PRESS KIT
Show Name: Mommying While Muslim
What do we do?
Mommying While Muslim is a weekly podcast about the challenges and opportunities encountered by Muslim parents raising children in the United States today. From their kitchen tables, and with the help of guest experts, hosts Zaiba Hasan and Uzma Jafri take on the unique issues that American Muslim moms face in today’s world. Both were born and raised in the US, but as children of immigrants, they are also intimately familiar with the struggles faced by second culture families. With eight kids between them and a combined 25+ years of parenting experience, Zaiba and Uzma share perspectives, resources, and mutual support, helping their fellow American Muslim moms to connect, work together, find solutions, and thrive.
Statistics:
1500 downloads/week
235+ episodes and counting
100K+ downloads and counting
5000+ email newsletter subscribers
Demographics
82% listeners women 25-44
75% listeners in North America
Release Schedule:
Mondays: Video release to patrons
Thursdays: Audio on all podcast platforms
Friday: Video release on YouTube
Download / Subscribe:
The show can be listened to directly from our website, our Linktree, as well as on Apple podcasts, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Alexa, and almost all other podcast platforms.
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Links to Platforms:
Zaiba Hasan
Executive Director / Host
Zaiba Hasan is an American Muslim who grew up biracial and bicultural. Born and raised in Chicago, Zaiba’s Irish/Pakistani heritage and interfaith upbringing gave her a head start navigating between identities. It’s, therefore, no surprise that she is frequently invited to speak at interfaith events since her background makes her a natural at bridging gaps between Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States. A degree in Political Science and Communication further shaped Zaiba’s outlook on issues like race, immigration, and nationalism, as well as her parenting philosophy, which is geared towards raising compassionate, responsible global citizens. When she isn’t busy with podcasting, public speaking, fostering interfaith community, or working with her parent coaching clients at Emerge Consulting Solutions, Zaiba can usually be found on the basketball court or baseball field with her husband and their four children.
Uzma Jafri
Producer / Host
Uzma Jafri grew up in Houston, the daughter of Muslim immigrants from Pakistan and India. This turned out to be good preparation for confronting people’s misconceptions about both Muslims and Texans. Coming from a traditional Muslim family and being “unapologetically” Muslim, while still identifying with American culture, made Uzma hyperaware of the dangers that arise when people conflate culture and religion. Today, Uzma is a physician running her own practice in Phoenix, medical director of an assisted living and hospice agency, and graduate medical faculty. She is also a certified speaker for the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona and volunteers with multiple organizations to support refugees. However, she considers all of these as side gigs to her real full-time occupation: being Ammi to her 4 kids.
Joseph Balian
Executive Producer / Audio Engineer
Joseph Balian is an avid storyteller with more than 20 years of experience in television, radio and podcasting. He has received the coveted Edward R. Murrow Award for Journalistic Excellence, as well as four Emmy Awards, seven Emmy Award nominations, and two Associated Press Awards. Joseph grew up in Los Angeles, but has traveled the country telling stories in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Arizona. A die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan, Joseph lives in Phoenix with his wife and two sons.
FULL SUMMARY + BACKGROUND
Mommying While Muslim is a weekly podcast about the challenges and opportunities encountered by Muslim parents raising children in the United States today. From their kitchen tables, and with the help of guest experts, hosts Zaiba Hasan and Uzma Jafri take on the unique issues that American Muslim moms face in today’s world. Both were born and raised in the U.S., but as children of immigrants they are also intimately familiar with the struggles faced by new arrivals to this country. With eight kids between them and a combined 25+ years of parenting experience, Zaiba and Uzma share perspectives, resources and mutual support, helping their fellow American Muslim moms to connect, work together, find solutions, and thrive.
The project got started after Zaiba’s 14-year-old son was detained by airport security in Chicago. She called Uzma and they had a long conversation about how best to prepare their kids for life in the post-9/11 world, where they might be often viewed as scary, foreign “others.” Realizing that almost none of the million “mom blogs” out there really spoke to their specific parenting experiences, they decided to do something about it and launched the Mommying While Muslim podcast.
What began as their own search for helpful information and resources quickly turned into a passion project—a chance to share what they learned with their fellow American Muslim moms, and to learn from them in turn. Along with their guests and listeners, Zaiba and Uzma discuss plenty of topics that any parent could identify with. However, they focus on issues specific to American Muslims parents, including:
Bullying (Muslim kids are more likely to be bullied than kids of other faiths)
Talking to kids about prejudice (“Mom, why do people think Muslims are bad?”)
Teaching kids that it’s okay to be different
Helping kids be safe, without feeling afraid or like the world is against them
Dealing with authority, institutions, and public situations
Countering negative media portrayals of Muslims and Islam
Zaiba and Uzma describe their motivation for the podcast this way: “We wanted to facilitate important discussions that weren’t really accessible when we were growing up. To reach out to our community and say, ‘We know what you’re going through. Let's stand together.’" They like to talk about the differences between how they were raised and how have decided to raise their own kids, about overcoming restrictive notions of identity, and about how the difference between religion and culture is central to the American Muslim experience.
As Mommying While Muslim evolved, Zaiba and Uzma were surprised to find that the podcast’s listeners included not only Muslim moms, but also many non-Muslim people who wanted to listen in and learn more about the perspective of American Muslims. They take this as a hopeful sign that people sincerely want to bridge those gaps, and that experiences like parenting and raising a family cut across all barriers to help reveal basic, important values that people of all faiths and backgrounds hold in common.
AS FEATURED IN:
REVIEWS
4.9/5.0 Stars
“What People Are Saying”
“I love the advice they give on parenting! You can feel their love and passion in every episode. Regardless of your faith I feel like they give valuable insight to parenting”
“This podcast has been everything I need in life. When I first found it a year ago I binged on the content till I finished it. To add to it all Uzma and Zaiba are so approachable online and receptive to suggestions. The guests they bring on broaden my horizons and perspectives in ways I didn’t even realize were limited. They are not afraid to talk about taboo topics (they love too actually lol) and always back up their information with resources and a fun time.”
“I’ve watched this podcast grow from its beginning days to where it is now and I just continue to be impressed. Uzma and Zaiba both put their heart and soul into making a great podcast show which is much needed It feels like I am listening to my elders. Good job!!!”
“Thoroughly enjoying the real life everyday struggles of raising muslim children in post 9/11 era”
“Masha Allah Great show
This is such a awesome podcast. Insha Allah it benefits the community and the world. Keep up the great work my sisters. ”
“A podcast for everyone
I love the informal yet informative conversations on these podcasts. Zaiba and Uzma bring on very qualified guests to discuss daily concerns of families, and sometimes in between, they show the reality of muslims in America. The interfaith discussions are my favorite.”
“Perspective with a difference
When you think two peas in a pod, it’s def not Uzma and Zaiba, and that’s the beauty of it! They have such different personalities yet they work so well together. Their topics and guests are relevant and question that many Muslim moms are asking!
They are both swethearts and I wish them well!”
“Love this podcast
I like to have this on in the morning and I truly enjoy the support and advice shared on this podcast. It’s a totally relatable show and most of all enjoyable.”
“Much needed topics
I’ve been non stop listening the last few days! These are very important topics we need to talk about. This opens the dialogue and InshaAllah change will follow. I really hope the men in our community listen in. Men we need YOU to step in and help us bring change. Especially holding these imams accountable.
Thank you so much for doing these podcasts! I’m looking forward to listening more.”
“Finding Mommying while Muslim came to me at the right time. Having moved to the US almost 12 years ago, it still is a struggle finding Muslims to relate with and grow together with life experiences. I love that Zeba and Uzma tackle topics that are often not talked about and take the shame out of talking about it. I heavily promote their episodes with my friends LOL and often their topics is a topic of discussion in our inner circles. Keep on rocking ladies!!!!”
“GREAT PODCAST!
This is such a great podcast! I have learned so much from this show and i love the way things are done on here. It’s so informative and also fun at the same time, it gives us a lot of knowledge of the muslim life and how fun it is!”
“I’m a guy and I love this show. Thanks and keep it going forever please :)”
“Love hearing the conversations of the cohosts. The sisters are the friends I wish I had at my mosque. Being a convert/ revert and be very isolating and with these ladies I feel like I belong, thank you.”
“Thoroughly love the deep dive into difficult topics through the lens of Islam but done in a ground-breaking earnest, kind and non preachy way. These beautiful mamas are having hard conversations that we’re all grappling with!”
“Uzma and Zaiba are both so incredibly kind and intelligent! I appreciate them and their hard work so very much! Thank you ladies JazakAllah khayr!”
“As a muslim mother of two trying to raise kids in America, this podcast is a dream come true! Uzma & Zaiba cover so many wonderful topics that all moms deal with on a daily basis, but from an islamic perspective. These girls have become part of my mom tribe and I look forward to all their episodes... discussing the good, bad, and ugly of motherhood in America!”
“Real talk
Uzma and Zaiba are the perfect co-hosts and partners...so opposite from each other and yet deeply caring and wanting to impact Muslim moms in an authentic way. They ask the real questions and I love the topics they cover with the guests they bring on. If you’re a Muslim mom (or any mom, quite frankly), this is a must listen!”
“The best podcast ever
This has been a delight to listen to! Zaiab and Uzma have been keeping it real with up to date of up to date information of how to navigate life while still being true to my religion. Love them!!”
“Feels like You’re Listening to a...
These ladies are professionals and you can tell! Their topics are so catered to their audience. I look forward to their episodes because it’s all so relatable as a Muslim mommy. Lol it’s lke the get me and my struggles! Loveddd the in laws talk! ”
“Real, raw, and riveting
Listening to Uzma and Zaiba discuss the truths behind motherhood while also facing reality post 9/11 as a muslim is such a weight lifter off the chest - so many women struggle through the same circumstances and share similar experiences, but it is never expressed because we are always trying to showcase our best appearance in society. I absolutely this genuine duo and their chemistry on air with other guests who get to share their stories and advice to fellow mothers out there as well. Thank you for your show ladies!!!
”
“Great podcast
Awesome!! So much needed”
“Relevant
So needed for our community.”
“Refreshing!
Love this podcast! The topics covered are so relevant and important for Muslim families!”
“Mommying While Muslim is one of my favorite podcasts because it brings together issues within the community with broader society. I really appreciate that this isn’t overly religious in how topics are presented (not in your face) but touches on the issues while still talking in a way that a non-Muslim could easily relate to. I find that very refreshing.”
“Your conversations delight me each week. The hosts are engaging, smart, and inspiring. I always feel like I learn something new.”
“I really enjoy your podcast. It has increased my awareness about all the wonderful Muslim women and their contributions”
“Should be required listening!!
This podcast describes the love, anger, frustration, beauty and everything in between of being a Muslim Mom in America today, and it so important to have this perspective in the public sphere. Moms are Moms; they love their kids and want the best for them, and want them to grow up in a safe world. Every mother wants that, and these women talk honestly about some of the extra challenges they face in a post 9/11 world. Thank you for sharing your triumphs and challenges with us!!”
“MWM changed my perspective on mothering. The guest speakers are so informative and Zaiba and Uzma know how to facilitate the conversation in a way that keeps listening light but very relevant. My me time always consists of coffee and this podcast, if it’s not that then I’m multitasking to get an errand done and these ladies make the mundane routine so easy. My kitchen is always cleanest when I’m doing it while listening! When I found the podcast last year, I binge listening to every episode over a few weeks and still needed more. May Allah swt uplift your efforts for the sake of our community.”
We’ve all had some experience with the genetic section in our high school or college biology class. We have a rough idea of how biological traits are passed on from generation to generation. Still, in addition to physical traits and genetic conditions, generational trauma can be passed down. Given that this is a relatively newer field of study for psychologists, they are still uncovering the nuances and subtitles of how GT manifests itself in subsequent generations.