Diffused Congruence: The American Muslim Experience

Episode 30: Dr. Joseph Lumbard and <i>The Study Quran</i>

For our latest episode we're joined by renowned author Dr. Joseph Lumbard, who served as co-editor of The Study Quran, a new translation that aims to contextualize and add commentary to the text, and features contributions by several well-known Islamic scholars. In addition to discussing the fascinating story of his own journey to Islam, Dr. Lumbard also explains why The Study Quran is so essential in today's politically-charged environment. Listen below or at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!). Send e-mail to DiffusedCongruence@gmail.com, and be sure to hit "like" on our Facebook page!

Episode 29: Micah Anderson on Meditation and Mindfulness

Continuing last month's theme about emotional problems within the American-Muslim community, we're joined by Micah Anderson, an expert on meditation and mental health, for a fascinating conversation about his own journey, as well as some best practices that we can all adopt to nurture our own emotional well-being. Listen below or at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!). Send e-mail to DiffusedCongruence@gmail.com, and be sure to hit "like" on our Facebook page!

Episode 28: Social Worker Sabeen Shaiq

This month we're joined by clinical social worker Sabeen Shaiq for a riveting conversation about the things that tend to remain unsaid in many American Muslim families. Sabeen talks about the importance of communication in relationships, how mental health challenges are manifesting in the current generation, and the work she does to help people overcome them. Listen to our chat via the embed below, or download at the link. Also, be sure to hit us up at our Facebook page to let us know how we're doing!

Episode 27: Hind Makki of Side Entrance

This episode we're joined by Hind Makki, interfaith activist, speaker, and founder of the globally-acclaimed website Side Entrance, which catalogs the "sisters' sections" of mosques all over the world. In addition to discussing her interfaith work, Hind also shares her experiences with ISNA (the Islamic Society of North America), talks about the role of feminism in Islam, plus much more. It's a fascinating conversation that we're confident you'll enjoy listening to just as much as we enjoying engaging in it. Listen below or at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!). Send e-mail to DiffusedCongruence@gmail.com, and be sure to hit "like" on our Facebook page!

Episode 26: Mokhtar Alkhanshali

For our latest episode, we're joined by Mokhtar Alkhanshali, the "Indiana Jones of coffee" and founder of Mocha Mill, who shares the amazing story of how your favorite caffeinated beverage originated in the Muslim world, and how its spread through the world also ends up being the story of civilization. He also shares his harrowing tale from earlier this year of being trapped in Yemen while fighting had broken out, and trying to find his way back home to the United States. It's gripping stuff, and you can hear it all at the embed below, or download via iTunes and Stitcher Radio. Feel free to send any comments or questions our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com, and make sure you hit "like" on our Facebook page!

Episode 25: Dr. Ebrahim Moosa

For our big twenty-fifth episode, Parvez and Zaki are honored to be joined by Dr. Ebrahim Moosa, renowned scholar and professor of Islamic Studies at University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Dr. Moosa shares his life journey with us, and also examines many of the pressing issues facing the American Muslim community today. Listen to our interesting and enriching conversation via the embed below, or download at the link. Also, be sure to hit us up at our Facebook page to let us know how we're doing!

Episode 24: Comedian Maysoon Zayid

For this week's show we're joined by actress, comedian, and commentator Maysoon Zayid, who's made a name for herself thanks to her raw political comedy and her many appearances with Keith Olbermann on his former MSNBC show. Maysoon discusses her approach to comedy, the challenges of being a practicing Muslim in this field, and how she learned to incorporate her cerebral palsy into her act. It's a breezy hour of big laughs and deep thoughts, and you can listen via the embed below, or download via iTunes and Stitcher Radio. As always, we look forward to getting your comments and questions at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com, and make sure you hit "like" on our Facebook page!

Episode 23: The Team From Islamica!

Diffused Congruence welcomes in July with a fun and funny conversation with the jokesters at satire site Islamica News! Founded in 1999, Islamica revels in combating Islamophobia through a humorous lens, while also poking fun at some of the humorous eccentricities that those of us within the Muslim community are all too familiar with. We're happy to be joined by co-founders Azher Ahmed and Mirza Baig as we discuss their earliest collaborations (including a video that Zaki had a cameo in), the company's founding, their general approach to figuring out what's funny, and sharing some of their most popular "news" stories. Download or stream the show below, or listen at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!). Send e-mail to DiffusedCongruence@gmail.com, and be sure to hit "like" on our Facebook page!

Episode 22: Haroon Moghul

It's twice the Diffused Congruence this month! For this episode of the show we're joined by Haroon Moghul, PhD candidate at Columbia University and renowned commentator on Islam and public affairs, for a fun and free-flowing conversation that includes his explanation for why he doesn't mind being a "punching bag" for the anti-Muslim industry, and what Islamophobes can learn from the upcoming reboot of Star Wars. Listen via the embed below, or download via iTunes and Stitcher Radio. Feel free to send any comments or questions our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com, and make sure you hit "like" on our Facebook page!

Episode 21: Dr. Sherman Jackson

This month we're honored to be joined by Dr. Sherman Jackson, professor of Religion and American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California, for our lengthiest conversation yet as he shares his personal story, going deep and wide into the amazing journey he's been on throughout his life. Listen to the show via the embed below, or via iTunes or Stitcher. As always, please hit "like" on our Facebook page, and send any comments or questions to DiffusedCongruence@gmail.com.