Claim OwnershipWe're Just Talking About It's podcast
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Were Just Talking About It is an extension of the Introduction to Islam talks and courses that Jason Howk has been leading nationally since June 2015.
This podcast does not aim to denigrate Islam or to spread a religion. Simply put this is an effort to get people talking more openly about religion and focused on finding common ground and understanding.
Around the world the loudest voices that focus on Islam are usually on the far extremes of the topic. Either speakers love or hate Islam. This is a discussion rooted in facts; and by design those facts are relayed to the public in a form that most can understand.
This isn't a professor's lecture and it's not a hate filled tirade. This is two people having a rational discussion about religion.
This podcast does not aim to denigrate Islam or to spread a religion. Simply put this is an effort to get people talking more openly about religion and focused on finding common ground and understanding.
Around the world the loudest voices that focus on Islam are usually on the far extremes of the topic. Either speakers love or hate Islam. This is a discussion rooted in facts; and by design those facts are relayed to the public in a form that most can understand.
This isn't a professor's lecture and it's not a hate filled tirade. This is two people having a rational discussion about religion.
41 Episodes
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Welcome to our 1st episode of We're Just Talking About It! We're happy you're here. In this 30-minute episode, Jason and Hollie discuss how to start a conversation about Islam in America. They offer up key vocabulary to get you started.
In episode #2 of We're Just Talking About It, hosts Jason and Hollie discuss one of Jason's most popular lecture questions: What does it say in the Qur'an? In this 25-minute episode we talk about: What's in the Qur'an and what's not How it can be misinterpreted by groups like ISIS What passages terrorist groups use to recruit people Qur'an + the Bible Major themes and More
Thanks for checking out Episode #3 of We're Just Talking About It. In episode #1 we discussed the terms you should know to help you better understand Islam. In this episode, we put those terms to use and learn how to get the conversation started. As non-muslims, Americans may be uncomfortable or scared to get the conversation started with Muslims. We are asking those uncomfortable questions in hopes of breaking down those barriers that stop us from starting a conversation. In 15 minutes, We talk about: How to get the conversation started Religious Beliefs Going to a Mosque Interfaith Dialogues Dining Together
In episode #4 of We're Just Talking About It (20 min) we wanted to take a look at some of the news headlines we saw in June. More specifically, the stories pertaining to Muslim society and culture. We talk about 3 top stories and break down "what it means": Afghanistan President orders a ceasefire with Taliban during Ramadan UK suffers most terrorist attacks in 2017 Saudi Arabia lifts drivers license ban for women
In episode 5 of We're Just Talking About It, we take a deeper look at what it's like for women in Muslim cultures. From having a guardian, to wearing a head dress to social media and going to college-- we talk about it all.
In episode #6 of WJTA, we take a deep dive in to observations that host, Jason, has made while living and spending time in Muslim majority countries. A few observations we discuss are: The kindness between strangers The high regard for cleanliness You can be sober but still joyful Prayer should be humble Education is valuable Other religions should be respected. Listen as Jason describes a world and culture many of us have not experienced for ourselves. You will be sure to learn something in this episode!
Welcome to episode 7 of We're Just Talking About. We figured after six episodes, it was time to explain how our host got started talking about Islam in America and why he continues to travel and educate non-muslims about Islam. It's interesting to note that host, Jason, is a white-male, raised in the South and grew up in the Baptist church. He says it's these very characteristics that allows him the unique opportunity to speak about Islam in America and reach diverse audiences. What started as an urge to understand more about Muslim culture and Islam has lead Jason to international speaking engagements, teaching at multiple institutions and interacting with diverse audiences throughout the world. His mission through it all-- education and tolerance. We hope you enjoy this episode how Jason's how and why!
Welcome to Episode No. 8. We have our first guest on the podcast! Shireen Qudosi is a Muslim American writer on faith, identity, and belonging. She comes from a family of refugees and has hopscotched across the world from Pakistan to Iran, Germany, and finally the United States. She's now known as a top 10 Muslim Reformer, a role in which she advocates for radically honest conversations. In this 15-minute episode we talk about what it's like growing up at a muslim girl in America and the challenges she and her family faced.
Thanks for tuning in to episode No. 9 of WJTA. We continue our conversation with Muslim American writer, Shireen Qudosi. In this 20 minute episode we talk about what it's like for her, raising her son in a post 9-11 world and how she lets her son explore his own identity and beliefs. Shireen talks about "breaking the conveyor belt" and questioning what we believe and why we believe it. We take a look at the education system in our country and how it disables critical, original thinking in her opinion. And we discuss the disturbing tradition of Female Genital Mutilation in other countries.
Welcome to episode #10 of WJTA. In this episode, Muslim-American writer and activist Shireen Qudosi shares her thoughts and ideas on what Muslim reform looks like in our country. She also brings us into the world of #hateImams which is part of her campaign to stop using the religion of Islam as a means of hate.
Welcome to episode #11. This week we have our 2nd guest on the show! Munim was born in Bangladesh and grew up in Oklahoma, where his parents still live. He is finishing a doctoral degree in epidemiology, and is a published researcher and photographer. Munim spends way too much time on Wikipedia. It's a laid-back and enlightening conversation that starts when an 8-year old Muslim boy moves from Bangladesh to Oklahoma. We talk: school, boy scouts, tornado drills and what it was like after 9-11. We discover how a little tolerance and education can go a long way to helping a Muslim boy feel at home in America.
Welcome to episode #12! This week we continue our candid conversation with Munim Deen. A young Muslim man who was born in Bangladesh and moved to Oklahoma when he was 8-years old. We talk about how his life and his families' were impacted by the September 11th terrorist attacks and what they dealt with in the days after.
Welcome to Episode #13! We continue our enlightening conversation with Munim Deen, epidemiologist, writer, photographer. TOPICS WE COVER: Religion's power to unite and divide and how we go beyond it. The idea that the more time you spend with people that are different than you, the better. How social media plays a role in the Muslim/Non-Muslim relationship in America. Differentiating your personal beliefs religion/politics from what we see on TV. American society vs. American foreign policy How religion and logic coexist "Remember, at the end of the day, no matter what side or religion you're on, you are meeting another person." _Munim Deen
Thanks for checking out Episode #14 of We're Just Talking About It! In this episode we tackle the topic of entertainment vs. news in America, in particular to Muslims in America. We discuss the common question: Where are all the muslims speaking out against terrorism? How the September 11th terrorist attacks got people more curious about Islam Why Munim is cautiously optimistic about the future of religious understanding in America How the shift in demographics is helping how Muslims are perceived in America. The thing to remember, "As long as we're talking, we're moving in the right direction."-- Jason Howk
Welcome to Episode #15! Jason had a busy November traveling to speak and teach in D.C., New Mexico, North Carolina, New Jersey, D.C. and back to NC. Today, Jason talks about being a guest host at the Associations of Physicians of Pakistani Descent in North America, in Virginia last month. The conversation turned to one major question from Jason's audience of Pakistani professionals. What do non-Muslims ask about you (Jason) about Islam? In this episode hear how Jason answers questions from both sides of the Islam discussion. Plus, Jason shares highlights from his lunch conversation with the President of the Islamic Society of North America and the importance of secularism and religious freedom. It was a successful trip to D.C.
Thanks for tuning in to episode 16. This week is a short and quick episode with a valuable lesson about myths, stereotypes and keeping an open mind. Sometimes those who think they are open-minded are acting just like the intolerant people they think they hate... Tolerance in every direction is the only way to bring people of all faiths and beliefs closer together.
Happy New Year! Welcome to episode #17 of WJTA. Thank you for your continued support and interest. We open the new year by answering some of the toughest questions Jason gets asked after his lectures or speaking engagements. Questions like: Why do muslims us hate us (Americans)? What's with the 72 virgins in heaven? Why don't muslims assimilate in the U.S.? Some of the questions we discuss today, may be found in Jason's next book. Hopefully these questions and answers can help lead to a better discussion in America.
In this episode of WJTA, we chat with a woman that has left Islam and is living in Australia. Omayma was born in Egypt and moved to Australia when she was a 1-year old. She was raised as a conservative Sunni Muslim. In her teenage years Omayma started to have some serious questions and concerns with Islam as her family practiced it and the way she had been living her life. After she reinforced her faith. Omayma went to University and found her ideas about religion challenged again. She opens up about how confusing and conflicted she was and how she shifted her focus toward rebuilding her life after leaving Islam. “I sort of had to start again” Omayma was discovering her identity and individuality. “Just as long as I’m free and I’m happy, and doing what I want to be doing, that’s what I really value at the moment."
In S2 Ep2 of WJTA, we continue the conversation with ex-muslim, Omayma. In the first episode, Omayma shared stories of what it was like growing up in a strict, muslim home. Omayma now talks about what it was like leaving Islam, the transformation and finding her identity. Three years after leaving the religion, she admits it's a journey she is still on.
In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with ex-Muslim, Omayma. We begin by talking about the topic of the "guardianship program" in many Muslim cultures. Omayma likens it to a parent-child relationship that remains throughout a woman's entire life. Omayma talks about how the program impacted her childhood and how she felt trapped by her own religion. We also talk about her grandparents late decision to begin strictly following the faith; and we wrap up by talking about what her hope is for her own future and other Muslims who choose to leave Islam behind.
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