In this follow-up conversation with Dr. Daanish Mahmood, the discussion moves beyond productivity and into something deeper: how we learn, how we live, and what we risk forgetting along the way.

We begin by unpacking how modern education often confuses memorisation with understanding. Drawing on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Dr. Daanish explains the difference between teaching and learning, why asking how and why matters more than asking what, and how curiosity is slowly being discouraged rather than cultivated.

The conversation then turns to identity. What does it mean to be unapologetically Muslim in academic and professional spaces? How do we give credit to Islam without turning faith into a branding exercise? And how do intention, goals, and purpose shape whether success feels meaningful or hollow?

Social media, comparison, and false timelines are addressed head-on. Why negativity thrives online, why attention is constantly being pulled apart, and how chasing the wrong metrics quietly distorts our sense of progress.

At the heart of the episode is a question that stops the room:

Do any of us actually have a plan for our parents when they get older?

From there, the discussion tackles the growing feeling of being “behind” in life, why balance is a myth, and how to think clearly about direction rather than speed. The episode closes with practical reflection, including a simple 30-day framework for improvement and a powerful answer to one last iconic question: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

About Part 1:

In the previous episode, Dr. Daanish Mahmood explored procrastination, addiction, discipline, and faith. We discussed doom-scrolling, dopamine hijacking, habit design, pornography addiction, anxiety, depression, and how Islam provides structure without closing the door on professional help or gradual change. Link to Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5vSeNybmc0

Together, Part 1 and Part 2 form a complete conversation:

from fixing habits, to fixing direction.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Thinking Youth Podcast, we speak with Dr. Daanish Mahmood about productivity, procrastination, addiction, discipline, and faith.

We start by diagnosing why so many people feel lazy, unmotivated, and constantly behind despite knowing exactly what they need to do. Dr. Daanish explains how procrastination is rooted in fear, how modern apps are deliberately designed to hijack attention, and why endless scrolling quietly destroys discipline and focus.

The conversation then moves into practical systems that actually work. Daily planning, breaking tasks into frictionless steps, designing an inviting workspace, managing decision fatigue, habit cues, caffeine timing, and making good habits easier than bad ones. This is not motivational talk. It is behavioural strategy grounded in real life.

We also explore discipline through faith. The role of Fajr in building consistency, why Islam is a religion of structure, and how the Quran is meant for everyone through reflection and tadabbur, not only for scholars. The discussion highlights how routine, identity, and worship shape long-term change.

Difficult topics are addressed directly. Pornography exposure at a young age, addiction cycles, shame, relapse, and why Islam never closes the door on transformation. Dr. Daanish speaks openly about recovery, salah, and how real change happens gradually, not overnight.

We close with mental health. Anxiety, depression, therapy, and faith are not in opposition. Seeking professional help is encouraged, and waiting until things become unbearable is often the real problem.

This episode is for anyone struggling with distraction, burnout, bad habits, or a loss of structure and purpose.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does marriage stop Activism?

In this episode, we explore one of the most debated questions in Muslim communities today. Does getting married slow down meaningful activism or can it actually strengthen it? Is this even the right way to frame the question?

This conversation challenges the idea that Muslim women must choose between marriage and public work. We unpack the pressure to compromise values for platforms, the myth of having it all, and the reality of sacrifice that comes with doing serious meaningful things for the Ummah. We need to talk about Muslim women leadership in the Ummah.

Topics discussed include

- Whether marriage limits activism or reshapes it

- How Muslim women maintain their values while engaging in public platforms

- Why knowing who you are matters more than visibility

- The difference between being used and choosing to walk away

- How standing your ground creates new opportunities?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.