Introducing Belonging Reimagined

In this episode, Dr. Mona introduces the podcast, sharing her family's journey to the U.S. and her experience growing up as an Egyptian American in the rural South. This led her to reclaim the inevitable question “What ARE you?” to asking herself "Who am I?" and explore connection in various forms as a theater kid: 1. Self: Theater freed her to explore and understand herself better. 2. Interpersonal: Theater fostered close friendships and unconditional support. 3. Community: Theater provided a sense of community belonging through shared purpose. 4. Something Bigger: Theater allowed them to connect with an audience beyond themselves. These experiences shaped her understanding of the four types of belonging based on connection in four life areas: (1) with ourselves, (2) within impersonal relationships, (3) in communities, and (4) with larger systems. Dr. Mona's mental health research shows that belonging encompasses being seen, embraced, and celebrated, and how integrating those components to the four life areas impacts identity and sense of belonging. The four types of belonging are self, interpersonal, community, universal. This podcast explores how the four types of belonging shape human experiences. Listeners will hear a wide array of stories, experiences of belonging gaps, and how they impact identities. Topics will include belonging in various contexts, such as relationships, family, career, various identities, and more. Dr. Mona invites listeners to join her every Thursday as she and guests explore these themes. 0:09 - Dr. Mona introduces the podcast and shares her family background. 1:48 - The negative aspects of growing up in a small town with brown skin. 3:20 - Her feeling of belonging in theater and the four types of connection. 6:23 - Dr. Mona explains how she ended up in the mental health world and her research. 8:04 - What she hopes for all of her listeners. 9:40 - Example of how belonging gaps can impact our identity. Learn more about the Belonging Reimagined Podcast: https://drmonanour.com/podcast Connect with Dr. Mona Nour.: https://drmonanour.com/