Our Voice Our Story

Hosted by sociologist Shahd Alasaly, SAWT is a podcast rooted in one belief: stories only hold power when they are told by the people who live them. This introduction episode sets the foundation for a space where lived experience is recognized as knowledge and where communities speak for themselves without translation, interpretation, or erasure. Too often, narratives are shaped by those who were never part of the experience. SAWT exists to change that. In this podcast, you will hear from researchers, academics, artists, and community voices whose stories carry truth the world needs to hear. The first thirteen episodes feature TEDx University of South Florida 2026 speakers, offering a chance to learn from them in their own voice before they take the TED stage. When we speak, we protect the truth of who we are. When we listen, we allow stories to remain whole. Subscribe and share to help build a community where voices rise and stories stay where they belong.