Balkan Sis

In Part 1 of this conversation, I sit down with filmmaker, photographer and Sarajevo siege survivor Harun Mehmedinović to explore what survival teaches us about life, memory and meaning.

We talk about Harun’s childhood in Sarajevo before the war, the moment survival replaced innocence, and how those early experiences shaped his inner world. Together, we reflect on family, ritual, fireflies, migration and the emotional numbness that followed resettlement in the United States.

This episode is about how trauma lives in the body, how creativity becomes a form of testimony, and how survival does not end when the war does. Harun shares his perspective on memory, identity and the responsibility of witness, and we explore the quiet ways the past continues to shape who we become.

This is a deeply human conversation about memory, culture and the wisdom that comes from lived experience.

Growing up in Sarajevo before the war

The moment childhood shifted into survival

Family, memory and early rituals

Fireflies and vivid childhood symbolism

Life after war and emotional numbness

Migration and identity in a new country

Creativity as a form of testimony

What survival teaches us beyond endurance

Harun Mehmedinović is a Bosnian filmmaker, photographer and survivor of the Siege of Sarajevo. His work has appeared in National Geographic, TIME and BBC, and he has collaborated with artists including The Rolling Stones, Roger Waters, Paul Simon and John Mayer. He is the creator of the SKYGLOW project and the director of the upcoming documentary The Acts of Reburial. Harun is also the co-producer and cinematographer of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Ice on Fire.

Website and portfolio

https://www.bloodhoney.com

SKYGLOW project

https://www.bloodhoney.com/skyglow-project

The Acts of Reburial

https://theactsofreburial.com

IMDb

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1175698

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_Mehmedinović

I’m Ivana Alfonso, host of the Balkan Sis Podcast, where I hold space for conversations about identity, culture, memory, creativity and the lived experiences of the Balkan diaspora. Through this podcast, I explore what it means to honour where we come from while living fully in the present.

Podcast

Balkan Sis Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/balkansispodcast

My Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso

Health, heritage & cancer at 33: Monica’s story

In this raw and deeply personal episode of Balkan Sis, I sit down with Monica Ackermann, a 33-year-old Croatian-Australian woman living in Split, Croatia — currently navigating life with stage 4 colon cancer.

This conversation is close to my heart. After my nephew Luka’s leukemia diagnosis, cancer has become more than a word — it’s real, it’s close, and it’s affecting so many young people in our communities.

Monica and I talk about everything:

• The early symptoms that were dismissed and misdiagnosed

• What it’s like being a young woman trying to be heard in a medical system that often doesn’t listen

• Why she chose to stay in Croatia for treatment — and what that experience has been like

• The healing power of her rescue dog, Duje

• The emotional, financial, and identity toll of long-term illness

• Why cancer is showing up more in our generation — and what could be behind it

• Her message for people who think “this would never happen to me”

• And the unexpected gifts, silver linings, and shifts that come from facing something this big

  
  

This episode is about more than illness — it’s about truth-telling, cultural silence, self-advocacy, and choosing life again and again, even when it’s hard.

📲 CONNECT WITH MONICA

TikTok: @monack92

Instagram: @mon_ack

🎥 WATCH HER FULL STORY

YouTube: Young and Diagnosed with Colon Cancer — The Patient Story

🎧 Listen to Balkan Sis on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube

📸 Follow me on Instagram: @ivanastrbacalfonso

🎧 A soulful and uplifting conversation exploring Greek roots, modern motherhood, and the beauty of surrender.

Mary Sotiropoulos — teacher, author, and creator of The Mum Who Found Her Sparkle shares her reflections after two transformative months in Greece. Her journey is marked by lessons from her yiya, moments of slowing down, and a deeper reconnection to joy and her heritage.

Themes of identity, culture, and motherhood flow through this episode, celebrating the power of storytelling, community, and rediscovering your inner light. From Greek wisdom to modern-day mum truths, it’s a gentle reminder that life doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful — you just have to keep your sparkle alive.

💫 Highlights

* Reconnecting with heritage and slowing down in Greece

* Lessons and love passed down from yiya

* Rediscovering joy through motherhood

* Building community and connection among women

* Letting go of control and embracing surrender

💛 Connect with Mary

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/marysotiropoulos_)

Book: The Mum Who Found Her Sparkle

🎙Connect with Balkan Sis

Instagram: @ivanastrbacalfonso

🎧 Iskren i inspirativan razgovor koji istražuje grčke korijene, suvremeno majčinstvo i ljepotu prepuštanja životu.

Mary Sotiropoulos — učiteljica, autorica i kreatorica projekta The Mum Who Found Her Sparkle — dijeli svoja razmišljanja nakon dva transformativna mjeseca provedena u Grčkoj. Njezino putovanje ispunjeno je lekcijama od njezine yiye, trenucima usporavanja i ponovnog povezivanja s radošću i nasljeđem.

Kroz teme identiteta, kulture i majčinstva, ova epizoda slavi moć pripovijedanja, zajedništva i ponovno otkrivanje vlastitog unutarnjeg sjaja. Od grčke mudrosti do stvarnosti suvremenog majčinstva, ovo je nježan podsjetnik da život ne mora biti savršen da bi bio prekrasan — dovoljno je da zadržiš svoj sjaj.

💫 Istaknuti trenuci

* Ponovno povezivanje s korijenima i usporavanje u Grčkoj

* Lekcije i ljubav prenesene od yiye

* Ponovno otkrivanje radosti kroz majčinstvo

* Izgradnja zajednice i povezanosti među ženama

* Otpuštanje kontrole i prihvaćanje prepuštanja

💛 Poveži se s Mary:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/marysotiropoulos_)

Knjiga: The Mum Who Found Her Sparkle

🎙️ Poveži se s Balkan Sis:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso)

Balkan Sis Podcast × Marina Young — A Conversation on Legacy, Identity & Healing

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Ivana sits down with Marina Young — singer, songwriter, mother, and storyteller — to explore her journey from childhood in war-torn Bosnia to creating music that transforms grief into beauty.

Together they discuss the emotional inspiration behind her song Make It Rain, what identity and motherhood mean to her today, and how culture, family, and loss shape the artist she’s become.

This episode is moving, thought-provoking, and full of heart — a celebration of female resilience, creative spirit, and cultural pride.

• 🌐 Website: Behind the Music

• 📸 Instagram: @marinayoung_official

• 📘 Facebook: Marina Young Music

• ▶️ YouTube: Watch “Make It Rain”

• 🕊 Context & History: Siege of Goražde (Wikipedia)

• 📸 Instagram: @ivanastrbacalfonso

• 📘 Facebook: Ivana Strbac Alfonso

• 🎥 YouTube: @ivanastrbacalfonso

• 🎵 TikTok: @ivanastrbacafonso

• 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts — Search Balkan Sis Podcast

  
  

1. The impact of Marina’s childhood and her father’s legacy on her art.

2. The emotional journey of writing Make It Rain — how grief becomes creative expression.

3. Navigating motherhood while maintaining personal purpose and passion.

4. The meaning of identity and belonging for women living between cultures.

5. How art, vulnerability, and heritage can heal and connect us all.

Make It Rain — Written and performed by Marina Young.
Stream it now on YouTube or via Marina’s official platforms.

If this episode moved you:

• Follow and support Marina’s music.

• Share this episode with a friend or fellow mama who needs a dose of inspiration.

• Tag @ivanastrbacalfonso to share your favourite moment or takeaway.

• Leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more people discover real, heartfelt stories like this one.

  
  

  U ovom snažnom i dirljivom razgovoru, Ivana sjeda s Marinom Young — pjevačicom, kantautoricom, majkom i pripovjedačicom — kako bi istražile njezino putovanje od djetinjstva u ratom razor enoj Bosni do stvaranja glazbe koja tugu pretvara u ljepotu.

  Zajedno razgovaraju o emocionalnoj inspiraciji iza njezine pjesme “Make It Rain”, o tome što za nju danas znače identitet i majčinstvo, te kako kultura, obitelj i gubitak oblikuju umjetnicu kakva je postala.

  Ova epizoda je dirljiva, poticajna i ispunjena srcem — slavlje ženske snage, stvaralačkog duha i kulturnog ponosa.

  🌐 Web stranica: Behind the Music
  📸 Instagram: @marinayoung_official
  📘 Facebook: Marina Young Music
  ▶️ YouTube: Pogledaj “Make It Rain”
  🕊 Kontekst i povijest: Opsada Goražda (Wikipedia)

  📸 Instagram: @ivanastrbacalfonso
  📘 Facebook: Ivana Strbac Alfonso
  🎥 YouTube: @ivanastrbacalfonso
  🎵 TikTok: @ivanastrbacafonso
  🎧 Slušaj na Spotify & Apple Podcasts — pretraži “Balkan Sis Podcast”

  • Utjecaj Marinina djetinjstva i očevog nasljeđa na njezinu umjetnost.

  • Emocionalno putovanje stvaranja pjesme Make It Rain — kako se tuga pretvara u kreativni izraz.

  • Kako Marina balansira majčinstvo s osobnom svrhom i strašću.

  • Značenje identiteta i pripadnosti za žene koje žive između kultura.

  • Kako umjetnost, ranjivost i nasljeđe mogu liječiti i povezivati nas sve.

  🎶 Make It Rain — napisala i izvela Marina Young.
  Slušaj sada na YouTubeu ili putem Marininih službenih platformi.

  • Pratite i podržite Marininu glazbu.

  • Podijelite epizodu s prijateljicom ili mamom kojoj treba doza inspiracije.

  • Oznacite @ivanastrbacalfonso i podijelite svoj omiljeni trenutak ili poruku.

  • Ostavite recenziju gdje god slušate — pomaže da još više ljudi otkrije stvarne, iskrene priče poput ove.

  
  

  
  

🎙️ EPISODE: The Artist Is the Child Who Survived

This episode of Balkan Sis goes deep — into life, loss, love, and the ways we stay connected when the world around us changes. I talk about the passing of the legendary Halid Bešlić, whose music has been the soundtrack to so many of our lives. As a tribute, I’ve included one of his songs at the end of the episode — a small way to honor his legacy and the emotion he poured into every lyric. 💔🎶

We also dive into Esther Perel’s reflections on loneliness — and what it means to be the one who’s always there for others. If that sounds like you, this episode is especially for you. I’ll share her video in the show notes below so you can watch it after listening.

I touch on the quote that moved me deeply:

“The artist is the child who survived.”

A reminder that no matter where we end up in the world, the little version of us — curious, creative, and sensitive — still shapes who we are today.

💬 Topics We Explore:

* Losing icons like Halid Bešlić and why his music feels like home

* Loneliness and emotional connection through Esther Perel’s lens

* What it’s like growing up in Australia as a Balkan girl

* The importance of your village — how we build and nurture community

* Parenting, resilience, and celebrating my daughter turning one (amid flu season and hospital visits!)

* Finding lightness and humor even when life gets heavy

💡 Links & Mentions:

* 🎥 Esther Perel video on loneliness → https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPSEYKJCOHN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

* 🎵 Halid Bešlić tribute song → included at the end of the episode

* 🎙️ YouTube Guest Appearance → Chat with Iggy from IC Media (coming soon!)

* 💌 Interested in sponsoring an episode or collaborating?

Email me at: [email protected]

💫 Closing Thoughts

This episode is about remembering who we are — even when life pulls us in every direction. About finding our people, honouring our stories, and building that sense of belonging wherever we are in the world.

Because home isn’t always where we were born.

Sometimes, it’s the people and moments that help us feel seen.

🔗 Connect with Me

📸 Instagram: @ivanastrbacalfonso (https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso)

🎵 TikTok: @ivanastrbacalfonso](https://www.tiktok.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso)

💌 Email: [email protected]

🎙️ EPIZODA: Umjetnik je dijete koje je preživjelo

Ova epizoda Balkan Sis govori o životu, gubitku, ljubavi i načinima na koje ostajemo povezani dok se svijet mijenja.

Prisjećam se legendarnog Halida Bešlića, čija je glazba dio naših života. Na kraju epizode čut ćete pjesmu u njegovu čast. 💔🎶

Dotaknula sam se i Esther Perel i njezinih razmišljanja o usamljenosti — o tome kako je biti onaj koji je uvijek tu za druge.

Citata koji me nadahnuo:

> “Umjetnik je dijete koje je preživjelo.”

Podsjetnik da mala, znatiželjna verzija nas još uvijek živi u nama.

💬 Teme:

* Halid Bešlić i nasljeđe glazbe

* Usamljenost i povezanost

* Odrastanje u Australiji kao Balkan girl

* Zajednica, roditeljstvo i podrška

🎥 [Esther Perel video](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPSEYKJCOHN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)

💌 [[email protected]]

📸 [@ivanastrbacalfonso](https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso)

🎵 [@ivanastrbacalfonso](https://www.tiktok.com/@ivanastrbacalfonso)

In this special episode of Balkan Sis, I sit down with the brilliant and passionate Petrija, the founder of Studio Petrija a business creating beautiful, bilingual flashcards to help children connect with their cultural heritage through language.

Whether you’re a parent, aunty, educator, or just someone who lights up when your child says mama, dida, or volim te, this episode is a powerful reminder that language is legacy — and it starts at home.

• How Studio Petrija was born from love, culture, and a desire to keep our languages alive

• Why bilingual flashcards aren’t just educational tools — they’re a bridge between generations

• Hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from a creative Balkan mama running a small biz

• Simple, real-life ways to use flashcards beyond the classroom or fridge

• The emotional power of hearing your child speak the language of your childhood

• Encouragement for parents who may not be fluent themselves — it’s never too late to start

• 🌐 Website: www.studiopetrija.com.au

• 🛒 Shop Flashcards: Click here to browse

• 📸 Instagram: @studio.petrija

• 🎵 TikTok: @studio.petrija

🎁 SPECIAL OFFER: Use code BALKANSIS10 at checkout for 10% off — exclusive to Balkan Sis listeners.
(Note: Studio Petrija products are rarely discounted, so take advantage while it lasts!)

“If my kid can say ‘Bluey’ and ‘ćevapi’ in one sentence — I’m doing something right.”
— Petrija

“You don’t have to be fluent to plant the seed. Just start with ‘Bok!’ and build from there.”
— Studio Petrija’s message to all Balkan households

• 📸 Instagram: @ivanastrbacalfonso

• 🎵 TikTok: @ivanastrbacalfonso

• 📧 Email: [email protected]

Whether you're nurturing your children’s connection to their heritage, introducing language into everyday life, or simply seeking meaningful resources for your home, this is a wonderful opportunity to support a small business doing beautiful work for Balkan families everywhere.

And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow me — Ivana Strbac Alfonso — on all the socials.
Like, share, subscribe, and if you feel called to, leave a rating or review — it truly helps this podcast reach more incredible people like you.

Until next time — doviđenja. 💛

U ovoj posebnoj epizodi Balkan Sis podcasta razgovaram s briljantnom i strastvenom Petrijom, osnivačicom Studio Petrija — brenda koji stvara predivne dvojezične edukativne kartice kako bi djeca mogla kroz igru i svakodnevne trenutke učiti jezik svojih korijena.

Bilo da ste roditelj, teta, odgojiteljica ili jednostavno netko kome srce zadrhti kada dijete kaže mama, dida ili volim te, ova epizoda podsjeća da je jezik naše nasljeđe — i sve počinje kod kuće.

• Kako je nastao Studio Petrija — uz puno ljubavi, kulture i kaosa 😄

• Zašto dvojezične kartice nisu samo edukativna pomagala, već most između generacija

• Smiješne i stvarne priče s Balkana dok pokušavaš voditi mali biznis s malom djecom uokolo

• Kreativni načini korištenja kartica kod kuće (nije samo za hladnjak!)

• Koliko je moćno kad tvoje dijete izgovori riječi koje su tebe oblikovale

• Osvježavajuće poruke o tome da ne moraš biti tečan govornik da bi svom djetetu prenio jezik i identitet

• 🌐 Web stranica: www.studiopetrija.com.au

• 🛒 Trgovina / Shop: Klikni ovdje

• 📸 Instagram: @studio.petrija

• 🎵 TikTok: @studio.petrija

🎁 POSEBAN POPUST: Iskoristi kod BALKANSIS10 za 10% popusta na sve narudžbe — samo za slušatelje Balkan Sis podcasta.
(Napomena: Studio Petrija proizvodi rijetko su na sniženju, zato iskoristi ovu priliku!)

“Ako moje dijete može reći ‘Bluey’ i ‘ćevapi’ u istoj rečenici — nešto radim kako treba.”
— Petrija

“Ne moraš biti fluentan da posadiš sjeme. Počni s ‘Bok!’ i gradi od tamo.”
— Poruka iz Studio Petrija za sve balkanske obitelji

• 📸 Instagram: @ivanastrbacalfonso

• 🎵 TikTok: @ivanastrbacalfonso

• 📧 Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Episode: A Conversation with Special Guest Bella

In this heartwarming and lighthearted episode, I welcome my 12-year-old niece Bella as a special guest on the podcast. We chat about her plans for the future, what high school feels like, and what it’s been like growing up in a Croatian family. Bella shares her favourite Croatian foods, her thoughts on language, and what goes through her mind when she hears me, her mum, and her Baba speaking their native language around the house.

We dive into how kids today handle screen time, phones, and social media, and Bella shares what she thinks is a good age to start using them. She talks about the challenges kids face today compared to before, and whether she sees any similarities between me and her mum.

Bella also has some heartfelt advice for parents raising teenage girls, plus a personal quote to inspire our listeners. We wrap things up with her thoughts on how artificial intelligence might shape her future.

✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends!

👉 Head over to my Instagram [@ivanastrbacalfonso](https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso) for more updates, behind-the-scenes, and community chats.

👉 Subscribe to my newsletter with your email to stay connected and get bonus content.

👉 You can also find me on Facebook under *Ivana Strbac Alfonso* and on YouTube for even more stories and episodes.

Thanks for tuning in, and see you next time on Balkan Sis!

🎙️ Generacija Z susreće tradiciju: Razgovor s Bellom

U ovoj toplo i iskreno vođenoj epizodi ugostila sam svoju 12-godišnju nećakinju Bellu. Razgovaramo o njezinim planovima za budućnost, kakav je osjećaj ići u srednju školu i kako je odrastati u hrvatskoj obitelji. Bella dijeli svoje najdraže hrvatske delicije, razmišlja o jeziku i govori što joj prolazi kroz glavu kad čuje mene, svoju mamu i svoju Babu kako pričamo hrvatski.

Dotaknuli smo se tema poput vremena provedenog pred ekranima, mobitela i društvenih mreža te što Bella misli kada bi djeca trebala početi koristiti tehnologiju. Govori o izazovima s kojima se djeca danas suočavaju u usporedbi s prijašnjim vremenima i prepoznaje li sličnosti između mene i njezine mame.

Bella daje iskrene savjete roditeljima koji odgajaju tinejdžerice, a dijeli i jednu svoju misao za naše slušatelje. Na kraju razgovaramo o tome kako bi umjetna inteligencija mogla utjecati na njezinu budućnost.

✨ Ako vam se svidjela epizoda, pretplatite se, ostavite recenziju i podijelite je s prijateljima!

👉 Posjetite moj Instagram [@ivanastrbacalfonso](https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso) za novosti i sadržaj iza kulisa.

👉 Pretplatite se na moj newsletter i ostanite u toku s dodatnim pričama.

👉 Pronađite me i na Facebooku (Ivana Strbac Alfonso) te na YouTubeu za još više sadržaja i epizoda.

Hvala što ste slušali i vidimo se u sljedećoj epizodi Balkan Sis!

Welcome back to the Balkan Sis Podcast — it’s been a minute, and a lot has happened. In this solo episode, I catch you up on all the beautiful, heartbreaking, and transformational moments that have shaped the past few months of my life.

In this episode, I share:
💫 Welcoming our daughter — and how our planned home birth turned into something completely unexpected.
💔 The passing of my auntie just before her birth — the contrast of life and loss in one season.
🎄 Christmas, school holidays, healing postpartum, and holding space for my family.
📞 A life-changing phone call — my nephew’s leukemia diagnosis in January.
🧠 The Gabor Maté event on the Gold Coast — and the powerful moment when he answered my question.
🎂 My birthday reflections — and a surprise DNA kit (yes, I’m 100% Balkan!).
💍 17 years with my husband — love, deep reflection, and future dreams.
🌪️ Cyclone Alfred — food shortages, no power, and a heavy wartime-like energ

Silver Linings & Shoutouts:
🌟 To our incredible community who showed up during the cyclone — thank you.
🕯️ Jasmina from JMD Scentsations & Rosa Dora Imports — support their family-owned biz in Kogarah!
📚 Studio Petrija — honouring culture with custom flashcards for our little ones.

https://www.instagram.com/studio_petrija/

https://www.facebook.com/StudioPetrija/

https://www.studiopetrija.com

Let’s connect & collaborate:
💌 Want to sponsor an episode, collaborate, or share your story? I'd love to hear from you. On relevant platforms type in Ivana Strbac Alfonso or ;

📲 Follow along:
Instagram — @ivanastrbacalfonso
Email — [email protected]

Thank you for being here — especially through the chaos.
🧡 Ivana

In this episode of Balkan Sis, I dive into a whirlwind of personal updates and reflections. I’m 38 weeks pregnant and preparing for a home birth, while also navigating changes in my life and home. I discuss:

- The journey of being so close to welcoming a new baby.

- The process of changing my son’s school and renovating our home.

- The profound experience of losing my aunt at 63 and writing her eulogy.

- The contrast between life and death and the shared human experience.

- The power of kindness and how we can support each other through tough times.

I also give a special shout-out to some incredible Balkan women making a significant impact around the world. Tune in to hear their names, learn about their amazing contributions, and get a glimpse of what’s next for Balkan Sis.

I’d love to connect with you! If you’re interested in collaborations, sponsorships, or sharing your own stories, please reach out to me through

this link (https://linktr.ee/ivanaalfonso)

Let’s work together and make great things happen!

All my love and more Ivana XOX

Welcome to Balkanina Unplugged: Life, Love, Therapy, and Creativity (Part 2)!

Hey there, friend! Join us for some real talk and genuine connections. In our cozy corner of the internet, we're diving deep into the stuff that matters – life, love, therapy, and creativity.

We're not holding back. We're covering everything from sharing our experiences of breaking those old family habits to navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, fashion, and the digital creator life.

But this isn't just about us. It's about you too. We're here to share heartfelt stories, have some honest chats, and empower each other. Because we believe every woman deserves to feel heard, understood and inspired.

And hey, we're not just talking about the serious stuff. We'll also be chatting about the fun things – like fashion, style, travel, and the wild ride of being refugee children. We'll share how we survived the war and how therapy changed our lives.

So grab your favourite cozy blanket, pour yourself a cup of tea, and let's hang out. We're all in this together, and we can't wait to share this journey with you.

*To get in touch with Nina & listen to her podcast or follow her online click below

⁠https://www.balkanina.com/?fbclid=PAAabWm0xhkBIq_Wtac6Z_pPt9VIFWvb82TjptsIhEerkf1tjpwhoax8C2-O4_aem_AW0Sm152oLKboDfgtB3AtoEcbmz4so1017l95gbDhqBEyGTrz9jtPAxdNnMJcrxVtkY⁠

*⁠https://www.instagram.com/balkanina/⁠

*⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6bLuB2zmWAnGNiMBLAqYOa?si=99229c71ae144173&nd=1&dlsi=3bdddfd9108148d3⁠