Civic Pulse Podcast

Fight for Change: Power, Purpose, and Prevention with Arlene Limas

In this powerful episode of the Muslim Civic Coalition Podcast, we sit down with Arlene Limas, Olympic gold medalist, trailblazing martial artist, and CEO of PAVE Prevention. Arlene opens up about her early life, the discipline that shaped her, and the journey that led her to become the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in taekwondo.
But Arlene’s story goes far beyond athletic achievement. She shares how her platform as an Olympian became a catalyst for decades of work in violence prevention, social justice, and community empowerment. Today, as the CEO of PAVE Prevention, Arlene leads efforts to stop violence before it starts through education, training, and systemic change.
Join us for an inspiring conversation that weaves together resilience, purpose, and leadership, showing how one woman transformed personal excellence into a career of service.

Stories That Reflect Us: Muslim Voices in Children’s Books with Shifa Safadi

Stories shape how children see the world and themselves. In this episode, we sit down with Shifa Safadi, a Muslim children’s author whose work brings underrepresented voices and experiences to life. Through stories that celebrate culture, faith, and identity, Shifa is helping young readers see the beauty in their differences and the power in their stories. Together, we explore why representation matters, how diverse books can spark empathy and confidence, and what it means to create stories where every child can truly belong.

Funding Futures: What the Department of Education Really Does, with Dr. Catherine Pozniak. | Episode 10

What exactly does the U.S. Department of Education do — and how does it decide where the money goes? In this episode, Dr. Dilara Sayeed sits down with Dr. Catherine Pozniak to unpack how education budgets are built, who sets the priorities, and what it takes to fund public schools across the country. We explore the mission of the Department of Education, how it supports states and students, and why funding decisions are about more than just numbers. Whether you're an educator, student, parent, or curious citizen, this conversation sheds light on the real work happening behind the scenes — and why it matters.

Entrepreneur Meets Civic Leader with Riaz Surti | Episode 9

In this episode, Dr. Dilara Sayeed sits down with Riaz Surti, a successful business owner and candidate for city council. Riaz shares his journey of building a thriving business, the unique challenges and triumphs of being a minority entrepreneur, and his practical advice for young people who dream of launching their own ventures. The conversation also dives into leadership, civic engagement, and what inspires Riaz to step into the political arena. Tune in for a powerful discussion on business, representation, and making a difference.

From Resistance to Power: Fighting Hate, Prejudice & Repression with Imam Ubaydullah Evans | Episode 8

These are unprecedented times! 
Join an intense Civic Pulse episode between Dr. Dilara Sayeed and Imam Ubaydullah Evans. Imam Ubaydullah is a scholar, a global leader, and a proud African American Muslim. 
The discussion includes the impact of Juneteenth on us today, challenges of our young men during Men’s Mental Health Month, our relationships with LGBTQ neighbors, and other critical issues of our time.

Trials, Tribulations, and Tests: Overcoming Political Obstacles with Rep. Ruwa Romman

Georgia State Representative Ruwa Romman is a trailblazer in Georgia politics.
As the first Arab Palestinian and Muslim ever elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, Rep. Romman is a rising star. Her short but eventful career has intersected with critical watershed moments in today's political climate.
Rep. Romman joins Muslim Civic Coalition President Dr. Dilara Sayeed in our latest episode of the Civic Pulse Podcast to reflect on our current state of affairs following the 2024 elections, where we go from here, and what lessons we can learn for building civic power in both the short and long term future.
The Civic Pulse Podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

Dangers of Dehumanization: Protecting & Uplifting Communities with Aasees Kaur | Episode 6

Dehumanization has devastating consequences for all of us. When any group of people is deprived of their humanity based on their ethnicity, religion, or any other demographic, that sets a dangerous precedent for our societies.  How do we stand together in divisive times to uplift and protect each other from the consequences of very real dehumanization that we see being spewed in our nation and across the globe?What can we do to combat dehumanization and prevent the factors that lead to harm in our respective communities?The Sikh Coalition Senior Community Development Manager Aasees Kaur joins Muslim Civic Coalition Advocacy and Policy Lead Amina Barhumi on this latest episode of the Civic Pulse Podcast to provide and discuss powerful reflections on how we can keep our communities safe, secure, and sound. The Civic Pulse Podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 

Bridges of Faith: An Interfaith Conversation with Dr. Barbara Reid | Episode 5

In this season of celebration across many faiths, from Holi to Eid and Passover, Christians will be celebrating Easter this coming weekend. Just ahead of this sacred holiday, Sister Dr. Barbara Reid of the Catholic Theological Union at Chicago joins the Civic Pulse Podcast for a powerful conversation on interfaith dialogue, building bridges for justice, and fostering interconnected communities. Dr. Reid and Dr. Dilara Sayeed both discuss religious intersectionality, historic relations between Catholics, Muslims and other respective faiths - and advice for believers of all faiths in an ever-changing world of uncertainty. The Civic Pulse Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Please don't forget to subscribe to our respective channels after watching and listening and tune into our upcoming episodes!

Back to the Real World: Post-Ramadan Pearls of Wisdom with Imam Tariq I. El-Amin | Episode 4

Ramadan has come and gone like the wind. 
As this blessed month is quickly closing upon us, the real spiritual and civic work begins well beyond Ramadan. 
What does that look like? How do we stay civically engaged through the rest of the year beyond Ramadan? 
Imam Tariq I. El Amin from Masjid al-Taqwa in Chicago joins Dr. Dilara Sayeed for a powerful and heart softening conversation that answers all of those questions. Imam Tariq also discusses the Chicago Black Muslim History Tour that he facilitates, which you can learn more about by reaching out to masjidtaqwachicago@gmail.com. The Civic Pulse Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Spotify. 

From Resistance to Power: Fighting Hate, Repression, and Erasure with Rep. Munira Abdullahi | Episode 3

Ohio State Representative Munira Abdullahi is a trailblazer in her own right. The first visibly Muslim elected official in the Ohio State House, Rep. Abdullahi presents a distinctive background amongst her colleagues in Columbus. A child of Somali refugees that resettled in the United States when she was three, Rep. Abdullahi has witnessed and experienced firsthand struggles that have empowered her to build political power for those who have been disenfranchised. Listen in as Rep. Abdullahi sits down with Muslim Civic Coalition Advocacy and Policy Lead Amina Barhumi, in light of Women's History Month, to look at lessons we can learn from the Buckeye State that uplift not just Muslim Americans, but all Americans for a shared future in which everyone thrives. The Civic Pulse Podcast is available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcast.