Talha Ahad Podcast

Wall Street dream? Shattered. TV channel? Shut down. Business? Rebuilt from scratch. In this week's episode, Faizan Sadi Syed, Founder of East River, shares his journey from Wall Street to building one of the most agile creative agencies in the region. This episode dives into the future of advertising, the broken agency model, creators driven by ego, and how AI is reshaping the game. This conv...

Tobacco has been part of human history for millennia, but what if science could rewrite its future? In this episode, Dr. James Murphy, Director of Research & Science at British American Tobacco, walks us through the data, debates, and decisions behind BAT’s global shift from cigarettes to safer, smokeless alternatives. We talk about nicotine, regulation, Pakistan’s strategic role, and whether...

Money, meaning, and messy relationships. What happens when Gen Z’s emotional intensity meets Millennial realism? In this roundtable, ‪Usman Asif, Founder and CEO of ‪Devsinc, Usra Murtaza, Community Builder at Minerva, and Esha Kirmani, Author, Entrepreneur, and NLP Coach, dive deep into money, healing, ego, identity, and what it really takes to live well in a world that’s burning out fast. Search...

Behind every container at Pakistan’s border is a system you never see and a story you’ve never heard. In this episode, Syed Aftab Haider, CEO of Pakistan Single Window, unpacks the hard truths behind smuggling, broken coordination, and resistance to reform. From digital customs to a future where import/export happens at your fingertips, this isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about power, politics,...

What does it really take to build wealth in Pakistan? In this episode, Abdul Rehman Najam, Founder & CEO of ARN Financials, shares his story, from his early fascination with mental maths, working shifts at Pizza Hut in the UK, to becoming one of Pakistan’s leading advocates for long-term stock investing. He talks about overcoming the fear of investing, the misconceptions around real estate, an...

False flag operations, media warfare, and deepening internal rifts, former Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar takes us inside the battles Pakistan is fighting today: on its borders, within its institutions, and across the national imagination. As global attention stays fixated on Gaza, a new geopolitical standoff may already be brewing across Kashmir and Balochistan. Add to that the unce...

Is now the right time to invest in Pakistan’s real estate? Naeem Abbas Warraich, Director Sales & Marketing at Park View City, says yes and explains why. From boom-bust cycles to visionary planning, here’s what you need to know before investing your life savings. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #...

What if someone could see through your energy, your emotions, your soul before you even spoke? Alizay Rahman can. A clairvoyant, energy reader, and life coach, she joins us for a conversation on spirit realms, childhood visions, and the burden of knowing too much. From the trauma of being misunderstood to the thrill of spiritual connection, this episode isn’t just a story; it’s a shift in consciou...

What does it really mean to lead in 2025, and are we ready for what leadership now demands? Helen Brand has led ACCA as its Global CEO for over 16 years. Ayla Majid, the first Pakistani and South Asian to serve as Global President, brings bold energy and governance experience to the table. Together, they explore how leadership must evolve from hierarchical models to collaborative, multigenerationa...

After battling depression and insomnia, Naveed Kiani didn’t just recover, he transformed. Now a certified Life Coach and Hypnotherapist in Australia, he shares how hypnotherapy helped him reconnect with himself and find purpose. In this episode, we unpack what hypnosis really is (and isn’t), how the subconscious holds our deepest patterns, and why true healing begins with letting go of what no lon...

What happens when faith, fitness, and mental health collide? In this episode, Dr. Waseem Ullah Shaheen shares his journey from anxiety and physical transformation to discovering the teachings of Wasif Ali Wasif. We talk about grief, spiritual growth, Gen Z, Tasawwuf, self-love, and why emotional healing matters just as much as physical health. If you’re overwhelmed, seeking clarity, or just starti...

What drives an overseas Pakistani to leave behind comfort and invest in the chaos? In this conversation, Chaudhry Ayaz, CEO of Panther Group USA, walks us through his raw and inspiring journey, starting from cleaning floors at gas stations to running a multimillion-dollar business in the US.But the real story is in what brought him back. Ayaz shares why the Pakistani diaspora still feels deeply co...

Behind every bite is a battle you don’t see. What keeps a food business alive in a city where loyalty is low, margins are thinner, and every other day, a new place opens? This roundtable brings together the minds behind Chattha’s, Wrap Lab, and Coffee Mistry. Find out what goes into the grind of keeping it all running with Waqar Chattha, Usman Shehzad, and Junaid Sandhu. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast...

Why can’t Pakistan fix its economy? In this episode of The Talha Ahad Podcast, leading economist Sakib Sherani unpacks the deep-rooted causes of Pakistan’s financial instability, from the illusion of GDP growth to the grip of elite capture, IMF dependency, hidden defaults, and why the system is built to benefit a few at the cost of many. We discuss: ➡️ Is Pakistan already in default? ➡️ How elite...

Is Pakistan’s digital space evolving, or are we just louder, not better? From viral content to cultural commentary, we’ve seen a boom in creators. But has the quality grown with the numbers? In this episode, we sit down with content creator Raza Samo to talk about:➡️ The rise of YouTube post-ban and Pakistan’s content explosion.➡️ Why satire and social commentary still matter?➡️ The crisis of iden...

Can Pakistan fix its economy, or are we stuck for good? For years, we’ve blamed governments, corruption, and inflation. But what if the real problems and solutions lie somewhere else? In this episode, we sit down with Khurram Schehzad, Advisor to the Ministry of Finance and former private sector executive, to discuss: ➡️ Why did he leave his business career to join the government? ➡️ The truth abo...

Step into the realities of Pakistan’s entertainment industry with Meher Jaffri, Rabya Kulsoom, Noreen Gulwani, and Anzela Abbasi as they unpack what it really means to be an actor in today’s TV landscape. From low pay and lack of royalties to toxic sets, censorship, and the absence of unions, this roundtable reveals the cost of staying creative in a system that often fails its talent. Search ‘Talh...

In this episode of the Talha Ahad Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Naveed Arshad, Director of the LUMS Energy Institute (LEI) and a leading expert in energy systems and sustainable technology. He breaks down Pakistan’s EV landscape, charging infrastructure, and the future of clean mobility. Key topics discussed: ✅ The state of EV adoption in Pakistan ✅ Home vs. Public Charging – What’s practical?...

With rising electricity costs and evolving government policies, is solar energy still a smart investment in Pakistan? In this episode, Shams Kapadia, CEO of  Cosmos Energies, breaks it down: ✅ Is solar still worth it? ROI, cost breakdown & long-term savings ✅ Government policies & net metering confusion – How they impact the solar market. ✅ Pakistan’s 2030 renewable energy targets – Are...

Join Hamza Bhatti‬, ‪Abdullah Maroof‬, and Noman Jaffar as they dive into the world of food content creation in this TAP Into Food Content Roundtable. From the obsession with food reels to the rivalry between Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore’s creator scenes, they break down what makes content go viral, the hustle behind influencer life, and why Ramadan is the ‘World Cup’ for bloggers. They get real...

Smuggling manipulated narratives, and hidden influences—Pakistan’s economy and public opinion are being shaped in ways most people don’t realise. In this episode, we sit down with Tariq Junaid, Executive Director of the Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR), to discuss; ➡️ The Business of Smuggling – How illegal trade, from tobacco to other goods, is costing Pakistan billions and evading tax...

How much oil & gas does Pakistan really have? For decades, we’ve heard stories of hidden reserves, energy independence, and booming potential, but what’s the reality? In this episode, we sit down with Habib Haider, Director, Corporate & Government Relations, Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited (Formerly Shell Pakistan Limited), & Nida Tanzeel, Social Performance Manager, Wafi Energy Pakistan...

They say food brings people together, but behind the scenes, it’s a war zone. Waqar Chattha exposes the harsh realities of Pakistan’s restaurant industry, including corrupt influencers, fake reviews, and customers who refuse to pay, all while struggling to survive in a collapsing economy. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #...

Tap into the world of digital fame with Muhammad Kashan, Daniyal Sheikh, Azlan Shah and Mubeen Ul Haq as they share unfiltered insights on brand deals, creative struggles, and the evolution of Pakistan’s digital space. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #daniyalsheikh #muhammadkashan #azlanshah #mubeenulhaq

Teen anxiety, social media pressure, and the silent struggles we don’t talk about. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ambreen Ahmad, Child Psychiatrist, to discuss:➡️ How body image issues are affecting both boys and girls?➡️ Why childhood trauma never really leaves us?➡️ The rising stress levels among teenagers and young adults.➡️ How therapy actually works—and why it’s still misunderstood?➡️...