We're Just Talking About It's podcast

Welcome to our 1st episode of We're Just Talking About It! We're happy you're here. In this 30-minute episode, Jason and Hollie discuss how to start a conversation about Islam in America. They offer up key vocabulary to get you started. 

In episode #2 of We're Just Talking About It, hosts Jason and Hollie discuss one of Jason's most popular lecture questions: What does it say in the Qur'an? In this 25-minute episode we talk about: What's in the Qur'an and what's not How it can be misinterpreted by groups like ISIS What passages terrorist groups use to recruit people Qur'an + the Bible  Major themes  and More  

Thanks for checking out Episode #3 of We're Just Talking About It. In episode #1 we discussed the terms you should know to help you better understand Islam. In this episode, we put those terms to use and learn how to get the conversation started.  As non-muslims, Americans may be uncomfortable or scared to get the conversation started with Muslims. We are asking those uncomfortable questions in hopes of breaking down those barriers that stop us from starting a conversation.  In 15 minutes, We talk about: How to get the conversation started Religious Beliefs Going to a Mosque Interfaith Dialogues  Dining Together

In episode #4 of We're Just Talking About It (20 min) we wanted to take a look at some of the news headlines we saw in June. More specifically, the stories pertaining to Muslim society and culture.  We talk about 3 top stories and break down "what it means": Afghanistan President orders a ceasefire with Taliban during Ramadan UK suffers most terrorist attacks in 2017 Saudi Arabia lifts drivers license ban for women  

In episode 5 of We're Just Talking About It, we take a deeper look at what it's like for women in Muslim cultures. From having a guardian, to wearing a head dress to social media and going to college-- we talk about it all.     

In episode #6 of WJTA, we take a deep dive in to observations that host, Jason, has made while living and spending time in Muslim majority countries. A few observations we discuss are: The kindness between strangers The high regard for cleanliness You can be sober but still joyful Prayer should be humble Education is valuable Other religions should be respected. Listen as Jason describes a world and culture many of us have not experienced for ourselves. You will be sure to learn something in this episode!    

Welcome to episode 7 of We're Just Talking About. We figured after six episodes, it was time to explain how our host got started talking about Islam in America and why he continues to travel and educate non-muslims about Islam. It's interesting to note that host, Jason, is a white-male, raised in the South and grew up in the Baptist church. He says it's these very characteristics that allows him the unique opportunity to speak about Islam in America and reach diverse audiences.  What started as an urge to understand more about Muslim culture and Islam has lead Jason to international speaking engagements, teaching at multiple institutions and interacting with diverse audiences throughout the world.  His mission through it all-- education and tolerance. We hope you enjoy this episode how Jason's how and why!

Welcome to Episode No. 8. We have our first guest on the podcast! Shireen Qudosi is a Muslim American writer on faith, identity, and belonging. She comes from a family of refugees and has hopscotched across the world from Pakistan to Iran, Germany, and finally the United States.  She's now known as a top 10 Muslim Reformer, a role in which she advocates for radically honest conversations.  In this 15-minute episode we talk about what it's like growing up at a muslim girl in America and the challenges she and her family faced. 

Thanks for tuning in to episode No. 9 of WJTA.  We continue our conversation with Muslim American writer, Shireen Qudosi. In this 20 minute episode we talk about what it's like for her, raising her son in a post 9-11 world and how she lets her son explore his own identity and beliefs.  Shireen talks about "breaking the conveyor belt" and questioning what we believe and why we believe it. We take a look at the education system in our country and how it disables critical, original thinking in her opinion. And we discuss the disturbing tradition of Female Genital Mutilation in other countries. 

Welcome to episode #10 of WJTA. In this episode, Muslim-American writer and activist Shireen Qudosi shares her thoughts and ideas on what Muslim reform looks like in our country.  She also brings us into the world of #hateImams which is part of her campaign to stop using the religion of Islam as a means of hate.     

Welcome to episode #11. This week we have our 2nd guest on the show! Munim was born in Bangladesh and grew up in Oklahoma, where his parents still live. He is finishing a doctoral degree in epidemiology, and is a published researcher and photographer. Munim spends way too much time on Wikipedia.   It's a laid-back and enlightening conversation that starts when an 8-year old Muslim boy moves from Bangladesh to Oklahoma.  We talk: school, boy scouts, tornado drills and what it was like after 9-11.  We discover how a little tolerance and education can go a long way to helping a Muslim boy feel at home in America.  

Welcome to episode #12! This week we continue our candid conversation with Munim Deen. A young Muslim man who was born in Bangladesh and moved to Oklahoma when he was 8-years old. We talk about how his life and his families' were impacted by the September 11th terrorist attacks and what they dealt with in the days after.     

Welcome to Episode #13! We continue our enlightening conversation with Munim Deen, epidemiologist, writer, photographer. TOPICS WE COVER: Religion's power to unite and divide and how we go beyond it.  The idea that the more time you spend with people that are different than you, the better.  How social media plays a role in the Muslim/Non-Muslim relationship in America.  Differentiating your personal beliefs religion/politics from what we see on TV. American society vs. American foreign policy How religion and logic coexist  "Remember, at the end of the day, no matter what side or religion you're on, you are meeting another person." _Munim Deen

Thanks for checking out Episode #14 of We're Just Talking About It! In this episode we tackle the topic of entertainment vs. news in America, in particular to Muslims in America.  We discuss the common question: Where are all the muslims speaking out against terrorism? How the September 11th terrorist attacks got people more curious about Islam Why Munim is cautiously optimistic about the future of religious understanding in America How the shift in demographics is helping how Muslims are perceived in America.  The thing to remember, "As long as we're talking, we're moving in the right direction."-- Jason Howk

Welcome to Episode #15! Jason had a busy November traveling to speak and teach in D.C., New Mexico, North Carolina, New Jersey, D.C. and back to NC. Today, Jason talks about being a guest host at the Associations of Physicians of Pakistani Descent in North America, in Virginia last month.  The conversation turned to one major question from Jason's audience of Pakistani professionals. What do non-Muslims ask about you (Jason) about Islam? In this episode hear how Jason answers questions from both sides of the Islam discussion.  Plus, Jason shares highlights from his lunch conversation with the President of the Islamic Society of North America and the importance of secularism and religious freedom. It was a successful trip to D.C.    

Thanks for tuning in to episode 16. This week is a short and quick episode with a valuable lesson about myths, stereotypes and keeping an open mind.  Sometimes those who think they are open-minded are acting just like the intolerant people they think they hate... Tolerance in every direction is the only way to bring people of all faiths and beliefs closer together.    

Happy New Year! Welcome to episode #17 of WJTA. Thank you for your continued support and interest. We open the new year by answering some of the toughest questions Jason gets asked after his lectures or speaking engagements.  Questions like: Why do muslims us hate us (Americans)?  What's with the 72 virgins in heaven? Why don't muslims assimilate in the U.S.? Some of the questions we discuss today, may be found in Jason's next book. Hopefully these questions and answers can help lead to a better discussion in America.   

In this episode of WJTA, we chat with a woman that has left Islam and is living in Australia.  Omayma was born in Egypt and moved to Australia when she was a 1-year old. She was raised as a conservative Sunni Muslim. In her teenage years Omayma started to have some serious questions and concerns with Islam as her family practiced it and the way she had been living her life.  After she reinforced her faith. Omayma went to University and found her ideas about religion challenged again. She opens up about how confusing and conflicted she was and how she shifted her focus toward rebuilding her life after leaving Islam. “I sort of had to start again” Omayma was discovering her identity and individuality. “Just as long as I’m free and I’m happy, and doing what I want to be doing, that’s what I really value at the moment."  

In S2 Ep2 of WJTA, we continue the conversation with ex-muslim, Omayma. In the first episode, Omayma shared stories of what it was like growing up in a strict, muslim home.  Omayma now talks about what it was like leaving Islam, the transformation and finding her identity. Three years after leaving the religion, she admits it's a journey she is still on. 

In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with ex-Muslim, Omayma. We begin by talking about the topic of the "guardianship program" in many Muslim cultures.  Omayma likens it to a parent-child relationship that remains throughout a woman's entire life. Omayma talks about how the program impacted her childhood and how she felt trapped by her own religion. We also talk about her grandparents late decision to begin strictly following the faith; and we wrap up by talking about what her hope is for her own future and other Muslims who choose to leave Islam behind. 

In this week's episode we interview an American Muslim soldier who grew up in Bradford, PA, the son of Muslim South Asian immigrant physicians. Unlike his other siblings, Junaid diverged from the stereotypically favored medical career path by joining the United States Army in 2001. He finished basic training a few weeks before 9/11. Since then, Junaid has made it his life's work to defend his faith and his country in the Department of Defense. 

In this episode, we continue out conversation with American-Muslim, former U.S. Army solider, Junaid.  We start with his life, after active-duty. Juanid talks about his responsibility as an American-Muslim to counter violent extremism and shares how he goes about his mission. We continue to learn and discuss how critical our words are in this conversation. For example, knowing the difference between Islamist and Islamic.  Junaid talks about Islam undergoing a reformation. He says it's not Islam vs. the West.  "It's a journey inside of Islam for all Muslims to go through which takes time and talking."_ Junaid. 

Welcome to s2e6 of WJTA. Today we are wrapping up our 3-part conversation with Junaid. We are asking the deeper, philosophical questions like: -Should you be able to question your own religion? -What would a Muslim-majority government look like? -Are religious texts open to interpretation.   Let us know what you think at wjtanc@gmail.com 

This is S2E7 of WJTA. This week we have a brand new guest on the show, Mina Sharif. Mina was born in Afghanistan but she and her family fled when she was just a year old. Decades later, Mina built a successful career in communications and filmmaking. She made the decision to return to Afghanistan as an adult and it was life-changing.  In this episode we discuss if it's possible for religion and culture to be separated not only for Muslims, but all religions and what happens when religion and cultures collide. 

Welcome to S2E8 of WJTA. We are back with Mina Sharif, a muslim woman who left Afghanistan with her family at the age of one. Decades later, an unexpected family tragedy brought her back to Kabul, the city she left behind. Mina discusses what it was like rediscovering Afghanistan and its culture, plus we discuss if religion and its text are open to interpretation.   We hope you enjoy this episode! Email us at wjtanc@gmail.com 

In S2E9 we wrap up our conversation with Mina Sharif. We touch on a variety of topics, from how younger generations view religions and why it's important to have faith, especially in war-torn countries. Plus stereotypes Mina deals with being a Muslim woman who returned to Afghanistan after living in the West. Finally, we discuss a TV show Mina is working on, called Roya, about a Muslim woman in the work place. The show addresses Muslim culture stereotypes through comedy and entertainment. 

This is S2E10 of WJTA.This week we have a brand new guest for you, his name is Khalil.  Khalil was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan. Khalil shares his remarkable stories of what it was like—the day the Taliban arrived in his city and how his walk to school would never be the same. Plus he shares the amazing work he did as a physician alongside other organizations to help rebuild his city's infrastructure after the Taliban destroyed everything. 

We are back with Khalil from Season 2 Episode 10. In Episode 11, we talk about his interactions with the Taliban and how he survived the violence and Taliban prisons.  TOPICS: Taliban takeover Khalil is put in prison How to escape the Taliban  Creating their own Enlightenment Movement on school campuses       

In S2 E12, we wrap up our conversation with Khalil. He talks about the night U.S. troops arrived in Afghanistan and what it meant to him and his fellow Afghans. We also talk about the current situation in Afghanistan and how the young Afghans are living. Finally, we discuss the transition from war to peace and what that looks like in Afghanistan.     

In s2E13 of WJTA we interview a brand new guest, Salma. Salma was in the 1st grade when the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. She and her family went to Pakistan so she could continue school. After the Taliban collapse in 2002, they came back to Afghanistan Against her parents wishes, Salma decided she wanted to study Sharia Law. "When you inherit a religion, if you were given the choice would you still be in this religion," Salma asked. It was that curiosity that led her to study Islamic law. When she graduated, Salma said she’s not Muslim because she was born muslim, she was now, a Muslim by choice.   We discuss the education system in Afghanistan and common misconceptions about Islam.  "You have to fight this mentality of black and white," said Salma.     

Welcome back to Were Just Talking About It. This is Season 2 Episode 14. This week pick up right where we left off with our guest Salma, talking about common misconceptions of Islam. We dive right into the conversation—asking Salma to explain the misconception that the entire religion of Islam is oppressive to women—plus we discuss several other topics.  

We dive right in to episode S2 E15 to discuss the Islamic misconception that, "All Jihad is terrorism."  Salma breaks down the difference between terrorists claiming to use Jihad and individuals who are "Jihadist."  "Jihad is a noble struggle for God. It is a struggle that is pleasing to Allah." Another misconception we touch on is that "Islam permits forced marriages." Salma says forced marriages are typically a cultural thing, not a religious thing.  Other misconceptions we talk about: "Islam forces people to become Muslim."  "Muslims do not share good and noble values with non-Muslims."      

Welcome to Season 3 of We're Just Talking About It! We kick off our 3rd season of the show with our first in-studio guest,  Angie Gad. Angie was born in the U.S. but moved to Egypt with her family when she was 16. She describes what it was like being a Muslim in Egypt verse the U.S. Plus she explains how her unique upbringing ultimately led her to a career in counter terrorism. She is a Muslim woman currently teaching counter terrorism at a Christian school in the South. Check out Angie's MyIslam Project to help answer your questions about Islam! 

Welcome to our 2nd episode with Angie Gad on We're Just Talking About It! We continue this week with our first in-studio guest. In this episode we learn about Angie's work in the Homeland Security field and discuss how she was received in the office. Find out who became her mentor and how they learned to combat stereotypes together. We also discuss how Angie heard about our podcast and how our religious tolerance projects intersect.   We hope you enjoy getting to know Angie as much as we did. Check out Angie's MyIslam Project to help answer your questions about Islam! 

Welcome to our 3rd and final episode with Angie Gad, our first in-studio guest, on We're Just Talking About It! In this episode we talk about how Angie confronts people who use ISIS-like propaganda to recruit terrorists. We also discuss what it is like when conservative Egyptian culture clashes with American ways of life. A six hour commute explains it well. We hope you enjoy getting to know Angie as much as we did. Check out Angie's MyIslam Project to help answer your questions about Islam! 

Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 3 of We're Just Talking About It #wjta Today we start a 3 part journey to get to know Sabir. He grew up in Kabul Afghanistan and Pakistan and eventually came to the United States. I hope you enjoy getting to know him and the role Islam plays in his life. Yet another perspective, you might not know about. Thanks for joining us. Jason and Hollie 

Welcome to Episode 5 of Season 3 of We're Just Talking About It #wjta Today we continue our 3-part journey to get to know Sabir. He grew up in Kabul Afghanistan and Pakistan and eventually came to the United States. Today we talk about the separation between religion and government and ask Sabir what one question he would ask the Taliban movement. Yet another perspective, you might not know about. Thanks for joining us. Jason and Hollie 

Welcome to Episode 6 of Season 3 of We're Just Talking About It #wjta Today we finish our 3-part journey to get to know Sabir. He grew up in Kabul Afghanistan and Pakistan and eventually came to the United States. Today we talk about how we conduct Interfaith communication and Why its so important. Thanks for joining us. Jason and Hollie 

Welcome to Episode 7 of Season 3 of We're Just Talking About It #wjta Today we start a 3 part journey to get to know Sabeeha. She arrived in America after an arranged marriage brought her from Pakistan. I hope you enjoy getting to know her and the role Islam plays in her life. You can tell we really had some laughs learning her story, an engaging speaker. Thanks for joining us. Jason and Hollie

Welcome to Episode 8 of Season 3 of We're Just Talking About It #wjta Today we continue our discussion with Sabeeha. This week we learn about how September 11th affected her family and how that changed her purpose in life. I hope you enjoy getting to know her and the role Islam plays in her life. Thanks for joining us. Jason and Hollie

Welcome to Episode 9 of Season 3 of We're Just Talking About It This is our last episode of 2019 Wishing you all a wonderful 2020 #wjta Today we finish our discussion with Sabeeha. We will explore many of the misconceptions that people have about Muslims and some creative solutions to religious tolerance. Thanks for joining us. Jason and Hollie