The Thinkwork Podcast

Tusem

Salaam, I'm Tusem! I go beyond the mainstream with a pinch of my heritage as a Turkish Muslimah. Explore with me courageous role models, like Fatima al Fihri, Malcolm X,... AND a wide range of topics around diaspora and society. Be a part of the TWP community based in Belgium 3 Bronze Belgian Podcast Awards '24 '25 • Instagram: @thethinkwork.podcast https://www.instagram.com/thethinkwork.podcast/

  1. May 25

    when Kaʿba walks to you, the story of Rabiʿa al-ʿAdawiyya

    subscribe to my newsletter ⁠https://www.thinkworkpodcast.com/newsletter⁠ She was born with nothing. No cloth to be swaddled in. No candle to light her first night in this world. She was sold into slavery as a child. She crossed the desert alone. And yet the Kaʿba moved to greet her. In this episode we sit with the life of Rābiʿa al-ʿAdawiyya, quddisa sirruhā one of the most profound figures in Islamic history through the lens of the Tezkiretü'l-Evliyā, an 800 year old gem by Farīd al-Dīn ʿAṭṭār that remains the most important source on her life. We talk about her childhood in Basra, her years in slavery, her journey to Mecca, her encounter with Ibrāhīm Adham, her understanding of tawba, marriage, niyāz, tawakkul, and what it means to have a qalb so turned toward Allah that nothing else remains. And with Eid ul Adha just around the corner the eid of Ibrāhīm alayhis salām, the eid of the road to the House of Allah there is no better time to hear her story.

    37 min

  2. May 3

    new season, love, polyglotism and existence, life updates

    Subscribe to our newsletter https://www.thinkworkpodcast.com/newsletter The episode marks a return to the Thinkwork podcast after months of silence caused by personal blockages, especially the struggle to express oneself across languages. getting married, moving from Antwerp to Hasselt, and settling into a first apartment. It reflects on a difficult period of searching for housing amid bias, feeling overwhelmed, and learning from “helplessness” (acziyet/acz) through accepting limitations, practicing gratitude, and recognizing that Allah swt grants outcomes rather than personal effort alone. It also notes how marriage revealed unexpected shortcomings and strengths and made vulnerability harder but necessary. Season five will keep the podcast name, feature heart-led guests from varied lives (including prison workers and gasals, personal stories), revive diaspora-focused live gatherings in Belgium: Antwerpen.

    26 min
  3. From Netherlands to Indonesia: Adin's Naseeb Story

    11/20/2025

    From Netherlands to Indonesia: Adin's Naseeb Story

    In the very first episode of Naseeb November, I sit down with Adin Lubis! In this heartwarming conversation, Adin shares her incredible love story of meeting her husband through Couchsurfing during Ramadan. She delves into his journey into Islam and how Naseeb brought them together in the most unexpected ways. Adin also opens up about her childhood, teenage years, growing up with strict parents and her perspectives on marriage, including the challenges and beauty it brings. This episode is a tale of hope, Qadr, and the beautiful twists that Allah (SWT) weaves into our lives. Don’t miss this inspiring episode! 💌 Submit your Naseeb story here https://www.thinkworkpodcast.com/naseebnovember follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethinkwork.podcast?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D

    46 min

  4. 10/29/2025

    How language affects our Being (Live Podcast in Antwerpen)

    https://www.thinkworkpodcast.com/naseebnovember

    21 min

  5. 10/15/2025

    When self-work becomes worship: finding harmony in faith and femininity ft Lalla Cissé

    Reserve your spot on our first Launch Event In Antwerpen here: https://www.thinkworkpodcast.com/launch-event 🗓 EVENT DETAILS – Thinkwork Podcast Season 3 Launch (Live in Antwerpen) ✨ Date: Thursday, October 23rd 🕖 Time: 7 PM 📍 Venue: Bürr Bakehouse, Brederodestraat 33, 2018 Antwerp 🧕 Who: Women-only gathering 🎙 What: Live podcast recording + authentic Turkish dinner 👗 Dress code: Everyday cultural elegance (feel free to include your cultural touch — like a keffiyeh, Anatolian patterns, African prints, or traditional jewellery) 🤝 Purpose: To connect, share stories, and celebrate the Season 3 launch together! I sit down with Lalla Cissé for an honest and heartfelt conversation about her journey of self-discovery and healing after the loss of her husband. We talk about spirituality, cultural identity, marriage, and the deep inner work that comes with growth and grief. I also reflect on my own experiences in marriage, the balance between my personal goals and relationship commitments, and the lessons that come with both. Together, we explore how our attachment styles, shaped in childhood, influence the way we love and connect, and how social media can distort or deepen our understanding of relationships. At its heart, this episode is about faith, femininity, and finding balance , and how, sometimes, self-work becomes a form of worship. follow Lalla on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lallacisse_/?hl=en

    53 min

  6. 10/01/2025

    Weight of honesty and knowing

    Reserve your spot on our first Launch Event In Antwerpen here: 🔗 https://www.thinkworkpodcast.com/launch-event On this first episode of Season Three, I look at that question from different angles — through Islamic literature, like the story of Prophet Ibrahim searching for truth, through scientific research on how knowing shapes us, and through philosophy, from Aristotle’s reflections on melancholy to modern psychology. This episode was really necessary for me to make, and honestly, I wish I had known some of these things sooner. Study on high IQ and depression: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3356869/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

    26 min

  7. 09/26/2025

    Season 3 Update 🌟🌟

    Reserve your spot on our first Launch Event In Antwerpen here: 🔗 https://www.thinkworkpodcast.com/launch-event Details Free entrywomen-onlyLimited spots availableExact date will be announced in the coming weeksLocation: Antwerp, BelgiumReserve your spot now to join us and don’t forget to leave your email to stay updated once the final date is confirmed.

    5 min
  8. EP4 S2 Dhikr and the Modern World: The 11 Fundementals of Tasawwuf

    03/23/2025

    EP4 S2 Dhikr and the Modern World: The 11 Fundementals of Tasawwuf

    In this episode, we explore the 11 fundamental spiritual principles taught by Abdu’l-Khaliq al-Gujdawani, a key figure in the tradition of tasawwuf. These teachings emphasize the importance of self-discipline, inner purity, and the continuous remembrance of Allah. In today’s modern, fast-paced world, where we are constantly distracted by phone notifications and external noise, these principles offer a grounding path for seekers. I discuss how to navigate and integrate these timeless teachings into every moment of life, helping us cultivate a refined soul and a deep connection with the Creator amidst the distractions of daily life.

    37 min
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Trailer

About

Salaam, I'm Tusem! I go beyond the mainstream with a pinch of my heritage as a Turkish Muslimah. Explore with me courageous role models, like Fatima al Fihri, Malcolm X,... AND a wide range of topics around diaspora and society. Be a part of the TWP community based in Belgium 3 Bronze Belgian Podcast Awards '24 '25 • Instagram: @thethinkwork.podcast https://www.instagram.com/thethinkwork.podcast/

Information

  • Creator
    Tusem
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tusem
  • Show Website
    The Thinkwork Podcast