214: Building Belonging Through Purpose, Fashion, and Humanity with Shahd Alasaly
Wed Feb 04 2026
What does it look like to build something meaningful in the aftermath of loss, displacement, and collective trauma? In this episode, Stephanie Mitton sits down with sociologist and humanitarian entrepreneur Shahd Alasaly to explore how culture, craft, and community can become powerful tools for dignity, healing, and economic opportunity.
This episode covers:
How Shahd’s Syrian heritage and family history shaped her purpose-driven workThe difference between individual and collective trauma, and why it mattersUsing fashion as a vehicle for dignity, connection, and cultural preservationWhat humanitarianism really means in everyday lifeCommon misconceptions about refugees and forced migrationBuilding businesses that prioritize people, not just profitThis conversation is grounded, hopeful, and deeply human. It reminds us that small, intentional actions can create meaningful change and that purpose and work do not have to be separate.
Books Mentioned:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What does it look like to build something meaningful in the aftermath of loss, displacement, and collective trauma? In this episode, Stephanie Mitton sits down with sociologist and humanitarian entrepreneur Shahd Alasaly to explore how culture, craft, and community can become powerful tools for dignity, healing, and economic opportunity. This episode covers: How Shahd’s Syrian heritage and family history shaped her purpose-driven workThe difference between individual and collective trauma, and why it mattersUsing fashion as a vehicle for dignity, connection, and cultural preservationWhat humanitarianism really means in everyday lifeCommon misconceptions about refugees and forced migrationBuilding businesses that prioritize people, not just profitThis conversation is grounded, hopeful, and deeply human. It reminds us that small, intentional actions can create meaningful change and that purpose and work do not have to be separate. Books Mentioned: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.