Hello and Salaam Jigars and Jaans,
In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing Husna Safi, a psychotherapist in Canada.   She is an Afghan registered clinical social worker and provides a tailored approach using a bio-psycho social model of care to treat anxiety, trauma, and attachment issues. Come join us in this conversation where we discuss healing, finding a sense of belonging, connection, generational trauma and more!  She provides invaluable insights on where stigma comes from in Afghans and shares some tools and techniques.  This was truly a profound conversation that I know all Afghans and even non-Afghans can benefit from. 

Links mentioned in the episode:
Husna Jaan's article- https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/a-silent-mental-health-crisis-plagues-afghans-at-home-and-abroad-49437

Husna Jaan's Instagram:
https://instagram.com/safitherapy?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Husna Jaan’s website
https://www.safitherapy.ca/biography

Don’t forget to follow the podcast instagram! The hashtags for the podcast are #notdewana #notdewanafamily #jigarsandjaans
https://instagram.com/unfilteredafghanpodcast?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Hello Jigars and Jaans,
In this episode, I've had the honor of interviewing Tarana Rahimi the founder of Afghan Women Strong.  Tarana Jaan is a human rights activist who uses her platform to continuously shed light on what's going on with the women of Afghanistan.  Originally, she started her platform to highlight some amazing women and their work in Afghanistan. But with the collapse of the government in August 2021, she decided to change her platform and shed light on how the women of Afghanistan are constantly being affected by it. For example, the ban of education for women is heavily talked about in this episode.  Below are the questions that were answered:

1. Tarana's introduction/ opening chat about Afghan Women Strong
2. What inspired you to pursue this path of an activist and amplify the voices of Women in Afghanistan? (share as many details behind the birth of Afghan Women Strong you'd like!!)
3. Can you shed some light on the current situation of girls/women in Afghanistan (education ban, what jobs they can currently pursue, anything you feel is important to share)?
4. What can we as the Afghan diaspora do to help?
5. Now that you've been in the activist world for some time, what is one thing you love about it and what is one thing you want to change?
6. Being such a strong female Afghan figure who is sharing the stories of other Afghan women, What steps do you take to cope with your own mental health through this journey?
7. What does mental health as an Afghan mean to you?

       Dig Deeper Segment 

1. What does love mean to you?
2. What is the best advice you've ever received when it comes to healing?
3. What makes your heart smile?
4.  If you could change one thing in your local Afghan community what would it be?
5. What do you think about therapy?
6. What does Tarana mean to you in one word?

Please follow her on instagram and support her in her mission of spreading awareness on the rights of Afghan women!
https://www.instagram.com/afghanwomenstrong/

Nadia Hashmi Jaan's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nadiahashimibooks/
Nadia's Books:
https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-that-Broke-Its-Shell/dp/0062244752
https://www.amazon.com/Sparks-Like-Stars-Nadia-Hashimi/dp/0063008289

Hello and Salaam my Jigars and Jaans! 
Join me on this special episode as I share my wonderful journey and unforgettable moments from the Afghan-American Conference 2023, held in the vibrant city of Washington DC from June 23rd to June 25th.

Throughout the episode, I'll take you on a personal tour of the conference, describing the atmosphere, the incredible people I met, and the enlightening discussions that filled the event. As an Afghan-American myself, this conference held immense significance for me, as it provided a unique opportunity to connect with my heritage and embrace my American identity.

I'll recount the excitement and anticipation I felt leading up to the event, not knowing what to expect, but eager to immerse myself in the culture and stories of my community. From the very start, the warm hospitality of fellow attendees made me feel right at home, instantly fostering a sense of belonging.

Throughout the conference, I attended inspiring sessions that covered a wide range of topics, from preserving our cultural heritage to navigating the challenges faced by the Afghan-American diaspora. The diverse perspectives and shared experiences left a profound impact on me, reaffirming the strength and resilience of our community.

The stories of success and perseverance inspired me and reminded me of the countless possibilities that lie ahead for our community.

As I reflect on my personal encounters and conversations with fellow attendees, I'll share heartwarming and humorous anecdotes that left lasting impressions on me. The connections I made during those three days were truly invaluable, and I'll cherish the memories for a lifetime. I truly made some life long connections.

This episode is not just a summary of the Afghan-American Conference 2023; it's a celebration of the unity, diversity, and hope that thrived within those walls. Join me as I relive this extraordinary experience, and together, we'll rejoice in the shared heritage that brings us all together as one big Afghan-American diaspora.  This episode is me sharing a much needed experience that brought me closer to my culture.

Follow the podcast instagram!!!!!!
https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredafghanpodcast/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Responsibility to our homeland causes mentioned in the episode:
https://afghan-relief.org/about/
https://aseelapp.com/
https://wiseafghanistan.org/

Afghan American Community Organization:
https://aa-co.org/
@afghanamericancommunityorg

Performers:
@hello.hosnah Violinist
@jawad.m.f Vocalist
@marwadoost Poet
@djmast.us