Why is dating such a big deal in Arab families—and why does it feel so judged?

IToday we get real about dating while Arab American. From navigating reputation and cultural expectations to building trust and making your own choices, they open up about the awkward, the honest, and everything in between.

You’ll hear stories about growing up with strict parents, the “no dating” rule, and how to actually talk to your parents (without starting World War III). They break down the importance of open communication, why reputation matters (but doesn’t define you), and how setting boundaries can actually build trust.

Whether you’re a teen figuring it all out, a parent trying to understand, or just nosy (we see you), this episode is packed with insight, laughter, and love.

You’ll learn:

- Why dating is taboo in many Arab households
- How to approach the topic with your parents (without freaking them out)
- What healthy dating looks like—with real limitations and real conversations
- Why grace, trust, and open hearts matter on both sides

Listen in and remember: it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being honest, respectful, and human.

 Don’t forget to subscribe, send in your Therapy Thursday questions, and share this with a friend who needs to hear it.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to In Session with Nat & Ange

00:45 - Why dating is such a hot topic in Arab communities 

02:00 - American norms vs. Arab expectations 

04:30 - Arranged marriages & why our parents think differently 

07:00 - Is love enough? Dating vs. traditional marriage values 

10:00 - Are we chasing feelings or choosing love? 

13:00 - Honest conversations: parents vs. kids

 16:00 - Reputation: why it matters and how to talk about it 

20:00 - Purity culture and parental fears 

24:00 - Building trust through vulnerability 

28:00 - Letting kids make mistakes—and be safe doing it 

32:00 - The difference between teenage and adult dating 

35:00 - What dating with limitations actually means 

38:00 - What to look for in a dating partner 

41:00 - Don’t look for perfect—look for growth

 44:00 - Dating isn’t wrong—it just needs real conversations 

46:30 - Final thoughts: Normalize dating with respe

The Truth About Parenting Styles: What Actually Works

Being a parent is tough, especially when everyone online tells you something different. In this episode, two mental health experts talk about different parenting styles and what they see working in real life. You’ll learn the four main styles of parenting—what they mean and how they affect kids. They explain why showing love and setting rules at the same time helps kids grow up healthy, happy, and strong.

They also give tips for what to do when kids throw tantrums, forget their homework, or break the rules. You’ll learn how to help your child understand their feelings, take responsibility, and become more confident. If you're feeling confused about what kind of parent to be, this episode will give you ideas that actually work—and remind you that you’re not alone.

There's no perfect way to parent, but being consistent, kind, and firm helps more than anything.

Chapters:

00:00 "Parenting Challenges and Insights"

05:54 "Authoritative Parenting Explained"

07:36 "Teaching Emotional Regulation in Discipline"

10:57 "Excessive Control is Problematic"

13:36 "Triplets’ Lives in Separate Households"

18:44 "Positive Parenting: 4-to-1 Rule"

20:54 "Be Consistent in Parenting"

22:55 Parenting Shapes Children's Behavior

26:08 "Quality Time Builds Connection"

29:43 Parental Overdoing: Loving Too Much?

32:33 "Parenting: Embrace the Long Game"

37:13 "Kids Learn Through Parental Modeling"

39:35 "Explaining vs. Instilling Fear"

42:34 "Supporting ADHD Through Structured Breaks"

46:45 "Kid Asks for Starbucks Cookie"

49:03 "Praising Effort Over Intelligence"

52:04 "Parenting Starts with Self-Growth"

55:26 "Thanks and Goodbye"

Welcome back to In Session with Nat & Ang!

Today we dive into the topic of “ghosting”—what it means, why it happens, and how it can make us feel, especially around the holidays.

We share some personal stories and talk openly about rejection, attachment styles, and the struggles that come with wondering “why did this happen to me?”

Together, we explore where ghosting comes from, why people do it, and how it connects to things like self-esteem and past experiences.

We'll be giving you tops for moving on and letting go when you don’t get closure, and encourage you to reflect on your own habits, feelings, and patterns in relationships.

So grab your favorite cozy socks or sweater, and join us for a conversation about the ghosts of Christmas past, learning to set boundaries, and growing into a stronger, more self-loving you!

Chapters:
00:00 "Holiday Romance Readiness Misconception"
04:08 "Impact of Ghosting Explained"
07:54 "Why Do People Ghost?"
12:32 "Emotional Expression and Upbringing"
15:44 Coping with Being Ghosted
19:41 "Overcoming Self-Doubt in Love"
20:40 "Embracing Risks in Relationships"
24:42 "Letting Go Brings Fulfillment"
27:34 "Ghosting: It's Not About You"
30:56 "Accepting Unanswered Questions"
36:09 "Patterns, Choices, and Self-Awareness"
38:17 "Reflect on Patterns and Feedback"
40:24 "Letting Go on a Train"
44:04 "Struggling to Stand Firm"
47:40 Learning to Say No
52:15 "Vulnerability and Healing"
53:49 "Open and Free Conversations"
56:11 "Holiday Wishes and Farewell"

Hey everyone! Welcome back to In Session with Nat & Ang.

In today’s episode, we talk all about jealousy—especially when we feel it toward people we love, like our friends or family. We ask a big question: is it normal to feel jealous? (And yes, it really is.)

We talk about why jealousy shows up, how our culture can make it feel even stronger, and what happens when we start comparing our lives to other people’s lives. We also break down those “should” thoughts, like telling ourselves we should be doing more or should be somewhere else in life, and how that can make us feel like we’re not enough.

We share our own stories about feeling jealous or not good enough, and we talk about what helps us work through those hard feelings. We also explain the difference between healthy jealousy and unhealthy jealousy, and how to be kinder to yourself when jealousy shows up.

If you’ve ever felt jealous, you’re not alone. We’re right there with you, and in this episode, we’re figuring it out together—one honest conversation at a time.

Chapters:

00:00 "Embracing Human Vulnerability"

04:50 Struggling with Contentment

09:42 "Dealing with Entitled Opinions"

13:11 Teenage Identity and Perfectionism

17:06 "Faith in a Higher Power"

19:35 Healthy vs. Unhealthy Jealousy

22:21 Body Image and Self-Acceptance

26:50 "Focus on Strengths and Gratitude"

30:28 Body Positivity and Realistic Goals

33:02 "Love Yourself, Embrace Uniqueness"

36:43 "Shared Struggles, Shared Compassion"

39:31 "Gratitude and Daily Focus"

41:44 "Open Topics and Questions"

Welcome to the very first episode of In Session with Nat & Ang! We’re so excited you’re here.

In this episode, we introduce ourselves and share why we chose to become therapists. We talk about how mental health is not always talked about in our Arab American community, and why we wanted to create a safe space where people can be open, honest, and supported.

We also explain what therapy really looks like. We clear up the idea that therapists are there to “fix” people. We talk about the difference between therapy for adults and therapy for kids, and what those sessions can look like.

We share personal stories about growing up, dealing with cultural pressure, and learning how important it is to have support—whether that’s family, friends, or your church group.

This episode has laughs, real moments, and lots of encouragement for anyone who feels alone or scared to ask for help. We also introduce Therapy Thursdays, where you can send in your questions or stories and hear our honest thoughts.

If you want to learn more about mental health or just feel understood, we’re here for you—one conversation at a time.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Mental Health Stigma Discussion

05:05 "Discovering Psychology as a Calling"

08:46 "Therapists Guide, Not Fix"

09:46 "You Have the Tools Within"

15:25 Stigma Blocking Mental Health Help

18:00 Fear of Stigma in Community

22:06 "Encouragement and Community Support"

23:58 "Finding Uplifting Community Spaces"

28:09 "Shared Experiences and Connection"

29:51 "Layers of Mental Health"

35:16 "Embracing 'What Ifs' and 'Even Ifs'"

39:03 Therapy Thursday: Mental Health Q&A

41:15 "Therapy Thursday Listener Feedback"

We’re Nat and Ang, and this podcast is a safe space where we talk about mental health, real life, and what it’s like being Arab American.

Each episode, we open up about the struggles, thoughts, and feelings that many of us keep inside. We talk about balancing both parts of who we are, learning how to cope, and finding tools and resources that actually help.

You’ll hear vulnerable moments, silly conversations, and unexpected stories as we figure things out together.

Join us In Session and walk with us on this journey—one honest conversation at a time.