Sagirah Shahid is a writer, and poet. An African American Muslim Feminist, Sagirah has utilized her spoken word and literary works to build community and to advocate for positive social change. Her talented brother Hassan Shahid also joined us and shared a beautiful song dedicated to mothers.

Stories with my muslim mom

#21 Poet Sagirah Shahid and special performance by Hassan Sagirah

For our season two finale we are going out with a big bang with Fringe Executive Director Dawn Bentley. Dawn is also an award-winning body builder, marathon runner, biologist, and violin player. Dawn tells her incredible story of changing career paths at 40, her love for The Fringe Festival and the importance of paying attention to the now. Please enjoy share this meaningful and inspirational conversation.

#20 Fringe Festival Executive Director and Inspirational. Mother: Dawn Bentley

Mom talks about her long journey back to buying a home after losing her home to foreclosure and how she is honored to be selected as the voice for Mn Fringe Festival.

#19 Mom gets the honor to be the voice of MN Fringe Festival

This week we talked to Zinet Abdella and learned her incredible story of immigrating while pregnant to Minnesota when she won the DV lottery. She arrived with her husband with almost no network and managed to make it through and find success and happiness. Her persistent, work ethic, and positivity is something we all can learn from.

#18 Mother and Immigrant Zinet Abdella

This was one of two episodes recorded by Fox 9. Sally inspired the idea of having mothers on the show and it was a pleasure to have her share her perspective on motherhood and connect with my mom at a deep level. This episode was truly inspiring.

#17 Comedian and Mother Sally Johnson

This is one of our favorite episodes. We had a lot of laughs and meaningful conversations. We talk about how mom shows her concerns in terrifying ways, her favorite Ramadan food, her youngest going to college, and her inevitable plan to go back go Yemen.

#16 We argue about mom's plans to go back to Yemen

Mom and I learn what a Burkini is and talk first day of Ramadan, her newborn granddaughter and she tells me about hoe she hand delivered breech babies. We talk about bad doctors who don’t prepare women for proper birth and how scared she was about her daughter having a C section. Most importantly she tells about she never wants to be called “grandma.”

#15 First Day of Ramadan Is Hard

We talk to my friend Shawn Nafstad. Shawn talks about opening the only Filipino restaurant in Minnesota with his family recipes, seeing a dead body at an early age and thinking it was his fault, and how he missed on a cool last name. Shawn also shares some heartwarming words about his mother going through the process of moving to America, challenges she faced and how she is the reason they have a restaurant.

#14 ??Philippine with Comedian Shawn Nafstad

Andrea Lechuga shares the extraordinary journey of her parents escaping the a civil war in Guatemala and starting a new life in America. Andrea gives us a great insight into Guatemala and how oppression and outside influences caused many people to flee. She also made us smile with stories of her parents learning English by watching Sesame Street and relying on one other to make it in America. This is a must listen!

#13 ?? Guatemala with Educator Andrea Lechuga

Moe is a great friend and funny comedian who is up and coming in the Minneapolis scene. We had a great chat full of laughs. Moe remembers days of glorifying his first sight of snow before quickly getting over it. He talks about the advantages of living in America vs Pakistan and what he misses about Pakistan.

#12 ?? Pakistan with Comedian Moe Yaqub

Season Two starts with Mom and I interviewing our first guest comedian Ahmed Khalaf. Ahmed talks about his early memories of immigrating from Somalia as a child and how he was kidnapped and left there for two years at the age of 17.

#11 ?? Somalia with Comedian Ahmed Khalaf

Mona and Ali get jealous of Christmas and think about starting a Ramadan Tree. Mona talks about her first Halloween and Pinata experience. Ali talks about how white guilt made his friends eat dirt on Thanksgiving and shares his favorite holiday memories as a kid.

#10 Moms First Halloween

Ali finds out he has been doing Ramadan wrong. Mona opens up about her first 2 months in America and how she made it through when she was left without a home, job, and support.

#9 Mom's first few months in American and Ramadan

We talk about Ramadan and both Eids and the similarities with Christmas and Easter. We share warm memories of holidays of childhood and traditions.

#8 Mom talks warm memories of Eid and Ramadan in Yemen

Mom tells an amazing story of how she stood up for herself when she dealt with a racist immigration officer and had her way by standing strong. "If he saw weakness he would have not let me in the country. You have to be strong."

#7 Mom fights for her rights against authorities

Comedian Ali Sultan and his mother Mona explore their amazing journey as immigrants throughout the world and learn about one another.

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Stories with my muslim mom

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