Shows
Across Her Table PodcastEpisode Reshare - Stories Within Us Podcast with Lisa Bush (Season 5 Ep. 2)Episode Notes :Today I speak with an individual that I have been listening to and learning from for a while now, Mifrah Abid. Mifrah is an activist, advocate of racial equity, and the creator, producer and host of Across Her Table Podcast.In this episode, Mifrah challenges my beliefs on home and identity (and if there is one thing I love, it's a conversation that expands my thinking). We discuss our thoughts on nationalism and Mirfah explains the concept of jingoism and how it relates to us now. This is such an important conversation for...
2022-03-1438 min
Stories Within UsHome, Identity, and Nationalism with Mifrah AbidActivist and Advocate of Racial Equity, Mifrah Abid explains the meaning of home. Mifrah challenges my beliefs on home and identity—and if there is one thing I love, it's a conversation that expands my thinking! We discuss our thoughts on nationalism and Mirfah explains the concept of jingoism and how it relates to us now. This is such an important conversation for us to be having; I cannot wait for you to listen to and learn from the stories the Mifrah shares. About Mifrah Abid:Mifrah Abid is the creator, producer and host...
2022-03-0938 min
Across Her Table PodcastS3 Ep #07: EXCLUSIVE: Zarqa Nawaz on comedy, sitcoms and pop cultureZarqa Nawaz is a Canadian icon. When she produced the award-winning show ‘Little Mosque on the Prairie’ in 2007, the show became a household name. An avowed fan of Nora Efron, Zarqa created an all-Canadian sitcom that had funny and well-rounded Muslim characters. This was a far cry from the stereotypical cookie-cutter Muslim characters that the West had been churning out. And the timing was critical too. In 2007, post 9/11 Islamophobia was at its peak. A Muslim point of view in the arts was practically nonexistent and there was little portrayal of Muslims beyond the tired tropes of either ‘terrorist’ or ‘victim’.
2022-03-0842 min
Across Her Table PodcastOur Desi Ways - Ep 01: Across Her Table ProductionWhat happens when an Indian and a Pakistani meet in Canada? We discover our Desi ways! Join us as we rediscover our quintessential South Asian roots and explore the question: What does it mean to be a ‘Desi’? In this mini- series from Across Her Table, Mifrah Abid and Mehreen Shahid talk about our common connections, laugh (and really laugh) at our shared cultural tropes and dig deep into OUR DESI WAYS! Over the next few episodes, we will talk about Desi culture, the social norms we grew up with, Bollywood, pop culture, food, history and so much...
2022-02-2836 min
Across Her Table PodcastS3 Ep #05: Quebec City Mosque Attack Anniversary: Islamic Relief Canada’s Reyhana Patel talks about their latest report on Islamophobia in CanadaJanuary 29 marks a tragic day. It was on this day in 2017 that a shooter barged into a mosque in Quebec city and massacred 6 worshippers. The shooting left 17 children fatherless, 6 women widowed and one man paralyzed for life. We also lost a first responder to the trauma of this attack. The Govt of Canada declared Jan 29 as the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia. The shooter was fueled by Islamophobia and his deep seated hate of Muslims.To get a deeper look at the trauma and everyday aggressions faced by...
2022-01-2925 min
Across Her Table PodcastS3 Ep #04: Dr. Muna Saleh : Confronting the generational violence of PalestineDr. Muna Saleh is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the Concordia University of Edmonton. She is also the author of several academic papers and the book, ‘Stories We Live and Grow By: (Re)Telling Our Experiences as Muslim Mothers and Daughters’.Dr. Saleh has long been an advocate for social justice. She talks about ‘generational trauma’ - something her family faced when they were displaced by the ‘Nakba’* (or the ‘Catastrophe)’ in Palestine. Muna recalls how her family was forced to flee the ethnic cleansing and move countries as refugees. She reflects on the nature of op...
2022-01-2435 min
Across Her Table PodcastS3 Ep #03: Asmaa Hussein : Channeling words to process grief and kindle hopeAuthor Asmaa Hussein is a very popular writer. When a tragedy unceremoniously killed her husband, Asmaa took to writing to channel her grief. Her raw and candid essays were shared thousands of times the world over, turning her towards writing full time. She is now the owner of the indie publishing house ‘Ruqaya's Bookshelf’, advocating for authentic representation of story-telling around Muslim children.Asmaa talks about processing grief, about why people insist on her ‘getting over it’ and how mental health is so important in these conversations. Asmaa also speaks of how her faith kept her afloat, of being a single m...
2021-12-1944 min
Across Her Table PodcastS3 Ep #02: The Bonn Park Podcast Collab EpisodeWelcome to our cross over episode with Waterloo Region’s favorite podcasters Sarah Geidlinger and Marshall Ward. Keep listening to join the discussion, which was both, light hearted and deep.Do send in your comments or feedback about this episode by tweeting them to @acrosshertable or e-mailing them at feedback@acrosshertable.com. Don't forget to follow Across Her Table on Instagram @acrosshertable (https://www.instagram.com/acrosshertable)Music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios
2021-11-2542 min
Across Her Table PodcastS3 Ep #01: Iqra Khalid: Countering hate through political willIqra Khalid was a 20 something brown Muslim woman with immigrant parents when she decided to run for the House of Commons in 2015. Even with an exceptional record as a lawyer and a human rights advocate, she put her name on the ballot ‘not really expecting to win’. But she won, not once but twice- from the riding of Mississauga Erin Mills- and she has never looked back since.She introduced for the much debated Bill M- 103- which asked the government to condemn Islamophobia and all forms of religious and racial discrimination. Why did this motion receive so m...
2021-11-0134 min
Bonn Park PodcastMIFRAH ABIDThis is a special crossover podcast production between Bonn Park and the Across Her Table podcast, hosted by Mifrah Abid. Marshall and Sara of Bonn Park sit across the table from Mifrah for an engaging conversation about -- well, about conversation! How conversation and storytelling and narratives shape our world. Across Her Table is a podcast that showcases remarkable Canadian women with immigrant roots, and explores how they contribute to Canada's social fabric. It's a fascinating conversation that we hope will spark many more. ACROSS HER TABLE BONN PARK SU...
2021-09-2956 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#11: Uzma Jalaluddin: Retelling cult classics with Muslim charactersAcclaimed author Uzma Jalaludin is on a roll! Her first book, 'Ayesha at Last' was a runaway hit and has now been optioned for Hollywood. This 'Muslim edit' of Pride and Prejudice explores the love lives of second generation Toronto Muslims. Her new book 'Hana Khan Carries On' is a retelling of the cult romcom 'You've Got Mail'. Tune in to hear this fun author where she explains the 'Rishta' system of finding a spouse- "the most awkward blind date ever". You will also enjoy listening about her lovable characters and why she believes representation matters so much for her...
2021-04-0430 min
Across Her Table PodcastBrewing Ideas Pilot Episode: Libraries & The Multicultural NarrativeThe Across Her Table podcast has always been committed to telling authentic stories of women and their immigrant experiences. For two seasons we have talked to remarkable women and heard their inspiring stories. Now we would like to add MORE to the conversation.Brewing Ideas will explore ideas, trends, and topics that are relevant to people of color in Canada. YOU may be an immigrant, or not, but if you are a person of color, this series is for you.On our first episode, we talk about libraries and their role in disseminating multiculturalism. Can...
2021-03-2835 min
Across Her Table PodcastIntroducing Brewing Ideas (Trailer Episode)The scoop on Brewing Ideas - our upcoming podcast miniseries.
2021-03-1503 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#10: Women’s Day Special | Two women, two generations: how a mother and daughter became each other’s strongest allyWhen we talk about mothers and their teenage daughters, we think of typical tropes: the constant arguments, the difference in world views, and diametrically opposite opinions. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? What if mothers and daughters sat down to listen to what the other has to say? What if, they could become each other’s strongest allies?This Women’s Day join us as we talk to mother-daughter duo Abiha and Madiah Syed as they share how they made a conscious effort to overcome their differences, what Women’s Day means to each generation, what they...
2021-03-0830 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#09: Raufikat Oyawoye-Salami: A techie whips up a sugar storm at the Great Canadian Baking Show (2021)Raufikat Oyawoye-Salami arrived in Canada in November 2017 in the town of Milton, Ontario. In less than 3 years she had been selected to be on the Great Canadian Baking show- TWICE. With the fourth season now in full swing, Raufikat is all charged up, rediscovering her love for baking. Listen in as she talks about her experience as a newcomer to Canada, her Nigerian heritage, her baking journey, and of course, the defining moments in that iconic TENT! Tune in to hear her also talk about Nigerian cuisine and her very strong opinions on Jollof rice!To see...
2021-02-2826 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#08: EXCLUSIVE: Ginella Massa, Host, Canada Tonight on CBC News talks about her journey & Afro-Latina-Muslim rootsGinella Massa is an award-winning journalist, who is also the first hijab wearing one ever to host a prime-time TV show in North America. Her daily CBC show ‘Canada Tonight’ is changing how we consume news in the country today. But was it all easy? Ginella talks to Mifrah Abid about: Her Latino-Afro roots and journey to Canada, The scrutiny she faces for her clothing choices, The struggle of picking the right ‘Hijab’ friendly outfit, The seemingly ‘strange’ way of her arranged marriage, Her work ethics in the newsroom and The message of positivity she sends even to her haters! Tune...
2021-02-2033 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#07: Sheba Siddiqui - A radio journalist on diversity in newsrooms, pandemic parenting and restarting her careerSheba Siddiqui is a woman with many roles. A journalist, Global News Radio producer, columnist, host, and most importantly - a mom of four. She is also a great conversationalist. Being a second generation Canadian helps her look at the two cultures that define her - with some level of neutrality.Listen to our latest episode as we discuss:The culture of stigma in South Asian communities (i.e. “Log Kya Kahenge?”)The need for change in mental health conversations in immigrant families (“Stop being so ‘Bollywood!”)The emotional roller coaster mothers face when restarting their careersThe key to keeping sanity with...
2021-02-1326 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#06: Zena Chaudhry - “The more we talk about abuse, the more power we give to the victims”Zena Chaudhry likes breaking hijabi stereotypes. She loves the outdoors and is passionate about camping, kayaking, hunting, sailing, and fishing. She has won several fishing tournaments and proudly states that she has never been ‘skunked’- i.e., come back from a fishing trip without catching any. (She has been at it since she was 3!)But Zena is also the founder and CEO of Sakeenah Homes- a network of transitional homes and shelters for those who desperately need it. She recognized gaps in the system that leave out some of the most vulnerable members of society. The need...
2021-02-0629 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#05: Fauzia Mazhar - A pathfinder reflects on Islamophobia, Bill 21 and CancerThe federal government declared January 29 as the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec city Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia. That doesn't mean that Islamophobia is a thing of the past. Fauzia Mazhar ,the executive director of the Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener Waterloo, points out the different ways it still manifests itself and asks some tough questions:-Is Islamophobia only a "Muslim" problem?-What does Quebec's Bill 21 mean for the Muslim woman on the street?-Could we now potentially have refugees fleeing Quebec because of religious persecution?Fauzia tackles these...
2021-01-3026 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#04: Kanwal Ahmed - A talk show host challenges societal normsIn a world where everyone wants to be heard, Kanwal listens.Kanwal Ahmed was already a household name in Pakistan when she launched her web talk show ‘Conversations with Kanwal’. The show was a massive hit- not because of any celebrity presence, but because of the stories.Raw, unfiltered stories of everyday people and their struggles. Stories that need to be heard, stories that make you cry, stories that compel you to think.Kanwal probably knows that just telling these stories may be seen as an act of defiance. But that doesn’t stop h...
2021-01-1726 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#03: Uswah Ahsan - A 21-year-old seeks to create allyships through her nonprofitAs we talk more and more about race relations, there are some questions that often come up:What is an ally?Can anyone become an ally? Or do you have to be from a dominant group to do so?Do organizations need to have minority ‘quotas’ to be seen as inclusive? Or is that just token allyship?Can newcomers to Canada and Indigenous people have something in common?What does it mean when a person of color (POC) is asked: ‘Where are you *really* from’?And most importan...
2021-01-1027 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#02: Filiz Ozmisir - A woman on a mission to help refugee girlsFrom the land of Ertugrul - a 24-year-old Turkish woman came to Toronto to learn English. The rest, as they say, is history.Filiz Ozmisir is a registered nurse, who also happened to co-found Refugee Girls Worldwide.Why did she start this initiative?Filiz challenges us to rethink when we hear the word ‘refugee’. With over 30 million refugees on the planet today (and 17 million of them being only underage girls), she wants you to understand the lived experience of those on the receiving end of this term. The reality, she believes, will change your...
2021-01-0227 min
Across Her Table PodcastS2 Ep#01: Two besties look back at how this podcast beganSeason 2 begins with a VERY special guest- Anjum Mukadam from Across the Atlantic!What prompted the creation of this podcast? Which episodes really clicked with the audiences? And of course, listener feedback!Two close friends chat, laugh and look back at Season 1 and how it all began. Tune in to join the light hearted banter as we look ahead to more engaging episodes coming up.
2020-09-0927 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#12: Rabia Khedr - "Being blind, I see things differently"Raw, inspiring, and humbling- Rabia Khedr’s story is something we would like to make recommended listening for everyone. Rabia Khedr has been blind since birth but that has not stopped her from becoming a super-achiever. She has spent the better part of her life advocating for people with disabilities and for racial equity. She has founded Diversityworx and DEEN Support Services- both that help her serve the people she represents. She is also a founding member of CAM-D- the Canadian Association for Muslims of Disabilities. She has been the Commissioner of the Ontario Human Righ...
2020-06-2831 min
Across Her Table PodcastExpress Episode with Shanze Sial - NASA's newest internSchanze Sial has just turned 17 and has already earned a prestigious NASA internship. Tune in to listen how this high school student from Milton, Ontario bagged this opportunity, how other students can plan their careers and what Gen Z thinks about older generations! Do send in your comments or feedback about this episode by tweeting them to @acrosshertable or e-mailing them at feedback@acrosshertable.com or send us a voice message at http://www.anchor.fm/acrosshertable/message Don't forget to follow Across Her Table on Instagram @acrosshertable (https://www.instagram.com/acrosshertable)
2020-06-2415 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#11: Habon Ali - A youth icon talks about being on PM Justin Trudeau's advisory teamHabon Ali has accomplished much at her young age. This child of Somali refugees recently graduated from the University of Toronto and was the valedictorian for the class of 2020. But that’s not where her major breakthrough lies. She was selected to be on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s first-ever youth council to advise him and his government on issues that matter to the youth. She has for long been a very vocal advocate for racial and economic equity in society. She recently earned an internship at the prestigious MARS innovation hub. Her goal? To use her skills to reduce barri...
2020-06-2232 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#10: Amira Elghawaby - An award winning journalist deconstructs racism and IslamophobiaHow does one talk to children about racism?Is Canada free of systemic racism?Is there racism within the Muslim community?And was journalism always an obvious career choice for this award winning journalist? Amira Elghawaby has worked with major news networks like the CBC and the Globe and Mail. She is now a contributing columnist for the Toronto Star. Wait, there’s more! This daughter of Egyptian immigrants is also the founding board member of Anti hate Network Canada and the Silk Route Institute - two organizations working to com...
2020-06-1334 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#09: Reem Ahmed - A MasterChef Canada contestant talks about being on one of TV's favorite showsWhat does it take to beat THOUSANDS of contestants and get in the MasterChef Canada kitchen- one of the most beloved food show franchises on the planet?How do you compete on a cooking show when your faith mandates certain diet restrictions?Is Egyptian cuisine more than just Shawarma and Falafels?And why does no one ever talk about postpartum depression?!Reem Ahmed came to Canada as a high school student 11 years ago. She navigated her cultural identities to find who she was. After completing her engineering, getting married and having a baby, she realized she wanted to do something e...
2020-06-0728 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#08: Huda Idrees - A young tech CEO looks to transform Canada's health systems"What does your Ontario health card do for you? Does it REALLY have all your health data? Is Canada more ready for health data reform than its neighbor?Could Toronto become the next Silicon Valley?Will the pandemic change workspace culture forever? Are tech companies inclusive enough?"There are so many questions that we have and so we invited Huda Idrees, CEO, DotHealth, and she had some really interesting answers! Huda came to Toronto as a student from Saudi Arabia. She is now at the forefront of the...
2020-05-3037 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#07: Nada Khatib - A viral artist talks about her art, her success and her Syrian rootsNada Khatib did not always plan on becoming an artist, but once she did, there was no looking back. Within 2 years of starting she has amassed a fan following of 97000+ on social media. Her videos of her art process have been viewed several million times. Although born in Canada, she is deeply connected to her Syrian identity- her parents came as refugees in the late 80's. Listen to her talk about the impossible challenges faced by refugees and how she thinks the current crisis in Syria compares to the one three decades ago- the time when her family arrived i...
2020-05-2524 min
Across Her Table PodcastEid message for all our listeners!Wishing all our listeners Eid Mubarak!! A special short episode to convey greetings on a the occasion of Eid or Cov-eid.Credits: Storybook by Scott Holmes
2020-05-2501 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#06: Tabassum Wyne - An Instagram food blogger talks about her roots and social entrepreneurshipTabassum Wyne is an Instagram star with 14k followers under her Instagram handle @Kashmirifoodie. Her recipes and cookbooks have won her thousands of admirers. She has collaborated with big brands like KitchenAid USA, Nando's, Mellisa and Doug, Chapters Indigo, and Wilton (among others) as a content creator and recipe developer. But there's more to Tabassum. She is now the founder and executive director of the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada- a nonprofit organization that aims to build bridges between Muslim and non-Muslim people, businesses, and communities. Listen to her talk about her Kashmiri roots, her role as a social entrepreneur...
2020-05-1622 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#05: Tasmea Mahmud - A biochemistry major finds her true calling in designing children's booksTasmea Mahmud is a Bangladeshi-Canadian who majored in biochemistry from the University of Toronto. Listen to her talk about finding her passion for writing and illustrating children's books. She now owns her own company wishuponmystory.com- serving the niche market of personalized storybooks for Muslim kids. Hear her talk about how necessary representation in literature is for children of visible minorities. Do send in your comments or feedback about this episode by tweeting them to @acrosshertable or e-mailing them at feedback@acrosshertable.com or send us a voice message at http://www.anchor.fm/acrosshertable/messageDon't forget to follow Across Her...
2020-05-0924 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#04: Maliha Khan - A woman mobilizes her community towards greater goodThe story of how Maliha Khan transformed a Facebook group with nearly 8000 members into a registered non-profit. Listen in to know how she uses this platform to mobilize an entire community towards paying it forward.Do send in your comments or feedback about this episode by tweeting them to @acrosshertable or e-mailing them at feedback@acrosshertable.com or send us a voice message at http://www.anchor.fm/acrosshertable/messageDon't forget to follow Across Her Table on Instagram @acrosshertable (https://www.instagram.com/acrosshertable)Music credit: 'Storybook' by Scott Holmes & 'Once Upon a Time" by Audiobinger
2020-05-0221 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#03: Sameera Ali - The journey from being a new Canadian to Town CouncillorSameera Ali came to Canada with dreams of a future, very little money and a baby on the way. Tune in as we talk about her inspiring journey to the Town Council. Listen to her powerful message to young women of color as they chart their own success stories. Do send in your comments or feedback about this episode by tweeting them to @acrosshertable or e-mailing them at feedback@acrosshertable.com or send us a voice message at http://www.anchor.fm/acrosshertable/messageDon't forget to follow Across Her Table on Instagram @acrosshertable (https://www.instagram.com/acrosshertable)Music credit: 'Sto...
2020-04-2424 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#02: Laylo Atakhodjaeva - A woman's quest to solve hunger across Canada's communitiesLaylo Atakhodjaeva is a mom of 4 and the CEO of Road to Zero Waste- an organization she co-founded to tackle food waste and hunger. Tune in to listen about her journey from Uzbekistan to Canada and how she is helping feed one community at a time.If you want to know how you can help this cause check her company website : http://www.roadtozerowaste.org Do send in your comments or feedback about this episode by tweeting them to @acrosshertable or e-mailing them at feedback@acrosshertable.com or send us a voice message at http://www.anchor.fm/acrosshertable/messageDon't f...
2020-04-1922 min
Across Her Table PodcastEp#01: Rummana Abid - An author talks about her craftRummana Abid is a software programmer by day and published author by night. Tune in to listen to her talk about her craft, the process of getting published and what it means to be a writer with immigrant roots.You can check her author page here. https://www.amazon.ca/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ARummana+Abid&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1Do send in your comments or feedback about this episode by tweeting them to @acrosshertable or e-mailing them at feedback@acrosshertable.com or send us a voice message at http://www.anchor.fm/acrosshertable/messageDon't forget to follow...
2020-04-1221 min