Daughters of Diaspora

In this episode, we are joined by Bintou Barrow — a community powerhouse, trusted resource, and former Consulate of The Gambia in Canada. As a proud Gambian-Canadian, Bintou has dedicated herself to community work and to amplifying the voices of Gambians in spaces where we are often underrepresented, all while striving to create meaningful impact and walk in her purpose. In this heartfelt conversation, Bintou shares her perspective on navigating a hyphenated Gambian-Canadian identity, the complexities of obedience and respect within cultural upbringing, and the journey of self-discovery through family dynamics. Together, we explore cultural expectations, migration trauma, maintaining ties to our roots while building a life abroad, and the importance of open communication between generations. This episode is a powerful reflection on identity, healing, community, and belonging. Follow Bintou on her platforms for more : TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thee_hyphenate?_r=1&_t=ZS-96FcBK4oqga IG https://www.instagram.com/thee_hyphenate

Salam Everyone! This episode is just as the title states; we give some advice for those in their early 20s- but really all can be applied to whichever chapter in life you are in. ENJOY AND DONT FORGET TO GIVE US A RATING.

In this episode, we share our perspectives on how we deal with difficult circumstances in life, and it becomes clear that we’re both at different stages in our journeys. Khadijah opens up about struggling to stay motivated and find the brighter side of things at times. Meanwhile, Fatima shares her belief that life is ultimately what you make of it, and that we each need to take more control of our lives instead of blaming our circumstances or the people around us.

THOWBACK! This episode is from the archives. We unpack the uncomfortable truths shaping our generation—from the basic life skills many were never taught, to the deeper issues of entitlement, colourism, and identity. We explore how broken value systems—at home and across societies—have fueled gender tensions, inflated egos, and internalized self-hate, especially within Africans. We share our thoughts on unequal upbringing disguised as equality, to the impact of western propaganda and fractured cultural unity. Our conversation ends on whether Muslim women should share the freedom of our male counterparts when it comes to independent living and how it’s okay to stay within our Islamic restrictions for our own benefit. PLEASE LEAVE US A RATING AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS :)

In this episode, Khadijah shares her experience becoming a Jahanka bride, walking us through the traditions and rituals that shaped her wedding day. The conversation then expands into everyday realities in The Gambia — from disappointing restaurant service and a struggling hospitality industry to persistent police bribery and why tipping waiters no longer feels justified, especially in the West.

KHADIJAH IS A BRIIIIIDEE!! This week we give you guys a peak into what we have been busy doing to end 2025; which mostly consisted of celebrating Khadijah's marriage. We talk about her bridal shower, planning and afterthoughts of how the event went. We then dig into lessons we took from the past year and how we are seeking to become better versions of ourselves. We hope you enjoy listening and PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO GIVE US A RATING :)

In this episode, we reflect on the comfort of avoiding Islamic knowledge and the false belief that ignorance is bliss. We discuss the shame associated with neglecting secular studies in contrast to the Deen, the fairness of Allah’s judgment for lives lived in disobedience, and why more time would not have changed hearts that chose comfort over growth. We also touch on cultural dynamics—particularly the discomfort some African communities have with boundaries—and the importance of politeness and restraint in speech as part of building better character.

Salam friends! This episode is from the DOD archives- recorded back in October. We sat for a chaotic but hilarious episode in which we give our hot takes on a variety of topics. We start by calling out people who pretend to come from the "ghetto" despite a middle-class upbringing. We then joke about the mysterious disappearance of men's Adam's apples, and reflecting on whether chivalry and femininity are fading. Finally, we drag matcha lovers (sorry girlies), fake influencers and unpack our personal "betrayal list".

Salams everyone! We are back with another episode featuring MAYO and TATA; our lovely sisters. In this deeply honest and heartfelt episode, we unpack our relationship- where we were last year (link for episode is below), how we've grown, and how we see each other now. We get emotional talking about the good we'd want others to remember if one of us were gone, along with sharing ways we can be better sisters to one another. To balance the tears, we end with a fun-rapid-fire segment that gives listeners a peek into our personalities and sisterly chaos. LISTEN TO LAST YEAR'S SISTERS EPISODE HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ep-19-a-peek-into-the-dynamics-of-our-sisterhood/id1729929878?i=1000669489557

You ever feel like you're stuck between having to figure out your own financial path and wanting to build generational wealth , while navigating the cultural expectation of taking care of your parents? In episode 42 we dig into this discussion which has become quite the hot topic on social media. We share our thoughts on breaking generational poverty, financing the lives of those back home and the blessing of being able to care for our parents.

Welcome back listeners. This week is just as the title states: a thought dump. We discuss a few things from self sabotage, our connection with Allah, and dealing with emotions. ENJOY!

*********TRIGGER WARNING: topics such as sexual assault, harassment and bullying are discussed in this episode. BACK TO SCHOOL IS HERE!! As some of us buckle up for another school year, we start our conversation reflecting on the change in routine upon us and the blues that come with summer holidays ending. We then dive into child safety and the concern we have with school systems failing to be safe spaces for children, with the rise of bullying, harassment and assaults. We stress the importance of teaching kids how to say no and educating them about their boundaries. As always, we share cultural perspectives and our thoughts on calling kids husbands and wives, shaking hands with non mahrams and victim blaming. Our conversation finishes off with us questioning what grooming is and whether we as Muslims have gone too far in adopting Western ideologies when it comes to marriage and consent.

This week we discuss POLGAMY! We start by the sharing a bit of islamic perspective on the matter and the conditions it was once praticed during the time of the Prophet SAW. We then get into why polygamy has become sour and used as a weapon rather than “the sunnah,” in which many claim to be following. Additionally, we talk about the potential repercussions of having multiple wives and how that can impact the family dynamics. But is being a second, third or fourth wife really that bad? We dive into the concept of polygany granting women “freedom” and how some women are now preferring it over being the one and only wife.

In this week's episode, we give a recap on the recent Gambian Cultural weekend festivities in Toronto. We reflect on our favourite moments, things we enjoyed and areas that can be improved. We also touch on the importance of having such cultural events as the diaspora community as it brings opportunity for education. Additionally, we touch on the fine line between being proud of one's heritage and having arrogance to the point of thinking "you are better than...". Essentially we question whether tribalism will ever end in Gambia and abroad and how we need to strive for change.

The art of seduction. In this episode, we discuss the terms jongoma and jongue as how we understand the Senegambians to use it. We share our concerns with how male-centric jongue culture is and how there needs to be a focus on women's pleasure as well. We also talk about the need to increase education for both men and women in preparation for marriage to ensure they can properly cater to one another.

Hello dear listeners! In this episode we talk about the sour topic of CHEATING! We start our discussion on the Tea app and the uproar it has caused on social media. We then dive into dissecting what it means to cheat, whether its forgiveable, cultural normalization and whether you can trust someone who has cheated in the past.

Welcome back to another episode! This week we talk about spilling and sipping The Tea (GOSSIP). Although we all fall into it at some point, we reflect on ways to avoid it and things to watch out for in someone who loves to gossip.

In this episode of the DOD Podcast, Fatimah J, a financial coach, shares her journey from studying psychology to helping Muslim women manage their finances. She emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, particularly from an Islamic perspective, and discusses the unique challenges women face in financial management. The conversation covers essential principles of budgeting, debt management, and investment strategies. Fatimah advocates for a balanced approach to financial management, encouraging listeners to recognize the importance of seasons of sacrifice in their financial journey.

In this episode we talk about the blessed 10 days of Dhul-Hajj- the virtues, Islamic significance and how we have benefited from the duas we made during this time. In an emotional conversation, we share how we have each connected with the day of Arafah and remind ourselves of the importance of really locking in and fixating on dua. We Hope you enjoy! And if so, PLEASE leave a rating and don’t forget to follow us for more!

This week we welcome back Fatima!!! Coming back from her time off, Fatima talks about how her time off was and the things she has been reflecting on. Our conversation steers into the obligation of fulfilling the rights of those in our lives and building quality relationships.

In this week's episode, Khadijah and Tata sit down for a chit-chat to discuss lessons Tata has learned throughout the years. Tapping into her wisdom, Tata advises Khadijah on the importance of sabr (patience) and how she's changed her mentality to help her forgive those around her and move on from things that have hurt her. They also talk about how sabr can look like in different relationships and setting boundaries. The discussion then moves on to friendship dynamics and the importance of protecting ones peace.

Asalamualykum wr wb friends. In this week's episode, we talk a whole lot of marriage!!!! With over a decade of experience, Tata drops many gems regarding what she's learned over the years. We discuss expectations vs. realities of marriage and the importance of not comparing relationships. There is lots to take from this episode so get ready to take notes and ENJOY!

Welcome back to another episode friends! This week we have our guest co-host (listen to find out who), alongside Khadijah with a Ramadan reflection. They play a card game throughout the episode; asking each other questions about how to strengthen their relationship with Allah, their feelings in meeting Him SWT, the importance of balancing fear and hope and much more.

Salam and Ramadan Mubarak! As promised, we are here with a short and sweet episode for the month of Ramadan (with an important announcement at the end). We start off on a discussion about how blessed we are to witness this month once again and what we hope to prioritize. The rest of the episode highlights forgiveness and the importance of seeking forgiveness amoungst one another as we aim to clear our records with our Lord. As titled, the key message here is to let go of any pain and forgive others no matter how much pain they have inflicted on you- all for the sake of Allah SWT. If you enjoyed the episode please do not forget to leave us a comment/rating.

In this episode of the DOD Podcast, we engage in a heartfelt conversation with Alia Reeves, exploring her journey of self-discovery, her transition to Islam, and the challenges she faced as a black sheep in her family. Alia shares her experiences growing up in a Christian household, her struggles with identity, and how her faith has shaped her confidence and worldview. In our discussion, Aalia gives us insight on her life in Texas, being a model and a young Revert in a community that was not familiar with the practise of Islam. She discusses the isolation she faced during her early days of becoming a Muslim and reflects on her transition from Christianity to Islam, the generational curses she aims to break, and the importance of self-discovery and personal growth. Together, we reflect on the lessons learned from the Prophets about patience and acceptance during trials, emphasizing that tests are gifts that can lead to profound rewards. Finally, Aalia shares her thoughts on the significance of community support for reverts and the need for understanding and compassion within the Muslim community.

Salam friends! In this episode, we steered into a discussion about the blessed month of Ramadan and how we feel about it being so near. Our conversation starts with acknowledgment of recent news we have received regarding the deaths of people around us, and the sad reality that none of us are promised to witness another Ramadan. The bulk of our discussion circles around death and how we can prepare for it better as Muslims, especially as Ramadan approaches. In reflecting on our own observations, we share how we have seen truth in the saying that; “You die in the way in which you lived your life”, just from seeing how people we know in our lives have passed away. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of building sustainable habits not only during the blessed month but starting to build habits before and continuing them after. Ramadan is upon us! May we reach it in the best of state and faith.

This week, we started our episode with a mini mental dump. Fatima opens up about how she's been feeling and turning to overspending for instant gratification. Khadijah also shares her take on how overspending makes her feel and how she's been managing and practising self-control. The conversation then moves to both of us sharing how the year 2024 was transformative for us individually. We discuss how we stopped comparing ourselves to the timeline of others and finding contentment in where Allah has put us in life. The rest of the episode emphasizes how we can overcome “why not me” moments, block out silent whispers and overcoming the pressures of comparison. We also share the reminder of believing the decree of Allah and how to genuinely be happy for others in such times.

Asalamualykum friends! we are excited to bring you this week's episode; which is focused on the topic of Hijab. We backpacked on the last episode starting with the struggles of maintaining the concealment of our beauty by keeping the hijab on during our weddings. In being honest, we acknowledge that Hijab can be a sensitive topic for many but we aimed to be brutally honest in this discussion about the struggles of hijab and the need to strive to observe this practise in the correct way. Our conversation emphasizes the influence social media and liberal ideologies have on muslim women and how we wear our hijab. We end the discussion on providing some words of encouragement for those who are on the path of attaining true modesty and those contemplating starting their journey- May Allah make it easy for us all. xo

As we enter wedding season, are you preparing to celebrate in style? Join us for a vibrant discussion about our cultural traditions, colourful attire, and joyous celebrations!!! Tune in our light hearted discussion as we list things we dislike about African/ Gambian weddings.

Salamualykum friends! Have you ever questioned why you felt lonely or disconnected from people you were familiar with?, isolated in a room full of people or just sadness for unexplainable reasons? Well, you are definitely not alone as many of us can relate! This week we dive into the complexities of feeling loneliness in adulthood. We both reflect on times we have dealt with such feelings and how it made us feel. Additionally, we share how we got through these difficult periods in time and the difference of being alone vs. feeling lonely and empty inside. As always, we end off the discussion providing some advice on how to use these times for mental and spiritual growth, staying true to oneself to avoid feeling empty and the importance of reassessing one's surroundings to make sure you are around not only those you love but those that love you and for the sake of Allah SWT.

GET UP!!!! Get ready for some laughs and a wake-up call. This episode is a chill (pun intended) discussion on a variety of things but most importantly on seasonal depression. Our discussion starts with the importance of asking people how they truly are and being honest about our feelings. We then touch on the weather change and how seasonal blues usually start kicking in around this time of year. We share our personal experiences with feeling low during the winter months and tips on ways NOT to fall victim to the sadness. In preparation for the new year, we share our thoughts on goal setting and how it can become unhealthy/ unrealistic. Additionally, we share advice on ways to remain productive even when the days are tough and the importance of taking advantage of the time we have. DON’T JUST GO THROUGH IT, GROW THROUGH IT, that is the message here, so we hope you enjoy!

Welcome Welcome friends! This week we have another exciting guest episode- this time, featuring Tik Tok content creator known as Ukhti Yassin. Our conversation explores the journey of building a connection with Allah, the challenges of adulthood, and the importance of knowledge and sincerity in faith. Yassin shares her personal experiences and reflections on worship and mercy, emphasizing that self-improvement and continuous learning are essential in one's spiritual journey. We then dive into the importance of relatability in faith, the influence of good companionship, and the journey of self-improvement through good character and dua. Our discussion emphasizes the need for supportive friends who encourage growth and understanding, while also discussing the significance of being conscious of one's actions and the impact of character on relationships. The dialogue highlights the necessity of making dua and seeking Allah's guidance in all aspects of life, ultimately fostering a sense of community and personal development.

Salam friends! This week's episode is a fun one! We invite our two other sisters to join us for an honest conversation about our relationship dynamics. We start on describing our roles in the family and how each of us feels we contribute to the “whole”. We touch on the close bond we share and each highlights what we appreciate about one another and our relationship. In being vulnerable, we discuss our different approaches to conflict and how we connect- especially with the changing dynamic we have experienced as we are growing older. Our conversation highlights our appreciation for sticking together despite challenges and the fact that we can always rely on each other for support when needed. Additionally, we talk about challenges with maintaining loyalty within the sibling relationship in contrast to the importance of loyalty to parents. Our dialouge concludes on ways we can work on strengthening our relationship, including open and honest communication, working on ourselves as individuals and giving each other grace.

Asalamualaykum listeners! In this week's episode, we explore the challenges of forgiveness in sibling relationships and the role of parents in mediating conflicts. our discussion emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and resolving issues directly with siblings, rather than relying on parents. We also highlight the reward of forgiveness in Islam and the need for open and honest communication to avoid fake harmony. We also share our personal experiences of forgiveness along with those of our followers on IG who shared their thoughts with us earlier. Finally, we end off debating the question of loyalty to parents versus siblings, with Fatima arguing for more loyalty to siblings due to the unique bond and the need to work harder to maintain that relationship.

Today’s episode features Nyima Drammeh- a special needs advocate, wife, mother, student and travel enthusiast. As a co-founder of the Soni Autism Association, Nyima discusses her experience raising children with autism and advocating for special needs in her community. She shares her journey of accepting her children's diagnosis and fighting for their needs. Our discussion highlights the stigma surrounding special needs and the lack of support and understanding. Nyima emphasizes the importance of early intervention and the challenges parents face in accessing help. Despite the difficulties, she remains committed to raising awareness while stressing the importance of self-care and having a supportive circle. She shares her experience of dealing with depression and anxiety, the importance of getting help and the need to take one day at a time. To support Soni Autism Association follow their handles TT: Soniautism2023, FB: Soni Autism Association and IG: @soni_autism_association

This week we bring you the final part of our introductory episodes to the relationships series. We continue the discussion of the marriage journey- picking up from the engagement stage. We touch on Muslim couples following modern engagement practices and the realities of “getting down on one knee” not constituting an actual engagement. We then move the conversation to getting cold feet and the nerves that may kick in before marriage. As always, we provide advice on how to navigate being in these stages and stress the importance of women having a choice in who they marry just as men do. Controversially, we share how we believe marriage is not as hard as our societies make it to be, especially in the context of Gambians providing advice for marriage. We end off with ways to overcome these negative thoughts on marriage by looking at love stories between the bests of Allah’s creations (The Prophets and Companions).

Salam Salam!! In this weeks episode we talk about romantic relationships. Taking it from where it starts, we discuss the journey of finding a spouse, “halal dating”, creating boundaries and the importance of knowing oneself before settling down.

Salamualyakum beautiful friends! WE ARE BACK! Returning big and better- this chit-chat episode is quite different but it provides a bit more insight into our thoughts and personality. We start with a discussion on summer plans, the cost of living and the rise of emigration in Canada. Fatima then reflects on her fun trip to Dubai with our Mom and the chaotic safari experience she puts her mother through. We then talk about social media and the discourse on traditional wife roles, and the luxuries of being taken care of as a woman. Leaving you with a taste of what this next series of episodes will centre around; we discuss dating, being a fiancé and when to be concerned when a man is not yet ready to make you a wife.

WELCOME BACK FRIENDS!!! In recognition of the various atrocities happening in the world, we sought to bring you an episode that highlights one of the current genocides, specifically: Sudan. In this episode, we sat down with Yasmine, (known as The Jasmine Blossoms)- A young Sudanese-American, to discuss the war and genocide in Sudan. Our conversation starts with a comparison between Toronto and New York, followed by Yasmine sharing the meaning behind her name and her journey as an author and poet. With historical context, Yasmine uncovers the intricacies of what led to the current situation in Sudan. We touch on the struggles of dictatorship, civil wars and exploitation of resources in Africa. The importance of raising awareness, amplifying voices, and taking action to support Sudan is emphasized. The conversation concludes with a call to make dua for Sudan and to work towards a unified and democratic Sudan.

Salam friends! This week we introduced a new segment which includes reading dilemmas and providing advice. In this episode, we talk about a post made by Shaderoom Gambia. We discuss the importance of mental health and the challenges faced by individuals in the Gambian community when it comes to seeking support. We highlight the stigma surrounding mental health and the lack of understanding within the community along with our suggestions for finding a safe space to unload. As always, we emphasize the importance of turning to Allah and making dua for guidance and support. Finally, our conversation explores the lack of honesty and accountability in relationships, both friendships and familial ties as well as the importance of setting expectations and fulfilling responsibilities towards one another. We end off with an announcement regarding the DOD podcast....... email: [email protected]

Welcome to episode 11!!! This week we aimed to provide you guys with a chilled/laid-back episode in which we hope you get to know a bit more about us (your co-hosts). To foster discussion, we read through conversation cards (THE GAME, by freshly grounded) in which we talk about what motivates us, things we grew to appreciate about our parents, some of our characteristics and attitudes as well as ways we can work to improve our relationship with one another. As always, we hope you enjoy this episode and please don't forget to give us a review and/or comment to share your thoughts with us. And as mentioned, feel free to engage with us through email (below). Email: [email protected]

Picking up right where we left off…In part 2 Fatoumat dives into how life changed for her family when her father was diagnosed with cancer. Despite the difficult journey, the family remained hopeful and focused on supporting their father. Although she was busy with Nursing school, Fatoumat takes on the challenge of being comfort for not only her siblings but for her sick father in his last days. Our conversation explores the journey of dealing with the impending loss of a loved one and the subsequent grief. Fatoumat discusses the importance of vulnerability and support, the process of preparing for the inevitable, and finding strength in faith. We reflect on the love and blessings of Allah, and the various ways of coping with grief, while highlighting the normalcy of crying and expressing emotions during the grieving process. We conclude on the importance of appreciating and honoring parents, unity and support within the community and acknowledging imperfections and struggles.

This week’s episodes features Fatoumat Jikineh, who we had the honour of sitting down with back in March. She walks us through her journey of awakening and personal transformation which lead to her becoming a practising muslim and Niqabi. We talk about the expectations and pressure faced by individuals in the Muslim community, particularly in relation to dress and behaviour. The conversation explores the struggle of readiness and the fear of judgment when it comes to making lifestyle changes. Furthermore, we dive deep into the influence of Fatoumat’s late father on her life and the community through highlighting his support for women's rights and his advocacy for treating women with respect and equality. As am imam, we learn about his unconventional style of leadership and the close bond he had with with daughter. For a man with many hats, Fatoumat shares with us how things changed for herself, her family and community when her father was diagnosed with an illness.

n part 2, Fatima dives into her journey of memorizing the Quran and the challenges she faced along the way. She discusses the importance of community and the role of competition in motivating her to excel. Fatima reflects on the intense process of revision and the breakthrough moment when she finally mastered her lessons. She describes the daunting feeling of nearing completion and the emotions she experienced on the day of her exam. After completing the Quran, she struggled with societal expectations and felt restricted by her status as a Hafidh. She felt pressure to conform to a certain image and struggled with her identity as a teenager. Our conversation emphasizes the need for understanding and support rather than judgment to prevent people from feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from their faith. Despite the difficulties, Fatima reflects on the importance of the Quran in her life and how it provided comfort and guidance.

In recognition of the Ramadan being the month of Quran, this week, we turned the mic to Fatima who shares her journey in becoming a hafidh of the Quran. The conversation starts with the rewards and challenges of studying the book of Allah and then explores Fatima's childhood and upbringing. She shares her love for competition, having excelled in sports and having a supportive family. We also learn about the challenges she faced in balancing sports and wearing the hijab, as we discuss the limitations Muslim Women face in athleticism. Life was everything she could've wanted.. but despite her love for her life at the time, Fatima makes the decision to go study Quran in Africa.

Ramadan Kareem dear listeners! In this week's episode, we sat down with Fatou Jammeh; a fellow Gambian-Canadian woman who shares her diverse professional experiences and her passion for women's causes. Our conversation explores cultural identity, challenges of returning to the home country, women's opportunities and expectations, upbringing and identity as a Gambian woman. It delves into the fear of judgment and the impact of cultural expectations on reputation. The discussion highlights the shift in societal pressures and the importance of creating one's own trajectory. Additionally, Fatou shares with us the challenges and rewards of working in Africa and the need for sustainable solutions. Since the impact of humanitarian work and the role of education in development are explored in this episode, we would like to share and encourage you guys to donate generously to any of the links below. MATW: https://matwproject.org/crisis-and-emergencies/palestine SPOT: https://spotproject.or

In this episode we welcome a very special guest.. our TATA (older sister)! The conversation explores Tata's journey in choosing a career path, facing pressure from family and society, juggling motherhood and education, breaking stigmas and finding success. We discuss the joy and importance of struggling, finding passion in work and the unseen struggles Tata faced as a first child. The episode is concluded with advice for those on their own journey and the importance of trusting Allah's plan.

Salam our dear listeners. On this episode, DOD features its very first guest; Yemaya. J!!!! Yemaya walks us through her journey in becoming a social media Content Strategist and how she learned how to make money on social media. She shares how she went from living an average life in Toronto to now living her dream lifestyle in Dubai. We hope you enjoy and learn something from this discussion just as much as we did.

Welcome back friends! On this episode we briefly go over the infamous RESSA TESSA Tik Tok series followed by a discussion on the struggles of observing our religion as muslims living in the West. We share our individual experiences with CHOOSING to be practising muslims and dive into the importance of preparing for the blessed month of Ramadan while sharing some tips on how to make the most of the month.

Welcome friends! In this episode, we dive into the topic of friendship. We discuss the importance of having good friends as well as getting rid of the "not so good ones". Brace yourselves, as we get vulnerable and emotional while reflecting on some of our own relationships and give a tribute to a late loved one who taught us a valuable lesson.