The Struggling to Thriving Mom Podcast

Turning 40: Gratitude, Repentance, and Remembering That God Sees You In this heartfelt episode, I reflect on a milestone age and why it shouldn’t take a milestone to pause and be grateful. I share how reconnecting with my five values (faith, family, freedom, service, community) and my mum’s reminder to “rely on God alone” helped me surrender the need to control outcomes. I speak directly to the wo...

Can Muslim women pursue ambitious goals without sacrificing their faith, peace, or family life? In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with entrepreneur, wife, and mother, Munirah Musa, to explore what it truly means to balance deen and ambition in today's world. After relocating from Nigeria to the United States, Munirah remained committed to her purpose while navigating the realities of marr...

What does it mean to truly live Islam—not just practice it? In this episode, I explore the difference between performing the outward acts of worship and allowing Islam to shape our character, intentions, and everyday choices. I share how ordinary responsibilities like parenting, working, and serving others can become acts of worship when done sincerely for the sake of Allah. In this episode, you'l...

Raising Muslim children in a non-Muslim environment comes with real tension—and real responsibility. In this episode, I sit with an early childhood specialist, Sakirat Kuti, to unpack what it truly means to protect your child’s Islamic and cultural identity without fear, apology, or isolation. From navigating school systems to building confident, grounded children, this conversation is a powerful...

Ramadan came… and you showed up differently. More present. More intentional. More connected to Allah SWT. But now that it’s over… you’re wondering: Was that version of me only for Ramadan? In this episode, we talk about how to stay consistent after Ramadan without pressure or perfection. You’ll learn why you need to let go of the “Ramadan Muslim” label, how Ramadan actually revealed what you’re ca...

Ramadan Mubarak !!! This episode is a heartfelt reminder for Muslim moms in the diaspora to work on building a relationship with Allah, especially in this Holy Month Beyond salah and fasting, how well do you actually know your Lord? In this episode, we reflect on how to intentionally build a relationship with Allah by: Knowing Him through His Names and Attributes Seeking Him through prayer, patien...

Life is short. Ramadan is a gift. The question is: what will we prioritize? In this episode, I speak directly to Muslim moms in the diaspora who want to enter Ramadan prepared — spiritually, mentally, and intentionally. We reflect on the phrase “life is too short” and use it as a lens to examine our priorities: Pleasure or purpose? Body or soul? Performance or sincerity? You’ll hear practical remi...

A compassionate path back to Allah for Muslim moms in the diaspora There are seasons where faith doesn’t disappear; it just feels far away. In this episode, I’m joined by Sister Khadijah Sulaimon, an emotional wellness and faith-based life coach with over 15 years of experience supporting Muslim women through healing, self-awareness, and spiritual reconnection We talk honestly about what it means...

Amanah: Caring for the Hearts Allah Entrusted to Us What does it really mean to take care of what Allah has entrusted to you? In this episode, we reflect on Amanah not just as responsibility, but as intentional care for what Allah placed in our hands. This conversation centers on three core trusts: Our Faith Our own hearts, bodies, and souls Our children, as souls entrusted to us by Allah Drawing...

Many of us are searching for clarity about who we are, why we feel disconnected, and what we’re meant to be doing in this season of life. But Islam teaches us a different starting point. In this episode, we explore a powerful spiritual framework rooted in our deen: Know your Lord → Know yourself → Know your purpose. This conversation is for the immigrant Muslim mom navigating faith, identity, and...

FAITH, IDENTITY, AND MOTHERHOOD IN A WORLD THAT QUIETLY PULLS YOU AWAY. Moving to a new country changes more than your location. It can quietly shift your routines, your identity, and how connected you feel to your faith and yourself. In this episode of the Nurture Yourself Podcast, I’m speaking to the immigrant Muslim mom who is doing her best to adapt, raise her family, and stay grounded, while...

After a season of pause, reflection, and realignment, I have returned with more clarity, intention, and purpose. This relaunch episode is for the immigrant Muslim moms navigating motherhood, faith, identity, and life far from home, while trying to stay grounded in who she is and Who she serves. In this new season, we’re creating space for honest conversations rooted in faith, mindset shifts, and l...

In this episode of Nurturing Yourself with Nafisah Banks , I share my reflections on what it truly takes to become the best version of yourself. Join me as we explore how a strong spiritual foundation intertwines with mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Learn the importance of anchoring yourself in faith, building a relationship with your Creator, and embracing mindset shifts that foster g...

In this episode of Nurturing Yourself Podcast, I invite you to pause and reflect on the quiet blessings we often overlook. Join me as I explore the significance of gratitude, the beauty of acknowledging the little things, and the value of appreciating the people in our lives. I share personal insights and experiences that highlight the transformative power of gratitude and how it can bring peace a...

In this episode of Nurturing Yourself with Nafisah Banks, I delve into the challenges of setting unrealistic expectations and how they impact our lives. I share my journey, the sources of these expectations, and practical steps to shift from unrealistic to realistic expectations. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy recording it. Thank you for tuning in to this episode. If you enjoyed the podcas...

In today's episode, I explore the transformative power of self-awareness and how it is a cornerstone of personal growth. Join me as I share the basics of self-awareness, how I sit with myself to cultivate self-awareness, and why it's essential for living a fulfilled life. Explore the importance of understanding who you are, how you navigate the complexities of self-awareness, and practical steps t...

In this episode of Nurturing Yourself with Nafisah Banks, I delve into personal identity, particularly for moms who often find themselves defined by their roles as caregivers and professionals. Join me as I explore how we can reclaim our identity beyond motherhood and career and why aligning with our core values and beliefs is vital. Thank you for listening to this episode. If it resonated with yo...

Are you doing things for others to be in their good books, or are you genuinely doing things to serve from the bottom of your heart? In this episode, I discuss how this affects you as a working mom and why you should differentiate between people-pleasing and serving others purposefully. I also share ways to start aligning with what matters to you, in your roles and relationship. Thank you for list...

In this episode, I debunk the Myth “I don’t have time.” I share how it has a root cause and how it’s a mindset block that hinders working moms from fully showing up to maximize their potential. Below are some actionable tips to help you get past this myth Develop self-awareness; get clarity around your goals, values, etc Decide the things that are going to give (what are you willing to sacrifice)...

In this episode, I share 9 more of the lessons that have helped me to keep basking in this fleeting world. Here is the last 9: ​The magic is in doing, not in merely knowing ​Have faith even on the darkest days ​Stay discreet as much as you can ( know who deserves to know) ​Do whatever it takes to use your gift to make an impact ​Strive never to settle for less ​Seek help; it doesn't make you weak;...

In this episode, I share some of the lessons that have helped me to keep basking in this fleeting world. Here is the first 9: 1. Seek to know God and build a relationship with Him. 2. Genuinely let go of past hurt, pain, and everything that doesn't serve the life you desire. 3. Forgive others and most importantly yourself 4. Be extremely grateful even for the most minor things 5. Fill your cup fir...

Get over the feelings of being stuck, get to the root of why you feel that way, and deal with it. Use these reflection questions to get started. 🎯What are those mindset blocks holding me back? 🎯Why am I suppressing my emotions? 🎯What unhealthy belief systems do I have to do away with? Action steps 📍Sit with yourself in reflection to answer those questions  📍Recognize the source, acknowledge i...

Self-nurturing in my opinion entails taking care of one's physical, emotional, and mental well-being and engaging in activities that promote self-care, self-love, and self-compassion. It is about filling your cup first before showing up in your roles and relationships The importance of Self Nurturing: It helps you develop awareness about the things that matter most to you It allows you to buil...

Welcome Back to the Podcast, now Nurturing Yourself with Nafisah Banks. The goal remains for you to fill your cup, step up in power & maximize youropportunities so you can show up for yourself, in your roles and in your relationships. Forgive the absence, and I am glad I have the privilege to start over. Thank you to everyone who has ever listened to the previous episodes, and to those who are new...

As we end the Gregorian Calendar, many of us start feeling the weight of unfulfilled expectations. It's easy to be hard on ourselves for the things we didn't achieve. That's why I wanted to share some tips and reminders that I hope will help you, as they've helped me. I've struggled with these things and have learned the hard way. But with time, I've been able to accept and...