In this episode, I speak with a woman whose podcast has deeply inspired me and whose writings have made significant waves in anti-racism movements. I had the opportunity to fangirl a little with Layla F. Saad as we discussed her journey to becoming an anti-racist changemaker and activist.

Layla is known for addressing issues of racism and social justice, but this is her first time speaking publicly about her beliefs and identity as a Muslim woman. The ongoing genocides in Gaza, Sudan, and Congo have profoundly strengthened Layla’s connection to the Divine through the concept of justice grounded within the Islamic tradition.

Our conversation also covers a range of other topics, including how Layla’s recent diagnosis as neurodivergent has changed how she interacts with the world and enabled her to understand herself better. Layla also shares her perspective on the importance of experiencing collective trauma, grief, and rage as part of our shared humanity.

Layla Saad is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, speaker, teacher, and cultural worker. She is the author of the groundbreaking anti-racism book Me and White Supremacy and the host of the Become A Good Ancestor and Good Ancestor Podcasts.

Find Layla online here: https://www.instagram.com/laylafsaad/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/becomeagoodancestor

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Find out more about Rose's work here: https://lnk.bio/dr.rose.aslan
Website: https://compassionflow.com

Support Rahma with Rose so I can keep producing more episodes here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2197727/supporters/new

Music credits: Vocals: Zeynep Dilara Aslan; Ney/drum: Elif Önal; Tanbur: Katherine Hreib; Rebap: Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev