Beyond The Surface
Welcome to Beyond The Surface šļø
A space where we slow down, think deeper, and explore the parts of life we usually rush past. Philosophy, psychology, mental health, identity and all the things that shape us, quietly or loudly. Iām Mohammad, and Iām here to have the conversations Iāve always looked for but rarely foundā¦
Iāve always been drawn to depth; in people, in ideas, in the way we use language to show who we are. But expressing that depth hasnāt always been easy. I grew up moving between languages and cultures, and each one brings out a different version of me. Arabic, English, Turkishā¦ sometimes they feel like superpowers, and other times they feel like weight I have to carry.
But theyāve all shaped the way I think, the way I feel, and the way I try to make sense of the world.
Like many of you, Iāve spent years trying to understand not just who I am, but how to be. How to speak up. How to stay curious. How to believe in something without losing myself in the noise around me.
And honestly, Iām still figuring it out (:
This podcast isnāt about pretending I have the answers. Itās about exploring the questions that actually matter !!! purpose, identity, emotion, language, fear, growth and seeing what we can learn along the way.
Itās about being honest, even when itās messy.
Itās about going deeper than the small talk weāre all tired of.
Iāve struggled with articulation, with self-doubt, with the pressure of cultural expectations. Iāve felt torn between worlds, and sometimes even between versions of myself. But every struggle has pushed me a little closer to clarity and to courage.
So if youāre someone who sometimes overthinks, who feels caught between cultures or ideas, who wants meaning but refuses to lose your authenticity; trust me, youāre in the right place.
This is where we begin.
Not with perfection.
Not with certainty.
But with honesty and a willingness to go beyond the surface šš¤
Episodes
29 episodes
Why Young Men Are Falling Behind ?
A growing number of young men feel lost, isolated, and without direction. But why is this happening?In this episode, we explore the silent crisis of young men; examining the psychological, social, and cultural factors shaping their lives...
Beyond The Inherited Definitions: Conformity
We inherit more than eye color and last names. We inherit definitions.Definitions of success. Of morality. Of masculinity and femininity. Of obedience. Of what is ānormal.ā Of what is...
Why do we dream ? | Episode 3
What happens to consciousness when we fall asleep? And why does the mind keep creating stories when the body is at rest?In this episode, we explore dreaming as one of the most mysterious expressions of consciousness. From vivid ...
Do we have free will ? | Episode 2
In this second episode of our mind series, we explore one of the most debated questions in human thought: How much of our āfree willā is actually ours?From the shaping force of our upbringing to the subtle expectations of society, we ref...
Are we really conscious ? | Episode 1
In this first episode of our three-part series on consciousness, we open the door to one of the oldest and most mysterious questions humans have ever asked: What does it really mean to be aware?Together, we explore the layers of the cons...
Why can't we read anymore ?
In this episode, we dive into a question almost everyone quietly asks themselves: why is reading becoming so hard? We explore it from every angle ; from the history of how humans first started reading, to how our brains evolve...
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Why do humans talk? And what does our language say about us?
Language is one of the most human things about us; but we rarely stop to think about how it actually works. In this episode, we explore language from every angle: how writing changed the way we think, how our biology shaped the way we tell stor...
What does it mean to be human ?
In this episode of Beyond The Surface, we explore one of the oldest and most intimate questions: What does it actually mean to be human? Not in a philosophical textbook sense; but in a real, liv...
Alone Together ā The New Communication Crisis ā
In this episode of Beyond The Surface, we dive into how social media is quietly reshaping the way we talk, listen, and connect. From the illusion of ābeing connectedā to the rise of shallow conversations, we unpack the subtle shifts ha...
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Democracy: The Price of Inequality
Despite all our progress, inequality keeps rising; not just economically, but socially and politically too. Itās almost as if the gap between the powerful and the powerless has become an accepted part of modern democracy. But should it be?
SLAVERY: The Inherited Wound
In this episode, we dive into one of humanityās darkest truths SLAVERY. Not just as a historical system, but as a mindset, an institution, and a legacy that continues to shape our modern world. We uncover how slavery dehumanized generations, bu...
The Inheritance Of Culture: How Culture Shapes Who We Are ?
In this episode, I sit down with Professor GĆ¼ven from Earlham College (USA) to explore how culture quietly shapes the way we think, feel, and see the world. What begins as an improvised conversation turns into a deep reflection on cultural i...
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Running Out of Time: Why Modern Life Always Feels Too Fast ?
In a world that never slows down, why does time feel shorter than ever?In this episode, we explore the psychology, culture, and philosophy of time; from Hartmut Rosaās idea of social acceleration to the holiday parado...
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Shaped by Surroundings
Can we ever truly separate ourselves from the environments that shaped us? In this episode, we dive into how culture, language, and social settings mold our thoughts, values, and even our sense of self. Itās a conversation about identity, belon...
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What Freedom Really Costs (The Paradox of Being Free)
We all crave freedom, but few of us are ready for what it demands. In this episode, I explore the thin line between freedom and responsibility; through my own experiences and the ideas of Sartre, Nietzsche, and Kierkegaard.If ...
The Self-Made Myth: Why No One Succeeds Alone ?
We grow up believing success is a solo journey; that if we just work hard enough, weāll make it on our own. But is that the whole truth? In this episode, we strip away the illusion of the self-made myth and uncover the invisible hands that guid...
SILENCE (our forgotten superpower...)
In a world overflowing with noise, both external and internal, silence often feels uncomfortable. Yet, silence is more than the absence of sound; it is a language of its own. In this episode of Beyond The Surface, we explore the philos...
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Beyond Romance: Rethinking Love and Relationships
In this episode of Beyond The Surface, we sit down with Koray and Justin to dive into the timeless topic of love and relationships. From the highs of deep connection to the challenges of modern dating, we explore what ...
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Beyond Belief: Conversations on Meaning, Growth, and the Journey of Life
In this special episode, we sit down with Koray and Justin for an open, honest, and thought-provoking conversation about life itself. From the pursuit of meaning to the role of belief, from shaping our goals to how education influences who w...
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The Enlightenment: Thinking Our Way to Freedom
"I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." ā Voltaire.In this episode, we journey through the Enlightenmentāan era that reshaped how we think, speak, and challenge the world around us. It's...
The Renaissance Explained | History 101
The Renaissance marked a turning point in human history ā a time when art flourished, curiosity ignited, and the individual began to matter. In this episode, we explore how this cultural rebirth reshaped Europeās values, challenged religious...
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The Pursuit of Happiness | Virtue, Pleasure, and the Meaning of a Good Life...
We hear it everywhere "Just be happy." But what does that actually mean? In this episode, we dive into the many layers of happiness through a philosophical lens. From the Stoics to the skeptics, from virtue to pleasure, we explore how differ...
The Courage to Be You: Revealing Alfred Adler's Psychology
In this episode, we dive into Alfred Adlerās groundbreaking ideas on inferiority, striving for significance, and the deep human need to belong. What does it mean to live authentically? And how can his psychology help us make sense of our pat...
Revolution, Philosophy, and Thought: The Power of Classic Books
Classic books are more than just old storiesāthey are windows into history, philosophy, and the evolution of human thought. In this episode, we explore why reading classics is essential for understanding critical thinking, societal structure...
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Beyond Words: Unlocking The Key to Effective Communication | Episode 2
Can the languages you speak shape your personality and confidence? In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating connection between multilingualism and articulation, sharing insights, strategies, and real-life examples to help you becom...
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