Welcome back to our first episode of season 2 of The Levant Lounge! We are so excited to kick off the series with our friendship episode, diving head first into the complexities of girlhood & how to maintain healthy friendships over the years. Our book recommendations for this episode are: The Hobbit by J. R. R Tolkien and Estranged: How Strained Female Friendships Are Mended Or Ended by Susan Shapiro Barash.

Welcome to the first episode of our mini series, Cedar & Spine— our very own podcast book club! Every month we’re going to unpack one of our top current reads from romance to memoirs. First up is Dinner for Vampires, a chilling tale by Bethany Joy Lenz as she retells her years spent unknowingly falling deep into a religious cult. Get cozy and dive into this book with us.

Reminisce on Ramadan with us in our first season finale! This episode took us for a stroll down memory lane as we discussed fasting in the diaspora, iftars back home and the traditions we’re bringing with us into this new generation. Our book recommendations for this episode are Inspiration from Women Who Have Memorized the Quran by Saadia Mian & The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca by Tahir Shah & of course, the Holy Quran.

Today’s episode Mindful Muslim takes a deeper dive into our own personal journeys with our religion and culture. Enjoy our anecdotes, memories and laughs as we discuss what being a Muslim in today’s day and age means to us. Book recommendations for this episode are Evil Eye by Etaf Rum, Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam by A. Helwa, and Inside the Soul of Islam by Mamoon Yusaf.

Are screens ruining our self confidence and mental capabilities as we age? This is only one of the questions we dive into in today’s episode as we discuss the impacts of social media on not just our own generation, but those following us. Today’s book recommendation is The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World by Hannah Brencher.

Let’s talk taboo, ladies and gentlemen! Today’s episode delves into the untouchable topics of infertility, IVF, periods, cycle synching and all the 3aib topics your aunties will shush you for talking about. Please note, we do touch on possibly triggering topics like miscarriages and pregnancy struggles in the second half of this episode. Book recommendations for this episode are both by Alisa Vitti - In the Flo and Woman Code.

Our most magical episode yet, follow us down the spiritual path to enlightenment! From the beginner to the expert, whether you’re a skeptic or a star chaser, this episode is for anyone with an inkling of curiosity about the world of mysticism, manifestation and the power of belief. The books we recommend for this episode are the Manifest Series by Roxie Nafousi, The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practice by Casper ter Kuile, Manifest Now by Idil Ahmed, and of course, Psychology in Islam by Safa Ahmed Swaid.

A heavier episode, we delve deeper into the struggles of being children of the diaspora. From living with survivor’s guilt to coping in times of war from afar, we’re navigating the uncharted territories of being expats in our generation. Please note this episode touches heavily on strategies of war and trauma if such topics are triggering to you. Book recommendation for this episode is the Holy Quran.

Let’s walk hand in hand into the tangles of mental health in the Arab world. One of our heaviest topics this season, we delve deep into the minds of our peoples’ imposed generational trauma, the power of resilience and the importance of community. Our book recommendations this episode are The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, Asfuriyyeh: A History of Madness, Modernity, and War in the Middle East by Joelle M. Abi-Rached, and the works of Susan Abulhawa, Etaf Rum and Dr. Gabor Maté.

Episode 3 is here and ready to spread the love…the self-love, that is! It’s time to talk everything to do with becoming the best version of yourself from career, to creative outlets, to leaving your 20s behind. Our book recommendation for this episode is Now Is Your Chance by Niyc Pidgeon.