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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.

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Breast cancer is often spoken about with fear—but rarely with clarity.
In this powerful episode, Breast Imaging Specialist Dr. Tatiana Khoury from King’s College Hospital London – Dubai joins Raya to demystify one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—diseases affecting women today.

With over 500 lives saved through her work in Breast Interventional Radiology, Dr. Tatiana brings both expertise and empathy to the conversation. Together, they explore:

Why breast cancer is increasingly affecting younger women

The truth about mammograms, radiation, and early detection

The real role of lifestyle, stress, and toxins in prevention

How to emotionally and physically support someone through diagnosis and recovery

More than a medical discussion, this episode is a reminder that awareness isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment, courage, and taking control of your health.

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

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What if ADHD isn’t something to be fixed... but something to finally be understood?

In this episode of They Say It Takes A Village, we sit down with Dominic Watts holistic coach, former teacher, mindfulness practitioner, and author of Diary of a Mindful Dad - to unpack a radical yet refreshing approach to ADHD.

Dominic challenges the mainstream narrative around attention, behavior, and neurodiversity by asking deeper questions rooted in both philosophy and lived experience. Together, we explore how presence—not punishment—can transform the way we view, support, and raise children (and adults) who think differently.

This isn’t just a conversation about ADHD. It’s a call to rethink how we define intelligence, success, and emotional well-being in a world that often rewards conformity over authenticity.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone navigating your own neurodivergent path, this episode will leave you with more compassion, insight, and practical wisdom than you expected.

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What if “the change” was really just the beginning of a whole new chapter?

No more whispering about hot flashes in the corner or Googling symptoms at 2 AM - it's time to have the talk. You know the one: about hormones, moods, sleep, sex, and the sneaky changes that show up before we even know what “perimenopause” means.

In this refreshingly honest episode, I sit down with the brilliant and wildly relatable Dr. Sarah Sharif - a Family Medicine Consultant with over 20 years of experience and a real passion for women’s health.

Together, we get into:

💥 The real definition of menopause (spoiler: it’s not what you think)
💥 Why you can still get pregnant in perimenopause (yep, really)
💥 What’s up with the mood swings, intimacy shifts, and “am I losing my mind?” moments
💥 Hormonal therapy: what it is, who it's for, and why it’s not as scary as it sounds
💥 How to advocate for yourself, tune into your body, and make peace with the shift

Dr. Sarah isn’t just a doctor; she’s a champion for every woman who's ever felt confused, dismissed, or just plain exhausted by the changes no one warned us about.

✨ This episode is your permission slip to ask the questions, break the taboos, and take back control of your health, on your terms.

So grab a cup of tea (or a glass of wine; we’re not judging), press play, and let’s turn this “midlife mystery” into a power move.

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In a world that constantly demands more - more energy, more approval, more sacrifice; how do you protect your peace without guilt?

In this deeply inspiring episode, Mais Mohammed - media powerhouse, life coach, and global Goodwill Ambassador, opens up about what it truly means to set boundaries, reclaim your energy, and live from a place of inner alignment.

From navigating public life and personal healing to learning how to say no with love, Mais shares the wisdom behind tuning into your emotions, honoring your intuition, and building the kind of self-worth that doesn’t rely on external validation.

If you’ve ever struggled with people pleasing, burnout, or the fear of putting yourself first, this conversation will feel like the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.