Ep 1 - Farouk Al-Ajam (Choctaw)

Indigenous Language Revitalization & Culture as Healing with Kanaysa Heath (Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican, Menominee)

On today’s episode, I interview Noox, aka my dad, aka Kanaysa Heath! We discuss his journey learning the Mohican and Menominee languages and how that journey has helped him heal. Kanaysa believes that learning your Indigenous language and reconnecting to your culture can bring healing mentally, spiritually, and physically, and can help heal Mother Earth as well (happy Earth Week!). To learn more about Kanaysa and the work he does, please see the links below: 11th Annual Indigenous Language Institution: https://youtu.be/OfjmxAlZLTE?si=mqEVTpIr5IwGievV [https://youtu.be/OfjmxAlZLTE?si=mqEVTpIr5IwGievV] Speak Mahican Website: https://speakmahican.com/awaan-nyaana/ [https://speakmahican.com/awaan-nyaana/] MENOMINI yoU Website: https://menominiyou.org/ [https://menominiyou.org/] Time Stamps: 1:14 – Personal Journey & Background; Cultural Identity & Rebellion; Fatherhood & Healing 8:39 – The Pandemic as a Turning Point 10:49 – Shifting Worldviews Through Language 12:35 – Spiritual Connections; Navigating Institutions 15:26 – The Impact of Language on Perspective 17:55 – The Impact of Native Women 23:35 – Reviving Indigenous Language & Cultural Heritage; Funny Dessert Stories 38:45 – How the Language Journey Has Evolved; Imposter Syndrome 48:28 – Hopes for the Future; Final Thoughts For the video version of the episodes (with captions), please go to our channel at this link [https://youtube.com/@storiesfromthemedicinewheel?si=7CtWfNsYCb4oQDvm]! Video episodes may be delayed in publishing but will be uploaded within a week of the audio version.  Onewee for listening!

Tips for Writing the Medical School Personal Statement

On today’s episode, Farouk and I share tips that worked for us when it comes to writing the medical school personal statement (PS). We’re not experts, but these are strategies that helped us, and we hope you find them useful in some way. P.S. Farouk is the new co-host of the show, which is very exciting! Note: I used different devices to record, so the volume may fluctuate at times. Please start with your volume low and adjust as needed—LOL. Timestamps: 2:01 – Understanding the personal statement 4:26 – Strategies for writing the PS 6:12 – Formatting/structure 7:45 – Avoiding common pitfalls 9:18 – Highlighting relevant experiences 10:27 – Final thoughts (honestly, we’re just rambling at this point lol) 12:48 – Farouk and I are still joking around and yapping somehow—feel free to turn us off Feel free to reach out to us via email. We’re always happy to help! Farouk: faroukalajam@gmail.com Tyria: tyria.heath@gmail.com

Ep 1 - Farouk Al-Ajam (Choctaw)

SO excited to release my first episode and so glad Farouk was able to just tell his story. He has quite an inspiring journey as a non-traditional medical student from working in the pharmaceutical industry to moving across the country in hopes of getting that MD. He is well on his way and I am so honored to have him as my first guest.  Time stamps for topics: 1:17 - Career path and experiences in pharmacy 9:11 - Transition to Medical School 12:47 - Family Dynamics and Support 21:05 - Cultural Identity and Influence on Identity & Medicine 29:35 - The Importance of Therapy 34:33 - Family & Community Dynamics (part 2) 39:41 - Belonging, Finding Your Place in Medicine 44:34 - Future Aspirations & Advice