And you know, Mac was recently married again less than a year ago, and when he got married, Bibi immediately stepped forward and said, I'm going to cook all the food for your wedding.And you know, Bibi 's husband said, I'm going to officiate your wedding.
They've raised six children in Muncie, Indiana, where they are active members of their community. And Bibi is the founder and president of a nonprofit, AWAKEN, and that provides education, training, and health care to women and children of Afghanistan. And finally, we have Richard McKinney, who goes by the name Mac, whose transformative story is the subject of "Stranger at the Gate."
Unfortunately. Thank you for sharing that. So Bibi , if I can ask you, look, many of us still hold a lot of fear about engaging with people who are different from ourselves, and we don't have the bravery, the skills, the insight to do what you and your family did for Mac.
to face in this story. And through Bibi 's kindness and openness toward Mac, he transformed. And that's what the film really covers.
And that's what I think motivated myself. as I hear Bibi , that's what motivated her, too, to do this, to be a part of this project. Very proud of the efforts that have been shown by everybody.
And so when you said that, I mean, it was meant to be like, do you ever give any thought, Mac, to how things could have been different? Like what if Bibi wasn't there? How else could things have transpired?
Well, actually, the whole process, even up to now, has been real surreal because it's just-- Josh had mentioned one time that Bibi and I both kind of reacted like, so what's the big deal? This happened, right? Josh, he brought it all to light and made both of us
Yeah. I mean, just to go off of what Bibi just said, I feel like it's my job to share stories and create a platform for people like Bibi and like Mac. We joke around that we should make T-shirts with Bibi 's face on it that says, "What would Bibi do?"
That's really it, and that's what I tell people. I was able to transform through Bibi , through the community, through the religion. Now what I want to do is to make it available, make the knowledge available that others can change, too.
in the rivers, these rivers were cut off, the Nangal dam was whole gathering starts at night Bibia such old pandaar yaad meri puwa jina bahut me
And I am so honored and incredibly excited to be in this conversation today with our very esteemed guests, who I will introduce shortly, Joshua Seftel, Bibi Bahrami, and Richard McKinney. And they're going to talk about their Oscar-nominated film, "Stranger at the Gate," which I have to say, if you haven't seen it, it's available on YouTube.
And he decided to blow up the mosque in his hometown because he thought he was doing the right thing. Now, Bibi Bahrami was the co-founder of the mosque, along with her husband Saber, and they essentially come face to face in this story.
approached you with the idea of making this film. Maybe, Bibi , I can ask you first. Yeah, sure. Thank you so much for your kindness.
Bibi immediately stepped forward and said, I'm going to cook all the food for your wedding.And you know, Bibi 's husband said, I'm going to officiate your wedding. And they are a family.
to know people. And if there is nothing else you can do, at least smile in your best ability that you can. Thank you, Bibi . So Mac, congratulations, firstly, for the recent wedding. I'm pretty sure the food at your wedding was delicious.
a platform for people like Bibi and like Mac. We joke around that we should make T-shirts with Bibi 's face on it that says, "What would Bibi do?" and that that's how we should all live our lives.
and that that's how we should all live our lives. You know, what would Bibi do in this situation? And I feel that if we were more like Bibi , honestly, and people like her, the world would be a much better place.
You know, what would Bibi do in this situation? And I feel that if we were more like Bibi , honestly, and people like her, the world would be a much better place. And people like Mac McKinney, Mac is an incredible messenger.
And what I do is I go around and I speak. So what you mentioned, Bibi , that sort of community service and service to others.
by the El-Hibri Foundation. And next, I'm delighted to introduce Bibi Bahrami. She's a real-life hero, certainly my hero from this, featured in the film, who's committed to the service of others.
And it does make you feel like the way you've portrayed it, like anything is possible. So thank you. And then Bibi and Mac, I'd love to turn to you and hear from you both about your reaction when Josh first approached you with the idea of making this film.
And they overcame that. Mac evolved and transformed, and Bibi and Saber forgave him and embraced him. And to me, that is just one of the most beautiful stories I've ever come across.
And what I do is I go around and I speak. But a huge thank you, Bibi , Joshua, and Mac.
Does anybody here make their guacamole in a food processor? You know, so those-- and a dish like bibimbap-- at least bibimbap is a dish that I like to eat, right?
Does anybody here make their guacamole in a food processor? And actually, I thought the bibimbap-- I lost the bibimbap one.
in a way that dissolves hatred, that dissolves misunderstanding, and we can just coexist. And if any story can prove that, it's the story of Mac and Bibi . It's just to me, what inspires me is that to this day, they're great friends.
Went to houses for dinners. I tell people, I used to weigh 190 pounds before I went to Bibi 's house. Yeah. She fattened me up.
what you're doing in your work, to really changing hearts? Yeah. I mean, just to go off of what Bibi just said, I feel like it's my job to share stories and create a platform for people like Bibi and like Mac.
And this is a guy who's reaching-- he has the largest audience of any podcast in the world, and he's reaching all different kinds of people, and he's telling them about Bibi and how what she did is heroic. And to me, that gives me hope, too.
And we're hopeful about that. Well, if there are T-shirts, "What would Bibi do?", I'm signing up for one now, so please have one sent over. But Mac, I would love-- Joshua's just described the way in which you are taking this message around the world,
And what I do is I go around and I speak. Right. Thank you. And Bibi , how about you?
to get on the phone with the leader of China with the quid pro quo for that phone call essentially being a recognition of the One China policy. It is equally concerning that, in welcoming Bibi Netanyahu to the United States, he was so willing to talk about a one nation solution and yet a few days later reassert
And we have thousands of questions-- --it being Google. So in the book, you talk at some length about negotiating and getting to know Bibi Netanyahu-- who's a charismatic leader, by any standard-- and the challenges he's faced from terrorism.
gonna insult Islam or the Prophet of Islam that there's zero tolerance and there's a death penalty. And what happened recently was there's a woman in Pakistan, Asia Bibi , who not that there's any proof but the fact is somebody's accused her of blaspheming, and so there's an automatic death sentence. And what this Governor was trying to do was to question, to look at, start a debate on the blasphemy law. And just because he wanted to start a debate, this man came and shot
Does anybody here make their guacamole in a food processor? So when I go to a Korean restaurant, I'm always ordering bibimbap.
Where did the inspiration come from? Thank you. Yes, so this story is really largely about Mac McKinney and Bibi Bahrami, who are here with us today. And it begins with Mac McKinney, who returned from 25 years of service abroad and in conflict
And what you've described in the beauty of their relationship is just outstanding, and what we'd want to try and capture in as many ways as we can. And you describe, actually, I think, Bibi , treating Mac as a brother, despite having this initial fear and apprehension. I mean, tell us where that comes from, that level of care and compassion to work through.
And I think he feels a connection to Mac's story and finds him to be a very interesting messenger. And what I love about the fact that Joe Rogan has talked about our film multiple times on his show is that he now speaks about Bibi as a hero. And this is a guy who's reaching-- he has the largest audience of any podcast in the world,
And what I do is I go around and I speak. And that's just one of many, many things we're doing to get the film out into the world and to share the message and the story of Mac and Bibi .