Social Norms Chat
Social Norms Chat
Podcast Description
Social Norms Chat is a podcast for practitioners, funders, and changemakers eager to explore how social norms shape behaviors—and how they can be shifted to drive meaningful change. Hosted by Cäcilia Riederer from TransformNorms and featuring Sohail Agha, senior advisor at Global Health Visions, this podcast unpacks key concepts like aspiration vs. behavior, gender norms, and the power of reference groups.Through thematic deep dives on topics like mental health, violence, and gender dynamics, we blend research, case studies, and expert insights to uncover what works (and what doesn’t) in fostering deep normative change. With special guests and real-world examples, we provide actionable strategies for those working in policy, advocacy, and community development.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as mental health, gender dynamics, and violence, with episodes diving into topics like the influence of aspiration vs. behavior and the role of reference groups in shaping societal expectations, providing listeners with actionable insights backed by research and case studies.
Social Norms Chat is a podcast for practitioners, funders, and changemakers eager to explore how social norms shape behaviors—and how they can be shifted to drive meaningful change. Hosted by Cäcilia Riederer from TransformNorms and featuring Sohail Agha, senior advisor at Global Health Visions, this podcast unpacks key concepts like aspiration vs. behavior, gender norms, and the power of reference groups.
Through thematic deep dives on topics like mental health, violence, and gender dynamics, we blend research, case studies, and expert insights to uncover what works (and what doesn’t) in fostering deep normative change. With special guests and real-world examples, we provide actionable strategies for those working in policy, advocacy, and community development.
In this episode of Social Norms Chat, Cäcilia sits down with Amisa Rashid, founder of the Nivishe Foundation, a grassroots organization working to make mental health care accessible, dignified, and culturally sensitive in Kenya—particularly for marginalized communities.
Amisa shares the powerful story behind Nivishe’s founding, rooted in her personal experiences growing up in the Nubian community in Kibra. She discusses how lack of identification documents and systemic marginalization compound mental health challenges, and how Nivishe has stepped in to fill critical gaps through community-based, inclusive support.
We explore the impact of the Nivishe Mental Health Fellowship, which decentralizes mental health advocacy by training young leaders to address issues within their own communities, using culturally relevant approaches. Amisa explains how social norms—especially religious interpretations of mental health—have shaped access to care, and how Nivishe strategically works in communities to shift perceptions and reduce stigma.
From launching Kenya’s first youth-focused mental health comic book to preparing the first mental health policy brief for Nairobi County, Amisa discusses Nivishe's multi-layered approach to driving long-term change.
Amisa reminds us that changing social norms takes time—and deep love for the work. It’s not about quick wins, but sustained impact over generations.
🔗 Amisa's Recommendations
📖 Use alongside the Transforming Social Norms Toolkit
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Executive producer and host: Cäcilia Riederer
Special guest: Amisa Rashid
Producer and writer: Dora Ehrlich
Editor: Tabusum Akter
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