The Path We Choose

What does it mean to truly stand up for justice, even when the world around you is changing in ways you never imagined?

In this powerful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Canadian lawyer, law professor, author, and international affairs commentator Faisal Kutty for an intimate conversation about faith, activism, immigrant resilience, and the moral responsibility to speak truth to power.

This conversation begins with a profound exploration of Islam's core teachings on justice and equality. Faisal unpacks how the first sin in Abrahamic tradition wasn't disobedience, it was superiority. This foundational insight sets the stage for a deeper discussion about racism, moral responsibility, and why standing up for others is not optional, it's central to faith itself.

From there, the conversation shifts to the immigrant experience in North America during the 1970s and 80s. Faisal shares what it was like growing up in a world far less diverse than today, navigating bullying, discrimination, and tight knit communities that preserved culture and values. He reflects on the sacrifices early immigrants made, the foundations they built, and the obligation today's generation has to give back, not just take.

Then the discussion turns to post 9/11 America and Canada. Faisal, who was at the forefront of Muslim advocacy and civil liberties work during that era, reveals how things have gotten worse in some ways, particularly around free speech, protest rights, and political censorship. But he also highlights how the Muslim community and its allies have become far more organized, professional, and powerful, building institutions, media platforms, and networks that are now shifting public discourse on issues like Gaza, American foreign policy, and Israel Palestine.

This episode explores the tension between hope and despair, the power of consistent small actions, and why doing something, anything, is the antidote to helplessness. Faisal shares how writing articles, educating through social media, and teaching students became his way of creating hope through action. He unpacks the ripple effect of influence, the importance of using your unique skills and resources, and why accountability to God means showing up even when change feels impossible.

If you follow conversations from podcasts like The Diary of a CEO, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, The Tim Ferriss Show, or insights from authors like Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Malcolm Gladwell, and Noam Chomsky, this episode offers grounded, faith informed wisdom on activism, social justice, immigrant identity, media influence, and redefining success beyond personal gain.

• Why Islam's first sin was about superiority and what that means for justice today
• What the immigrant experience was like in 1970s and 80s North America
• How early immigrants laid the foundation for today's opportunities
• Why post 9/11 civil liberties issues have gotten worse and better simultaneously
• How the Muslim community became more organized and influential
• Why hope comes from doing, not waiting
• The ripple effect of small, consistent actions in activism and education
• How to use your unique skills and resources for social change
• Why accountability to God means showing up even when outcomes are uncertain

Whether you're an activist, student, professional, immigrant, or someone navigating questions of faith, purpose, and justice, this conversation offers clarity on standing up, speaking out, and building a legacy of meaningful action.

Greater Isr*el, Ir*n & The Narrative You’re Fed | Faisal Kutty

What really shapes global views on Greater Isr*el, Ir*n and Middle East politics, and how much of it comes from narrative framing and media bias?

In this insightful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Canadian lawyer, law professor, author, and international affairs commentator Faisal Kutty, who breaks down the complex geopolitical context behind the Greater Isr*el concept, Ir*nian regional dynamics, and how narratives in Western and global media shape public perception.

Faisal Kutty offers decades of experience in international law, human rights, civil liberties, and national security, contributing to major outlets like The Toronto Star, Newsweek, Al Jazeera English and Middle East Eye, and teaching at leading law schools across North America.

This conversation explores why narratives about Israel‑Iran relations can be misleading, how global powers influence public discourse, and what legal and ethical frameworks the world should consider when evaluating geopolitical conflicts.

If you follow in‑depth geopolitical and narrative exploration from top podcast voices like The Axe Files with David Axelrod, The Daily (NYT), Pod Save the World, or authors such as Noam Chomsky, Thomas Friedman, Fareed Zakaria, then this episode deepens your understanding of international affairs, media bias, and the politics of conflict.

• What the Greater Isr*el narrative really means in geopolitical context
• Why media coverage often simplifies Iran’s role in the Middle East
• How international law and human rights intersect with conflicts
• Misconceptions about Ir*n, Isr*el, and global security
• How narratives can shape public opinion and foreign policy
• The legal and ethical dimensions governments rely on
• What listeners should question when consuming geopolitical news

Whether you’re a student of international relations, media critic, policy professional, or geopolitics enthusiast, this episode offers a thoughtful, law‑based perspective beyond the headlines.

Timestamps:

Follow Faisal Kutty:
Website: https://www.faisalkutty.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themuslimlawyer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalkutty/

Follow Umer Farooque & The Path We Choose (TPWC):
Website:https://thepathwechoose.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/umerfarooquee/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mumerfarooque/
TPWC Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thepathwechoosee/

Subscribe to The Path We Choose for deep conversations on geopolitics, international law, media narratives, human rights, and global leadership.

What if the dream job you've been chasing isn't the destination at all, but just another chapter in a much bigger story?

In this powerful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with former Google leader Kareem Elsayed for an intimate conversation about faith, entrusting outcomes to God, and what it really means to find purpose beyond prestige.

This conversation begins with a profound reframe: the difference between trusting and entrusting. While trust can feel passive, entrusting is an active daily practice of doing everything you can and then surrendering the results. Kareem unpacks how this mindset shift transforms how we face adversity, success, and even global tragedy. From the genocide in Gaza to personal career struggles, he explores how a broader spiritual lens on this life and the afterlife offers strength, patience, and meaning in the face of suffering.

Then the conversation shifts to Kareem's journey inside one of the most coveted companies in the world: Google. He shares what it was like to work at a place most professionals dream of, complete with nap pods, world class perks, access to thought leaders like Brené Brown and Carol Dweck, and a salary he never imagined possible. But beneath the surface of achievement, something began to shift. As the company evolved from a mission driven organization to one focused on maximizing shareholder value, Kareem found himself asking a deeper question: What am I really doing here?

This episode explores the tension between external success and internal alignment, the courage it takes to question a life that looks perfect on paper, and why meaning and purpose cannot be outsourced to a job title, no matter how impressive.

If you follow conversations from podcasts like The Diary of a CEO, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, The Tim Ferriss Show, or insights from authors like Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, Cal Newport, and James Clear, this episode offers grounded, faith informed wisdom on career transitions, spiritual resilience, high performance culture, and redefining success beyond status.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The difference between trusting and entrusting and why it matters
• How a spiritual lens on suffering offers strength and patience
• What it was really like working at Google during its golden era
• Why landing a dream job doesn't guarantee fulfillment
• How corporate culture shifts when mission takes a backseat to profit
• The internal questions that signal it's time for a change
• Why meaning and purpose must come from within, not from your employer

What if life's greatest lessons aren't found in the destinations we plan, but in the breakdowns we never saw coming?

In this powerful clip from The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque explores one of life's most profound truths: the gap between our plans and reality. Through a compelling story about a cross-country journey where everything that could go wrong did go wrong, this conversation unpacks what it means to find meaning in chaos, resilience in setbacks, and wisdom in the moments we least expect.

This clip dives deep into the art of living without rigid control, the power of presence, and why the best parts of life often happen when we stop trying to force outcomes. From broken transmissions to broken expectations, this is a conversation about embracing uncertainty, trusting the process, and learning to laugh when life reminds us that we're not in charge.

If you follow thought leaders like Matthew McConaughey, Jay Shetty, Brené Brown, or Simon Sinek, this clip offers grounded, philosophical insights on resilience, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and the courage to let life unfold on its own terms.

I Reinvented Myself 30 Times: The Art of Personal Transformation | David Herman | TPWC

What does it really take to reinvent yourself over and over again?

In this powerful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque speaks with entrepreneur and sales leader David Herman, also known as “Sweet Dave,” about the reality of personal transformation, career reinvention, and building a meaningful life across decades of change.

Over the past 40+ years, Dave has reinvented himself more than 30 times — working across industries, building high-performing sales teams, and navigating multiple career pivots. His journey challenges the traditional idea of a linear career path and instead highlights the power of adaptability, resilience, and lifelong reinvention.

This conversation explores why the ability to reinvent yourself may be one of the most important skills for success in today’s world especially for professionals navigating career transitions, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.

If you follow powerful conversations from top North American podcasts like The Diary of a CEO, The Tim Ferriss Show, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, or insights from authors like Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Adam Grant, and Ryan Holiday, this episode offers valuable perspectives on leadership, mindset, resilience, and identity transformation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the ability to reinvent yourself is critical in modern careers
• The biggest mistake professionals make when chasing money over purpose
• How authentic leadership builds stronger relationships and opportunities
• Why kindness, empathy, and trust create long-term success
• The mindset required for career reinvention and personal transformation
• How resilience helps you navigate career setbacks and life challenges
• Why life rarely follows a straight path and why that can be your biggest advantage

Whether you're an entrepreneur, corporate professional, sales leader, or someone considering a major career change, Dave’s story offers powerful lessons on reinvention, growth, and building a purpose-driven life.

Follow Dave (“Sweet Dave”):
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweetdave/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetdave/

Follow Umer Farooque & The Path We Choose (TPWC):
Website: https://thepathwechoose.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umerfarooquee/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mumerfarooque/
TPWC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepathwechoosee/

Subscribe to The Path We Choose (TPWC) for deeper conversations on reinventing yourself, leadership psychology, career transitions, entrepreneurship, personal growth, resilience, and purpose-driven success.

What if the biggest obstacle standing between you and your goals isn't external, it's you?

In this powerful clip from The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque continues his conversation with Maleeha Shahid, Deputy Mayor of Whitby, Ontario, as she unpacks one of the most profound leadership philosophies: following your values instead of chasing rigid goals.

Maleeha shares how her journey into public service wasn't driven by a master plan or a predetermined destination, it was guided by green lights, a concept inspired by Matthew McConaughey's philosophy of embracing opportunities that align with your core values. From knocking on doors as a first-time political candidate to overcoming the fear of public judgment, Maleeha reveals how clarity around kindness and compassion became her compass through uncertainty, rejection, and self-doubt.

This conversation goes beyond politics. It explores how self-imposed obstacles, fear of criticism, and the pressure of perfectionism hold so many of us back from starting whether that's launching a podcast, writing a book, running for office, or simply showing up authentically in life. Maleeha opens up about sitting on her podcast idea for weeks, hesitating to share her book with her own husband, and learning to embrace the reality that not everyone will be your cup of tea and that's perfectly okay.

If you follow thought leaders like Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Jay Shetty, or Matthew McConaughey, this clip offers grounded, values-driven insights on leadership, personal growth, immigrant resilience, and the courage required to live authentically in a world full of opinions.

From Pakistani Immigrant to Canada’s Deputy Mayor: Maleeha Shahid’s Leadership Journey | TPWC

How does a Pakistani immigrant rise to become a Deputy Mayor in Canada?

In this powerful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Maleeha Shahid, the Deputy Mayor of Whitby, Ontario, public servant, leadership coach, and author. Her journey from arriving in Canada as an immigrant to stepping into public leadership is a story of resilience, courage, and purpose-driven leadership.

Maleeha moved to Canada from Pakistan more than two decades ago in search of opportunity. What began as an immigrant journey soon evolved into a life dedicated to community service, civic leadership, and public impact. Today, she represents her community while advocating for inclusion, leadership development, and stronger immigrant representation in Canadian public life.

This conversation explores the immigrant experience in North America, breaking cultural expectations, building confidence in a new country, and the courage required to step into political leadership and public service.

If you follow leadership and personal development conversations from podcasts like The Diary of a CEO, The Tim Ferriss Show, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, or authors like Brené Brown, Simon Sinek, and Adam Grant, this episode offers powerful insights into identity, resilience, immigrant success, and purpose-driven leadership.

This episode is essential for:

• The mindset required to start over as an immigrant in Canada
• How Pakistani immigrants can build confidence and opportunity in North America
• The real challenges of stepping into public leadership and politics
• Why values-driven leadership matters more than having a perfect plan
• The role of compassion, empathy, and service in leadership
• How setbacks can create unexpected personal growth and resilience
• What true success means beyond titles, power, and recognition

Chapters:

Whether you're an immigrant professional, community leader, entrepreneur, or someone navigating a new chapter in life, this conversation offers meaningful insights on leadership, resilience, civic service, and building a purposeful life in Canada.

Follow Maleeha Shahid:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CouncillorMaleehaShahid/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maleehashahid_/

Follow Umer Farooque & The Path We Choose (TPWC):
Website: https://thepathwechoose.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umerfarooquee/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mumerfarooque/
TPWC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepathwechoosee/

Subscribe to The Path We Choose (TPWC) for deeper conversations on immigrant success stories, leadership psychology, North American careers, personal growth, resilience, and purpose-driven life journeys.

What if the key to overcoming life's biggest challenges isn't about controlling the outcome but mastering your response to it?

In this powerful clip from The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque explores one of the most misunderstood concepts in personal growth: the balance between faith, effort, and surrender. This conversation dives deep into the psychology of control, emotional release, and how to navigate life's obstacles without burning out or giving up.

Through a compelling personal story and practical wisdom, this clip unpacks why doing nothing in the name of faith is actually giving up on agency, how emotions are physical experiences that need to be processed, and why focusing on the process—not just the outcome is essential for long-term success and fulfillment.

If you follow thought leaders like Jay Shetty, Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, or Steven Bartlett, this clip offers grounded, faith-informed insights that align with modern conversations around resilience, mental health, personal responsibility, and spiritual growth.

Why I Left Google: From Dream Tech Job to Finding Purpose | Kareem Elsayed

Why would someone leave a high-paying job at Google?

In this powerful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), Umer Farooque speaks with former Google leader Kareem Elsayed about why he walked away from a dream tech career and what success really costs behind the scenes.

After nearly a decade inside Big Tech, Kareem had what many professionals across North America strive for: prestige, stability, financial security, and rapid career growth. But achievement didn’t equal alignment. In this conversation, he reveals the truth about corporate burnout, high-performance culture, identity loss, and the psychological pressure inside elite Silicon Valley work environments.

If you follow conversations like The Diary of a CEO, The Tim Ferriss Show, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, or insights from authors like Brené Brown, Adam Grant, Cal Newport, and Simon Sinek, this episode dives deep into modern discussions around purpose-driven careers, leadership psychology, nervous system regulation, and redefining success.

This episode is essential for:

• Google employees & tech professionals
• Corporate leaders and high performers
• Entrepreneurs & startup founders
• Professionals navigating career transitions
• Anyone questioning their life after corporate success

• Why landing a dream job at Google doesn’t guarantee fulfillment
• The hidden reality of burnout in tech
• How trauma and high achievement are often connected
• Why high performers struggle with slowing down
• The tension between faith and ambition
• How to rebuild identity after leaving a prestigious corporate career
• What sustainable success really looks like

Chapters:

Whether you're navigating a tech career, facing corporate burnout, or exploring a purpose-driven life, this conversation offers clarity on leaving Big Tech and redefining success beyond status.

Follow Kareem Elsayed:
https://www.kareemelsayed.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemelsayed/
https://www.instagram.com/itskareemelsayed 

Follow Umer Farooque & The Path We Choose (TPWC):
Website: https://thepathwechoose.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umerfarooquee/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mumerfarooque/
TPWC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepathwechoosee/

Subscribe to The Path We Choose (TPWC) for deeper conversations on tech careers, Big Tech burnout, corporate leadership, career transitions, leadership psychology, faith-driven growth, high-performance mindset, and building a purpose-driven life after corporate success.

What separates good coaches from truly great ones? It's not just strategy or tactics—it's the ability to listen, communicate, and see beyond the game.

In this clip of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque continues his conversation with veteran soccer coach, broadcaster, and author Glenn Crooks, diving deep into the human side of coaching: communication, leadership, and the power of listening.

With five decades of experience in competitive soccer, Glenn shares personal stories from his coaching career—moments when he got it wrong, lessons he learned the hard way, and the evolution of his leadership style. From blindsiding a player by not naming her captain, to learning that preparation without communication creates confusion, Glenn opens up about the mistakes that shaped him into a better coach and leader.

This conversation goes far beyond soccer. It explores how body language reveals everything, why repetition beats variety when mastering a skill, and how listening—not just hearing—is the foundation of effective leadership in any field.