Walking Through the Dark Nights of the Soul with Grace: A Conversation with Dr. Rola Hallam
04/04/25 • 55 min
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rola Hallam, a doctor, activist, and humanitarian whose life was reshaped by the Syrian war. As a frontline doctor working on medical missions in Syria, Rola confronted unimaginable devastation, and her own experience of trauma eventually pushed her toward a profound spiritual awakening.
Rola opens up about finding peace through Buddhism, rediscovering Islam through Sufism, and how reciting the beautiful names of the Divine became her guide to healing. In this intimate conversation, Rola’s journey from burnout to renewal shows the power of facing our hardest moments—and how spirituality can anchor us through it all.
Dr. Rola Hallam is the first Syrian TED Fellow and a renowned humanitarian, social entrepreneur, and NGO leader. She has supported frontline health workers in war-torn communities, helping build seven hospitals in Syria and reaching over 4 million people. Rola speaks on transformative topics such as authentic communication, balancing impact with well-being, and trauma-informed leadership. She offers strategies for overcoming burnout through nervous system regulation and self-compassion, guiding leaders to build resilient, thriving organisations. Her talks have inspired over 12 million viewers across platforms like TED, Google, and Women in the World.
Connect with Rola at drrolahallam.com.
Find out more about Rose's work here: https://lnk.bio/dr.rose.aslan
Website: https://compassionflow.com
Support Rahma with Rose so I can keep producing more episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2197727/supporters/new
Music credits: Vocals: Zeynep Dilara Aslan; Ney/drum: Elif Önal; Tanbur: Katherine Hreib; Rebap: Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rola Hallam, a doctor, activist, and humanitarian whose life was reshaped by the Syrian war. As a frontline doctor working on medical missions in Syria, Rola confronted unimaginable devastation, and her own experience of trauma eventually pushed her toward a profound spiritual awakening.
Rola opens up about finding peace through Buddhism, rediscovering Islam through Sufism, and how reciting the beautiful names of the Divine became her guide to healing. In this intimate conversation, Rola’s journey from burnout to renewal shows the power of facing our hardest moments—and how spirituality can anchor us through it all.
Dr. Rola Hallam is the first Syrian TED Fellow and a renowned humanitarian, social entrepreneur, and NGO leader. She has supported frontline health workers in war-torn communities, helping build seven hospitals in Syria and reaching over 4 million people. Rola speaks on transformative topics such as authentic communication, balancing impact with well-being, and trauma-informed leadership. She offers strategies for overcoming burnout through nervous system regulation and self-compassion, guiding leaders to build resilient, thriving organisations. Her talks have inspired over 12 million viewers across platforms like TED, Google, and Women in the World.
Connect with Rola at drrolahallam.com.
Find out more about Rose's work here: https://lnk.bio/dr.rose.aslan
Website: https://compassionflow.com
Support Rahma with Rose so I can keep producing more episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2197727/supporters/new
Music credits: Vocals: Zeynep Dilara Aslan; Ney/drum: Elif Önal; Tanbur: Katherine Hreib; Rebap: Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev
Previous Episode
Building Resilience and Small Steps Back to Yourself: A Conversation with Henrietta Szovati
In this episode, I sit down with Henrietta Szovati to explore a journey shaped by profound moments and courageous leaps. Henrietta recalls how a near-death experience during a mountain hike opened up her path to spirituality, leaving her searching for life’s deeper meaning. Growing up in communist Hungary, she learned resilience in an environment that suppressed religion. She runs a vibrant writing club, empowering women to pursue their creative dreams and support one another along the way. Currently, she’s developing a leadership program specifically for Muslim women, while also nurturing her next big project, which is still under wraps.
Henrietta also shares her love affair with Andalusia's mountains and how nature now grounds her soul. She talks about her one-closet philosophy and how decluttering keeps her mind and life clear. And in one of her most powerful lessons, she describes how a silent six-month pause unexpectedly led her to her biggest dreams. For anyone seeking clarity, purpose, and resilience, this episode is full of insights that will leave you inspired to see the magic in stillness and creativity.
Find Henrietta at her website: www.henriettaszovati.com or on Facebook.
Find out more about Rose's work here: https://lnk.bio/dr.rose.aslan
Website: https://compassionflow.com
Support Rahma with Rose so I can keep producing more episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2197727/supporters/new
Music credits: Vocals: Zeynep Dilara Aslan; Ney/drum: Elif Önal; Tanbur: Katherine Hreib; Rebap: Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev
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