The Ismaili Connection

Latif Nasser is a storyteller who is always curious about the world around him. He's a science journalist, a podcaster, host of Radiolab, and hosts his own traveling science show on Netflix called Connected. On this episode, Latif takes us through the journey that led him to where he is today, from growing up in Canada, attending boarding school at 16, and studying at Ivy Leagues in the U.S. He also details the challenges and opportunities that he encountered on the way, and shares advice for those looking to pursue journalism.

How to Find Stories via Latif Nasser 

The Other Latif Podcast

Connected On Netflix

Radiolab Podcast

Transcript

Latif Nasser is a storyteller who is always curious about the world around him. He's a science journalist, a podcaster, host of Radiolab, and hosts his own traveling science show on Netflix called Connected. On the show, he's on a mission to make science accessible, and showcase the connections in our everyday lives that span across the globe, from poop to dust to clouds. In this episode of the Ismaili Connection, Latif takes us on his journey through filming Connected, including his adventures from the Sahara Desert to the Amazon Rainforest, the behind-the-scenes effort of the entire production team, and experiencing once-in-a-lifetime moments. Latif also shares his experience working on a podcast series called The Other Latif, where he followed the story of a Guantanamo Bay detainee who shares his name. On the homefront, Latif discusses how his mixed-faith family upholds their connected values while balancing everyday parenting.

How to Find Stories via Latif Nasser 

The Other Latif Podcast

Connected On Netflix

Radiolab Podcast

Transcript

The Ismaili Connection podcast is going on a short hiatus during this holiday season and through the start of the new year. We’re taking a quick breather to recharge after this tumultuous year, find more compelling stories, and work on some new and exciting episode formats. In the meantime, stay tuned by following the Ismaili Professionals Network on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. We’ll be back before you know it.

Shawn Lopez wears many hats. He’s a father, an ice hockey coach, a stem cell researcher at UCLA, and a joint mobility specialist who just started his own company during the Covid-19 pandemic. But his roles and responsibilities don’t stop there. He also helps out with a youth program through the LA Kings, has partnerships in the works with Netflix and Hulu,  and volunteers to help seniors within his community. He credits his mom for teaching him to practice visualization and make his goals a reality, chats about how he started his business without prior experience, and expands on how he created opportunities for himself. 

Ghalib Kassam is the chief information officer at the Los Angeles Times, where he’s responsible for leading the news organization’s digital, data, and technology transitions. His past is a remarkable one: He was born in Burundi, raised in Pakistan, and educated in London and the U.S. And when attending Grand Valley State University in Michigan, he left his career up to chance, choosing to major in data processing at the last minute when flipping through a catalog. Ghalib dives deep into his childhood, reminiscing about growing up in Pakistan with a large extended family and discovering himself through his teenage years in London. He also talks about the power of networking, how he landed his job while volunteering as security during Diamond Jubilee for His Highness the Aga Khan, the importance of giving back, and the struggles the media industry faces.

Ghalib Kassam is the chief information officer at the Los Angeles Times, where he’s responsible for leading the news organization’s digital, data, and technology transitions. His past is a remarkable one: He was born in Burundi, raised in Pakistan, and educated in London and the U.S. And when attending Grand Valley State University in Michigan, he left his career up to chance, choosing to major in data processing at the last minute when flipping through a catalog. Ghalib dives deep into his childhood, reminiscing about growing up in Pakistan with a large extended family and discovering himself through his teenage years in London. He also talks about the power of networking, how he landed his job while volunteering as security during Diamond Jubilee for His Highness the Aga Khan, the importance of giving back, and the struggles the media industry faces.

At 25 years old, Danish Dhamani is his own boss. He runs a startup tech company out of Philadelphia. He co-founded a public-speaking app called Orai about four years ago with his then Drexel University roommate, Paritosh Gupta. Orai has now landed deals with big businesses, including IBM and HP. The idea stemmed from a personal problem Danish had: He was scared of public speaking as a foreigner in the U.S. Born in Pakistan and raised in Tanzania, Danish shares about his life before coming to the U.S., including how his family would walk miles just to do groceries, and how those experiences informed his entrepreneurial spirit and taught him the importance of money and the power of helping others. 

Dr. Rozina Lakhani, a Seattle-based psychiatrist, speaker, and author, shares wellness techniques to help you cope with everyday stress and battle burnout, like filling our “emotional coping accounts” with joyful activities—whether that’s walking in a park or watching classic movies. Dr. Lakhani also opens up about a severe car accident that left her with screws in her right hand and how that experience was the catalyst for her calling in life.

Corporate media mogul by day and comedian by night, Shereen Kassam calls herself a “creative hustler.” That’s because the comedian is also an actress and runs her own podcast called the Creative Breakthrough, which highlights artists and other creative entrepreneurs.

She began her career in comedy under the disguise Funny Brown Girl, way before her parents found out about her side gig that turned into a major part of her identity. She talks about how she went from following her parents’ dreams of being a businesswoman to fulfilling her own passions and building a balanced life of stability and happiness.

She opens up about heated encounters as a Muslim comedian,  how her relationship with her parents went through shaky times, and how comparison on social media is the thief of joy.

The Ismaili Professionals Network presents its first podcast: The Ismaili Connection. We'll speak with professionals from all walks of life and across all industries to bring you compelling stories about their career journeys. We'll laugh. We'll learn. And we'll connect.

Episode 1 will be available in the coming weeks. If you have someone who you think should be interviewed by us, email us at ipnpodcast@ipnonline.net.

For more info about IPN, visit IPNOnline.net.