Unswtnd + Unfltrd

In Episode 25, we are joined by Khitam Masoud, a cancer survivor and nonprofit organization founder. In 1998, when she was just 16 yrs old, Khitam decided to take her parents to court and fight for her emancipation in order to avoid an arranged marriage. With no relationship with her family she has had to overcome obstacles on her own, which proved to be silver linings once the dust had settled.

Khitam walks us through the struggles she had faced as she learned to navigate life on her own at such a young age. She balanced multiple jobs as she tried to stay afloat, scrambled to find the time and funds to get an education, and dealt with a cancer diagnosis on her own. Khitam talks about her hardships and how she has found the motivation to get up everyday and work on bettering herself.

But it was through her struggles that "Blessons for Women" was born. Khitam's non-profit organization provides free mentorship, educational workshops and wellness clinics for all women, in addition to scholarships to disadvantaged, low-income women who are 25 years or older and who have had their higher education interrupted due to challenging life lessons such as: mental health conditions, physical or emotional abuse, sex trafficking or who are first generation female immigrants.

Her life goal is turning wounds into wisdom and lessons into blessings.
Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Blessons on Instagram: @herblessons
Check out Blessons for Women

Shop FabFitFun: Use coupon code UNSWEETENED for $10 off your first box at www.fabfitfun.com

Have you ever played a game of tug of war, but with your parents, and it wasn't a game, but actually with your life?
The tug of war I'm talking about is the one where what your parents want for you doesn't necessarily align with what you want for yourself. We've all been there, the shouting matches that end up with you and your parents not agreeing on certain life choices of yours.
In today's episode I had the pleasure and honor of sitting down with Dr. Rania Awaad, someone who is truly a pinnacle in our community, to discuss our relationships and boundaries, or lack thereof with our parents and how we can find compassion and empathy in the midst of our disagreements.
The love language of immigrant parents is truly like no other. Yet, it doesn't negate the existence of the balancing act of trying to do things that make us happy vs what makes our parents happy. I asked Dr. Rania how do we reach a point where we can compromise rather than sacrifice our life choices when wanting to please our parents.
I also shared with her the weight I had carried of wanting to be a perfect daughter in every aspect and managing the struggle of wanting to be treated like an adult, yet our parents sometimes refuse to see us as such, even until the point of when we are married and have our own family.
I do want to mention that this conversation centers around parental relationships that DO NOT involve trauma/abuse. I do believe a separate conversation needs to be had when a relationship reaches such a severe level of toxicity and it is never ok to force anyone to remain in such harmful situations, even if it's your own parents.

I do hope that today's conversation provides you with more clarity on how to navigate these balancing acts and the pressures of living a life that has been pre-planned for you in a way. As mentioned in other episodes, boundaries are key, and so in this episode we also discuss how to set boundaries with our parents from an Islamic perspective.

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Dr. Rania Awaad on Instagram:
@dr.raniaawaad

Follow the Stanford Medicine Mental Health Lab:
@stanfordmmhlCheck out the Rahmah Foundation:
@therahmahfoundation
Muslim Mental Health Resources/ The Khalil Center:
Click here

In Episode 19, we talk to Jackie Courtney, the mastermind behind the incredible website NearlyNewlywed.com. Prior to creating Nearly Newlywed, Jackie worked as a publicist for international fashion designers including Marni, Thakoon, Matthew Williamson and Emilio Pucci and top stylists/editors at Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle and more. Jackie walks us through where the idea of her business came about, why it's so important we unlearn the habit of apologizing (yeah, sorry not sorry is actually a thing), the reason taking up space is something we need to be proud of and how we need to quit the habit of saying we are bad at things.

If you're in need of an (almost) new designer wedding dress at an affordable price or have one taking up way too much space in your in-law's basement (guilty) take a look at NearlyNewlywed.com, a place to sell or shop preowned or new wedding dresses.
Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Jackie on Instagram: @jac_courtney
Shop/Sell at: Nearly Newlywed
Read some of Jackie's work: Stop Saying You Are Bad At Things or Why We Need To Stop Apologizing For Taking Up Space

In Episode 40, we’re kissing 2019 goodbye. Ma3a salama!
We sit down to answer all of your questions. Some are intense and raw, like “What stands between you and becoming a happier person?”
Others are a bit more silly, like “What’s the stupidest thing you’ve been dared to do?” You guys are not going to believe Dounya’s answer!

We discuss stress, dealing with conflicts, mistakes we’ve made in the past and all things in between. We laugh, we (almost) cry and we let it all out.
In this episode, you’ll also come to find out just how hypocritical we are. Yup, we don’t practice what we preach. We’re calling ourselves out and putting it all on blast. This also ties into our announcement at the end of the episode.

You’ll just have to listen to find out.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making 2019 a year for the books. We could not have made it to this point of our podcasting journey if it wasn’t for you and your support. You have made the handwork, sleepless nights, stress-induced acne and dark under-eye circles worth it all!

But on a serious note, thank you for making our small circle much bigger than we could have ever imagined it to become! This sisterhood is here to stay!
We have so many incredible things planned for 2020, so make sure you stay tuned for Season Two!
Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered

Listen, I’m not fully blaming evil eye here but how coincidental is it that anytime I post a selfie, the very next day I’m breaking out...so was it evil eye energy or was cleansing my face three times in a row not enough? We may never know…

We have all most likely lost count of how many times we have heard these words being uttered - 'SAY MASHALLAH'. And so we quickly say it because it feels as though there is this five second rule that exists after complimenting someone and having to follow it up with saying “mashallah”  to avoid something bad from happening. 

I think we can all agree that this episode is long overdue but good things come to those who wait and for us it came in human form and her name is Jehan Mansy, today’s special guest!

Jehan is a spiritualist, a writer, healer and founder of the Ruqaya Box  and Ascension deck. 

In today’s episode she is extending her expertise in regards to the unseen world. Call it divine timing but I was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with Jehan’s work and without hesitation I reached out to her and let her know that this is a topic that is in dire need of attention and possible  myth busting.

But before we dive head first, Jehan takes us on a journey of how and when she first discovered her healing abilities and how she came to terms with her purpose even though all of our lives we were told this was haram and to avoid talking about the unseen world. 

You may have at one point or another wondered if the hardships you’re facing are a test from Allah or if it’s from evil eye? So how does one tell the difference between the two and how can we protect ourselves if it is due to hassad or nazar being placed upon us?

And what exactly is sleep paralysis and how do we navigate this dunya when we are sharing it with the unseen world. There is no denying that bad spirits exist which also means that curses are a real thing - and if you’re like me you may be wondering how to avoid this at all costs.

Like Jehan says:  you don’t know who is rooting for your downfall or who is hiring someone to send you magic  and so in the episode notes I have included Jehan’s online site that is filled with protection prayers and resources if you are in need of immediate relief and release from the harm you may be facing.

Did I mention that we close this episode with Jehan letting me know if I do have a curse on me...

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered

Follow Jehan Mansy on Instagram:
@jehan.mansy

Protection Prayers and Resources:
www.jmansy.com