UIF Community Podcast

Are you doing enough today to set your child up for college success tomorrow?   In this episode of the UIF Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Salman Khan to explore what Muslim families need to know about preparing for college in today’s competitive landscape.   From building a strong academic and extracurricular profile to maximizing scholarships and financial aid, Dr. Khan shares practical steps fami...

Building wealth is only half the equation… the real question is: Will it be protected, preserved, and passed on the way you intend? In Part 2 of our UIF Community Podcast with Sr. Fahmin Fardous, we shift the focus from building wealth to something even more critical — protecting it and planning for what comes next. Joined again by Aijaz Hussain, this episode dives into the questions many people a...

What does it take to build lasting wealth and achieve your retirement goals—the kind that supports your family, protects your future, and leaves a meaningful legacy? In this episode, we sit down with Sr. Fahmin Fardous, a Certified Financial Planner with a refreshing perspective on money, behavior, and legacy-building. The conversation goes beyond the basics and addresses the real questions many f...

Ramadan is entering its most important phase — the last ten nights, when believers seek the immense blessings of Laylatul Qadr and strive to maximize their worship, charity, and spiritual growth. In this episode, we’re joined by Shaykh Saad Haque (Resident Scholar at UIF) and Wesam Berjaoui (VP Sales, Eastern Region) to discuss how Muslims can make the most of these final nights of Ramadan and how...

Feeling like Ramadan snuck up on you this year? You’re not alone—and this episode is for you. In this special Ramadan edition of the UIF Community Podcast, we’re joined by Shaykh Saad Haque, a Mufti, Islamic scholar, and Imam serving the Virginia community for the past seven years. With over 13 years of formal Islamic education—including advanced studies in New York and South Africa—Shaykh Saad br...

On this episode our hosts discuss their favorite podcasts from 2025.  While there was plenty to choose from, they discussed 6 episodes that were most impactful in their opinion.  Bottom line, we’re hitting pause to reflect, rewind, and revisit the moments that mattered most. In case you missed some of them, this is a great way to preview our favorite podcast episodes from last year.   But first, w...

In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we sit down with Farhan Ahmed, founder of Ihsan Coaching, an online coaching and therapy platform serving the Muslim community worldwide. https://ihsancoaching.com/   Farhan brings a unique blend of clinical training, practical tools, and faith-centered guidance to help individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s most meaningful challenges. Our...

In this episode, we have the distinct privilege of chatting with Dr. Yaqub Mirza, a physicist, entrepreneur, author, and an insightful leader whose impactful work deserves broader recognition. Dr. Mirza’s co-founded the private equity firm Sterling Management Group, investing millions in business ventures globally, and making a significant mark on Islamic institutions through his generous support...

In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we chat with Dr. Saamer Siddiqi — a physician, entrepreneur, and founder of LIVEMED Telehealth, a fast-growing virtual healthcare company transforming how patients access care across the country.   Dr. Siddiqi shares his journey from long hospital shifts in Chicagoland to launching a tech-driven healthcare startup — and the mindset shifts, lessons, and...

In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, our hosts discuss some lessons we can all learn from Chick-fil-A’s uber successful business model. Using insights from the book "Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A" and other resources, your hosts explore practical ideas on building a customer-first culture and creating long-term loyalty in a competitive market.   The conversation starts with Chick fil-A's ea...

In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we’re joined by two special guests; IL State Representative, Nabeela Syed & Community Activist Attorney, Faiyaz Hussain. If you want to learn how to impact our communities (politically speaking), this is must listen! At the tender age of 22, Nabeela flipped one of the Republican districts in the IL State Senate race.  She comfortably beat a Republi...

How do you go from zero properties owned to managing over 320 units and $95 million in real estate assets—all while staying true to your values? In Episode 16 of the UIF Community Podcast, we sit down with Sirai Farah, a rising real estate investor who shares her journey into the world of wholesaling, multifamily acquisitions, and building strong relationships with investors. Whether you're just g...

On this podcast episode we are super excited to bring you a conversation with Br. Habeeb Quadri.    Habeeb is an acclaimed educator and community leader recognized for his outstanding contributions both locally and internationally.  He was honored with the prestigious National Principal Award in 2019.  Habeeb has conducted over 1,000 seminars on topics such as ethical leadership, social-emotional...

What does it mean to be truly productive while staying grounded in faith? In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we sit down with Mohammed Faris, the founder of  The Productive Muslim Company  and one of the Top 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World. As an internationally recognized coach, speaker, and author, Mohammed has helped thousands of professionals, entrepreneurs, and students i...

We are excited to drop our newest podcast with a celebrity guest. In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome an extraordinary human being whose story exemplifies resilience, courage, and the power of conviction - former NBA star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Mahmoud’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. From growing up in a rough neighborhood in Mississippi, to becoming a standout college basketball pla...

As-Salaam Alaikum & Happy New Year Friends! We are excited to launch the 11th episode of our UIF Community Podcast. In this episode we chat with a very successful attorney & community activist, Furqan Mohammed.  Our goal is to interview and learn from interesting community members who can add value to our lives.  Furqan definitely checks these boxes for us!  After covering Furqan's journey...

Have you ever wondered what separates great leaders from the rest? Why do some people naturally inspire trust, influence others effortlessly, and lead teams to extraordinary achievements? Well wonder no more... on this episode of our podcast, we review the book "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" a NY time bestseller from the famed author John Maxwell.   You too can become a very effective leader...

We are excited to launch our newest podcast episode based on one of our favorite books of all time, Delivering Happiness.  The book discusses how to build a successful business, provide world class service, and create a culture that is admired by customers and competitors alike.  The speakers share their personal experiences as they go through the book's main points and how UIF has incorporated ma...

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest podcast episode, The Future of Money.  In this episode we discussed the main ideas from the highly acclaimed, best-selling book, The Future of Money by Cornell University Professor and finance Guru, Eswar Prasad.  We also invited Ali Hassan, a crypto-currency Hedge Fund Manager to share his thoughts on this topic.  We covered a wide range of issu...

We are excited to launch our newest podcast episode based on one of the BEST books on Leadership and Business strategies. The book is Good to Great. This book hopes to answer one question... Why some companies make a leap from Good to Great while many others in the same industry don't? The principles and best ideas from this book are examined in this episode using practical examples and case studi...

On this episode we speak to Farrah Ali, an author, business coach and highly successful Real Estate investor.  Her story will be an inspiration to all as she shares her life journey from a divorced mother of two kids (with $80,000 in debt), to now a successful investor owning over 50 properties in less than 10 years. Farrah shares some of her success tactics and wisdom on how she has built a mini...

On this episode we review the New York Times best-selling book "Richer, Wiser, Happier. How the world's greatest investors win in markets and in life."  Join our hosts as they discuss not only investing and success strategies from this book, but also life experiences that can bring you joy and fulfillment. At the end of the day, we all want to be Richer, Wiser and Happier... why not start today by...

In episode 4 of the UIF Community Podcast, we discuss the NY Times Best Selling Book Atomic Habits.  Please listen and share as this podcast could impact your life in a very meaningful way if some of its ideas & wisdom can be implemented soon.  The hosts discuss why good or harmful habits play a significant role in shaping the trajectory of our lives.    Practical tips are shared that can make...

In Episode 3 of the UIF Community Podcast, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of Lululemon Athletica.  We discuss the humble beginnings of Lululemon as a women's yoga pants retailer to a global lifestyle brand today! Studying successful businesses helps us become better entrepreneurs ourselves. By analyzing Lululemon’s business strategy, we gain valuable insight into what it takes to launch, grow...

In this insightful episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we first discuss the impact of the recent FTC ruling banning Employee Non-Compete agreements.  We then dive into Morgan Housel's acclaimed book, The Psychology of Money. Join us as we unravel the nuances of financial success, exploring the critical differences between the skillset required to make money versus the discipline needed to keep i...