The problem’s we’re facing affect us all. Racism. Genocide. Violence against women. Extremism. Fascism. Homophobia. The list is endless. If we stay silent, it only gets worse. Every one of us — even in our professional spaces — has a role to play. We cannot sit this one out. ✊🏽
🎥: @BoF
A dear friend sent me this clip of @SimonSinek speaking about my film ‘Meeting the Enemy’ during his conversation with @chriswillx and I wanted to say how deeply grateful I am — for the awareness, the kindness and the support. Thank you Simon.
Real change begins with listening even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it feels impossible. This is something I’ve learnt in all my years of making films.
The link to Meeting the Enemy is in my bio.
🎥: Modern Wisdom Podcast with Chris Williamson
In the course of making Meeting the Enemy, I met @jeff_schoep Schoep — who once led one of the largest white supremacist groups in America.
Jeff eventually left the extremist movement, partly because of the time we spent together - he now works to promote cohesion and understanding. Today, I’m proud to call him a brother.
At the Nobel Peace Center, Jeff and I shared the story of what happened — a truly unexpected friendship.
We were willing to sit across from each other, despite our profound differences. What transpired proved that dialogue, empathy and listening can disarm hate.
You can see his journey and our experience in Meeting the Enemy. Link in bio.
What if giving up on MAGA voters is part of the problem?
I spoke with filmmaker @deeyahkhan about why lifelong friendships and families are breaking apart over Trump, and why she believes many people drawn into extremist or high-control belief systems are still reachable. In this provocative clip, Deeyah explains what she learned from sitting with extremists, militias, and MAGA supporters across the U.S.
This does not mean excusing harm. It means understanding influence, fear, disillusionment, and the human need for belonging.
Comment PODCAST to watch the whole conversation!
The men in charge train people to dehumanize, to hate, to destroy — and then expect them to come home and be whole again.
There is a human cost. For civilians — and those sent to fight.
This isn’t strength. This isn’t victory. War doesn’t end when politicians say it’s over.
My documentary, America’s Veterans, explores what happens to soldiers when they return home from war.
So far it is streaming on SBS (Australia), ITV (UK), and NRK (Norway).
People rarely change when they’re being shouted at. The more attacked someone feels, the more they dig in.
When I met white supremacists, I found that kindness, empathy, and actually listening did more to disarm hate than I ever thought possible.
Several men eventually walked away from the extremist groups they were part of.
I’m not saying we should all go out and hug a neo-Nazi. I chose to engage, meet, and interview them because it was something I wanted to do.
And this is simply one of the things I learned.
The film is on YouTube — link in bio.
When I began filming America’s Veterans: The War Within, I wasn’t looking for a story about extremism. I wanted to understand what happens to soldiers after they return from war.
Then I met Chris. He spoke about how his military experience contributed to a desensitisation to racism and hatred towards minorities. When he returned to the US, he found belonging, purpose and acceptance in a white supremacist group.
It became clear to me that extremists groups actively target these vulnerabilities in former service men - and we have to do better.
America’s Veterans: The War Within is now streaming in Australia on @datelinesbs , in the UK on ITVX, and in Norway on NRK.
Award-winning journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin imprisoned in Kuwait for social media posts.
His “crime”?
Speaking on Gaza.
Criticising Israel.
Questioning power.
As Israel’s war with Iran escalates,
its genocide in Gaza continues,
and civilians in Lebanon are killed with impunity
So does the censorship of journalists worldwide.
Truth is being targeted and silenced.
Ahmed did not commit war crimes.
Ahmed did not bomb civilians.
He did not abuse children with Epstein
So why is Ahmed in prison?
Journalism is not a crime.
War crimes are.
Genocide is a crime.
Child abuse is a crime.
#FreeAhmed
I was recently interviewed on @monica_lewinsky ’s podcast, where I spoke about my experience filming neo-Nazis at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.
As a Muslim woman, a woman of colour, and pregnant at the time, it was terrifying.
The footage in this clip is from my documentary White Right: Meeting the Enemy, available to watch on YouTube.
I made this documentary because I’m tired of seeing women lose their lives at the hands of abusive partners. Violence against women and girls is everywhere, and not enough is being done to stop it.
Lauren’s story is gut-wrenching and, sadly, just one of many. This should never be normal.
If you’d like to watch the film, I’ve made it available in full on my YouTube channel.
I have lived and worked in America for over eight years, but everything changed last year.
When my work visa came up for renewal, my lawyers warned me I was at risk.
Trump’s immigration policies, particularly toward those who are outspoken or critical, made the situation clear. My lawyer, colleagues, and friends all told me the same thing: I should leave.
I had spent years documenting his first term, including the impact of his policies, his stance on abortion, how his rhetoric contributed to rising Islamophobia, and how it emboldened white nationalists.
Meanwhile, my children were settled in school, and I was preparing to begin another documentary.
It all came to an end. I had to sell my home and leave everything behind.
🎥: @Reclaimingwithmonica
