DEARBORN ⁠— The Arab American National Museum hosted a watch party for the “Dearborn Girl” podcast’s second season on Wednesday, September 25, featuring the show’s hosts and a Q&A session with recent “CNN Hero” awardee Najah Bazzy.

The podcast, which is available on Youtube, Apple Podcast, Spotify and Stitcher, also held a launch party at the museum for the original season in May.

About 160 people attended the recent event, which showcased an episode, short film and a Q&A session with Bazzy, a Dearborn resident and the founder of the Zaman International charity organization.

“We’re not at all surprised (about the turnout) because we know what the community thinks of this space right now and how excited the community has been about everything,” said podcast host Yasmeen Kadouh.

Kadouh said the screening of the first episode of the second season on mental health was moving and inspiring for the audience.

Mental health is a topic that has been seen as taboo by many in Dearborn’s Arab American community.

The audience also enjoyed Bazzy’s segment, Kaddouh said.

“People were really inspired by Hajji Najah’s story, she has made such a remarkable impact not just on the community but the entire world when you think about what Zaman has done,” Kadouh said.

Bazzy is a shining example of what a woman from Dearborn can accomplish when she sets her mind to it, Kadouh added.

“The trajectory she went on, being a Dearborn Girl, that was really moving for people… Her humility too is something that is so inspiring to others.”

The show releases new episodes each Monday and will include 10 total for the fall season. It features co-host Rima Fadlallah as well as the work of filmmaker and creative director Malak Wazne.

Reactions to the show have been overwhelmingly positive so far. The show’s message of unity and open, honest dialogue between young women in the Dearborn community has been well received.

“The first season really instilled pride in the community,” Kadouh said. “Not only that, but it also helped to bring up urgent conversations, really important points for us as a community as to what our hopes are moving forward.

“It’s fun to see that and fun to see people respond so positively. All of the work has to be collective; we can’t succeed if one single person is doing the work.”