In this unforgettable conversation, we sit down with Ahmed Moneka: Iraqi Canadian actor, musician, playwright, activist, and co writer of the beautiful new musical It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken — an original story set to the timeless music of The Tragically Hip.
Ahmed shares his incredible story of growing up in Baghdad and starring as a gay man in a film that was highly controversial in Iraq, which ultimately led to him being exiled from his home country.
He takes us through what it was like arriving in Toronto with one suitcase, not speaking English, rebuilding his life from scratch, discovering community, busking on the streets of Toronto, falling in love, and eventually helping create one of the most moving Canadian musicals we’ve ever experienced.
This episode is about so much more than theatre or music.
It’s about belonging.
Identity.
Human connection.
Art.
Resilience.
Immigration.
Love.
Canada.
It’s also officially the longest episode we’ve ever released… and we won’t apologize for it. We couldn’t bring ourselves to cut a single minute.
If this conversation moves you, please go see It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken. You won’t regret it!
In this episode, we talk about:
• Ahmed’s childhood growing up in Baghdad, Iraq
• The Afro Iraqi and Sufi roots that shaped his music and identity
• The controversial film that changed his life forever
• Being exiled from Iraq after advocating for LGBTQ rights
• Arriving in Canada with one suitcase and no English
• Working in coffee shops while rebuilding his life
• Discovering community in Toronto (and Kensington Market!)
• Busking on the streets of Toronto and forming his band, Moskitto Bar
• Falling in love with his wife
• The creation of the show: It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken
• Why The Tragically Hip matter so deeply to Canadians
• The connection between Bobcaygeon, belonging, and identity
• Art as activism and storytelling as healing
• Why community and human connection matter more than ever
If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean the world to us if you followed the podcast, left a rating or review, and shared this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
EPISODE LINKS & REFERENCES
• The Musical: It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken
• Listen to Ahmed’s music on Spotify
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On this podcast, we explore what it means to get UNBLOCKED.
You’ll hear stories about finding clarity, navigating career pivots, and choosing to live with intention. Sometimes that’s through conversations with guests who made bold moves and changed direction. Other times it’s just the two of us unpacking the books, ideas, and lessons shaping our own journey.
We’re not experts looking down from a stage. We’re in it too. Building, questioning, adjusting, and trying to create lives that feel more aligned, more alive, and more intentional.
