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.

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