"While I was confident and unapologetic being a visible Muslim, I began to notice how my intelligence and love of learning was something I felt compelled to hide.”

Signal Boost Participant Anna Emina El Samad reads her essay ‘Mind Over Modesty’. This essay was written for an event by The Social Studio, Outer Urban Projects and Youthworx Event, “Takeover at Parliament Steps”. The event brought together young fashion designers from The Social Studio and performers from the Outer Urban Projects to present a fashion parade celebrating modest wear. Mind Over Modesty explores identity and place in society, the role of intelligence, what it’s like to take up space.

Mentoring support provided by Lisa Divissi. 

You can read Anna Emina's essay on the ACCA website: acca.melbourne/mind-over-modesty-by-anna-el-samad

Music: Basement by Monako. 

This piece was produced as part of our 2023 Signal Boost feature series, where participants were free to create a piece about anything that interested them in a style of their choosing. 

The Signal Boost programme aims to elevate new voices and new ideas in Australian podcasting. It is a tailored mentorship program where participants are given the tools and equipment to realise their audio goals and learn from some of Australia’s leading podcast and radio industry professionals. 

The Signal Boost Podcast is presented by the Wheeler Centre and made possible by the generous support of the Ian Potter Foundation. 

You can find out more at www.wheelercentre.com/signal-boost.