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.
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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.
In this heartfelt season finale, Nawal joins us to explore motherhood, tech careers, and the courage of showing up authentically. From navigating maternity leave to becoming a certified coach, she shares her journey with humor and vulnerability.
From Amazon to fintech, Patricia - now Head of Programmatic at Capital.com - takes us through her career, her cultural views on money, and her journey toward financial freedom. We talk about gold rings as investments, the gender gap in confidence, and what everyone should’ve been taught about money and risk.
Ever wondered if you could start investing in property with just 500 dirhams? Sarah from Stake joins us to break down how proptech is making real estate more accessible—and why asking better questions can change your whole career path.
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 who began his creative journey through theatre and now works at the intersection of empathy, performance, and product.
We explore:
Why confidence is a practice, not a personality trait
Navigating performance anxiety (yes, even with a balloon)
The invisible emotional labor behind creative work
How to show up in spaces not built for you and own them
This conversation is a reminder that the most powerful thing you can design is your own presence.
🎙️ Hosted by Anam & Ksenia
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 her journey from the corporate and agency world to running her own business. We talk about the realities of building in a city that moves fast, trusting your instincts, navigating unexpected pivots, and showing up when no one else will.
This episode is for anyone building something from scratch without a playbook.
Listen now and follow This Wasn’t in the Manual for more stories of growth, grit, and everything they never taught us.
In this episode, we talk to Shreya, who left New Zealand to build a new life and career in Dubai’s tech scene.
From job hunting in a new country to navigating cultural shifts, we dive into what it really takes to start over somewhere completely unfamiliar. We talk gap years, networking, adjusting to new norms, and finding your place, professionally and personally... especially when everything around you is new.
Listen now and tag a friend who’s dreaming of a move or needs the push to take the leap
In this episode, we dive into the story of someone who built a career without a traditional degree and did it across three continents. From Australia to the UK to Dubai, this conversation is all about what it means to take the road less traveled. We talk about self-belief, resilience, and how moving across the world became its own kind of education. If you’ve ever questioned the conventional path or felt like you were figuring it out as you go, this one’s for you.
He also happens to be our EX Boss ;)
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.
