Ala’a never imagined that the ground she would be asked to plant in would be sorrow. After her brother was taken from her through gun violence, sorrow could have swallowed everything. The shock. The anger. The questions that never get answers. But instead of allowing his story to end in tragedy, Ala’a chose to carry it forward. In honor of her brother — his smile, his softness, the way he loved — Ala’a planted something in his name. Smile for Sache was born not out of strategy, but out of longing. A refusal to let his light disappear. A promise that his joy would continue to move through this world. This episode is about the kind of pain that could harden you and the courage it takes to let it soften you instead. Sometimes the seed we are given is grief. And what we grow from it, that is hope. ________ TDS is fundraising with HCI to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan by helping provide food, clean water, medical care, and other essential aid to families in need. Donate to Sudan, they need us:⁠ https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/sudan_emergency_appeal_health__hunger_relief_w_the_digital_sisterhood ________ This episode is sponsored by @amazingherbs , the first company in the U.S. to introduce Black Seed Oil over 30 years ago. Family-owned and women-owned, they bring the tradition of Black Seed rooted in Prophetic medicine into modern wellness. They offer 100% pure, cold-pressed Black Seed Oil made in the USA, plus over 50 products for every routine. TDS listeners get 20% off with code TDS20 at amazingherbs.com and the USA TikTok shop Code: AMAZTDS20 ✨https://amazingherbs.com/ ✨ _____ Credit: Host: Cadar Mohamud Season Lead Producer: Khweya Bezeid Episode Producer: Khweya Bezeid Episode writer: Khweya Bezeid Sound Design: Youssef D. & Yahya Arfouai Creative Director: Wasima Farah Illustrator: Yumnah Rushdy Honourable mentions: Noura A Sheikh Safia Mohamed Hanan Sheikh Aisha Aoumaich Naomi Wrista Maaheen Khan Sara Emira Ustadah Hilal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices