The Path We Choose

Is the Quran enough on its own, or can it never be separated from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? In this episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Sheraz Butt for a deep conversation on faith, the Quran, Sunnah, social media da’wah, and the way Islam is understood today. Sheraz explains why he believes there is a growing mindset trying to separate the Quran fro...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Sahil Adeem to explore how Allah’s chosen path for us often diverges from the world’s expectations. Sahil dives deep into why most people simply follow the crowd while the rare thinkers—less than 1%—shape generations through independent thought, faith, and purpose. The conversation uncovers how human...

This episode is proudly presented by Ketkoot Iraqi Chargrilled Chicken! The go-to spot for bold Iraqi grilled chicken, whole chicken feasts, and delicious community meals in Mississauga and beyond. https://linktr.ee/ketkoot Apply for Shahrez's Inner Circle Mentorship Program: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12Ruwll04qJ-y5y7YfWpnCToaDSo39jWRWVjzXgIsUBM/viewform?edit_requested=true What if absolute...

This episode is proudly presented by Ketkoot Iraqi Chargrilled Chicken! The go-to spot for bold Iraqi grilled chicken, whole chicken feasts, and delicious community meals in Mississauga and beyond. https://linktr.ee/ketkoot How do you go from starting with nothing in a new country to leading global teams at some of the world’s largest companies? In this episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host U...

This episode is proudly presented by Ketkoot Iraqi Chargrilled Chicken! The go-to spot for bold Iraqi grilled chicken, whole chicken feasts, and delicious community meals in Mississauga and beyond. https://linktr.ee/ketkoot Apply for Shahrez's Inner Circle Mentorship Program: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12Ruwll04qJ-y5y7YfWpnCToaDSo39jWRWVjzXgIsUBM/viewform?edit_requested=true How do we navigat...

Why do we spend years in school learning facts, but never learn the skills that actually lead to success? In this episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Hussein Farhat and Shahrez Hayder to explore the real lessons school never taught — about mindset, discipline, personal growth, and navigating life beyond grades. They discuss why traditional education misses the s...

This episode is proudly presented by Ketkoot Iraqi Chargrilled Chicken! The go-to spot for bold Iraqi grilled chicken, whole chicken feasts, and delicious community meals in Mississauga and beyond. https://linktr.ee/ketkoot Why does working yourself to exhaustion sometimes keep you stuck in the exact same place? Why does chasing success feel like pushing opposing magnets together? In this episode...

He Got Tired of Waiting, So He Fixed Montreal Himself | Saad Tekiout & Shahrez Hayder In this episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Saad Tekiout and Shahrez Hayder to explore the story behind the Montreal man who went viral for fixing potholes across the city himself. What started as one simple act of service quickly became something much bigger. Saad began repair...

Why "Knowing" Islam Isn’t Changing Your Life | Muhammad Al-Ubaidy & Shahrez Hayder Why do so many people have faith and belief but still struggle to take action? In this powerful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Muhammad Al-Ubaidy and Shahrez Hayder to explore the real gap between faith, discipline, and consistent action. This conversation breaks down why peo...

Shahrez Hayder on Women Psychology, Attraction & Relationship Dynamics Why do women test men in relationships and what does it really mean? In this powerful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Shahrez Hayder to break down the psychology behind attraction, relationship dynamics, and behavioral patterns between men and women. This conversation explores why women o...

You’ve Been Programmed Since Birth | Dr. Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui Are your thoughts and behaviors shaped by subconscious programming you don’t even realize? In this episode, Dr. Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui explains how the mind is conditioned from an early age and how that programming influences beliefs, habits, emotions, and life decisions. The conversation explores why people repeat patterns, how...

In this powerful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with Shahrez Hayder to break down a truth most people misunderstand: Feeling stuck is not failure. It’s a test. This conversation dives into why people feel trapped in their careers, relationships, or personal growth journeys—and how these moments are actually shaping a stronger mindset, clearer direction, and deep...

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 responsibili...

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 brea...

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 w...

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...

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 meaning...

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...

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 immi...

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, an...

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 m...

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 listen...

50 Years of Coaching Wisdom: Leadership, Football Strategy & Player Development | Glenn Crooks What does 50 years of elite football coaching teach you about leadership, mindset, and building winning teams? In this powerful episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque speaks with veteran soccer coach, broadcaster, and author Glenn Crooks about high-performance coaching, player developme...

In this clip of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with burnout recovery expert, speaker, and author Cait Donovan to unpack the growing burnout epidemic affecting professionals across North America. This conversation explores the real causes of burnout, how chronic workplace stress impacts the nervous system, and why burnout is not just a mental health issue but a physical and...

The Burnout Epidemic Explained: Causes, Recovery & Workplace Mental Health | Cait Donovan In this episode of The Path We Choose (TPWC), host Umer Farooque sits down with burnout recovery expert, speaker, and author Cait Donovan to unpack the growing burnout epidemic affecting professionals across North America. This conversation explores the real causes of burnout, how chronic workplace stress imp...