Raising Humans

Faisal was a guest on my podcast, but his energy felt so laid-back that he made me as chill as if there were no cameras rolling. 

I felt more like myself than ever - no overthinking, no dissecting every response. I was just present. That made me realise how I want to show up as a host.

Because here’s the domino effect: the guest feels at peace, the audience gets a more authentic conversation, and we bring more value to children’s lives. That’s a win on every level.

Another aspect I admired was how completely locked-in he is on his faith. It spills into every part of his life. You see it in the way he talks, the way he acts, and every decision he makes. That’s the standard I want to hit: living my beliefs so fully that people can feel it. If you’re looking for a blueprint on how to align your life with your principles - this is it.

Bottom line, you’ve set a bar for how I want to show up: as a Muslim, a parent, and a leader. I appreciate the time, the insight, and the example you’ve given. 

Let’s keep raising the game brother. 

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Who is Faisal Choudhry?

An entrepreneur and content creator driven by faith, community, and conversation. 

As the founder of Freshly Grounded - A #1 Apple podcast - he’s brought authentic voices to a global audience, earning millions of monthly impressions. 

With a background in criminology and hands-on experience in media, tech, and marketing, Faisal consistently uses his skills to build engaging brands and uplift those around him. 

When he’s not guiding teams or hosting shows, he’s focused on creating opportunities that reflect strong values and benefit everyone involved.

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Faisal’s Socials

Instagram Personal: https://www.instagram.com/faisalchdry/

Instagram FG: https://www.instagram.com/freshly_grounded/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreshlyGrounded

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshlygrounded

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshlygroundedpodcast/

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Raising Humans Socials:

RH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.ae/

MG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mghanch/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raisinghumans.ae

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

02:33 – Why “Raising Humans”?

05:39 – The Controversial Video

10:38 – What’s Wrong With Education?

15:18 – Faisal’s School Days

21:17 – Relationship With His Brother

24:07 – Parenting Style of Faisal’s Parents

25:40 – Mum’s Consistency

31:33 – Best Memory of Mum

32:22 – Welcoming a New Sister

36:18 – Favourite Memory of Dad

43:18 – Key Parenting Principles

46:32 – My Biggest Flaw

48:17 – Teaching Eesa the Qur’an

50:09 – What to Look For in a Spouse

53:57 – Becoming a Father

54:53 – Different Child, Different Approach

01:01:13 – Inspiration From an Older Sister

01:02:34 – Always a Solution

01:13:12 – Faisal’s Islamic Awakening

01:15:37 – Mum’s “Unconventional” Style

01:24:51 – One Action, Many Wins

01:30:19 – Elon Musk’s Parenting Insight

01:31:09 – Why Work for Yourself

01:32:26 – Memorising the Qur’an Young

01:36:03 – Kids in the Mosque?

01:40:32 – A Message for Your Child at 18

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Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/

Sometimes, you meet someone who steps in exactly when you need them most - someone who becomes that guiding voice and safe place. For me, that person was Nouman. 

He was like an older brother during my time in Saudi Arabia, taking me under his wing and looking out for me - even when I didn’t always follow his advice. 

Now, he’s championing the same hospitality and warmth that ran through his grandfather’s veins. It’s a legacy of generosity, one that he’s continued in his own life, and it’s why he’ll always hold a special place in my heart. 

He’s the sum of a family’s relentless love - his mom’s support, his dad’s work ethic and above all, his grandfather’s hospitality. Now, he’s passing those lessons forward, showing his children how real strength is built on a willingness to fail. 

Join us as Nouman reminds us that nobody’s perfect, but trying your best—right up to the very end—is what truly makes us whole. 

Meet Nouman

Nouman currently pours his energy into running his translation services and immigration consulting businesses, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in both fields. Buoyed by his family’s unwavering support, he’s embracing new opportunities while juggling the demands of entrepreneurship and parenthood.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naumanrk_official/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nauman-rashid-khan-14b819144/

Timestamps:

00:00 – Coming Up
01:10 – Introductions
02:47 – What’s Nouman Doing Now?
04:53 – Nouman’s Background
08:00 – Early Childhood Memories
18:42 – The Challenges of Modern Parenting
24:33 – Building Resilience and Work Ethic
30:00 – Instilling Resilience in Our Children
32:05 – Lessons Learned from Mum
35:00 – School, College & University
44:14 – Marriage & Family Life
1:03:21 – Nouman on Raising His Children
1:14:18 – Final Thoughts: A Message to Wife & Kids

#ParentingJourney #RaisingResilientKids #LearnFromFailure #FatherhoodWisdom #GenerationalLegacy #ParentingPodcast

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/

Meet Umar Naeem. A Regional Coordinator at Beaconhouse Group, shaping education across the MENA region. When he’s not leading academic strategy, he’s mastering the markets as a stock trader and pushing limits as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and coach.

A powerful speaker with a knack for getting his point across, Umar’s success is built on his ability to communicate and lead. He believes in investing—not just in stocks but also in yourself. 

Continuous learning, improving your craft, and gaining qualifications are the real keys to excelling in any industry. Becoming a father was the spark that pushed him to achieve financial freedom, diving deep into investing and the stock market to secure a better future.

Umar Naeem Socials

https://www.instagram.com/stock_king_umar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/umar-naeem-8541a968/

RH Socials

Raising Humans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.ae/
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mghanch/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raisinghumans.ae

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/

"Perfection is only for Allah”.

Kaya Ismail isn’t just another entrepreneur. He’s one of the most self-aware and articulate guys I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down with. We covered everything - from his early days in London to building businesses in Dubai, from fatherhood to faith, from discipline to delayed gratification.

It was eye-opening to sit down with someone from a completely different culture and background, hearing firsthand the unique struggles he faced and how they shaped him. Conversations like this remind me that while our experiences may differ, the lessons we take from them are often universal.

Meet Kaya:

Kaya runs Wordify, a digital marketing agency, and Waasiya, which provides shariah-compliant payment plans for Dubai real estate. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaya-ismail/

https://www.wordify.co

https://www.waasiya.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kayaismail/

https://x.com/KayaIsmail

RH Socials

Raising Humans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.ae/
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mghanch/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raisinghumans.ae

Timestamps

00:50 - Meet Kaya
04:32 - Dubai Mindset
07:53 - Early Life
10:36 - School Days
17:20 - Life After Uni
19:45 - Parents & Upbringing
23:05 - Lessons from His Parents
29:39 - Parenting Today
33:39 - You can’t be a victim if you’re grateful
34:39 - Islam
42:51 - Marriage & Choosing the Right Partner
46:44 - Why Dubai?
50:22 - Fatherhood
1:02:04 - Kids & Screen Time
1:06:41 - How to Build Discipline in Children
1:11:39 - The Power of Delayed Gratification

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/

“And He (Allah) will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.” (65:3)

Ahsan’s story stayed with me long after our conversation. As I listened back and worked through the footage, this one ayah kept playing in my mind.

What would you sacrifice for your child’s future? For Ahsan, the answer was everything. He left behind everything he knew—his home, his comfort, his security - so his daughter could memorise the Qur’an.

His journey is proof that when you take a risk for the sake of Allah, when you put your trust in Him completely, He provides from where you could never imagine.

Timestamps

00:47 - Introduction
01:05 - Why did you move to Dubai?
06:51 - Bilal Bin Rabah Center for Memorizing Quran
13:24 - What About Education?
20:31 - Giving Up on Hifz?
25:36 - Journey to Dubai
27:04 - Ahsans’ Hajj Journey
29:54 - Ahsan Talks About Getting Married Early
36:39 - As a Father What Was The Most Challenging Time For You?
41:41 - Lessons From Your First Child
53:13 - What Should You Look For in a Partner?
59:20 - Israr Ahmed Series

Socials

Raising Humans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.ae/
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mghanch/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raisinghumans.ae

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/

“You never know whose prayer will save you." - Murtaza Ebrahimji

Meet Murtaza - Prime Residential Sales Director at @luxuryconciergere.

In this episode, Murtaza takes us on an unforgettable journey through his life.

From the lessons his father taught him, to the deep connections he’s built with his wife and kids, Murtaza opens up about what truly matters in life. He shares the moment he found out he had cancer, the unimaginable pain of treatment, and how it gave him a new perspective on living fully.

But what stands out most is his selflessness: his belief in helping others no matter what.

This conversation will leave you inspired to live with more purpose, give without expectation, and cherish the people who mean the most.

Timestamps

00:00 - Coming Up
00:15 - Introductions
03:08 - What was your childhood like?
03:33 - A Special Memory of Your Mother
04:15 - Tell Me About Your Father
05:48 - Would You Let Your Kids Live on Campus?
07:56 – Murtaza’s Academic Journey
10:09 - Advice for Kids Starting University
11:15 - Murtaza Shares His Cancer Story
15:05 - Breaking the News to His Family
18:10 - Radiotherapy
19:00 – Surgery
19:58 – The Decision to Get Chemotherapy
26:00 – New Perspective on Life
27:30 – Murtaza’s Rushed Wedding
30:12 -  Advice for Marriage
31:26 – Friendship Advice
34:58 - Final tradition: A message to your wife and kids


#ParentingPodcast #Inspiration #Resilience #LifeLessons #FamilyFirst #Selflessness #CancerJourney #RaisingHumans #KindnessMatters #ParentingWisdom #EmotionalHealing #PodcastEpisode #LifeChangingMoments

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/

In this episode we step into the mind of John D. Rockefeller - not as the oil tycoon but as a father. Rockefeller distils what he believes are the principles of a meaningful and successful life. These letters were private, raw, and written with one goal: to help his son rise above him.

We’ll explore three key lessons: why your starting point in life doesn’t define your destination, the value of taking action even when conditions aren’t perfect, and how excuses quietly erode potential.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to build a legacy that lasts beyond wealth, or how to give your children the tools to thrive, this episode is for you. Watch now, and reflect on the lessons that might just change how you think about success, parenting, and the future.

Timestamps

00:00 - Coming Up
00:42 - Introduction
02:13 - Who Was John Davison Rockefeller Sr.
02:49 - Why This Book?
06:07 - Letter #1: Your Starting Point in Life 
13:25 - Letter #4: Do It Now
20:29 - Letter #16: Do Not Make Excuses
26:51 - Episode Recap



#JohnDRockefeller #JohnRockefeller #Rockefeller #ParentingWisdom #LifeLessons #LegacyBuilding #TimelessAdvice #SuccessMindset #SelfImprovement #ParentingTips #MotivationalLessons #RockefellerLetters #TakeAction #OvercomeExcuses

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/

Meet Luna, a Cyber Psychology Specialist.

In this week’s episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Luna, and what stood out most wasn’t just her deep expertise, but the way she rooted every insight in her own lived experience as a parent. She’s not only studied the science; she’s lived it. That authenticity made every piece of advice feel practical, relatable, and, most importantly, doable.

She shared so much wisdom about navigating screen time, social media, and the pressures of raising kids today that I left wishing we had hours more to unpack it all. Her ability to simplify complex ideas and connect them to everyday parenting challenges is truly remarkable.

Luna’s advice has the power to change how you parent in the digital world.

Timestamps

00:57 – Luna Shares Her Journey into Cyber Psychology
05:23 – When is The Right Age for Children to Have Phones?
09:56 – "I’m Never Gonna Give My Kids Phones"
10:48 – Why YouTube But Not. Instagram?
13:41 – How can I prevent my kids from getting addicted to video games?
16:30 – The Benefits of Gaming 
20:10 – How should you respond when your child makes a mistake?
23:36 – What is Helicopter Parenting?
25:23 – The Rise in Mental Health Challenges Among Kids
29:57 – How can parents help kids use screens wisely?
34:16 – What screen limits did you set for your kids?
36:29 – Actions Speak Louder Than Words
37:43 – Managing Time, Space, Self & Others
39:25 – Screen Time in Cars
42:50 – Confrontation Over Screen Time
43:51 – How Do I Teach My Children How To Self-Regulation Screen Time
47:09 – Screen Time for Babies
48:51 – Are Screens Making Children Angrier?
53:57 – What Challenges Come With AI?
56:48 – Teenagers Today Have More Critical Thinking than We Ever Did”
58:40 – How AI Chat Bots Are Changing Kids’ Digital Lives
01:03:15 – How Do I Know if a Game is Safe for My Child?
01:07:05 – Challenges of Parenting Pre-Teens and Teens
01:09:26 – How do you handle it when your kids start pulling away?
01:13:21 – "Flipping Your Lid" Dan Siegel
01:16:28 – How to Avoid Arguments Before Bed?
01:19:57 – Brainspotting
01:23:12 – Wrapping Up



#ParentingTips #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #RaisingKids #ModernParenting #ParentingAdvice #CyberPsychology #DigitalParenting #TechAndKids #ScreenTimeManagement #SocialMediaAndParenting

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/

Meet Jermaine Ekpo, a Master Personal Trainer and one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met.

I first crossed paths with Jermaine when I moved to Dubai, and we’ve been playing football together every week since. What’s remarkable about him isn’t just his fitness expertise—it’s his mindset. 

Jermaine radiates positivity in a way that’s contagious, turning the odds in his favour, whether it’s on the pitch or in life. He’s the kind of person who reminds you that winning starts in the mind—and he’s proof it works.

In this episode, we uncover the moments that shaped his life. From the after-school clubs that kept him grounded to his take on the power of human connection, Jermaine shares how community and structure steered him away from life’s pitfalls. 

We also dive into his experience as a parent and the bold decision to move to Dubai, redefining his purpose along the way.

Timestamps

00:00 - Setting the Stage: Introduction
02:40 - How Extracurricular Activities Can Transform Your Life
04:18 - Jermaine’s Childhood: The Foundations of Resilience
08:57 - If You Could Go Back to School, What Would You Change?
09:46 - College Years: Lessons Learned and Memories Made
12:05 - The Coach Who Changed Everything
13:03 - Life After College: Finding Your Path
14:05 - The Story of Jermaine’s First England Kit
15:35 - Why Sociability is a Superpower
19:02 - Becoming a Dad: The Moment Life Changes Forever
22:12 - Labour Room Advice Every Dad Needs to Hear
25:04 - Keeping the Spark Alive When Kids Enter the Picture
27:48 - Choosing the Right Partner: What Really Matters
31:10 - Advice for Your Kids on Finding Their Future Partner
33:10 - The Power of Accountability: For Yourself and Your Family
35:00 - Sibling Bonds: The Gift of Lifelong Companionship
39:15 - Fatherhood: The Lessons You Never Expected to Learn
44:00 - Breaking the Cycle: Avoiding Passing Bad Habits to Your Kids
46:03 - Why Jermaine Packed His Bags and Moved to Dubai
50:00 - Technology and Parenting: Striking the Right Balance
52:27 - Health Tips for Parents from a Fitness Expert
56:53 - Are Your Kids Overeating? What You Need to Know
58:35 - Why Fatherhood Inspires a Healthier, Better You
01:02:32 - Jermaine’s Essential Advice for New Parents
01:07:15 - Usain Bolt’s Secret: Training Four Years for Nine Seconds

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/

Meet Hamza Chohan. An Engineer, Entrepreneur and Father of Two.

In today’s episode, Hamza takes us on a journey through his childhood in Pakistan, the cultural shock of moving to Scotland without a word of English, and how those experiences shaped him. We dive into his reflections on marriage, the anticipation of becoming a father, and the raw, unfiltered truths about navigating fatherhood.

Let’s dive in.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction
0:03 – Meet Hamza
0:56 – Raising Boys vs. Girls
5:00 – Hamza’s Childhood in Pakistan
7:30 – Moving to Glasgow
11:15 – Challenges Our Parents Faced
13:13 – Appreciating Parents as a Parent
15:30 – Parents’ Influence on Friendships
20:55 – University Life in Scotland
27:40 – Parents’ Sacrifices for Us
28:45 – Should You Push Kids into University?
36:55 – What to Look for in a Partner
40:15 – Partner Advice for Your Kids
44:00 – Finding Out You’re Going to Be a Dad
47:45 – The Day Your Daughter Was Born
52:00 – First Year of Fatherhood
53:30 – The Hardest Part of Fatherhood
56:22 – Transitioning from One to Two Kids
58:40 – Advice for New Parents

#parenting #parentingpodcast #parenting #parentingjourney #parentingadvice

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Raising.Humans
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisinghumans.1/