This episode features Ṭaüs Jafar, formerly Tamara, who was born in Troy, MI to an Iraqi-Muslim immigrant family. Ṭaüs’ music and songwriting has played on the radio, been featured in pop songs, in the scores of feature films and TV shows, and been part of experiential design in museums and large-scale public installations. Jafar’s work and experimentation as an artist, musician, and activist eventually led them to a practice and pursuit of knowledge around healing, meditation, and dharmic studies. After two years of training to become a teacher of a non-dualist meditation practice, Jafar is called again to share their music.
Total Habibi, Ṭaüs’ solo debut single, is the result of their intellectual and creative journey to this moment. During this podcast episode, we discussed their process of music making, their family background, their meditation practice and what led them to it, and more! Watch for the release of Ṭaüs’ single on June 22.
It was such a pleasure talking to Mike Mosallam, creator of the film ‘Breaking Fast’ (on Hulu). The film follows a gay Muslim man looking for love during Ramadan (the film is best described as a Ramadan rom-com). (See more here: