Obnoxiously Pleasant

On this week’s episode, we get real about the advice we wish someone had given us in our 20s and 30s. From people-pleasing, burnout, friendships, dating, and career pressure to learning how to stop caring about things that truly do not matter, we talk about the lessons that took us way too long to learn and the advice our moms never gave us. Some of it is funny, some of it is painfully accurate, a...

On this week’s episode, we talk about why corporate culture acts like every email is a national emergency. From fake urgency and “ASAP” messages to pointless meetings and Slack panic, we get into why so many jobs feel unnecessarily stressful. We talk burnout, hustle culture, work anxiety, and the pressure to always be available even when nothing is actually that serious. Plus, we share our own exp...

On this week’s episode, we break down the chaos at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and whether the “shooting” was real or staged. We get into the internet reactions, the conspiracy vibes, and why so many people aren’t buying it. Then we switch gears and talk about the American Girl Eid doll and why the outfit just wasn’t it. We also get into the moment Anne Hathaway said “inshallah” an...

From MAGA losing it over Elmo speaking Arabic to the backlash around Sabrina Carpenter, it’s been a busy Arab American Heritage Month. We start with the reaction to Ramy Youssef and Elmo’s “habibi” moment, then get into the conversation around zaghrouta, what it actually means, and why Sabrina Carpenter’s comments sparked backlash.  We also get into comedian Paul Elia after Google limited ads for...

In this episode, we chat with our friend Nehal, who got married again and yes, we had questions. After going through a divorce, she chose love again, but this time everything was different. We talk about second marriages, getting married again after divorce, and what it really looks like to find love after heartbreak. What changed the second time around, and what made her say yes again? f you have...

Every day feels like a bad season finale and honestly we’re exhausted. From genocide and ICE raids to the war on Iran and the Epstein files, it literally never stops. In this episode, we talk about feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and stuck in high-functioning depression while life just keeps moving like everything is normal. If you’ve been feeling mentally drained, anxious, or just not okay lately...

On our first episode back after a long break, we talk about where we’ve been and why the podcast took a break. We share a bit about what life has looked like behind the scenes lately. Hanan opens up about losing her dad to cancer and what the grieving process has been like for her. Support the show Become a supporter of the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1786960/support Follow us on Instagram, T...

Hanan and Lina are back with a catch-up episode. They discuss the new dating trend “date them till you hate them,” break down how “67” became Dictionary.com’s slang term of the year, and Lina shares her scary encounter with a garden snake. Tune in...it's a good one. Support the show Become a supporter of the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1786960/support Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and...

On this week’s episode, Hanan and Lina talk about the relief of finally hearing about a ceasefire in Gaza, the weird new trend of “grandma showers,” and why everyone’s using their PTO just to sleep. Somewhere in between, Hanan calls out Lina for refusing to go out after dark. As usual, the conversation ends up all over the place. Support the show Become a supporter of the show: https://www.buzzspr...

This week, Hanan and Lina chat with Issam Hijazi, the founder of UpScrolled, a brand new social app that’s taking on Meta and TikTok. Upscrolled promises to be different: no shadowbans, no censorship, and no algorithms deciding who gets seen and who doesn’t. Issam shares how the idea came after watching Palestinian voices repeatedly silenced online during the genocide. That frustration pushed him...

On this week’s episode, Hanan and Lina cover a little bit of everything — from the TikTok sale and its impact on pro-Palestinian voices, to calling out racist high school friends online. They also spotlight amazing Palestinian-owned small businesses you can support. Jerusalem Stone: https://www.instagram.com/_jerusalem.stone?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZWRwazlvaHFoMDky  Ibn Gaza:...

On this week’s episode, Hanan and Lina react to viewer comments. From genuine encouragement to straight-up hate, the comment section does not disappoint. They share the funniest, meanest, and most unhinged comments they’ve ever gotten. Please consider donating to the following organizations and campaigns: Medicine Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) https://give.doctorswithoutborders.org/ Al...

On this week’s episode, Hanan and Lina sit down with Palestinian American author Sara Hamdan to talk about her debut novel "What Will People Think?", the complexities of Palestinian identity, breaking Arab cultural taboos, and why representation in literature matters. Sara opens up about Arab culture, the importance of breaking stereotypes, and the challenges of writing stories that refl...

In this episode, Hanan and Lina catch up after a short break. Lina shares a powerful moment from her visit to Ellis Island, where she found her grandfather’s name listed with “Palestine” as his homeland: proof of a history that refuses to be erased. The conversation then shifts to the heartbreaking reality in Gaza: Israel’s intentional starvation of the people there, the genocide unfolding in real...

In this episode, we’re catching up and talking about a little bit of everything — from Wael Kfoury’s new song to the Tea App drama taking over Dearborn Arabs. It’s one of those episodes where the conversation goes in every direction…and somehow still makes sense (kind of). No script, no guests — just us hanging out. Come chill with us! - -  Please consider donating to the following charities: Pale...

What’s dating really like as an Arab American? In this episode, we’re keeping it real about the Arab dating scene — the good, the bad, and the straight-up awkward. Between cultural traditions, family pressure, and the chaos of dating apps, finding love can feel like an uphill battle. We chat with our guest Susan about her dating life and all the wild stuff that comes with being Arab and single. Ex...

In this episode, we’re diving into Arab cultural customs and traditions — the ones we love, the ones that stress us out, and the ones we’re ready to cancel. We love our culture: the food, the family vibes, the hospitality, the random rules no one really explains — but let’s be honest, not everything needs to stick around forever. Come hang with us as we figure out which parts of Arab culture we’re...

Hanan got laid off...but she’s not freaking out. In this episode, we talk about how to handle getting laid off without going into panic mode, and why moments like this can actually be a reset if you let them. If you’re going through something similar, you’re not alone — and maybe it’s not all bad. Support the show Become a supporter of the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1786960/support Follow us...

Summer's here, and that means one thing for Arab Americans... it's time to head back "home" to the Arab world!  In this episode, we dive into what it’s like having two homes — the U.S. and the Arab world. We talk about what it’s like for Arab Americans visiting the Arab World - the things that make us feel deeply connected, the things we absolutely love (on demand Shawarma and...

In this episode, we sit down with author Adam Al-Sirgany to talk about his new book "More Hell". We dive into what it takes to get your book published, why more Arab Americans need to tell their stories, and what it’s like being Arab American in small-town America. Plus, Adam shares the surprising things Arabs and rural Americans have in common.  Pre-order Adam’s book here: https://whisk...

This week’s episode starts heavy  - Trying to live a normal life while a genocide is happening in Gaza feels unbearable. We reflect on how it’s been hard to move through everyday life with Gaza on our minds and in our hearts. And then somehow, we end up talking about feet pic side hustles, trying to lose weight after 40, and other random tangents. Support the show Become a supporter of the show: h...

Ramadan is here, and we’re trying to make the most of it! In this episode, we’re sharing our goals, plans, and how we hope to stay on track this month. From spiritual growth to daily routines, we’re talking about everything we want to accomplish and the challenges we know we’ll face.  -- Please consider donating to the following Meal Trains: Meal Train for Najah's Family: https://www.mealtrai...

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the things that drive us crazy! From bad habits to total pet peeves, we’re calling out the things people need to stop doing. Tune in for some serious venting and relatable moments! Support the show Become a supporter of the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1786960/support Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and UpScrolled @ObnoxiouslyPleasant Follow us on Twitte...

Life after 40 - What no one warned us about, what caught us off guard, and things we just can’t tolerate anymore. We also talk about Elon Musk’s Cybertruck, people who won’t shut up in theaters, and more.  -- Please consider donating to the following fundraisers: Shreef and his cat: https://gofund.me/cc6448a6 Aboud and his family: https://gofund.me/f615f01e Support the show Become a supporter of t...

Dubai Bling Season 3 is here. How much of this is actually real? In this episode, we’re breaking down the most ridiculous moments, the cringiest fake storylines, and whether or not it’s even worth watching!  ---- Please consider donating to the following charities: Palestine Children's Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net International Rescue Committee Sudan: https://shorturl.at/01QLT Help Child...