How Life Shapes Us
How Life Shapes Us is a storytelling podcast where everyday people share the pivotal experiences that shaped who they are today. Hosted by former journalist and current marketer Tesla Mitchell, each episode uncovers real-life moments of growth, adversity, transformation, and meaning.
Perfect for curious minds who crave self-reflection, connection, and life lessons that don’t come from a guru—just honest humans figuring it out.
✨ Discover how people find purpose through pain, joy through challenge, and clarity through chaos.
🔍 Tune in for deep conversations, unexpected wisdom, and the moments that change everything.
👉 Subscribe now and join a growing community of listeners uncovering what really matters in life.
How Life Shapes Us
Mazin AbdelMagid: From College Student to War Refugee Overnight
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One morning, Mazin AbdelMagid left home to take a college quiz. By the end of the day, his city and country were at war.
In this episode of How Life Shapes Us, host Tesla Mitchell sits down with Mazin AbdelMagid, a Sudanese international student and junior studying mass communication at Winona State University, to share the story of how a normal day turned into a fight for survival.
When conflict erupted in Sudan in 2023, Mazin and his family found themselves navigating gunfire, extreme heat, and the need to his childhood home immediately. What followed was a journey of difficult decisions, family separation, and an escape that took Mazin across deserts, borders, and eventually continents.
Mazin recounts:
- The moment he realized war had arrived in his hometown
- How his family navigated evacuation amid chaos and uncertainty
- The challenges of being separated from loved ones due to visa restrictions
- His solo journey through the desert and eventual path to the United States
- How faith, courage, and gratitude helped him through the unknown
- What living independently in America has taught him about responsibility, resilience, and adulthood
If you've ever wondered how ordinary people survive extraordinary circumstances, this episode offers a powerful and deeply human perspective.
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