I’m Naima Said Ali, the host and founder of Somali Voices, a podcast born from my lived experience, my questions, and my deep commitment to truth, healing, and collective growth.

I hold a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Sharda University in India, and I studied Public Policy Analysis at the London School of Economics (LSE).

My journey has taken me from international organizations to Somali institutions, often in rooms where I had to prove I was more than just a woman in the corner.

For years, I lived in survival mode, trying to be perfect, to speak, look, and act a certain way so I’d be taken seriously. But I’ve learned something powerful:

“You don’t need to fight to be understood. You don’t need to overperform to be respected. Your presence is already power.”

As a woman, and especially as a Somali woman, your story, your truth, and your voice matter. But I’ve also come to see that many Somali men are struggling silently too, carrying unspoken pain and pressure. The burden to survive, prove, and “be strong” affects us all. It’s time we speak honestly about that.

That’s why I created Somali Voices, a platform not just for women, but for all Somali people who want to grow, speak up, and heal.

This podcast is more than a dream, it’s a mission. A space for real conversations, cultural healing, and bold leadership. I speak with Somali women, youth, and changemakers who carry wisdom, courage, and truth that deserves to be heard.

I’m still growing. Still healing. Still choosing myself, And I invite you to do the same.