Landing as a refugee in the upperclass Victorian suburb of Brighton from war-torn Somalia, Mariam Issa shares her thoughts on life, love, community and resilience. Take a moment over coffee to see your world through the eyes of an outsider. You may well be surprised at how the trivial becomes pivotal and conversely, how what we see as critical, can be rendered somewhat absurd.

Mariam interrogates the narratives we tell ourselves and questions who authors our story? She emphasises the tools we need to take back the mastery of our own identity. In looking at the plot lines of the developed world’s women, versus the narrative of the developing world’s women, Mariam wonders about the destruction of Western culture, veiled behind accumulation of material possessions. She suggests the less apparent truth - the loss of communal culture. At a time where harnessing the collective holds great value for workplaces, political movements and community wellbeing, Mariam’s lessons of individual contribution are a rare find.

While Western culture can be quick to dismiss traditions and rituals from abroad, Mariam argues that each of us must improve our listening skills and retain a childlike curiosity. She argues this place of wonder is what activates our ability to tell stories, and therefore to connect humanity. Mariam says, “If you can host someone in your heart, you can host them in your home.” She believes it is the act of listening that gives the power to the story teller. So activate your ear(pod)s, open up your willingness to learn and enjoy a raw CoffeePod from a phenomenal story-teller.

Landing as a refugee in the upperclass Victorian suburb of Brighton from war-torn Somalia, Mariam Issa shares her thoughts on life, love, community and resilience. Take a moment over coffee to see your world through the eyes of an outsider. You may well be surprised at how the trivial becomes pivotal and conversely, how what we see as critical, can be rendered somewhat absurd.
Mariam interrogates the narratives we tell ourselves and questions who authors our story? She emphasises the tools we need to take back the mastery of our own identity. In looking at the plot lines of the developed world&rsquo;s women, versus the narrative of the developing world&rsquo;s women, Mariam wonders about the destruction of Western culture, veiled behind accumulation of material possessions. She suggests the less apparent truth - the loss of communal culture. At a time where harnessing the collective holds great value for workplaces, political movements and community wellbeing, Mariam&rsquo;s lessons of individual contribution are a rare find.
While Western culture can be quick to dismiss traditions and rituals from abroad, Mariam argues that each of us must improve our listening skills and retain a childlike curiosity. She argues this place of wonder is what activates our ability to tell stories, and therefore to connect humanity. Mariam says, &ldquo;If you can host someone in your heart, you can host them in your home.&rdquo; She believes it is the act of listening that gives the power to the story teller. So activate your ear(pod)s, open up your willingness to learn and enjoy a raw CoffeePod from a phenomenal story-teller.

Coffee Pods is a podcast designed to fuel your difference by by opening up access to the insights, stories and experiences of remarkable people, who've marched to the beat of their own drum and created a positive butterfly effect in their wake. We believe that in the mere amount of time it takes to have a cup of coffee with someone we can learn from a lifetime of experience. So, come have a coffee break with us, and get the inspirational fuel and practical toolkit you need to be the change you want to see in your life, organisation or community

Coffee Pods with Holly Ransom

Coffee Pods is a podcast designed to fuel your difference by opening up access to the insights, stories and experiences of remarkable people. These change-makers have marched to the beat of their own drum and chosen to be the change they hope to see in the world. We believe that in the mere amount of time it takes to have a cup of coffee with someone, we can learn from a lifetime of experience. So, come have a coffee break with us, and get the inspirational fuel and practical tools you need to be at the leading edge of the change you want to see in your life, organisation or community.

Coffee Pods is a podcast designed to fuel your difference by opening up access to the insights, stories and experiences of remarkable people. These change-makers have marched to the beat of their own drum and chosen to be the change they hope to see in the world. We believe that in the mere amount of time it takes to have a cup of coffee with someone, we can learn from a lifetime of experience. So, come have a coffee break with us, and get the inspirational fuel and practical tools you need to be at the leading edge of the change you want to see in your life, organisation or community.

Coffee Pod #73: Mariam Issa is an empowered refugee, sharing a story of resilience and imparting the power of community, self-narrative and finding opportunity amid adversity

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