We're Just Talking About It's podcast

Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 3 of We're Just Talking About It #wjta Today we start a 3 part journey to get to know Sabir. He grew up in Kabul Afghanistan and Pakistan and eventually came to the United States. I hope you enjoy getting to know him and the role Islam plays in his life. Yet another perspective, you might not know about. Thanks for joining us. Jason and Hollie 

We dive right in to episode S2 E15 to discuss the Islamic misconception that, "All Jihad is terrorism."  Salma breaks down the difference between terrorists claiming to use Jihad and individuals who are "Jihadist."  "Jihad is a noble struggle for God. It is a struggle that is pleasing to Allah." Another misconception we touch on is that "Islam permits forced marriages." Salma says forced marriages are typically a cultural thing, not a religious thing.  Other misconceptions we talk about: "Islam forces people to become Muslim."  "Muslims do not share good and noble values with non-Muslims."

This is S2E10 of WJTA.This week we have a brand new guest for you, his name is Khalil.  Khalil was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan. Khalil shares his remarkable stories of what it was like—the day the Taliban arrived in his city and how his walk to school would never be the same. Plus he shares the amazing work he did as a physician alongside other organizations to help rebuild his city's infrastructure after the Taliban destroyed everything. 

In s2E13 of WJTA we interview a brand new guest, Salma. Salma was in the 1st grade when the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. She and her family went to Pakistan so she could continue school. After the Taliban collapse in 2002, they came back to Afghanistan Against her parents wishes, Salma decided she wanted to study Sharia Law. "When you inherit a religion, if you were given the choice would you still be in this religion," Salma asked. It was that curiosity that led her to study Islamic law. When she graduated, Salma said she’s not Muslim because she was born muslim, she was now, a Muslim by choice.   We discuss the education system in Afghanistan and common misconceptions about Islam.  "You have to fight this mentality of black and white," said Salma. 

Welcome to s2e6 of WJTA. Today we are wrapping up our 3-part conversation with Junaid. We are asking the deeper, philosophical questions like: -Should you be able to question your own religion? -What would a Muslim-majority government look like? -Are religious texts open to interpretation. Let us know what you think at wjtanc@gmail.com 

In this episode, we continue out conversation with American-Muslim, former U.S. Army solider, Junaid.  We start with his life, after active-duty. Juanid talks about his responsibility as an American-Muslim to counter violent extremism and shares how he goes about his mission. We continue to learn and discuss how critical our words are in this conversation. For example, knowing the difference between Islamist and Islamic.  Junaid talks about Islam undergoing a reformation. He says it's not Islam vs. the West.  "It's a journey inside of Islam for all Muslims to go through which takes time and talking."_ Junaid. 

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. 

Welcome to our 3rd and final episode with Angie Gad, our first in-studio guest, on We're Just Talking About It! In this episode we talk about how Angie confronts people who use ISIS-like propaganda to recruit terrorists. We also discuss what it is like when conservative Egyptian culture clashes with American ways of life. A six hour commute explains it well. We hope you enjoy getting to know Angie as much as we did. Check out Angie's MyIslam Project to help answer your questions about Islam! 

Thanks for checking out Episode #3 of We're Just Talking About It. In episode #1 we discussed the terms you should know to help you better understand Islam. In this episode, we put those terms to use and learn how to get the conversation started.  As non-muslims, Americans may be uncomfortable or scared to get the conversation started with Muslims. We are asking those uncomfortable questions in hopes of breaking down those barriers that stop us from starting a conversation.  In 15 minutes, We talk about: How to get the conversation started Religious Beliefs Going to a Mosque Interfaith Dialogues  Dining Together

In episode #4 of We're Just Talking About It (20 min) we wanted to take a look at some of the news headlines we saw in June. More specifically, the stories pertaining to Muslim society and culture.  We talk about 3 top stories and break down "what it means": Afghanistan President orders a ceasefire with Taliban during Ramadan UK suffers most terrorist attacks in 2017 Saudi Arabia lifts drivers license ban for women

Welcome to our 2nd episode with Angie Gad on We're Just Talking About It! We continue this week with our first in-studio guest. In this episode we learn about Angie's work in the Homeland Security field and discuss how she was received in the office. Find out who became her mentor and how they learned to combat stereotypes together. We also discuss how Angie heard about our podcast and how our religious tolerance projects intersect. We hope you enjoy getting to know Angie as much as we did. Check out Angie's MyIslam Project to help answer your questions about Islam! 

In S2 E12, we wrap up our conversation with Khalil. He talks about the night U.S. troops arrived in Afghanistan and what it meant to him and his fellow Afghans. We also talk about the current situation in Afghanistan and how the young Afghans are living. Finally, we discuss the transition from war to peace and what that looks like in Afghanistan. 

Welcome to S2E8 of WJTA. We are back with Mina Sharif, a muslim woman who left Afghanistan with her family at the age of one. Decades later, an unexpected family tragedy brought her back to Kabul, the city she left behind. Mina discusses what it was like rediscovering Afghanistan and its culture, plus we discuss if religion and its text are open to interpretation. We hope you enjoy this episode! Email us at wjtanc@gmail.com 

In episode #2 of We're Just Talking About It, hosts Jason and Hollie discuss one of Jason's most popular lecture questions: What does it say in the Qur'an? In this 25-minute episode we talk about: What's in the Qur'an and what's not How it can be misinterpreted by groups like ISIS What passages terrorist groups use to recruit people Qur'an + the Bible  Major themes  and More

We are back with Khalil from Season 2 Episode 10. In Episode 11, we talk about his interactions with the Taliban and how he survived the violence and Taliban prisons.  TOPICS: Taliban takeover Khalil is put in prison How to escape the Taliban  Creating their own Enlightenment Movement on school campuses 

Welcome back to Were Just Talking About It. This is Season 2 Episode 14. This week pick up right where we left off with our guest Salma, talking about common misconceptions of Islam. We dive right into the conversation—asking Salma to explain the misconception that the entire religion of Islam is oppressive to women—plus we discuss several other topics.  

Welcome to Season 3 of We're Just Talking About It! We kick off our 3rd season of the show with our first in-studio guest,  Angie Gad. Angie was born in the U.S. but moved to Egypt with her family when she was 16. She describes what it was like being a Muslim in Egypt verse the U.S. Plus she explains how her unique upbringing ultimately led her to a career in counter terrorism. She is a Muslim woman currently teaching counter terrorism at a Christian school in the South. Check out Angie's MyIslam Project to help answer your questions about Islam! 

This is S2E7 of WJTA. This week we have a brand new guest on the show, Mina Sharif. Mina was born in Afghanistan but she and her family fled when she was just a year old. Decades later, Mina built a successful career in communications and filmmaking. She made the decision to return to Afghanistan as an adult and it was life-changing.  In this episode we discuss if it's possible for religion and culture to be separated not only for Muslims, but all religions and what happens when religion and cultures collide. 

Welcome to our 1st episode of We're Just Talking About It! We're happy you're here. In this 30-minute episode, Jason and Hollie discuss how to start a conversation about Islam in America. They offer up key vocabulary to get you started. 

In S2E9 we wrap up our conversation with Mina Sharif. We touch on a variety of topics, from how younger generations view religions and why it's important to have faith, especially in war-torn countries. Plus stereotypes Mina deals with being a Muslim woman who returned to Afghanistan after living in the West. Finally, we discuss a TV show Mina is working on, called Roya, about a Muslim woman in the work place. The show addresses Muslim culture stereotypes through comedy and entertainment.