Podcast Noor

[AYS HOUR] 

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student or you know any of the above...I’m sure you know this hasn’t been an easy adjustment. And while no one has all of the answers, @KindnessOrg has some. In my continued partnership with @NiveaUSA for our #RethinkSoft during COVID series, I spoke with Jaclyn Lindsey, the Founder + CEO of Kindness.org about how parents, teachers, and students can better adjust to the virtual classroom. All resources we mention in this conversation are available on their website. Please share this with anyone you think it can help. Stay soft, stay strong, stay safe. And as always — at your service

[AYS HOUR] 

Many of us have been trying to figure out our place in all of this. For most of us - protecting others by staying home, for people in service industries - it’s showing up for us so that we can continue surviving together, for doctors and nurses it’s being on the frontlines to keep our friends and families alive.

Lauren Brinkers is a retired nurse and shoemaker who voluntarily deployed herself to the frontlines of an NYC hospital during this pandemic. She went from a pediatric nurse to an ICU nurse because there was such a dire need. In this conversation, Lauren opens up to me about her experience and teaches us about how we can use softness to thrive during this time saying:

“The duality of softness [while being a COVID ICU nurse] is the fortitude it takes but also to be caring and empathetic. [Softness] is such an essential skill set needed in order to thrive + for patients to thrive.”

Thank you to all of the people who continue to serve on the frontlines of this pandemic. Thank you to everyone who continues to do their part in keeping each other safe.

Stay safe, stay strong, stay soft...and as always, At Your Service. x

[AYS HOUR] 

Many of us are struggling with being soft with ourselves during this time. I keep having to remind myself and loved ones - we are in a global pandemic. There is no right way to feel. I find comfort in knowing we are collectively going through a moment together. But in “normal” times and especially “global pandemic” times - we can be SO hard on ourselves.

I’ve been working with NIVEA around #RethinkSoft and the conversation and perception of SOFTNESS. For the next 4 weeks, during At Your Service Hour, I will be hosting weekly Live conversations on my Instagram @Noor around this theme with incredible guests. These episodes will also be uploaded to #TheProcess Podcast feed over the next 4 weeks. These messages are too important, so we’ve paused on rolling our official The Process episode while we take this journey!

Stay safe, Stay strong, Stay Soft.And as always...At Your Service. x

[THE PROCESS S1/E5] 

Building trust with people is one of my core values as a journalist. No one owes us their story. It is an honor and a privilege to witness someone’s truth. But the practice of building trust with others goes far beyond journalism. It is rooted in human connection. Seeing, hearing, and valuing all people.

In this episode of The Process, we explore this concept with a journalist I’ve looked up to since I was a kid, Lisa Ling. Her career has been built on getting people to share stories they’ve never shared out loud. The lessons in this episode are for our journeys, for our own Processes of Building Trust With Others.

[THE PROCESS S1/E4] 

This conversation was overdue yet couldn’t be more timely. I’ve had extensive conversations with Anna about grief, so I wanted to understand and share the experience with you all. From grieving a public figure, to grieving a private person, to understanding there is more than just the big grief — there are so many little ones along the way, and just as many ways to handle each experience. It’s a topic that has been on my mind all year and one I felt we needed insight on.

This episode, like all of this season, was taped before COVID-19. The entire world is going through an experience of collective grief right now - whether we have processed it or not. When I watched this interview in post production I felt like I was having an out of body experience — like I was watching and listening through the lens of a new world. I found even more comfort and guidance in this conversation.

This is a deep one. Take a deep breath before you enter and know we are virtually holding each other through this all. Love and appreciate y’all. And thank you Anna for walking us through The Process of Dealing with Grief.

In case you or someone you know needs support, here are some resources:

[THE PROCESS S1/E3] 

Imagine making a film inspired by your “coming of age” story.. Gets you a little nervous right? The idea of your family and community watching parts of your life and mind in such an intimate way. It’s an incredibly brave act — one that requires a lot of decision making, intention, and just great storytelling.

I’ve always been obsessed with the violin. I played as a child and putting the instrument down for good is one of my biggest regrets in life. There is just something about using a beautiful tool to create stories that keeps me in awe.

When I met violinist Ezinma and heard her play, so much light and power radiated from her. It was breathtaking, in a literal sense. The violin is one of the most incredibly constructed instruments on the planet, and Ezinma is one of the most talented people I’ve ever seen play. I knew there was so much to learn from her skill and passion. Who better to teach us The Process of Perfecting Your Craft?

[THE PROCESS S1/E1] 

For this episode, I knew I wanted to make a dish with Phillip. He’s one of my favorite designers in fashion — but the intention in his cooking transcends industry. It also gave me hope that he had only been cooking for a few years. Ha! Our conversation was one that filled my soul as much as the meal filled my belly..and then some. We talk about sustainability in regards to the environment...but what about ourselves? This conversation is a literal and metaphorical guide on The Process of Sustaining Ourselves in everything we do.

noortagouri.com/theprocess