What does it truly mean to heal as a community? In this powerful episode of The Healing Collective.Live, Toni C. Gayle sits down with Shahd Alasaly—a sociologist, professor, author, and social entrepreneur—for a profound conversation on identity, belonging, and weaving healing into the fabric of our lives.
Shahd shares her unique experience of growing up between the individualistic culture of Arizona and the collectivist traditions of Syria, and how this duality shaped her work in addressing cultural trauma. They dive deep into:
Bridging Two Worlds: The impact of navigating individualism and collectivism, and how this shapes identity and resilience.
From Trauma to Purpose: How post-9/11 Islamophobia and racism directed Shahd's academic research and her mission to foster belonging.
Fashion as a Vehicle for Healing: The story behind her ethical clothing line, Blue Meets Blue, which employs refugees and creates "holding spaces" for shared stories and dignified work.
Humanitarianism in Action: Why dignified employment is more sustainable than charity, and how to plant the seeds of empathy in the next generation through her children's book.
The Power of Collective Care: A refreshing perspective on why we were never meant to raise children or heal from trauma alone, challenging the Western notion of hyper-independence.
Join us for an inspiring discussion that will challenge your perspectives on community, self-care, and how each of us can be a force for healing in the world.
Listen now and imagine a world where healing is woven into every system.
