The Shine Podcast, Episode 1: A Long Line of Pharaohs
In the debut episode of The Shine Podcast, host Daniel Boettcher welcomes his old friend Dr. Lily Awatif Hanna to discuss her unique journey of balancing heritage, personal ambition, and modern-day motherhood. The episode, titled “A Long Line of Pharaohs,” is a heartfelt exploration of family, cultural identity, and the power of choice in creating a meaningful life.
A Story Rooted in Heritage
Lily’s story begins with her strong connection to her Egyptian heritage, which she carries proudly through her family’s Coptic Orthodox Christians lineage. Raised in the United States, Lily was deeply influenced by her parents’ roots, which intertwined ancient traditions with their new life in America. In her conversation with Daniel, she reflects on the impact of growing up with this dual identity — one foot in Egyptian culture and the other in the American dream.
As Daniel and Lily discuss, her family’s faith and culture shaped her worldview, but her journey would soon lead her to make decisions that challenged long-standing traditions.
A strong connection to Egyptian heritage
The Path to Modern Motherhood
At the heart of this episode is Lily’s desire for motherhood. A successful obstetrician-gynecologist living in New York City, Lily found herself at a crossroads in her late 30s. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she longed to become a mother. Faced with fertility challenges, Lily made the brave decision to pursue intrauterine insemination (IUI) using a sperm donor — an unconventional route that was unfamiliar to both her religious upbringing and cultural expectations.
In this candid conversation, Lily opens up about the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatments and the difficult decisions she had to make to achieve her dream of having a child. Her journey, though non-traditional, reflects the strength and determination she inherited from her ancestors — what Lily’s father reminds us is the “long line of pharaohs” of her heritage.
Balancing Tradition and Modern Life
Lily’s decision to have a child on her own, outside of marriage and also without physical intimacy, presented a challenge to her faith and family traditions. As a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church, her choice is unconventional. But Lily stood firm, choosing love and motherhood. In the episode, she shares how her son Gabe, now nine years old, embodies the blending of her cultural heritage with modern American life.
As Daniel and Lily reminisce about their shared past and discuss her journey, the conversation reveals the complexities of holding onto family roots while embracing the future. Daniel, ever the thoughtful host, uses these stories as inspiration to create a bespoke piece of jewelry that symbolizes the resilience, love, and heritage that Lily’s journey represents.
A Bespoke Tribute to Strength and Love
True to the spirit of The Shine Podcast, Daniel concludes the episode by designing a custom piece of jewelry for Lily, capturing the essence of her story. The piece, a diamond and enameled clasp to a strand of pearls, describes Lily’s connections. The clasp itself features a Coptic cross, diamond-paved pyramids, and a cut diamond star to symbolize her son. As Lily’s life is a balance of tradition and modernity, the jewelry Daniel creates reflects both her Egyptian heritage and her personal evolution as a mother. This piece, like her journey, is a testament to the strength, love, and resilience that defines her life.
Conclusion
Episode 1 of The Shine Podcast offers listeners a deeply personal and inspiring story of overcoming challenges, embracing change, and finding strength in both heritage and modernity and choices that are inspired by the pair. Through his thoughtful conversations and bespoke jewelry designs, Daniel Boettcher continues to illuminate the facets of life that make each of us unique.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in future episodes as Daniel shares meaningful conversations about the lives of other extraordinary individuals who also shine — each in his own way.