Ala’a never imagined that the ground she would be asked to plant in would be sorrow.

After her brother was taken from her through gun violence, sorrow could have swallowed everything. The shock. The anger. The questions that never get answers. But instead of allowing his story to end in tragedy, Ala’a chose to carry it forward.

In honor of her brother — his smile, his softness, the way he loved — Ala’a planted something in his name. Smile for Sache was born not out of strategy, but out of longing. A refusal to let his light disappear. A promise that his joy would continue to move through this world.

This episode is about the kind of pain that could harden you and the courage it takes to let it soften you instead.

Sometimes the seed we are given is grief.

And what we grow from it, that is hope.

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TDS is fundraising with HCI to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan by helping provide food, clean water, medical care, and other essential aid to families in need.

Donate to Sudan, they need us:⁠ https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/sudan_emergency_appeal_health__hunger_relief_w_the_digital_sisterhood

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This episode is sponsored by @amazingherbs , the first company in the U.S. to introduce Black Seed Oil over 30 years ago. Family-owned and women-owned, they bring the tradition of Black Seed rooted in Prophetic medicine into modern wellness.

They offer 100% pure, cold-pressed Black Seed Oil made in the USA, plus over 50 products for every routine.

TDS listeners get 20% off with code TDS20 at amazingherbs.com and the USA TikTok shop Code: AMAZTDS20 ✨https://amazingherbs.com/ ✨

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Credit:

Host: Cadar Mohamud

Season Lead Producer: Khweya Bezeid

Episode Producer: Khweya Bezeid

Episode writer: Khweya Bezeid

Sound Design: Youssef D. & Yahya Arfouai

Creative Director: Wasima Farah

Illustrator: Yumnah Rushdy

Honourable mentions:

Noura A Sheikh

Safia Mohamed

Hanan Sheikh

Aisha Aoumaich

Naomi Wrista

Maaheen Khan

Sara Emira

Ustadah Hilal