In this episode of Identified, host Nabil Ayers is joined by Jad Abumrad—artist, musician, journalist, and creator of Radiolab, Dolly Parton’s America, More Perfect, and Fela Kuti: Fear No Man—for a conversation about grief, family history, and what it means to belong to a culture you weren’t fully given.Jad shares stories from his Lebanese family: a great-grandmother whose ring he lost in the sea, a grandfather who buried his mother on the side of the road at age 10, and a father who narrowly survived a civil war and brought his entire extended family to Tennessee. But it’s only in recent years that Jad began to ask the deeper questions: What actually happened in Lebanon? Why did his family never talk about it? And what does it mean to claim a cultural identity that was never fully passed down?We also talk about:
Growing up Arab in the U.S. during the Iran hostage crisis and 9/11
His early reporting in Lebanon and how it helped shape his voice
The grief that shaped his family, and the one loss that reshuffled everything
Choosing to raise kids with a sense of inherited identity—even when you didn’t grow up with one yourself

Jad’s story is a moving reminder that family is built not just on what we’re given—but also on what we ask, uncover, and pass forward.

Guest: Jad Abumrad
Host: Nabil Ayers
Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji
Produced by: Palm Tree Island
Music by: Noella & Patricia Brennan

In this episode of&nbsp;Identified, host&nbsp;Nabil Ayers&nbsp;is joined by&nbsp;Jad Abumrad&mdash;artist, musician, journalist, and creator of&nbsp;Radiolab,&nbsp;Dolly Parton&rsquo;s America,&nbsp;More Perfect, and&nbsp;Fela Kuti: Fear No Man&mdash;for a conversation about grief, family history, and what it means to belong to a culture you weren&rsquo;t fully given.Jad shares stories from his Lebanese family: a great-grandmother whose ring he lost in the sea, a grandfather who buried his mother on the side of the road at age 10, and a father who narrowly survived a civil war and brought his entire extended family to Tennessee. But it&rsquo;s only in recent years that Jad began to ask the deeper questions: What actually happened in Lebanon? Why did his family never talk about it? And what does it mean to claim a cultural identity that was never fully passed down?We also talk about:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Growing up Arab in the U.S. during the Iran hostage crisis and 9/11</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">His early reporting in Lebanon and how it helped shape his voice</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">The grief that shaped his family, and the one loss that reshuffled everything</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Choosing to raise kids with a sense of inherited identity&mdash;even when you didn&rsquo;t grow up with one yourself</li>
</ul>
Jad&rsquo;s story is a moving reminder that family is built not just on what we&rsquo;re given&mdash;but also on what we ask, uncover, and pass forward.
Guest: Jad Abumrad Host: Nabil Ayers Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji Produced by: Palm Tree Island Music by: Noella &amp; Patricia Brennan

Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. This show explores the intricate and often complicated world of family and identity.

In his memoir, Nabil shared his journey of understanding his mixed-race identity, navigating a distant relationship with his father, renowned jazz musician Roy Ayers, and discovering new family connections. 'Identified' continues this exploration, broadening the scope to encompass universal themes of family dynamics.

Join Nabil as he engages in heartfelt conversations that traverse cultural histories, the impact of non-traditional childhoods, and the ways our relationships shape our identities. Through personal stories, the show confronts the challenges of loss and grief, while celebrating the unique bonds that define us. Each episode seeks to answer the profound question: What is family?

Discover remarkable stories from individuals of diverse backgrounds as 'Identified' unravels the complexities that make family so unique.

The executive producer for 'Identified' is Kieron Banerji, and is produced by Palm Tree Island.

Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. This show explores the intricate and often complicated world of family and identity.
In his memoir, Nabil shared his journey of understanding his mixed-race identity, navigating a distant relationship with his father, renowned jazz musician Roy Ayers, and discovering new family connections. 'Identified' continues this exploration, broadening the scope to encompass universal themes of family dynamics.
Join Nabil as he engages in heartfelt conversations that traverse cultural histories, the impact of non-traditional childhoods, and the ways our relationships shape our identities. Through personal stories, the show confronts the challenges of loss and grief, while celebrating the unique bonds that define us. Each episode seeks to answer the profound question: What is family?
Discover remarkable stories from individuals of diverse backgrounds as 'Identified' unravels the complexities that make family so unique.
The executive producer for 'Identified' is Kieron Banerji, and is produced by Palm Tree Island.

Identified with Nabil Ayers

Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. This show explores the intricate and often complicated world of family and identity.
In his memoir, Nabil shared his journey of understanding his mixed-race identity, navigating a distant relationship with his father, renowned jazz musician Roy Ayers, and discovering new family connections. 'Identified' continues this exploration, broadening the scope to encompass universal themes of family dynamics.
Join Nabil as he engages in heartfelt conversations that traverse cultural histories, the impact of non-traditional childhoods, and the ways our relationships shape our identities. Through personal stories, the show confronts the challenges of loss and grief, while celebrating the unique bonds that define us. Each episode seeks to answer the profound question: What is family?
Discover remarkable stories from individuals of diverse backgrounds as 'Identified' unravels the complexities that make family so unique.
The executive producer for 'Identified' is Kieron Banerji, and is produced by Palm Tree Island.

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