B.C. Dodge & R. Mordant Mahon talk to Khalil Ismail in this episode of “What a Relief!” — IRUSA’s official podcast.
This week B.C. & Mordant welcome Khalil Ismail, creative director and award-winning independent artist and producer, most recently known for directing the short film His Other Wife. This is Khalil’s third time on the podcast and it just keeps getting better!
In this episode, he talks about how he came to direct His Other Wife, and how Umm Zakiyyah’s best selling novel came to the big screen (You can check out the trailer on muslimcreators.com).
Khalil also gives a glimpse at what exciting work is on the horizon, including a collaboration with Serial’s Adnan Syed, who he actually went to school with. As Adnan approaches a chance at another trial, a podcast project is in the works to explore the matter from a social standpoint as opposed to a detective angle.
Beyond the art that Khalil is working hard to put out, he shares insights into how he stays grounded, motivated and positive in an increasingly negative world.
“At the end of the day, you go home and you still have to take the trash out. Faith it the best thing to balance you out,” he says.
He credits prayer as being his rock. “We all have the things that we’re passionate about. Prayer is what grounds me. It allows me the ability to let out my frustrations,” he says. “When you start with prayer and you start with having the good intention in prayer, then no matter whether the results end up being something that you wanted or the results end up being not something that you wanted, you can reconcile that. I’m constantly having to remind myself that there’s a greater purpose that’s bigger than me.”
Tune in to hear more gems like this, and learn how reflecting on the impermanence of life and serving others can help keep you centered and humble.
“Today in this world everything is competition, it’s go, go, go. Most people feel like they’re not where they want to be. Just remember to not get so down on yourself, because even that’s part of the plan, and that’s part of the training.”
LISTEN. SHARE. REPEAT.