In this tender and deeply grounding episode, we sit with Mai Khader Kakish; storyteller, recipe-keeper, and the heart behind Almond & Fig. 🌿 Mai shares how Almond & Fig began as a way to feel closer to home while her family remained in Palestine; a place to preserve her teta’s recipes and document the stories, wisdom, and traditions woven into every dish. For Mai, food is not just nourishment; it is storytelling, resistance, and the inheritance of a people who survived unimagina...

What does it mean to stitch memory into fabric and to turn thread into a language of home, resistance, and love? ✨ In this week’s episode of Siti’s Stories, I sit with Bayan the founder of Badan Collective a design house and learning space dedicated to preserving Palestinian embroidery, memory, and storytelling. She is also a writer, poet, and a social worker. In this episode, you’ll hear: • The meaning and legacy of tatreez and its role in preserving Palestinian identity &...

What happens when a teacher brings her whole self- her culture, her story, her heritage into the classroom? In this week’s episode of Siti’s Stories, I sit with Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi, an educator, consultant, and advocate with over 20 years of experience supporting Arab and Muslim youth. Abeer shares her journey from growing up between America and Palestine to founding Altair Consulting, where she helps schools celebrate identity instead of silencing it. We talk about what it means to teach ...

In this episode of Siti’s Stories, I sit with Nida AbuBaker, daughter of Shukri AbuBaker, co-founder of the Holy Land Foundation. Nida shares her journey of navigating life after her father’s wrongful conviction; as a daughter, a single mother, a writer, and an advocate for those who have been silenced. Through faith, art, and poetry, she shows us what it means to turn pain into purpose, and to keep creating even when the world tries to quiet your light. In this episode, you’ll hear: • ...

Season Two of Siti’s Stories is almost here! This season is rooted in Palestinian memory, heritage, and the quiet stories we carry through everyday life. We’re returning to the voices of our Sitis and Sedos and gathering new stories from elders, artists, educators, chefs, and activists from across the Palestinian diaspora and beyond. ✨ Season Two officially begins on November 25th, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday. Mark your calendars! ✨ To follow along and never miss an episod...

For our final episode of Season 1, we’re closing with love. Voicemails to Siti is a moving compilation of listener-submitted stories, memories, and reflections about the Palestinian women who shaped us. From tender traditions to hilarious voicemails, these messages are full of heart and a beautiful reminder of the legacy our Sitis leave behind. I want to take a moment to thank each of you for being part of this journey. Siti’s Stories is a podcast from my heart, and as a one-woman show, every...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Siti’s Stories, I share the incredible life of my grandmother, Halema Salamah Gaber. Her story is a testament to the spirit of resilience, determination, and boundless generosity. Highlights from the Episode: A Journey Across Oceans:Halema's family's journey to America began with a twist of fate at Ellis Island, leading her father to military service in 1914 where he cut onions and peeled potatoes on a military boat. This unexpected turn g...

In this powerful episode of Siti’s Stories, I sit down with Palestinian storyteller, advocate, and now author Jenan Matari, whose work amplifies Indigenous voices and fights for the preservation of cultural heritage. Jenan is a beacon of storytelling resistance, using her platform to bring awareness to the struggles of marginalized communities—especially Palestinians. We dive deep into: Navigating Palestinian Identity: Jenan shares her experience of feeling the need to "button up" her Palesti...

In this episode of Siti’s Stories, host Laila sits down with Lina — a Palestinian-Panamanian creative, founder of Llinas thobe, and co-host of the podcast Tatreez Talk. Lina’s work is rooted in tatreez but she’s reimagining it through her own lens. From starting a business that helps others make their own thobes, to designing motifs that reflect her dual heritage, Lina is reshaping tradition into something deeply personal and powerfully communal. In this episode, we talk about: How Lina...

In this authentic and heartfelt episode of Siti’s Stories, host Laila sits down with educator, author, and literacy advocate Deema Al Alami, whose work is transforming Arabic children’s literature and reclaiming Arab narratives through storytelling. 🌿📚 Deema opens up about growing up as a half-Palestinian, half-Iraqi woman in Jordan, and how her multicultural upbringing shaped her identity. She shares her journey through postpartum depression, co-founding the Mother to Author program, and usi...

In this episode of Siti’s Stories, we sit down with Linda—the visionary behind The Haleemah Project, an initiative born out of love for her Siti Haleemah, a Nakba survivor. Linda embroiders Palestinian motifs onto upcycled clothing—transforming everyday items into powerful symbols of heritage and resistance. But this project goes beyond stitching. At its heart, The Haleemah Project is a mission to give back. Every piece is sold with purpose, with 100% of proceeds going to grassroots efforts s...

In this powerful episode of Siti’s Stories, we speak with Dr. Sawsan Jaber — award-winning educator, scholar activist, and daughter of Palestinian refugees — about reclaiming identity through education and the legacy of resistance carried through generations of Palestinian women. Sawsan’s story begins with her great-grandmother, a fierce woman who fought in the Battle of Deir Yassin, and continues through her parents' journey as refugees. Now in her 26th year as an educator, Sawsan is on a mi...

In this powerful episode of Siti’s Stories, we sit down with Nada, founder of Teta’s Legacy, to explore the cultural significance and enduring beauty of Palestinian thobes and tatreez embroidery. Nada shares how these traditional garments are more than clothing — they are woven archives of memory, identity, and resistance. We discuss the history embedded in every stitch, the regional variations of thobes, and how the legacy of women like Widad Kawar, who has worked tirelessly to document and ...

For the season finale of Siti’s Stories, we’re creating something truly special—a heartfelt tribute to our Sitis, told in your own voices. We want to hear about your Siti—her strength, her story, and the ways she shaped your world. Tell us about the balad she called home, and if her life carried the weight of migration or exile. Your submission doesn’t have to be long. It could be a beloved memory, a phrase she always said, a tradition she passed down, or something beautifully ordinary—...

This episode is different. It’s just me—no guest—sharing something I haven’t before mine and my siti’s stories. As the host of Siti’s Stories, I’ve spent this season highlighting the voices and stories of others. But I realized I hadn’t taken the time to share where this project truly comes from—my own Sitis. In this special bonus episode, I reflect on the two women who shaped me- my grandmothers, both named Halema. I talk about their strength, their sacrifices, their love for Palestine...

In this heartfelt episode of Siti’s Stories, Rawida shares her inspiring journey as a mother, advocate, and leader in the Muslim community. After giving birth to her daughter with special needs 26 years ago, she saw a lack of resources for Muslim families navigating disabilities. This experience led her to co-found AMAANA, Louisiana’s first Muslim community and resource center dedicated to acceptance, accessibility, and advocacy for families of children with disabilities. Rawida opens up abou...

What is your greater purpose in life? How can you create real impact in the world? In this episode of Siti’s Stories, we sit down with Noora Sharrab—co-founder of Sitti Soaps Enterprise and founder of Hopes for Women in Education—to talk about purpose, empowerment, and making conscious choices. As a Palestinian-Canadian with roots in Gaza, Noora shares her inspiring journey of uplifting refugee communities through education, employment, and social entrepreneurship. Discover how she built a gl...

Meet Lubna, a Brazilian-Palestinian entrepreneur, single mother, and two-time cancer survivor who turned her passion for Palestinian cuisine and culture into a thriving business. Her journey is one of resilience, faith, and determination, proving that challenges can lead to purpose. 🎙️ In this episode, Lubna shares: 💪 How she built a business as a single mom on her own terms. 🎗️ Her battle with cancer and the spiritual awakening that gave her strength. 👩‍👧‍👦 The power of family support in kee...

In this episode of Siti’s Stories, we sit down with Rifk Ebeid, a Palestinian children’s author whose journey proves that passion—not timelines—should guide our paths. Rifk shares how storytelling has shaped her advocacy and how books can be a powerful tool for preserving Palestinian identity. We explore the importance of creating impact in our own ways, following your passions and turning them into realities, and how parents can connect their children to Palestine through books. Join us for ...

In this episode of Siti’s Stories, we sit down with Rania Mustafa, Executive Director of the Palestinian American Community Center (PACC), for a powerful conversation on identity, advocacy, and the strength of community. From navigating the duality of being Palestinian American in the diaspora to leading a nonprofit while balancing motherhood, Rania shares the challenges and triumphs of her journey. She also shares a hilariously heartwarming story that reminds us why we can’t afford to run ou...