she leveraged social media, tapped into her network, and refused to accept no as the final answer—all while balancing her identity, mental health, and a desire to break generational barriers. The story highlights key insights including how to find hidden scholarships, the importance of community, and the resilience needed to trust yourself when paths aren’t clearly laid out. This episode is perfect for first-generation students, young professionals, or anyone who feels like the “door is closing.” Her honest reflections on finding community, negotiating relationships, and chasing dreams in unfamiliar territory will resonate deeply. If you're contemplating a leap into the unknown or need a dose of inspiration to keep going, Renee’s journey proves that where you start doesn’t define where you’ll end.

  6. Jul 3

    remembrance: ermina's father

    Follow along on Instagram @ppllike_us for updates, reflections, and clips from each episode.

  7. Jun 25

    why parenting with intention is the ultimate act of cultural preservation with ermina harambasic

    From a Bosnian mother tracing her family's journey through genocide, land struggles, and personal growth, to a passionate educator juggling her cultural roots with her role in shaping third-culture kids-these conversations reveal that understanding your identity is a lifelong journey. Discover how embracing your core values, fighting to preserve your language, and nurturing your passions can create a powerful legacy for future generations.

  8. Jun 11

    remembrance: lilly's grandma, aliyah dozada-kanishka

    Lilly shares her journey of losing her mother to brain cancer and how it shaped her path in medicine. She discusses the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, the importance of community, and the power of turning grief into purposeful action, such as running a marathon for charity. Follow along on Instagram @ppllike_us for updates, reflections, and clips from each episode.

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About

People Like Us is a storytelling podcast that celebrates the extraordinary hidden in everyday lives. In each episode, Mariam sits with real people who have chosen courage, healing, and growth, people who turned their past into purpose and their struggles into strength. These are raw, honest conversations about resilience, identity, and transformation. Stories that make you feel seen. Stories that remind you that everyone carries something remarkable… including you.

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