Waystations

In this episode we speak with Peter Gould about his design journey and discovering a spiritual path. We discuss why design needs to have spiritual aspirations and how these can be applied.  Book recommendations: Design for the Real World by Victor Papanek Ruined by Design by Mike Monteiro Al-Maqsad al-Asna fi Sharh Ma'ani Asma' Allah al-Husna (The Best Means in Explaining the Beautiful Names of God) by Imam Al Ghazali What is Art? by Leo Tolstoy About the guest: Peter Gould is a renowned designer, entrepreneur, and pioneer of heart-centered design leadership. For over 20 years he has advised clients from product teams at Apple and Google to emerging startup founders. His popular online programs and recent bestselling book, The Heart of Design, helps align spiritual aspirations and strategic design principles. This unique approach has impacted thousands of professionals and hundreds of teams on their path to living and designing for remembrance, in an age of ‘design for distraction’. Peter is a recipient of the Stanford Certificate of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, winner of international awards, an Ambassador for UN Refugees and lives in Australia . His mission is to nurture a global like-hearted movement that empowers the design-led, heart-centered future. https://peter-gould.com/   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad    Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com    

The idea of a sacred space is found in every culture and tradition across the world. But what makes a space sacred? Is it the place or the people who occupy it? Or can all places be regarded as sacred?  Book recommendations: Cultural Atlas of Islam by Ismail Faruqi Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com   

Mention Artificial Intelligence (AI) and for many this creates anxiety and uncertainty. In this episode we explore what it means to be human in the age of AI? What are the bold promises the technology offers and the potential pitfalls? We discuss how humans are being reduced to data points; the concept of the singularity and the philosophical roots of such an idea.  Book recommendations: Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul by William Chittick  The Epic of Gilgamesh About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com   

The stories we tell explain our position in the world, and where we are going. They provide a narrative arc to  our lives. Great stories explore the human condition throughout time, they help us navigate through life, and understand purpose. Yet much of modern day storytelling is devoid of virtue. What are we losing by not engaging with stories that have virtue? Book recommendations: The Epistle of Imam Al Bushiri Hard Times by Charles Dickens Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com   

Economists in the early part of the twentieth century predicted that with automation accelerating, we will be entering the age of leisure. When most of your daily rituals will be taken care of, and this leisure time will be used to think, reflect, and develop ourselves. Quite the opposite seems to have happened. We seem to be distracting ourselves with frivolous entertainment. How have we ended up in this present state and what really is our leisure time? Book recommendations The Value of Time by Abu Ghudda The Machine Stops by E M Forster Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad    Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com  

We are not able to choose our family members. Sometimes people are blessed with beautiful family relationships, other times, not so. But we can to some extent choose who we are friends with. When it comes to being more discerning about the company we keep, how should we tackle this. Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com  and www.talesofkhayaal.com   

Throughout time human beings have sought meaning in what they do. To try and make sense of the world and everything in it. How should we approach meaning and purpose from a faith-based perspective? In addition, how can meaning and purpose be addressed in our working lives?  Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad  Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com  

Moral dilemmas in our work and personal lives often relate to the question: “What shall I do?” These dilemmas are often grey-areas, where both courses of action could be ‘right’. However, moral questions can only be answered by looking at a deeper question which is “What kind of person do I want to be?’ and this is often linked to belief.  Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad  Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com  

In many countries there is a loneliness epidemic which is creating adverse social and health problems. Why is this happening? How is loneliness different from solitude? What, if any, are the benefits of solitude? At a practical level how can a person practise solitude in their work and personal life?    Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more. About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad  Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com  

When knowledge that is sacred, is lost, what are its impact on human beings.  Join our hosts: Walead Mosaad and Rehan Khan to learn more.   About the hosts: Walead Mosaad is an internationally recognized scholar in Islamic studies and human development. His academic and traditional training has accorded him the opportunity to work with communities worldwide as a teacher and project driver. He has completed degrees from Rutgers University and Fath Islamic Seminary in Damascus. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter in Arab and Islamic Studies, and was also classically trained at the Al-Azhar University. He is currently the Chair and Scholar-in-Residence of Sabeel Community. He has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world, as well as Europe and the Far East, delivering lectures on various topics, including spirituality, ethics and intercultural peace building. https://www.sabeelcommunity.org/walead-mohammed-mosaad   Rehan Khan is a thought-leader, professor, and novelist. He is an advocate for virtue-based storytelling as well as leading with a moral lens. Over 30 years Rehan has advised several global and regional brands. As an adjunct professor he teaches post-graduate courses in AI and the Future of Work, as well as Leadership: A Moral Perspective, and Personal Influence at one of the world’s leading international business schools. He is a keen observer of history and techno-science. Rehan is the author of a Tomb of Empires (2024) a historical fiction set in 90BC in the Middle East, the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk trilogy (2019-2022) set in the Ottoman Empire and Tudor England, and the fantasy sci-fi series, Tales of Khayaal (2025) set on the Earth like planet of Ikleel. These gripping stories also ask readers to consider the role of virtue within the human story. www.rehankhan.com and www.talesofkhayaal.com