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Muslimahs in Motion: Professional Pursuits

Muslimahs in Motion: Professional Pursuits

Written by: Hawa S.
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About this listen

Salaam and Welcome to "Muslimahs in Motion: Professional Pursuits"— A podcast about Muslim women building careers, balance, and barakah—one story at a time.


Let me introduce you to your new favorite podcast: where we're spilling the tea on what it really means to chase your dreams while staying true to your deen.

Picture this: Your girl Hawa S. sitting down for real, unfiltered convos with incredible Muslimah powerhouses who are out here literally changing the game! We're talking brilliant sisters in tech building the future, healthcare heroes saving lives, community builders creating spaces where we all belong, and turning their wildest business dreams into reality.

So, whether you're coding in your hijab, healing hearts in scrubs, or dreaming up the next big startup from your prayer mat - this podcast is YOUR space. Every episode feels like that late-night heart-to-heart with your most ambitious bestie, packed with the kind of wisdom you wish someone had shared with you earlier!


Think of "Muslimahs in Motion" as your weekly dose of inspiration, wrapped in sisterhood and sprinkled with practical advice that actually works in the real world. No gatekeeping here - just authentic conversations about what it really takes to make it while making a difference.

So grab your favorite warm bev, get cozy, and join our sisterhood of dreamers and doers. Together, we're not just breaking glass ceilings - we're building our own towers of success, one authentic story at a time.

Ready to feel inspired, supported, and totally seen? Let's make moves together, sis.

© 2025 Muslimahs in Motion: Professional Pursuits
Careers Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Success Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • How to Build Something When You Feel Like Nothing
    Jul 14 2025

    Want to Say Salaam or share a career tip ? Click here ! (It may be shared on our next episode!!)

    Salam sis,
    I know what it’s like to feel completely drained... like you’re showing up every day with nothing left to give. In this episode of Muslimahs in Motion, I’m sharing how I keep building even in those low-energy seasons.

    I’ll walk you through how I personally use time blocking and task batching to stay organized and protect my energy. I also open up about dealing with faux productivity: you know, when you’re busy all day but nothing actually moves forward?

    We’ll talk about:

    • What to do when you’re too tired to be "productive"
    • How focusing on one major goal at a time has helped me simplify my workflow
    • Why trusting Allah’s plan is the ultimate time management strategy
    • The shift from hustle to barakah-paced productivity

    If you’ve ever felt behind, burnt out, or just... stuck, this one's for you.

    Tune in for a faith-based, practical take on staying in motion—even when you feel like you’re running on empty.


    00:00 How to Build Something when you feel like nothing
    00:28 Introduction to Muslimahs in Motion
    01:34 Understanding Faux Productivity
    02:11 Time Blocking and Time Batching Explained
    04:59 Challenges of Sticking to a Schedule
    11:45 Seasons of Focus: A New Approach
    13:52 Building Habits and Prioritization
    19:38 Trusting the Process and Allah's Plan
    27:58 Practical Framework: The 1, 2, 3 Method
    35:58 Conclusion and Call to Action

    Take Break ! Stretch and whatnot and check out our Qahwa Collective !!

    Support the show

    Follow Us:
    IG & TikTok: @muslimahsinmotionpod

    Connect With Me:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmsylla/

    For More on our Podcast:
    https://mimpod.substack.com/

    Would you or someone you know like to share your story? Visit us on
    beacons.ai/muslimahsinmotion/ and fill out the form !

    Contribute to the Following Causes:

    • https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/democratic-republic-of-congo
    • https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/sudan
    • https://irusa.org/middle-east/palestine/

    All Melodies Used are vocals + percussion only

    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • Beyond Borders: A Nafisa's Journey Through Tech and Neuroscience
    Jun 29 2025

    Want to Say Salaam or share a career tip ? Click here ! (It may be shared on our next episode!!)

    You know that moment when you can quote every line from a movie but can't remember what you studied for tomorrow's exam? That exact frustration sparked Nafisa Bashar Anmul's journey into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and computer science.

    But this conversation goes way deeper than academic achievements. We're talking about standing at immigration gates thinking you're ready for anything, then needing a friend to walk you back to your dorm because navigating a new country at midnight hits different than expected.

    What we dive into:

    • Why breakthrough research takes forever to reach people who need it (and how she's changing that)
    • Building interactive hallway installations that help students decompress
    • The person who told her she'd never make it to university—and how that became fuel
    • Being an only child studying thousands of miles from home
    • Her favorite ayah that keeps her grounded when everything feels overwhelming

    Nafisa's reminder that stuck with me: "Don't give up—but know WHY you're not giving up. Find that reason and stick to it."

    She's living proof that you can master the technical stuff without losing sight of why you're doing it—to help people, to bridge gaps, to make technology accessible for researchers back home who are still working with outdated tools.

    This one's for us daughters our parents believed in before we had proof. For anyone building something meaningful while carrying the weight of representation.

    Connect with Nafisa: LinkedIn & Instagram: Nafisa Bashar Anmul


    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:35 Meet Nafisa: A Journey in Tech and Research

    01:15 Desert Island Picks: Nafisa's Essentials

    02:30 The Love for Reading: Pandemic Stories

    04:20 Exploring E-Devices for Reading

    07:07 Nafisa's Passion for Neuroscience and Tech

    10:44 Research and Project Management Experience

    19:13 Transition to Life in a New Country

    24:24 Experiencing the First Snow

    25:10 Challenges of Snowy Weather

    28:39 Adapting to a New Culture

    32:06 Seeking Help and Trusting Others

    37:28 Overcoming Doubts and Proving Yourself

    41:07 Advice for Future Generations

    45:09 Reflecting on Parental Support

    47:03 Favorite Quranic Verse and Conclusion

    Take Break ! Stretch and whatnot and check out our Qahwa Collective !!

    Support the show

    Follow Us:
    IG & TikTok: @muslimahsinmotionpod

    Connect With Me:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmsylla/

    For More on our Podcast:
    https://mimpod.substack.com/

    Would you or someone you know like to share your story? Visit us on
    beacons.ai/muslimahsinmotion/ and fill out the form !

    Contribute to the Following Causes:

    • https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/democratic-republic-of-congo
    • https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/sudan
    • https://irusa.org/middle-east/palestine/

    All Melodies Used are vocals + percussion only

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • From Student Job to Cybersecurity Superstar: Ayah's Guide to Breaking Cyber Barriers
    Jun 15 2025

    Want to Say Salaam or share a career tip ? Click here ! (It may be shared on our next episode!!)

    Ready to meet the tech mentor we all needed? Ayah Abdeldayem's journey from a curious college student to an international cybersecurity leader will make you rethink everything you thought was possible in tech. Through her infectious energy and real-talk approach, she's showing us how to turn those "I don't belong here" moments into "just watch me" victories.

    From crushing it at Lexmark with smart automation solutions to becoming one of America's most inspiring tech mentors, Ayah's keeping it real about the ups and downs of being a hijabi woman in tech. She's been there - from shaky hands during her first conference talk to now commanding international stages like she owns them. Whether you're dreaming of a tech career or looking to level up your cybersecurity game, Ayah's sharing all her secrets on building an authentic personal brand, staying safe online, and lifting others as you climb. Trust me, this is the kind of story that'll have you texting your sis saying, "Girl, we need to talk about this!"

    Find Ayah:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayah-abdeldayem/

    https://topmate.io/ayah

    https://substack.com/@ayahabdeldayem1

    https://medium.com/@ayahdayem03




    Take Break ! Stretch and whatnot and check out our Qahwa Collective !!

    Support the show

    Follow Us:
    IG & TikTok: @muslimahsinmotionpod

    Connect With Me:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmsylla/

    For More on our Podcast:
    https://mimpod.substack.com/

    Would you or someone you know like to share your story? Visit us on
    beacons.ai/muslimahsinmotion/ and fill out the form !

    Contribute to the Following Causes:

    • https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/democratic-republic-of-congo
    • https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/sudan
    • https://irusa.org/middle-east/palestine/

    All Melodies Used are vocals + percussion only

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
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