Raising Humans

In today’s episode we sit down with Darren Harris AKA Abdulmuhsin , an American revert Muslim living in Dubai. 

We explore his childhood, home-schooling experience, and the evolving challenges of parenting across generations.

It’s an honest, thought-provoking conversation packed with wisdom and laughter. 

Let’s go.

Instagram - @americanindubai
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Americanindubai
Oowy Goowy Cookies - @oowygoowycookies

Timestamps

0:00 – Coming up
0:45 – Intro
2:28 – The Why
3:55 – How was your parenting experience?
5:59 – How was your childhood? 
7:25 – Tell me about your family
8:00 – Raising a girl
10:00 – How would you differentiate your parenting style from boys to girls?
13:45 – Childhood experience in a strict household 
19:15 – Why strict parenting was needed in our generation
22:15 – Why home schooling?
32:00 – The Challenge of Technology and Parenting
33:00 – What are the different challenges to parenting in our generation compared to the last?
36:20 – How do we ensure our kids turn to us for advice when they’re older?
38:00 – Abdulmuhsin talks about his father
39:50 – What advice would you give to new parents?
42:30 – The different stages of Boyhood
47:00 – The importance of the first child
49:00 – What was your fondest memory as a child?
51:25 – Were you into video games as a child?
55:50 – Do you have dedicated family time?
57:30 – Teaching Arabic to my son
59:45 – Delayed Gratification
1:02:04 – Working out as a parent
1:03:40 – What is the hardest thing about parenting?
1:04:50 – What message would you give your child?
1:06:00 – Oowy Goowy Cookies

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

"Fall seven times and stand up eight." – Japanese Proverb

In today’s episode we reflect on the choices I made during college—the good, the bad, and the lessons they taught me. From picking the wrong subjects, finding the right circle and investing my money poorly, this episode is all about what I wish I knew back then.

Let’s get into it.

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction
0:45 – Choosing your Subjects
3:00 – Choosing the Right Circle
4:46 – Wasting Your Time
6:38 – Wasting Your Money 
6:23 – If I Invested Wisely
7:30 – The Power of Compound Interest
10:53 – You Will Make Mistakes
13:35 – Summary

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

Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future – Dan Pena

In today’s episode we explore how friendships shape our children’s lives and why the right ones matter. 

From Aristotle’s wisdom on virtue-based friendships to the idea that “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” we discuss how good friends amplify the values we teach and why helping our kids become great friends is just as important as finding them.

Let’s dive in.

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

In today’s episode, I share the story of why we made the decision to move to Dubai and whether it has been the right choice for our family. 

From the benefits of living in an Islamic country, tailored education, and an improved quality of life, to the challenges of being away from family and adjusting to long days, I provide an honest account of our experience.

Tune in to hear how this move has shaped our lives as parents and whether it’s helping us raise our children to be the individuals we hope they’ll become. 
If you’re considering a similar move, this episode might just provide the clarity you need!

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

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” – Dr Seuss
 
 In today’s podcast, expect to learn how reading can transform your life and your parenting journey. 

I share my personal reading journey, from early resistance to discovering the life-changing power of books.

We explore why reading is one of the most impactful tools for growth and how parents can inspire their children to embrace reading. 

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

“I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.” - Andy Bernard, The Office

In today’s podcast, expect to learn about the Time Spent Graph—a reminder that time with family and friends is fleeting. We’ll also explore the Red Car Theory, showing how focusing on something makes it appear more often in our lives, and the Dartmouth Scar Experiment, which reveals how our mindset shapes our resilience in facing life’s challenges.

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

Jim Rohn: “If the Why is Powerful, the How is Easy.”

In today’s podcast, expect to learn about Radical Candor—offering honest and compassionate feedback—and the Parable of the Pottery Class, which illustrates how making one pot a day leads to greater success than perfecting a single pot over time.

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

“Your mind is the strongest and most valuable muscle you can grow” – Greg Pitt 

In today’s podcast, expect to learn about neuroplasticity and the brain’s incredible ability to adapt. 

We’ll dive into key processes like myelination, synaptic connection, and neurogenesis, explore a fascinating visualization study, and explain the Bookshelf Analogy, which makes understanding brain flexibility easier.

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

In today’s podcast, I share my weight loss story, from my early years of fitness to the gradual decline in health after marriage and the transformative moment when I decided to make a change. 

I reflect on the struggles of balancing parenthood, work, and personal health and how parenthood became my greatest motivation, pushing me to live a healthier, more active life for my children.

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

"Don't confuse schooling with education. I didn't go to Harvard but the people that work for me did." - Elon Musk

In today’s podcast, expect to learn about Ad Astra Nova’s unique approach to education, centred around a teaching philosophy that encourages curiosity and innovation.

We’ll explore First Principles Teaching, the importance of explaining the “why” behind learning, and the “teach to the problem” method, where students are presented with real-world problems and equipped with the tools to solve them.

The Lake Conundrum 

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