How to Adult

Episode 5: How to get around without a car in the UAE

Getting around on your own is one of the first realities that hits when you start living independently.
Without a family car or someone to give you a lift, commuting quickly becomes a major part of your routine, and as a young adult, understanding your city’s transport options becomes essential.
In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar reflects on her own challenges getting around during a summer programme in California, where public transport felt confusing and ride-hailing apps stretched her budget.
Bringing the conversation closer to home, we hear from a Dubai-based fresh graduate who shares her experience navigating the UAE without a car. From buses and metros to ferries, she explains how public transport helped her get around the city affordably and independently.
Later in the episode, Hala is joined by transport planning expert Martin Tillman who breaks down what young adults in the UAE should know about mobility − from choosing where to live based on transit access, to the future of autonomous vehicles and the upcoming Etihad Rail network.
How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear every Monday across podcast platforms.

Episode 4: How to build a physically healthy life in your 20s

Taking care of your physical well-being might seem like a no-brainer, but as a young adult trying to balance a new job, social life and the daily challenges of growing up, it’s often the first thing to fall through the cracks.
In this episode of the How to Adult podcast, host Hala Nasar opens up about her own health struggles, including chronic back pain that pushed her to rethink what fitness means and how to integrate it into a busy lifestyle.
To better understand how young adults can stay active without burning out, Hala speaks to Reem and Caroline Kassab, a mother-daughter instructor duo who’ve been teaching fitness in Abu Dhabi across generations.
Together, they discuss common misconceptions of fitness, how to overcome the fear of starting and why motivation is less important than consistency.
How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear each Monday across podcast platforms.

Episode 3: Househunting in the UAE for the first time

Moving out for the first time is a major milestone – one that can be both exciting and overwhelming.
In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar shares her rollercoaster experience of finding her first apartment.
She’s joined by real estate expert Alessia Sheglova, chief executive of Dacha Real Estate, who offers a practical guide to renting in the UAE. From budgeting tips to what to look for in a lease agreement, Alessia answers the questions that need asking before signing a rental contract.
In the audio episode, Hala is also joined by Aaina Pahwa, a content creator who viewed nearly 100 homes before finally settling on one. She talks about what she has learnt about being selective, knowing your deal-breakers and trusting the process.
How to Adult is a series helping young people tackle real-life situations. New episodes drop every Monday across Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast platforms, YouTube and social media.

Episode 2: How to budget your expenses as a young adult

Budgeting is one of those words that can instantly trigger stress for young adults but it doesn’t have to be.
In this episode of How to Adult, host Hala Nasar explores how to take control of your spending, without giving up joy in the process.The episode opens with Hala reflecting on her own experience learning to manage money after getting her first paycheque.
She is also joined by Isaac Arroyo, data journalist at The National and UAE newcomer who shares his quirky yet effective method for tracking expenses by thinking in terms of coffee cups, and how this system helped him make sense of the cost of living in a new country.
To offer expert advice, Hala speaks to Mike Coady, chief executive of Skybound Wealth and a financial adviser based in Dubai. Mr Coady provides tips on how to build a monthly budget and what realistic saving looks like in the early stages of a career.
How to Adult is a weekly series helping young people tackle real-life skills they were never formally taught. New episodes appear every Monday across podcast platforms, YouTube and social media platforms.

Episode 1: How to get your dream job after graduation

One of the most daunting tasks young people face after university is finding their first job.
In this debut episode of the How to Adult series, host Hala Nasar shares her post-university panic and talks to fellow graduates about job hunting in the UAE. Despite completing multiple internships, she shares the challenges, confusion and rejections that come with trying to enter the workforce.
To offer practical solutions, Hala sits down with recruitment expert Kameron Hutchinson, who breaks down what fresh grads need to know to stand out. As a Dubai-based recruitment director, Mr Hutchinson shares tips on what makes a CV stand out, how fresh graduates can optimise their LinkedIn profiles, and the most effective job platforms in the UAE.
Mr Hutchinson also addresses common misconceptions about cover letters, how to follow up after an interview, and how young professionals can network, even if they’re just starting out.
How to Adult is a bi-weekly series helping young people tackle real-life situations. New episodes drop bi-weekly across podcast platforms, YouTube, and social media.

How to Adult Trailer

How to Adult is a new series from The National that delivers the life skills you were never formally taught, but absolutely need. Subscribe now to get notified when it goes live.