Beyond The Surface

Beyond The Surface

Welcome to Beyond The Surface šŸŽ™ļø 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. I’m Mohammad, and I’m here to have the conversations I’ve always looked for but rarely found… I’ve always been drawn to depth; in people, in ideas, in the way we use language to show who we are. But expressing that depth hasn’t always been easy. I grew up moving between languages and cultures, and each one brings out a different version of me. Arabic, English, Turkish… sometimes they feel like superpowers, and other times they feel like weight I have to carry. But they’ve 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, I’ve 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, I’m still figuring it out (: This podcast isn’t about pretending I have the answers. It’s about exploring the questions that actually matter !!! purpose, identity, emotion, language, fear, growth and seeing what we can learn along the way. It’s about being honest, even when it’s messy. It’s about going deeper than the small talk we’re all tired of. I’ve struggled with articulation, with self-doubt, with the pressure of cultural expectations. I’ve 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 you’re someone who sometimes overthinks, who feels caught between cultures or ideas, who wants meaning but refuses to lose your authenticity; trust me, you’re 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 šŸ˜ŠšŸ¤“

Episodes

March 16, 2026 • 26 mins

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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 today. From loneliness and identity to purpose and responsibility, we look beyond the headlines to understand what’s really going on with young men.


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We inherit more than eye color and last names.
Ā We inherit definitions.

Definitions of success.
Ā Of morality.
Ā Of masculinity and femininity.
Ā Of obedience.
Ā Of what is ā€œnormal.ā€
Ā Of what is ā€œright.ā€

But what if many of these definitions were never truly ours?

In this episode of Beyond The Surface, we go beyond the inherited definitions that quietly shape our identities and decisions. Through some...

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December 16, 2025 • 22 mins

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What happens to consciousness when we fall asleep?
Ā 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 narratives to fragmented images, dreams reveal a version of the mind that feels both familiar and completely foreign..

We talk about what dreams might tell us about awareness, identity, mem...

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December 12, 2025 • 37 mins

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In this second episode of our mind series, we explore one of the most debated questions in human thought: How much of our ā€œfree willā€ is actually ours?

From the shaping force of our upbringing to the subtle expectations of society, we reflect on how environments sculpt our choices long before we’re aware of them. We discuss Robert Sapolsky’s provocative challenge to free will; drawing from his book Determined, and cont...

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December 9, 2025 • 35 mins

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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 conscious and unconscious mind, how our perceptions are shaped, and why understanding our inner world matters more than we think. This isn’t a lecture; it’s a gentle, reflective conversati...

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December 4, 2025 • 26 mins

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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 evolved with storytelling, to the modern distractions that pull our attention in a hundred different directions...

We talk about how technology reshaped our reading habits, how the paradox of choice lea...

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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 stories, and how culture, identity, and even power are woven into the words we use every day.

We touch on the big ideas from linguistics in simple, human language; how children learn...

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November 29, 2025 • 27 mins

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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, lived, everyday way...

We talk about self-awareness, deep emotions, the messiness of being alive, and that quiet inner tension W.E.B. Du Bois once called double consciousnessĀ  'The feeling of seeing yourself through your ...

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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 ā€œbeing connectedā€ to the rise of shallow conversations, we unpack the subtle shifts happening in our communication today.

Drawing on Sherry Turkle’s powerful insights and Paul Grice’s conversational maxims, we explore why our interactions feel more fragmented, why attentio...

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November 12, 2025 • 22 mins

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Despite all our progress, inequality keeps rising; not just economically, but socially and politically too. It’s almost as if the gap between the powerful and the powerless has become an accepted part of modern democracy. But should it be?

This episode dives into the hidden connection between wealth and democracy & how money doesn’t just buy comfort, but influence. We’ll explore how the concentration of wealth shap...

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November 7, 2025 • 30 mins

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In this episode, we dive into one of humanity’s 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, built empires, and left psychological and cultural scars that still echo today.

From the transatlantic slave trade to the subtle forms of exploitation that exist now, we explore ho...

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In this episode, I sit down with Professor Güven 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 inheritance, identity, and perception; and how much of who we are is actually passed down to us, often without our awareness. 


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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 Rosa’s idea of social acceleration to the holiday paradox and the illusions of progress that shape modern life.
Through reflection and story, we ask: is time really moving faster, or have we simply forgotten how to move with it?


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October 18, 2025 • 12 mins

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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. It’s a conversation about identity, belonging, and the quiet power of the world around us.


If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5-star review and follow Beyond The Surface for more deep and though...

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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 you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5-star review and follow Beyond The Surface for more deep and thought-provoking conversations. Your support helps us grow and bring you ev...

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We grow up believing success is a solo journey; that if we just work hard enough, we’ll 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 guide every story of achievement.


If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5-star review and follow Beyond The Surface for more deep and thought-provoking conversa...

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September 7, 2025 • 18 mins

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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 philosophy and power of silence. From the wisdom of ancient thinkers to the role silence plays in our relationships and self-growth, we uncover why choosing silence can sometimes speak louder ...

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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 it really means to love and be loved. Together, we share stories, insights, and different perspectives on how relationships shape our lives, our choices, and our growth. Whether you’re in love, searching...

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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 we become — we explore the questions that shape our identities and paths. It’s a real conversation between friends, reflecting, questioning, and sharing perspectives on what it mean...

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"I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." — Voltaire.

In this episode, we journey through the Enlightenment—an era that reshaped how we think, speak, and challenge the world around us. It's not just about history or philosophy; it's about the courage to question, to reason, and to value freedom of thought above all. I also share my personal reflections on how E...

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