Roots to Routes with Anand Dattani
This podcast unpacks the importance of understanding where each of us come from, and the role it's played in where we’re going.
Each episode is an honest and personal conversation about legacy, identity, and the lessons passed down through generations.
Each guest is someone who has broken barriers through what they're now doing, from founders and CEOs, to creatives and athletes, we explore how our roots shaped us, what we can learn from the stories of our elders, and how much culture has evolved even since our own childhoods.
From societal expectations on success to relationships, I get the guest to share their own experience a on overcoming generational struggles, and their advice for the next generation.
If you're someone who’s ever felt stuck between living life the way you want or fitting in, or you’re still figuring out where you belong, you're not alone here.
And if you’re a guest on the show, this isn’t just about sharing your bio. It’s about sharing the stories that made you you, and leaving behind something meaningful for the next generation to hear.
Podcast Description
This podcast unpacks the importance of understanding where each of us come from, and the role it's played in where we’re going.
Each episode is an honest and personal conversation about legacy, identity, and the lessons passed down through generations.
Each guest is someone who has broken barriers through what they're now doing, from founders and CEOs, to creatives and athletes, we explore how our roots shaped us, what we can learn from the stories of our elders, and how much culture has evolved even since our own childhoods.
From societal expectations on success to relationships, I get the guest to share their own experience a on overcoming generational struggles, and their advice for the next generation.
If you're someone who’s ever felt stuck between living life the way you want or fitting in, or you’re still figuring out where you belong, you're not alone here.
And if you’re a guest on the show, this isn’t just about sharing your bio. It’s about sharing the stories that made you you, and leaving behind something meaningful for the next generation to hear.
Episodes

Oct 5, 2021
Oct 5, 2021
39 min
Apart from this unorthodox but highly entertaining quote by my guest, in the final part of our conversation, Doq discusses one of the most important chapters of his life, introducing his partner (and now wife), Nandi, to his family for the first time. We discuss breaking through the traditional belief system of marrying within your same culture, as well as the role of social media in racism, impacting people's judgements and how they are affecting the younger generation. In the final part of our conversation, we discuss: Dealing with the repercussions of ’THAT’ story from Omed’s wedding (see Part 1 for full story) Introducing a non-Bengali partner to his parents Cross-cultural similarities in our family's background and mindset Traditional belief systems of marrying within the same ethnicity The role of social media in creating echo chambers of racism Are young generations exposed to too much too early in life? Quotes from this episode You don’t necessarily have to be with a Muslim to be a better Muslim I'm not here to jiggle my titties, I'm here to tell you some stories Encourage people to be open about how they feel, and try to limit judgment; judgment should be reserved for actual crime. The more open you are with your vulnerabilities, the more likely you are to find ways to overcome them DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT PART ONE IF YOU HAVEN'T YET Listen to Doq's YouTube show here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClXNWf8lQWXIJrllQL_FnqA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 28, 2021
Sep 28, 2021
1hr 10 min
If you don't already know who Doq is, check out the bonus episode before this, where I spend 30mins with him talking about all the weird and wonderful so that we could ease him of his initial nerves. In this episode, we talk: Deal with anxiety of meeting new people. Accepting my insecurities in social settings. What does it mean to be ‘well read’? Appreciating video games as a form of art. Growing up in a household (and family culture) that lacked a focus on art & creativity. Issue with Asian parenthood culture and the future careers of their children. The limitations of the English language in poetry. Dropping out of university in 3rd year. Lack of mental health awareness and education in our parent’s generation. Being driven to humour in an attempt at pleasing his devout Muslim dad and wanted to make him laugh. Dealing with cancer - physically, mentally and socially - and realising his fortune in surviving, where others didn’t. The stereotypes of different cliques in school. Learning how to deal with embarrassment, including THAT story from Omed’s wedding. [laugh emoji] Follow Doq at: www.instagram.com/doqcastListen/watch Doqcast on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 14, 2021
Who Is The Host of Doqcast?
Sep 14, 2021
Sep 14, 2021
28 min
FUNNIEST EPISODE YET. An unorthodox introduction to a very special guest - an entertainer, a storyteller, a cancer-survivor and, above all else, a loyal friend, son and husband who has endless value to offer whether you want to laugh or be inspired by his special story. Ladies & gentlemen, I present this prelude to a fascinating, meaningful and inspiration conversation. Watch Doq on Doqcast: For Me, Not You: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClXNWf8lQWXIJrllQL_FnqA Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thejourneyonwardspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 31, 2021
Aug 31, 2021
1hr 20 min
South Africa-born, Rhea Naidoo, gives an incredible open and honest account of her memories of life in South Africa; as well as, her views of the racial discrimination (apartheid) that dominated the country for much of the 20th Century from the first-hand perspective of her and her family having grown up there. We explore how, as the first one of her family to leave South Africa, she was able to build up a new life in the United States, and the role that her first Ayahuasca experience played in bringing her towards her true calling of accelerating the return of female leadership in the world - which was present across multiple cultures and religions, but lost over the centuries. In this episode, we discuss: Impacts of apartheid still being felt today in South Africa The rising 'brain drain' in South Africa and future impact on the nation Her grandmother's significant history with Nelson Mandela Comparing South African culture to American culture Adapting to the immense loving nature of Pisac, Peru Realising a calling for Coaching after her first Ayahuasca experience The long and forgotten history of the role and dominance of women in leadership The differences in the role of older women in Western vs Eastern traditions and society The gender of the soul - and personification as a female energy What is the difference between a leader and a manager? Would the world be a happier place if it operated under one belief system or one way of thinking? Follow Rhea Naidoo to keep updated on the release of HeartSong - the podcast that relives her 30 day experience through the jungles, wilderness and journey of self-discovery and Ayahuasca. www.instagram.com/rhea_naidoo_ Follow The Journey Onwards podcast:on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thejourneyonwardspodcaston Facebook: www.facebook.com/thejourneyonwardspodcast Find out more about the Third Culture Tribe:podcast.thejourneyonwards.com/tribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 27, 2021
Jul 27, 2021
1hr 12 min
British-born Bangladeshi, Shuwel Ahmed, opens up about the biggest failure in his life, which came when he moved to London for University, and how the disappointment felt worse given the backstory of his grandparents and parents that gave him the fortune of the opportunities he had. In this episode, he talks about how this sparked his determination to always give his full effort and know that whenever he has failed since then, it hasn't been because of his own complacency. Since then, he has gone to work at a global pharmaceutical company, speak at a TEDx, create the Pupils2Professionals initiative and currently has multi-million pound property portfolio. We discuss: The story of how his father was given the opportunity to move from Bangladesh to the UK at the age of 13, where he began schooling while working 2 jobs. Planting the seed through Pupils2Professionals through growing up in an underprivileged part of the UK The key character traits he sees in his parents that he now sees in himself and his 2 brothers Experiencing a significant failure in his life that completely changed his mindset and determination How can the younger generation reach their potential without having to go through a significant, humbling failure first? Dealing with light-hearted racial prejudice during schooling years Learning from his father's regret following a life-threatening medical problem Realising the importance of investing time and money in meeting and connecting with people who know more than you do Understanding the difference self awareness vs. self belief to help you achieve your goals Will we be happier as a population 100 years from now? Books recommended in this episode Peak Performance: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31450959-peak-performance Factfulness: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34890015-factfulness?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=aMzNsGbcNs&rank=1 Quotes when you're at a period when you're new in a country, and there's not so many of you around, you're much more inclined to help [those] others when I go to back, there's almost a village of people who are willing to do anything for me, and these are people who don't have a lot.. i see that as now a sense of responsibility to help. in my school, qualifying for free school meals meant your household income had to be £10,000 or below... my Dad wouldn't allow me to take the free school meals even thought we qualified for it I think there's ways that you can learn from your parents about the good things, but also some of the traits that you don't necessarily agree with- there's also a lesson in all of that that year was the most humbling year of my life.. at the end of it i said I am never ever going to put myself in a position where a lack of my effort has put me in this once you recognise the power of your family, and realise how much luck there is in all of it, you just want to make the most of it Shuwel's previous podcast appearance (as mentioned in this episode): listen here Get in contact: With the guest: www.instagram.com/shuwel1 With the host: www.instagram.com/thejourneyonwardspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 16, 2021
Jul 16, 2021
32 min
Don't forget to check out Part 1 if you haven't already. In part 2, we discuss: Dealing with the culture shock of moving to Iran, and not 'fitting in' How can someone better connect with their culture and heritage? Social life in Iran vs the UK The importance of community in Iran Her desire to make substantial and impactful change in Iran Learning to set your expectations by finding your own purpose and not based on what society expects of you. Leave a comment or get in touch on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thejourneyonwardspodcast Find out more: podcast.thejourneyonwards.com/about Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 13, 2021
Jul 13, 2021
40 min
In Part 1, we cover: How facing the challenges of a third culture kid while growing up helped her embrace and fit in Learning to embrace her Iranian side and overcoming the 'terrorist' propaganda with the help of a close friend How her dad ended up moving from Iran to the UK The crazy story of her mum being stranded in Germany on the way to the UK How did the Iranian revolution come 1979 come about? The very strong influence of British and American culture in Iran, from the perspective of an Iranian family the misunderstood history of Iran, dating back to the days of Zoroastrianism Appreciating Cyrus the Great and his multicultural approach Instagram: www.instagram.com/thejourneyonwardspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 8, 2021
Jul 8, 2021
1hr 4 min
We discuss: How I first came into contact with spiritually inclined youth. Where did the idea to use my summer holidays to stay in an ashram in India and serve with the monks come from? The feeling of coming back to the UK and navigating a spiritual existence and working in a Banking. Dealing with my own ego of thinking that finding spirituality has made me 'better' than others. What key lessons I learnt from my first trip to India, and learning to apply spiritual principles to your pursuits and goals without feeling you have to give up those dreams. Is spirituality for everyone? Meditating in India and implementing mantra meditation in my daily routine. The importance of my morning routine . The history and bigger vision of The Journey Onwards Podcast - the interactive, immersive family tree so that our ancestors stories can live on through audio podcasts and other multimedia. What does it mean to me to live a fulfilled life. Growing up with Jay Shetty and the influence he had on my spiritual journey. Deal with stress and using spirituality for stress management. Find me on IG! instagram.com/anandsworld Find Sina on IG: More of First Serve Podcast: instagram.com/firstservepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.








