Welcome to D.O.T.S a place where everyone is welcome to talk about their life, business or growing pains I want to hear from you. The world wants to hear from you. This is your place make yourself at home.
Departmentoftalkingsense (D.O.T.S)
Claim This Podcastby Sham
10 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧
Podcast Overview
Welcome to D.O.T.S a place where everyone is welcome to talk about their life, business or growing pains I want to hear from you. The world wants to hear from you. This is your place make yourself at home.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/10/2026
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Recent Episodes
July 24, 2026
I Was on the Verge of Quitting My Job, That's When I Took The risk.
<p>I Was on the Verge of Quitting My Job, That's When I Took the risk. Every creative career has a moment where it almost doesn't happen. For Imaan Islow founder of IslowStudio that moment came in bed, on the verge of quitting her job, realising she'd spent years pouring into everyone else and forgotten her own craft in the process.In this Season 1 finale, Sham traces the full arc that led there: growing up the only girl among five brothers, moving from Germany to the UK as a child, training and qualifying as a teacher before deciding the classroom wasn't for her, and years spent in care work while photography sat quietly on the side. Imaan opens up about the mixed reactions when she finally chose herself, the friendships that shifted as a result, and what it actually took to turn a side-project into IslowStudio a name she's building as a generational legacy for her family.They also get into the craft itself: why she believes it's the skillset and not the camera, the boundaries she's set as a female photographer, and her advice for the next generation of girls finding their eye behind the lens.A conversation about the cost of pouring into everyone else, and the risk it takes to finally choose yourself.Follow Department of Talking Sense: @departmentoftalkingsenseFollow IslowStudio: https://www.instagram.com/islowstudio/Follow Imaan: https://www.instagram.com/i.isl._/Subscribe for more honest, story-driven conversations on culture, identity, and the people building something real.Timestamp Chapter00:00 Welcome Imaan Islow to DOTS00:47 Meet the crew & catching up01:55 The Somali-Italian surname story02:40 Only girl, five brothers03:22 Primary school & moving from Germany04:30 Secondary school & finding sisterhood05:40 GCSEs, art & falling in love with heritage07:49 Where the creative spark began: her dad's camera10:15 Learning to cook, clean & balance14:00 Choosing subjects: media, photography & religious studies18:59 Becoming a qualified teacher (unexpectedly)20:04 "You should have failed" family pressure22:31 Why she never taught in a classroom26:00 Years in care work & never dropping photography28:07 The verge of quitting: the night everything changed29:23 Mixed reactions from friends & family37:41 The Islo Studio praise segment40:01 Why she named it after her family44:11 The Diary Room booking story47:43 The vision: a creative hub, not just a business48:57 6-month & 5-year plans58:25 It's not about the camera it's the skillset1:01:18 Advice to the next generation of girls1:03:50 Closing thoughts & Season 1 wrapDepartment of Talking Sense, DOTS podcast, Imaan Islow, IslowStudio, quitting your job for your passion, career change story, Somali photographer, Somali videographer UK, Birmingham podcast, UK podcast, teacher to photographer, creative entrepreneur podcast, female photographer UK, photography journey, behind the camera, self-taught photographer, wedding photographer interview, career burnout, choosing yourself, Society and Culture podcast, women in photography, British Somali podcast, small business growth UK, personal transformation podcast, faith and identity podcast, UK creative industry</p>
July 8, 2026
The Habit That Changed My Entire Life | Nike, Running & The Truth About Discipline
<p>What happens when you combine discipline, faith, purpose, and a love for running?</p><p>In this episode of <strong>Department of Talking Sense</strong>, Sham sits down with <strong>Nafs</strong>, founder of <strong>Dimensions Running Club</strong>, to explore a journey that goes far beyond fitness.</p><p>From growing up between Germany and Birmingham, working with Nike, discovering running, building one of Birmingham's fastest-growing communities, overcoming personal challenges, navigating marriage, and staying grounded through faith this conversation is full of honest stories and practical life lessons.</p><p>Whether you're a runner, entrepreneur, student, or simply trying to improve your life, this episode offers insights into resilience, consistency, leadership, and finding purpose through community.</p><p><br></p><p>Chapters / Timestamps</p><p><strong>00:00</strong> Introduction & Meet Nafs</p><p><strong>01:15</strong> Nike invites him to Spain</p><p><strong>05:43</strong> Birmingham Half Marathon experience</p><p><strong>07:09</strong> Working at Nike isn't just a job</p><p><strong>08:41</strong> Growing up in Germany & moving to Birmingham</p><p><strong>10:10</strong> Lessons from his father</p><p><strong>11:46</strong> Culture shock arriving in England</p><p><strong>15:00</strong> School life and finding confidence</p><p><strong>18:16</strong> Childhood, discipline & staying out of trouble</p><p><strong>20:05</strong> Football, university & changing direction</p><p><strong>21:46</strong> The life-changing police stop</p><p><strong>24:56</strong> Ghana, family & perspective</p><p><strong>28:05</strong> Ramadan, faith & building consistency</p><p><strong>31:15</strong> Returning to the UK with a new mindset</p><p><strong>34:49</strong> University, sports science & personal growth</p><p><strong>39:48</strong> Family, marriage & responsibility</p><p><strong>44:57</strong> Supporting each other through adversity</p><p><strong>50:02</strong> Building character through hardship</p><p><strong>53:23</strong> The birth of Dimensions Running Club</p><p><strong>55:08</strong> Growing a community with Nike</p><p><strong>58:35</strong> What makes Dimensions different?</p><p><strong>1:00:18</strong> Why community matters</p><p><strong>1:03:48</strong> Diversity, inclusion & welcoming everyone</p><p><strong>1:05:36</strong> One year of Dimensions: lessons learned</p><p><strong>1:09:14</strong> The future vision for Dimensions</p><p><strong>1:10:59</strong> Collaborations, Nike & what's next</p><p><strong>1:12:52</strong> Advice to his younger self</p><p><strong>1:15:53</strong> Final reflections & where to find Dimensions</p><p><br></p>
June 21, 2026
Burale: Why England Will Win The World Cup 2026 toMusic to Football Media & Youth Work
<p>Burale joins Department of Talking Sense to discuss his remarkable journey from poetry and music to becoming the founder of After Hours and co-founder of Aspiring Young Minds.</p><p>We explore football media, sports journalism, youth mentoring, entrepreneurship and the importance of documenting communities and building opportunities for the next generation.</p><p>Burale also shares stories from his past, lessons learned through hardship, and explains why he believes England will finally lift the World Cup in 2026.</p><p>This episode is a conversation about purpose, creativity, faith and legacy.</p>
10 total episodes available
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