Departmentoftalkingsense (D.O.T.S)

Sham

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.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Private Investigator: The Clients I Refuse to Work For

    How does a private investigator catch a cheating partner? And what happens when the person hiring him is hiding the real reason?Nathan Hoole spent 20 years in the police before building Dolos Investigations. In this episode of Department of Talking Sense, the former detective sergeant takes us inside surveillance, suspected affairs, deceptive clients and the investigations he refuses to take on.We explore the changes in behaviour that can raise suspicions, why evidence matters more than assumptions, and what happens when clients refuse to accept that their partner may be faithful.Nathan also shares how an apparently straightforward investigation became something far more concerning, why tracing someone can put them at risk, and the emotional weight of investigating traumatic cases.This conversation goes beyond catching cheaters. It asks who you can trust, what finding the truth actually costs, and when an investigator needs to walk away.IN THIS EPISODE:• What television gets wrong about detective work• Investigating affairs without jumping to conclusions• Clients who conceal their real motives• The line between surveillance and stalking• Gaslighting and the impact of discovering an affair• Why clients can accidentally ruin an investigation• Dangerous tracing requests and protecting people at risk• The cases Nathan refuses to work onCHAPTERS:00:00 Meet Nathan Hoole02:31 Choosing a private investigator05:06 Diary of a Private Investigator06:23 From policing to private investigation09:50 What detective shows get wrong12:28 A job that became more dangerous15:10 Do clients really want the truth?19:08 When surveillance becomes stalking23:24 A client’s story starts to unravel30:04 The risks of tracing someone34:50 The emotional weight of police work43:48 Coercive control and abusive relationships45:35 Evidence, assumptions and detective work52:51 Technology and surveillance55:38 Suspected affairs and changes in behaviour58:07 Emotional affairs and discovering the truth62:05 How clients can ruin an investigation65:33 Honour-based violence and tracing requests70:51 The jobs Nathan refuses76:50 Private information and crossing the line78:32 Final question and where to find NathanFIND NATHAN:Dolos Investigations: https://dolosinvestigations.co.uk/Diary of a Private Investigator: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...Would you rather discover a painful truth or keep living with uncertainty? Tell us why in the comments.Subscribe to Department of Talking Sense for conversations that challenge assumptions and explore the stories behind the headlines.Content note: This episode discusses domestic abuse, honour-based violence and infant loss. Changes in behaviour alone do not prove infidelity.#PrivateInvestigator #Infidelity #DepartmentOfTalkingSense

  2. Oct 5

    When Does Child Protection Go Too Far? | Social Services, Child Removal & Family Rights

    Can social services simply take your child? Who actually makes the decision to remove a child from their family, and where is the line between protecting a child and unnecessarily breaking a family apart? In this episode of Department of Talking Sense, Sham sits down with Abdulaziz for a wide-ranging conversation about the realities of frontline social work and the child protection system. They unpack some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding social services, including the legal process behind removing a child, the role of social workers, police and judges, what can constitute an immediate risk of harm, and why keeping a family together should often remain part of the conversation. The discussion also goes beyond child removal. Abdulaziz speaks about parental rights, cultural understanding within social work, poor professional practice, children's homes being presented online as easy business opportunities, trauma and mental health, the future impact of AI on social care, and the responsibility that comes with making decisions capable of changing a child's life. This is not a conversation about portraying social workers as either heroes or villains. It is about understanding where the power actually sits, how decisions are made, what families should know, and what happens when safeguarding, law and human judgement collide. In this episode: Can a social worker actually remove your child?Who has the legal power to separate a child from their family?What does “imminent danger of harm” really mean?Social services vs parental rightsWhen intervention becomes necessaryWhy cultural competence matters in social workWhat happens when social workers get it wrongThe reality behind children's homes and the “get rich” narrativeTrauma, mental health and children in careAI and the future of social workAbdulaziz's journey into protecting vulnerable childrenDepartment of Talking Sense is about real conversations, difficult questions and perspectives that deserve more than a headline. If this episode challenges something you previously believed about social services or child protection, share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation.

    When Does Child Protection Go Too Far? | Social Services, Child Removal & Family Rights
  3. Jul 24

    I Was on the Verge of Quitting My Job, That's When I Took The risk.

    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

  4. Jul 8

    The Habit That Changed My Entire Life | Nike, Running & The Truth About Discipline

    What happens when you combine discipline, faith, purpose, and a love for running? In this episode of Department of Talking Sense, Sham sits down with Nafs, founder of Dimensions Running Club, to explore a journey that goes far beyond fitness. 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. 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. Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & Meet Nafs 01:15 Nike invites him to Spain 05:43 Birmingham Half Marathon experience 07:09 Working at Nike isn't just a job 08:41 Growing up in Germany & moving to Birmingham 10:10 Lessons from his father 11:46 Culture shock arriving in England 15:00 School life and finding confidence 18:16 Childhood, discipline & staying out of trouble 20:05 Football, university & changing direction 21:46 The life-changing police stop 24:56 Ghana, family & perspective 28:05 Ramadan, faith & building consistency 31:15 Returning to the UK with a new mindset 34:49 University, sports science & personal growth 39:48 Family, marriage & responsibility 44:57 Supporting each other through adversity 50:02 Building character through hardship 53:23 The birth of Dimensions Running Club 55:08 Growing a community with Nike 58:35 What makes Dimensions different? 1:00:18 Why community matters 1:03:48 Diversity, inclusion & welcoming everyone 1:05:36 One year of Dimensions: lessons learned 1:09:14 The future vision for Dimensions 1:10:59 Collaborations, Nike & what's next 1:12:52 Advice to his younger self 1:15:53 Final reflections & where to find Dimensions

  5. May 17

    How to grow on Social media - Waviest

    We need more people doing positive content - Waviest In this episode of Department of Talking Sense, I sits down with Ahmed, better known as Waviest, for a powerful, funny and honest conversation about identity, Muay Thai, social media, personal growth, London vs Birmingham, faith, content creation and the pressure of becoming someone worth watching.Ahmed opens up about where the name “Waviest” came from, why Muay Thai changed his life, dealing with a serious back injury, pulling out of his first sanctioned fight, and how he balances being a multifaceted creator without forcing himself into one box.The conversation also dives into networking, confidence, university, warehouse work, moving to the UK, working with children, the future of long-form content, and why creators have a responsibility to influence young people positively.From deep reflections to wild debates, red flag/green flag games, Birmingham banter and real brotherhood — this episode is everything DOTS stands for: honest conversation, humour, growth and talking sense without pretending to have it all figured out.Make sure you like, comment, subscribe and share this episode.Follow Ahmed Waviest:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waviesstt/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCnWa3s-k8EUsP5UaTHgCxAw Hosted by ShamInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/southsideshami/Department of Talking SenseFor studio lighting and gear.https://amzn.to/4nn6Kalhttps://amzn.to/4wiTlV7https://amzn.to/4f9ohRqhttps://amzn.to/4uGtF30#DepartmentOfTalkingSense #DOTS #AhmedWaviest #Waviest #UKPodcast #BirminghamPodcast #MuslimPodcast #MuayThai #ContentCreator #SocialMediaGrowth #PersonalGrowth #LondonVsBirmingham #Networking #FaithAndGrowth #PodcastInterview #UKContentCreator #BirminghamCreators #SelfImprovement #YoungCreators #TalkingSense

  6. Apr 15

    Motherhood, Womanhood & Self-Care: How to Balance It All | DOTS Podcast Ep 2 ft Nasra & Hana

    Welcome to Episode 2 of the Department of Talking Sense (DOTS) Podcast — the unapologetically honest podcast that dives into the chaos of life with common sense, sarcasm, and unfiltered truth.In this powerful episode, we explore the raw realities of motherhood, womanhood, and the vital importance of self-care.Joining us is the incredible Nasra, Co-founder and co-host of Entry Level Mums Podcast and Founder of HanaCodes and Bride The Gap in Tech; two platforms that empower women to reach their full potentials. Together, we get into the emotional and mental toll of parenting, the identity shifts women face after motherhood, and how to find balance between nurturing others and caring for yourself.We delve into: • The journey behind Entry Level Mums and HanaCodes • The myth of the “perfect mother” • Parenting as an only child • Reclaiming your identity post-motherhood • Cultural and societal influences and pressures • Practical ways to prioritise YOU00:00:00 - Intro00:03:20 - Who where you before you became a mother?00:10:00 - Parenting as an only child00:18:00 - The juxtaposition of coming from big families and small families when raising children00:24:00 - The effort it takes to raise a child00:30:00 - 60 and pregnant????00:34:00 - BUN them kids00:37:40 - Shoutout to SAWIYA00:39:00 - How Entry Level Mums came to be00:45:20 - Mum Club00:46:40 - Cultural and societal pressures00:49:30 - Dating as a single parent00:51:00 - What is a "Good Man"?00:55:30 - Everybody needs to go through heartbreak!00:58:00 - Would you date a man with kids?01:01:00 - 3 things you wish women were more vocal about during pregnancy01:05:00 - Romanticising marriage and parenthood01:07:00 - WHY IS THIS MAKING ME ANGRY?01:13:35 - What did you learn?01:15:00 - Kids are calculated!01:17:30 - THAT SMELL SHIT01:17:50 - OutroWhether you’re a mum, thinking of becoming one, or simply navigating the many layers of womanhood — this episode is packed with real talk, relatable stories, and refreshing advice.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations that make sense. Instagram:@studionasra@hanacodesxo@departmentoftalkingsense Subscribe for weekly episodes on tech, culture, personal growth, and making sense of the madness.

About

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.