In today’s episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Chitra Nagarajan – a writer, researcher, and activist whose work spans human rights, conflict, migration, and climate justice.

Chitra has spent many years working across West Africa, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin region, and brings a deep commitment to centering the voices of those often left unheard. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, Al Jazeera, openDemocracy, and more, and she is widely respected for her ability to weave together the personal, political, and historical with clarity and compassion.

In this episode, we discuss her extraordinary new book, The World Was In Our Hands – Voices from the Boko Haram Conflict, which is a powerful and essential oral history project. Through a chorus of voices – of survivors, fighters, community members, and aid workers – the book paints a deeply human and nuanced portrait of one of the most devastating conflicts of our time. It asks urgent questions about justice, memory, and healing, and it reminds us of the importance of listening deeply to the people most affected by violence.

I’m so honoured to share this conversation with you – it’s moving, insightful, and necessary.

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by the extraordinary Juhea Kim to discuss her latest novel, City of Night Birds—a haunting and lyrical exploration of artistry, love, and redemption set against the backdrop of the Russian ballet world.

The novel centers on Natalia Leonova, once the most celebrated ballerina of her generation. After a catastrophic accident ends her career, Natalia returns to St. Petersburg in 2019, grappling with addiction and the ghosts of her past. As she navigates the city that shaped her, she confronts memories of her complex relationships: her great love, Alexander, who transformed both her life and art; and Dmitri, a dark and treacherous genius whose actions contributed to her downfall. When Dmitri offers her a chance to return to the stage in her signature role, Natalia must decide whether she can face the people and the world that nearly broke her.

In our conversation, Juhea and I explore themes of forgiveness, identity, and the transformative power of art. Juhea shares insights into her research process, her connection to the world of ballet, and how she crafted a narrative that resonates with both intimacy and grandeur. We talk about the moral responsibilities that authors have, literature as a work of art, the world around us and so much more. 

A bit about Juhea before we begin: she is the author of the acclaimed debut novel Beasts of a Little Land, which was a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and the winner of the Society of American Historians Prize for Historical Fiction. Her writing has appeared in Guernica, Catapult, Zyzzyva, and The New York Times Modern Love. Born in South Korea and now based in Portland, Oregon, Juhea is also a passionate advocate for animal rights and environmental justice.

This is a beautiful and deeply human conversation, and I can’t wait for you to hear it.

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This week, I’m speaking with the brilliant Ibtisam Azem—novelist, journalist, and storyteller—about her powerful and thought-provoking book, The Book of Disappearance.

Set across 1948 Palestine, in Jaffa and also Tel Aviv, this novel asks a haunting question: what if all the Palestinians suddenly disappeared? Through the intertwining narratives of Alaa, a young Palestinian man who vanishes without a trace, and Ariel, an Israeli, liberal Zionist journalist who finds Alaa’s diaries, the novel explores themes of memory, identity, and erasure. It is both a deeply personal story and a profound political meditation on history, belonging, and loss.

In this conversation, we delve into the layers of metaphor and meaning in The Book of Disappearance, the historical and political realities that shape the narrative, and the ongoing situation in Palestine. We also reflect on storytelling as resistance, the role of literature in preserving memory, and the weight of silence in both personal and collective histories.

This is a powerful and necessary discussion, and I hope it sparks reflection and conversation for you as well.

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I hope you loved listening to this episode and found things that will stay with you. I’d love to hear from you, so please do reach out on social media and don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review as it can really help. 

If you're feeling extra generous, please consider buying me a "coffee" so I can keep putting great conversations like this out into the world:

https://ko-fi.com/readwithsamia

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For this week's episode, I have the immense honour of speaking with Elif Shafak — an internationally acclaimed and award-winning author whose work has been translated into more than 55 languages. With 21 published books to her name, including 13 novels, Elif has built a remarkable body of work that spans continents, cultures, and generations. Her writing is rich, lyrical, and deeply political, shaped by her experiences of living in multiple countries, her life in exile, and her unwavering belief in the power of stories to build bridges and foster understanding.

In this episode, we talk about her latest novel, There Are Rivers In The Sky, a beautifully layered and timely book that flows across generations and continents, weaving together stories of identity, migration, belonging, and the sacredness of water.

We explore the urgent themes at the heart of the novel — climate change, political unrest, and the silencing of voices — and how Elif draws on oral storytelling traditions to give voice to those often unheard. We also speak about the symbolism of water, the language of silence, and how fiction can hold both beauty and protest at once.

This is a powerful and reflective conversation that touches on hope, resilience, and the role of the writer in turbulent times. I am beyond honoured to be speaking with Elif for this episode. 

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I hope you loved listening to this episode and found things that will stay with you. I’d love to hear from you, so please do reach out on social media and don’t forget to like, subscribe and leave a review as it can really help. 

If you're feeling extra generous, please consider buying me a "coffee" so I can keep putting great conversations like this out into the world:

https://ko-fi.com/readwithsamia

Support the show

Today’s episode is part of a special mini-series called Ramadan reflections, where I talk to guests about faith, life and Ramadan.

 I’m thrilled to be joined by poet and creative producer, Imrana Mahmood for a conversation about creativity and faith, the role of Ramadan in the creative process, and the importance of Muslim representation in literature and on stage and screen.

Imrana Mahmood is a poet, curator, and creative producer who has dedicated her career to amplifying underrepresented voices in the arts. With a background in community-driven projects, she has worked extensively to create spaces for diverse creatives to thrive. Her work is deeply rooted in storytelling, activism, and faith, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and spirituality. She has collaborated with leading arts organizations and has played a key role in shaping conversations around Muslim representation in the UK’s literary and creative industries.

In this episode, we’ll be diving into Imrana’s journey—how faith informs her creativity, the challenges and opportunities for Muslim artists today, and what true representation looks like in the arts. 

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Today’s episode is part of a special mini-series called Ramadan reflections, where I talk to guests about faith, life and Ramadan.

I’m honoured to be speaking with Yasmin Stannard, a mother, advocate, and campaigner, who has been raising awareness and funds for brain cancer in memory of her beloved daughter, Amani.

Amani was just 22 years old when she passed away from brain cancer three years ago. Since then, Yasmin and her family have dedicated themselves to honouring Amani’s legacy—through fundraising, awareness campaigns, and by sharing their journey of love, loss, and faith. In this conversation, we reflect on grief, healing, and the ways in which faith helps navigate unimaginable loss, especially during Ramadan, a time of deep spirituality and remembrance.

This is a conversation that I hope it brings comfort and connection to anyone who has experienced grief.

Join Yasmin & Amani's community on instagram to learn more:

www.instagram.com/fight4amani 

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On today's episode, I’m speaking with the wonderful Preethi Nair—an author, entrepreneur, and storyteller with an incredible journey into publishing.

Preethi left her career as a management consultant to pursue her dream of writing, but after facing multiple rejections from publishers, she took matters into her own hands. She set up her own publishing company, took on a secret identity as a publicist, and successfully got her debut novel Gypsy Masala a whole load of press and attention. Her creative marketing and perseverance led to a three-book deal with HarperCollins, and she has since gone on to inspire countless aspiring writers with her story.

In this episode, we talk about her novel Unravelling, a beautifully written story about family, love, and self-discovery. We also explore the deeper themes of identity, resilience, and the unconventional path she took to bring her books into the world. Unravelling is indepdnently published, and this is a conversation full of warmth, wisdom, and inspiration, and I can’t wait for you to hear it.

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Today’s episode is part of a special mini-series called Ramadan reflections, where I talk to guests about faith, life and Ramadan.

 I’m joined by the incredible Leanne from LC Fitness. Leanne is a passionate personal trainer and fitness coach who helps people build strength, confidence, and a positive relationship with their bodies. She has built a real community, bringing together women to look after themselves and also look after each other. In this episode, we’re diving into a really important conversation about Ramadan, faith, fitness, wellbeing, and mental health. Leanne shares her insights on the connection between health and spirituality, the impact of social media on body image, and the importance of looking after both our physical and mental health. 

I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation—let’s get into it

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Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by the award-winning writer and journalist, Omar El Akkad.

Omar is a journalist and novelist whose work masterfully blurs the lines between fiction and reality, forcing us to confront the most urgent issues of our time. His debut novel, American War, was a haunting and unflinching look at climate change, war, and displacement. His second novel, What Strange Paradise, won the Giller Prize and offered a deeply human perspective on the refugee crisis. And now, with his latest book, One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, he turns his attention to the genocide in Gaza, power, identity, and the way history remembers—or erases—those who resist.

In this conversation, we talk about the stories behind his stories—the historical and political forces that shape his work, the deeply personal nature of writing about conflict and displacement at the time it’s happening, and how writing can help us make sense of an increasingly fractured world. We also explore themes of belonging, compassion, and what it means to be on the margins of history.

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For this week's episode, I’m super excited to be welcoming back one of my favourite guests – Huda Fahmy.

Huda is a seriously talented writer and artist, using comic style storytelling to explore wider, serious issues pertaining to identity, current affairs, faith, being a visibly Muslim person in the States, growing up and so much more. She explores these issues through comedy and in a light-hearted way, while both resonating with those experiencing them, and offering some insight to those who aren’t.

Huda is back with a hilarious and poignant follow-up book in her Huda F series, Huda F Wants to Know. In this book, Huda's life and worldview are turned upside down when her parents announce they're divorcing and Huda grapples with the change. 

Huda Fahmy is ready for junior year. She’s got a plan to join all the clubs, volunteer everywhere, ace the ACTs, write the most awe-inspiring essay for her scholarship applications. Easy.

But then Mama and Baba announce the most unthinkable news: they’re getting a divorce.

Huda is devastated. She worries about what this will mean for her family, their place in the Muslim community, and her future. Her grades start tanking, she has a big fight with her best friend, and everything feels out of control. Will her life ever feel normal again? Huda F wants to know.

 Huda Fahmy grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and has loved comics since she was a kid. She attended the University of Michigan where she majored in English. She taught English to middle and high schoolers for eight years before she started writing about her experiences as a visibly Muslim woman in America and was encouraged by her older sister to turn these stories into comics. Huda, her husband, Gehad, and their children reside in Houston, Texas.

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