Our Stories Matter

Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern shares her writings, her collection of poems related to the October 7th massacre. She is inviting you, our listeners, to send in your poems relating to a traumatic event in your life. Calling all poets.

Dr. Ilana Kwartin is the Executive Director of Healing Space Rishhpon, an innovative healing center that aims to rehabilitate the mind-body connection ruptured by trauma. Dr. Kwartin recounts her experiences at the start of the war and how she has been prioritizing the healing of those most affected, all while holding space for her own healing and her family's healing. She explains how the body keeps the score and the importance of Healing Space Rishhpon's work as they provide individuals with a safe, healing environment to process their trauma. 

Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern shares her writings, her collection of poems related to the October 7th massacre. She is inviting you, our listeners, to send in your poems relating to a traumatic event in your life. Calling all poets.

Syrian-Lebanese/German activist Rawan Osman, Founder of ArabsAsk, a forum meant for Arabs to ask questions and challenge preconceived notions about Judaism and Israel, and Chairwoman of PostOctober7, describes how she navigates hatred and criticism throughout her activsm. In addition, she provides insight into how to combat misinformation and polarization on college campuses and how to have productive dialogue about the Middle East. Osman emphasizes the importance of early education, sharing how this was pivotal in her journey to become an advocate for peace in Israel. 

Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern shares her writings, her collection of poems related to the October 7th massacre. She is inviting you, our listeners, to send in your poems relating to a traumatic event in your life. Calling all poets.

Natalie Sanandaji, Public Affairs Officer at the Combat Antisemitism Movement, shares what it was like to narrowly survive the Nova festival massacre on October 7th. Hoping to find an escape within the music festival, Sanandaji describes the trauma that actually came from it. In addition, she describes the idea of a "choiceless choice" and how this ultimately allowed her to escape. Using storytelling as a way to heal and process her own trauma, Sanandaji continues to demonstrate strength and resiliency as she uses her voice to speak for those no longer with us. 

Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern shares her writings, her collection of poems related to the October 7th massacre. She is inviting you, our listeners, to send in your poems relating to a traumatic event in your life. Calling all poets.

Susie Hess, Associate Professor of Practicum Education at USC Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work and Co-Founder of Trauma Informed LA, and Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program at The Boston Child Study Center and a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, reflect on the circumstances surrounding their introduction to each other. Sharing intimate and vulnerable stories describing how they navigated holding space for their loved ones while also prioritizing their own healing during a time of war, Susie and Miri highlight the central theme of the podcast: post-traumatic growth. In addition, Susie and Miri speak to the polarizing paradigms on college campuses and ways we can dismantle these narratives. Ultimately, Susie and Miri ask us, how do we give meaning to what happened and how can we bring healing and compassion to everyone? 

Since the October 7th attack, false narratives have intensified tensions and prejudice, in academic settings. Drawing from their own experiences of war, Dr. Bar-Halpern and Associate Professor Susan Hess recognize the urgency of sharing stories of hope and resilience. Our Stories Matter Season 5, We Will Dance Again, strives to dismantle these harmful narratives, strengthen unity on college campuses, and confront polarization. Featuring storytellers from varied perspectives—Jews, Arabs, and Christians—the podcast works to cultivate compassion and understanding, break down polarization, and drive civil engagement to spark meaningful dialogue and across college communities.

Our Stories Matter Season 4 Finale Bonus Episode! Father Greg Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. Detailing the origins of Homeboy Industries, he reflects on powerful moments and stories that shaped his journey. He discusses the importance of unwavering compassion, the intentional act of loving, and dares to ask us – what would happen if we believed that people are unshakably good and we belong to each other?

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