Family Matters with Sarah
By Family Matters by SKB Law
15. Keeping Purdah: Navigating Divorce with Grace and Respect. Sarah chats with Salima Iqbal
In this episode of Family Matters: Real Divorce Stories from the South Asian Community, Sarah Khan-Bashir sits down with social care specialist Salima Iqbal to discuss her divorce journey and life after separation. Salima shares her approach to navigating divorce with dignity, focusing on maintaining respect and positive relationships, especially when children are involved. She shares why she thinks it's helpful to keep personal matters private, control your narrative, and not let community voices dictate your decisions.
Salima’s story is one of grace and mutual respect. She continues to be welcomed at her ex-husband’s family events, which she credits to the way they navigated their divorce together, and how they present themselves to the world. She also touches on the challenges she witnesses by daughters who take on caregiving roles post-divorce and the complexities of decision-making within family structures.
Salima’s advice on open dialogue with children and seeking support is both practical and inspiring, offering a refreshing perspective on navigating life after divorce.
Family Matters with Sarah: Hosted by Sarah Khan-Bashir MBE, the award-winning lawyer and founder of SKB Law, "Family Matters" offers a platform for honest discussions about separation and divorce, focusing on the unique experiences within the South Asian community. Voted a top podcast in the UK, it delves into the raw, real, and relatable aspects of these life-changing events.
#DivorceStories #SouthAsianCommunity #FamilyMattersPodcast
14. Acceptance Is Key: Sarah Choudhury's Story
In this episode of Family Matters: Real Divorce Stories from the South Asian Community, host Sarah is joined by Sarah Choudhury, for a deeply personal conversation about navigating life after separation. Sarah shares her unique journey of being separated for 16 years while raising her children, reflecting on the challenges she faced as a South Asian woman balancing career, motherhood, and personal growth. Sarah transformed her personal struggle into an opportunity for self-discovery, resilience, and career success. She discusses the power of acceptance, the importance of finding one's identity outside of relationships, and how she leaned on her faith and inner strength to move forward. This episode deals with societal judgment, redefining one's future after divorce, and embracing the opportunities that come with being on your own.
Family Matters with Sarah: Hosted by Sarah Khan-Bashir MBE, the award-winning lawyer and founder of SKB Law, "Family Matters" offers a platform for honest discussions about separation and divorce, focusing on the unique experiences within the South Asian community. Voted a top podcast in the UK, it delves into the raw, real, and relatable aspects of these life-changing events.
#DivorceStories #SouthAsianCommunity #FamilyMattersPodcast
13. A Journey of Courage and Culinary Dreams: Sarah chats with Amandip
Welcome back to Season 3 of Family Matters. This episode marks the first episode of Season 3 of the Family Matters podcast, dedicated entirely to sharing real and relatable divorce stories from the South Asian community. Each episode aims to provide insights for those facing similar challenges.
In this candid conversation, Amandip discusses the challenges of navigating her identity and responsibilities as a South Asian woman facing divorce and societal expectations. Despite personal losses and immense pressures, she emerges as a successful author and culinary entrepreneur, all while shaping a new path that honours her heritage and personal dreams. This episode is a deep dive into overcoming adversity, the power of support, and the courage to pursue one's true potential against all odds. Amandip is a former fashion writer and stylist, working with The Times, and Conde Nast Traveller, part of Vogue.
Family Matters with Sarah: Hosted by Sarah Khan-Bashir MBE, the award-winning lawyer and founder of SKB Law, "Family Matters" offers a platform for honest discussions about separation and divorce, focusing on the unique experiences within the South Asian community. Voted a top podcast in the UK, it delves into the raw, real, and relatable aspects of these life-changing events.
#DivorceStories #SouthAsianCommunity #FamilyMattersPodcast
12. What You Need To Know About Mediation: Sarah chats to Derek Mason
Did you know that when you make an application for a court order in relation to many types of family law disputes, you must show the court that you attended a mediation meeting?
In this episode, Sarah chats to experienced mediator, Derek Mason about the role of mediation in divorce and asks whether we need more culturally responsive mediators? They explore recurring themes in family breakdowns such as power struggles and parenting rights and offer guidance for anyone going through divorce or separation.
Learn More
Mediators facilitate a purposeful conversation. They encourage couples to share their concerns and resolve any disagreements. Once you reach an agreement, a solicitor to make any agreement legally binding.
- Derek Mason and London Mediation Service: https://www.tlms.org.uk
- What is mediation? https://www.tlms.org.uk/about-1
- My Next Step - a culturally responsive directory of services for anyone going through divorce or separation: https://skblawfirm.co.uk/mynextstep/
Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with your friends or family.
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11. Mortgages, Remortgages and Gifts: Sarah chats to mortgage brokers Pam and Aman
Your home is often one of the biggest assets you own. And your mortgage might be your largest debt. So it makes sense that one of the biggest questions people have when they split up is…what happens to the home?
In this episode, Sarah chats to mortgage brokers Pam and Amandeep about how they help their South Asian clients buy, sell or remortgage a home. They touch on some of the practical considerations around buying your first home after a divorce, including what it means for your credit rating, advice for older buyers and whether your family can help you with a deposit. They discuss some of the most common scenarios:
- Whether you can transfer a joint mortgage into one partner’s name?
- What can you do to protect your interests if your home is only in your partner’s name?
- How to improve your credit rating?
- What happens if your child divorces their partner and you live with them?
- How can you apply for a mortgage as a first-time homebuyer?
NOTE: Please note this episode is not intended to replace legal or financial advice. It is pre-recorded so always check current mortgage rates or products with your broker or financial institution.
Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, follow us on Instagram @sarahthelawyer98 and @skblaw
10. Trauma, Healing and Marriage: Sarah chats to Dr. Hafeez Ahmed
If you’ve listened to Family Matters, you’ll know that Sarah usually talks to guests about divorce or separation. In this episode Sarah talks to Dr. Hafeez Ahmed, a UK-based dentist about the impact of childhood trauma on his marriage. Dr Ahmed offers candid reflections about his journey and how processing his trauma started a journey of healing himself and his marriage.
Content Warning: this episode contains themes of childhood abuse, bullying and trauma.
Learn More
- Dr. Hafeez Ahmed and his book: https://thephilosophyfridge.co.uk
Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Instagram
@sarahthelawyer98 and @skblaw
9. Lenghas, Loans and Lamborghinis: Sarah chats to MUA, Zahida Ashraf
With over 126million posts on Instagram alone, it's no secret, weddings and bridal make up are a huge industry. In this episode Sarah chats to award-winning make up artist Zahida Ashraf about marriage trends, life after the Lamborghinis and why you need to protect yourself financially before your wedding.
Key Points
- Nikah Nama as an Islamic pre-nup
- Protecting assets through Wills
- Pre-wedding money or property gifts from parents
- Marriage Trends
Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with your friends or family.
Follow us on Instagram
@sarahthelawyer98 and @skblaw
8. Love Practically: divorce lawyer Sarah chats to matchmaker Adeem Younis
What happens when a matchmaker meets a divorce lawyer? In this episode Sarah chats to Adeem Younis, award-winning founder of SingleMuslim.com, the world's leading matchmaking site for Muslims. Between them, they've helped thousands of couples at the start or end of their relationship. In this special conversation, they share their advice on finding love, marriage trends and why having uncomfortable conversations are so important to healthy relationships.
Learn More
- SingleMuslim - the largest Muslim owned dating app in the world
- Nikah Nama Guide - English translation of the Nikah Nama
- SKB Law - Religious Marriages and Nikah protection
Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with your friends or family.
Follow us on Instagram
@sarahthelawyer98 and @skblaw
7. Welcome to Season 2 of Family Matters
Welcome back to Season 2 of Family Matters, the podcast by Sarah Khan-Bashir. In this season, Sarah talks to some amazing guests, including a matchmaker, a make up artist and a mediator. Our first episode begins with Sarah sharing why she started the podcast and how she hopes we can shift the conversation around divorce and separation. If you’re new to Family Matters, please be sure to listen to the stories featured in our first season. Thank you for joining us.
If you enjoyed this episode, why not share with your friends or family.
Follow us on Instagram @sarahthelawyer98 and @skblaw
6. Child Bride to City Champion: In Conversation with Inayah Sher
Born and raised in Bradford, Inayah was married at five years old, sent to Pakistan at fourteen years old, released from two years' house arrest at sixteen years old and became a mother at eighteen years old. After raising her daughter, Inayah made the decision to leave her husband at thirty-six years old. Finding humanity in strangers, Inayah returned to education, learned to drive a car, started a business, remarried, became a grandmother and led a city-wide campaign, Bradford4Better. She talks openly about the challenges she faced along the way and shares her advice for other women. This is the remarkable story of Inayah Sher.
*Please be aware that this episode explores: forced marriage, child marriage, domestic abuse and suicide.*
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About Family Matters
About SKB Law
My Nikah by SKB Law: a free collection of articles and guides for Muslim women
5. Show Me The Money: What To Do If You Think Your Partner Is Hiding Assets.
In this episode, Sarah talks to forensic accountant Zachary Iqbal about dividing finances fairly. Forensic accountants follow the money - they trace assets, value businesses and interrogate the accounts. Listen to Sarah and Zach's insights, understand what counts as marital assets and learn what steps you can take if you suspect your partner of under-valuing or hiding assets.
Zachary Iqbal is an Accredited Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants In England and Wales. He trained with Deloitte International before working with companies across the UK, including Linklaters and Mishcon de Reya. He has led some of the UK's largest audits and worked on multi-million pound forensic investigations.
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4. We'll Always Be A Family - Coparenting Conversations.
In this episode, Sarah talks to documentary producer and director Sally Ogden about her experience coparenting her daughter.
Sarah and Sally first met in 2017 during the making of a Channel 4 documentary about unregistered marriages. Sally shares her journey from getting early legal advice from Sarah to avoiding family court and creating a positive coparenting relationship for her daughter. They share practical insights and tips for anyone with children who may be going through a separation or divorce.
If you'd like to learn more about coparenting, please visit our website for more information and free guides, including:
- Resolution's Parenting Through Separation Guide which aims to give parents access to information and support that helps them throughout their parenting journey, through separation, divorce and beyond.
- Parenting Plans - an introduction and overview on what to include in your parenting plan;
Sally also mentions the support she received from Relate - learn more about their work here.
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Episode 3 - Men, Mental health and Mother-in-laws
Everyone deals with the end of a relationship differently. Talking about your feelings or seeking professional help isn't easy. In this episode Sarah talks to therapist Imran Manzoor. Imran is the lead therapist of Breaking the Silence, an organisation he created almost ten years ago in response to the lack of mental health services for South Asian men.
Listen as they talk about fatherhood, fast cars, the relationship between sons and mothers...and living life on your terms. We hope you enjoy our conversation.
Imran is the founder and lead therapist at Breaking the Silence, a service supporting men from Asian communities who experience issues in adulthood as a consequence of childhood trauma and abuse. Breaking the Silence started as a local provision in 2012 and now has a national remit, serving on the Ministry of Justice's funded ‘Male Survivor Partnership’. If you'd like to learn more or contact their team, visit: http://www.breaking-the-silence.org.uk/?page_id=19
SKB Law is a specialist family law firm supporting clients across England & Wales. Follow us at https://skblawfirm.co.uk/familymatters/
Episode 2 - Why Do Divorced People Look So Happy?
Welcome to Episode 2 of Family Matters by SKB Law. In this episode, we chat with Laaleen Sukhera about blended families, the Nikah Nama and celebrating divorce! We hope you enjoy the episode. If you'd like to ask questions, say hello on Instagram @skblaw or @laaleensukhera
Laaleen is a Lahore-based communications consultant and the founder of the Jane Austen Society of Pakistan (JASP). JASP has chapters in all of Pakistan’s major cities and boasts an online community from more than 45 countries. Laaleen is also the editor of 'Austenistan' a collection of seven short stories which invite readers to reimagine Regency England in a contemporary South Asian context and get a peek into the lives of Pakistani women.
SKB Law is a modern family law firm with offices in Bradford and London. More information about our services, visit www.skblawfirm.co.uk
Ep1. When you know it’s over
In this episode, we talk about when you know it’s over and how to deal with “lok kya kehange”. For our first episode, we're joined by Sarah's first client Fozia Naseem, co-founder of Hop-On. Fozia shares her story and how her experience helped her to build a stronger self. Before you listen to this episode, we want to let you know that Fozia shares her personal experience of domestic abuse.
A massive thank you to Fozia for sharing her story with such honesty, generosity and openness. We hope it helps others.
- Find out more about Fozia Naseem and Hop-On here: https://hopon.bike
- Follow SKB Law on www.skblawfirm.co.uk