They Say It Takes A Village

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This one is for every woman who has ever been called مسكينة (miskeenah).

In this deeply honest and refreshingly raw episode, we sit down with Maha Gorton - social impact professional, writer, brand ambassador, and mother of three - for a conversation that so many women have needed to hear but rarely get to have.

We go there. All the way there.

From the impossible juggle of modern womanhood to the crushing silence around divorce, Maha unpacks the cultural expectations, the stigma, and the unspoken judgments that women carry every single day and why it's time we stop pretending everything is fine when it isn't.

In this episode, we talk about:

- Divorce stigma and the painful misconceptions women face 
- The myth of work-life balance and why women juggle rather than balance
- The raw reality of motherhood 
- The power of storytelling and why sharing our experiences matters more than we think
- Navigating hardship without letting it consume everything around you
-Self-compassion, dropping the ball, and giving yourself permission to be human

Maha brings warmth, wisdom, and a no-filter honesty to every question — and by the end of this episode, you will feel seen, understood, and far less alone.

For every mother who has whispered "can I just have a little break?"
For every woman holding too many balls and afraid to drop a single one.
You are not broken. You are not failing. You are human.

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In this deeply personal Mother’s Day episode, I sat with someone who has shaped my life in every possible way my mother, Ban Altoumah. A clinical biochemist, a mother, and a woman who has lived through the many layers of what it means to give, nurture, and grow, she brings both wisdom and honesty into this conversation.
Together, we explore the realities of motherhood beyond the surface. What it means to sacrifice while still trying to hold onto yourself. The pressure of “having it all” and how that definition is different for every woman. The invisible skills and strength that motherhood builds, and the constant effort it takes to stay grounded in a world full of distractions.
We speak about balance, identity, faith, and the quiet responsibility mothers carry as they raise the next generation with intention and care. At its core, this episode is a reminder that there is no single formula, only the one each woman creates for herself, shaped by her values, her circumstances, and her heart.
This conversation is raw, reflective, and filled with the kind of wisdom that only a mother can give.
Tune in to They Say It Takes a Village on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

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In this deeply moving episode, I sat with Caroline Labouchere, a woman whose story challenges everything we’ve been taught about beauty, worth, and aging. Known today for redefining visibility as a silver-haired model who began her career at 54, Caroline shares the quieter, more vulnerable chapters that came long before the spotlight.
We talk about growing up never feeling beautiful, being taught not to look in the mirror, and carrying feelings of insignificance well into adulthood. Caroline reflects on marriage, motherhood, reinvention, and the moment she finally stopped second-guessing herself. Together, we unpack the most damaging lies sold by the beauty industry, the pressure women place on themselves and each other, and why aging has become such a contested space for female worth.
This conversation explores femininity, traditional and modern gender roles, raising empathetic sons, partnership, and why men and women don’t need to compete to be equal. Caroline speaks honestly about invisibility, responsibility, and the freedom that comes with choosing authenticity over expectation.
At its heart, this episode is about being seen — by the world, by others, and most importantly, by yourself. A powerful listen for anyone navigating identity, self-worth, and what it truly means to grow older without shrinking.
Tune in to They Say It Takes a Village on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

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In this profound and unfiltered conversation, I sat with Rima Zanoun -  entrepreneur, holistic coach, speaker, and founder of Makaw and Kream by Makaw - to explore what it truly means to live as a sovereign woman in today’s world.

Drawing from over 15 years of experience in coaching, family and systemic constellations, and conscious entrepreneurship, Rima challenges modern narratives around femininity, power, choice, and equality. Together, we unpack the pressures women face from society, patriarchy, and each other, questioning whether today’s version of freedom has come at an unseen cost.

Rima speaks candidly about victimhood, responsibility, and maturity, offering a powerful reframe on suffering, self-sabotage, and reclaiming personal agency. The conversation weaves through themes of feminine and masculine harmony, leadership, spirituality, motherhood, creativity, and what it means to live in alignment with one’s inner truth rather than external expectations.

This episode is not about prescribing answers. It is about remembering what we already carry within us, and having the courage to live from that place. A deep, thought-provoking dialogue for anyone questioning identity, power, and what authentic expression truly looks like in the modern world.

Tune in to They Say It Takes a Village on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

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In this compelling conversation, Raya sits down with Saif Al-Yasi, a health coach, men’s mentor, and founder of Alphacast Studios, to explore the realities of modern masculinity. Raised between Baghdad and the UK, Saif brings a unique perspective on identity, cultural expectations, and the unspoken pressures placed on men today.
Together, they unpack the beliefs boys inherit about strength, emotional availability, and what it truly means to be a good man. Saif speaks candidly about the moments that shaped him, the roles men and women misunderstand about each other, and why raising boys in today’s world requires more nuance than ever. They discuss the influence of social media on young men, the weight men carry silently, and how fathers can show up with authority without losing their humanity.
This episode challenges familiar narratives around relationships, parenting, vulnerability, and legacy. It offers a rare and honest look into the internal world of men and the conversations many are still afraid to have.
Tune in to They Say It Takes a Village on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.