This week on the Sumud Podcast, we’re joined by poet, psychologist, professor, and author Hala Alyan. With roots in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, Hala shares her remarkable journey navigating displacement, identity, and creative expression—from surviving war and immigration to becoming a published author and clinical psychologist.
In this deep episode, Hala opens up about motherhood, addiction, vulnerability, and the messy beauty of transformation. From crafting stories as a child to integrating psychology and poetry in her adult life, her reflections offer powerful insight into what it means to survive and evolve.
In this conversation, we explore:
➡ The fluid meaning of “home” and identity
➡ How trauma, displacement, and storytelling intersect
➡ Her path through addiction, healing, and radical honesty
➡ What it means to parent, write, and love with accountability
This video is for educational purposes only. It provides psychological, cultural, and political reflections intended to inform and empower.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & Embracing Vulnerability
04:30 – Displacement, Identity & Early Storytelling
10:03- Writing, Psychology & Teaching
22:52 – Writing About Taboo Topics & Protecting Others
29:56 – Vulnerability, Motherhood & Speaking Honestly
44:33 – Takeaways, Lineage & Advice to the Next Generation
📚 Book by Hala Alyan:
➡️ I'll Tell You When I'm Home
Available at major bookstores and academic publishers.
You can also check them out here: https://bookshop.org/shop/sumudpod
Published by: @simonandschuster
🌐 Learn more at: https://sumudpod.com
🎙 Follow our host: @dredhasan
🌐Check out Hala's website: https://halaalyan.substack.com/
#Palestine #SumudPod #Healingthroughwords #PalestinianVoices #Vulnerability #Poetry #FreePalestine #MentalHealthMatters
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