How to Adult

Episode 10: 'Fake it till you make it?' – How to build self-confidence

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.

Episode 9: How to network like a pro

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.

Episode 8: How to maintain meaningful friendships

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.

Episode 7: How young adults can take care of their mental health

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.

Episode 6: How to eat well in your 20s

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.