Voices on the Side

Arabelle is a writer, beauty consultant, and author of Queer Heroes and the forthcoming The House of Beauty. They have an inspiring ability to weave their worldview into their everyday life, to be in joy while speaking up for change they want to see in the world.

We talk about the unique “sociological experiment” of a high school they attended, their New York roots, and being raised by and shouldering some of the burden of immigrant parents. They gives us a behind the scenes look at conversations within the beauty industry with regards to microaggressions, classism, and white supremacy, and how they ultimately view beauty to be a space of transformation and liberation. We interrogate what diversity really means and we celebrate the bold and outspoke youth. 

Our conversation, much like the person Arabelle is, intertwines the personal with the collective, and I found it to be a most enchanting allegory about the heartbreak we are witnessing and experiencing and how we can each find our way to show up for humanity. 

Please enjoy the poetically subversive — Arabelle.

Arabelle’s IG

Arabelle’s Substack

Leah’s IG

Yeldā is an artist in every sense of the word. She is a writer, storyteller, DJ, and new mother to her beautiful daughter who joined in on our conversation. As an Afghan in the US, Yeldā has the lived understanding of being viewed as a threat, from when she was a child. Her personal experience and her family’s legacy of resistance is what informs her understanding of oppression throughout the world. 

We talk about our birth stories, which were both traumatic, but processed really differently and therefore with different outcomes. I ask for Yeldā’s thoughts on what it means to be a true artist and how she maintains hope. Like Yeldā herself, this conversation is direct, fierce, and deeply joyful. 

Please enjoy the emotional — and wise — Yeldā.

Yeldā’s IG: @y3lda

Yeldā’s website: yeldaali.com

Yeldā’s substack: yelda.substack.com

Leah's IG: leahsoojinkim

We’re back with Sasha, an ancestral healing practitioner and a death doula. Sasha shares more about her personal connection to and time in Palestine, and how her studies and her ancestors opened up her curiosity in understanding other parts of the world.

We talk about the lie of the American dream, the problem with centering one’s own trauma, and what Sasha believes is her mission. As we are both mothers, we exchange stories of how we talk to our children about humanity and liberation. Sasha keeps us rooted in compassion and fueled by our rage and our hope.

Sasha’s IG: @sashaheron

Leah’s IG: @leahsoojinkim

Sasha is an ancestral healing practitioner and a death doula who is committed to collective liberation and dismantling supremacy culture. Those are a lot of big concepts, and we get into all of it in our conversation. When it comes to Palestine, Sasha is a breath of fresh air amidst a largely silent community of “healers,” and her sacred rage is palpable and contagious. 

We talk about why ignorance is a prison — not bliss, the problem with the intellectualization of suffering, and the energy of colonization. As honest as we are about our fears and disappointments, Sasha’s perspective and teachings always leave me feeling empowered and hopeful. 

Please enjoy the fearless — Sasha.

Sasha’s IG: @sashaheron

Leah’s IG: @leahsoojinkim

Thanks for joining us for Part 2 of my conversation with Kenta Seki. In this episode, we talk more about the importance of representation, assumptions around race, and the desire to feel like you belong. Kenta shares some family antidotes, having grown up with 8 siblings! We get a peek into his life as a trainer — and he mentions one of his clients that many of you are sure to know.

We wistfully recall the good ole days of being baby yogis in Santa Monica and the episode closes out with some essential nutrition tips. 

I hope our conversation leaves you feeling motivated to take great care of yourself so that you can show up as your best for others. 

Kenta's IG: ⁠@kentaseki⁠

Kenta's bio.site: ⁠kentaseki⁠

Leah's IG: ⁠leahsoojinkim

Kenta Seki is a yoga teacher, health and fitness trainer, and he specializes in fitness media. He creates programs for the Fit On App, which you can find on flights. He is at once awe-inspiring and motivating, without ever taking himself too seriously. Through all his success, Kenta has somehow stayed the same kind and silly person he was when we first met about 20 years ago. 

In addition to health and fitness tips sprinkled throughout our conversation, we talk about the way social media has put the power back into the hands of the people and the way it is a tool to fight discrimination. We also share stories from childhood growing up as “minorities” in the US and the way we both internalized bullying we were subjected to.

Please enjoy the most charming — Kenta. 

Kenta's IG: @kentaseki

Kenta's bio.site: kentaseki

Leah's IG: leahsoojinkim

Welcome back to my conversation with Asma — therapist, activist, mother, and so much more. We get into some psychology as we talk about cognitive dissonance and grief, and Asma shares her thoughts on how we can appropriately involve and inform our children.  

Asma expresses how meaningful and impactful it is that someone like me (not Palestinian, Arab, or Muslim) is invested in a free Palestine. She sees hope in all of us that care, and that makes me dare to hope that together, we will all find liberation. Join us, use your privilege, step up, and speak up.

Asma’s IG: @asma.therapist

Asma’s linktr.ee: asma.therapist

Leah’s IG: @leahsoojinkim

Leah’s essay as discussed: on silence

Asma is a social worker, therapist, and mother. She is also a Muslim, Arab woman whose grandfather was displaced during the 1948 Nakba. As such, Asma was born into the cause for Palestinian liberation.

Asma’s IG: @asma.therapist

Asma’s viral post: on Brené Brown

Asma’s linktr.ee: asma.therapist

Leah’s IG: @leahsoojinkim

Thanks for coming back for Part 2 of my conversation with Joél. We go deeper into the meaning of community and the importance of using your own discernment as you engage with others. I love the way that Joél holds in his heart and mind the authors and activists that have come before him. This in and of itself is a form of community.

Joél's linktr.ee: joelleon

Leah’s IG: @leahsoojinkim

Joél is an author, performer, storyteller, and father. He is a steady voice of inspiration and information, teaching us the necessity of community. He has a somewhat magical way of speaking his truth both unapologetically and with the deepest compassion. 

We talk about the impossibility of being in a constant state of traumatic peril while simultaneously being present with joy. Joél shares his thoughts on activism, being abolitionist, and collective liberation. He is an example of how we must lead with love and ultimately, he embodies hope for humanity.

Please enjoy — the lovely and lyrical Joél.

Joél’s IG: @iamjoelleon

Joél's linktr.ee: joelleon

Leah’s IG: @leahsoojinkim