Content note: this episode discusses genocide, imprisonment, and displacement.
I had the honour, on this episode, of speaking with Taban Shoresh, a genocide survivor whose childhood in Kurdistan included imprisonment and a near-death experience, and who has turned that history into The Lotus Flower, a charity supporting women and girls impacted by conflict and displacement.
Reframing Rather Than Erasing
What struck me most in this conversation was how Taban has related to her own trauma. She has not buried it, and she has not let it define her as a victim either. She reframed it, deliberately, into purpose, and that reframing did not happen once. It is a practice she returns to.
Community Held Her
Taban spoke openly about the role family, community, and unexpected kindness from strangers played in her survival, in fleeing to Iran and later adjusting to an entirely new life in the UK. None of what she has built happened in isolation. She was carried, at critical moments, by people who chose to show up.
The Lotus Flower
The charity she founded has now reached more than 84,000 women and girls affected by conflict. Building it has meant its own set of battles, health challenges among them, alongside the ongoing work of the mission itself. Her OBE recognises that work, but as she made clear, the recognition was never the point.
"Reflect on how you can bring your own story forth, and make a positive impact with it, wherever you are."
If Taban's story moves you the way it moved me, you can learn more or support the work at thelotusflower.org.
Listen to the full episode
Episode 81, From Genocide Survivor to Global Advocate, on The Scrumptious Woman.
This conversation is part of Juliette Karaman's body-based work on touch, desire, and structured connection.
Work with Juliette: feelfullyyou.com/work-with-me