It's Not Appropriation When It's Your Culture: Zahra Almajidi

About this episode

Sarah Rachel Brown interviews Zahra Almajidi about her cultural background and the complexities of cultural appropriation.

In the 79th episode of Perceived Value, host Sarah Rachel Brown takes listeners to the Penland School of Craft, where she’s participating in their Winter Residency. During the two-week residency, Sarah never missed an opportunity to enjoy a meal in the dining hall. The Pines, the Penland dining hall, has large, round tables perfect for gathering and enabling conversations over meals. Each meal is an opportunity to sit next to a stranger and potentially meet a new friend - or podcast guest. After enjoying a few meals and conversations, Sarah asked Zahra Almajidi if she would be willing to come on the podcast. The two metalsmiths sat down to discuss Zahra’s upbringing and why her family immigrated to the United States, the benefits of living with your parents while going to college, and if it’s possible to appropriate a culture that is your own while living in the diaspora. Speaking of Penland…. Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene. This area is home to the Penland School of Craft and many artists and craftspersons. If you are able, please consider donating to one of the following organizations or platforms providing aid and relief in the area. TREATS STUDIOS…

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Rachel Brown

Guest: Zahra Almajidi

Topics covered

• cultural appropriation
• immigration
• metalsmithing
• college life
• community support

Keywords

• cultural appropriation
• metalsmithing
• immigration
• college
• community support

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Penland School of Craft, TREATS STUDIOS, Beloved Asheville

Places: Western North Carolina

More episodes of Perceived Value

• A Return to Colombia: Jeweler & Author Nicolás Estrada · January 20, 2026 · 1h 32m
• Never Letting the Craft Go: Marcela Rozo of Please Rain · October 30, 2025 · 57 min
• Feeds the Heart: Simón Mazuera on Building a Life Through Art Jewelry · October 22, 2025 · 1h 34m
• Son Madrinas: Tatiana Apráez & Linda Margarita Sánchez Méndez of Materia Prima Escuela de Joyería · October 16, 2025 · 1h 35m
• My First Connection: Ana María Jiménez of Taller sin Borde · October 8, 2025 · 1h 23m
• Season 9 Trailer: CONNECTOR · October 1, 2025