Higher Love with Megan

In this episode, I am honoured to welcome Ashira Darwish, a Palestinian healer and former journalist who I first encountered through the film Where Olive Trees Weep. We have a raw and necessary conversation about the reality of the last two years for Palestinians, discussing how the ongoing genocide has shattered illusions about Western institutions, international law and the concept of justice.Ashira shares her journey from working in the media—and witnessing its complicity in dehumanisation—to becoming a healer. We explore the limitations of Western therapeutic models that isolate the individual from their community and spiritual roots, and she offers a powerful perspective on how true resilience is found in the collective and the divine.Decolonising the Mind: Ashira explains that living under occupation also means living under indoctrination. She describes the painful but necessary process of losing faith in Western systems and realizing that liberation begins with decolonising our own beliefs.The Failure of Western Media: Drawing on her background as a journalist and fixer, Ashira argues that impartiality is impossible during a genocide. She discusses how mainstream outlets have been complicit in spreading propaganda and dehumanising Palestinians.Healing is Collective: We discuss why Western therapy often fails by treating trauma as an individual disorder rather than a symptom of a sick society. Ashira advocates for healing that integrates the body, spirit, and tribe, rather than isolating the individual.Silence is Complicity: Ashira critiques spiritual leaders and the wellness industry for bypassing the reality of genocide. She emphasizes that you cannot claim to be for love and healing while remaining silent when humanity is under attack.03:43 – Ashira discusses the process of decolonising her mind and the collapse of her belief in Western human rights institutions.16:00 – How the resistance of the people in Gaza has beaten the algorithm and awakened global consciousness.23:00 – A critique of 'impartiality' in journalism and the complicity of media outlets in the violence.36:00 – Why the separation of mothers and children in capitalist societies creates trauma and how indigenous tribal structures offer a healthier alternative.59:00 – The spiritual bypassing within the wellness industry and the necessity of taking action to stop genocide.Ashira Darwish is a Palestinian therapist, researcher and founder of Catharsis Holistic Healing. A former journalist and TV & radio producer, she spent 15 years working in the media before turning to healing work. She is the creator of the AIDA Active Meditation modality and works to support trauma healing within the Palestinian community.Instagram: @‌ashiradarwishWebsite: Catharsis Holistic HealingCourse: School of Radical ImaginationInstagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review.Key TakeawaysEpisode HighlightsAbout the GuestConnect with Megan

In this episode, I sit down with the actor and activist Khalid Abdalla. Known for his roles in The Kite Runner and as Dodi Fayed in The Crown, Khaled joins me for a conversation that is as raw as it is necessary. We recorded this shortly after he received news of the passing of a cherished colleague and on-screen father, bringing a palpable sense of vulnerability to the space.Together, we explore the intersection of artistry and political struggle. Khaled reflects on his background as an actor of Arab descent, his involvement in the Egyptian Revolution, and the deep responsibility he feels to speak out against the ongoing violence in Gaza. We discuss the complexities of representation, the shift from professional solitude to collective solidarity, and why maintaining hope is a disciplined, communal act.Key TakeawaysThe Artist as Witness: Khaled discusses the evolution of his career, from graduating during the Iraq War to his current activism. He articulates why artists cannot remain neutral and how creative forms—whether film, writing, or music—must adapt to meet the political urgency of the moment.Representation Matters: We touch on the cultural significance of his role as Dodi Fayed in The Crown. Khaled explains how playing a character the audience is encouraged to love and mourn, rather than fear, challenges decades of harmful tropes regarding Arab identity in Western media.From Solitude to Solidarity: A central theme of our conversation is the journey from feeling isolated in speaking out to finding a vast, supportive community. Khaled shares how stepping past the fear of professional risk revealed unexpected circles of solidarity.The Non-Linearity of Change: Drawing on historical examples, such as the Dunnes Stores strike against apartheid, Khaled reminds us that small, seemingly impossible acts of resistance can ripple out to create monumental shifts over time.Episode Highlights01:45 – Khaled shares the grief he is carrying into the space following the loss of a revered colleague and on-screen father.07:50 – Reflections on playing Dodi Fayed and the rare opportunity to portray an Arab character that invites love rather than fear.16:00 – The initial loneliness of speaking out against the genocide in Gaza and the subsequent discovery of global solidarity.26:40 – Khaled discusses the painful conditioning of accepting the loss of Arab lives and the refusal to accept this for future generations.45:30 – A powerful story about the Dunnes Stores strike in Dublin and how a single grapefruit became a symbol of anti-apartheid resistance.About the GuestKhaled Abdalla is a British-Egyptian actor and activist. He gained international recognition for his role in the Academy Award-nominated film The Kite Runner. More recently, he portrayed Dodi Fayed in the Netflix series The Crown. Beyond the screen, Khaled is a prominent voice in social justice movements, having been deeply involved in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution and current solidarity campaigns for Palestine.Instagram: @khaledabdallaEpisode LinksThe Kite Runner (Film)The Crown (Netflix Series)Nowhere (Play by Khaled Abdalla) Workers for a Free Palestine / Film Workers Pledge Connect with MeganInstagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review.

In this milestone 100th episode, I am honoured to be joined by 88-year-old Stephen Kapos and his daughter, filmmaker Andrea Kapos. Stephen, a child survivor of the Holocaust, has recently found himself in the public eye as a vocal activist for Palestinian solidarity. Together, we explore Stephen's journey from a retired architect to a prominent voice at protest marches, where he speaks as a witness to history to challenge current narratives. We discuss the powerful intergenerational bond formed through their shared activism and the documentary Andrea is currently filming to preserve these vital testimonies.Key TakeawaysThe duty to bear witness: Stephen believes his role is critical because there are very few remaining survivors with actual memories of the Holocaust who can speak to the realities of persecution and genocide.Intergenerational activism: For the Kapos family, attending marches and speaking out has become a shared experience involving Stephen, Andrea, and even Stephen's grandchildren, creating a deep sense of solidarity and pride.Distinguishing Judaism from Zionism: Stephen articulates his view that conflating Jewish identity with Zionism is dangerous and incorrect, noting that he views the actions of the Israeli state as contrary to his understanding of Jewish valuesHope as action: Andrea reflects that hope is not a passive state but a "doing word" found in the act of gathering, marching, and refusing to be a bystander to history.Episode Highlights00:03:00 Stephen discusses the warm reception he receives at marches and his response to the few detractors he encounters.00:16:00 Transitioning from a career in architecture to becoming a public speaker and witness in his late eighties.00:32:00 Stephen explains why he believes Palestinian solidarity and anti-Zionism are distinct from antisemitism.00:51:00 The emotional experience of the 'Choose Love' event, where Stephen witnessed the reading of the names of children killed in Gaza.01:05:00 Thoughts on why hope is found in the "doing" and the importance of the growing international movement.About the GuestsStephen Kapos is an 88-year-old survivor of the Holocaust from Budapest who has become a dedicated activist for Palestinian rights. He is a member of the group Holocaust Survivors and Descendants Against the Genocide in Gaza.Andrea Kapos is a documentary filmmaker and Stephen's daughter. She is currently producing a film chronicling the lives and meeting of her father and fellow survivor Antoine, exploring their parallel histories and shared solidarity.Episode LinksHolocaust Survivors and Descendants Against the Genocide in Gaza Double Down News Stop the War Coalition Misan Harriman (Photographer mentioned regarding the 'Choose Love' event and portraits) Cafe PalestinaConnect with MeganInstagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review.

I had a brilliant conversation with Marina Purkiss, a political commentator known for her straight-talking, highly opinionated perspective on current affairs. Marina shared how her political journey began by simply putting out tweets, which grew into a large platform.We discussed how political apathy is a privilege , and for many, including Marina, the Brexit referendum was the wake-up call that made politics impossible to ignore. Marina opens up about the challenges of political commentary, from being threatened with lawsuits to dealing with the chilling online abuse and sexism, particularly the vitriol directed at women. She expresses the deep rage she feels over the hypocrisy and incompetence of bad actors in politics. We also delve into the necessity of women bringing their true selves to power, and the importance of community and catharsis—like that found in her podcast, The Trawl—to manage the mental toll of being engaged in an overwhelming world.📌 Episode Highlights04:59 On the shift from political apathy to engagement: "I feel like we're in this point in time where it's just I can't look away".09:49 Marina shares that as her platform grew, she became less reckless and more cautious due to multiple threats of lawsuits and people disingenuously twisting her words12:28 Discussing the chilling backlash received on a tweet promoting humanity, which caused Marina to worry for her own safety and delete the post.18:50 Marina speaks to the perception that she must convince people she knows what she's talking about because of her appearance, highlighting the unconscious bias in the space.25:11 Expressing her deep rage over the hypocrisy and brazen corruption of politicians who bend over backwards for international interests over their own citizens.28:55 Acknowledging an unhealthy approach to dealing with rage, including having "constant adrenaline" and needing a glass of wine to slow down the nervous system.33:04 Finding hope in the rise of the Green Party and the fact that the "mask is slipping" for other parties, allowing truth to come out.37:57 Encouraging people new to politics to not worry about missteps and to seek information from credible, non-billionaire-backed sources like Byline Times or The New European👤 About the Guest: Marina PurkissMarina Purkiss is a political commentator, writer, and co-host of The Trawl podcast. She also maintains a full-time tech marketing career.The Trawl Podcast: Social Media: Please search for Marina Purkiss on social media.🔗 Episode links: The Trawl Podcast: Co-hosted by Marina Purkiss and Jemma Forte.Byline Times: News publication recommended for informed reading.The New European: News publication (now called New World) recommended for informed readingCarol Cadwallah, Ash Sarkar, Politics Joe: Writers and organisations recommended for political commentaryConnect with Megan:Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!Would you like me to share more details about The Trawl podcast?

I had the profound honour of sitting down with Kieran Andrieu, a journalist with Novara Media and an academic with a background in macroeconomics and politics. Kieran recently returned from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, where his vessel was illegally intercepted and he was detained in an Israeli prison.Kieran, who is half-Palestinian, shared his deeply personal connection to the struggle for liberation and the immense emotional shift of witnessing a huge increase in mainstream solidarity compared to his childhood. We discuss: The Power of Visibility and SolidarityConfronting Moral InjuryIsraeli Ideological IsolationDefiance Against Political TheatreDirect Action is Crucial Now08:55 The profound tectonic shift in public sentiment and discourse around the Palestinian struggle.‌14:38 The incredibly emotional experience of watching people across all identities unite to wave the Flotilla off from Barcelona.‌26:50 Kieran recounts the surreal moment of kneeling in the port and seeing far-right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrive with an entourage for political theatre.‌37:09 The shocking discovery that Israeli functionaries were completely intellectually uncurious and surprisingly ignorant, with one not even knowing what Norway was.‌47:11 The harrowing realisation that the prison he was taken to, Ketziot, was the same one where his younger brother was imprisoned and tortured as a boy.‌54:33 Discussing the BBC's debasement of its reputation by siding with the Israeli line, such as suggesting a drone attack was a "cigarette fire".‌01:03:07 The long-term strategy for Palestinian freedom: focusing on the internal collapse of Israel as a Zionist ethno-supremacist project, accelerated by international pressure.‌Kieran Andrieu is a journalist with Novara Media, and an academic by trade, who has recently been on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.Instagram: Please search for Kieran Andrieu on Instagram.Twitter/X: Please search for Kieran Andrieu on Twitter/X.Novara Media: Kieran has worked as a journalist and political commentator for Novara Media.Novara Media Downstream Episode: Kidnapped at Sea by the Israeli Military (Kieran's blow-by-blow account of the interception)The Voice of Hind Rajab:Connect with Megan:Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!📌 Episode Highlights👤 About the Guest: Kieran Andrieu🔗 Episode links: Resources Mentioned맺 End Credits