Shows
Sage Takes ThymeEp 15 | Learning Self Compassion Before You Reach Burnout is EssentialIn this episode, our hosts Elissa and Amira delve into how compassion shapes the way we live, love, and lead - especially as women. They speak about the wisdom that comes with age, sharing some of the lessons they’ve learned about self-love, relationships, and managing life's complexities. They also explore the concept of impact and how they aim to see positive effects in their lives and in the lives of others through the choices they make.For exclusive “Sage Takes Thyme” content and early release episodes subscribe to Womena on Apple Podcasts and support us for less t...2025-01-2040 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 14 | Arab/Other: How our perception of identity and privilege changes over timeIn this episode, we explore the topic of decolonizing our Arab identities and owning our narrative. We take a deeper look into identity, who we are to ourselves and others, but also how the identity of women in the region has been amplified and even weaponized and what we can do to help this.For exclusive “Sage Takes Thyme” content and early release episodes subscribe to Womena on Apple Podcasts.Hosts: Elissa Freiha (@freiha), Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx)Follow Womena everywhere: 🌐-Subscribe to YouTube-Facebook-Instagram-Twitter (X)2024-12-1641 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 13 | A Set Takes Thyme; behind the scenes with the Art DirectorIn this week’s episode, our hosts sit down with Monica Abadir, the creative producer and director that brought our podcast’s art direction and set design to life. Monica shares her journey of moving to Cairo after being born and raised in Canada and reflects on how this cultural shift has influenced her work. They delve into the inspiration behind the set design, spotlighting the incredible art pieces and talented artists from Egypt and across the region that shaped the podcast’s atmosphere, sharing the stories behind the art that shaped our set for every episode...2024-12-0917 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 12 | Finding Purpose Again: Lessons from Our Entrepreneurial JourneyIn this episode, we talk about entrepreneurship and what it entails to turn a vision into a thriving business. Our hosts reflect on their entrepreneurial journeys and share insightful stories on the challenges and triumphs that led to the reinvention of Womena into what it is today. For exclusive “Sage Takes Thyme” content and early release episodes subscribe to Womena on Apple Podcasts.Hosts: Elissa Freiha (@freiha), Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx)Follow Womena everywhere: 🌐-Subscribe to YouTube-Facebook-Instagram-Twitter (X)-Linked In-Womena...2024-12-021h 08
Sage Takes ThymeEp 11 | Story Thyme: Inspiring Book RecommendationsA previous version of this episode discussed the author Zadie Smith in more depth, but it has been re-edited after it was brought to our attention that the author's stance on PAL has been problematic and not aligned with our values. The episode, which was filmed months before Smith's recent views were made public, was re-edited to remove specific praise of the writer's values, style, and positions on other topics. Some of the discussion around the content of one of her novels is still included in the episode to stay true to the original idea of the e...2024-11-2011 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 11 | Story Thyme: Inspiring Book RecommendationsIn this episode, join Amira and Elissa as they share and discuss four books that have profoundly impacted their lives. Reflecting on their experiences as Arab women, they explore how these books resonate with their personal journeys and cultural identities.Featured books in the episode:"A Woman is No Man" by Etaf Rum (@etafrum)"White Teeth" by Zadie Smith (@zadie_smith)"The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig(@mattzhaig)"The Map of Love" by Ahdaf Soueif (@asoueif)🎙️ Hosts: Elissa Freiha (@freiha), Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx)Follow Womena everywhere:-Subscribe to Yo...2024-11-1912 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 10 | 10 years of Womena: What has changed for women in the Arab world?In this special episode of Womena celebrating its 10-year milestone, our hosts take a moment to reflect on the past decade in the region.They explore the question of whether representation alone can drive real change. The episode dives into the progress made, the ongoing challenges that women still face, and the continued fight for women’s rights in the Arab world, highlighting some of the initiatives that are changing the status quo for women in the region and address issues like harassment and rape, sexual and reproductive health, call-out and cancel culture, citizenship laws, and more. ...2024-11-1141 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 9 |Trad Wives & The Soft Life: America's Influence on Global TrendsThis week’s episode zooms in on the American influence on global realities, particularly in the MENA region. We explore the impact of US elections, political and social trends, and laws on the region. Our hosts also discuss related topics such as the enforcement of the patriarchal system by the US and the West, the misappropriation of feminism, and how the feminist conversation is evolving.Subscribe to Womena on Apple Podcasts for early release and exclusive episodes! We also want to hear your opinion on this episode! So drop us a DM on Instagram @womena 📩...2024-11-0444 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 8 | Purpose Over Profit: Navigating Impact Driven Media in the age of Viral ContentPurpose over profit, what does it mean and how is it impacting media today?In this episode, we explore the reality and challenges faced by independent media companies in creating media and generating revenue. Our hosts, and co-founders of Womena, share insights from their journey on what it takes to sustain a platform like ours, the guiding principles and morals we uphold as a company that help us navigate through these challenges and finding balance between purpose and profit. Send us a message on Instagram @womena and share your thoughts on this episode! Ca...2024-10-2842 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 7 | Raising Breast Cancer Awareness with Baheya featuring Dr. Jaylan Ahmed (In Arabic)In this episode of Sage Takes Thyme, host Amira sits down with Dr. Jaylan Ahmed, the managing director of the Baheya Foundation for Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer. They discuss the inspiring story behind the founding of Baheya Hospital and the journey of establishing the first charity organization of its kind in Egypt, which specializes in early detection and provides free treatment for breast cancer. The conversation emphasizes the crucial role of raising awareness about breast cancer, strategies for early detection, and the healing journeys of breast cancer fighters. They also highlight the importance of family and...2024-10-2119 min
Sage Takes ThymeEP 6 | Does the Remote Work model actually work?In this episode, our hosts Elissa and Amira discuss the remote work model, sharing the journey that led them to implement remote work model in Womena and reflect on their experience managing a full regional team remotely. They shed light on the pros and cons of this approach, and they also reveal some surprising stories on the truths behind remote work model and why they believe it works - especially for women. Catch exclusive content and early release episodes only on Apple Podcasts by subscribing!Watch along on our YouTube with English and Arabic subtitles.2024-10-1449 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 5 | A year from October 7, Israel uses similar tactics to wage war on LebanonIn this episode of Sage Takes Thyme, our hosts Elissa and Amira interview Chloe Kattar, a historian of modern Lebanon and researcher at the University of Oxford, to talk about the reality we are living almost a year after Oct 7 and the start of the genocide in G.aza. They discuss Israel's recent escalation of war and the deliberate attacks on civilians in Lebanon, delving into topics such as the political dynamics of Lebanon, the Lebanese resistance, and the role of mainstream media in creating false narratives and spreading propaganda that Israel exploits while it practices the s...2024-10-0736 min
Sage Takes ThymeBonus | How Israel “shrinks” the category of civilian to justify ethnic cleansingTo mark one full year of the ongoing gen.ocide, we are re-releasing a conversation we had last November with Noura Erakat, a Palestinian-American activist, legal scholar, human rights attorney and professor, where she explains how Isr/ael continuously violates international law by “shrinking” the category of civilians to justify the ethnic cleansing of Pale.stini@ns.Catch exclusive content and early release episodes only on Apple Podcasts by subscribing!Watch along on our YouTube with English and Arabic subtitles.Hosts: Elissa Freiha (@freiha), Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx)Guest: Nour...2024-10-0718 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 4 | What Does Pa.lest!ne Mean to You?In this episode, we talk about P.@lestine, the significance of bearing witness and engaging in conversations about the gen.ocide taking place in G.aza, and the importance of using precise language to accurately convey information in a nuanced way. Our hosts also share tips and insights on battling the algorithm and maintaining our mental well-being in challenging times. Catch exclusive content and early release episodes only on Apple Podcasts by subscribing!Watch along on our YouTube with English and Arabic subtitles.Hosts: Elissa Freiha (@freiha), Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx)2024-09-3038 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 3 | A Woman is a School with Celine SemaanIn this episode of “Sage Takes Thyme”, our hosts Elissa and Amira have an intimate conversation with Céline Semaan, co-founder of The Slow Factory, to discuss her latest book “A Woman is a School”, a memoir of discredited ancestral tales from the region, particularly from Lebanon.They also discuss the intersectionality between culture and politics, imposed Western beauty standards, immigration systems, the importance of independent media platforms, and the role of plurality in a world with a false sense of objectivity. Catch exclusive content and early release episodes only on Apple Podcasts by subscribing!Watch...2024-09-2343 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 2 | Is feminism a “dirty” word?Would you call yourself a “feminist”?In this episode, our hosts Elissa and Amira explore topics around "Feminism," what it means, how it's perceived by wider society, and the misconceptions that lead to detrimental labels being associated with the word itself. They dive into what feminism means to us in the region and its effects on women focused platforms - such as ours, as well as the battle of two feminisms – law and societally.Catch exclusive content and early release episodes only on Apple Podcasts by subscribing!Watch along on our YouTube with English and Ar...2024-09-1635 min
Sage Takes ThymeBonus | Womena’s reaction on US presidential debate: Was that even a debate? Kamala Harris vs Donald TrumpDid you catch the debate? In this bonus episode, our hosts delve into the Harris vs. Trump 2024 presidential debate, dissecting the key points and looking into how influential America is in the grand scheme of global policymaking. They share their opinions as Arab-Americans living in the Arab world and challenge the notion that leading as a “woman of color” is enough to bring about the change we want to see.Catch exclusive content and early release episodes only on Apple Podcasts by subscribing! Watch along on our YouTube with English and Arabic subtitles.Hosts: Elis...2024-09-1236 min
Sage Takes ThymeEp 1 | Why do we need feminist storytelling for Arab women?Womena’s brand new podcast “Sage Takes Thyme” dives into the journey and perspectives of the Womena co-founders Elissa Freiha and Amira Salah-Ahmed. As a media company, we always get asked “Why Womena?” and why we have chosen to tell the stories of women in the region. In this first episode they open up about how Womena got started, why we do what we do and how their friendship kept them sane through the hurdles of building this community. Catch exclusive content and early release episodes only on Apple Podcasts by subscribing! Watch along...2024-09-0935 min
Talk of ShameIntroducing Sage Takes Thyme by Womena… It’s not a cooking showWelcome to Sage Take Thyme by Womena founders Elissa Freiha and Amira Salah-Ahmed.This new podcast dives into our perspectives on relevant, topical issues that affect women in and from the Arab world. It will serve as a space for genuine exploration of the authentic experience of two women in search of belonging and balance, using storytelling to reclaim and redefine the distorted narratives that surround them. Find out who we are, why we do what we do, what it means to be a feminist media company battling the algorithm, our thoughts on the U.S. e...2024-09-0401 min
إيه العلاقةIntroducing Sage Takes Thyme by Womena… It’s not a cooking showWelcome to Sage Take Thyme by Womena founders Elissa Freiha and Amira Salah-Ahmed.This new podcast dives into our perspectives on relevant, topical issues that affect women in and from the Arab world. It will serve as a space for genuine exploration of the authentic experience of two women in search of belonging and balance, using storytelling to reclaim and redefine the distorted narratives that surround them. Find out who we are, why we do what we do, what it means to be a feminist media company battling the algorithm, our thoughts on the U.S. e...2024-09-0401 min
Boo 3al TabooIntroducing Sage Takes Thyme by Womena… It’s not a cooking showWelcome to Sage Take Thyme by Womena founders Elissa Freiha and Amira Salah-Ahmed.This new podcast dives into our perspectives on relevant, topical issues that affect women in and from the Arab world. It will serve as a space for genuine exploration of the authentic experience of two women in search of belonging and balance, using storytelling to reclaim and redefine the distorted narratives that surround them. Find out who we are, why we do what we do, what it means to be a feminist media company battling the algorithm, our thoughts on t...2024-09-0401 min
Sage Takes ThymeIntroducing Sage Takes Thyme by Womena… It’s not a cooking showWelcome to Sage Take Thyme by Womena founders Elissa Freiha and Amira Salah-Ahmed.This new podcast dives into our perspectives on relevant, topical issues that affect women in and from the Arab world. It will serve as a space for genuine exploration of the authentic experience of two women in search of belonging and balance, using storytelling to reclaim and redefine the distorted narratives that surround them. Find out who we are, why we do what we do, what it means to be a feminist media company battling the algorithm, our thoughts on the U.S. e...2024-09-0301 min
The Foreign LocalExperiencing Egypt Through the Eyes of the Media Industry with Amira Salah-Ahmed [BONUS]Working in media gives you access, perspective, and mild workaholism. Perhaps that’s because of the adrenaline that comes with the industry’s fast-paced nature. Or perhaps the fact that Egypt truly does not sleep and there’s always a place to be and a story to tell.
Or perhaps it’s because the media industry draws impassioned storytellers who pour of themselves into their stories, carrying the responsibility of telling every tale as though it were their own.
In this bonus segment, we talk about Amira's work as a journalist and how it allowed her acce...2023-06-2706 min
The Foreign LocalEp. 008: Amira Salah-AhmedAmira moved to New York as a child knowing that she'd eventually move back to Cairo. That was the family's plan all along. Yet when she moved back to study at the AUC, Amira struggled to get plugged in and to reconcile the Egypt she experienced during her summers in Alexandria with the Egypt she discovered when she moved back.
Then, diving into the world of journalism and later media, she discovered a whole other Egypt. Because journalism gives you access to a space in ways most people don't get to experience. It opens you up to...2023-04-0444 min