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Halva for the Heart: Dying and Grieving in Diaspora

Halva for the Heart: Dying and Grieving in Diaspora

By: Misha | Hafez Death Care
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About this listen

 Halva for the Heart is for both the collective in general, and for those of us living in diaspora specifically. Here we will explore topics of grief tending and death care as a way to build the liberated future we envision for our world, as well as what is means to be dying and grieving while living in diaspora, especially for those of us who have roots in the SWANA region. All are welcome here - befarmāid.Copyright Misha Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Navigating Afghan Diaspora Identity with Mina Sharif

    Navigating Afghan Diaspora Identity with Mina Sharif
    Jul 30 2025
    On this episode of Halva for the Heart, I am thrilled to be interviewing Afghan-Canadian author Mina Sharif.

    Mina spent 15 years living and working in Kabul, Afghanistan. She’s the author of Your War, Our Lives, a short story collection that brings heart, humor, and nuance to everyday life in Afghanistan during the international occupation. Through her work, she shares the quieter, more human sides of conflict, and what it means to belong to more than one place at once.

    In this conversation, Mina and I speak about her new book (comes out August 1, 2025!), the diasporic experience, and how fully embody your heritage identity, even if others say you "don't count".

    You can purchase Your War, Our Lives ar Mina's website: www.minasharif.com
    And follow Mina on Instagram

    If you'd like to share what this episode brought up for you, leave me a voice note

    🎵 Theme song: 'Lullaby' by Iranian oud player Negâr Boubân

    Learn more about my work at my website www.hafezdeathcare.com
    Follow me on instagram at @hafez.death.care
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Ancestral Wisdom with Shivani

    Ancestral Wisdom with Shivani
    Jul 23 2025
    On this episode of Halva for the Heart, I am joined by my friend and fellow death doula Shivani Narang. Shivani is a death worker, a grief worker, and a postpartum, abortion, and post-abortion doula who is deeply connected to their ancestors. Their work is an act of devotion.

    In this conversation, Shivani and I speak about surrendering to the wisdom of our ancestors and allowing them to guide our death work. We also discuss magic of grandmthers and great-grandmothers, and how we stay connected to our ancestral homelands while having grown up in the US.

    You can connect with Shivani Narang on their website and on Instagram @deathworkwithshiv
    Also follow their new podcast series @of.sweetness.and.spirit

    If you'd like to share what this episode brought up for you, you can leave me a voice note

    🎵 Theme song: 'Lullaby' by Iranian oud player Negâr Boubân

    Learn more about my work at my website www.hafezdeathcare.com
    Follow me on instagram at @hafez.death.care
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Meditation for the Iranian Diaspora

    Meditation for the Iranian Diaspora
    Jun 25 2025
    In this special episode of Halva for the Heart, I offer a guided meditation created specifically for the Iranian diaspora.

    Since Israel's attack on.Iran, many Iranians—myself included—have been struggling with emotional overwhelm, fear, grief, and dissociation. In response, I’ve been hosting grief support spaces for Iranians, and this meditation emerged from those gatherings.

    Rooted in the teachings of Valerie Kaur, Holly Truhlar, and my death midwifery mentor Narinder Bazen, this episode is a somatic, ancestral, and heart-centered meditation practice. Please find a quiet, comfortable place to rest. Bring your grief, your tenderness, your longing. It's all welcome here.

    If you'd like to share what this episode brought up for you, leave me a voice note

    🎵 Theme song: 'Lullaby' by Iranian oud player Negâr Boubân

    Learn more about my work at my website www.hafezdeathcare.com
    Follow me on instagram at @hafez.death.care
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
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