When you break it down, a person who lives to be 80 years old is given roughly 29,200 days on this earth. Every sunrise is not just a new beginning; it is a ticking clock with a countdown timer. Yet, we live in a modern culture that is simultaneously obsessed with frantic busyness, yet wildly careless with the actual value of a single day. We rush through life, filling our calendars, while letting the precious, finite currency of our time slip right through our fingers. In this episode we discuss our relationship with time, in contrast to how traditional societies viewed time. We explore time from the perspective of literature as well as in the world-of-work.   Book recommendations:   Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō     About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad       Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.khayaal.com          If you would like to suggest a topic that you want us to explore, please send us an email on waystationsrkwm@gmail.com

In today’s show we are joined by Ahmed Elbenni to discuss Sci-Fi Futurism. You can find his essay: Dreaming the Ummah - Science Fiction and the Possibility of Islamofuturism at the following link https://hashiya.org/posts/dreaming-ummah-islamofuturism Ahmed Elbenni is a Ph.D. candidate in Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University and senior editor at Muftah Magazine. He received his BA in History and Political Science from Yale University and MA in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University. His doctoral dissertation examines the theorization, creation, and circulation of self-consciously ‘Islamic’ novels in the modern Near East. More specifically, it explores how Muslim reformers in the twentieth century conceived ‘literature’ as an epistemological and ethical problem-space which could, through the translation of “Islam” into an aesthetic experience and narrative strategy, birth a new human subjectivity) at home in modernity. Ahmed’s other research interests include digital culture, techno-spirituality, and the history of history   Book recommendations: Islamic Futures: The Shape of Ideas to Come by Ziauddin Sardar Arab and Muslim Science Fiction: Critical Essays by Emad El-Din Aysha, Hosam A. Ibrahim Elzembely   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad     Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com          If you would like to suggest a topic that you want us to explore, please send an email to waystationsrkwm@gmail.com

If you would like to suggest a topic that you want us to explore, please send us an email on waystationsrkwm@gmail.com Today we will be discussing exploring without borders. The concept of exploring the earth without borders feels quite disjointed, as we live in an era of passports, biometric checkpoints, and razor-wire borders. Yet for much of the earth’s history, humans were able to simply walk, ride, or sail across the earth, moving freely from civilization to civilization to witness the sheer diversity of creation. In the classical world, scholars and seekers didn't stay in one place—their entire lives were defined by a borderless movement.….     Book recommendations: Rihla al-Haqiqa w’al-Majaz of Abd Al Ghani Al-Nabulusi The Moors Account by Laila Lalami   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad       Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

Today is the 20th episode of Waystations and over the past few months many of you have contacted us to say how much you’ve been enjoying the show. We’re now giving you the opportunity to contribute towards some of the topics we cover. If you would like to suggest a topic that you want us to explore, please send us an email on waystationsrkwm@gmail.com Today’s episode looks at the art of clothing. In a modern culture often dominated by fast fashion, trend-chasing, and purely utilitarian views of what we wear, we want to step back and look at garments through a much more deliberate, traditional lens. We are going to explore how clothing isn't just about fabric and aesthetics—it's an outward manifestation of an inward reality….   Book recommendations: Kitab al-Libas (The Book of Clothing) by Al-Ghazali RK: Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad     Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

In this episode we are joined by Mikhail Abdul-Latif to talk about his book, The Tao of War, which is a training manual of applied philosophy and a guide for those seeking to walk the path of the warrior poet.  Mikhail is an author, poet, musician and lifelong martial artist from Seattle, Washington. He holds several national wrestling titles in both Canada and the United States, is a Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu, and has spent many years traveling the world as a professional athlete while studying under various masters of martial arts and spiritual traditions.  He says that it is the blending of application and philosophy which produces the martial arts.   Book recommendations: The Axiology of Warriors by Mikhail Abdul-Latif Al-Fath ar-Rabbani (The Sublime Revelation) by Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani. Legends of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad     Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com  and www.talesofkhayaal.com

People often lament they don’t have enough time. However, one could argue that time is really the only currency we have and its what we do with it.  Though of course, there are times in our life, when we are truly pressed for time — such as when you have young kids, or when you are looking after old parents.  So, what is causing this feeling of not having enough time? Perhaps it might be to do with being distracted by things that are not necessary, rather than remaining focused on the necessary. That’s what we are going to look at today.   Book recommendations: The Value of Time by Abu Ghuddah The Screwtape Letters by C S Lewis   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad     Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com  and www.talesofkhayaal.com

If you said to traditional people that nothing matters, they would likely hold you up on that statement. They would say  everything matters. Your belief, the way you talk, the way you dress, your general sense of being and purpose.  However for many modern people this isn’t the case. There is a sense that nothing really matters. This is captured in the word “nihilism” which comes from the Latin word nihil, which means “nothing.”  In this episode we explore the roots of nihilism and its impact on how humans see themselves in the modern world.   Book recommendations: Deliverance From Error by Imam Al Ghazali The Meaning of Your Life by Albert Brooks The Conference of the Birds by Farid Al Attar   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad     Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com  and www.talesofkhayaal.com

In this episode we focus on the traditional crafts and the importance of making things by hand. We talk to Mats about he starts a hand made project, the life lessons that come from making things by hand, as well as the spiritual connection that comes from performing a traditional craft. Book recommendations: Arts & Crafts of the Islamic Lands: Principles, Materials, Practice by Khaled Azzam Small Is Beautiful by E F Schumacher About the guest: Mats Abdel Karim Cederberg Swedish artist, Abdel Karim Mats Cederberg studied Anthropology and Religious Studies at the University of Uppsala and went on to study Arabic, Theology, and Hadith Studies in Damascus, Syria. In Syria Mats learned Islamic calligraphy, and in 2012 he enrolled at The Prince's School of Traditional Arts where he took classes in parquetry, ceramics, painting, stained glass, mosaic work, geometry, and Islimi. He has exhibited his works in Sweden, UAE and UK and continues to hold workshops around the world. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad    Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com  and www.talesofkhayaal.com

Futuwwa has been translated as chivalry, or when you put the needs of others before yourself. In traditional civilizations this notion was also referred to as gallantry, valour, magnanimity and nobility. In fact, these were regarded as virtues to strive for. A persons place in society was often seen through the lens of these noble traits of character, as opposed to their material possessions and influence. The modern world seems to have done away with many of these notions of chivalry, we have an inversion of what it means to be human in many ways. Book recommendations: The Book of Sufi Chivalry" by Abu 'Abd al-Rahman Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al-Sulami Futuwwa: Noble Character by Recep Senturk Futuwwa by Dawud Walid The Legend of Sultan Saladin by Jonathan Phillips  About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad    Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com  and www.talesofkhayaal.com

Reading is in decline, though we are seeing a bit of a revival amongst some youth, who are rejecting the lure of social media and returning to books and board games. But they are a minority. With the decline of reading, one could argue our ability to hold in-depth thoughtful quality laden conversations is also diminishing, as our vocabulary becomes smaller, and so our imagination withers.   Perhaps the loss of reading is having an impact on our ability to function as human beings. In this episode we focus on what reading can do for you. Book recommendations: How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler Flowers for Algernon (1959) by Daniel Keys  About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad    Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com  and www.talesofkhayaal.com

In this fascinating episode we are joined by Dr Muhammed Mekki, to talk about calligraphy and entrepreneurship. Two topics that you would not normally associate with one another. This is essential listening for all entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders, as to how by having a craft mindset they can better at what they do. Book recommendations: The Cosmic Script by by Ahmed Moustafa and Stefan Sperl Horses Never Lie by Mark Rashid How Much Land Does One Man Need by Leo Tolstoy About the guest speaker:  Dr Muhammed Mekki is an entrepreneur and academic. He is currently a Founding Partner at AstroLabs, a corporate services company that enables Gulf expansion. To date, AstroLabs has supported over 2,000 global ventures to set up and grow in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. In 2011, Muhammed co-founded e-commerce company Namshi, which eventually became one of the earliest venture-backed exits in the Middle Eastern startup ecosystem with its acquisition by Emaar Malls. He is an advisor to Saudi-based Khwarizmi Ventures and has served on the boards of several tech startups. Muhammed is on the faculty at London Business School where he teaches courses on entrepreneurial leadership and digital business across the MBA degree program and executive education. Additionally, he teaches entrepreneurship as part of the faculty of Baghdad Business School. Muhammed has a PhD in innovation and entrepreneurship from SOAS, an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and completed his undergraduate studies at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He lives in Dubai, UAE with his family and is an Islamic calligrapher-in-training, studying in the traditional Ottoman method under Master Calligrapher Ferhat Kurlu. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad    Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

We have all experienced how the mood of one person can rub off on others — particularly if they’re leaders, managers, supervisors, head of a family, or generally someone who has influence on others. For example the bosses mood percolates across all the employees.  One person effects several, who in-turn may affect several more, and so before you know it the bad mood of one person may ripple out to a dozen. In this episode we look at mood swings, their impact, and how can we learn to better regulate these.  Book recommendations: The Marvels of the Heart by Al Ghazali The Secret Garden (1911) by Frances Hodgson Burnett About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com  and www.talesofkhayaal.com

Sacred scriptures, and the literary works spawned by them, are full of images of paths and passages, of wandering and wayfaring. Many other traditions speak of a path, often straight and narrow, and warn of roadblocks, such as of one’s own pride.  In this episode we speak about walking with intention and also reflect on a recent 200km walk we undertook across desert and mountain.  Book recommendations: Walden by Henry David Thoreau  The Fellowship of the Ring by J R R Tolkien About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad  Rehan Khan is a professor of leadership and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

In this episode we speak with Peter Gould about his design journey and discovering a spiritual path. We discuss why design needs to have spiritual aspirations and how these can be applied.  Book recommendations: Design for the Real World by Victor Papanek Ruined by Design by Mike Monteiro Al-Maqsad al-Asna fi Sharh Ma'ani Asma' Allah al-Husna (The Best Means in Explaining the Beautiful Names of God) by Imam Al Ghazali What is Art? by Leo Tolstoy About the guest: Peter Gould is a renowned designer, entrepreneur, and pioneer of heart-centered design leadership. For over 20 years he has advised clients from product teams at Apple and Google to emerging startup founders. His popular online programs and recent bestselling book, The Heart of Design, helps align spiritual aspirations and strategic design principles. This unique approach has impacted thousands of professionals and hundreds of teams on their path to living and designing for remembrance, in an age of ‘design for distraction’. Peter is a recipient of the Stanford Certificate of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, winner of international awards, an Ambassador for UN Refugees and lives in Australia . His mission is to nurture a global like-hearted movement that empowers the design-led, heart-centered future. https://peter-gould.com/   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad    Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

The idea of a sacred space is found in every culture and tradition across the world. But what makes a space sacred? Is it the place or the people who occupy it? Or can all places be regarded as sacred?  Book recommendations: Cultural Atlas of Islam by Ismail Faruqi Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

Mention Artificial Intelligence (AI) and for many this creates anxiety and uncertainty. In this episode we explore what it means to be human in the age of AI? What are the bold promises the technology offers and the potential pitfalls? We discuss how humans are being reduced to data points; the concept of the singularity and the philosophical roots of such an idea.  Book recommendations: Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul by William Chittick  The Epic of Gilgamesh About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

The stories we tell explain our position in the world, and where we are going. They provide a narrative arc to  our lives. Great stories explore the human condition throughout time, they help us navigate through life, and understand purpose. Yet much of modern day storytelling is devoid of virtue. What are we losing by not engaging with stories that have virtue? Book recommendations: The Epistle of Imam Al Bushiri Hard Times by Charles Dickens Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

Economists in the early part of the twentieth century predicted that with automation accelerating, we will be entering the age of leisure. When most of your daily rituals will be taken care of, and this leisure time will be used to think, reflect, and develop ourselves. Quite the opposite seems to have happened. We seem to be distracting ourselves with frivolous entertainment. How have we ended up in this present state and what really is our leisure time? Book recommendations The Value of Time by Abu Ghudda The Machine Stops by E M Forster Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad    Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

We are not able to choose our family members. Sometimes people are blessed with beautiful family relationships, other times, not so. But we can to some extent choose who we are friends with. When it comes to being more discerning about the company we keep, how should we tackle this. Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com  and www.talesofkhayaal.com

Throughout time human beings have sought meaning in what they do. To try and make sense of the world and everything in it. How should we approach meaning and purpose from a faith-based perspective? In addition, how can meaning and purpose be addressed in our working lives?  Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad  Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

Moral dilemmas in our work and personal lives often relate to the question: “What shall I do?” These dilemmas are often grey-areas, where both courses of action could be ‘right’. However, moral questions can only be answered by looking at a deeper question which is “What kind of person do I want to be?’ and this is often linked to belief.  Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad  Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

In many countries there is a loneliness epidemic which is creating adverse social and health problems. Why is this happening? How is loneliness different from solitude? What, if any, are the benefits of solitude? At a practical level how can a person practise solitude in their work and personal life?    Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad  Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com

When knowledge that is sacred, is lost, what are its impact on human beings.  Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more.   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com