Isra Chakir, the extraordinary Syrian-American civil rights activist, joins us for an eye-opening conversation about her journey in advocacy and identity. As a Senior Campaign Manager at Amnesty International USA, Isra has been a stalwart champion for immigrant and refugee rights. Her deeply personal narrative of belonging as a third culture kid split between Boulder, Colorado, and Damascus, Syria, offers a compelling look into the duality of identity and the quest for creating inclusive spaces through activism.

Furthermore, the narrative pivots to the remarkable stories of Syrian refugees who have transformed their lives through organizations like Karam House. These tales of survival, creativity, and empowerment underline the necessity of investing in youth to ignite a movement of hope.

Together, these stories remind us of our collective responsibility to combat injustice and foster a world where everyone can thrive.

What does it mean to truly belong? Join us in this compelling episode, “Empowering Syrian Youth Through Education,” where we are honored to speak with George Batah and Majed Abdelsamad, two extraordinary Syrian humanitarians now thriving in New York. They open up about their evolving sense of belonging—originally rooted in their homeland of Syria but transformed through their experiences in the United States. Majed shares his journey from viewing belonging as tied to a specific place to understanding it as an emotional connection to various moments in time, while George discusses how forming new relationships in America has helped him preserve his cultural heritage.

Join us on an emotional journey with Rose McCall, our Belonging(s) guest and the Director of Philanthropy at Karam Foundation, as she weaves stories of belonging beyond conventional limits. Through her narratives, we explore the complex terrain of identity—a rich tapestry interlaced with cultural heritage, the immigrant experience, and personal reflections of home aboard her sailboat, Yuvamaz. This episode will reshape your perception of belonging, inviting you to engage in a conversation that navigates both the heart and the world.

Also, from Karam House, meet Nour, Karam’s Leader, who defines resilience. Despite the multiple displacements, Nour was determined to continue her journey to accomplish her dream of becoming a fashion designer.

In this episode, embark on a journey of artistic discovery with Helen Zughaib, a visionary artist whose canvas extends far beyond paint and brushes to the core of human experience. Her creation, “Map of Home,” is a gateway to a conversation laced with nostalgia, belonging, and the intricate ways our cultural roots shape us. Through Helen’s lens, we traverse the landscapes of her Lebanese heritage, personal milestones, and the symbols that anchor her sense of self amidst a life journey from Beirut to Paris and finally to the melting pot of America.

From Karam House, meet our Karam mentor, Kardelin Cici, as she weaves a narrative of belonging and identity against the backdrop of Turkiye’s cultural mosaic.

Experience the profound journey of identity and the search for a sense of belonging with Hala Gorani, the renowned journalist whose own story embodies the complexity of culture and heritage. Navigating the heart-wrenching realities of war-torn regions, Hala Gorani provides a raw account of the Syrian conflict and the emotional labor inherent in telling these stories.

From Karam House, meet Jana, a Karam Leader and a resilient human being who has experienced not one but multiple displacements. Despite Jana's challenges with her family fleeing Syria in 2011 and experiencing the earthquake in 2023, Jana has thrived.

Join us on a captivating journey as we explore the nuanced layers of belonging with Liam LoPinto, an Iranian-American filmmaker whose poignant work captures the heart of diaspora experiences.

From Karam House, meet Shaimaa, a Syrian refugee and a Karam Leader. Shaimaa speaks of her struggles leaving a home behind and of a dream she kept alive. "The House of Dreams" is what Shaimaa hopes to build for kids, no matter where they come from.

Arwa Damon, a journalist and humanitarian, shares her experiences and insights in this conversation. She discusses her upbringing in the Middle East, her definition of belonging, and her journey as a journalist covering conflict zones. Arwa also talks about her work with INARA, a nonprofit organization that provides medical care to children in war-torn nations. She shares stories of resilience and compassion, highlighting the importance of human connection amid tragedy.

From Karam House Yusuf speaks of his personal journey from Syria to Turkiye, the struggles he faced and how he ended up being part of the Karam team helping young Syrian refugees achieve their dreams of getting a higher education.

As we launch into the third season of our podcast, Arian's reflections on belonging offer a rich tapestry of community and identity woven through personal stories from his life. From the heritage of the Taino people to the challenges of Western business practices, Arian's conversation takes us on a profound exploration of love, connection, and the way our cultural traditions shape who we are.

And from Karam House, Aya, a Syrian refugee and medical student in Turkiye, embodies the resilience of the human spirit. Her story, punctuated by the harrowing escape from her homeland and the recent turmoil wrought by an earthquake in Hatay, is a testament to the power of hope and the unyielding quest for belonging.