Podcasts about salman ahmad

We need a recovery of the sacred in our secular world. Because the mental, emotional, and psychological struggles haunting society right now can't be solved without addressing meaning, purpose, and the longing for connection to something beyond ourselves.In other words, spiritual health is an essential part of mental health.An attorney, religious scholar, and university chaplain, Dr. Varun Soni is Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, and is leading us back to our true north, through spacious and life-giving spiritual conversations and sacred practices that realign us to our values and identity.In this conversation with Varun Soni, we discuss:Finding the sacred in our secular culture.Religious pluralism and what it means to build trust that reaches across religious lines of difference.The transformative power of finding your “truth north”—your North Star—to orient our journeys of faith and spirituality.Varun shares six pillars of flourishing; how to align our actions with our values; and the benefit of listening to the cultural narratives and stories we tell.He reflects on the missing elements of spirituality in our understanding of mental health today, evidenced in his work with teens and emerging adults.He offers us a Hindu meditative practice to provide inner clarity, stability, and calm.And he comments on compassion and a cultivation sacred spiritual practices to counteract the loneliness, anguish, and suffering in our world.Show NotesDr. Pam King welcomes Varun Soni, Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at USCJourney from Hindu attorney to first Hindu Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life in the U.S.“What does it mean to be Indian? What does it mean to be Hindu? What does it mean to be American? What is this Indian American experience?”1965 Immigration and Naturalization ActInspired by grandfather's connection to Mahatma Gandhi“ What it meant to be Hindu was to be like Gandhi. What it meant to be Indian was to be like Gandhi. What it meant to live a meaningful life was to live like Gandhi.”“ I continued to study religion as a way of understanding myself.”Sitting with the Dalai Lama on Mahatma Gandhi's birthdayMentorship from the Dalai LamaDeepak Chopra's influence“Interfaith trust building”University ChaplaincyWhat is thriving to you?"Thriving is the alignment of purpose and practice—it's not about arriving, but about moving in the right direction."“What is my north star, and how do I get there?”Spiritual well-being about asking the right questions, not having all the answersReligion once provided meaning, rituals, and community—now young people seek new structures"What is sacred to you? If you can't answer that, you're drifting without a compass."The urgency of time when turning 50 years old“I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone anymore.”“Put the process before the answer.”6 pillars of thriving and well-being: diet, sleep, exercise, contemplative practice, emotional intelligence, connection to natureBasic physical pillars of thriving: Diet, Sleep, ExerciseSpiritual pillars of thriving: Contemplation, Emotional Intelligence, and Communing with NatureFinding what is sacred—faith, relationships, personal values51% of USC students non-religious, 80% spiritualRecord levels of loneliness, imposter syndrome, comparison culture“Not just a mental health crisis, but a spiritual health crisis.”Loss of intergenerational religious experiences—key protective factor against depression"We took away religion and replaced it with social media, then wondered why anxiety skyrocketed."Social media fuels disconnection rather than community"We weren't built for this much bad news. Our brains weren't designed to process global suffering 24/7."“There's no right way to do contemplative practice.”Find moments built into your dayExercise: So Hum breath meditation: Inhale “So,” exhale “Hum”Using meditation as a spiritual technology or tool"You are not your thoughts—you are the awareness behind them."Identity shaped by personal narrative—"If you don't like your story, rewrite it."Telling the story of who you will become"Every individual is the hero of their own journey, whether they realize it or not."Cultural mythology, from sacred texts to Marvel movies, reflects search for meaningSpirituality helps build redemptive life narratives“There power in being part of something bigger.”The Spiritual Child by Lisa Miller—research on spirituality and mental health"It's hard to hate the people you love—universities are one of the last places where people can learn to love each other across differences."Technology and mediated relationshipsWhat is sacred to you?"Gen Z's greatest superpower is empathy, but they've never been lonelier."Building protective factors for young peopleGratitude rituals shift focus from anxiety to appreciationCare, justice, and connectionMental Health CrisisMental Health and Spiritual HealthAwe-inspiring moments—nature, music, relationships—essential to well-being"Awe, wonder, and gratitude aren't luxuries—they're survival tools."“You can't doom-scroll your way to joy. Presence and connection matter.”Religious institutions declining, but human need for transcendence remainsCreating new rituals and meaning-making for a secular generation"Spiritual health is just as important as mental health—ignore it, and you miss a key part of the equation."What is your North Star? What gets you up in the morning?How do your daily practices align purpose and action?How do the stories you tell shape your identity and thriving?Try So Hum meditation as a daily mindfulness practiceEngage in one act of gratitude—write a note, express appreciation, savor a momentIt's all too easy to fragment our lives into secular and sacred, but thriving and spiritual health require wholeness and integration of every aspect of ourselves, including our faith and spirituality.Future generations of leaders need our guidance and support in their connection to community and their search for meaning, purpose, and hope.Keep your seat-belt firmly fastened, your seat-back upright, tray table stowed, and secure your own spiritual oxygen mask before assisting others.We can counteract the outrage, anxiety, and information overload with simple, daily practices that bring stability and clarity.We thrive when we align our actions and our values, our behavior with our beliefs, and our practices with our purpose.About Varun SoniVarun Soni is the Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California. He received his B.A. degree in Religion from Tufts University, where he also earned an Asian Studies minor and completed the Program in Peace and Justice Studies. He subsequently received his M.T.S. degree from Harvard Divinity School and his M.A. degree through the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He went on to receive his J.D. degree from University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, where he also completed the Critical Race Studies Program and served as an editor for the Journal of Islamic and Near Eastern Law. He earned his Ph.D. through the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Cape Town, where his doctoral research focused on religion and popular culture. As an undergraduate student, Dean Soni spent a semester living in a Buddhist monastery in Bodh Gaya, India through Antioch University's Buddhist Studies Program. As a graduate student, he spent months doing field research in South Asia through UCSB's Center for Sikh and Punjab Studies.Dean Soni is currently a University Fellow at USC Annenberg's Center on Public Diplomacy and an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Religion. He is the author of Natural Mystics: The Prophetic Lives of Bob Marley and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Figueroa Press, 2014) and his writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, Crosscurrents, Jewish Journal, and Harvard Divinity Bulletin. He produced the critically acclaimed graphic novel Tina's Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary by Keshni Kashyap, which is currently being adapted as a feature length film. He also produced and hosted his own radio show on KPFK-Pacifica that showcased music from South Asia and its diaspora. In 2009, he was one of the organizers of the historic Concert for Pakistan, a benefit concert at the United Nations General Assembly Hall featuring Salman Ahmad, Sting, Outlandish, Jeff Skoll, Deepak Chopra, and Melissa Etheridge.Dean Soni is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Academy of Religion, and the Association for College and University Religious Affairs. He is on the advisory board for the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement, Journal for Interreligious Dialogue, Hindu American Seva Charities, Future45, and the Parliament of the World's Religion. Prior to joining USC, Dean Soni spent four years teaching in the Law and Society Program at UCSB. Born in India and raised in Southern California, he has family on five continents and they collectively represent every major religious tradition in the world. About the Thrive CenterLearn more at thethrivecenter.org.Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenterFollow us on X @thrivecenterFollow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenter About Dr. Pam KingDr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. Follow her @drpamking. About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenConsulting Producer: Evan RosaSpecial thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.

Salman Ahmad is the CEO and Co-founder of a16z-backed Mosaic, a construction technology company that builds software that makes homebuilding more scalable and efficient. Mosaic was founded in 2017 by Salman and Sep Kamvar, whom were two computer scientists working together at MIT and Stanford developing machine learning algorithms applied in the real world. Together, they developed a bold vision for the home building industry: construction as code. Mosaic uses their software themselves to manage construction on behalf of homebuilders, enabling them to build more homes. Salman has 20 technical publications and patents in the areas of software systems, programming languages, machine learning, human-computer interaction, and sensor hardware. He also worked with Microsoft developing virtualized datacenter solutions.  (3:33) - Mosaic's & Salman's origin story(8:35) - Feature: Blueprint Vegas 2024 - Tangent listeners get a $300 discount at BlueprintVegas.com/Tangent(9:30) - Housing construction pain points(12:40) - Construction productivity issues(15:12) - Mosaic's business model (23:26) - Aligning Contech with VC timelines & incentives(30:37) - Mosaic's biggest challenges(35:26) - Macro & micro factors of construction labor shortage (43:19) - Collaboration Superpower: Christopher Alexander (Co-author of A Pattern Language)

In the third episode of season 2, we talk about some of the most important yet least talked about topics of legal requirements, rights, and protection for start-ups and small-medium enterprises especially those who are providing digital services/products. Our guest Salman Ahmad Maan takes us through the process while explaining different laws and regulations that affect them. He also takes about cyber security, and data protection and has some great advice towards the end of the episode! Salman Ahmad Maan is the Founder and Chairman of @Qanoondan (The Legal Diaries) Pakistan's 1st and largest legal video development project that is committed to providing its viewers with the latest legal updates, law lectures, and knowledgeable opinions of law experts. He is skilled in Negotiation, Management, Strategic Planning, Leadership, and Public Speaking. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Laws - LLB focused in Law from the Superior College of Law. Watch the episode here.

In the third episode of season 2, we talk about some of the most important yet least talked about topics of legal requirements, rights, and protection for start-ups and small-medium enterprises especially those who are providing digital services/products. Our guest Salman Ahmad Maan takes us through the process while explaining different laws and regulations that affect them. He also takes about cyber security, and data protection and has some great advice towards the end of the episode! Salman Ahmad Maan is the Founder and Chairman of @Qanoondan (The Legal Diaries) Pakistan's 1st and largest legal video development project that is committed to providing its viewers with the latest legal updates, law lectures, and knowledgeable opinions of law experts. He is skilled in Negotiation, Management, Strategic Planning, Leadership, and Public Speaking. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Laws - LLB focused in Law from the Superior College of Law. Watch the episode here.

A special Live edition of The Moth  at Wilbur Theater in Boston, Massachusetts. Hosted by Tara Clancy with additional hosting from Jay Allison. An internet scam gets emotional; a couple decide to have their second child; a patient waits for an organ  transplant; and a young Pakistani man is forever-changed by rock and roll. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Storytellers: Sofija Stefanovic, Tara Clancy, Paul Munafo, and Salman Ahmad.

In difficult times, setting aside time to play feels almost frivolous. But is actually even more vital because it provides us with balance, joy and connection with one another. Host Varun Soni talks with Salman Ahmad, cricket player and one of the most famous and beloved musicians in Pakistan, about the value of play during challenging times, his recent battle with COVID, and the role sports can play in easing tensions and building bridges.

Salman Ahmad and his band Junoon perform an irresistible blend of rock and qawwali. Their lyrics are in Urdu, inspired by the mystical branch of Islam ... Sufism. Junoon is the most popular rock group in South Asia, with sales of over 30 million. In his memoir, Rock & Roll Jihad, Salman Ahmad describes his fight to bring down the wall between east and west, and to overcome the barriers of fundamentalism to bring cultures together through music.

Many of us spend the weekdays going to work and then come back to drink and party on the weekends. But what happens if you're someone who never drinks alcohol? Today, we interview Salman Ahmad, a management consultant who has never drank alcohol. 1:25 - Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 1:41 - How did you decide to never drink alcohol? 3:02 - Aren't you curious about what it feels to actually be in a drunk state? 3:50 - Was there a bad drunk story experienced by your friends that reinforced your idea of never drinking alcohol? 5:50 - What do you do during parties when everyone else is drinking? Do you pretend to also drink alcohol? 8:07 - Do you find that it's more challenging to socialize at parties if you're not drinking alcohol? 9:30 - When was the time that you were most tempted to drink alcohol? 10:42 - Do you feel like you've been more productive than the people that do drink? (ie. money, time, etc) 11:47 - Have you ever bought your friends alcohol? 12:28 - For all the listeners that do drink alcohol, do you have any key learnings that you'd like to share with them? 18:09 - Bonus Story 19:28 - What's going on in your mind when you see your friends in ridiculous drunk situations? 20:16 - Any last comments for our listeners?

April 18, 2007 | The Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and the Berkley Center symposium on "What it Means To Be a Muslim in America" featured a diverse panel, composed of John Esposito, Salman Ahmad, Imam Yahya Hendi, Sherman A. Jackson, Ingrid Mattson, and Hadia Mubarak. The panel discussed four distinct and potentially competing definitions of Muslim identity. The symposium also focused on respectful conversation regarding religion and faith and the possibilities for improving relations between the Muslim world and the West.

Ali Asani, professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic religion and cultures at Harvard University describes the modern Sufi rock phenomenon epitomized by Salman Ahmad and his band Junoon. Asani outlines Ahmad's personal musical, religious, and political journey and attempted to place Sufi rock in the broader tradition of Muslim devotional literature. A native of Kenya, Asani... Read More

Queens College professor Salman Ahmad, a rock star in Pakistan, talks about his mission as a self-appointed ambassador for peace. Plus: Soap operas that teach immigrants about life in NYC, and the latest on the Gulf oil spill.

SAJA presents a conversation with Salman Ahmad, author of "Rock & Roll Jihad: A Muslim Rock Star's Revolution." With 30 million record sales under his belt, and with fans including Bono and Al Gore, Pakistan-born Ahmad is renowned for being the first rock & roll star to destroy the wall that divides the West and the Muslim world. "Rock & Roll Jihad" is the story of his incredible journey. Call in with your questions and comments. For more on the book and the band, see http://bit.ly/sajarrj