Belongings

Belongings

By Lina Sergie AttarSociety & Culture
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Belongings episodes

  • Triumph Over Tremors: A Post Earthquake Story

    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 exemplary figure, Assalah shares not just her tales of survival, but also her invaluable work at Karam House.

    This episode also takes you through the aftermath of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, offering an inside look at how natural disasters can shape our sense of belonging. Assalah's stories of resilience, the challenges faced by the community in Hatay, and the commendable efforts of the Karam House team to organize pop-up activities and support their community, create a mosaic of trials and triumphs. Join us for the journey, as we traverse territories of hope, belonging, and resilience.

    1 hr 5 min
  • REPUBLISHED: Belonging, Activism, and the Struggle for Liberation: A Conversation with Lara Elborno and Lama

    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 she belongs.

    1 hr 1 min
  • Exploring Cultural Identity with Omar Offendum and Maram: A Journey Through Little Syria and Beyond
    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 Maram, a 17-year-old Syrian refugee living in Istanbul whose love for music and indomitable spirit shine through her harrowing experiences. Omar’s profound insights on identity and belonging, coupled with Maram’s inspiring journey serve as a testament to the power of hope and resilience. Join us on this enlightening listen as we navigate culture, creativity, and courage.
    1 hr 33 min
  • Understanding Belonging through Design and Displacement: A Conversation with Abeer Seikaly and Yousef Yousef
    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 restoring the intimacy of hand-making, and her deep-rooted connection to her Jordanian heritage. Lina also engages in a heart-to-heart with Yousef, a Karam House Mentor and Karam Scholars graduate, whose personal narratives of seeking home from Aleppo to Istanbul and then the UK are both inspiring and thought-provoking. Yousef's tale is not just one of displacement; it's a story of resilience, hope, and the relentless pursuit of education and self-improvement. This episode is a must-listen, filled with tales of home, belonging, and identity that will leave you profoundly moved and inspired to explore your notions of home and belonging.
    1 hr 32 min
  • Navigating Polyculturalism and the Healing Power of Art with Jamil Khoury and Majd
    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 with Majd who discusses his life in Aleppo and reflects on his childhood memories.
    1 hr 12 min
  • Creating a Sense of Belonging: Insights from Renn Vara on Ethical Leadership and the Power of Education
    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 personal stories that have shaped his worldview. From his inspiring work with homeless children in New York City to his writing project aimed at his future grandchildren, Renn's experiences express his desire to create a more informed and connected society. Then, from Karam House Reyhanli, I chatted with Wael to learn about his understanding of belonging. It involves a deep sense of belonging to the future version of himself. A future in which he has achieved all his dreams and is on his way to finding new goals.
    1 hr 7 min
  • Advocacy, Storytelling, and Healing with Waad Al-Kateab and Mohammad

    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 through her drawing of her family’s home, and the strength it provides her. Then, from Karam House Reyhanli, Lina chats with Mohammad, a Karam House graduate. Together, they explore the loss of belonging, and the meaning of keeping hope for the future alive.

    1 hr 4 min
  • Belonging to the Future with Amer Jandali and Alaa

    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,

    1 hr 12 min
  • A Reflection on the Turkiye-Syria Earthquake

    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.

    39 min

About Belongings

From the publisher's feed

Belongings is a podcast that explores concepts of home, belonging, collective memory, loss, and displacement. Discussions revolve around questions like: How do we find belonging? What is home to us…