Episodes

  • Dr. Fady Joudah: Poetry, Palestine, and the Language of Resistance | Sumud Podcast

    Dr. Fady Joudah: Poetry, Palestine, and the Language of Resistance | Sumud Podcast
    Mar 13 2025
    In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we are honored to host Dr. Fady Joudah—a Palestinian-American poet, translator, and physician whose work bridges the worlds of healing, resistance, and storytelling. A doctor of both medicine and metaphor, Dr. Joudah masterfully intertwines themes of exile, memory, and steadfastness (sumud) in his poetry, offering a deeply reflective exploration of Palestinian identity and survival. From his upbringing as the son of Palestinian refugees to his work as a poet and physician, Dr. Joudah discusses: ➡️ The nature of sumud (steadfastness) and what it means to resist ➡️ The power of language in shaping Palestinian identity and resistance ➡️ Poetry’s role in documenting struggle and inspiring hope ➡️ His personal journey of navigating exile, medicine, and art Dr. Joudah's literary and humanitarian contributions have made him one of the most vital Palestinian voices today. His translations of Mahmoud Darwish and Ghassan Zaqtan have brought Palestinian literature to wider audiences, ensuring that the stories of his people remain undeniable, unforgettable, and unerasable. 📢 Don’t miss this profound conversation on poetry, history, and the Palestinian struggle for justice. 🔴 For all things Sumud Podcast: https://sumudpod.com/ 📚 Explore Dr. Fady Joudah’s work: 👉 Milkweed Editions Author Page: https://milkweed.org/author/fady-joudah 👉 Follow Dr. Joudah on X: https://twitter.com/FadyJoudah 🎙️ Follow our host: https://www.instagram.com/dredhasan/ 📲 Follow Sumud Podcast: https://sumudpod.com/ Special thanks to @ZeinaAshrawi 📌 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:18 Dr. Fady’s background 14:26 Why his parents chose to leave the U.S. 21:35 When he realized he is a Palestinian 37:58 On being a doctor and a poet 49:05 Readings from Progress Notes 01:04:26 The fragility and power of hope in times of genocide #SumudPodcast #FadyJoudah #PalestinianPoetry #Art #literature #MahmoudDarwish #Exile #Palestine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Imam Suhaib Webb: Faith, Justice, and Community

    Imam Suhaib Webb: Faith, Justice, and Community
    Mar 6 2025
    In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we uplift, empower, and amplify Imam Suhaib Webb—one of the most dynamic and influential Muslim scholars in the U.S. His journey from a hip-hop DJ in Oklahoma to a renowned Imam, educator, and social activist is one of transformation, deep faith, and an intentional pursuit of justice. Imam Suhaib shares his insights on: ✅ The intersection of Islam, race, and justice in America ✅ How Islamic values can balance the extreme right and left in America ✅ Lessons from his journey to finding faith ✅ The challenges of being a public Muslim figure in the US ✅ Palestine, activism, and the power of collective education In our conversation, he reflects on faith’s role in dismantling oppression, the responsibility of spiritual leadership, and the necessity of bridging religion with contemporary struggles. 📢 Don’t miss this deep, thought-provoking discussion on faith, activism, and the future of Islam in America. ➡️ For all things Sumud: https://sumudpod.com/ 🎙️ Follow our host: https://www.instagram.com/dredhasan/ 📌 SUPPORT & LEARN MORE: SWISS Institute – Imam Suhaib Webb’s online school offering a rooted and restorative learning experience: https://suhaibwebb.com/ Follow: https://www.instagram.com/suhaib.webb/ Check out @wearthepeace, a Palestinian brand that merges fashion with purpose. Their mission is to help people in need by spreading awareness and donating from every purchase they receive. 🔗 https://wearthepeace.com Wear the peace Instagram Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 05:54 His Introduction to Islam 15:43 The challenges of sharing his new found faith with loved ones 23:42 Hearing about Palestine for the first time 35:16 Translating his new values to different cultures and utilizing technology 53:10 Mental health and faith 01:01:21 Conclusion and a Ramadan message #SumudPodcast #SuhaibWebb #Islam #Faith #SocialJustice #Palestine #BlackLiberation #MuslimLeadership #Resistance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Living Through Loss: Hani Almadhoun on Gaza, Building Community, and Survival

    Living Through Loss: Hani Almadhoun on Gaza, Building Community, and Survival
    Feb 27 2025
    In this inspiring episode of the Sumud Podcast, we sit down with Hani Almadhoun, a Palestinian American humanitarian and Senior Director of Philanthropy at UNRWA USA. Hani shares his deeply personal journey growing up between Gaza and the UAE, living in the US, his work in philanthropy, and the unimaginable losses his family has endured due to Israel’s ongoing assaults on Gaza. Hani’s story is one of resilience and unwavering commitment to his community. In 2024, he co-founded the Gaza Soup Kitchen to provide meals for displaced families in Gaza. Amid personal tragedy—including the loss of over 150 family members and the targeted killing of his brother—Hani continues to fight for humanitarian aid and Palestinian dignity. Together, we explore: ➡️ The impact of the Nakba and intergenerational displacement ➡️ How Hani’s upbringing shaped his dedication to philanthropy and humanitarian work ➡️ The importance of community-led solutions like the Gaza Soup Kitchen ➡️ The role of UNRWA in supporting Palestinian refugees and why it's under attack ➡️ How the land itself becomes a source of survival and resilience during siege This episode is a tribute to the resilience of Gaza’s people and a reminder that, even amid devastation, community care and global solidarity can make a difference. 🎧 Listen and watch the full episode: https://sumudpod.com/ 🔗 Learn more & support: 🍲 Gaza Soup Kitchen: https://gazasoupkitchen.com/ 🌍 UNRWA USA: https://www.unrwausa.org/ Follow Hani Almadhoun: 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanifundraiser/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alkabeer.alhani/ 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhanitizer/?hl=en 🎙️ Follow our host: https://www.instagram.com/dredhasan/ 🙏 Special thanks to @ZeinaAshrawi Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Family background: From Palestine to UAE 08:56 Moving back from UAE to Gaza and all that it entailed 14:04 The roots of Hani’s activism 17:41 Moving to the US to study 211:32 From Gaza to Utah, the cultural shock 31:33 The difference between UNRWA USA and UNRWA in general 37:48 The impact of Israel’s opposition to UNRWA 40:16 Hani’s work in light of the current administration 45:24 Hani’s family targeted during the genocide in Gaza 52:19 Opening the Gaza Soup Kitchen 01:14:30 Ways to advocate for Palestine #SumudPodcast #HaniAlmadhoun #Gaza #Palestine #HumanitarianAid #UNRWA #GazaSoupKitchen #PalestineSolidarity #CommunityResilience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: Unpacking Racism, Resistance & Malcolm X’s Legacy | Sumud Podcast

    Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: Unpacking Racism, Resistance & Malcolm X’s Legacy | Sumud Podcast
    Feb 20 2025
    In this powerful episode of Sumud Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, an active influential voice on race, history, justice and resistance. A National Book Award-winning author, historian, and professor, Dr. Kendi has reshaped the discourse on racism and anti-racism, from his groundbreaking works How to Be an Antiracist and Stamped from the Beginning to his latest book, Malcolm Lives! 🔴At a time when systemic oppression is being actively justified, rewritten, and weaponized, Dr. Kendi breaks down: ➡️ The evolution of racist ideologies—how racism reinvents itself to maintain power ➡️ The responsibility of anti-racism—why it’s about continuous action, not a fixed identity ➡️ Malcolm X’s radical impact—how his critique of Zionism and global oppression remains relevant today ➡️ Why Black and Palestinian struggles are deeply connected—and why global solidarity is critical ➡️ How racism is used to manufacture consent for genocide Dr. Kendi also unpacks the real cost of speaking truth to power, the pushback against anti-racist scholarship, and the urgency of dismantling white supremacy beyond performative allyship. 📢 Don’t miss this powerful discussion on racial justice, collective liberation, and the ongoing fight for equality. 🔴 For all things Sumud: https://sumudpod.com/ 📚 Dr. Kendi’s latest book, Malcolm Lives!: https://www.amazon.com/Malcolm-Lives-Official-Biography-Readers/dp/0374311862 🌍 Learn more about Dr. Kendi’s work: https://www.ibramxkendi.com/ 🎙️ Follow our host: https://www.instagram.com/dredhasan/ 📲 Follow Dr. Kendi: https://www.instagram.com/ibramxk/ 📌 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 03:43 Internalizing racial stereotypes in youth 09:06 Being targeted by powerful institutions 13:52 Unpacking internalized racism 15:34 Being anti-racist requires constant action 21:00 The evolution of racist ideologies 31:33 Dr. Kendi’s book Malcolm Lives! 39:17 Words of advice #SumudPodcast #IbramXKendi #MalcolmX #AntiRacism #BlackLiberation #PalestineSolidarity #Resistance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • How Cori Bush Turned Pain Into Power: Faith, Activism, and Global Solidarity

    How Cori Bush Turned Pain Into Power: Faith, Activism, and Global Solidarity
    Feb 13 2025
    🔴 Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions on sexual assault, trauma, and systemic injustice. If you or someone you know needs support, please refer to the resources below. In this episode of #SumudPodcast, we are excited to be joined by politician Cori Bush, a nurse, activist, and former U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 1st congressional district. Known for her unwavering commitment to justice, racial equity, and human rights, Rep. Bush has been a fierce advocate in Congress for marginalized communities, Palestinian liberation, and holding the U.S. government accountable for its foreign policies. We dive into her journey from activism to Congress, the backlash she faces for speaking up on Palestine, and the challenges of pushing progressive policies within a government resistant to change. Rep. Bush also shares her thoughts on grassroots activism, the power of community organizing, and the need for political accountability in times of injustice. 🔗 Learn more and take action: https://www.politivistaction.com/ 🎧 Watch the full episode and hear her powerful insights! Follow our guest: @coribush Follow our host: @DrEdHasan Follow the podcast: https://sumudpod.com Special thanks to Zeina Ashrawi 💜 Need Support? Here Are Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors: ➡️RAINN (U.S. National Sexual Assault Hotline) – www.rainn.org ➡️National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.) – www.thehotline.org ➡️Victim Connect Resource Center – https://victimconnect.org/resources/national-hotlines/ 💡 You are not alone. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to these organizations. #CoriBush #SumudPodcast #Politics #PalestinianLiberation #GrassrootsActivism #JusticeForAll #HumanRights #ProgressivePolitics Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 02:41 – From nurse and activist to Congresswoman 16:37 – Her SA experience 29:06 – Being evicted and how rough experiences shape her activism 42:05 – Going to nursing school as a mother of two 01:00:21 – Encountering the Palestinian cause for the first time 01:06:56 – Knock Down The House 01:21:23 – Her efforts in Congress 01:26:57 The Ceasefire Resolution Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 42 mins
  • Tai Salih: Abolition, Resistance & Solidarity from Sudan to Palestine

    Tai Salih: Abolition, Resistance & Solidarity from Sudan to Palestine
    Feb 6 2025
    In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we are honored to host Tai Salih, also known as Red Ma’at—a Sudanese Pan-African abolitionist, womanist, and social justice educator. Forced to flee Sudan during the second civil war and later settling in Canada as a refugee, Tai has dedicated her life to dismantling oppressive systems, advocating for healing justice, and addressing the deeply rooted structures of colonialism and anti-Black racism. Throughout our discussion, Tai unpacks the following: ➡️ Colonial structures that uphold systemic anti-Black racism ➡️ Western exploitation of Sudan and Africa ➡️ The interconnections between global struggles for justice—from Palestine to Sudan and beyond. She also shares her personal journey of healing, resistance, and activism, and why self-care is a radical act of revolution in the face of oppression. 🎧 Watch the full episode and join the conversation: https://sumudpod.com 📲 Follow Tai Salih: @red_maat https://linktr.ee/redmaat 📲 Follow our host: @DrEdHasan Special thanks to Zeina Ashrawi Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Tai Salih 02:00 – What is Pan-African Abolitionism? 07:17 – Fleeing Sudan & the refugee experience 12:35 – The colonial roots of anti-Black racism 21:02 – Acknowledging Canada's Indigenous lands and the legacy of colonialism 30:53 - The effort to be actively anti-racist 45:24 - What is happening in Sudan now? 01:03:30 – How colonialism and capitalism thrive on division & suffering 01:29:52 – How to support Sudan and global liberation movements #Sudan #Politics #Activism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Sim Kern: Author of "Genocide Bad: Notes on Palestine, Jewish History, and Collective Liberation"

    Sim Kern: Author of "Genocide Bad: Notes on Palestine, Jewish History, and Collective Liberation"
    Jan 30 2025
    In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we’re happy to host USA Today best-selling author and environmental journalist, Sim Kern. Known for their bold critiques of petrochemical polluters and billionaires, Sim has become a leading voice in mobilizing solidarity for Palestine. Since October 2023, they’ve raised over $500,000 in direct aid for families in Gaza, while using their platform to educate and challenge narratives around Palestine. We discuss their latest book, "Genocide Bad: Notes on Palestine, Jewish History, and Collective Liberation," which examines the ongoing genocide in Gaza, counters Zionist propaganda, and connects Jewish history with the fight for justice. Sim shares their journey from grappling with Zionist narratives to becoming a vocal anti-Zionist activist and how this has shaped their advocacy for collective liberation. This episode delves into: ➡️ Sim’s personal journey as a Jewish anti-Zionist. ➡️ The systematic erasure of Palestinian voices in publishing and beyond. ➡️ The intersections of environmental justice, colonialism, and Palestine. ➡️ The backlash and resilience of anti-Zionist activists. 🎧 Listen now to hear Sim’s insightful reflections and learn how we can all be part of the fight for justice. 📲 Follow Sim Kern: https://linktr.ee/simkern 📲 Follow our host: @DrEdHasan Special thanks to Zeina Ashrawi 🌍 Support the podcast and stay updated: https://sumudpod.com Check out the only Palestinian-owned publisher in the U.S., Interlink Books: https://www.instagram.com/interlinkbooks https://linktr.ee/interlinkbooks https://x.com/interlinkbooks https://www.facebook.com/interlinkbooks Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:44 Sim’s background: Jewish identity and growing up in rural Illinois 086:42 Their journey to anti-Zionism: Key influences and first encounters with Palestinian narratives 13:36 Building community for anti-Zionist Jewish people 20:40 Suppression in the publishing industry of anti-zionism 23:01 Their journey to becoming a power-house author 31:17 Environmental justice, colonialism, and the climate crisis in Palestine 39:22 The creation and impact of "Genocide Bad" 57:41 Messages for anti-Zionist allies and reflections on collective liberation Stay tuned for more powerful conversations on justice, resistance, and humanity. 🌟 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • Diana Buttu: Unmasking the Occupation and the Fight for Palestinian Freedom

    Diana Buttu: Unmasking the Occupation and the Fight for Palestinian Freedom
    Jan 23 2025
    This interview was recorded before the Palestinian reconciliation in Jenin and before the latest Israeli military invasion of Jenin. In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, we are proud to feature Diana Buttu, a prominent Palestinian-Canadian lawyer, negotiator, and activist. Diana shares her journey from being the first female negotiator during the Second Intifada to her continued advocacy for justice and human rights. Diana’s experiences shed light on the harsh realities of life under occupation, the challenges of international negotiations, and the systemic injustices faced by Palestinians. She recounts her family’s history, shaped by the Nakba, and her father’s struggle for justice in a deeply discriminatory system. Diana reflects on the lessons she learned from her time negotiating with Israel, the importance of grassroots movements, and the resilience of the Palestinian people. Our hosts, Ed and Zeina, delve into the following topics with Diana: ➡️ Her family’s journey through the Nakba and survival under Israeli military rule. ➡️ The systemic discrimination and dehumanization faced by Palestinians. ➡️ Behind-the-scenes insights from her time as a legal advisor during negotiations. ➡️ The enduring spirit of Palestinians resisting displacement and erasure. ➡️ Why she remains hopeful for liberation despite immense challenges. 🎧Stay tuned for all things Sumud: https://sumudpod.com 📲 Follow Diana Buttu: @dianabuttu 📲 Follow our hosts: @DrEdHasan Special thanks to Zeina Ashrawi Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:47 - Diana’s background and her family’s decision to move to Canada 09:18 - Her experience as a Palestinian in Canada 12:24 - Experiencing the first Intifada in Palestine and her political awakening 16:11 - Being a part of the negotiations during the second Intifada 34:33 - Processing the Israeli violence she witnessed during her time in Palestine 40:01 - Engaging Israelis to Raise Awareness About the Occupation 45:35 - Why she chooses to live in Haifa instead of Canada 49:16 - The Palestinian Authority oppressing Palestinians 55:52 - On the ceasefire back and forth 01:00:49 International accountability of Israel’s actions 01:03:33 Insight into the torture Palestinians endure #SumudPodcast #DianaButtu #PalestinianResistance #IsraelApartheid #VoicesOfPalestine #Justice #Advocacy #InternationalLaw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 21 mins