Belongings

Isra Chakir, the extraordinary Syrian-American civil rights activist, joins us for an eye-opening conversation about her journey in advocacy and identity. As a Senior Campaign Manager at Amnesty International USA, Isra has been a stalwart champion for immigrant and refugee rights. Her deeply personal narrative of belonging as a third culture kid split between Boulder, Colorado, and Damascus, Syria...

What does it mean to truly belong? Join us in this compelling episode, “Empowering Syrian Youth Through Education,” where we are honored to speak with George Batah and Majed Abdelsamad, two extraordinary Syrian humanitarians now thriving in New York. They open up about their evolving sense of belonging—originally rooted in their homeland of Syria but transformed through their experiences in the Un...

Join us on an emotional journey with Rose McCall, our Belonging(s) guest and the Director of Philanthropy at Karam Foundation, as she weaves stories of belonging beyond conventional limits. Through her narratives, we explore the complex terrain of identity—a rich tapestry interlaced with cultural heritage, the immigrant experience, and personal reflections of home aboard her sailboat, Yuvamaz. Thi...

In this episode, embark on a journey of artistic discovery with Helen Zughaib, a visionary artist whose canvas extends far beyond paint and brushes to the core of human experience. Her creation, “Map of Home,” is a gateway to a conversation laced with nostalgia, belonging, and the intricate ways our cultural roots shape us. Through Helen’s lens, we traverse the landscapes of her Lebanese heritage,...

Experience the profound journey of identity and the search for a sense of belonging with Hala Gorani, the renowned journalist whose own story embodies the complexity of culture and heritage. Navigating the heart-wrenching realities of war-torn regions, Hala Gorani provides a raw account of the Syrian conflict and the emotional labor inherent in telling these stories. From Karam House, meet Jana, a...

Join us on a captivating journey as we explore the nuanced layers of belonging with Liam LoPinto, an Iranian-American filmmaker whose poignant work captures the heart of diaspora experiences. From Karam House, meet Shaimaa, a Syrian refugee and a Karam Leader. Shaimaa speaks of her struggles leaving a home behind and of a dream she kept alive. "The House of Dreams" is what Shaimaa hopes to build f...

Arwa Damon, a journalist and humanitarian, shares her experiences and insights in this conversation. She discusses her upbringing in the Middle East, her definition of belonging, and her journey as a journalist covering conflict zones. Arwa also talks about her work with INARA, a nonprofit organization that provides medical care to children in war-torn nations. She shares stories of resilience and...

As we launch into the third season of our podcast, Arian's reflections on belonging offer a rich tapestry of community and identity woven through personal stories from his life. From the heritage of the Taino people to the challenges of Western business practices, Arian's conversation takes us on a profound exploration of love, connection, and the way our cultural traditions shape who we are. And...

In this season finale of Belongings, embark on an emotional voyage with Orlando von Einsiedel, an Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker whose work in capturing the raw human experience in war-torn regions has reshaped our understanding of home and belonging. Through intimate conversation, Orlando opens up about the deep emotional bonds that he forms with his subjects; bonds that often challenge his...

Join us for an emotional clip of resilience, empowerment, and humanity as we traverse through stories of Syrian refugees, with special guest Rose McCal, Karam Foundation’s Director of Philanthropy. Full episode to be released soon. To support Syrian refugees, visit KaramFoundation.org

When the earth literally shakes beneath your feet, your sense of home and belonging can be deeply affected. Assalah, a Syrian refugee and valued member of the Karam House team, knows this reality all too well. She recounts the tremors of the February earthquakes that left her homeless, painting a vivid picture of a life upended and yet resilient, fueled by her unwavering sense of belonging. An exe...

In light of recent events, we republish our episode with Lara Elborno, an international lawyer and creator of the Palestine Pod. Together, Lina and Lara discuss the complexities of activism, the concept of belonging, and the struggle for Palestine liberation. Then, from Karam House Istanbul, team member Lama recalls her Damascus memories and how connecting with the community makes her feel like sh...

Get ready to step into the captivating mind of Syrian-American rapper and spoken word artist Omar Offendum. From the intersections of hip-hop and Arabic poetry to his architectural influences, Omar’s unique perspective and storytelling invite you on an inspiring journey through culture, identity, and history. The second part of our episode introduces us to a story of courage and resilience. Meet M...

Brace yourself for a journey of exploration into the realms of belonging, home, and identity with Lina's dear friend Abeer Seikaly, a brilliant figure known for her innovative work in architecture, design, and cultural production. This episode is a trove of insights as they discuss Abeer's extraordinary journey with the Bedouin communities in Jordan, her unique approach to design, her passion for...

In this episode, Lina and co-founder and executive director of Silk Road Rising Theatre, explore the intriguing concept of belonging. With Jamil's progressive, polyculturalist perspective, the two navigated through complex subjects like cultural evolution, the power of dialogue, and the significance of cultural exchange as a means of finding belonging. Then from Karam House Istanbul, Lina chats wi...

I've always believed that belonging is a fundamental human need, but it took my conversation with Renn Vara to fully understand its magnitude and depth. Renn's insights, formed from years of working with Silicon Valley tech companies, shed light on how the idea of belonging influenced Airbnb's branding journey and how it's a gift we can all give and receive. We also delved into some of Renn's pers...

In this season finale, Lina is joined by journalist, filmmaker, activist, and special friend Waad Al-Kateab. They discuss the challenges of grieving as a refugee and the guilt around feeling sad for leaving Syria. They touch on the importance of allowing ourselves to mourn, while recognizing the privilege of being able to do so. Waad shares her unique experience of finding a connection to Syria th...

In this episode, Lina is joined by Lara Elborno, an international lawyer and creator of the Palestine Pod. Together, they discuss the complexities of activism, the concept of belonging, and the struggle for Palestine liberation. Then, from Karam House Istanbul, team member Lama recalls her Damascus memories and how connecting with the community makes her feel like she belongs.

In this episode, Lina chats with "futurist" Amer Jandali about belonging, the planet, and how we, as a global community can come together to shape our future. Then, from Istanbul, seventeen-year-old Alaa shares his unique understanding of belonging and why community means the world to him,

In this special episode, Lina joins Karam Foundation Director of Communications, Rama Majzoub, for a conversation on the February Turkiye-Syria earthquakes. Together they discuss Karam's emergency response, the needs of the community, and what Lina witnessed firsthand when she visited Reyhanli just days after the earthquake.

In this episode, Lina chats with Nour Al Ghraowi, poet and member of the Karam Foundation team. They discuss belonging and the power of inclusive language. Then, from The Netherlands, 19-year-old Sam shares his unique journey of moving from one country to another to another and how it helped him shape a unique perspective on belonging.

In this episode, Lina chats with Laith Nakle about representation and fitting in while standing out. Then, from Istanbul, Lina talks to Layan about finding yourself in the community around you.

In this episode, Lina talks to award-winning professor and author Wendy Pearlman about telling the stories of unheard voices and what authentic belonging comes down to. Then, we hear from Bayan from Reyhanli, Turkey and her perspective on finding home and being yourself.

In this surprise episode of Belongings, Lina reflects on the past year as Karam CEO and what the team in Turkey, in the US, and supporters made possible for refugees.

In this inspirational episode of Belongings, Lina speaks with Hassan Akkad, a Syrian refugee, photographer, filmmaker, and refugee rights activist in the United Kingdom about the refugee experience and the importance of owning and documenting our stories. Then, from the heart of Istanbul, 19-year-old Abdulaziz shares his story of hope and loss, and recounts intimate details about the childhood fla...