The WE podcast

Theatre and creativity with @theactorscrew. A new theatre group based in Sydney, bringing creativity to the community, we speak with the actors from the actors crew regarding their first comedy performance.

This week on the podcast we have Lisa Smith, CEO & Director of Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry @strength2give , Samet Kılıç @samkilic family member of a leukaemia patient, and Jemma Falkenmire from @lifebloodau will be on the podcast to raise awareness on blood and bone marrow donations.

This Tuesday on the podcast we have a birth/postpartum doula and child birth educator Reyyan @reyyanemniyet as our guest✨ My name is Reyyan, shortly known as Rey, and I'm an unschooling mother to 3 very curious little humans @reyyanemniyet . I currently work as a birth/postpartum doula and a childbirth educator @birthwithrey . Life hasn't been linear, so I have worn many hats in the past. I have completed my undergraduate in psychology and further studies in counselling. I worked as a counsellor for 3 years at a private school in Sydney. When I returned back to Melbourne, I transformed my hijab styling talent into a real business, opening up Australia's first hijab styling salon in the heart of, one of the busiest bridal strips in Melbourne. Life was great until I had my first child, well I thought. I struggled with birth and postpartum. Being a mother didn't come to me naturally. I was diagnosed with postpartum depression shortly after and was medicated for it. After a years worth of back to back therapy and anti-depressants, I've come to realise why I struggled so much. Lack of knowledge, lack of support and a lack of preparation- kept in a very ugly dark place for a very long time. That's when I went back to study hypnotherapy and major in hypnobirthing. Yes, hypnosis during birth is a thing and it works. After the birth of my twin boys (which was an unforgettable magical experience) - I decided to complete my studies in doula work. Currently, I'm enrolled in yoga teacher studies. For me, life is about growth. We are forever evolving. I do whatever feels right in the moment. I try not to think too far ahead. Look forward to connecting with you all soon

On Tuesday the podcast will have the founders of @silque.co in the studio! Shereen and Homma; two besties, who met 12 years ago at uni and graduated together from UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science in 2015. Shereen, as the creative director and cofounder, is passionate about redefining stereotypes and empowering women. She likes to share how her modest fashion styling intertwines with her career, motherhood, and lifestyle on her own Instagram page. Homma, as the cofounder, is also an optometrist director who runs a busy clinic. She loves fashion and is passionate about giving back to the community by being a volunteer optometrist at the Asylum Seeker Centre. Together, Shereen and Homma make the perfect team for Silque Co. Being women who wear the hijab day in day out, they went through and understood struggles women face every single day! They couldn't find a solution, so decided to create one themselves!

This week on the podcast we will be exploring the world of naturopathy and nutrition with @noor.naturopathy

This week on the podcast we will be celebrating International Women's Day alongside exploring the world of ‘low tox living' with Maysa @lowtox_muma My name is Maysa, I have three beautiful children who mean the world to me. I'm passionate about creating a safe and healthy home for my family and sharing my low tox journey with other mothers is something that truly gives me joy. Going low tox has changed our lives for the better. I'm able to be confident with products I'm bringing into our home and lathering on my precious little ones. I'm able to enjoy every moment knowing I'm doing the best I can as a mother to ensure my children are safe and healthy.

This week on the podcast we have the co-founder of Alka Power @alkapower Steve joining us on air! We will be talking about H2O

This week on the podcast we have Neslihan Özkan ✨ Neslihan currently works as an Immunisation Registered Nurse and Practice Nurse with over 10 years nursing experience. She is a graduate of University of Western Sydney in Bachelor of Nursing in 2006. She gained significant knowledge and specialisation in Cardiology/CCU (coronary care unit) at St. George Hospital. Appointed Nurse Educator and Team Leader Role. Her career led her to Practice Nursing at a medical centre and Occupational Health Practice Centre. Furthermore completed studies in Immunisation for Registered Nurse at The College of Nursing. And recently completed COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program Certificate.

Today on the podcast we will be talking about all things foster care with Samar, President of Fostering Our Ummah @fostering_our_ummah . Fostering Our Ummah is a non-for-profit organisation that helps children who are in foster care. Samar and her husband have both been foster parents for the past six years, and they say "witnessing firsthand kids coming into care with just the clothes they were wearing" convinced them that more awareness and assistance was needed.

This week on the podcast we have Enver Yaşar joining us! Enver Yasar has worked closely with local the local community for over 15 years, including through direct community service work and as a political staffer. Through his community services work, he has developed and facilitated community programs based on need, including programs on effective communication, English literacy, child protection, mental health and domestic violence related issues. His work as a political staffer (Federally with Julie Owens MP, Member for Parramatta, and subsequently on a State level with Luke Foley MP, Member for Auburn and then Leader of the NSW Opposition) also involved responding to community need in the form of political advocacy, including running several successful local campaigns on critical issues. He is currently the Government Relations Advisor for the Gallipoli Turkish Cultural Foundation. In this role, he is working to increase the foundation's profile with decision-makers in Government and key departments to attract funding to grow the services the foundation can deliver to the community. This role also includes community advocacy and program development and delivery.

This week on the podcast we have Zena from @xedtalks we will have a jam packed episode tributed to International Women's day, followed by unpacking some topics that aren't commonly spoken about! A little blurb about our guest Zena; First thing worth mentioning is I have a podcast which I started last year just before COVID took over our lives. I've been married for a decade and I'm a mum of three. We have decided to homeschool this year. I have an Arts degree majoring in English and Philosophy. I worked as an accredited interpreter for three years. I'm currently completing my Graduate Diploma in Psychology. I'm very passionate about mental health and about having open conversations that will benefit the community. I believe being open and vulnerable about my own experiences and thoughts gives others permission to do the same. My focus is on Identity this year on the XED Talks Podcast as I believe many of us have gone through or are still experiencing an identity crisis whilst trying to reconcile between our backgrounds, cultures, being “Australian” enough and being Muslim.

This week on the podcast, our guest is Abdurrahman Asaroğlu the founder of Australia's first Muslim aged care centre @gallipolihome. Abdurrahman Asaroğlu is the managing director of Sydney's first Muslim aged care centre: Gallipoli Home and Gallipoli in Home Care. He has completed a PhD in Islamic Theology and has made a positive impact on the community through various initiatives such as; Foundational Director Federation of Australian-Turkish Islamic Cultural Centres, Foundational Head of Fatwa Board for Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat, Foundational President Gallipoli Youth Centre, Foundational Director Gallipoli Turkish Cultural Foundation, President NSW Auburn Turkish Islamic Cultural Association. Foundational Director Australian Diyanet Foundation.

Hi, I'm Amani, I completed the HSC in 2020 receiving a ~96/95.8 ATAR. Every graduating class likes to claim that they had it the worst, that they had the hardest exams or most difficulties, but I think my fellow Covid graduates and I have a legitimate stake over the claim. Juggling the most stressful year of our schooling career, the loss of monumental year 12 experiences, university applications, distance education, isolation from friends and family was no simple feat and I commend the entire 2020 cohort for completing it! My hobbies include reading a wide variety of genres from philosophy to true crime fiction - basically anything I can get my hands on really. I'm also a big fan of watching period pieces, dabble in writing, and have found a new friend in baking. Aside from that, I'm interested in politics, justice, and the law. It's these interests that pushed me into a double law and politics, philosophy, and economics (yes that's one degree) degree at UNSW. I was the 2019-2020 YMCA Youth Member of Parliament for Granville for youth parliament, represented the state in the constitutional convention Canberra in 2020 and the recipient of the Australian Defence Force Future Innovators award 2020.

on WE our guest is the uber talented Jahida Elassad @jahida_elassaad. She will be discussing the many hats she wears through her journey to success

Hello everyone, I am Dr Oz. I share a vision of doing my best to provide the best care possible to the community as I know what it is like to live with pain. Being someone who didn't know much about chiropractic in my younger life, I lived majority of my early years in pain from injuries. It wasn't until I found Chiropractic that I changed my career path from an engineer to where I am now, doing what I love. It's now my turn to give back to the community and provide a LIFE changing experience. There any many things I love including swimming, engaging in free time activities such as social time with friends and family, I'm also a big binge watch of TV shows and Anime.

In this episode we have the very special Yasemin from @mikashskincare who will share her success story on turning a hobby business into a 6 figure business.

In this episode Ömer İncekara @omeri will share his success story of how he climbed the ladder in the marketing and advertising industry. Ömer İncekara is a strategist and leader in the marketing and advertising industry. He is the owner and Chief Executive officer of Xavier Advertising in Sydney. In his 38 years of experience in marketing and advertising, Ömer has worked across a broad category of local and global brands and demonstrated effective leadership in both the Australian and Asia Pacific regions. Ömer's strengths include business and brand strategies for organisational activities to achieve targets. Ömer is also the board director on numerous Turkish and Australian organisations.

This Tuesday we will discuss healthy eating and veganism with vegan cookbook author Seher İştar. Seher is the founder of @jamela_boutique_ and @asiya_and_maye Struggling with her weight, energey levels Seher decided to go vegan one day to see if it was the solution to her concerns. This was the very beginning to her life changing journey.

This episode will explore multilinguilism, travel and culture through the lens of two young adults.

This episode will feature Gönül from @gaesthetics_ Gönül is passionate about educating the community on the importance of healthy skin, cosmetic beauty and personal care. Gönül is a qualified dermal therapist and skincare enthusiast. She is a long time community volunteer with her interests placed around many areas especially the NSW Community Languages where she advocates for the importance of learning and promoting one's ethnicity and cultural language. She has 3 girls, with one completing the HSC during these unprecedented times amidst a global pandemic.

In this episode we have the wonderful Zehra @soul.style_ who will be exploring: finding confidence in oneself, particularly with regards to creative arts as a woman. Zehra is a university student pursuing data science, however, she is also passionate about exploring a range of different creative outlets such as photography, graphic design/illustrations and poetry. Zehra is also involved with non-profit multimedia organisations aimed at highlighting marginalised voices such as women and Muslim youth.

In this episode our guest İmran Çetiner @imran.cee will explore: the prevalence of technology in our lives today. Imran is a cloud consultant in the client success team of Salesforce, the worlds #1 CRM. He provides strategy, best practice and adoption guidance to organisations large and small, ensuring their success and helping them to thrive through technology. Imran's passionate about the evermore crucial part technology plays not only for companies, but in our personal lives too. Imran believes in the importance of doing good for others and community service. Through volunteering for youth, young professionals or promoting one's culture, Imran's engaged in numerous volunteering services. Beyond the greater good and purpose of volunteering, the knowledge and experience

In this episode, our guest Fatima @fatimaaa93 will talk about Sustainable eating. Fatima is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian with a particular interest in nutrition communication, among other things. She enjoys breaking down the complex science to create engaging and informative content. Fatima currently works with a medical nutrition company during the week and does private practice consultations on the weekend.

In this episode we talk about: overcoming prejudice to advocate for the disadvantaged with our guest Zahida Popal @zahidaaa1, lawyer and president of the Muslim Legal Network. Zahida has wanted to be a lawyer since the age of ten, when she witnessed the most marginalised people in her community suffer due limited legal awareness. She felt that choosing a career in Law would give her the necessary qualifications to reach out to people who needed help. With Law, she has not only found a career that allows her to be an advocate, but she has also found a career that gives her space to constantly learn and grow. This is why she finds the field of personal injuries law particularly rewarding. At Deakin University, Zahida completed a double degree in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in International Relations) before finishing her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the College of Law. Prior to joining Shine Lawyers, she was an Employment Outcomes Consultant for a job services provider, which helped deepen her understanding of contract guidelines, professional obligations and authority regulations. She also completed a pro bono clerkship at the West Heidelberg Community Legal Service in 2015 where she gained increased knowledge of legal research, drafting and legal administrative procedures. Zahida is a member of the culturally and linguistically diverse community and has seen how difficult it can be for people to navigate the legal system without expert guidance. She believes she can empathise with those who feel they have no voice and give them a platform to be heard irrespective of the social hierarchy. As well as being the President of the Muslim Legal Network Victoria, Zahida works with charity organisations that provide aid to refugees and victims of war and tragedy. She would also like to be a catalyst for change in the legal field and inspire other women from under-represented demographics to pursue leadership roles.

In this episode Yasser Zaki, CEO of TLC @tlc_disability_services will give closer insights into the vision for Tender Loving Care Disability Services, and all the value this organisation has added to the wider community. Yasser Zaki has been the CEO of Tender Loving Care Disability Services (TLC) since 2016. TLC is a certified and registered NDIS provider that delivers high quality support to individuals with disabilities.

This episode will explore the importance of gut health with our dietician/nutritionist @tayyibnutrition Mariam Metwally. The gut microbiome? Gut health? I'm sure you've heard the buzz about all things gut health with heavy marketing claims around probiotics and kombucha... but is it worth the hype? Let's dive deep into the trillions of bacteria living in our gut microbiome and see how we can control the health of our gut bugs through nutrition! There's like between our gut health and mental health, brain health, hormone health and metabolic health!! In fact, we can even control how we shape our baby's developing microbiome forms, which goes on to influence their health and risk of disease!

This episode will be dedicated to viewing Australia through the lens of international students.

This episode is dedicated to raise awareness regarding breast cancer with our amazing guest Alisha @alishas_breastcancer_journey. We will dedicate an entire episode to her success story, and how she overcame breast cancer.

How to foster a healthy mindset, motivation and study tips

In this episode we will talk about social media and youth with our guest, a wellbeing counsellor; Omer Yucel @omeryucel01. Omer is a wellbeing counsellor and coach at Duhaa Mental Health & Wellbeing, as well as a youth mentor, being actively engaged in youth work and mentorship.

This episode explores the pivotal nature of culture instilled in schools, social media, peer pressure and the consequences of using technology with our valuable guest/educator Saltanat Bora from @the_modestlife

In a fast paced world, it's important to slow things down, to pause, to connect and check in with what's going on within our inner landscape (Self). The way we feel emotionally and mentally affects our physical body greatly and it's Aly's passion to help people recognize this in their own bodies and to share with them Mindful yoga movements and breathing exercises to help bring connection, empowerment and relaxation. Over the past decade Aly has nurtured an environment where people of all ages feel welcome, safe, free of competition, comparison and judgement in her presence. Her offerings are a variety yoga classes, wellbeing retreats and workshops, Mindfulness programs for schools & businesses as well as a variety of massages.

Dr. Shereen Kassir is a therapeutically endorsed behavioural & developmental optometrist. She also shares her interest in modest fashion & motherhood journey through her Instagram platform @talesandveils. She is a mother of a 3 year old girl and currently 6 months pregnant with her second child.

This episode explores the concept of identity through the written, spoken and visual world. Our guest Yakub Ogunsina will be shedding some light on how art, engaging in the community and his studies in the field of Social Work has shaped his identity.

Tayfun is a Licensed Real Estate Agent, a natural leader with local market knowledge and is a respected agent at Ray White Woollahra. He has experience as a former licensee and principal for a boutique agency since the age of 21. Consistent training and growth has been a crucial part of his progress into being a property specialist and qualified to provide his loyal client base with a detailed market analysis and continued guidance

Yasemin shares her expertise and challenges she faced starting up an organic award winning skincare label Mikash Skincare.

Funda is the owner and principal psychologist of Tiny Terrors and Tiny Living Co. Tiny Terrors is an award wining In-Home Parenting and Behaviour Support Service. Tiny Terrors aim to equip you with the tools and strategies you need in order to manage and encourage more positive behaviour and help improve everyday activities with children. Tiny Terrors offer individually customised consultations and programs to suit individual families and their needs. Tiny Terrors aim to make a difference in families lives through positive parenting and behaviour support.

Mariam Metwally is an Accredited Practising Dietitan and Accredited Nutritionist with a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics with a special interest in early life nutrition from preconception to postpartum. On the other end, she is passionate about all things brain health. This is a topic not often discussed, but protecting our brain health is something that should start well before our ageing years...it starts now! She is a private practice and community dietitian consulting a range of areas including women's health and chronic disease management based in south western Sydney.

Areebah is an Architecture student in her final year of her bachelors degree at University Technology Sydney. Alongside her aspiration to become an Architect, she enjoys creating art and the use of digital media such as film and photography in her leisure time. She aspires in the near future to travel to as many historical architectural landmarks she has come across in her studies.

Naz is an ordinary girl trying to be the strongest version of herself both mentally and physically through powerlifting. Initially, she was introduced to powerlifting through her personal trainer and the rest is history! She trains strength at least twice a week in conjunction with other exercises to achieve her personal goals.

This episode is all about about eye health with Dr Ebrahimi optometrist and director of Specsavers Bankstown.

Saltanat Bora is a mother of three young children who she is currently homeschooling, whilst also editing and curating the Instagram page @themodestbride which she started 7 years ago. Saltanat also shares her homeschooling experiences and reflections on her personal page, @the_modestlife. She is deeply invested in uplifting and supporting mothers along every stage of their path on motherhood, and strive to do this beyond the digital platform at Zamzam Mums & Bubs, which she started last year with two other fellow mum friends.