Not Silent Podcast

Not Silent Podcast
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Semiweekly

🎙️Not Silent Podcast Voices the world must hear 🌎 Because we refuse to be silent. Full video on YouTube and Spotify

  1. Sep 14

    From Child Bride to the TIME 100: Zabib Musa Loro’s Extraordinary Story

    Episode 26 - The Horrors of Child Marriage in South Sudan | Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit survived child marriage. Today, she is using her voice to fight for the rights of women and girls in South Sudan. In this powerful conversation on the Not Silent Podcast, Zabib speaks about being married at just 15, escaping the marriage two years later, and turning her own experience into a lifelong commitment to protecting women and girls. She takes us inside the realities of child marriage, gender-based violence, patriarchy and polygamy in South Sudan—and explains why deeply rooted cultural practices can be extraordinarily difficult to challenge. She also discusses the barriers women face in education and politics, and the growing struggles confronting families displaced by conflict. A recipient of the U.S. Department of State’s International Women of Courage Award, Zabib shares not only what women in South Sudan are up against, but what continues to give her hope: their extraordinary resilience. This is a story of child marriage, survival, courage, and a fight for justice. 00:00:00 Introduction: The Human Rights Crisis Facing Women in South Sudan 00:01:21 Who is Zabib Musa Loro? Founding Women for Justice and Equality 00:05:05 Why Gender-Based Violence Affects 70% of South Sudanese Women 00:08:18 Sold at 15: Zabib’s Personal Story of Forced Child Marriage 00:13:48 The Escape: Running Away with Nothing and Surviving on Her Own 00:18:44 Fighting for an Education and the Dream of Becoming a Lawyer 00:22:30 Dowries, Cattle Auctions, and the Reality of Bride Price 00:24:16 Grassroots Solutions: Safe Spaces and Mentorship for Young Girls 00:30:00 Facing Threats and Standing Up Against Forced Marriage and Abuse 00:33:55 The Struggles Facing Women Politicians in a Patriarchal System 00:37:39 How the War in Sudan is Escalating the Refugee Crisis in South Sudan 00:41:31 The National Elections: Is South Sudan Ready for a Credible Vote? 00:46:05 Questioning the International Community, IMF, and Global Aid 00:48:40 Winning TIME 100 & Finding Hope in the Resilience of Women

    From Child Bride to the TIME 100: Zabib Musa Loro’s Extraordinary Story

  2. Aug 17

    Your Child Could be Recruited Online

    Not Silent Podcast with Arbana Xharra Ep 25 Dr. Anne Speckhard What makes someone vulnerable to extremist recruitment—and how can parents recognize the warning signs before it is too late? In this episode of Not Silent, I speak with Dr. Anne Speckhard, one of the world's leading experts on terrorism, violent extremism, and radicalization. After interviewing more than 800 terrorists, extremists, ISIS defectors, and others drawn into violent movements, she explains how recruitment works—and why today's digital world has made access to vulnerable young people easier than ever. We discuss ISIS recruitment, online radicalization, the manipulation of religion and political grievances, the role of social media algorithms, and what families can do to protect young people from extremist narratives. This is not only a conversation about terrorism. It is about belonging, identity, vulnerability—and how easily someone searching for purpose can be targeted. 🎙️ Not Silent Podcast with Arbana Xharra 00:00:00 Introduction: Dr. Anne Speckhard on Terrorism & Radicalization 00:01:13 The Lethal Cocktail of Terrorism: The 4 Core Ingredients 00:05:16 Why Youth Join Extremist Groups: Belonging, Purpose & Significance 00:08:29 How Ideology and Scriptures are Twisted to Justify Violence 00:12:50 Geopolitics, Injustice, and the Roots of Anti-Western Extremism 00:15:09 Foreign Funding, Cultural Shifts & Wahhabism in the Balkans 00:17:23 The Undercover CIA Mission of Blerim Skoro 00:20:44 The Shift from Secular Society to Radicalization in Kosovo 00:24:00 Trauma, Social Media Algorithms, and Online Recruitment 00:26:42 Breaking the ISIS Brand: Counter-Messaging with Defector Interviews 00:30:46 AI, Economic Uncertainty, and Future Extremism Risks 00:33:40 Can Extremists Truly Repent? De-Radicalization Realities 00:36:14 Women in ISIS: Victims, Believers, and Child Protection in Camps 00:41:22 Online Grooming: How Minors are Recruited Over the Internet 00:46:33 Identity Fusion & How Parents Can Protect Their Children

    Your Child Could be Recruited Online

  3. Jul 27

    Kidnapped Tortured Beaten Still Standing - Agather Atuhaire

    Not Silent Podcast with Arbana Xharra Ep 24 Agather Athuhaire Award-winning Ugandan journalist, lawyer, and human rights defender Agather Atuhaire has spent years exposing corruption and abuse. She knew the risks, but nothing prepared her for what happened in Tanzania, where she was abducted, tortured, and sexually assaulted while in custody. In this powerful conversation, Agather shares how authoritarian governments coordinate to silence critics, why independent journalism is under attack across East Africa, and why, despite everything, she refuses to be silent. This is a story of extraordinary courage, resilience, and the fight for truth. ▶️ Watch the full episode on the Not Silent Podcast. 00:00:00 Introduction: The Daily Dangers Facing East African Journalists 00:01:22 Who is Agather Atuhaire? From Law School to Anti-Corruption Activism 00:04:08 How Press Freedom and Civic Space Have Collapsed in Uganda 00:06:24 Living Under Constant Surveillance and Threats in Kampala 00:08:06 Traveling to Tanzania to Observe the Tundu Lissu Trial 00:11:16 Arrested at the Serena Hotel: The Night of the Abduction 00:14:35 US Sanctions and Seeking Justice for State-Sponsored Torture 00:17:10 Transnational Repression: How East African Dictators Coordinate 00:20:28 Family Threats and the Danger Facing Activists' Children 00:23:24 Public Backlash, Government Apologists, and Online Harassment 00:26:24 Is the International Community Turning a Blind Eye to Human Rights Abuses? 00:30:48 The Role of Western Foreign Policy and Trade Interests in East Africa 00:34:45 The Personal Toll of Winning the International Women of Courage Award 00:37:09 The Shutdown of Nation Media Group and the Future of Independent Press 00:41:43 The Unique Threats Facing Women Journalists and Mothers in Activism 00:44:06 Confronting Tormentors: A Message to Authoritarian Regimes 00:46:57 A Final Challenge to Global Leaders and International Human Rights Bodies

    Kidnapped Tortured Beaten Still Standing - Agather Atuhaire

  4. Jul 16

    A Kurdish Woman's Fight for Freedom - Shiler Sido

    Not Silent Podcast with Arbana Xharra Ep 23 Shiler Sido In this powerful episode, Shiler Sido, a Kurdish human rights advocate and founder of Action for Community Empowerment in Syria, talks about her extraordinary journey from war and displacement to becoming one of the strongest voices for peace and justice. Shiler shares her firsthand experience of fleeing Afrin with her infant daughter, the challenges facing Syria's Kurdish community and other minorities, the impact of conflict on women, and why the international community cannot afford to look away. This is a conversation about resilience, courage, and the human cost of conflict. 🎧 Watch the full episode now 00:00:00 Guest Introduction: Who is Shiler Sido? 00:01:13 The Current Situation in Syria After the Fall of Assad 00:05:12 Turkey's Role in Syria and Impact on Kurdish Communities 00:08:52 How Political Islam and Religion are Weaponized in the Middle East 00:12:03 What Was Life in Afrin Like Before the Syrian Civil War? 00:15:09 Escaping the 2018 Turkish Invasion of Afrin 00:18:30 The Reality of Raising Children in a Refugee Camp 00:22:12 Standing Like an Olive Tree: Responding to Trauma with Resilience 00:24:54 Founding ACES: Why Mental Health Support is Crucial for War Victims 00:27:56 Why the West and Feminist Movements Ignore Kurdish Suffering 00:32:15 How Western Media Misleads the Public on Middle Eastern Conflicts 00:34:59 How Kurdish Fighters Defeated ISIS and Protected the World

    A Kurdish Woman's Fight for Freedom - Shiler Sido

  5. Jun 22

    33 IVF Treatments - Gjilberta's Journey to Motherhood

    Not Silent Podcast with Arbana Xharra - Ep 22 - Gjilberta Lucaj For six years, Gjilberta Lucaj fought a battle few people could imagine. She underwent 33 IVF treatments, endured countless injections, emotional setbacks, and spent more than $1.3 million in her determination to become a mother. Behind every procedure was hope. Behind every setback was the courage to try again. In this powerful episode of Not Silent, Gjilberta shares the physical, emotional, and financial reality of infertility, the toll it took on her life, and the resilience that carried her forward when many would have given up. Today, she is a mother. Her story is not just about IVF. It is about perseverance, faith, and the extraordinary strength of a woman who refused to stop believing. Watch the full episode and hear a story you will never forget. 00:00 Introduction to Concert Cellist Gjilberta Lucaj and Her 33 IVF Journey 01:05 From Albania to New York: Building a High-Stakes Career in Classical Music 01:56 The Shift from Global Applause to the Deep Desire for Motherhood 02:57 Facing Infertility and the Cultural Stigma Surrounding Miscarriage 04:42 The Brutal Physical and Psychological Reality of 33 IVF Cycles 06:33 The Reality of Unexplained Infertility and Poor Ovarian Reserve 08:22 The Trauma of the Retrieval Room: Fast-Paced Medical Protocols 09:50 Going Under: Health Insurance Disparities and Pain Management During IVF 11:20 Emotional Strain, Relationship Dynamics, and Preventing Divorce During IVF 13:13 Public Misunderstandings of Infertility and Declining Global Sperm Quality 14:48 The Realities of ICSI and Picking the Best Sperm Under the Microscope 16:11 The Skyrocketing Financial Cost of Infertility Treatments in New York 17:41 Navigating Infertility Options: Experimental PRP Treatments vs. Medical Research 19:00 Loopholes and Strategies for Maximizing New York State IVF Insurance Coverage 20:48 Facing a $1.3 Million Total Treatment Bill: Financial Loans to Build a Family 21:49 A Glimpse Inside the Clinic: Emotional Support and Shared Struggles in Cold Rooms 22:43 Affordable Global Alternatives: Exploring Infertility Clinics in Greece and Spain 24:11 Teaching, Mentoring, and Finding a Foundational Purpose Outside of Trauma 24:54 Overcoming Limitations: Approaching Fertility Treatment Like a Difficult Cello Piece 26:05 Visualizing Success: Manifestation, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Changes for Better Egg Quality 27:05 Tricking the System: Navigating Clinic Limits and Multiple Second Opinions 28:06 Masking the Pain: Performing on the Global Stage While Going Through Medical Hell 29:25 Lessons from Afghanistan: How a 2014 Travel Experience Changed Her Life Perspective 34:23 The Mental Danger of Comparison and Coping Without a Professional Therapist 36:06 The Demanding Daily Routine of Early Morning Blood Work and Hormones 37:01 Seamless Innovation: The Future of Painless, Needleless Blood Collection Technology 40:04 The Emotional Collapse of Early Chemical Pregnancies and False Hopes 41:46 The Final Round: Walking Home Alone, Reclaiming Human Dignity, and Considering Adoption 44:52 A C-Section Miracle: Holding Her Baby and Hearing the First Cry 47:18 What Motherhood Means Today: Processing Trauma and Healing From the Past 48:19 Protect Your Future: Why Every Young Woman Must Invest in Freezing Her Eggs 51:04 Concluding Remarks: Breaking the Silence and Sharing Resources Internationally

    33 IVF Treatments - Gjilberta's Journey to Motherhood

  6. Jun 8

    Al, Authoritarianism & Women's Rights

    Not Silent Podcast with Arbana Xharra Ep 21 Katrina "Kat' Fotovat On Not Silent, we speak with Kat Fotovat, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, former U.S. focal point for Women, Peace and Security, and a leading expert on gender and AI policy. We discuss the global consequences of cuts to foreign aid, the growing threats facing women in conflict zones, the rise of authoritarianism, and how artificial intelligence is being used to target women activists, journalists, and human rights defenders. We also explore the importance of women's participation in peace-building, lessons from Kosovo and Ukraine, and what happens when democratic nations step back from humanitarian leadership. This is a conversation about human rights, global security, technology, and the women fighting every day for freedom, dignity, and peace. 00:00 Introduction to Ambassador Katrina "Kat" Fotovat and Global Women's Issues 01:22 The Tangible Impact of U.S. Foreign Aid Programs Globally 02:36 How Elevating Women Drives Global GDP and Economic Stability 03:53 Supporting Women and Vulnerable Communities in Active Conflict Zones 05:32 The Strategic Inclusion of Women in Successful Peace Agreements 08:22 Case Study: Kosovo's Historic Reparations for War Survivors 11:08 Real-Time Crisis Response and Lessons Learned from Ukraine 12:44 The Interconnection Between Authoritarianism, Extremism, and Attacks on Women's Rights 14:09 Weaponizing Technology: Doxxing, Deepfakes, and Online Surveillance 16:36 Why Foreign Policy and Humanitarian Leadership Matter to the United States 19:16 Geopolitical Shifts: Who Fills the Vacuum When Democratic Nations Step Back? 21:41 The Arms Race of AI: Capitalist Drivers vs. The Betterment of Humanity 25:56 Navigating Digital Warfare: Intimidation, Propaganda, and Credibility Attacks 29:24 Guardrails, Global Regulations, and Post-Conflict Constitutional Analysis 32:00 Propportunities: Turning Massive Tech and Policy Gaps into Opportunities 33:56 Why Women Must Have a Seat at the Digital and AI Arena Tables 35:15 Concluding Remarks: Ongoing Advocacy and the Human Cost of Silence

    Al, Authoritarianism & Women's Rights

  7. May 19

    The Dark Side of AI in Healthcare

    Not Silent Podcast with Arbana Xharra - Ep 20 - Dr. Vijaytha Muralidharan Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare, from diagnosis and treatment recommendations to patient monitoring and medical decision-making. But as AI advances faster than regulation, critical ethical questions are emerging. In this episode of Not Silent Podcast, physician and Clinical AI researcher Dr. Vijaytha Muralidharan discusses the growing risks of algorithmic bias, the dangers facing vulnerable populations, and why children, women, minorities, and lower-income communities are often left out of the data shaping modern healthcare systems. Dr. Muralidharan shares how her internationally recognized ACCEPT-AI research helped influence conversations involving the WHO, CDC, FDA, and global healthcare organizations, while warning that without proper oversight, AI could scale inequality instead of solving it. We discuss: • Algorithm bias in healthcare • AI and misdiagnosis risks • Why vulnerable populations are often excluded • Global inequality in healthcare technology • The legal and ethical challenges of medical AI • Why policymakers are struggling to keep up • The future of AI, ethics, and patient protection Featuring:Dr. Vijaytha Muralidharan Physician | Clinical AI & Digital Health Researcher MBChB, MRCP (U.K.), FHEA (Medical Education) Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to AI Transformation and Ethical Risks in Healthcare 00:01:17 Dr. Vijaytha Muralidharan’s Journey: From the NHS to Kenya 00:03:31 How Artificial Intelligence is Used in Medicine Today 00:04:17 The ACCEPT-AI Framework: Safeguarding Children in Healthcare Tech 00:07:01 Global Inequality and Geographical Bias in Tech Development 00:08:39 Understanding Algorithmic Bias and its Real-World Dangers 00:09:53 How Biased Algorithms Negatively Impact Patients of Color and Vulnerable Groups 00:12:01 Raising Consumer and Builder Awareness for Ethical AI 00:16:16 The Failure of Policymakers and the Need for Community Action 00:18:03 The Global Policy Impact of ACCEPT-AI Research 00:20:50 The Biggest Ethical Risks of Moving Too Fast with Medical Tech 00:22:08 Case Studies: Algorithm Failures in Dermatology and Pediatric X-Rays 00:23:13 Patient Rights and the Value of Clinical Augmentation 00:25:30 Comparing Data Privacy and Consent Laws Between the US and EU 00:27:10 How Communities and Families Can Advocate for Safe AI 00:29:40 Legal Accountability and Misdiagnosis Risks in Medical AI 00:33:00 Incorporating Global South Perspectives into the Tech Conversation #AIInHealthcare #MedicalAI #AIEthics #NotSilentPodcast #AlgorithmBias #HealthcareInequality #TechRegulation #WomenInSTEM

    The Dark Side of AI in Healthcare

  8. May 4

    She Was Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Speaking Out.

    Not Silent Podcast with Arbana Xharra - Ep 19 - Nguyễn Ngọc Như Quỳnh In this episode of the Not Silent Podcast, I’m joined by Nguyễn Ngọc Như Quỳnh, known as “Mother Mushroom”, one of Vietnam’s most courageous human rights defenders. What began as a blog for her daughter became a powerful platform exposing environmental harm, state abuse, and the silencing of ordinary people. For that, she was arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned, then released only on the condition of exile. “I’m scared,” she says. “But who will speak if I don’t?” This is a story about courage, repression, and the cost of telling the truth. 📌 Subscribe to Not Silent Podcast for more voices that refuse to be silenced. 00:00:00 The Story Behind the Name "Mother Mushroom" 00:01:32 Questioning the Constitution & First Arrest in 2009 00:03:25 Exposing State Crimes: The Bauxite Mine Controversy 00:05:25 Motivation to Expose the Truth in Vietnam 00:07:34 Starting a Movement: The T-Shirt Campaign 00:09:50 Midnight Arrest & 10 Days in Detention 00:11:59 Choosing Silence to Protect Her Family 00:14:02 Applying for a Passport & Meeting CNN 00:16:35 The Reality of Being Brave vs. Being Scared 00:17:40 Interrogations & Mental Abuse in Prison 00:20:00 Connection to the US Embassy & Second Arrest 00:21:40 Conditions for Release & Condition of Exile 00:23:45 10 Years in Prison: Fighting for Her Children 00:25:40 The State of Human Rights in Vietnam Today 00:27:00 How Meta & Facebook Cooperate with Government Blocking 00:29:25 Life in Exile: Starting Over in the United States 00:31:00 Communist Ideology & Culture War in the US 00:33:30 Why Western Countries Don't Understand Communism 00:35:15 A Message to World Leaders: Focus on People, Not Governments 00:36:00 Analyzing News for a Global Vietnamese Audience 00:37:15 Defining Freedom After a Decade of Activism

    She Was Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Speaking Out.
See All (26)

About

🎙️Not Silent Podcast Voices the world must hear 🌎 Because we refuse to be silent. Full video on YouTube and Spotify

Information

  • Creator
    Not Silent Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Not Silent Podcast
  • Show Website
    Not Silent Podcast