We're Just Talking About It's podcast

In this week's episode we interview an American Muslim soldier who grew up in Bradford, PA, the son of Muslim South Asian immigrant physicians. Unlike his other siblings, Junaid diverged from the stereotypically favored medical career path by joining the United States Army in 2001. He finished basic training a few weeks before 9/11. Since then, Junaid has made it his life's work to defend his faith and his country in the Department of Defense.

In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with ex-Muslim, Omayma. We begin by talking about the topic of the "guardianship program" in many Muslim cultures.

Omayma likens it to a parent-child relationship that remains throughout a woman's entire life.

Omayma talks about how the program impacted her childhood and how she felt trapped by her own religion.

We also talk about her grandparents late decision to begin strictly following the faith; and we wrap up by talking about what her hope is for her own future and other Muslims who choose to leave Islam behind.

In S2 Ep2 of WJTA, we continue the conversation with ex-muslim, Omayma. In the first episode, Omayma shared stories of what it was like growing up in a strict, muslim home.

Omayma now talks about what it was like leaving Islam, the transformation and finding her identity. Three years after leaving the religion, she admits it's a journey she is still on.

In this episode of WJTA, we chat with a woman that has left Islam and is living in Australia.

Omayma was born in Egypt and moved to Australia when she was a 1-year old. She was raised as a conservative Sunni Muslim.

In her teenage years Omayma started to have some serious questions and concerns with Islam as her family practiced it and the way she had been living her life.

After she reinforced her faith. Omayma went to University and found her ideas about religion challenged again.

She opens up about how confusing and conflicted she was and how she shifted her focus toward rebuilding her life after leaving Islam.

"I sort of had to start again"

Omayma was discovering her identity and individuality.

"Just as long as I'm free and I'm happy, and doing what I want to be doing, that's what I really value at the moment."

Happy New Year! Welcome to episode #17 of WJTA. Thank you for your continued support and interest. We open the new year by answering some of the toughest questions Jason gets asked after his lectures or speaking engagements.

Questions like: Why do muslims us hate us (Americans)?

What's with the 72 virgins in heaven?

Why don't muslims assimilate in the U.S.?

Some of the questions we discuss today, may be found in Jason's next book. Hopefully these questions and answers can help lead to a better discussion in America.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 16. This week is a short and quick episode with a valuable lesson about myths, stereotypes and keeping an open mind.

Sometimes those who think they are open-minded are acting just like the intolerant people they think they hate...

Tolerance in every direction is the only way to bring people of all faiths and beliefs closer together.

Welcome to Episode #15! Jason had a busy November traveling to speak and teach in D.C., New Mexico, North Carolina, New Jersey, D.C. and back to NC.

Today, Jason talks about being a guest host at the Associations of Physicians of Pakistani Descent in North America, in Virginia last month.

The conversation turned to one major question from Jason's audience of Pakistani professionals.

What do non-Muslims ask about you (Jason) about Islam?

In this episode hear how Jason answers questions from both sides of the Islam discussion.

Plus, Jason shares highlights from his lunch conversation with the President of the Islamic Society of North America and the importance of secularism and religious freedom.

It was a successful trip to D.C.

Thanks for checking out Episode #14 of We're Just Talking About It!

In this episode we tackle the topic of entertainment vs. news in America, in particular to Muslims in America.

• We discuss the common question: Where are all the muslims speaking out against terrorism?
• How the September 11th terrorist attacks got people more curious about Islam
• Why Munim is cautiously optimistic about the future of religious understanding in America
• How the shift in demographics is helping how Muslims are perceived in America.

The thing to remember, "As long as we're talking, we're moving in the right direction."-- Jason Howk

Welcome to Episode #13! We continue our enlightening conversation with Munim Deen, epidemiologist, writer, photographer.

TOPICS WE COVER:

• Religion's power to unite and divide and how we go beyond it.
• The idea that the more time you spend with people that are different than you, the better.
• How social media plays a role in the Muslim/Non-Muslim relationship in America.
• Differentiating your personal beliefs religion/politics from what we see on TV.
• American society vs. American foreign policy
• How religion and logic coexist

"Remember, at the end of the day, no matter what side or religion you're on, you are meeting another person." _Munim Deen

Welcome to episode #12!

This week we continue our candid conversation with Munim Deen. A young Muslim man who was born in Bangladesh and moved to Oklahoma when he was 8-years old.

We talk about how his life and his families' were impacted by the September 11th terrorist attacks and what they dealt with in the days after.