In the depths of despair, Naghmeh Panahi's story holds an unexpected twist that will leave you breathless. From the war-torn streets of her homeland to the foreign shores of America, she battled not just with oppression, but with her own sense of belonging. But it was when her husband faced imprisonment in Iran that her life took a dramatic turn, revealing a truth so shocking it will make you question everything. Prepare yourself for a journey of resilience, as Naghmeh's story unravels with a heart-wrenching open loop, leaving you eager to discover the strength she found to break free.
My special guest is Naghmeh Panahi
We are thrilled to rerelease this Best of 2023 episode with Naghmeh Panahi on the A World of Difference podcast. Naghmeh's story is one of incredible strength and resilience in the face of abuse. Having experienced domestic violence and spiritual abuse within religious institutions, she has become a beacon of hope for survivors. Her book, "I Didn't Survive: Emerging Whole After Deception, Persecution, and Hidden Abuse," is a testament to her courage and determination. Naghmeh's journey from an immigrant Muslim girl from Iran to an advocate for women and children impacted by domestic abuse is truly inspiring. Through her foundation, Tahir Al Nisa, she is making a profound impact on the lives of those who have experienced similar traumas. We are honored to have Naghmeh share her story and insights on the podcast, as she empowers others to break free from abusive relationships and find their voice. Get ready for an episode filled with empowerment and inspiration.
As we go through the fires of trials, we don't really survive. A lot of our way of thinking or things we didn't see before, like abuse or different things just come to light and our old self doesn't survive and we become a new person. - Naghmeh Panahi
In this episode, you will be able to:
• Discover the courage and strength of Naghmeh Panahi as she shares her powerful story of surviving abuse within a religious institution.
• Uncover the hidden nature of abuse within religious institutions and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved.
• Find hope and inspiration as you learn about the healing and recovery process for survivors of abuse within religious institutions.
• Gain knowledge and insight into advocating for change and holding religious institutions accountable for their actions.
• Empower yourself to break free from abusive relationships within religious institutions and create a life of freedom and authenticity.
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Uncover the Hidden Abuse
Abuse takes many forms, and often, the emotional and verbal types remain hidden from sight. In religious institutions, the power dynamics can foster such mistreatment, which goes unnoticed or is deliberately neglected. Understanding the nuanced ways in which abuse can manifest is vital to identifying victims and offering them the necessary support and resources.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
• Listen to the A World of Difference podcast episode featuring Naghmeh Panahi's inspiring story of survival and redemption.
• Purchase Naghmeh Panahi's book, I Didn't Survive: Emerging Whole After Deception, Persecution, and Hidden Abuse, available now. https://naghmehpanahi.com/
• Support the Tahir Al Nisa Foundation, co-founded by Naghmeh Panahi, which serves women and children impacted by domestic abuse by visiting their website and donating. https://www.tahriralnisa.org/about/naghmeh-panahi/
• Learn more about the immigrant experience and the trauma faced by refugees by attending trauma recovery weekends and workshops led by experts like Naghmeh Panahi's husband.
• Explore the Persian culture and attend events like the Iranian New Year Festival to experience the rich traditions and learn about the history.
• Get involved in human rights advocacy by supporting organizations like Amnesty International and sending postcards to individuals in jail in Iran.
• Reflect on your own identity and the impact of being a third culture kid by exploring resources and joining support groups for individuals who have similar experiences.
• Educate yourself on domestic abuse and its impact by reading books and articles, attending workshops, and supporting organizations that provide resources and support for survivors.
• Share Naghmeh Panahi's story
Abusive governments or abusive people try to control you think they try to control weak people, but it's actually sometimes it's trying to restrain strong people... women are really strong and that's why the government is so focused on shutting them down. - Naghmeh Panahi
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction
00:01:38 - Nagmeh's Background and Book
00:05:17 - Writing the Book to Help Others
00:07:06 - Immigrant Experience
00:11:41 - Identity as a Third Culture Kid
00:16:03 - Strength of Iranian Women ...
