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Thoughts on Record: Podcast of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jesse Finkelstein to discuss Real Skills for Real Life, co-authored with Dr. Shireen Rizvi. The book offers a practical, accessible introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), translating a well-established clinical framework into skills that can be applied in everyday life.Rather than focusing on diagnoses, Real Skills for Real Life centers on universal human experiences—stress, emotional overwhelm, relationship challenges, and loss—and presents DBT as a compassionate, skills-based approach to navigating them. The conversation broadly explores how DBT balances acceptance and change, why a skills-focused lens can reduce shame, and how evidence-based psychological tools can be used outside the therapy room.This episode is relevant for clinicians, students, and general listeners interested in grounded, practical approaches to emotion regulation, relationships, and resilience in an increasingly complex world.Jesse Finkelstein, PsyDDr. Jesse Finkelstein is a licensed clinical psychologist and DBT trainer based in New York City. He earned his PsyD from Rutgers University, where he received extensive training in DBT under the mentorship of Dr. Rizvi. He has since built a clinical practice specializing in emotion regulation, anxiety, and interpersonal effectiveness.Dr. Finkelstein is known for his engaging teaching style and his ability to translate complex psychological concepts into clear, practical guidance for both clinicians and the general public. In addition to his clinical work, he provides DBT training and consultation and is committed to making evidence-based skills approachable, flexible, and relevant to everyday life.Shireen L. Rizvi, PhD, ABPPDr. Shireen Rizvi is a licensed clinical psychologist, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University, and an internationally recognized expert in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She trained under Dr. Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington and later founded the Rutgers DBT Clinic, where she has played a central role in training clinicians and advancing the dissemination of evidence-based care.Dr. Rizvi's research and clinical work focus on emotion regulation, trauma, and the application of DBT across diverse clinical and real-world contexts. She is board certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and books, including Chain Analysis in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is widely respected for bridging rigorous clinical science with compassionate, accessible teaching.Website: https://www.shireenrizvi.comRutgers University Profile / Rutgers DBT Clinic: https://psych.rutgers.edu/academics/clinical-psychology/clinical-faculty/shireen-l-rizviTwitter (X): https://twitter.com/ShireenRizviLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shireen-rizvi-phd/Jesse Finkelstein, PsyDWebsite: https://www.drfinkelstein.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjessefinkelstein/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessefinkelstein/
FreshEd is on holidays. We'll be back in February. -- Today Fazal Rizvi joins me to talk about his forthcoming book entitled Globalization and Educational Futures. Fazal revisits the rise of the popular discourses of globalization, examines many its discontents, and suggests nonetheless that it is too hasty to imagine its total demise. Fazal Rizvi is Emeritus Professor in Global Studies of Education at the University of Melbourne, and Emeritus Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Citation: Rizvi, Fazal with Will Brehm, FreshEd, 378, podcast audio, December 2, 2024. https://freshedpodcast.com/378-rizvi/ -- Get in touch! Twitter: @FreshEdpodcast Facebook: FreshEd Email: info@freshedpodcast.com
Read the full transcript here. How can we distinguish “real CBT” from supportive talk - does it include homework, clear goals, or a manualized plan? When therapy “doesn't work,” is it the modality, the match, or weak training? Are common factors enough once symptoms disrupt daily life? Why does fragmented care push patients to choose meds or therapy by luck of first contact? When are meds a useful boost versus a detour from solving life problems? What's distinct about DBT—skills, validation, and balancing change with acceptance? How does radical acceptance cut suffering without excusing harm? Which skills travel across diagnoses? How do we prevent therapist burnout and drift from the model? If we want durable gains, should we favor therapies that teach skills we keep after treatment ends? Shireen Rizvi is a licensed clinical psychologist, board certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She obtained her BA from Wesleyan University and her MS and PhD from the University of Washington. Links: Shireen's Videos Shireen's Books Staff Spencer Greenberg — Host + Director Ryan Kessler — Producer + Technical Lead WeAmplify — Transcriptionists Igor Scaldini — Marketing Consultant Music Broke for Free Josh Woodward Lee Rosevere Quiet Music for Tiny Robots wowamusic zapsplat.com Affiliates Clearer Thinking GuidedTrack Mind Ease Positly UpLift [Read more]
Shahadat of Imam Ali An-Naqi (AS)December 23rd, 2025• The Lecture Commemorates The Wafat Of The 10th Imam, ‘Ali An-Naqi Al-Hādi (A.S.), Highlighting His 41-Year Life Spent Between Medina And Samarra Under Abbasid Surveillance• Imam Al-Hādi (A.S.) Lived Through Intense Political Oppression, Teaching Openly In Medina And Later Guiding The Ummah Through A Network Of Wukala During House Arrest In Samarra• During The Khalq Al-Qur'an Controversy, The Imam Clearly Declared That Debating Whether The Qur'an Is Created Or Eternal Is A Bid‘ah• The Imam Emphasized That Allah Alone Is The Creator, While The Qur'an Is The Speech Of Allah Without Philosophical Labeling• The Qur'an Is Introduced As A Source Of Guidance (Hidayah) Described In Multiple Qur'anic Verses With Different Audiences And Depths• The Lowest Level Of Guidance Is For Open-Minded Humanity, While The Spiritually Dead Cannot Benefit From It• The Muslim Level Focuses On Recitation, Correct Pronunciation, Memorization, And External Ritual Practice• The Mu'min Level Involves Conviction, Commitment, And Acting Upon The Qur'an With Inner Belief• The Muttaqi Level Is Marked By Deep Internalization, Where Qur'anic Verses Are Lived And Felt Emotionally• The Muhsin Level Represents Complete Sincerity In Action, Free From Riya, Exemplified By Imam ‘Ali (A.S.)• Imam Al-Hādi (A.S.) Taught That Knowing And Teaching The Qur'an Is Good, But Acting Upon It Is Greater• Qur'an 5:93 Demonstrates A Repeated Cycle Of Iman, Taqwa, And Good Deeds, Showing Spiritual Growth In Stages• Allah Repeats Iman, Taqwa, And Ihsan To Show That Faith Has Levels And Requires Constant Struggle And Self-Improvement• Everyone Is Guided By The Qur'an, But Each Person Receives Guidance According To Their Spiritual Rank• The Ahlul Bayt Do Not Fit Within These Levels; They Are The Inseparable Twin Of The Qur'an, As Affirmed By Hadith Al-Thaqalayn And Verses Of PurificationDonate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Wiladat of Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (AS)December 21, 20251st Rajab 1447 AH• Social Media Has Revolutionized The Speed And Reach Of Information, Placing Influence Directly In People's Hands• The Same Platforms Can Become Tools Of Guidance Or Instruments Of Destruction Depending On Intention And Use• Extremist Movements Have Exploited Social Media By Mixing Truth With Falsehood To Mislead Youth Worldwide• Real-World Violence Can Be Traced Back To Digital Radicalization And Unchecked Propaganda• The Qur'anic Principle That Killing One Innocent Equals Killing All Humanity Remains A Moral Measure For All Times• Saving Even A Single Life Is Valued By Allah As Saving All Of Humanity• True Faith Can Manifest In Heroic Moral Action, As Seen In Those Who Stand Against Violence At Personal Cost• Spiritual Harm Often Begins When Partial Truths Are Presented Without Proper Knowledge And Context• Imam ‘Ali (a) Warned That Doubts Are Dangerous Precisely Because They Resemble Truth• Propaganda Is Not New; It Was Used Historically To Distort Responsibility And Manipulate Public Perception• Imam ‘Ali (a) Exposed False Logic By Demonstrating Its Absurd Consequences• The Qur'an Commands Believers To Seek Knowledge From Those Who Truly Know• The Ahlul Bayt Are The Gateways To Prophetic Knowledge And Correct Understanding• Imam Al-Baqir (a) Identified Three Signs Of A True Believer: Knowledge, Patience, And Balanced Living• A Person Who Fails To Manage Knowledge, Trials, Or Livelihood Wisely Risks Losing Both Worldly Stability And Spiritual SuccessDonate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
● Social media has transformed how quickly and widely information spreads, placing news directly in people's hands.● It can be a tool for either good or evil depending on how it's used.● Extremist groups like ISIS used social media to recruit youth globally, even from countries like the UK and Canada.● In Sydney, a father and son attacked the Jewish community during Hanukkah, killing 15 and injuring 40.● A Syrian Muslim man, Ahmed al-Ahmed, heroically stopped one of the attackers, saving lives despite being shot twice.● The Qur'an teaches that killing an innocent person is like killing all humanity, while saving one life is like saving all humanity—these verses apply respectively to the attackers and to Ahmed al-Ahmed.● Social media can negatively affect spiritual life, especially when young people are misled by half-truths.● Misguiders often mix truth with falsehood to make their propaganda more convincing.● Imam ‘Ali (a) said doubts resemble truth, which is why they are dangerous.● Historical example: Mu‘awiyah used propaganda to shift blame for the death of ‘Ammar away from himself, claiming ‘Ali was responsible.● Imam ‘Ali countered by pointing out the absurdity of the argument, saying that by the same logic, the Prophet would be to blame for Hamzah's death at Uhud.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Wiladat of Bibi Fatima (SA)December 11, 202520th Jamada Al Akhir 1447 AH• Fatima Al-Zahra Is Commonly Described Only Through Her Family Ties• Many Muslims, Including Shias, Limit Her Identity To Being Daughter, Wife, And Mother Of Holy Figures• Allamah Iqbal's Early Verses Also Focused On Her Relationships Before Realizing Her Independent Merit• Historical Claims That She Was Merely One Of Four Daughters Are Refuted By Strong Research• Scholars Have Established That Other So-Called Daughters Were Actually Khadija's Nieces• Fatima Possesses Wilayah And Spiritual Authority In Her Own Right• In The Verse Of Purification, Allah Introduces Others Through Fatima As The Central Figure• Authentic Hadith Show That Hurting Or Pleasing Fatima Directly Affects The Prophet And Therefore Allah• Such Narrations Indicate Her Infallibility• Fatima Embodies Worship, Knowledge, Modesty, And Social Engagement Simultaneously• Her Life Shows That Hijab And Public Service Are Fully Compatible• She Was The Strongest Supporter And First Martyr For Imam Ali's Wilayah• She, Along With Imam Ali, Represents The Ideal Of The Perfect Human Being• Prophetic Narrations List Fatima Among The Only Women Who Reached True Perfection• Iqbal Ultimately Concludes His Poem By Paying Bold Tribute To Fatima's Unique Spiritual RankDonate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration, Abul Rizvi, breaks down the Coalition's proposed deportation and migration policies. Listen to John Stanley live on air from 8pm Monday to Thursday and 7pm FridaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On episode 230 of World Awakenings: The Fast Track to Enlightenment welcomes Dr. Adam Rizvi, who is a critical care physician and neuro-intensivist. His frontline work in America's ICUs and decades of contemplative study converge in his new book “Love Does Not Know Death”, which is a luminous guide to meeting mortality without fear. Drawing on hundreds of bedside encounters and a clear, accessible integration of non‑dual principles from A Course in Miracles, he translates hard‑won insight into practical tools, especially the discipline of true forgiveness, that help patients, families, and clinicians face loss with courage, clarity, and compassion. Based in California, he leads hospital teams and teaches workshops on awakening and end‑of‑life care. In his book and his work, Adam invities in people devoted to transforming grief into peace and remembering love's enduring presence.Would you like to own your own Lovetuner? You can just by clicking this link! https://newrealitytv.com/world-awakenings-lovetunerIf you are interesting in all things spiritual, metaphysical & enlightening, then make sure to check out the brand-new TV network, New Reality TV!To find aout more about Dr. Adam Rizvi & his new book, just go to his website, https://lovedoesnotknowdeath.com/home#authorCheck out Dr. Adam Rizvi's podcast, https://letterstothesky.com/
Friday Juma KhutbaDecember 5th, 2025- Canada's Liberal government may remove the “religious exemption” from hate speech laws in Section 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code.- Bill C-9 aims to amend the Criminal Code regarding hate propaganda, hate crime, and access to religious/cultural places.- The current exemption protects good-faith expressions or arguments based on religious beliefs or texts from prosecution.- NCCM warns this change could criminalize sermons or discussions from the Qur'an, Bible, Torah, Bhagavad Gita, or Guru Granth Sahib.- Canada has historically protected good-faith theological discourse; removing this risks censorship of faith and scholarship.- Without the exemption, reciting religious texts, teaching, or quoting scriptures could lead to investigation or criminal charges.- Muslims support hate speech laws against incitement to violence but oppose removing the good-faith religious exemption.- Advocates are encouraged to join NCCM's letter-writing campaign to defend religious freedom and promote justice.- Religious freedom defenders are united: Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Canadian Bar Association, CMPAC, United Church of Canada, and ~50 other organizations.- United public opposition may prevent the removal of the exemption.- Example of interfaith unity: Pope Leo's trip to Turkey and Lebanon focused on peace and dialogue with Muslims and Christians.- Shi‘a representation in Lebanon: Shaykh ‘Ali al-Khaṭib welcomed the Pope on behalf of the Supreme Islamic Shi‘a Council.- Shaykh ‘Ali emphasized Islamic principles of human fraternity and equality from the Prophet Muḥammad and Imam ‘Ali.- He highlighted that true religion promotes peace, honour, and dignity, and conflicts in religion misrepresent faith.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, OR— BRAND NEW: we've included a fully edited transcript of our interview at the bottom of this post.In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I speak with Shireen Rizvi, PhD and Jesse Finkelstein, PsyD, about their book Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships. We discuss what Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is, how it can help both ourselves and our kids with big feelings, and get into some of the skills it teaches including distress tolerance, check the facts, and mindfulness.**If you'd like an ad-free version of the podcast, consider becoming a supporter on Substack! > > If you already ARE a supporter, the ad-free version is waiting for you in the Substack app or you can enter the private feed URL in the podcast player of your choice.Know someone who might appreciate this post? Share it with them!We talk about:* 6:00 What is DBT?* 11:00 The importance of validation* 13:00 How do parents manage their own big feelings?* 16:00 How do you support a kid with big feelings, and where is the place for problem solving?* 23:00 Managing the urge to fix things for our kids!* 26:00 What is distress tolerance?* 28:50 “Check the facts” is a foundational skill* 34:00 Mindfulness is a foundation of DBT* 36:45 How the skills taught through DBT are universalResources mentioned in this episode:* Yoto Player-Screen Free Audio Book Player* The Peaceful Parenting Membership* Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships by Shireen Rizvi and Jesse Finkelstein * Shireen Rizvi's website * Jesse Finkelstein's websites axiscbt and therahive Connect with Sarah Rosensweet:* Instagram* Facebook Group* YouTube* Website* Join us on Substack* Newsletter* Book a short consult or coaching session callxx Sarah and CoreyYour peaceful parenting team- click here for a free short consult or a coaching sessionVisit our website for free resources, podcast, coaching, membership and more!>> Please support us!!! Please consider becoming a supporter to help support our free content, including The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, our free parenting support Facebook group, and our weekly parenting emails, “Weekend Reflections” and “Weekend Support” - plus our Flourish With Your Complex Child Summit (coming back in the spring for the 3rd year!) All of this free support for you takes a lot of time and energy from me and my team. If it has been helpful or meaningful for you, your support would help us to continue to provide support for free, for you and for others.In addition to knowing you are supporting our mission to support parents and children, you get the podcast ad free and access to a monthly ‘ask me anything' session.Our sponsors:YOTO is a screen free audio book player that lets your kids listen to audiobooks, music, podcasts and more without screens, and without being connected to the internet. No one listening or watching and they can't go where you don't want them to go and they aren't watching screens. BUT they are being entertained or kept company with audio that you can buy from YOTO or create yourself on one of their blank cards. Check them out HEREPodcast transcript:Sarah: Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast. Today we have two guests who co-authored a book called Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships.And you may be wondering why we're talking about that on a parenting podcast. This was a really great conversation with Shireen Rizvi and Jesse Finkelstein, the co-authors of the book, about all of the skills of DBT, which is a modality of therapy. We talked about the skills they teach in DBT and how we can apply them to parenting.They talk about how emotional dysregulation is the cause of so much of the pain and suffering in our lives. And I think as a parent, you will recognize that either your own emotional dysregulation or your child's is often where a lot of issues and conflict come from.So what they've really provided in this book—and given us a window into in this conversation—is how we can apply some of those skills toward helping ourselves and helping our children with big feelings, a.k.a. emotional dysregulation. It was a really wonderful conversation, and their book is wonderful too. We'll put a link to it in the show notes and encourage you to check it out.There are things you can listen to in this podcast today and then walk away and use right away. One note: you'll notice that a lot of what they talk about really overlaps with the things we teach and practice inside of Peaceful Parenting.If this episode is helpful for you, please share it with a friend. Screenshot it and send it to someone who could use some more skill-building around big emotions—whether they're our own big emotions or our child's. Sharing with a friend or word of mouth is a wonderful way for us to reach more people and more families and help them learn about peaceful parenting.It is a slow process, but I really believe it is the way we change the world. Let's meet Shireen and Jesse.Hi, Jesse. Hi, Shireen. Welcome to the podcast.Jesse: Thank you so much for having us.Sarah: Yeah. I'm so excited about your book, which I understand is out now—Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships. First of all, I love the format of your book. It's super easy to read and easy to use. I already thought about tearing out the pages with the flow charts, which are such great references—really helpful for anyone who has emotions. Basically anyone who has feelings.Jesse: Oh, yes.Sarah: Yeah. I thought they were great, and I think this is going to be a helpful conversation for parents. You've written from a DBT framework. Can you explain what DBT is and maybe how it's different from CBT? A lot of people have heard more about cognitive behavior therapy than dialectical behavior therapy.Shireen: Sure. I would first say that DBT—Dialectical Behavior Therapy—is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. So they're in the same category. Sometimes we hear therapists say, “I do DBT, but I don't do CBT,” and from my perspective, that's not really possible, because the essence of dialectical behavior therapy is CBT. CBT focuses on how our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions all go together, and how changing any one of those affects the others.That's really the core of DBT—the foundation of CBT. But what happened was the person who developed DBT, Marsha Linehan—she was actually my grad school advisor at the University of Washington—developed this treatment because she was finding that standard CBT was not working as well as she wanted it to for a particular population. The group she was working with were women, primarily, who had significant problems with emotion regulation and were chronically suicidal or self-injuring.With that group, she found they needed a lot more validation—validation that things were really rough, that it was hard to change what was going on, that they needed support and comfort. But if she leaned too much on validation, patients got frustrated that there wasn't enough change happening.So what she added to standard CBT was first a focus on validation and acceptance, and then what she refers to as the dialectical piece: balancing between change and acceptance. The idea is: You're doing the best you can—and you need to do better.Jesse: Mm-hmm.Shireen: And even though DBT was developed for that very severe group that needed a lot of treatment, one of the aspects of DBT is skills training—teaching people skills to manage their emotions, regulate distress, engage interpersonally in a more effective way.Those skills became so popular that people started using them with everyone they were treating, not just people who engaged in chronic suicidal behavior.Sarah: Very cool. And I think the population you're referring to is people who might be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I bring that up only because I work with parents, not kids, and parents report to me what their children are like. I've had many parents worry, “Do you think my child has borderline personality disorder?” because they've heard of it and associate it with extreme sensitivity and big feelings.A lot of that is just typical of someone who's 13 or 14, right? Or of a sensitive child—not diagnosable or something you'd necessarily find in the DSM. I've heard it so many times. I say, “No, I don't think your child has borderline personality disorder. I think they're just really sensitive and haven't learned how to manage their big feelings yet. And that's something you can help them with.”With that similar level of emotional intensity—in a preteen or early teen who's still developing the brain structures that make self-regulation possible—how can we use DBT skills? What are a couple of ideas you might recommend when you have a 13-year-old who feels like life is ruined because the jeans they wanted to wear are soaking wet in the wash? And I'm not making fun—at 13, belonging is tied to how you look, what jeans you're wearing, how your hair is. It feels very real.So how might we use the skills you write about for that kind of situation?Jesse: Well, Sarah, I actually think you just practiced one of the skills: validation. When someone feels like their day is ruined because of their jeans, often a parent will say, “Get over it. It's not a big deal.” And now, in addition to fear or anxiety, there's a layer of shame or resentment. So the emotion amplifies and becomes even harder to get out of.Validation is a skill we talk about where you recognize the kernel of truth—how this experience makes sense. “The jeans you're wearing are clearly important to you. This is about connection. I understand why you feel this way.” That simple act of communicating that someone's thoughts and feelings make sense can be very powerful.Alongside that—back to what Shireen was saying—there are two tracks. One is the skills you help your teen practice. The other is the skills you practice yourself to be effective. In that moment, your teen might be dysregulated. What is the parent's emotion? Their urge? What skills can they practice to be effective?Sarah: I love that you already went to the next question I was going to ask, which is: when that kid is screaming, “You don't understand, I can't go to school because of the jeans,” what can parents do for themselves using the skills you describe?Shireen: I often think of the oxygen-mask analogy: put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. That was certainly true for me when I had fussy infants—how do you manage that stress when you are already heightened?What do you need to do to regulate yourself so you can be effective in the moment? Sometimes that's literally taking a time-out—leaving the room for a minute. The kid comes after you about the jeans, and you say, “Hold on, I need a minute.” You sequester yourself in the bathroom. You do paced breathing—a DBT skill that helps regulate your nervous system. You do that for a minute, get centered, and then return to the situation.If you're not regulated and your child is dysregulated, you'll ping-pong off each other and it becomes messier and messier. But if you can regulate yourself and approach calmly, the whole interaction changes.Sarah: It's so interesting because people who've been listening to my podcast or know my work will think, “Oh yeah, these are the things Sarah talks about all the time.” Our first principle of peaceful parenting is parental self-regulation. It doesn't mean you never get upset, but you recognize it and have strategies to get back to calm.And I always say, if you forget everything else I teach about dealing with upset kids, just remember empathy—which is another way of saying validation. I tell parents: you don't have to agree to empathize. Especially with situations like the jeans.I love the crossover between the skills parents are practicing in my community and what you've written about. And again: those flow charts! I'm going to mark up my book with Post-its for all the exercises.One of the things you talk about in the book is problem solving. As parents, we can find ourselves in these intense situations. I'll give an example: a client's daughter, at 11 p.m., was spiraling about needing a particular pair of boots for her Halloween costume, and they wouldn't arrive in time. No matter what the mom said, the daughter spiraled.This is a two-part question: If you've validated and they're still really upset, how do you support a kid who is deep in those intense feelings? And when is the place for teaching problem solving—especially when there is a real logistical problem to solve?Jesse: I'm going to say the annoying therapist thing: it depends. If we think about how emotions impact our thinking on a scale from 0 to 10, it's very hard to engage in wise-minded problem solving when someone is at an 8, 9, or 10. At that point, the urge is to act on crisis behaviors—yell, fight, ruminate.So engaging your child in problem solving when they're at a 9 isn't effective.Often, I suggest parents model and coach distress-tolerance skills. Shireen mentioned paced breathing. Maybe distraction. Anything to lower the emotional volume.Once we're in the six-ish range? Now we can problem solve. DBT has a very prescribed step-by-step process.But it's really hard if someone is so dysregulated. That's often where parents and kids end up in conflict: parent wants to solve; kid is at a 9 and can't even see straight.Sarah: Right. So walk us through what that might look like using the boots example. Play the parent for a moment.Jesse: Of course. I'd potentially do a couple of things. I might say, “Okay, let's do a little ‘tipping the temperature' together.” I'd bring out two bowls of ice and say, “We'll bend over, hold our breath for 30 seconds…”Shireen: And put your face in the bowl of ice water. You left out that part.Jesse: Crucial part of the step.Sarah: You just look at the ice water?Jesse: No, you submerge your face. And something happens—it's magical. There's actually a profound physiological effect: lowering blood pressure, calming the sympathetic nervous system.I highlight for parents: do this with your child, not didactically. Make it collaborative.And then: validate, validate, validate. Validation is not approval. It's not saying the reaction is right. It's simply communicating that their distress makes sense. Validation is incredibly regulating.Then you check in: “Do you feel like we can access Wise Mind?” If yes: “Great. Let's bring out a problem-solving worksheet—maybe from Real Skills for Real Life or the DBT manual. Let's walk through it step by step.”Sarah: And if you have a kid screaming, “Get that ice water away from me, that has nothing to do with the boots!”—is there anything to add beyond taking a break?Shireen: I'd say this probably comes up a lot for you, Sarah. As parents—especially high-functioning, maybe perfectionistic types (I put myself in that category)—if my kid is upset, I feel so many urges to fix it right away. Sometimes that's helpful, but often it's not. They either don't want to be fixed, or they're too dysregulated, or fixing isn't actually their goal—they just want to tell you how upset they are.I have to practice acceptance: “My kid is upset right now. That's it.” I remind myself: kids being upset is part of life. It's important for them to learn they can be upset and the world doesn't fall apart.If they're willing to do skills alongside you, great. But there will be times where you say, “I accept that you're upset. I'm sorry you feel this way. It sounds terrible. Let's reconnect in an hour.” And wait for the storm to pass.Sarah: Wait for the storm to pass.Jesse: I'll say—I haven't been a therapist that long, and I've been having this conversation with my own parents. Yesterday I called my mom about something stressful, and she said, “Jesse, do you want validation or problem solving right now?”Shireen: Love it.Jesse: I thought, “You taught her well.” I was like: okay, therapy works. And even having that prompt—“What would you like right now? Problem solving? Validation? Do you want me to just sit with you?”—that's so useful.Sarah: Yeah. I have to remind myself of that with my daughter, especially when the solution seems obvious to me but she's too upset to take it in. Just sitting there is the hardest thing in the world.And you've both anticipated my next question. A big part of your book is distress tolerance—one of the four areas. Can you talk about what distress tolerance is specifically? And as you mentioned, Shireen, it is excruciating when your kid is in pain or upset.I learned from my friend Ned Johnson—his wonderful book The Self-Driven Child—that there's something called the “righting instinct.” When your child falls over, you have the instinct to right them—pick them up, dust them off, stand them up. That instinct kicks in whenever they're distressed. And I think it's important for them to learn skills so we don't do that every time.Give us some thoughts about that.Shireen: Well, again, I think distress tolerance is so important for parents and for kids. The way we define it in DBT is: distress tolerance is learning how to tolerate stressful, difficult, complicated situations without doing anything to make it worse. That's the critical part, because distress tolerance is not about solving problems. It's about getting through without making things worse.So in the context of an interaction with your kid, “not making it worse” might mean biting your tongue and not lashing out, not arguing, not rolling your eyes, or whatever it is. And then tolerating the stress of the moment.As parents, we absolutely need this probably a thousand times a day. “How do I tolerate the distress of this moment with my kid?” And then kids, as humans, need to learn distress tolerance too—how to tolerate a difficult situation without doing anything to make it worse.If we swoop in too quickly to solve the problem for them—as you said, if we move in too quickly to right them—they don't learn that they can get through it themselves. They don't learn that they can right themselves.And I think there's been a lot written about generations and how parenting has affected different generations. We want our kids to learn how to problem solve, but also how to manage stress and difficulty in effective ways.Sarah: I think you're probably referring to the “helicopter parents,” how people are always talking about helicopter parents who are trying to remove any obstacles or remove the distress, basically.I think the answer isn't that we just say, “Okay, well, you're distressed, deal with it,” but that we're there with them emotionally while they're learning. We're next to them, right? With that co-regulation piece, while they're learning that they can handle those big feelings.Shireen: Yes. Yeah. Yeah.Sarah: I thought it might be fun, before we close out, to do a deep dive on maybe one or two of the skills you have in the book. I was thinking about maybe “Check the Facts.” It would be a cool one to do a deep dive on. You have so many awesome skills and I encourage anyone to pick up your book. “Check the Facts” is one of the emotion regulation skills.Do you mind going over when you would use Check the Facts, what it is, and how to use it?Jesse: Not at all. Check the Facts is, in many ways, a foundational skill, because it's so easy for us to get lost in our interpretation of a situation. So the classic example is: you're walking down the street and you wave to a friend, and they don't wave back. And I don't know about you, but it's easy for me to go to, “Oh, they must be mad at me.”Sarah: Right, yeah.Jesse: And all of a sudden, I'm spinning out, thinking about all the things I could have done to hurt their feelings, and yada yada yada. Then I'm feeling lots of upset, and I may have the urge to apologize, etc.What we're doing with Check the Facts is returning our attention back to the facts themselves—the things we can take in with our senses. We're observing and describing, which are two foundational mindfulness skills in DBT. And then from that, we ask ourselves: “Does the emotion I'm feeling—the intensity and duration of that emotion—fit the facts as I'm experiencing them?”So in many ways, this is one of those cognitive interventions. DBT rests on all these cognitive-behavioral principles; it's part of that broader umbrella. Here we're asking: “Do the facts as I see them align with my emotional experience?”From there, we ask: if yes, then there are certain options or skills we can practice—for instance, we can change the problem. If no, that begs the question: “Should I act opposite to this emotion urge that I have?”So it's a very grounding, centering type of skill. Shireen, is there anything I'm missing?Shireen: No. I would just give a parenting example that happens for me a lot. My kid has a test the next day. He says he knows everything. He doesn't open the book or want to review the study guide. And I start to think things like, “Oh my gosh, he has no grit. He's going to fail this test. He's not going to do well in high school. He's not going to get into a good college. But most importantly, he doesn't care. And what does that say about him? And what does it say about me as a parent?”I hope people listening can relate to these sorts of thoughts and I'm not alone.Sarah: A hundred percent. I've heard people say those exact things.Shireen: And even though I practice these skills all the time, I'm also human and a mother. So where Check the Facts can be useful there is first just recognizing: “Okay, what thoughts am I having in response to this behavior?” The facts of the situation are: my kid said he doesn't need to study anymore. And then look at all these thoughts that came into my mind.First, just recognizing: here was the event, and here's what my mind did. That, in and of itself, is a useful experience. You can say, “Wow, look at what I'm doing in my mind that's creating so much of a problem.”Then I can also think: “What does this make me feel when I have all these thoughts?” I feel fear. I feel sad. I feel shame about not being a good parent. And those all cause me to have more thoughts and urges to do things that aren't super effective—like trying to bully him into studying, all of these things.Then the skill can be: “Okay, are these thoughts exaggerated? Are they based in fact? Are they useful?” I can analyze each of these thoughts.I might think, “Well, he has a history of not studying and doing fine,” is one thing. Another thought: “Me trying to push him to study is not going to be effective or helpful.” Another: “There are natural consequences. If he doesn't do well because he didn't study, that's an important lesson for him to learn.”So I can start to change my interpretations based on the facts of the actual situation as opposed to my exaggerated interpretations. And then see: what does that do to my emotions? And when I have more realistic, fact-based thoughts, does that lead me to have a better response than I would if I followed through on all my exaggerated thinking?Does that make sense?Sarah: Yeah, totally makes sense. Are there any DBT skills that are helpful in helping you recognize when you need to use a skill—if that makes sense? Because sometimes I think parents might spiral, like in the example you're talking about, but they might not even realize they're spiraling. Sometimes parents will say, “I don't even know until it's too late that I've had this big moment of emotional dysregulation.”Jesse: I think there's a very strong reason why mindfulness is the foundation of DBT—for exactly the reason you've just described. For a lot of us, we end up engaging in behaviors that are ineffective, that are not in line with our values or goals, and it feels like it's just happening to us.So having a mindfulness practice—and I want to highlight that doesn't necessarily mean a formal meditation practice—but developing the skill of noticing, of being increasingly conscious of what you're feeling, your urges, your thoughts, your behaviors. So that when you notice that you are drifting, that you're engaging in an ineffective behavior, you can then apply a skill. We can't change what we're not aware of.Sarah: I love that. It's so hard with all the distractions we have and all of the things that are pulling us this way and that, and the busyness. So just slowing down and starting to notice more what we're feeling and thinking.Shireen: There's a skill that we teach that's in the category of mindfulness called Wise Mind. I don't have to get into all the particulars of that, but Wise Mind is when you're in a place where you feel wise and centered and perhaps a little bit calmer.So one question people can ask themselves is: “Am I in a place of Wise Mind right now?” And if not, that's the cue. Usually, when we answer that we're not, it's because we're in a state of Emotion Mind, where our emotions are in control of us.First, recognizing what state of mind you're in can be really helpful. You can use that as a cue: “I'm not in Wise Mind. I need to do something more skillful here to get there,” or, “I need to give myself some time before I act.”Sarah: I love that. So helpful. Before we wrap up, was there anything you wish I'd asked you that you think would be really helpful for parents and kids?Shireen: I just want to reiterate something you said earlier, which is: yes, this treatment was developed for folks with borderline personality disorder. That is often a diagnosis people run screaming from or are very nervous about. People might hesitate to think that these skills could be useful for them if they don't identify as having borderline personality disorder.But I think what you're highlighting, Sarah—and we so appreciate you having us on and talking about these skills—is that we consider these skills universal. Really anybody can benefit.I've done training and teaching in DBT for 25 years, and I teach clinicians in many different places how to do DBT treatment with patients. But inevitably, what happens is that the clinicians themselves say, “Oh, I really need these skills in my everyday life.”So that's what we want to highlight, and why we wrote this book: to take these skills from a treatment designed for a really severe population and break it down so anybody can see, “Oh, this would be useful for me in my everyday life, and I want to learn more.”Sarah: Totally. Yeah. I love it. And I think it's a continuum, right? From feeling like emotions are overwhelming and challenging, and being really emotionally sensitive. There are lots of people who are on that more emotionally sensitive side of things, and these are really helpful skills for them.Jesse: Yeah. And to add on that, I wouldn't want anyone—and I don't think any of us here are suggesting this—it's such a stigmatized diagnosis. I have yet to meet someone who's choosing suffering. Many of us are trying to find relief from a lot of pain, and we may do so through really ineffective means.So with BPD, in my mind, sometimes it's an unfortunate name for a diagnosis. Many folks may have the opinion that it means they're intrinsically broken, or there's something wrong with their personality. Really, it's a constellation of behaviors that there are treatments for.So I want anyone listening not to feel helpless or hopeless in having this diagnosis or experience.Shireen: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.Sarah: Thank you so much. The question I ask all my guests—I'll ask Shireen first and then Jesse—is: if you could go back in time, if you had a time machine, if you could go back to your younger parent self, what advice would you give yourself?Shireen: Oof. I think about this a lot, actually, because I feel like I did suffer a lot when my kids were babies. They were super colicky. I didn't sleep at all. I was also trying to work. I was very stressed. I wish that at that time I could have taken in what other people were telling me, which is: “This will pass.” Right? “This too shall pass,” which is something we say to ourselves as DBT therapists a lot. Time changes. Change is inevitable. Everything changes.In those dark parenting moments, you get stuck in thoughts of, “This is never going to change. It's always going to be this way. I can't tolerate this.” Instead, shifting to recognize: “Change is going to happen whether I like it or not. Just hang in there.”Sarah: I love that. My mother-in-law told me when I had my first child: “When things are bad, don't worry, they'll get better. And also, when things are good, don't worry, they'll get worse.”Shireen: Yes, it's true. And we need both the ups and the downs so we can actually understand, “Oh, this is why I like this, and this is why I don't like this.” It's part of life.Sarah: Yeah. Thank you. And Jesse, if you do ever have children, what would you want to remember to tell yourself?Jesse: I think I would want to remember to tell myself—and I don't think I'm going to say anything really new here—that perfection is a myth. I think parents often feel like they need to be some kind of superhuman. But we all feel. And when we do feel, and when we feel strongly, the goal isn't to shame ourselves for having that experience. It's to simply understand it.That's what I would want to communicate to myself, and what I hope to communicate to the parents I work with.Sarah: Love that. Best place to go to find out more about you all and what you do? We'll put a link to your book in the show notes, but any other socials or websites you want to point people to?Shireen: My website is shireenrizvi.com, where you can find a number of resources, including a link to the book and a link to our YouTube channel, which has skills videos—animated skills videos that teach some of these skills in five minutes or less. So that's another resource for people.Sarah: Great. What about you, Jesse?Jesse: I have a website called axiscbt.com. I'm also a co-founder of a psychoeducation skills course called Farrah Hive, and we actually have a parenting course based on DBT skills—that's thefarrahhive.com. And on Instagram, @talk_is_good.Sarah: Great. Thank you so much. Really appreciate your time today.Jesse: Thank you, Sarah.Sarah: Thank you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahrosensweet.substack.com/subscribe
Send us a textIn this special episode, Adam takes the spotlight as Stephan interviews him about his newly published book, 'Love Does Not Know Death.' The conversation delves deep into Adam's unique perspective as a neurocritical care doctor who has seen countless patients at the end of their lives. They discuss the inspiration behind the book, touching on themes of spiritual transformation, the physical and emotional aspects of dying, and the profound insights that have come not only to Adam in his practice, but to the patients themselves as they reach the end of their lives. Stephan and Adam also explore the challenging yet rewarding process of writing the book, offering a glimpse into Adam's own spiritual journey and how he uses storytelling to convey powerful truths. An enlightening discussion for anyone intrigued by the intersections of medicine, spirituality, and the human experience of death.Here's a link to purchase your own copy of Adam's book: https://a.co/d/5FZ6r7e00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:49 Adam's New Book: Love Does Not Know Death04:30 The Journey of Writing a Book05:24 A Memorable Patient Story09:44 Lessons from Death and Forgiveness14:02 Challenges in Healthcare and Healing19:10 The Deeper Meaning of Healing23:10 Facing Mortality and Embracing Life31:09 Embracing the Messiness of Terminal Diagnoses33:03 Healthy Responses to Death34:35 Guilt and Burden in Facing Death37:40 The Power of Self-Love in Facing Death38:45 The Transformative Process of Writing45:24 Insights on Writing and Creativity53:55 ConclusionSupport the showCopyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky
Friday Juma KhutbaNovember 21st, 2025The sermon opens by reminding believers to maintain God-consciousness and seek protection from spiritual pitfalls.The global Shia community is commemorating the martyrdom of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (a), whose short life left a profound and lasting impact on Islamic history.Many non-Muslims first drawn to the tragedy of Karbala end up discovering Fatima (a), which becomes a turning point in their spiritual journey.Christopher Clohessy, a Catholic priest, was led to Fatima (a) through his research on Imam Husayn, finding deep parallels between Fatima and Mary in Christianity.A Hindu convert to Islam also found his final spiritual pull through studying the life of Lady Fatima (a).Even within the Arab world, seekers have embraced Shi‘ism after being moved by the eloquence and conviction of Fatima's sermons, especially her arguments on inheritance rights.Fatima's powerful words in her khutbah—challenging injustice and affirming Qur'anic truth—have transformed hearts and guided many towards recognizing her spiritual authority.She is described as a “furqan,” a divine standard that separates truth from falsehood.The second sermon highlights a section of Fatima's speech explaining the spiritual and social wisdom behind various Islamic rituals.These include faith as purification, prayer as removal of arrogance, charity as growth, fasting as sincerity, justice as unity, obedience to the Ahlul Bayt as protection from division, and many other ethical foundations culminating in pure monotheism.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
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Can emotional regulation be taught like reading or math? What happens when technology starts offering comfort instead of therapy? How can modalities like DBT evolve without losing their integrity in […] The post Real Skills for Real Life: DBT, AI, and the Future of Emotional Support with Shireen L. Rizvi, PhD and Jesse Finkelstein, PsyD | POP 1297 appeared first on How to Start, Grow, and Scale a Private Practice | Practice of the Practice.
Friday Juma KhutbaNovember 14th, 2025- Emphasizes long-standing guidance to engage politically for community benefit, choosing the “lesser of two evils” since no party fully aligns with Islamic values.- The core standard is supporting candidates who uphold justice for all, especially minorities.- The first migration to Abyssinia illustrates prioritizing a just ruler, even if he is not Muslim.- As a minority, justice must remain the central value in socio-political involvement, regardless of a candidate's faith.- Ideally, Muslims hope for leaders who proudly maintain their Shi‘a identity- Discussing the recent victory of the New York City mayoral race, with Zohran Mamdani.- Mamdani faced opposition from MAGA supporters and anti-Palestinian groups but gained support from Democrats, left-leaning groups, and minorities for his stance on justice.- Support should go to anyone who stands for equality and justice for minorities, even if they are not Muslim.- Concerns about a candidate's personal lifestyle or family practices should be distinguished against the nature of the position being elected for.- Religious positions require imān and taqwa; secular political positions require fairness, justice, and administrative capability. These are two different roles, for different people, and should not be mixed together- In a liberal democracy, support must be selective and purpose-driven, focusing on a candidate's ability to deliver justice, not their lifestyle.- The Qur'anic message stresses that justice must be established and enforced for society to function.- A civil society depends on choosing leaders committed to upholding justice for all.- Engagement with broader society includes dialogue and participation in multicultural initiatives.- Local programs such as school visits, teacher training, police recruit orientations, homelessness initiatives, and food banks help educate the community about Islam.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
ACIM Quote:"Choose once again if you would take your place among the saviors of the world, or would remain in hell, and hold your brothers there." (ACIM, T-31.VIII.1:5)Today's Guest:Adam Rizvi joins Tam and Matt to discuss miraculous experiences as an ICU Doctor.Adam's New Book :"Love Does Not Know Death" can be found on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Does-Not-Know-Death/dp/B0FP47WL7X/Adam's Website: Lovedoesnotknowdeath.comAbout Today's Guest:Dr. Adam Rizvi is a critical care physician and neurologist whose work bridges medicine and non-dual wisdom. Author of Love Does Not Know Death, he draws from years in the ICU and decades of contemplative study to show how forgiveness transforms fear into peace. He lives in California, where he teaches, writes, and co-hosts the podcast Letters to the Sky.Think your Forgiveness Story May Inspire Others? Submit your forgiveness story to be considered as a guest on Miracle Voices. Simply fill out this form. https://www.miraclevoices.org/formWant To Support This Podcast?Consider making a donation at https://acim.org/donate-miracles-voices-podcast/Closing ACIM Quote: "When you want only love you will see nothing else." (ACIM, T-12.VII.8:1)
Friday Juma KhutbaNovember 7th, 2025- Focus on the oppression in Gaza but also highlight the intra-Muslim conflict in Sudan involving ethnic violence and atrocities. - Emphasize the political power struggle and racial elements in Sudan's conflict, especially violence by the Rapid Support Forces. - Reflect on the Prophet's sunnah condemning violence against non-combatants including women, children, and the elderly. - Cite the Quranic injunctions encouraging Muslims to assist the oppressed, regardless of their identity. - Stress Islam's prohibition of racial discrimination, exemplified by Bilal's story as the Prophet's muezzin despite being non-Arab. - Question why Muslims complain about lack of divine help when they fail to live by Quranic and prophetic teachings. - Highlight the importance of justice, mercy, and human dignity in Islam's response to conflict and oppression. - Acknowledge and commend Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow for publicly recognizing the genocide in Gaza. - Encourage gratitude toward leaders who stand courageously against injustice and encourage activism. - Conclude with prayers for guidance, the hastening of divine justice through the awaited Imam, and mercy for all oppressed people. Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
When emotions clash with reason, clarity feels impossible. In this episode, AJ and Johnny sit down with psychologists Dr. Shireen Rizvi and Dr. Jesse Finkelstein — coauthors of Real Skills for Real Life — to explore how Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) turns emotional chaos into calm, actionable wisdom. They break down DBT's balance of change and acceptance, show how to identify “skills deficits” behind recurring struggles, and reveal why mindfulness and emotional awareness are the foundation of resilience. You'll learn how to use DBT's practical frameworks — including the Wise Mind and DEAR MAN skills — to strengthen communication, build emotional regulation, and handle difficult conversations without losing self-respect. Whether you're negotiating at work, managing conflict, or simply trying to understand yourself better, this conversation gives you a playbook for thinking clearly and acting with intention — even under pressure. What to Listen For[00:01:00] What DBT adds to traditional CBT — and why it works[00:02:28] The balance between change and acceptance in personal growth[00:05:06] Reframing emotional struggles as “skills deficits”[00:07:02] Breaking emotional loops and rewriting your story[00:10:28] Understanding “Wise Mind” — integrating logic and emotion[00:16:33] How emotion is data — not distraction[00:20:12] Using mindfulness to expand your perspective and reduce suffering[00:26:42] Building confidence through mastery and self-compassion[00:31:28] DBT frameworks for clarity in high-stakes conversations[00:33:46] Using DEAR MAN, GIVE, and FAST to communicate effectively[00:49:22] How self-respect, values, and truth create lasting confidence A Word From Our Sponsors Stop being over looked and unlock your X-Factor today at unlockyourxfactor.com The very qualities that make you exceptional in your field are working against you socially. Visit the artofcharm.com/intel for a social intelligence assessment and discover exactly what's holding you back. If you've put off organizing your finances, Monarch is for you. Use code CHARM at monarch.com in your browser for half off your first year. Indulge in affordable luxury with Quince. Upgrade your wardrobe today at quince.com/charm for free shipping and hassle-free returns. Grow your way - with Headway! Get started at makeheadway.com/CHARM and use my code CHARM for 25% off. Ready to turn your business idea into reality? Sign up for your $1/month trial at shopify.com/charm. Need to hire top talent—fast? Claim your $75 Sponsored Job Credit now at Indeed.com/charm. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at SELECTQUOTE.COM/CHARM TODAY to get started Curious about your influence level? Get your Influence Index Score today! Take this 60-second quiz to find out how your influence stacks up against top performers at theartofcharm.com/influence. Episode resources: Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships Check in with AJ and Johnny! AJ on LinkedIn Johnny on LinkedIn AJ on Instagram Johnny on Instagram The Art of Charm on Instagram The Art of Charm on YouTube The Art of Charm on TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hasan Rizvi, EVP, Database Engineering, Oracle, talks to Bob Evans in this latest episode of Cloud Wars Live. They explore the launch of Oracle AI Database 26ai, the Autonomous AI Lakehouse, and breakthroughs in multi-cloud deployment. Rizvi also discusses vector search, agentic AI, and how Oracle is simplifying complex architectures for the AI era. It's a compelling look at how Oracle is reshaping enterprise data strategy for the age of AI.Oracle's Next-Gen Data StrategyThe Big Themes:AI Demands a Modern Data Foundation: As AI shifts operations from human scale to machine speed, enterprises must ask: “Is my data foundation ready?” Without intelligent data structures, comprehensive access, real‑time performance, and strong security, organizations will struggle to compete. The introduction of Oracle AI Database 26ai is positioned as that foundation. The urgency of this shift is clear: companies that delay risk being left behind.Agentic AI and Vectors Come to the Enterprise Database: Generative AI and autonomous agents require new data types and workflows. Oracle has built vector data types and vector indexes into the database so enterprises can perform similarity search, retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) and agent workflows directly on their private data. Further, Oracle is enabling annotations (metadata) so LLMs can understand enterprise data schemas, improving accuracy. Finally, agentic workflows (AI that takes action) are supported within the database, reducing data movement, improving performance and strengthening security.Start‑Ups and Established Enterprises Both Benefit: The case study of Retraced (a fashion supply‑chain company) underscores how smaller, agile firms are using Oracle's autonomous AI database to innovate quickly: multi‑datatype support, agentic AI, automatic scaling, and reduced operational overhead. At the same time, Oracle's heritage in mission‑critical enterprise systems means large companies with massive workloads benefit from the same platform. The point: whether you're a start‑up or a Fortune 500, the difference will be how fast you move.The Big Quote: “We really believe that in in the age of AI, where you have to move much faster, you really don't have a choice but to start simplifying your environment. Otherwise, you're going to get left behind."More from Hasan Rizvi and Oracle:Connect with Hasan on LinkedIn and learn more about Oracle AI Database 26ai. Visit Cloud Wars for more.
Gabe and a friend got lemon tattoos. A listener writes in asking about whether they are supposed to make up with their friend's partner who has become disrespectful to the friend. Then, Dr. Shireen Rizvi and Dr. Jesse Finkelstein join the show to talk about Dialectical Behavior Therapy, their book Real Skills For Real Life, and what tactics we can use to emotionally regulate and get out of painful patterns. In hypotheticals... geese! And finally, Allison has some thoughtful questions about Gabe's writing on bottom surgery for trans men.Check out all of our content on Patreon, Ad Free! Watch the full episodes of TLDRI, listen to the full episodes of The Variety Show, watch the International Question and Topix videos, join us for a monthly livestream, PLUS MORE:https://www.patreon.com/justbetweenusThis has been a Gallison ProductionProduced by Melisa D. Monts and Diamond MPrint ProductionsPost-Production by Coco LlorensProduction Assistance by Melanie D. WatsonOur Sponsors:* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/just-between-us/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
November 4th, 2025Jamaada Al Ula 13th, 1447Shahadat of Bibi Fatima (SA)* Bibi Fāṭimah is not only the daughter of the Prophet but an essential part of his mission, and Sunni narrations affirm her elevated status and closeness to the Prophet.* Multiple Sunni scholars confirm that Fāṭimah being “part of the Prophet” means that hurting or angering her is equivalent to hurting or angering the Prophet himself.* Hadith from Abu Lubābah's story highlights the Prophet saying, “Fāṭimah is my flesh,” showing her sacred status and the seriousness of offending her.* Sunni sources narrate that Fāṭimah is the Chief of the Women of Paradise, alongside Maryam, Khadījah, and Āsiyā, and that al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn are the leaders of the youth in Paradise.* ‘Ā'isha narrates that Fāṭimah is the most truthful person after the Prophet and that her speech was unmatched in sincerity and honesty.* The Prophet emphasized that Allah is pleased when Fāṭimah is pleased and angered when she is angered, indicating her spiritual purity and infallibility (ma‘ṣūmiyyah).* The Prophet showed immense respect to Fāṭimah—standing up for her, kissing her, seating her beside him, and making her the last person he met before traveling and the first upon returning.* Narrations describe Fāṭimah as a heavenly being, created from the fruit of Paradise, and a source of the Prophet's spiritual comfort and fragrance of Jannah.* Saḥīḥ Muslim records that Fāṭimah remained displeased with Abu Bakr for refusing her inheritance, and she did not speak to him until her death.* Her final days included suffering, martyrdom in grief, a secret burial at night, and a will excluding certain figures from attending her funeral, showing her ongoing pain and protest against injustice.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
This Truth Be Told episode is a powerful exploration of wrongful convictions, highlighting the harrowing journey of those who have been unjustly imprisoned. Through the lens of Jeff Deskovic's story, the conversation delves into the systemic failures of the justice system and the resilience required to overcome such profound adversity. Jeff shares his personal journey of falsely confessing, being wrongfully convicted and later exonerated. He then expands on his inspirational journey into criminal justice reform. Filmmaker Jia Rizvi captures the raw emotions and critical insights needed to spark meaningful change, making this a must-watch for anyone passionate about justice and reform. Jia shares the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating a documentary and artfully and empathetically amplifying Jeff's voice. Learn more about Jia's work and her films here! Support Jeff and his foundation here! Connect with our host, Dave Thompson, CFI! Don't forget to subscribe, rate and share! Truths: Wrongful Convictions: The project highlights the traumatic experience of being wrongfully convicted and the long-lasting impact it has on individuals, emphasizing the need for systemic change in the justice system. Role of Communication: Effective communication is crucial in preventing wrongful convictions, as demonstrated by the filmmakers' efforts to give a voice to those affected and educate the public. Importance of Advocacy: The project underscores the power of advocacy and storytelling in raising awareness and driving legislative changes to prevent future injustices. Challenges of Reentry: Exonerees face significant challenges when reentering society, including lack of support, employment difficulties, and mental health struggles, highlighting the need for comprehensive reentry programs. Impact of Media: Films and documentaries play a vital role in capturing public attention and fostering empathy, which can lead to increased support for reform efforts. Personal Resilience: The resilience and determination of individuals like Jeff, who continue to fight for justice and support others despite their own traumatic experiences, is a powerful testament to human strength. Community and Support: Building a supportive community around exonerees and those advocating for justice is essential for sustaining momentum and achieving meaningful change. Other resources: Home | National Registry of Exonerations Innocence Network Join us at next year's Elite Training Days conference!
October 27th, 2025Jamaada Al Ula 4th, 1447Wiladat of Bibi Zaynab (SA)• The occasion marks the birth anniversary of Lady Zaynab (s), granddaughter of the Prophet, daughter of ‘Ali and Fāṭimah, and sister of Ḥasan and Ḥusayn.• The Qur'an compares a good word to a good tree with firm roots and fruitful branches, symbolizing a pure and stable lineage—important in spouse selection and family background.• A good family background provides stability and virtue, while a corrupt background produces instability and moral decay.• Traditions identify the “good tree” as the Prophet's family and the “evil tree” as Banū Umayyah, highlighting how Yazīd's evil nature stemmed from his ancestry.• Zaynab's noble genetics combined the Prophet's spiritual essence and the virtues of ‘Ali and Fāṭimah, making her a “shajara ṭayyiba”—light upon light.• Her upbringing in the household of the Prophet and Imams shaped her exceptional character, reflecting the hadith that the best gift from a parent is good manners.• Zaynab's greatness lay in her ṣabr (patience) and steadfastness, qualities that reflect strength, self-control, and submission to Allah's will.• Her response to Ibn Ziyād—“I saw nothing but beauty”—exemplifies her faith and composure amidst unimaginable tragedy and suffering after Karbalā.• True patience brings divine reward; Islam rejects despair or assisted suicide, urging perseverance in trials as Zaynab demonstrated.• Zaynab's legacy outlived Yazīd's power—his grave forgotten, but her shrine honored for centuries—truly embodying her name “Zayn-ab,” the adornment of her father.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Friday Juma KhutbaOctober 24th, 2025- After discussing gratitude to Allah, the topic moves to repentance and seeking forgiveness.- The Qur'an mentions repentance about 80 times and forgiveness about 20 times.- Repentance and forgiveness are the first steps in spiritual cleansing, just as water cleanses the body.- Allah loves those who repent and those who purify themselves.- Without repentance, humans would be doomed; it is the door of hope that leads to forgiveness.- Allah told Adam that evil intentions are not recorded unless acted upon, while good intentions are rewarded even if not carried out.- A single good deed is multiplied tenfold, and sins are forgiven if followed by seeking forgiveness.- The door of repentance remains open until the final moments of life.- The Qur'an (39:53) reminds believers not to despair of Allah's mercy, as He forgives all sins.- The phrase “astaghfirullāh” is powerful and brings blessings.- Imam ‘Ali advised people to seek forgiveness for problems such as poverty, infertility, and lack of rain.- He recited verses from Prophet Nūḥ stating that seeking forgiveness brings rain, wealth, children, gardens, and rivers.- It is recommended to recite “astaghfirullāh” one hundred times daily.- The first act of repentance came from Adam and Ḥawwa after being deceived by Shayṭān, which was not a sin but leaving the better option.- Adam felt remorse and wanted forgiveness, and Allah taught him the words of repentance and forgave him.- According to narrations, Adam was taught to say, “By the right of Muhammad, Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn, forgive me,” and Allah accepted his repentance.- Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā'ī explains that these names represent divine lights and intermediaries through whom Allah's grace reaches creation.- Adam saw the lights of the Prophet and his Ahl al-Bayt when he was taught the names, and the angels recognized their greatness and submitted to Allah's wisdom.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
In this week's episode we discuss Sohail Afridi being elected, PTI removing Pakistan's flag, what really happened in Muridke, Saad Rizvi's assets and Ryan Grim's lies.Uzair Younus and Shehzad Ghias do the round up of this week's news in our new show 'This Week in Pakistan. Watch all episodes of This Week in Pakistan:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzTU8aQikWU&list=PLlQZ9NZnjq5rCn6IgBjTRXnRjsS03Ty8OThe Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/joinChapters:0:00 Introduction and Sohail Afridi elected 1:53 PTI replaces Pakistan's flag5:27 Imran Khan requests Parole7:59 Muridke, TLP and Saad Rizvi15:00 Banning TLP?20:00 Crackdown on TLP and Conspiracy Theories26:26 Ryan Grim's lies about Muridke41:23 Absurd India Media42:59 News Wrap Up
Friday Juma KhutbaOctober 17th, 2025- Last week's discussion focused on the essence and importance of *shukr* — gratitude to Allāh and to those who serve as means (*wasīlah*) of His blessings.- From Imām al-Ṣādiq (a): Allāh told Prophet Mūsā to thank Him as He deserves; Mūsā replied that even the act of thanking is a blessing from Allāh. Allāh said Mūsā had truly thanked Him once he realized that the ability to thank comes from Allāh.- Imām Ḥusayn (a) in Du‘ā ‘Arafah expresses that no matter how much one tries, it is impossible to fully count or repay even a single blessing of Allāh — gratitude itself is enabled by His grace.- The Qur'ānic verse (14:34) reinforces this truth: “If you try to count the blessings of Allāh, you will never be able to number them.”- Sūrah al-Kahf tells the story of two men: one was given two lush gardens and became arrogant, claiming superiority in wealth and status.- He denied the possibility of resurrection and assumed his prosperity would never perish.- His companion reminded him that Allāh created him from dust and a drop, and advised him to say, “As Allāh wills; there is no power except in Allāh,” showing gratitude instead of arrogance.- The arrogant man's gardens were destroyed, and he regretted his ingratitude, saying, “I wish I had not associated anyone with my Lord.”- The story concludes that all authority belongs to Allāh alone — He gives and takes as He wills, and His reward is the best.- Imām al-Ṣādiq (a) said: “It is written in the Torah — thank the one who blesses you and show kindness to the one who thanks you. Blessings never perish when gratitude is shown, but they vanish when denied; gratitude increases blessings and protects from change.”- CBC's *The Fifth Estate* exposed how some Canadian charities are allegedly funding illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.- The UN reports over 2,500 settler attacks on Palestinians since the Gaza war began.- Experts argue this funding violates Canadian public policy and makes charities complicit in Palestinian displacement.- About 3.3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank, where Israel controls about 60% of the land (Area C), with settlements housing roughly 500,000 settlers, all deemed illegal under international law.- Canada officially condemns settlement expansion but loopholes allow indirect financial support.- Toronto lawyer Shane Martinez and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians highlight that Canadian charities cannot legally support foreign armies.- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated that daily war crimes occur in the West Bank, admitting that Israel must withdraw and allow Palestinians their right to self-determination.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Critical Care Specialist, Dr Adam Rizvi discusses life's fragility with Theresa and how to find deep and lasting meaning in the presence of illness and death in this crucial episode of White Shores. To find out more about Adam, order Love Does Not Know Death, visit:https://lovedoesnotknowdeath.com/To find out more about Theresa's bestselling dream, intuition, afterlife, astrology and mystical titles and mission, visit:Www.theresacheung.comhttp://linktr.ee/theresacheungTune in every Wed from 3 to 4pm UK time for Theresa's FREE weekly live radio show The Healing Power of Your Dreams broadcast on UK HEALTH RADIO.You can contact Theresa via @thetheresacheung on Instagram and her author pages on Facebook and Twitter and you can email her directly at: angeltalk710@aol.comThank you to Cluain Ri for the blissful episode music.White Shores is produced by Matthew Cooper.
Friday Juma KhutbaOctober 10th, 2025- Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October.- Gratitude is part of human nature and is emphasized repeatedly in the Qur'an.- Allah commands humans to remember and thank Him for all blessings and sustenance.- Gratitude must be expressed for both material and spiritual blessings, as all provisions ultimately trace back to Allah.- Prophet Sulaymān's prayer shows the importance of asking Allah for the ability to be thankful.- We are commanded to thank not only Allah but also those who serve as means for His blessings, such as parents and others who help us.- The Imams teach that one who fails to thank people has not truly thanked Allah.- Every blessing involves a chain of contributors—from human labor to natural forces—ending with Allah as the true source.- Humanity benefits from Allah's subjugation of nature (taskhīr): water, wind, sun, technology, and space travel are signs for those who reflect and use reason.- Spiritual blessings, such as guidance through the wilāyah of Imam ‘Ali (a), are among the greatest favors to be thankful for.- Communal opportunities like Friday prayers also warrant gratitude—to builders, managers, and volunteers—rather than harshness when mistakes occur.- Thankfulness benefits the individual, not Allah, as gratitude brings personal growth and divine increase in blessings.- Allah promises: if you are thankful, He will increase His blessings; if you are ungrateful, punishment is severe.- Imam Ja‘far al-Ṣādiq (a) explains that one who is granted thankfulness is also granted increase, fulfilling Allah's promise.- Imam ‘Ali (a) teaches that Allah never opens the door of gratitude without also opening the door of increase, just as He never opens repentance without forgiveness or reliance without provision.- True shukr (gratitude) has three dimensions: (a) Tongue — saying “al-ḥamdulillāh.” (b) Heart — recognizing the blessing as from Allah. (c) Limbs — using the blessing in obedience to Allah.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Friday Juma KhutbaOctober 3rd, 2025- Today marks the birth anniversary of the 11th Imām, Ḥasan al-‘Askari (a).- Islam is a straight path, away from extremes.- Imām al-‘Askari (a) urged moderation and warned against extravagance.- One must live within one's means and avoid debt.- In modern North America, debt is normalized through student loans and credit systems.- Imām ‘Ali (a) warned that debt causes anxiety at night and humiliation during the day.- Credit cards tempt overspending; discipline is needed to use them only for convenience and pay on time.- Banks exploit customer greed and reward those who don't pay off on time.- Even charity must have moderation; beyond limits it becomes wasteful.- Qur'ān (17:26–30) emphasizes balance: give relatives, the needy, and travelers their due, but avoid wastefulness, which is linked to satanic behavior.- If unable to help financially, respond with gentle words.- Balance in charity means neither extreme miserliness nor extreme extravagance.- Allah controls provision, expanding or limiting it as He wills.- Studying history requires looking at all perspectives, not only the victors' version.- Indigenous peoples of Canada and Native Americans share experiences of displacement and oppression.- In 2007, Queen Elizabeth called the British landing in Virginia a celebration of three civilizations' meeting, but Native Americans saw it as the start of land loss and reservations.- The 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre killed 250–300 Native men, women, and children; soldiers received medals of honor.- Attempts were made to revoke those medals, but later administrations insisted on keeping them.- The Gaza “peace plan” reflects the same pattern: drawn up by oppressors and supporters without input from Palestinians.- The plan ignored disproportionate Palestinian casualties and destruction.- Trump stated Hamas should accept the plan after “20,000 killed” and leadership eliminated, implying the remaining 46,000 were innocent victims unacknowledged in the narrative.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Friday Juma KhutbaSeptember 26th, 2025- Next Tuesday is the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation, remembering the atrocities and generational impact of residential schools in Canada.- The government was slow to acknowledge the injustices: land theft, broken treaties, forced removal of children, suppression of Indigenous languages and culture, and church-run residential schools.- The government and Catholic Church later apologized, but many treaty obligations remain unfulfilled, such as the Ontario case where $4 per person was promised with annual increases but never implemented; the Supreme Court in July 2024 called it a mockery, and First Nations are demanding $160 billion.- Some Ontario cities, like Vaughan, have adopted Indigenous land acknowledgements, but symbolic gestures are not enough without honoring treaty commitments.- Indigenous peoples are not asking for their lands back but for fair value and payments according to signed treaties; the issue is justice, not ownership.- This means living on these lands is not impermissible for others, as the matter is between the government and Indigenous peoples regarding fair compensation.- Shifting to the Middle East: 156 countries have recognized Palestine, with strong applause at the UN when France announced recognition.- Despite global recognition, the US continues to delay action.- Recognition alone is symbolic and must be followed by meaningful steps.- Former Canadian foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy emphasized that statements and rhetoric must be backed by action.- Past injustices cannot be excused by new realities such as illegal West Bank settlements.- Imam ‘Ali (a) stated: “Verily the old right is not nullified by anything,” highlighting that longstanding rights and injustices must still be addressed, relevant to the Palestinian cause.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Thursday Night MajlisSeptember 18th, 2025https://www.al-m.ca/marriagePlaylist on Marriage:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiWrxSBgXI99MXOYSRsQxS5wTQAn_aw6w- Marriage ceremonies have resumed with the opening of the centre and summer season, prompting a reminder on the marriage contract.- Islamic marriage contract (‘aqd) requires three essentials: proposal from bride, acceptance from groom, and mahr.- Mahr is the bride's right, set by her or her guardian; groom may accept or negotiate.- Mahr is symbolic, not a purchase; can be monetary, material, or a service (e.g., Qur'an teaching, Hajj).- Mahr may be immediate, deferred, or partly both.- Mahr Fāṭima equaled 1.25 kilos of silver (about 500 dirhams).- Marriage contracts can include optional conditions, a practice rooted in sharī‘a and discussed by classical and modern scholars.- Indian/Pakistani contracts include “other conditions,” though often left blank.- Optional conditions prevent misuse of rights, protect women, and are allowed if not against sharī‘a.- Conditions often relate to divorce rights and division of property.- Divorce is allowed but as a last resort; Qur'an instructs fairness in either retaining or releasing wives.- Some men suspend wives without divorce; judicial divorce exists but is slow, hence optional conditions are advised.- Suggested conditions: if husband marries another without wife's consent, abuses wife, abandons her, refuses religious divorce after civil divorce, or resists wife's civil divorce.- These conditions don't prohibit second marriage but allow first wife the right to exit.- Prophetic and Imams' marriages are models: patience, devotion, and love in challenges.- Muhammad and Khadija exemplified unity in hardship.- Ali and Fāṭima exemplified mutual devotion and support.- Husayn and Rabāb exemplified deep love; Husayn's poetry reflects his affection for them.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Friday Juma KhutbaSeptember 19th, 2025https://www.al-m.ca/marriagePlaylist on Marriage:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiWrxSBgXI99MXOYSRsQxS5wTQAn_aw6w- Emphasized importance of the marriage contract, especially optional conditions where the wife can secure the right to divorce in cases like abuse.- One condition highlighted was physical abuse and violence.- Some misuse Qur'an 4:34 to justify abuse; but “disobedience” refers to a specific context which many misuse- Qur'an prescribes three steps of discipline- Verse is a restriction of pre-Islamic violence, not a license for abuse (as emphasized by Professor Amina Wudud).- The third option is not obligatory and can be skipped; divorce is the final solution.- If local law deems even symbolic discipline a crime, it must be avoided due to legal and family consequences.- Neither the Prophet nor the Imams ever used that option in practice.- Violence can occur from wives too, but in that case husbands already have options: patience or divorce.- Family peace comes from muwaddah (affection) and raḥmah (compassion), required from both spouses.- Those facing minor marital tensions should reflect on larger global struggles.- Natural disasters like Afghanistan's earthquake and Pakistan's floods differ from man-made crises.- Gaza crisis: over 64,000 killed (46% women and children), 160,000 injured, massive destruction of essential infrastructure.- UN Commission of Inquiry states Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, fulfilling four out of five acts defined in the 1948 convention.- Reflecting on global suffering may provide perspective for handling personal challenges.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Salmah Rizvi is Executive Director and CEO of the ACLU of Hawaii. She encourages folks to know about your rights as a citizen in Hawaii and the US. Learn about the ACLU does, its Foundation, their mission, and current works with its Hawaii chapter.ACLU of Hawaii is a non-political, non-partisan organization that strives to defend the constitutional rights and free speech of its community. Salmah Rizvi shares details about ACLU of Hawaii's 60th Annual People's Fair on Saturday, November 16, 2025 from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. at Capitol Modern in Honolulu. Kathy With a K is your Host.(original broadcast date: September 14, 2025)For Hawaii Matters inquiries, please email: kathywithak@1059thewavefm.com
Friday Juma KhutbaSeptember 12th, 2025- This week marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet of Islam and the Sixth Imam, both titled aṣ-Ṣādiq (the truthful one).- Qur'an 2:177 highlights trustworthiness, patience, and truthfulness as essential ethical values.- Believers must fulfill promises, remain patient in hardship, and guard against displeasing Allāh.- Islam emphasizes honoring agreements even with enemies; Sūrah at-Tawbah addresses treaty violations by the Meccans but commands Muslims to fulfill agreements with those who remained faithful.- The Prophet and Imam ‘Ali instructed their armies not to deceive or act unfaithfully.- Israel's attack on Doha exposed its disregard for international law, which requires respecting enemy representatives in negotiations.- Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the strike as intolerable, dangerous for peace, and a violation of Qatar's sovereignty.- Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Canada is evaluating its relationship with Israel.- Citizens are urged to pressure the government by contacting MPs through NCCM's resources.- The UN Security Council condemned Israel's strike on Doha, including the US, but avoided directly naming Israel.- Algeria's ambassador criticized the UNSC for being constrained and failing to name the aggressor.- Former EU envoy Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff urged nations to uphold humanity and postwar international values.- Double standards in global politics prevent peace in the world.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Wiladat of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) & Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (AS)September 9th 202516th Rabi Al-Awwal 1447 AH* The lecture begins with congratulations on the birth anniversaries of Prophet Muḥammad al-Muṣṭafā (s) and Imam Ja‘far al-Ṣādiq (a), the founder of the Ja‘fari madhhab.* The Prophet's name carries blessings; naming children “Muḥammad” is highly recommended in Islamic traditions, and homes with this name are sanctified daily.* Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) emphasized that neglecting to name a son Muḥammad (when having several sons) is considered disrespectful to the Prophet.* The Prophet was not a mere messenger like a courier, but an educator perfected by Allah, whose actions and rulings are fully aligned with Divine will.* His moral excellence was recognized even before Islam, as he was known as truthful and trustworthy (al-Amīn).* The Prophet was divinely guided in religious matters: he expanded the units of prayer, added recommended fasts, and clarified prohibitions (e.g., intoxicants) — all of which Allah confirmed.* Obedience to the Prophet is equivalent to obedience to Allah, as the Qur'an (4:80) declares: “Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.”* Traditions show that earlier prophets (Adam, Nūḥ, Ibrāhīm, Mūsā) sought Allah's help through the name of Muḥammad and his family, proving his superior rank.* Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) preserved and explained the Prophet's Sunnah, continuing the role of the Ahlul Bayt as the reliable guardians of Islam.* Following the Qur'an together with the Ahlul Bayt (per ḥadīth al-thaqalayn) is the straight path (ṣirāṭ mustaqīm), ensuring salvation through loyalty and obedience to the Prophet and his family.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
Friday Juma KhutbaSeptember 9th, 2025- Eid-e Zahra marks the symbolic closure of mourning for Karbala; soon will be the Prophet's birth anniversary.- Prophet said, “Ḥusayn is from me and I am from Ḥusayn”; Muslims must choose between Ḥusayn and Yazid.- Some Sunni scholars have defended or exonerated Yazid, Ibn Ziyād, and ‘Umar ibn Sa‘d.- The concept of “khaṭā ijtihādi” has been used to excuse Yazid's actions.- “Khaṭā ijtihādi” means a forgiven mistake after sincere effort in deriving a ruling, but only applies to unclear issues.- The status of Imām Ḥusayn (a) was clear in Qur'anic verses and Prophet's statements.- Yazid cannot be considered a mujtahid.- The concept has been selectively applied to excuse opponents of Imām ‘Ali (a) but not rebels against ‘Uthmān.- Example: Ibn Ḥazm claimed Ibn Muljim killed Imām ‘Ali (a) based on ijtihad, believing he was right.- Such arguments are rejected; oppressors must be called oppressors.- Parallel drawn with Palestine: Oct. 7, 2023, attack used as justification for Israel's assault on Gaza.- Israeli offensive devastated Gaza, destroying hospitals, schools, and displacing millions; over 63,000 killed, half women and children.- Israel weaponized food and water against civilians.- Debate continues whether Gaza situation qualifies as genocide.- Israel and Western supporters justify it as “right to defence,” similar to “khaṭā ijtihādi.”- South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel to the ICJ, and many world leaders have called it genocide.- The International Association of Genocide Scholars declared Israel's actions meet the UN legal definition of genocide.- Resolution passed with 86% support, accusing Israel of indiscriminate and deliberate attacks on civilians and infrastructure.- Irony noted that descendants of genocide victims now commit genocide under the label of self-defence.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)
A former deputy secretary of the immigration department under the Howard government says 'it's time politicians on both sides pulled up their socks'.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
Naqi Rizvi loves the “absolute freedom” he feels on the tennis court. The 34-year-old blind tennis champion is on a mission to not only raise awareness but also elevate the sport into the Paralympics. The London resident, fully blind from the age of 7 because of congenital glaucoma, only took up the sport a decade ago and is now the No. 1-ranked men's player in the world for his category. Also an avid runner, Rizvi has completed two marathons, and although jogging with a guide is great, tennis offers more. "On a tennis court, I have absolute freedom because I know where the boundaries are. No one needs to tell me which way to turn. I don't need to have a cane or anything of this sort," he told The Associated Press during a practice session at the National Tennis Center in southwest London. The rules are basically the same as mainstream tennis, just with smaller dimensions and a slightly lower net. Tactile lines are taped onto the court so players like Rizvi can feel the boundaries. Depending on the level of visual impairment, you are allowed up to three bounces of the ball. The foam ball contains a bell so players can audibly track it. Rizvi didn't even know that tennis was an option until he visited Metro Blind Sport in London a decade ago. He was hooked right away. "I can almost assure you that if you did a survey of blind and partially sighted people," he said, "the majority of them wouldn't have any idea because it's not televised, it's not in any other mainstream events, so how are people supposed to find out?" Rizvi noted that there's not much financial backing in the sport. There's no prize money at tournaments, and players often fund their own travel. "Unless you obviously have the visibility and the money behind it, it's really hard," he said. "Governing bodies need to take a more active role and try and give parity to all forms of disability tennis, not just the ones that have made it big, like wheelchair tennis, for example." This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Over an intimate two-course dinner at Montalto, broadcaster and social policy expert Jamila Rizvi and comedian and podcaster Rosie Waterland come together with host Tracee Hutchison for a candid discussion about their deeply personal new book, Broken Brains. Drawing from their own experiences, Rizvi and Waterland reflect on their journeys with illness – Rizvi's rare brain tumour diagnosis and Waterland’s ongoing mental trauma from childhood abuse – and explore the unexpected ways these struggles intersect. Through a rare blend of humour and honesty, they offer solidarity and invaluable insights for anyone who has faced illness or cared for someone who has. Hear from two women who have navigated their own battles and now wish to share the hope, healing and perspective they’ve gained along the way. This event was recorded on Friday 9 May 2025. It was presented in partnership with Montalto. The official bookseller was Farrells. Featured music is 'I See You Out There' by Tellsonic. Please note this recording includes references to suicide. For support in Australia contact: Lifeline: 13 11 14Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36Headspace: 1800 650 890 Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are companies pursuing frictionless experiences at the expense of truly understanding what problems they're solving?Join hosts Chuck Moxley and Nick Paladino as they talk with Mehdi Rizvi, a digital transformation expert who began his career in operations and supply chain before pivoting to customer experience. Mehdi reveals eye-opening insights about the disconnect between departments in large organizations, where siloed KPIs create fractured customer journeys—like a luxury retailer who successfully drives traffic to their website and store but fails to provide basic product specification sheets when customers are ready to buy a $30,000 item. He challenges the common approach to AI adoption, explaining that most companies haven't even mastered basic analytics or data warehousing but are blindly applying AI without clear use cases. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes that creating a truly frictionless experience requires meticulous attention to operational details and understanding the end-to-end customer journey.Main Takeaways from this episode:Start with foundations — Before implementing technology solutions, thoroughly map your current processes, understand customer journeys, and identify real problems rather than pursuing shiny objects.Connect the dots — Break down silos by ensuring people, processes, and technology work together across departments, as frictionless experiences cannot be created within isolated teams.Make simplicity intentional — Simple customer experiences like Amazon's two-click returns don't happen by accident; they result from intensive work to map and optimize every touchpoint, especially when things go wrong.Want more tips and strategies to create frictionless user experiences? Subscribe to our newsletter!https://www.thefrictionlessexperience.com/frictionless/Mehdi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdi-rizvi/Chuck's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckmoxley/ Nick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/npaladino/Chapters: (00:00) Introduction(03:00) From Operations to Customer Experience (06:00) When Frictionless Experiences Conflict with Business KPIs (08:00) Why Foundational Operations Matter More Than Technology (11:00) Why Companies Fail at Creating Frictionless Experiences(14:00) The Problem with Siloed Product Management Teams (17:00) When Customer Journeys Break(20:00) The Right Way to Approach AI Implementation(24:00) What Amazon Gets Right About Customer Experience (28:00) The Hidden Work Behind Simple Customer Experiences (31:00) The Three Keys to Successful Digital Transformation (33:00) Conclusion
Send us a textWhat if your first real estate deal—done with zero experience—could unlock a 7-figure business? That's exactly what happened to Buck Rizvi. In this episode, Buck reveals how he scaled a remote land investing empire with no inventory, no office, and no real estate background—just pure strategy and execution. From the airport conversation that changed everything to mastering phone calls, building trust with sellers, and raising private capital, Buck breaks it all down. This isn't theory—it's a blueprint. Ready to stop lurking and start scaling? Tune in now. Enjoy the show!Ready to start flipping land? Join 10,000+ LandFans in our free Facebook group at onlylandfansgroup.com for weekly tips and direct access to ask questions. ◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️⬇️LandFans Group⬇️https://www.onlylandfans.com/facebookgroup◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL:Website: https://www.Kendall-LeJeune.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendall_lejeuneTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kendall_lejeune
Patent expert John Rizvi joins Kruser to talk about a class-action lawsuit against Burger King over the look of their Whopper in an advertisement compared to real life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration, Abul Rizvi joined John Stanley to speak about the immense challenges the incoming immigration minister who's appointed for the second Albanese Government will face. Listen to Nights from 8pm Monday to Thursday on 2GB/4BC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, on Crime & Entertainment, we have Jia Rizvi. Jia is a documentary filmmaker who got her start on wrongful conviction cases by selling #FreeAdnan T-shirts. She was then introduced to a man named Jeffrey Deskovic. Jeffrey spent over 16 years in prison, wrongfully convicted, and thankfully he was eventually exonerated due to DNA evidence. Once Jia dug into this wrongful conviction case, she realized there was an important message the world needed to hear in regard to so many innocent people sitting in prisons. What started as a short film has now bloomed into a full-blown documentary, and she discusses this journey on the show today. Do not miss this heart wrenching episode on Crime & Entertainment.Follow Jia here:https://www.instagram.com/jiadocs?igsh=c2FibjB0bTM3YTM2Follow Jeffrey Deskovic here: https://www.instagram.com/deskovicfoundation?igsh=MWlyYzFkcWUzYjBhag==Links to Crime & Entertainment Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/crimeandentertainment/Follow us on IG - https://www.instagram.com/crimenentertainment/Listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4T67Bs5... Listen on Apple Music - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Listen on Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/show/crime-e... Listen on Google Podcast - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0... Listen on Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9cd...
Reaction to Waqf Bill Among Muslims | Action Plan in UP by Yogi | Sikander Rizvi, Dhirendra Pundir
Reaction to Waqf Bill Among Muslims | Action Plan in UP by Yogi | Sikander Rizvi, Dhirendra Pundir
Simon Conway's interview with John Rizvi during Thursday's third hour.
In this conversation, Dave Thompson and Jia Rizvi explore the intricacies of conversation, the impact of wrongful convictions, and the journey into filmmaking. They discuss the emotional toll of storytelling, the ethics involved in documentary filmmaking, and the importance of understanding the criminal justice system. Jia shares her personal experiences and insights gained from working with wrongfully convicted individuals, emphasizing the need for genuine representation and advocacy in storytelling. In this conversation, Jia and Dave explore the intricacies of interviewing in the true crime genre, emphasizing the importance of creating a comfortable environment for subjects to share their stories. They discuss the emotional weight of these narratives, the challenges of resistance from various parties, and the purpose behind documentary filmmaking, particularly in raising awareness about wrongful convictions. The conversation highlights the power of silence in interviews and the impact of media on public perception of justice. Learn more about Jia here: Documentary Filmmaker | Jia Rizvi Follow us on Instagram! Wrongful convictions have a profound impact on individuals and families. Filmmaking can be a powerful tool for advocacy and storytelling. Understanding the criminal justice system is crucial for effective storytelling. Ethics in storytelling must be prioritized to avoid re-traumatizing subjects. Real stories deserve genuine representation without sensationalism. The emotional toll of filmmaking can be significant for creators. Advocacy for wrongfully convicted individuals is a driving force for many filmmakers. Personal experiences shape the passion for storytelling and advocacy. Creating a comfortable environment is key for interviews. Silence can encourage subjects to share more. Authenticity in storytelling is crucial. Many people are unaware of the prevalence of wrongful convictions. Documentaries can significantly influence public perception. Interviewing requires a balance of structure and flow. Emotional narratives can be challenging to navigate. The impact of wrongful convictions extends beyond the individual.
FreshEd started a membership community and we want you to join for as little as $10/month. https://freshedpodcast.com/support/ -- Today Fazal Rizvi joins me to talk about his forthcoming book entitled Globalization and Educational Futures. Fazal revisits the rise of the popular discourses of globalization, examines many its discontents, and suggests nonetheless that it is too hasty to imagine its total demise. Fazal Rizvi is Emeritus Professor in Global Studies of Education at the University of Melbourne, and Emeritus Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. https://freshedpodcast.com/378-rizvi/ -- Get in touch! Twitter: @FreshEdpodcast Facebook: FreshEd Email: info@freshedpodcast.com