E28: Reclaiming the Narrative | How Books Empower Identity

In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with Deema Al-Alami —a passionate storyteller, educator, and co-author of best-selling children’s books—whose work is reshaping the Arab cultural narrative. Deema takes us on a deeply personal journey that spans from the powerful influence of childhood storytelling and the traditions of her Iraqi-Palestinian heritage to her pioneering work in Arabic children’s literature. Through candid conversation, she shares the process behind projects like 48 Stories of Exile from Palestine and the transformative “Mother to Author” program, which empowers mothers to write their own stories. Together, we explore how the shift from oral traditions to digital storytelling has impacted our connection to our roots, and why reclaiming our authentic narratives is more important than ever. Deema talks about the challenges of preserving cultural heritage in a world dominated by Western educational ideals, the emotional toll of revisiting painful memories, and the essential role of reading for pleasure in nurturing a genuine sense of identity. This episode is a heartfelt call to recognize that our stories are not just reflections of the past—they are acts of resistance and resilience that can empower future generations. We hope you will find something to consider. Connect with the Guest:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deema_al_alami/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deemajalalami/Book Channel: https://www.instagram.com/oh.thebooks/From Mother to Author Program: https://www.instagram.com/mother_to_author/ Book: www.48stories.com Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/ Listen to us (all available platforms)Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7 Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbaliTwitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbaliTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbaliYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about