Rana Hussain is one of the most influential voices in Australian sport and media, but her story isn’t about trying to be seen. In fact, she used to run from it.

As a proud Muslim woman, Rana never set out to lead. But over time, her presence became a message in itself and she realised if she didn’t take up space, someone else would do it for her.

In this episode, we go deep on what it means to represent your community while still figuring out your place in the world. Rana opens up about the silent pressure, the inner conflict, and why she’s learnt to sit in the grey between her faith, her values, and the realities of the industries she works in.

We talk about the racism still baked into Australian sport, and how moments like Adam Goodes’ treatment became a turning point for her. She shares her view on the Peter Lalor situation at SEN, where a respected journalist lost his job after supporting Palestine and why the contrast with how Cricket Australia handled Usman Khawaja’s quiet protest says so much about who gets to speak, and when.

This is a conversation about courage, compromise, and calling things what they are. From AFL boardrooms to uncomfortable DMs from the community, Rana takes us inside her world — where progress is messy, but necessary.

Other highlights from this episode:
• Why diversity in sport often stops at marketing campaigns
• Navigating identity when you don’t fit neatly into one box
• The quiet ways media and institutions silence difficult conversations
• What Australia can learn from the UK’s approach to anti-Islamophobia
• The real reason AFL promotes players like Bachar Houli
• Why family-friendly sport could be the key to genuine inclusion

This episode is for anyone who's ever felt caught between who they are and what the world expects — and for everyone who cares about creating spaces where people can truly belong.

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Hejaz, Australia’s leading financial group, offers a comprehensive suite of Sharia-compliant products and services to the Islamic community. Dive into the world of Islamic finance and discover more about Hejaz Financial Services at:

www.hejazfs.com.au

Hosted by Ali Ozyon:
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrozyon/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-ozyon-75168285/

Co-Hosted by Muzzammil Dhedhy:
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muftimuzza/

Connect with Out of Interest Podcast:
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oointerest/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oointerest
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Out of Interest /
🐦 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/oointerest
🌐 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oointerest

------------------------------------------------------------

For business enquiries or if you have any questions, please email:
aozyon@hejazfs.com.au

Thanks!

In this powerful episode, we sit down with former AFL player Ahmed Saad, a trailblazer and one of only a handful of Muslim athletes to make it to the elite level of Australian Rules Football.

Born in Australia but raised in Egypt for six years, Ahmed opens up about his humble beginnings, his first love of soccer, and how fate (and a friend’s invitation) led him to try Aussie Rules — a sport he knew nothing about. From not knowing how to kick a footy at 16, to becoming the first Egyptian and second practising Muslim ever drafted into the AFL, Ahmed’s story is one of grit, faith, and identity.

We dive deep into the intersection of Islam and professional sport, as Ahmed shares the incredible impact Bachar Houli has had on the AFL community — from advocating for prayer rooms in stadiums to pioneering the Bachar Houli Foundation, which continues to inspire the next generation of young Muslim footballers. Ahmed reflects on how Bachar’s courage made it easier for others like him to enter the game with confidence.

Ahmed shares emotional insights into what it felt like walking into an AFL club as a practising Muslim — and the surprising openness and support he received from his team. He reveals the conversations he had with the club, the moment they asked “What do we need to know to support you as a Muslim?”, and what it was like to stand in front of the team and speak about his faith and culture.

We explore a rarely-discussed topic: fasting during Ramadan as an athlete. Ahmed candidly shares why he didn’t fast during his AFL career, the toll it can take on the body, and how he’s since chosen to fast while playing at local levels — giving listeners a raw and real view into the physical and spiritual balancing act that Muslim athletes face.

Other highlights from the episode:

• Growing up in Egypt and the culture shock of returning to Australia
• Soccer vs AFL: Which sport is tougher?
• The huge gap in money and exposure between AFL and global sports
• The importance of mentorship, and the role Grant Thomas played in keeping Ahmed grounded
• The life-changing impact of the Bachar Houli Foundation — including a recent leadership and training camp in the UAE that’s shaping the future of young Muslim athletes

Whether you're a fan of the game, a member of the Muslim community, or someone navigating identity in sport — this episode is raw, inspiring, and deeply meaningful.

This week on Out of Interest, we’re joined by one of Australia’s most respected and fearless crime journalists - Andrew Rule.

With a career spanning over four decades, Andrew has spent his life diving deep into the world of crime, corruption, and the human stories behind headlines. He’s best known as the co-creator of the iconic Underbelly TV series, which was based on the explosive books he co-wrote with John Silvester. That series was so controversial it was banned in Victoria — and as a result, pirated DVD sales exploded in pubs and job sites across the state.

But Andrew’s work goes far beyond what you’ve seen on screen. As the host of the hugely popular podcast Life and Crimes with Andrew Rule, he takes listeners into the gritty underworld of Australia and beyond — telling stories of drug smugglers, violent killers, and the systemic failures that let them slip through the cracks.

In this episode, we unpack stories that will make your jaw drop:

The escape of David McMillan, a man who went from school science labs to becoming a globe-trotting drug smuggler. Imprisoned across multiple continents, McMillan made history by being the first Westerner to escape Thailand’s infamous Bangkok Hilton prison — using nothing but bribes and a parasol.

Andrew’s take on why people commit horrendous crimes, like the Menendez brothers — often tracing back to a history of childhood trauma.

He reflects on covering major world tragedies — from the Bali bombings, to Christchurch earthquakes, and the Japanese tsunami — and the emotional toll of bearing witness to human suffering, even if it doesn’t leave him with PTSD.

A fascinating insight into why all criminals are gamblers, willing to stake their freedom or life for a shot at getting away with it.

What it’s really like being a crime reporter: the real fear isn’t the criminals — it’s being sued by rich, powerful people who don’t want their dirty laundry aired.

Andrew also shares the golden rule of crime writing: “If you can’t prove it, don’t publish it.” He’s seen the dangers of upsetting not just gangsters, but corrupt cops, who know the system inside out and have more motive than most to silence a story.

This is an episode packed with raw truths, shocking stories, and rare access into the mind of someone who’s seen the dark side of society up close.

🎧 Listen now and discover the hidden crimes, psychological twists, and moral complexities that lie beneath the surface of everyday Australia.

------------------------------------------------------------

Hejaz, Australia’s leading financial group, offers a comprehensive suite of Sharia-compliant products and services to the Islamic community. Dive into the world of Islamic finance and discover more about Hejaz Financial Services at:

www.hejazfs.com.au

Hosted by Ali Ozyon:
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrozyon/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-ozyon-75168285/

Co-Hosted by Muzzammil Dhedhy:
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muftimuzza/

Connect with Out of Interest Podcast:
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oointerest/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oointerest
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Out of Interest /
🐦 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/oointerest
🌐 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oointerest

------------------------------------------------------------

For business enquiries or if you have any questions, please email:
aozyon@hejazfs.com.au

Thanks!