Skip to content
the reflect podcast artwork

PODCAST · society

the reflect

by The Ismaili

Welcome to the reflect, a podcast of The.Ismaili, featuring a unique introspection in each episode. What’s got you preoccupied these days or What thought are you in the process of working through? These are the questions our speakers respond to in each short episode of the (re)flect. To subscribe to this series, look for "the reflect", now available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, & Google Podcast.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Nov 17, 2025 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. The Purpose of Work: Why do we do it?

    For almost everyone, the current period has led to a change in the nature of our working lives. And it has led Aliaa on an introspective journey about work itself. Why do we do it? What is its purpose? And what might we want its purpose to be? (Tell us what you think about this episode:...

  2. From Discomfort to Discovery

    Emotions. We experience them on a daily basis. Are all emotions important? Is it worth learning more about ourselves through understanding our emotions? In this episode, Sasha Jiwani takes us on her journey from the discomfort of sitting with uncomfortable emotions to the discovery of how it has...

  3. Time: A Prison or a Mirror? (Urdu)

    In this episode, Alwaez Asif Makhani reflects on a series of inquiries around the notion of time and its significance in our tradition. Is Time Real or an illusion? How does the past influence the present, and how does the present impact our future? Is Time a limitless mirror to reflect upon The...

  4. Time: A Prison or a Mirror?

    In this episode, Alwaez Asif Makhani reflects on a series of inquiries around the notion of time and its significance in our tradition. Is Time Real or an illusion? How does the past influence the present, and how does the present impact our future? Is Time a limitless mirror to reflect upon The...

  5. Is Cancel Culture Worth Canceling?

    In this episode, Gulnar Feerasta examines the seeming ubiquity of cancel culture amidst the increasingly fraught and divisive socio-political environment of today. Is "cancelling" offensive folx justified— or is cancel culture leading to an erosion of free speech as its opponents contend? As an...

  6. On Rasa in the Virtual Performing Arts

    In this episode, Professor Nimjee reflects on connecting virtually to performing artists and the arts during the pandemic. She refers to the framework of rasa or rass, literally meaning the juice of something, to explore how a performer flavors their environment during a concert. Presenter…

    more
  7. Parenting and Spirituality

    In this episode, Purnur Ilolova reflects on the connections between spirituality and parenting. For her, parenting and spirituality are the most complimentary notions of being because in both states, one is relying on the unknown and the unseen. In searching for wisdom of the unknown, Purnur...

  8. (Tajik) Parenting and Spirituality

    In this episode, Purnur Ilolova reflects on the connections between spirituality and parenting. For her, parenting and spirituality are the most complimentary notions of being because in both states, one is relying on the unknown and the unseen. In searching for wisdom of the unknown, Purnur...

  9. Rootless Cosmopolitanism and Authoring Revolution: Making the Idea of Canada Home

    In this episode, Karim reflects on three generations of his family--from the struggle to acquire and understand the norms of Canadian life to the courage to respond and possibly revise them. Presenter Details Dr. Karim Dharamsi Professor of Philosophy and Chair of General Education, Mount Royal...

  10. (Urdu) Privilege and Sacrifice: Dispatches from the frontline

    In this episode, Shamsah reflects on her experiences on the frontlines to think through the disparities in access to healthcare, that are even more pronounced now- during COVID times. She thinks about her role in addressing this social justice issue- and wonders what equal access to quality…

    more
  11. Privilege and Sacrifice: Dispatches from the frontline

    In this episode, Shamsah reflects on her experiences on the frontlines to think through the disparities in access to healthcare, that are even more pronounced now- during COVID times. She thinks about her role in addressing this social justice issue- and wonders what equal access to quality…

    more
  12. Heavy Agency: Extending the Blessing of Ramadan

    In the weeks after Ramadan, Al-Waez Rahim Moledina finds himself missing being within the month and considers how its spirit might be carried forward. Over the last few years, he has had conversations with people from all walks of life who question the need for religion. In this episode, Al-Waez...

  13. Washing Your Hands

    In this episode, Alwaeza Sheizana Murji reflects on the value of washing our hands not only to rid ourselves of germs but also of what doesn’t serve us. Presenter Details Sheizana Murji Alwaeza and corporate lawyer

  14. (French) Washing Your Hands

    In this episode, Alwaeza Sheizana Murji reflects on the value of washing our hands not only to rid ourselves of germs but also of what doesn’t serve us. Presenter Details Sheizana Murji Alwaeza and corporate lawyer

  15. I am no longer "I"

    In this episode, Irfan reflects on the notion of "self", drawing on one of his songs titled "main, main nhe raha". Presenter Details Irfan Sheen Musician, lead singer of a New York City based band called "Fitoor"

  16. (Urdu) I am no longer "I"

    In this episode, Irfan reflects on the notion of "self", drawing on one of his songs titled "main, main nhe raha". Presenter Details Irfan Sheen Musician, lead singer of a New York City based band called "Fitoor"

  17. (French) What We Can Bear

    In this episode, Alwaeza Salima Versi grapples with how we can make sense of the truths we are given in the Qur'an when they seem at odds with the world these days, especially the idea that Allah does not burden us with more than we can bear. Presenter Details Salima Versi Alwaeza…

    more
  18. What We Can Bear

    In this episode, Alwaeza Salima Versi grapples with how we can make sense of the truths we are given in the Qur'an when they seem at odds with the world these days, especially the idea that Allah does not burden us with more than we can bear. Presenter Details Salima Versi Alwaeza…

    more
  19. One with nature

    In this episode, Faheem Hussain reflects on his evolving relationship with nature and how the 'presence of mind' creates a harmony and co-existence with and within nature. Presenter Details Faheem Hussain Teacher and Teacher Educator

  20. (Gujrati) One Word Away

    In this episode, Dr. Ashnoor Nagji reflects on how delivering babies and working in refugee camps luminates how language literally levers our lives Presenter Details Dr. Ashnoor Nagji Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UBC Associate Professor, School of Population and Public…

    more
  21. (French) One Word Away

    In this episode, Dr. Ashnoor Nagji reflects on how delivering babies and working in refugee camps luminates how language literally levers our lives Presenter Details Dr. Ashnoor Nagji Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UBC Associate Professor, School of Population and Public…

    more
  22. One Word Away

    In this episode, Dr. Ashnoor Nagji reflects on how delivering babies and working in refugee camps luminates how language literally levers our lives Presenter Details Dr. Ashnoor Nagji Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UBC Associate Professor, School of Population and Public…

    more
  23. Praying at Home

    In this episode, Latif Nurani reflects on prayer and spiritual life when traditional places of worship are closed. Presenter Details Latif Nurani Father, husband, educator, and lawyer

  24. (Farsi) Checking the Blind Spot

    In this episode, Allahbakhsh Jaffery reflects on checking the blind spot as a metaphor to discuss the importance of looking at the past. Presenter Details Allahbakhsh Jaffery IWTP Graduate and Business student, majoring in Accounting at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

  25. Checking the Blind Spot

    In this episode, Allahbakhsh Jaffery reflects on checking the blind spot as a metaphor to discuss the importance of looking at the past. Presenter Details Allahbakhsh Jaffery IWTP Graduate and Business student, majoring in Accounting at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

  26. Joy through service

    In this episode, Dr. Karim Damji reflects on the joy and fulfilment that can be experienced through serving others. Presenter Details Dr. Karim F. Damji Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alberta

  27. (French) Standing Up for Justice

    In this episode, Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee reflects on social justice within Islam. She explores what role we play as individuals and as a humanity in making this world a better place. Presenter Details Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee Clinical Psychologist, Founder and Director of Silm Centre for Mental...

  28. Standing Up for Justice

    In this episode, Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee reflects on social justice within Islam. She explores what role we play as individuals and as a humanity in making this world a better place. Presenter Details Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee Clinical Psychologist, Founder and Director of Silm Centre for Mental...

  29. Preparing to Emerge into the Light

    In this episode, Fawziah Bhatia reflects on Rumi's quote "What hurts you blesses you. Darkness is your candle." Presenter Details Fawziah Bhatia Certified Organizational Coach and Lifelong Learner

  30. Isolation & Community: A Paradox

    “Physical” and “Social” Distancing are at the heart of isolation amid Covid-19—with a huge loss of the contact that drives secular & faith-based communities. Yet isolation has also given birth to the very idea of community, from Islam and Christianity to civil rights movements. In this episode…

    more
  31. (Persian) Poetry: communication with the Divine

    In this episode, Ayso Milikbekov reflects on how poetry provides a mean to communicate with the Divine. Poetry provides space and mean to experience and express the Divine. Presenter Details Ayso Milikbekov MA student in Islamic Studies and Humanities, The Institute of Ismaili Studies, School of...

  32. Poetry: communication with the Divine

    In this episode, Ayso Milikbekov reflects on how poetry provides a mean to communicate with the Divine. Poetry provides space and mean to experience and express the Divine. Presenter Details Ayso Milikbekov MA student in Islamic Studies and Humanities, The Institute of Ismaili Studies, School of...

  33. Rethinking Hope

    In this episode, Professor Natasha Merchant reflects on the concept of hope and thinks through whether it is possible to foster a kind of hope which isn't tied to a specific want or outcome. Presenter Details Dr. Natasha Hakimali Merchant Assistant Professor of Multicultural & Social Studies...

  34. (Arabic) Identity, displacement and belonging

    In this episode, Rola Mustafa reflects on her journey of settlement and how her identity helped her naviagate through the hard time. Presenter Details Rola Mustafa Community Support Manger at Islamic Family and Social Services Association

  35. Identity, displacement and belonging

    In this episode, Rola Mustafa reflects on her journey of settlement and how her identity helped her naviagate through the hard time. Presenter Details Rola Mustafa Community Support Manger at Islamic Family and Social Services Association

  36. Presence in Absence

    Every year during Ramadan, Dr. Rashid tries to be more intentional about his spiritual practice. Over the last few years, he has been reading prayers attributed to Imam Zayn al-Abidin (as). In this episode, Dr. Rashid reflects on what this Ramadan prayer teaches him during a global pandemic....

  37. (Urdu) Who writes our Destiny?

    In this episode Professor Ali Virani reflects on the dynamic interactions between the Divine and the Human generally and especially on the Night of Qadr Presenter Details Dr. Nargis Ali Virani Senior Lecturer in Arabic, Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, Emory University

  38. Who writes our Destiny?

    In this episode Professor Ali Virani reflects on the dynamic interactions between the Divine and the Human generally and especially on the Night of Qadr Presenter Details Dr. Nargis Ali Virani Senior Lecturer in Arabic, Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, Emory University

  39. (Urdu) My Interactions with The Invisible

    Presented in Urdu In this episode, Anila Bano reflects on her personal interactions with the invisible. Presenter Details Anila Bano Alumni of Global Encounters and United World Colleges is a thinker and lover of creative expression. She studies Biology and Psychology at Luther College.

  40. My Interactions with The Invisible

    In this episode, Anila Bano reflects on her personal interactions with the invisible. Presenter Details Anila Bano Alumni of Global Encounters and United World Colleges is a thinker and lover of creative expression. She studies Biology and Psychology at Luther College.

  41. On Beauty and the Divine

    In this episode Professor Ali Asani reflects on the importance of experiencing the Divine through beauty in its many and varied forms. Presenter Details Dr. Ali Asani Professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic Religion and Cultures at Harvard University Recitation of Qur'an by Zaheed Damani.

  42. the reflect

    Welcome to the reflect, a podcast of The.Ismaili, featuring a unique introspection in each episode. “What’s got you preoccupied these days?” or “What thought are you in the process of working through?”. These are the questions our speakers respond to in our 7-minute episodes of the reflect. To...

Type above to search every episode's transcript for a word or phrase. Matches are scoped to this podcast.

Searching…

We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.

No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.

Showing of matches

No topics indexed yet for this podcast.

Loading reviews...

ABOUT THIS SHOW

Welcome to the reflect, a podcast of The.Ismaili, featuring a unique introspection in each episode. What’s got you preoccupied these days or What thought are you in the process of working through? These are the questions our speakers respond to in each short episode of the (re)flect. To subscribe to this series, look for "the reflect", now available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, & Google Podcast.

HOSTED BY

The Ismaili

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does the reflect have?

the reflect currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is the reflect about?

Welcome to the reflect, a podcast of The.Ismaili, featuring a unique introspection in each episode. What’s got you preoccupied these days or What thought are you in the process of working through? These are the questions our speakers respond to in each short episode of the (re)flect. To subscribe...

How often does the reflect release new episodes?

the reflect has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to the reflect?

You can listen to the reflect on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts the reflect?

the reflect is created and hosted by The Ismaili.
URL copied to clipboard!