In this episode, Ayana reflects on the theme of courage throughout 2025, a nearly quiet revolution. Ayana emphasizes that true courage involves facing truths and embracing imagination. She shares personal stories of how courage became more than just a word, evolving into a rhythm and a way of being. Ayana highlights that courage is not a solitary act but a relational and collective practice, urging listeners to find courage in truth and imagination as they move forward.
Onward into 2026! Happy New Year!
"Roar" original artwork by Jarrett Terrill
In this episode, Ayana explores the cyclical nature of American politics, highlighting how history often repeats itself through recurring themes of conflict, reform, backlash, and renewal. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing these patterns to transform them into spirals of progress, urging listeners to learn from the past to foster a more just and stable future.
The recent government shutdown may have ended, but theturmoil surrounding it has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding affordable healthcare in the United States. This issue isn't new, nor is it likely to be resolved anytime soon. The shutdown highlights deep-rooted problems in how political parties prioritize—or fail to prioritize—the healthcare and other needs of the public.
🎥 Follow Our Vote Counts on TikTok for powerful voter education tips and real talk with candidates running for office across the country. From ballot breakdowns to behind-the-scenes interviews, we’re making civic engagement accessible, informative, and unapologetically bold.
In this episode of 'Ayana Explains It All,' host Ayana Fakhir delves into the concept of caste in the United States, drawing from Isabel Wilkerson's book 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.' Ayana discusses how caste, unlike race and gender, forms a hidden hierarchy that influences American society, politics, economics, and public policies. She examines the implications of caste on education, healthcare, criminal justice, and political ideologies, while also addressing the urgent need to acknowledge and dismantle this pervasive system. Tune in to explore the deep-seated inequalities shaped by this enduring social order.
Who ordered the 'housing discrimination disguised as an American dream' with a side of Freedom Fries?
Rejected names for Trump's new air plane.
Works used:
In this unscripted episode of Ayana Explains It All, host Ayana Fakhir shares her frustrations and insights on a range of pressing issues in America today. She discusses the controversy of funding professional sports stadiums, the intricacies of Supreme Court decisions regarding Donald Trump's executive orders, and the expanding scope of presidential powers. Ayana also delves into topics of racial injustice, specifically the historical and ongoing persecution of various minority groups in the United States, and the dangerous rhetoric around immigration and Islamophobia. She calls out the erasure of uncomfortable historical truths and the current climate of political and social delusion. This episode is a raw and enlightening take on the many challenges and contradictions that define contemporary America.
In this episode of 'Ayana Explains It All,' Ayana Fakhir delves into the concept of Black Fatigue, a term introduced by Mary Frances-Winters in her book, "Black Fatigue" which refers to the chronic physical and emotional exhaustion faced by Black Americans due to repeated exposure to racism. Ayana elaborates on how this fatigue is passed down through generations, exacerbated by systemic racism and daily microaggressions. She discusses the social media uproar about a burnt plantation home, using it as a case study to highlight ongoing racial injustices. Ayana emphasizes the need for systemic change, the importance of recognizing the true meaning of Black Fatigue, and the critical role of Black resilience and activism in fighting against white supremacy. Tune in to understand the profound impacts of racism on Black individuals and communities.
Ayana Fakhir takes listeners through an insightful and deeply analytical discussion on religious liberty in the United States. Opening with an evocative comparison between an idyllic Catholic neighborhood and a proposed Islamic community in Texas, the podcast highlights the societal and political challenges faced by religious minorities. Ayana delves into the historical underpinnings of America's freedom of religion, covering key court cases and legislative efforts that have shaped the First Amendment rights. Drawing from her experiences and recent developments, including the controversial investigation into EPIC City, Ayana brings to light the pervasive issue of Islamophobia and the rise of Christian nationalism. The episode urges listeners to respect religious diversity and uphold constitutional values, fostering an inclusive, respectful, and free society.
Sources used in this episode:
1. https://theintercept.com/2016/11/23/mike-pompeo-religious-war/
3. https://www.ideastream.org/news/community/2018-04-03/north-ridgeville-approves-plans-for-a-mosque
5. https://www.aaiusa.org/library/2023hatecrime
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Wadea_al-Fayoume
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_Bill_71
9. https://www.chron.com/culture/religion/article/texas-lawmakers-christian-month-20315305.php
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReAwaken_America_Tour
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Bless_the_U.S.A._Bible
12. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jd-vance-religion-christian-theobros-nlgdgz0m0
13. “Tyranny of The Minority” by Steven Levitsky and Danial Ziblatt (2023).
In this episode of "Ayana Explains It All," Ayana Fakhir delves into the reasons behind the Democratic Party's loss in the 2024 election and explores potential strategies for rebuilding. Reflecting on the party's historical trajectory from the era of Franklin Roosevelt to the present, Ayana discusses the long-standing connection the Democratic Party had with working-class struggles and civil rights, and how it has drifted from this core identity.
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Lies, lies, and more lies. When you believe everything your uncle shares on WhatsApp it can have disastrous consequences. In this episode, Ayana dives into the omnipresence of misinformation and disinformation, using her experiences and readings from the book 'The Defectors' by Paola Ramos as a backdrop. She humorously critiques people's tendencies to believe unverified stories and conspiracy theories found on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Ayana also underscores the importance of fact-checking and criticalthinking to avoid being manipulated by false narratives. Finally, she discusses the societal impact of misinformation, particularly how it exacerbates racism, sexism, and political instability.
Sources used in the making of this episode:
In this candid and eye-opening episode (where she may cuss a lil) of 'Ayana Explains It All,' join Ayana Fakhir as she navigates through the labyrinth of the backlash against the federal government’s bureaucracy. From her firsthand experience as a federal employee to her personal musings on the current sociopolitical climate, Ayana dives deep into the challenges, misconceptions, and harsh realities faced by federal employees, alongside highlights about her life, and the ongoing struggle for equity and recognition in public service. Tune in for an engaging show that bridges the gap between current events and human behavior, all while Ayana attempts her first video podcast in the comfort of her personal workspace.
I said what I said...with love.
Spilling the tea on navigating life as a civil servant, particularly when your boss doesn't like you. Someone shook the federal government's snow globe, and now there's a blizzard. Let's get into it!
Ayana dives into the dumpster fire that is social media, waxing poetic about our life-long love-hate relationship with it. She shares how the TikTok ban has her scrambling to find dopamine on another app, and guess what? She's landed on China's version of Instagram, and it's a joy fest! Ayana hilariously contrasts America's doom-scrolling addicts with China's peppy social media users who make even their cats look happier. She takes comedic jabs at the U.S. government’s obsession with TikTok and how they think we’re all brainless bots. With rants ranging from American exceptionalism to her personal life as a Black Muslim woman, Ayana proves that, yes, you can be a serious thinker while laughing your head off. The episode is a delightful rollercoaster that reminds you - community and joy might just be the real keys to happiness.
Listen now at our website or wherever you get your podcasts.
www.ayanaexplainsitall.com
Resilience--it's the gift that keeps on giving. And, you don't have to drill for it, baby.
Sources used in the making of this episode:
Host Ayana Fakhir drags her friend by the ear to the hot seat to discuss what the general elections means for the everyday citizen and what we can going forward to ensure we have a country that represents all of us, not just some of us.
In this episode of 'Ayana Explains It All,' host Ayana Fakhir delves into the metaphor of empathy as democracy's oxygen and critiques the current state of the United States post-2024 election. Ayana talks about the broader implications of Vice President Kamala Harris's election loss, touching on issues like political polarization, economic instability, and the importance of public service. She highlights the setbacks and misguided optimism of voters while advocating for empathy, ongoing struggle, and hope for a more inclusive future. Ayana calls for unity and continued activism, urging people to understand the complex tides of democracy and to fight for the rights and well-being of all Americans.
It's nearing the time to pack away our political signs, wagging fingers, and presidential rally sneakers, and move on to turkey, fixings, and pie. In this episode, Ayana tackles those numb above the neck on the functions of government, and covers the middle-class squeeze, and the myth of scarce resources. She exposes power dynamics and criticizes blind political loyalty while dissecting the 'bandwidth tax' of poverty-induced stress and questions why economic equality feels like a fantasy. From overpriced groceries to student loan woes, she challenges listeners to see the truth, make smarter decisions, and shift focus from irrelevant scapegoats to the real culprits: manipulative corporations and politicians.