Umayr Khan: Recent Episodes
Umayr Khan
I'm fascinated by "why we (humans) do the things that we do?" In my quest to understand this, I present this endeavor of mine...
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This first of three parts of Surah Qalam is about how Allah is comforting Prophet Mohammad when people (Kuffaar) of Makkah have started calling him a madman in light of him spreading word of Allah and practices taught by Allah to people of Makkah. This also covers personality traits of individuals who will be at immense loss and in danger of being marked by Allah...
This second part of Surah Alaq is for when Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) started praying according to how Allah taught him which instigated Kuffar, especially Abu-Jahl and he became enemy number one for Muslims and Prophet MohammadSource:Quran.comSunnah.comThe Quran, Translation by M. A. S. Abdel HaleemTafheem ul Quran (Urdu) by Maulana MaudidiLessons from the lives of those went went astray (Lesson No. 4)
This episode covers first five ayaat of Surah Alaq (96) of Quran as part of my journey through understanding of word of Allah in context of events surrounding revelation.
This is inspired from my humble understanding of influence and significance of these two words in the life of a muslim. What is perceive for these two words to mean and reflect towards a muslim's life. Furthermore, how these two words form the cornerstone of our life along with everything else that I can and should strive to do in my lifetime.
This was a webinar I did on June 01 2023 but never got around editing it. The topic is Dependency Management and how it impacts organizational culture where I share my personal experience working dependencies on team, program and enterprise level.
This episode encapsulates one key factor, (based on my experience in the field working as a scrum master, with scrum masters as an agile coach and RTE and even as product owner) paying attention to which can help a scrum master moving the needle from being a good to a great one at it.What is this one critical success factor which does need help from so many other facets of a scrum master persona to succeed. @agilepakistan @pakistanagileeducation5104 @PakistanAgileScrumExchange @AgileIndy @Agilealliance @agilealliancebrazil-meetup9795 @agileindonesia6256 @scrumalliance @ScrumOrg @ScaledAgileInc
This track deals with what makes for a relatively successful transition into the role of a scrum master providing you a platform for ongoing success. This is by no means a silver bullet and like any other role and you need constant learning and evolution to impact incremental relentless improvement.
I speak about top down and bottom up transformation and what they mean. We further explore why top down or bottom up change may work for your specific organization.
This episode covers competencies you will employ in order to become a good scrum master. What are those character traits that you will need to excel at your job as a scrum master? How can you anticipate various dependencies arising in team of teams environment? What knowledge gap you need to overcome in order to transition to a scrum master?
What is business agility? Is it fast decision making or is it decision making at the very operational level? How much impact does positive mindset have on business and organizational agility? Let's talk...
Scrum Master and Product Owner are two distinct roles within agile framework that ensure planning and delivery of work in a methodical and seamless fashion. Can one person be both product owner and scrum master? I share my perspective and would love to hear from you.
Is your organization suffering from framework syndrome as to which framework to use, whether to stay waterfall or to try embracing agility in mindset and practice adoption?
I speak about how non IT organizations can embrace agility by virtue of a collective people, product and process approach.
In this episode of Talking Mental Health, Hafsa Farrukh sheds light on aspects of Postpartum Depression. She speaks about:
- What is postpartum depression?
- How is it different from baby blues?
- How can we identify it?
- How does it affect new parents and their relationships?
- How can we as society work to counter postpartum depression?
And more...
Dr. Sheeza Mohsin uses her experience of working with individuals, families and professional on both sides of the east/west coin to share some of the very basic ways parents can navigate through "What is gay?" question.
She sheds light on:
How parents can initiate the conversation? How to react if the child starts the conversation? How to differentiate between human rights from LGBTQI lifestyle support? The power of the three words? Which three words are those?
In this episode of Talking Mental Health, Dr. Amamah Ahmed responds to audience questions from around the world in relation to depression in children.
- Teen depression
- Depression due to different social classes
- Time to intervene
- How joint family system helps or worsens depression in children
In this episode of Talking Mental Health, Hafsa Farrukh sheds light on failure as a concept; and
- How we as parents and guardians educate children about failure
- What can we we do to counter such fear of failing
- What can we do to help children get over such fear of not being successful
In today's episode covering Depression, I ask Dr. Amamah Ahmed about:
- Depression; what is it and what is it not?
- Why are we fearful of accepting that it can happen to us?
- What kind of red flags can we identify in our friends or family members?
- How can we be the support that anyone in depression may need?
- How can depression result in physical deterioration?
- And more questions
Join me in this episode of Talking Mental Health as I navigate through this very serious mental health disorder with Dr. Amamah Ahmed.
I speak with Hafsa Farrukh in the aftermath of Dua Zahra case.
- Where do we as parents let our guard down?
- What are certain red flags that we as should not take lightly?
- Why is it harder for girls in our society to open up about their personal lives to their parents than it is for boys?
- Role of fathers in our society in being able, conscious parents?
This and so much more as I speak with Hafsa about what makes a conscious parent and how we can focus on quality rather than quantity when it comes to spending time with our children.
My conversation with Dr. Omaima Mehmood who speaks with me about the application of her experience, education and exposure in the form of a comprehensive Lifestyle solution to most of the issues facing her patients. This also includes a focus on mental health as importantly as there is on other physical ailments.
- What is Lifestyle Modification?
- How can she help you or someone you love through any physical or mental issues?
- How does spirituality or religion come into play with Dr. Mehmood's LSM system?
My conversation with a successful former Euless City Council Member who is now running for Texas State House (District 92).
- Why Salman suspended his run for Senate?
- Why he chose to run for State House for Texas instead?
- What is the exercise of Re-Districting after each Census?
- How has Texas Legislature used this to their favor?
Take a listen to a very insightful Salman Bhojani as he shared his experience of public office and educates us on how we can increase our participation and broaden our political horizon.
My conversation with a guidance counselor of over fifteen years and clinical psychologist of over six year. We talk about different aspects of educational institutes and how psychology plays an important part in building the character and personalities of students (if used the right way).
My conversation with a Riffat Yusaf who is a registered psycotherapist and a certified hypnotherapist in Canada in addition to having practiced in Pakistan in relation to various mental health domains.
We speak about the challenges faces parents in raising boys in this day and age as we answer questions from parents all over the world.
I speak with Misbah Khan about the attitude of desi parents towards mental health help for children, their involvement and how parental roles vary in terms of approaching mental health help for children. Furthermore, we touch base on:
- How early is it for parents to introduce the concept of punishment and reward to a young child?
- How does a pattern of reward or punishment help build expectations for a child's development?
- Why do we force the right to exist on a six week old fetus but not on a school going child? Why the discrimination?
- Why would so many women in Texas legislature vote for the Abortion Ban?
- Why is it that Governor of Texas calls President's business vaccine mandate an 'assault on freedom" but passes the Abortion Ban Bill which makes abortion beyond six weeks of pregnancy illegal in Texas?
Let's talk!!!
Why Minar-e-Pakistan incident is reflection of a sick society in context of victim blaming.
- Would you blame Ayesha if it were your mother, daughter, sister or wife in her place?
- Why it is not about religion and more about or moral and social values?
- Why we should not rely on leadership?
- Why mental health focus is so critical in earlier years of a child's development
- When someone says "No", You Stop!!!
In this follow up to my first conversation with Riffat Yusaf, we explore how to tackle if male household leaders face mental health issues in Desi communities.
- How can we help them?
- How to make mothers understand that their sons need help just like in any other health issue?
- Why are we seeing suicide levels increase in desi communities?
This is a new series I've started where I will speak with a mental health professional of many years; Riffat Yusaf. I ask her questions that I have received from people of different backgrounds pertaining to religion, behaviors, child therapy, how to help friends through therapy and how to not judge anyone if they share the fact that they are seeing a mental health expert.
Take a listen, share and let's talk!!!
I speak with another brave individual who decided to share her account of what pushed her to attempt to take her life after years of child abuse and inability or intentional ignorance of her family members towards this abuse.
- Why she wanted to do this?
- What pushed her to this extreme?
- How her family reacted to ongoing child abuse?
- How this mentality will change in our society?
I explore different forms of value each one of us possesses and utilize in different situations during the course of our lifecycle. From mental/psychological value to being able to translate our skillset into financial success (financial success), humans present various value bundles. Which one do you score higher one? Does it even make sense to view ourselves as value bundles?
Take a listen, share and let's talk....
Is it just the different cities that impact our behaviors, personalities or do our decisions also leave a mark on the cities and how they evolve?
- Which city you've lived in struck you with character?
- Is there a city that left an indelible mark on your personality?
Take a listen, share and let's talk...
I follow up why doing inventory is important for a business with this brief but very crucial episode focusing on how doing inventory can result in good customer experience.
- How does it result in increased sales?
- How does it impact bottom line of the business?
- How does it contribute towards earning and keeping more new customers?
- How does it reduce marketing expense?
Take a listen to this short episode and let's talk!!!
- What is a divided patriot?
- Do expats relinquish their birth right over their native countries?
- What drives people to either become part of the melting pot culture or be part of a kaleidoscope culture?
This topic came about my discussion with my friends around March 23 (Pakistan Day) in 2021 and based on that, I decided to give this some air time.
what are your thoughts?
In today's cut ever evolving environment of financial uncertainties, businesses often have to decide whether to spend money on marketing to bring more customers in or to funnel some part of their revenue back into their business to improve some processes.
- Which action is a targeted one with direct impact on productivity gain?
- Why marketing results in volume gains but not efficiency gain rather reduces efficiency?
- Is marketing always the wrong choice when it comes to comparison with process improvement?
You do not want to miss this episode if you are a business owner. Take a listen, share and let's help you Deliver that signature experience !!!
In this episode, I cover three Ps of business as I have come to work with. What are those three pillars that a small business can base their strategy on and deliver an extraordinary customer experience.
Why is customer experience so important that businesses (even small businesses) should pay attention to it. I take a look at why it is important, when customer experience is in full flow, where it happens the most and very importantly, who owns it.
- Why most of the people I've spoken to about this show hate it?
- Why PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) banned this show in Pakistan?
- Why Pakistani audiences don't show outrage at vulgar dance stage shows, ridiculous morning show but hate a masterclass by Asim Abbasi?
This is why I believe not only that Churails is a must watch for every male but also that it is hands down one of the best things to have come out of Pakistan in a long long time, HANDS DOWN THE BEST!!!
Watch, share and let's talk (as Jugnu would say) Bitches (you'll have to watch the show to understand) !!!
It happens again. A white man goes on a killing spree, successfully kills six asian women in Atlanta, GA, gets arrested without any physical abuse, without having his head under the knees of law enforcement officials.
The question is not why this happens.
The question is that how do we get out of this. How do we break this barrier of racial privilege also known as White Privilege.
On this Pakistan Day, the news of culprits of Motorway rape case being sentenced to death comes as a relief. Does it really? Will a mere capital punishment be able to change the culture that we have developed over more than last seven decades? What's the naan connection in this?
I recorded this video for US Presidential Elections 2020 but I believe it will serve well to share it for my global listeners as context can help for voting anywhere around the world. Why we should vote is a question every voter in the world asks them. The answer to this simple question is not as easy and hence I wanted to share my thoughts...
Episode ten marks the culmination of this journey during which we explored what is Barzakh and everything therein.
- Can dead souls meet each other?
- Can souls of the living meet or see souls of the dead?
Urdu translation of ten episode English series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi titled “Life in the Barzakh”.
Source: https://youtu.be/Zbs9zcjzyew
Take a listen, share and let's learn...
Episode 9 wraps up the acts that can be gifted to a deceased muslim. There has been conflict on whether qirat-e-Quran can be gifted. - What do four Fiqh leaders say about it? - What do other scholars have to say about gifting of deeds? - How many deeds should one gift? - Do we have any right over a deed we gifted to deceased muslim?
Urdu translation of ten episode English series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi titled “Life in the Barzakh”.
Source: https://youtu.be/UXOH1WFcylM
Take a listen, share and let's learn...
Episode 8 covers those acts that benefit the dead. Those acts can either be such that were initiated by them while they were alive or by others.
- What are those acts?
- Could those be just farz acts or nafl too?
- When can Hajj-e-Badl be done by someone?
and more questions...
Urdu translation of ten episode English series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi titled “Life in the Barzakh”.
Source: https://youtu.be/yz_vEo0WIq0
Take a listen, share and let's learn...
Episode 7 covers one of controversial question which is a matter of abstract knowledge but not that of any legal grounds or fiqh matters.
- Can the dead hear?
- Can the dead hear their relatives?
- What did The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) say to dead of Quraish after Battle of Badr?
- What does Ayesha Siddiqa (RA) believe about the dead being able to hear?
- Does it even matter or how?
Urdu translation of ten episode English series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi titled “Life in the Barzakh”.
Source: https://youtu.be/4I5Go8S--Q4
Take a listen, share and let's talk...
This episode is a continuation of episode five which started looking at acts that will result in our souls face Azab-e-Qabr and then covers those acts that will help our souls be protected by it. What is the significance of Surah Mulk in light of Azab-e-Qabr? Will Azab-e-Qabr be paused for anyone?
Urdu translation of ten episode English series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi titled “Life in the Barzakh”.
Source: https://youtu.be/VvJqbmDOCKM
Take a listen, share and let's share our understanding...
Fifth episode in the Urdu translation of Dr. Qadhi's English series 'Life in the Barzakh' focuses on acts that will result in Azab-e-Qabr. Acts that humans (kafir and momin) need to be careful about. What are those actions? How can we take care of how we are treated in Qabr after Munkar and Nakeer test us...
Urdu translation of ten episode English series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi titled “Life in the Barzakh”.
Source: https://youtu.be/xycxHgFDDTU
Take a listen, share and let's share our understanding...
My conversation with one gem of a person who is leader by virtue of personal influence. I speak with him in the aftermath of recent BLM protests and his involvement with Keller protest. Why did he decide to transition into public office life from being a successful businessman? What drives him to continue being the best version of himself? All this in my conversation with Mujeeb Kazi from Keller, TX.
Take a listen, ask questions and let's contribute to policy making...
Episode 4 brings to light the concept of Naeem ul Qabr once souls pass the examination of Munkar and Nakeer. What happens when the grave squeezes and how much for whom? Will children face fitnah-tul-qabr? What is the different between fitnah and azab of qabr?
Urdu translation of ten episode English series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi titled “Life in the Barzakh”.
Source: https://youtu.be/_eWmojECgdA
Take a listen, share and let's share our understanding...
Why Muslims and Pakistanis should support Black Lives Matter? Is it only because of our faith or oppressed similarities? Why should we stand up our African American community members?
- What do you do when law enforcement officers start taking lives extrajudicially...
- What do you do when in the name of protests, people burn down public property...
- What do you do when we have leaders who don’t know how to lead and ones who do don’t want to...
How, just how do we go about making this nation great again!!!
This episode of Barzakh covers last rites of death of an individual. Sakarat-ul-maut as it is called which was not even spared for Prophets. How can we prepare for our last moments? Does anyone know what a dying person feels?
Urdu translation of ten episode English series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi titled “Life in the Barzakh”.
Source: https://youtu.be/NDhHtJSJ4v0
Take a listen, share and let's talk...
Was only Uzma Khan wrong or were daughters of Malik Riaz in the wrong for beating the two sisters? Who will file FIRs against both parties? Where is the moral compass of this nation?
Is it because this happened with family of Malik Riaz that the attackers will not be punished or will the parties settle. $$$ WIN$
Take a listen, share and let's talk!!!
This episode of Delivering the experience showcases two instances where I was subject to some lagniappe by Dallas burger joint in Plano and on the other hand experienced an utter disregard for basic customer service skills by team member of another well known desi restaurant. What happened and where does the problem lie? What would you do in each case?
Take a listen, share and let's talk...
This is the second episode in Barzakh series translation of lectures presented by Dr. Yasir Qadhi. In this episode we learn about Illiyeen and Sijjiyeen, what happens right after one dies, how one's deeds in duniya present themselves in Barzakh.
Urdu translation of ten episode English series by Dr. Yasir Qadhi titled “Life in the Barzakh”.
Source: https://youtu.be/_agssk2JqGA
It is all part of this episode of Life in the Barzakh. Take a listen and share your takeaway.
This is my humble attempt of presenting Urdu translation of English lectures on the topic of The Life in The Barzakh by Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi on how it is after our souls leave our worldly bodies. I was so impressed by the first episode of this ten episode series that I wanted to attempt to translate this for anyone who might feel at home listening to it in Urdu.
What is Barzakh? What's the difference between Rooh of Prophet Adam and other humans? How did our souls know who our Rabb was right after being created?
Take a listen, share and let's learn together...
My brief but to the point conversation with an experienced public health professional (Dr. Talal Siddiqui) who has first hand experience working with family of corona viruses. I asked him about how we can help our communities, truth about possible vaccine and more...
Take a listen, share and let's kick some virus butt!!!
Third episode in this series looks into the psychological implications of sexual abuse, especially when it involves leaders (religious leaders) of the community.
- How it impacts the victims?
- How their families suffer through the pain?
- How does it impact the lives of families and generations to come?
Take a listen and let's talk...
This is a follow up to the first episode where I opened up the conversation on Sexual abuse and religious leaders following two cases on North Texas Islamic centers. This episode explores the social context of sexual abuse as I speak with my guest (Durdana Ahmed) based on her experience working with victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
Take a listen, share and let's talk...
We have seen #metoo from Hollywood to Lollywood and the Vatican to Supreme Court of The United States. This is all good but when will we start talking about the elephant in our lives which is sexual abuse and Islamic religious leaders?
This is a short series I’ve done which opens up the conversation about sexual abuse and Islamic leaders in the aftermath of two North Texas cases (Mohamed Omar Ali in Houston and Zia-ul-Haq Sheikh of Irving Islamic Center).
Take a listen as I dissect this team that is more than just a few cricketers playing together. What sets them apart and how their leadership factors in towards their success? Will they lift their second title in this year's HBL PSL...
Let's talk cricket...
My take on Quetta Gladiators and their team make up including their chances in this edition of PSL. Will 2020 be another run to the finals for the most consistent team in the competition? Who, for me is the most critical player for this team?
Take a listen, share with other cricket kay khuwar and let's talk!!!
It's a game of thirty minutes! This segment of Customer feedback series focuses on three action items for business owners which will help you organize customer feedback. How to go about it? How to crack the customer experience code?
Take a listen, share with your business owner friends and let's talk!!!
This year marks the emotional “inauguration” of Pakistan Super League as all games will take place in Pakistan. From Tayyar hain to Alex Hales and Imad Wasim to Gaddafi Stadium, what are you most excited about?
Take a listen, share with cricket fanatics in your circle telling them "Tayyar hain"...
My preview of the upcoming T20I Cricket Series between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Lahore, Pakistan. A tour seventeen years in the making since 2003 Test tour by any Bangladesh team. Will this be the start of momentum for Green Team or will Bangladeshi Tigers double the dose dished out by Sri Lankan T20 Team in October 2019.
Who is in your playing XI for Pakistan? What will be the scoreline?
My conversation with Kashif Ansari (sports promoter and cricket analyst) during which we talk about significance of this tour, the stakes involved in three game T20I series and how Pakistan Cricket Board can use this as a launching pad for World T20 in Australia (October 2020).
Take a listen and share your thoughts and feedback...
My account of our visit to one of the landmark Pakistani restaurants in Houston, TX. Is it really possible that a desi business is run like a business? Was that drive down to Houston worth it? What makes this place one of the top food destinations on my list for Pakistani cuisine?
Take a listen to understand what makes this place stand out despite being so busy.
On the back of my recent mixed customer feedback experience, I bring to you this episode in which I share with you whether customer feedback really matters. Does your business listen to your customers? What's the best customer experience act you're seen a business perform?
Take a listen, share with your customer experience friends and let's talk...
Episode XI is here but how does it fare in the storytelling lineage of this franchise with one of the most hardcore fan following. Who is Rey? Does she even have higher midichlorian count than Anakin/Vader? How does the story come full circle? Why should you watch The Rise of Skywalker...
Take a listen and share...
My experience at this latest chai joint in Frisco on second day of their operations i.e. soft opening. How did the chai fare? Was that pani puri worth the trip or maybe not? What's a ChaiShot? Take a listen, share with your friends and go pay them a visit...
My conversation with a domestic violence fighter and her account of how mental and physical abuse over the course of two decades helped her evolve into the being she is today. Was religion to blame or false egos? What made her break the shackles?
Take a listen and share to encourage the conversation!!!
Is third time the charm when it comes to the same place but different business establishment with new name? Our evening at Beba BBQ during which we tried some good food with nice company. Would I recommend this place to you or would I go back again? Take a listen to know and share if you like this review...
My preview of a landmark resumption of test cricket in Pakistan starting with my city for two decades. How will the two teams feature? Who will get sixty points for World Test Championship for this game?Let's enjoy cricket's homecoming!!!
My conversation with a suicide warrior; after luckily not being able to take her own life. How is her life now? What drove her to such a decision and what was the tipping point? How much does the environment and support system or lack thereof contribute to such decisions? Take a listen, share and let's talk about this!!!
My experience at one Overland Park restaurant during work trip. How did I find the place when I didn't even intend to be there in the first place? Would I recommend you taking your friends there? Take a listen and share your feedback and comments.
My preview for second test of the two test series between Pakistan and Australia. Will Pakistan bounce back and level the series or will Australia make it another series defeat for Pakistan test cricket team in Australia. Sixty World Test Championship points for the taking.
Take a listen, share your thoughts and let's enjoy a gorgeous game of cricket in one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world.
My take on First Cricket test match between Australia and Pakistan men's team in Brisbane, Australia. I've added what I believe are the keys to a good game plus the team I would play. Take a listen, share your thoughts and let's enjoy a great game of cricket in Australia summer.
Instead of speaking with others who went through this, I decided to share a more personal aspect of my recent times in hopes to attract more conversations about other more serious topics in our lives. Take a listen, tell me what you think about this episode and share an experience if you or someone you know has gone through something like this...
Is Customer Experience defined by how good the product is or is it the service level that one gets from a business. In this episode, I touch base on a few things that become a matter of perspective when considered from various business owners' vantage point. What do you think makes for a good customer experience. Take a listen and provide some feedback.
My experience at one of the most consistently heard about Pakistani restaurant in Houston, TX during a recent trip down south. Would I recommend it to my family and friends or should you avoid it at all costs!!! Take a listen...
My take on how leadership for Pakistan ODI team should be handled in light of recent developments on the field before and during the 2019 ODI Cricket World Cup.
A preview of three match T20 International series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka as part of Sri Lanka's tour to Pakistan. My take on the playing XI and some teasers for next episode for this playlist.
A wrap up of recently concluded ODI Cricket Series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Karachi, Pakistan.
My first visit to this Pakistani food joint in Plano, TX where I experienced one of the best bun kababs I've ever had along with hospitality that makes me want to go back. Listen to why I will venture back...
A brief introduction to why I started this playlist revolving around my conversations with various small business owners and my experience at different restaurants.
My conversation with former Test cricketer of Pakistan and stylish batsman; Yasir Hameed. We spoke about his love for cricket, how he saw cricket moving out of Pakistan after 2009 Lahore incident, test tours to Australia and mindset while playing there.
An introduction what constitutes mental health and why it is important for people of color to recognize mental health as important as any other condition.
My conversation with Zenith Irfan; Motorcycle Girl of Pakistan. A candid account of how one person's soul searching journey evolves into inspiration for many.