EP29: The Cost of Identity | Letting Go & The Power of Becoming

In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with Dr. Saliha Afridi—a clinical psychologist and founder of The Lighthouse Arabia—whose work focuses on destigmatizing mental health and guiding people through deep introspection. Dr. Afridi takes us on a powerful journey of identity, belonging, and the emotional cost of unlearning inherited narratives.

Through candid conversation, she shares what it means to live in the in-between—navigating the grief of historical erasure, the anger of internalized narratives, and the courage it takes to reclaim identity on our own terms. She reflects on the lifelong process of questioning dominant narratives, the emotional toll of detaching from imposed definitions, and why raising her daughter to embrace her Arab identity became an act of resistance.

Together, we explore how language shapes our sense of self, the fine line between grief and transformation, and the tension between losing and reclaiming identity. Dr. Afridi challenges us to ask: Who were you before the world told you who to be?

This episode is a deep reflection on identity as a fluid, ever-evolving journey—and a reminder that rewriting our story is a radical act of self-definition. We hope you’ll find something to consider.

Connect with the Guest:
Instagram:   / drsalihaafridi  
Website: https://www.lighthousearabia.com
LinkedIn:   / salihaafridi  

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