Shows
Break the Silence, Build a FutureWhen the Dream Ends, the Real Work Begins.What do you do when the dream you built your life around disappears?
In this powerful episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host [Your Name] is joined by writer and advocate Shaimaa Kraba to explore what it means to face the end of a cherished dream—and begin again. Together, they talk about grief, identity, healing, and the courage it takes to reclaim your voice and reimagine your future.
✨ This conversation is for anyone who’s ever asked: Now what?
🔗 Read Shaimaa’s full article: I Had a Dream, I Have a Dream...2025-05-281h 02Break the Silence, Build a FutureThe Dream Dissolved—Now What? Part OneWhat do you do when the dream you held so tightly begins to fall apart?
In Part One of this powerful three-part series, host Fartumo sits down with Shaimaa Kraba to explore the unraveling of a dream once rooted in hope, identity, and purpose. Together, they reflect on the slow realization that what you imagined for your life is no longer possible—and the grief that comes with letting it go.
This episode holds space for the silence, the sadness, and the strength it takes to say: this isn’t the life I planned—but I’m st...2025-05-2127 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureBecoming Someone New Without Losing YourselfAfter grief or trauma, you’re not the same.
But how do you find yourself again when the person you were feels so far away?
In this episode, host [Your Name] explores the quiet, confusing process of identity transformation after loss. Through deeply personal reflections, she speaks to the feeling of being unrecognizable—to yourself and others—and how to gently reconnect with the person you’re becoming.
This isn’t about “getting back to normal.” It’s about honoring who you were and who you’re becoming—without shame, pressure, or apology.
🧩 Topics in this e...2025-05-1409 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureNow What? When the Dust SettlesWhat happens after the calls stop, the meals end, and the world moves on—but you can’t?
In this first episode of Season 3, host Fartumo Kusow reflects on the quiet after loss—the space where grief truly begins. Through personal storytelling and honest conversation, she explores what it feels like to survive a life-altering moment, only to be left asking: Now what?
If you're standing in that silence—confused, heartbroken, or unsure how to keep going—this episode is for you.
You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need a place...2025-05-1412 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureLetting Go of the Past: Why Moving Forward Is Not a Sign of FailureAfter everything changes, it’s natural to want your old life back. But what if healing isn’t about returning to who you were—but becoming someone new?
In this episode, host, Fartumo Kusow, explores the often overlooked grief of losing the life you thought you’d have—and why not being able to “go back” isn’t a sign of weakness or failure. Through personal storytelling and reflection, she speaks to the quiet, painful process of accepting irreversible change and finding strength in the unfamiliar.
This episode is an invitation to loosen your grip on the past—and...2025-05-1410 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureThe Weight of Unspoken GriefNot all grief is acknowledged, and not all losses are visible. Some grief is carried in silence—unspoken, unresolved, and often overlooked. In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, we explore the quiet pain of grief that isn't tied to death but to loss that goes unrecognized: lost relationships, dreams that never came true, and versions of ourselves that no longer exist.I share my personal experiences, including the grief of the future I imagined after my marriage ended, becoming a single mother in a new country, and the unspoken sorrow of watching my da...2025-03-1219 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureWe don’t grieve because they’re gone—we grieve because love still remainsGrief is not just about loss—it is love that still lingers, love that refuses to fade. In this episode, I explore how grief is a continuation of love, a connection that remains even when the person we love is gone. How do we carry grief as a reflection of love rather than as pain? How do we keep their presence alive in our lives? Join me as we explore grief as love remembered.💛 Listen now and honor the love that never leaves.#GriefIsLove #HealingThroughGrief #RememberingLovedOnes #LifeAfterLoss #Grief...2025-03-0510 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureHolding On Without Holding Back: The Fear of ForgettingHolding onto love, memories, and identity after loss—navigating the fear of forgetting while embracing healing. Grief isn’t just about loss—it’s about the fear of losing the memories, the voice, the presence of the person we love. In this deeply personal episode, I explore my struggle with the fear of forgetting my daughter and how trauma can overshadow the memories we desperately want to hold onto.How do we preserve the essence of a loved one beyond their tragic passing? Why do some of us struggle to visualize or dream about them? And how can we h...2025-02-2612 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureHealing Together: The Role of Community in GriefJoining Fartumo Kusow are Rabbi Adam Chalom and Rabbi Jodi Kornfeld, leading voices in Humanistic Judaism, who bring a unique perspective on grief, healing, and the power of collective action. They share insights from their book, Contemporary Humanistic Judaism: Beliefs, Values, Practices, offering practical ways communities can provide tangible support beyond thoughts and prayers.In this episode, we discuss:🔹 How grief can feel like an identity shift and why community matters.🔹 The humanist approach to grief—focusing on action, not just words.🔹 Practical ways individuals and communities can support tho...2025-02-1946 min
Break the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 13: Rebuilding After Loss: Who Am I Without This?Send us a textIn Episode 13, Rebuilding After Loss: Who Am I Without This?, we dive into the identity shifts that grief demands. Losing someone, a relationship, or a dream often leaves us questioning who we are and how to move forward. This episode explores how to navigate these changes, embrace life again, and find purpose after loss. Together, we’ll discuss the fears, challenges, and small steps that lead to rebuilding a meaningful life—one that honors both our past and our future.
#GriefJourney
#HealingAfterLoss
#RebuildingAfterLoss
#GriefSupport
#LifeAfterLoss
#MovingForward
#FindingYourself
#RediscoveringPurpose
#IdentityAfterLoss
#PersonalGrowth
#BreakTheSilencePodcast
#PodcastEpisodes
#List...2025-02-1217 min
The Shit Stick of LifeFartumo Kusow: A Mother's StrengthHost Kortney Wilson speaks with Fartumo Kusow, a mother who bravely shares her harrowing journey of fleeing war-torn Somalia, raising her children in Canada, and ultimately facing the tragic loss of her daughter to intimate partner violence. They discuss the signs of abuse, and the emotional turmoil of a mother trying to protect her child from a manipulative partner. Through her advocacy, Fartumo aims to raise awareness about intimate partner violence and the importance of support systems for those affected. She reflects on the unbreakable bond of motherhood, the challenges of navigating the police investigation, and the struggle to...2025-02-0644 min
Break the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 12: Finding Strength in the Mess with Molly BookerSend us a textIn this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, I sit down with Molly Booker, a passionate advocate for authenticity, mental well-being, and embracing life's imperfections. We dive into the raw realities of grief, resilience, and how to navigate the messy, unpredictable nature of healing. Molly shares her personal journey of loss, growth, and finding purpose through the chaos.If you've ever felt stuck in your pain or struggled to embrace your own story, this conversation will inspire you to find strength in the mess.To reach Molly Booker...2025-01-291h 12
Break the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 11: Healing in Community: The Power of Shared ExperiencesSend us a textHealing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in connection. In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host Fartumo Kusow explores the transformative power of healing in community. Discover why shared experiences foster resilience, how they help break down isolation, and the practical steps to create spaces of connection and support.Whether you’re navigating your own healing journey or supporting others, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement to build stronger, more connected futures.#HealingInCommunity#SharedExperiences#BreakTheSilencePodcast#EmotionalResilience#StrengthInConnection#CollectiveHealing#Suppor...2025-01-2218 min
Break the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 10: Resilience After Loss: Rebuilding and Finding StrengthSend us a textLoss reshapes our lives, challenging our sense of identity and purpose. In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host Fartumo Kusow explores the true meaning of resilience after loss—not as bouncing back, but as growing and rebuilding in the face of pain.Join Fartumo as she shares insights on embracing vulnerability, finding strength in adversity, and redefining purpose after grief. Whether you’re navigating your own loss or supporting someone on their journey, this episode offers hope, encouragement, and practical steps to move forward.Keywords:
R...2025-01-1524 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 9: The Ripple Effect: How Sharing Your Story Inspires ChangeSend us a textIn this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host Fartumo Kusow explores the transformative power of storytelling. Sharing your story not only helps you heal, but it also creates a ripple effect—connecting with others, inspiring courage, and fostering a movement for change.Fartumo reflects on the challenges and rewards of vulnerability, shares how her own story has impacted others, and offers tips on starting your own ripple effect. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the power of owning your story and creating meaningful connections through your vo...2025-01-0828 min
Break the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 6: Confronting Grief: A Journey of HealingSend us a textIn this episode of 'Break the Silence, Build the Future', Fartumo Kusow delves into the emotional and psychological costs of avoiding grief, sharing her personal journey following the tragic loss of her daughter. She emphasizes the importance of confronting grief rather than suppressing it, discussing the profound impacts of avoidance on mental health and relationships. The episode serves as a guide for listeners to navigate their own grief, encouraging them to embrace their emotions and honor their losses as part of their healing journey.Chapters00:00Introduction to Grief...2025-01-0117 min
Break the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 5: Living with Grief: Finding Strength in the New NormalSend us a textGrief doesn’t have an endpoint; it becomes a part of who we are, shaping how we see the world and live our lives. In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host Fartumo Kusow explores what it means to live with grief and make it a part of your story.Fartumo reflects on how grief becomes woven into our daily lives and shares personal insights on finding purpose and meaning in the midst of pain. She discusses how to embrace a "new normal" where grief coexists with hope, jo...2024-12-2521 min
Break the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 8: From Betrayal to Empowerment: Owning Your Story and Reclaiming Your LifeSend us a text In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host Fartumo Kusow sits down with Victoria Ellen, author of Painting in the Rain: A True Story of Trickery and Triumph. Victoria Ellen is a survivor, the mother of two adult children, a wife, and an executive in corporate America. In 2023, she published her first book titled “Painting in the Rain: A True Story of Trickery and Triumph. Victoria speaks at corporate events, is featured as a guest on podcasts, and does book signing events for local organizations in the C...2024-12-1851 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 7: Owning Your Story: Finding Strength in VulnerabilitySend us a textIn this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, host Fartumo Kusow delves into the transformative power of owning your story. Sharing deeply personal reflections, Fartumo discusses the courage it takes to confront grief and speak your truth, even when it challenges societal expectations. Whether shared publicly or privately, embracing your story is a vital step in the healing process. Join us as we explore the value of vulnerability, the strength in storytelling, and how reclaiming your narrative can lead to profound growth and resilience.#OwnYourStory #HealingJourney #GriefSupport #Vul...2024-12-1322 min
Women In MediaNovember 25th: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women*Episode disclaimer: today's episode contains discussions about violence against women, including sensitive topics which some listeners may find triggering. Listener discretion is advised.*According to the UN, Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed. Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.Annually, November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and this year, the date marks the launch of the global UNiTE campaign (Nov 25- Dec 10) — an initiative which kicks off th...2024-11-251h 25Break the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 4: Delayed GriefSend us a textIn this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, we explore the concept of delayed grief—the grief that we push aside when life’s demands leave us no room to process our loss. I’ll share my own experiences with delayed grief, from losing loved ones while adjusting to a new life in Canada to navigating the end of a long marriage while raising young children. Together, we’ll uncover the impact of unprocessed grief and discuss ways to finally make space for the healing we’ve been postponing.#DelayedGrief#Healin...2024-11-0233 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode Two: The Weight of Expectations: Grief Doesn’t Look the Way We ThoughtSend us a textIn this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, I explore the tension between what we expect grief to look like and the reality of how it actually shows up. After the loss of my daughter, I found myself struggling with the disconnect between society’s expectations of grief—especially for mothers—and my own experience of quiet numbness. I’ll share my personal story of feeling guilt and confusion for not grieving the “right way” and offer insight into how I came to accept that there is no perfect script for grief. Heali...2024-10-1712 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 3: Learning to Breathe Through the Weigh of GriefSend us a textIn this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, I reflect on the overwhelming nature of grief—how it doesn’t come in waves but floods every part of life, making even the simplest tasks feel impossible. After losing my daughter, grief became a constant presence, filling every moment and relationship, leaving little room for anything else. I’ll share how I managed to live through those moments, what it took to keep going, and how I’ve learned to carry grief without letting it consume me. If you’ve ever felt trapped un...2024-10-1713 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 1: Shades of GriefSend us a textAre you struggling with grief that doesn’t look the way others expect? In this episode of Break the Silence, Build a Future, we dive into the unspoken social pressures surrounding grief. Learn how societal expectations shape the way we mourn, the harmful impact of these expectations on healing, and why it’s important to embrace your unique journey. Host [Your Name] shares personal reflections on losing a loved one, the guilt of not grieving 'correctly,' and offers insights into grieving without judgment or comparison. Listen now to reclaim your right to grie...2024-10-1717 minBreak the Silence, Build a FutureEpisode 20: Expectations vs. Reality: A Mother's Journey in Grief UnfilteredSend us a textIn this poignant and deeply introspective season finale of Break the Silence, Build a Future, I delve into the contrast between societal expectations of how one should grieve and the reality of my own experience. When I first learned on June 5, 2023, that my daughter's husband had been arrested for her murder after she had been missing for twelve days, I felt an overwhelming coldness that drove me to wrap myself in heavy blankets, even in the heat of summer. Yet, I did not cry. It wasn't until the judge's decision at the preliminary...2024-08-1513 min