Stories of Transformation

Reclaiming Pride for Your Heritage with Ali Baluch

Episode Notes

In this episode of Stories of Transformation, we talked to Ali Baluch, an Afghan American content creator most known for his Youtube podcast The Apartment. We learn about his life as a "third culture kid", caught between white America and immigrant America amidst the tense aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We discuss how he went from posting a Facebook status in 2007 saying, "I don't get the pride in being Afghan", to now having made it his mission to be a role model for Gen Z kids of color today, by being unapologetically Afghan and always repping Afghanistan apparel any time he is on camera. As we walk through his transformation, he talks to us about his first trip to Afghanistan and its impact, his journey to becoming a fast-growing YouTuber, and how he’s used his career and experience to influence underrepresented communities and expose how the world can easily misunderstand a people.

Memorable Quotes

How Afghanistan changed his mindset:

"You're sitting on top of this huge mountain, looking all around you and it's nothing but mountain ranges. It's this weird feeling where you feel like you're the only soul for as far as the eye can see. And then two seconds later you hear this little bell and you turn around, and it's this kid with a donkey coming up on the other side. He invites you in for tea. These little interactions, and the hospitality, were just very sweet and wholesome. Then I completely had this new perspective of Afghanistan."

Becoming a YouTuber:

"I wouldn't be a filmmaker if I wasn't Afghan. I know that for a fact. Afghans are the greatest storytellers of all time. They know when to slow down, when to pause, when to change the mood, and they keep you engaged."