This Wasn't In The Manual Co
We’re two friends and ex-colleagues who spent over a decade working at the same company but came from totally different worlds.
Ksenia’s from Russia and moved to Dubai just 3 years ago. Anam’s from Pakistan but grew up in Dubai. Different journeys, shared challenges and a lot of things no one ever really prepared us for.
That’s why we started This Wasn’t in the Manual, a podcast exploring all the things life and work no one really gave us instructions for.
We’re bringing in real stories, honest advice, and the kind of conversations we wish we had earlier.
Follow along, we’re just getting started.
New Episode Every Monday
Information about about the Hosts:
Anam Amin
Anam never really had a niche and that’s kind of her niche. Born in Pakistan, grew up in the UAE, and made life is as diverse as the country is.
Jumping around various industries landing up as a pastry chef, then finally pivoted to marketing as her day job, while part time hosting a podcast, writing about everything no one taught us and a little more of everything in between.
Ksenia Alekseeva
Hi, I’m Ksenia. I left hometown at 15, earned three degrees, and built a career in advertising and marketing.
Then I packed it all up and moved to Dubai — new country, new language, no roadmap.
My motto? Say yes to the unknown.
It’s gotten me into trouble.
It’s opened the right doors.
And eventually… it led to this podcast.
Because when Anam said, “Let’s start one” — of course, I said yes.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 56 minutes
- Episodes
- 8
- Years Active
- 2025
Motherhood, Tech & the Art of Showing Up
Motherhood, tech, and personal growth intersect in this inspiring conversation with Nawal. She openly discusses how becoming a mother reshaped her definition of career success, highlighting the cultu…
Financial Freedom: Cultural & Gender Shifts in How We View Money
In this episode, we sit down with Patricia, Head of Programmatic at Capital.com, to talk about the cultural and gender shifts shaping how we view money today. From her career journey at Amazon to her…
How to Start Investing in Property with 500 Dirhams
In this episode of This Wasn’t in the Manual, we dive into the world of proptech, tokenized real estate, and fractional ownership with one of the leading voices in the space.
Sarah shares what it’s li…
Designing with Purpose : Impact, Confidence & Creativity that moves people
What does it take to turn creativity into confidence and confidence into impact?
In this episode of This Wasn’t in the Manual, we sit down with Faraz Ali, a designer, storyteller, and quiet disruptor …
Chasing Flexibility: A Dubai Kid’s Leap from 9-5 to Entrepreneurship
In this episode of This Wasn’t in the Manual, we sit down with Nimrah Khan, a true Dubai kid and founder of her own independent marketing agency.
Born in Pakistan and raised in the UAE, Nimrah shares …
No Map, No Manual: From NZ to Dubai, Life & Career pivots
Uncharted: Life Across Continents and Beyond the Classroom
No One Told Us Rest Was Productive
Redefining Growth: No one told us rest was productive: Jessica’s Journey Through Corporate Life, Identity, and Starting Over
Description:
In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Moini, Founder of Th…