How to Adult

Self-confidence. It’s often described as something you either have or you don’t. But what if it’s actually something you build? In this season finale of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar explores how confidence takes shape in your 20s, from the shaky first steps to the quiet strength that grows over time. First, she’s joined by university student Maria Ali Asghar, who shares her deeply personal journey of working through self-doubt, navigating public speaking with a stutter and finding comfort in uncomfortable spaces. Then, Hala speaks to Mina Liccione − a comedian, performer and professor of theatre − who walks us through practical tools for developing self-trust and managing nerves. This is the final episode of season one, but How to Adult will return soon with more skills, stories and lessons for navigating life in your 20s and beyond. Please listen to or watch all the episodes of this season on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and all major podcasting platforms.

Networking. The word alone can make a lot of people feel nervous. Whether you’re an introvert trying to figure out how to approach someone new, or someone who doesn’t know where to even begin building a professional circle, it can feel like a whole world of pressure. In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar explores the honest reality of networking. What it actually looks like, how it can genuinely open doors and why it’s not just reserved for people with big titles and flashy CVs. She first hears from Mahmoud Hudaib, who got his current job at one of the biggest cosmetic companies in the world through nothing but a conversation. He shares what taking the initiative looked like for him, how his views on networking evolved and what that experience taught him about showing up for yourself − even when it feels uncomfortable. Then comes Basant Shenouda, a Harvard graduate and account manager at Google. She breaks down what it means to have a digital presence, how to approach people online and offline and how even those small connections can grow into meaningful opportunities. She speaks to the fears, the hesitations and the misconceptions about networking, offering a grounded perspective that feels both encouraging and practical. How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear every Monday across podcast platforms.

Friendships are one of the most essential pillars of our well-being. They are the people we turn to when life gets hard, who cheer us on, offer a listening ear and remind us of who we are. But as we grow older and life fills up with new priorities, maintaining close friendships can become hard, or at least require some effort, as opposed to how easy this was during school and university years. In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar explores what it takes to build and sustain meaningful friendships throughout adulthood. She begins with a conversation with Ali Amin, a 23-year-old who reflects on the deliberate effort he puts into nurturing long-distance friendships and why forgiveness plays a vital role in sustaining them. Next, Hala speaks to Noor Alhuda, a communication and relationship coach who works with people on improving their interpersonal skills. She shares her insights on maintaining healthy friendships in adulthood. Finally, life coach Mawada Alwazir brings a long-term perspective to the conversation, talking about how the foundations we lay in our 20s and 30s − in the way we approach and prioritise friendships − can shape our social lives for decades to come. How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear every Monday across podcast platforms.

People in their 20s often find themselves catching up with a long list of life skills, from finding a job to managing responsibilities for the first time, all the while dealing with uncertainty about the future. It's no surprise that this phase can leave many feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or simply lost. In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar opens up about her own mental health journey, reflecting on how learning to recognise emotions became an important turning point. We also hear from Diya Pramod, a graduate who talks about the challenges of stepping into adult life immediately after university. She tells how she is adjusting to the expectations of a full-time job, what helps her cope, and what she’s still trying to figure out. Hala is later joined by Dr Christian Perrin, a psychologist and professor at the University of Birmingham Dubai, who explains why this phase of life often brings what he calls “transition overwhelm”, and why building small, meaningful habits is more powerful than chasing big-picture goals. How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear each Monday across podcast platforms.

When you’re in your twenties, life can feel relentlessly busy. Between juggling studies or a full-time job, maintaining a social life, and trying to make sense of adult responsibilities, eating well often falls to the bottom of the list. Breakfast gets skipped, lunch is an afterthought, and dinner ends up being whatever’s quickest or closest. In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar reflects on her own experience of overlooking nutrition during a demanding period of life. To learn tips and tools of building a good nutrition regime into her life, Hala is first joined by Aarti Jhurani, who has developed a routine of preparing her meals every Sunday, ensuring that the week ahead is as smooth and nourishing as possible. Later, Hala is joined by Aisling Oslizlok, a registered dietitian based in Dubai with a master’s degree in human nutrition and dietetics. Aisling explains why paying attention to your diet in your twenties is more important than many realise, offering practical, evidence-based advice on how to build a balanced approach to nutrition that actually fits your lifestyle. How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear each Monday across podcast platforms.

On this week's How to Adult podcast, host Hala Nasar revisits some of the most practical habits and routines you usually navigate in early adulthood: managing your money, building a healthy body and moving around your city. The episode features tips and tricks from several UAE-based experts on personal finance, fitness and mobility. How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life situations. New episodes drop every Monday across Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast platforms.

On this week's How to Adult podcast, host Hala Nasar revisits two big topics that have been discussed so far: how to find your first job and how to secure a place to live. Young adults share their experiences of house hunting and stepping on to the career ladder, while experts share their top tips on how to find that perfect job. How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life situations. New episodes drop every Monday across Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 

Getting around on your own is one of the first realities that hits when you start living independently. Without a family car or someone to give you a lift, commuting quickly becomes a major part of your routine, and as a young adult, understanding your city’s transport options becomes essential. In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar reflects on her own challenges getting around during a summer programme in California, where public transport felt confusing and ride-hailing apps stretched her budget. Bringing the conversation closer to home, we hear from a Dubai-based fresh graduate who shares her experience navigating the UAE without a car. From buses and metros to ferries, she explains how public transport helped her get around the city affordably and independently. Later in the episode, Hala is joined by transport planning expert Martin Tillman who breaks down what young adults in the UAE should know about mobility − from choosing where to live based on transit access, to the future of autonomous vehicles and the upcoming Etihad Rail network. How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear every Monday across podcast platforms.

Taking care of your physical well-being might seem like a no-brainer, but as a young adult trying to balance a new job, social life and the daily challenges of growing up, it’s often the first thing to fall through the cracks. In this episode of the How to Adult podcast, host Hala Nasar opens up about her own health struggles, including chronic back pain that pushed her to rethink what fitness means and how to integrate it into a busy lifestyle. To better understand how young adults can stay active without burning out, Hala speaks to Reem and Caroline Kassab, a mother-daughter instructor duo who’ve been teaching fitness in Abu Dhabi across generations. Together, they discuss common misconceptions of fitness, how to overcome the fear of starting and why motivation is less important than consistency. How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear each Monday across podcast platforms.

Moving out for the first time is a major milestone – one that can be both exciting and overwhelming. In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar shares her rollercoaster experience of finding her first apartment. She’s joined by real estate expert Alessia Sheglova, chief executive of Dacha Real Estate, who offers a practical guide to renting in the UAE. From budgeting tips to what to look for in a lease agreement, Alessia answers the questions that need asking before signing a rental contract. In the audio episode, Hala is also joined by Aaina Pahwa, a content creator who viewed nearly 100 homes before finally settling on one. She talks about what she has learnt about being selective, knowing your deal-breakers and trusting the process. How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life situations. New episodes drop every Monday across Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast platforms, YouTube and social media.

Budgeting is one of those words that can instantly trigger stress for young adults but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar explores how to take control of your spending, without giving up joy in the process. The episode opens with Hala reflecting on her own experience learning to manage money after getting her first paycheque. She is also joined by Isaac Arroyo, data journalist at The National and UAE newcomer who shares his quirky yet effective method for tracking expenses by thinking in terms of coffee cups, and how this system helped him make sense of the cost of living in a new country. To offer expert advice, Hala speaks to Mike Coady, chief executive of Skybound Wealth and a financial adviser based in Dubai. Mr Coady provides tips on how to build a monthly budget and what realistic saving looks like in the early stages of a career. How to Adult is a weekly series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear every Monday across podcast platforms, YouTube and social media platforms.

One of the most daunting tasks young people face after university is finding their first job. In this debut episode of the How to Adult series, host Hala Nasar shares her post-university panic and talks to fellow graduates about job hunting in the UAE. Despite completing multiple internships, she shares the challenges, confusion and rejections that come with trying to enter the workforce. To offer practical solutions, Hala sits down with recruitment expert Kameron Hutchinson, who breaks down what fresh grads need to know to stand out. As a Dubai-based recruitment director, Mr Hutchinson shares tips on what makes a CV stand out, how fresh graduates can optimise their LinkedIn profiles, and the most effective job platforms in the UAE. Mr Hutchinson also addresses common misconceptions about cover letters, how to follow up after an interview, and how young professionals can network, even if they’re just starting out. How to Adult is a bi-weekly series helping young people tackle real-life situations. New episodes drop bi-weekly across podcast platforms, YouTube, and social media.

How to Adult is a new series from The National that delivers the life skills you were never formally taught, but absolutely need. Subscribe now to get notified when it goes live.