Naghmeh Panahi: From Darkness to Freedom and Her Inspiring Road to Recovery

Oct 25, 2023

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In the depths of despair, Naghmeh Panahi's story holds an unexpected twist that will leave you breathless. From the war-torn streets of her homeland to the foreign shores of America, she battled not just with oppression, but with her own sense of belonging. But it was when her husband faced imprisonment in Iran that her life took a dramatic turn, revealing a truth so shocking it will make you question everything. Prepare yourself for a journey of resilience, as Naghmeh's story unravels with a heart-wrenching open loop, leaving you eager to discover the strength she found to break free.

My special guest is Naghmeh Panahi.

We are thrilled to welcome Naghmeh Panahi to the A World of Difference podcast. Naghmeh's story is one of incredible strength and resilience in the face of abuse. Having experienced domestic violence and spiritual abuse within religious institutions, she has become a beacon of hope for survivors. Her book, "I Didn't Survive: Emerging Whole After Deception, Persecution, and Hidden Abuse," is a testament to her courage and determination. Naghmeh's journey from an immigrant Muslim girl from Iran to an advocate for women and children impacted by domestic abuse is truly inspiring. Through her foundation, Tahir Al Nisa, she is making a profound impact on the lives of those who have experienced similar traumas. We are honored to have Naghmeh share her story and insights on the podcast, as she empowers others to break free from abusive relationships and find their voice. Get ready for an episode filled with empowerment and inspiration.

As we go through the fires of trials, we don't really survive. A lot of our way of thinking or things we didn't see before, like abuse or different things just come to light and our old self doesn't survive and we become a new person. - Naghmeh Panahi

In this episode, you will be able to:

Discover the courage and strength of Naghmeh Panahi as she shares her powerful story of surviving abuse within a religious institution.
Uncover the hidden nature of abuse within religious institutions and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved.
Find hope and inspiration as you learn about the healing and recovery process for survivors of abuse within religious institutions.
Gain knowledge and insight into advocating for change and holding religious institutions accountable for their actions.
Empower yourself to break free from abusive relationships within religious institutions and create a life of freedom and authenticity.

Uncover the Hidden Abuse

Abuse takes many forms, and often, the emotional and verbal types remain hidden from sight. In religious institutions, the power dynamics can foster such mistreatment, which goes unnoticed or is deliberately neglected. Understanding the nuanced ways in which abuse can manifest is vital to identify victims and offer them the necessary support and resources.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Listen to the A World of Difference podcast episode featuring Naghmeh Panahi's inspiring story of survival and redemption.
Purchase Naghmeh Panahi's book, I Didn't Survive: Emerging Whole After Deception, Persecution and Hidden Abuse, available now. https://naghmehpanahi.com/
Support the Tahir Al Nisa foundation, co-founded by Naghmeh Panahi, which serves women and children impacted by domestic abuse by visiting their website and donating. https://www.tahriralnisa.org/about/naghmeh-panahi/
Learn more about the immigrant experience and the trauma faced by refugees by attending trauma recovery weekends and workshops led by experts like Naghmeh Panahi's husband.
Explore the Persian culture and attend events like the Iranian New Year Festival to experience the rich traditions and learn about the history.
Get involved in human rights advocacy by supporting organizations like Amnesty International and sending postcards to individuals in jail in Iran.
Reflect on your own identity and the impact of being a third culture kid by exploring resources and joining support groups for individuals who have similar experiences.
Educate yourself on domestic abuse and its impact by reading books and articles, attending workshops, and supporting organizations that provide resources and support for survivors.
Share Naghmeh Panahi's story

Abusive governments or abusive people try to control you think they try to control weak people, but it's actually sometimes it's trying to restrain strong people... women are really strong and that's why the government is so focused on shutting them down. - Naghmeh Panahi

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Introduction

00:01:38 - Nagme's Background and Book

00:05:17 - Writing the Book to Help Others

00:07:06 - Immigrant Experience

00:11:41 - Identity as a Third Culture Kid

00:16:03 - Strength of Iranian Women

00:18:11 - Restriction and Fear in the Middle East

00:19:28 - Strong Women and Resistance to Oppression

00:20:53 - Inspiring Women in the Middle East

00:22:19 - Domestic Violence and Speaking Out

00:31:45 - Naghmeh's Hope for Franklin Graham

00:33:27 - Naghmeh's Thoughts on Franklin Graham

00:34:19 - The Title of Naghmeh's Book

00:38:20 - Naghmeh's Message to Those Experiencing Abuse

00:42:55 - Paying Attention to the Body's Signals

00:47:20 - The Sacrifice of Putting People First

00:47:43 - Finding Naghmeh and Her Work

00:48:21 - Gratitude for the Connection

00:49:06 - Naghmeh's Life as a Butterfly

00:50:43 - Scars of Abuse

Even when you have a strong force coming against you, whether it's government or it's a religious institution or whatever, you have to really be strengthened even more, be stronger to break through. - Naghmeh Panahi

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:00:02 - Introduction

The host introduces the podcast episode and provides a trigger warning for the guest's discussion of abuse. Listeners are advised to prioritize their mental health while listening to the episode.

00:01:38 - Nagme's Background and Book

Nagme Panahi is introduced as a remarkable woman who has experienced various forms of abuse. Her book, "I Didn't Survive," details her journey of emerging whole after deception, persecution, and hidden abuse.

00:05:17 - Writing the Book to Help Others

Nagme shares that she wrote her book to help others who may be going through similar trials and to share her story of renewal and transformation through suffering.

00:07:06 - Immigrant Experience

Nagme discusses her experience as an immigrant from Iran, highlighting the challenges of adjusting to a new culture and feeling like she didn't fit in. She also reflects on the trauma of war and the limited resources in her home country.

00:11:41 - Identity as a Third Culture Kid

Nagme shares the difficulties of navigating her identity as a third culture kid, feeling neither fully Iranian nor fully American. She discusses the unique perspective and mindset that come with living between cultures.

00:16:03 - Strength of Iranian Women

The guest discusses the stereotypes and misconceptions about Iranian women, highlighting their strength and resilience. She shares stories of Iranian women breaking barriers and standing up against oppression.

00:18:11 - Restriction and Fear in the Middle East

The conversation shifts to the restrictions faced by women in the Middle East, particularly in Afghanistan. The guest emphasizes that these restrictions are a sign of fear from those in power towards strong women who may bring about change.

00:19:28 - Strong Women and Resistance to Oppression

The guest mentions several strong Iranian women who have stood up to oppressive governments and religious institutions. She highlights the importance of strength and resilience when facing challenges and how these women have become voices for change.

00:20:53 - Inspiring Women in the Middle East

The host shares her experiences meeting incredible women in the Middle East, including Malala, and hearing their stories of education and empowerment. She acknowledges the threat these women pose to those who want to suppress their voices.

00:22:19 - Domestic Violence and Speaking Out

The guest opens up about her experience of domestic violence from her husband, who was seen as a Christian hero. She discusses the challenges of speaking out and the strength she found within herself to set boundaries and break free from the abuse.

00:31:45 - Naghmeh's Hope for Franklin Graham

Naghmeh expresses her desire for Franklin Graham to use his platform to advocate for abuse survivors and bring awareness to the issue within the church. She hopes that he will repent of his harmful views and become an ally in the fight against abuse.

00:33:27 - Naghmeh's Thoughts on Franklin Graham

Naghmeh clarifies that while she doesn't currently like Franklin Graham, she doesn't hate him either. She believes that his way of thinking is harmful and hopes that he will change his perspective and become an advocate for abuse survivors.

00:34:19 - The Title of Naghmeh's Book

Naghmeh explains that the title of her book, "I Didn't Survive," reflects the transformation she went through in breaking free from cultural and religious expectations that silenced and oppressed women. She emerged as a new person with a deeper understanding of who God is and the power she possesses.

00:38:20 - Naghmeh's Message to Those Experiencing Abuse

Naghmeh urges anyone experiencing abuse, whether it's in a marriage, church, or any other institution, to prioritize their own well-being and get out of the toxic environment. She emphasizes that God values individuals more than institutions and encourages victims to trust their bodies and seek help.

00:42:55 - Paying Attention to the Body's Signals

Naghmeh highlights the importance of listening to one's body when it comes to recognizing abuse

00:47:20 - The Sacrifice of Putting People First

Naghmeh discusses the importance of prioritizing people and being willing to make sacrifices for them, even if it means losing everything. She emphasizes the simplicity of this concept while acknowledging the challenges it can present.

00:47:43 - Finding Naghmeh and Her Work

Naghmeh shares that she now has a website where people can find information about her and her work in the Middle East. She also mentions that her name can be searched on social media to access more information.

00:48:21 - Gratitude for the Connection

Lori expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to get to know Naghmeh and establish a friendship. She also acknowledges the vulnerability Naghmeh has shown through her writing and shares her appreciation for it.

00:49:06 - Naghmeh's Life as a Butterfly

Lori reflects on Naghmeh's transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly, symbolizing her freedom and growth. She encourages listeners to find inspiration in Naghmeh's story and highlights the lessons embedded within her narrative.

00:50:43 - Scars of Abuse

Lori acknowledges the scars left by emotional, verbal, psychological, and spiritual abuse, even when they are not physically visible. She praises Naghmeh's resilience and commitment to raising awareness about abuse and dismantling systems that enable it.

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