Ep. 53: Unconventional Decisions I Made as a Desi Muslim Bride

In the second part of our curly hair girl series, we read all of our listeners submitted stories!! From nicknames, to receding hairlines, to being told men wouldn’t like our hair type, it is truly an adventure. We also go through tips and tricks to take care of our hair and keep it healthy even in stressful times.

In the first part of this two-part episode, Sana and I take a deep dive through our childhood experiences of having curly, “nontraditional” hair in a south asian household. From being told to get keratin treatments, to having our hair constantly braided all the time so it wouldn’t look “messy”, and having our beauty constantly compared to our mothers and sisters, there is a lot to talk about! We also talk about keeping our hair healthy in times of stress, different types of brushing techniques for curly hair, hair oil being our friend, south asian beauty standards, and more! In the second part of this episode, which will be released next week, we will be reading audience entries! Many of you submitted curly girl hair stories, and we will be reading and reacting to them, as well as adding our own takes. Make sure to stay tuned!

Adulting is and can be boring sometimes, and making meaningful memories can feel so much harder to do than it was in college. However, it is still possible to maintain healthy friendships, have fun, and make memories while also working a 9-5! It may require some intentionality, but it is definitely possible. In this episode, I talk about 4 tips that will help you center happiness and create meaning in everyday life, even in post grad!

My sister Sara and I reflect on Muslim girl influencer culture, all the good and bad! Social media has expanded our ability to showcase who we are as Muslim women, but it has also caused a “brain rot”, causing us to lose parts of our individuality and uniqueness as Muslim women. We reflect on some personal examples of this “Muslim girl brain rot” and how we can actively try not to fall for the over-glamorization of clean girl vibes and the soft girl aesthetic, and embrace our own tastes and interests without feeling pressure to conform. In addition to social media, we should be enriching our lives and hearts with hobbies and in person sisterhood. Constantly scrolling on a perfect looking feed and comparing ourselves to others can be harmful for our mental health and our spirituality! Sara and I also chat about the recent TikTok ban, the romanticization of marriage on Muslim social media, preparing for Ramadan, and how to actively not compare ourselves to others while we are on social media.This is a very relevant chat, and Sara and I call ourselves out many times for being chronically online :)

Dr. Rahman and I talk about the importance of being proactive about our mental health as Muslim women and how to tackle all of the cultural hurdles and stigmas we face in our community. We also discuss family relationships between spouses, parents and children, and community relationships, and how these impact the way we view ourselves and our self esteem. Lastly, we talk about the anxiety and depression epidemic within the Muslim community and how we can prevent ourselves from being prone to anxious thoughts and depressive feelings.TW: Contains mention of mental health issues and suicide. Disclaimer: This episode is not medical advice. If you need help, please contact a crisis line or reach out to your therapist or psychiatrist.

The political scene in America has been disturbing, distressing, and disheartening, and a lot of us don’t even feel the energy to vote. Mehak Jamil, a local activist and attorney from my hometown, talks about how important it is to vote in the upcoming election despite how hopeless it feels. She also talks about her efforts to found a political organization to advocate for Muslims, and how vital it is for Muslim communities to mobilize politically in the next few years so that our voices are heard in future elections. Do you have a comment, question, or topic suggestion for the podcast? Fill out our inquiry form! https://linktr.ee/muslimah.podcastFollow Mehak’s local organization on Instagram! @albanymac

Being a desi bride is a full time job!! On this solo episode I reflect on decisions I had to make such as how to wear my hijab for my wedding day, social media presence, gender separation, cultural expectations, and more! I also offer some tips and tricks for navigating this crazy time. Whether you’re going to be a bride soon or just want the tea, this is a great episode to tune into! 🫶🏼

Being a single muslim woman looking for spouse is no easy task! Lama talks about navigating all the emotions of trying to find your other half, maintaining boundaries, trusting your gut, avoiding dangerous mental blocks, not letting past experiences get in the way, and changing your mindset to truly trust Allah (swt). Check out Lama’s content and coaching services on Instagram @lamaaboubakr !

I can’t believe I’m finishing up my second year of law school! I talk about the highs and lows of the year, bad and good habits, why I’m so glad I didn’t get into a top 30 law school, advice for incoming law students, and more!

In this episode, Mariam and I talk about our Costa Rica sisters trip we took this past month and reflect on the nature we saw, the adventures we had, and most of all, the beautiful friendships and sisterhood we created! We also talk about feminine energy and how hard it is to be feminine when working in a corporate, male-dominated environment. We discuss strategies on how to balance being feminine while also establishing financial stability and a career we are proud of. Make sure to follow Mariam’s podcast on Youtube & Instagram! Youtube: @ResilientMuslimah Instagram: @mariamaslamofficial