TMR: Recent Episodes
Hakawati | حكواتي
The Middle East is ripe for new ways of thinking and doing things. TMR is a Western perspective on the East, including conversations with open-minded thought leaders with innovative ideas. Writer and journalist Nadia Michel invites a diverse roster of friends and guests that include the most inspired CEOs, chefs, adventurers, entrepreneurs, musicians, authors, artists, and beyond.
Dolores Shelley was the first Jordanian woman to summit Mount Everest in 2019, a year which marked many deadly expeditions. In an interview recorded from Serbia, Dolores talks about the tragedy she witnessed on the mountain and her struggle to readjust to the mundane routine and daily grind, post-adventure.
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Nicole Smith Ludvik is a professional skydiver, stuntwoman, yoga instructor, social media influencer and emerging motivational speaker. She explains how she ended up on top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai as the star of an Emirates airline campaign that went viral, talks about her brush with death following a car accident and how skydiving saved her life.
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Nabs Al Busaidi was the first Arab to row 4,600 km across the Atlantic and the first Arab to walk 650 km to the magnetic North Pole. He talks about an encounter with a polar bear, being racially profiled while traveling and a debilitating injury for which he sought stem cell treatment in the US. He also shares tips for overcoming self-doubt.
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Nouf Al Oseimi is the Saudi Founder of Red Sea Citizens Dive Club and a scuba diving instructor. She shares her tips for avoiding shark attacks, explains why she started a movement for Saudi women divers, how life feels under the sea and why humans are doomed if the oceans die.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Saeed Al Memari talks from a basecamp in Costa Rica about his ongoing “Peak for Peace’ expedition, a mission to climb the highest peak in all 246 countries backed by the sponsorship of the Crown Prince of Fujairah in the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi. Al Memari was the first UAE national to climb to the summit of Mount Everest back in 2011. He was also the first Arab to complete the 'Explorer Grand Slam', which involves conquering the highest mountain on each of the seven continents and reaching the North and South Pole.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mashael Al-Obaidan is a Saudi rally driver who finished in the top 20 in the 2022 Dakar Rally from Ha'il to Jeddah. She describes the feeling of driving through desert sand dunes, dispels common myths about Saudi women and talks about swimming with whale sharks in Saudi’s untouched Red Sea.
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Amin Maalouf is a Dubai-based athlete who completed the Jungle Ultra race, one of the toughest ultramarathons. He recounts his grueling experience running for five days in the Amazon rainforest in Peru, the anaconda that almost got in the way and how he came out with a stronger mindset. The former ‘The Astronauts’ contestant also shares tips for breaking cycles of negativity and reveals how he cools off in a freezer.
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Nelly Attar is the founder of Move, Saudi Arabia’s first dance studio. She has climbed 14 mountains, including Everest and competed in two IronMan races and six global marathons and ultramarathons. She is also a personal trainer and was named Female Fitness Influencer of the Year in the MENA. She weighs in on how Saudi Arabia has gone from being the least active country in the world to becoming a hub for sports and fitness, how governments can take an active role in encouraging a healthy lifestyle, the body positivity movement and her diet regimen.
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Rami Rasamny is the co-founder of Life Happens Outdoors, an adventure travel community. He explains how outdoor adventure saved him from a dark mental state and unhealthy lifestyle. He talks about some of the most incredible places on Earth where LHO has taken people and how nature can improve human health and banish personal demons.
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Tima Deryan is a mountaineer, aspiring astronaut and the founder of Feministiya, an apparel brand that promotes gender equality in the Arab world. She is the first Lebanese woman to have climbed Mount Everest. We learn about her perilous mountain adventures, meeting Scott Kelly on ‘The Astronauts’ and why a local supplier once suggested feminists should be ‘slapped with a slipper’.
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Zaha Hassan is a human rights lawyer and co-author of 'Breaking the Israel-Palestine Status Quo' at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a think tank in Washington, DC. She talks about shifting US policy, growing support for Palestine among the population and the ongoing evictions in Sheikh Jarrah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Damian Radcliffe is a journalist and a Professor in Journalism at the University of Oregon. He is also a regular contributor to major media outlets such as the BBC, Huffington Post and ZDNet. He talks about social media and VoIP bans in the Middle East, the development of proprietary apps, TikTok, and Israel's bombing of the media tower in Gaza.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rabi' Sweidan is the creator and executive producer of award-winning animated film ‘Alephia 2053’. He talks about this dystopian vision of the future set in an fictitious Arab city and producing the film in Beirut.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sofiane Si Merabet is an Algerian-French creative known for his platform, The Confused Arab. He talks about false nostalgia, the future of Arab culture and how the Arab world should leverage its talent while letting go of destructive social phenomenons, including racism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sofia Guellaty is the founder and editor-in-chief of MilleWorld.com, a platform that highlights the latest in fashion, culture, beauty and travel from the boundary-breaking Arab youth culture. She talks about the media's ongoing practice of hiring Western editors and her own platform's commitment to working with Arab writers and directors. She addresses mental health relative to regulating social media through disclaimers and discusses stereotypes and the rebranding of Arab culture for global consumption. This includes producing localised content for luxury brands, like a recent Ramadan series of short films with Gucci, inspired by 'musalsalat', Arab soap operas similar in style to Hispanic telenovelas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joe Arida is a Beirut-based multidisciplinary designer, art director and editorial stylist and the founder of fashion brand La Terre est Folle and a new furniture brand, Unintentional Functional Objects. A self-described humanitarian, he talks about sexual taboos and diversity in the Middle East, the shift in consumer behavior when it comes to fashion, the uselessness of stereotypes and the possibility of extraterrestrial-life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Designer Nafsika Skourti is shattering stereotypes in the Middle East with her label. She talks about the challenges of operating out of Jordan and the true meaning of 'sustainable' fashion in a region that's still developing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dana Al Fardan is Qatar's first internationally renowned female singer-songwriter. She talks about her upcoming projects including a musical based on Rumi, the best selling poet in the US. She explains the importance of reclaiming the lessons of Rumi in our daily lives and how telling his story can help the Middle East reclaim and export its culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
David Parker is a specialist in International Investment Promotion. He has spent the last five years working with Bahrain’s Economic Development Board, helping the small Arab country work towards its Economic Vision 2030 goals. He explains how the region is shifting towards being a cashless society at warp speed. He talks about the benefits of digital data and identities but also its pitfalls, including when it comes to building long-term business partnerships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Angus Blair is a CIB Professor of Practice at the Business School at the American University of Cairo and an expert in corporate governance and ESG investing. He explains how the Abraham Accords could help speed up the Middle East's development as it faces the threats of water shortages and climate change. He talks about why the Palestinian leadership needs to become more sophisticated and he expresses his ideas on why Lebanon's government won't move forward to save the country from collapse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hassan Damluji is Deputy Director of Global Policy & Advocacy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and author of 'The Responsible Globalist.' He explains how the foundation's $1.75 billion investment so far is being deployed to fight COVID-19 and the importance of funding the development of vaccines in advance to prepare for the next pandemic. He talks about his book, how 'globalism' has gotten a bad rap and proposes solutions for uniting countries to face humanity's biggest challenges, including immigration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fatima Al-Banawi is a Saudi Arabian filmmaker and actress who came into the limelight after starring in the film 'Barakah Meets Barakah', a romantic comedy that was produced and shot in Saudi Arabia but first released in Germany in 2016, before cinemas were allowed in Saudi Arabia. She talks about her country's untold stories and presenting a narrative other than the one that's portrayed in the media. She reveals her latest projects, including two feature films set to be released in Saudi Arabia in 2021.
"The more a story is personal, the more it's universal..." -Fatima Al-BanawiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elie Habib is the co-founder of Anghami, the music streaming platform that became the first Arab tech company ever to be listed on the NASDAQ. Fresh off the IPO, he reflects on a journey that started in 2012, when the small Lebanese startup started building a catalogue by uploading CDs to its platform. He talks about the symbiotic relationship with his co-founder Eddy Maroun, the books that inspire him as a leader, the company's plans to leverage 'audio influencers' and growing ambitions for the next three years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wade Davis is a Canadian anthropologist, author and explorer. He talks about 'The Unravelling of America', an essay he wrote for Rolling Stone that got over five million views, how his PhD thesis on the zombie culture in Haiti became a Hollywood movie and his latest book Magdalena: River of Dreams, centered around Colombia's most important waterway.. He draws parallels between Middle East countries and South America and the lessons that can be drawn from Columbia's renaissance. He comments on the importance of modern medicine and how psychoactive plants can raise human consciousness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Farah Nabulsi is a Palestinian British filmmaker and human rights advocate. She talks about directing a scene at the infamous Bethlehem Checkpoint 300 and working with Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri. She explains why she makes films meant to raise the global social conscience and why most people don't really know or understand what's really been going on in Palestine. She also comments on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) recent decision on its jurisdiction to investigate Israel for alleged war crimes and what that might mean for Israeli officials.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fawaz Shakralla is the Head of IT at the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) and an expert on blockchain for telecom, banking, infrastructure and ERP project management. He weighs in on the current Bitcoin hype, the effect of day traders and explains the difference between publicly traded crypto vs. blockchain for infrastructure and crypto asset opportunities. He talks about Binance's new payment card and how cryptocurrency will become just "another payment method."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Souha Kanj is a specialist in infectious diseases at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. She explains the differences between different types of vaccines coming on the market, Russia's Sputnik vaccine, the effect of COVID-19 on fertility and the pitfalls of uneven global vaccination. She weighs in on fake vaccines and predicts that the anti-viral Ivermectin will soon make headlines. She comments on new air travel regulations, the possibility of injecting GPS nanoparticles in vaccines and Switzerland's holding back on its vaccination campaign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Philip Bahoshy is the Founder and CEO of Magnitt, a Dubai-based platform focused on tracking and enabling emerging venture markets including the MENA, Pakistan and Turkey. He shares highlights from their annual 2020 report, including the rise of fintech and why Saudi Arabia was among the only countries to see an increase in investments. He explains how COVID affected regional startups and investments and delivers his a bullish predictions for 2021.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nabil Debs is the founder of Plutus Capital Advisory in London. He’s also behind Arthaus, a collection of experiential hotels around the world. He talks about restoring his family's 19th century estate in Beirut, war tourism, his exclusive concierge service that includes setting up private appointments with designers and why the city is a sexy destination. He also provides his take on the current financial crisis in Lebanon and how he thinks it should be resolved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rania Khalek is a journalist and contributor to 'In the Now', a US-based social media platform that has been accused of having ties to Russia but has since taken steps to disprove this. She talks about Joe Biden, the pitfalls of state-sponsored media, the US's state-collapsing policies in the Middle East and why she can no longer afford cheese in Beirut.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jörg Matthias Determann is an associate professor of history at VCU in Qatar and the author of the new book 'Islam, Science Fiction and Extraterrestrial Life'. He talks about the history of the genre in the Middle East, the connection between religion and science and how science fiction can inspire the next generation of scientists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Raoum Bani is a Saudi chef and yoga instructor in Riyadh who promotes a plant-based diet. She talks about being an influencer in the Islamic kingdom and her journey from blogger to successful YouTuber. We discuss the power that content has over our lifestyle and how to find your own authentic voice on social media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Soraya Chemaly is an award-winning writer and activist whose work focuses on the role of gender in culture, politics, religion, and media. She explains why we need to change ideas of gender that are ingrained in early childhood in order to disrupt the fundamental inequalities that exist in governments and business leadership. She also suggests that the Arab world needs a feminist organization that would create a network of male accomplices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Qusai AKA Don Legend is a Saudi American hip hop artist, record producer, rapper and actor. He talks about his journey as a musical trailblazer and explains why he thinks Arab Hip Hop can make it on international music charts. He also explains how he's connected with corporate brands and shares details on upcoming music and acting roles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gad Saad is a a Lebanese-Canadian evolutionary psychologist and professor at Concordia University. He talks about his new book 'The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense'. He speaks out against post-modernism, radical feminism, identity politics and how tribalism is standing in the way of peace in the Middle East. He also explains why he would have voted for Donald Trump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tariq Elmeri is a documentary filmmaker and the host of the Da Miri podcast. He talks about social media fatigue, the demand for more in-depth content and the insightful conversations he has on his show. He explains the value of finding a niche audience and the opportunity this provides for think tanks and advertisers to accurately reach their target markets.
Listen to the Da Miri podcast here: https://damiripodcast.buzzsprout.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. James Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based organization. He talks about how a new Democrat administration in the US might affect security in the Middle East, the prospect of trade between old rivals and the best solution for the Palestinian cause.
You can follow James Zogby on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjz1600See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hadley Gamble is the host of Capital Connection on CNBC in Abu Dhabi. She talks about how a new Biden administration might impact the region economically, covering the Jamal Khashoggi murder and her brutal interview with Lebanon's former Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil at Davos, which went viral.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharif El-Badawi is a founding Managing Partner of Plus Venture Capital, a $60 million VC fund that's been launched with a target of 120 investments over the next three years. The former managing partner of Falcon 500 talks about their unusual investment strategy, the specifics of the selection process and why he left Silicon Valley for the Middle East. He also explains how investment into the tech industry will transform the region for the better.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hatem Alakeel is a Saudi designer and the founder of Authenticité, a platform he created to bridge Saudi talent with the rest of the world. As the country shifts away from being dependent on oil and works towards Vision 2030, the market is attracting foreign investors. He talks about how the kingdom has evolved since launching his thobes brand Toby in 2007 and explains how he aims to elevate Arab culture and provide authentic channels for brands seeking to penetrate the market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sarah Bahbah is an artist and photographer of Palestinian descent who has amassed almost a million followers on Instagram. She talks about posing in her latest series entitled '3eib!' (shame in Arabic), sexual taboos and how she bypassed traditional channels like museums and galleries using social media to grow her collector base.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Zeina El Dana is the founder and CEO of Z7 Communications in Dubai, one of the Middle East's most powerful lifestyle PR firms. She explains how luxury brands are staying relevant, emphasizes the growing need to invest in innovative digital events and reveals the fundamentals for building your own brand story on a shoestring budget.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Adam Baidawi is the Editor-in-Chief at GQ Middle East. He talks about why GQ is no longer just for men, why more young Arabs should join the media industry and how connecting with subculture in the region is key to the magazine's success. He gives tips on networking as a writer or creative.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carl Gerges is the drummer of Lebanese band Mashrou' Leila and also the founder of his newly launched architecture studio. On the heels of the 'l Love Beirut' fundraising concert with UK artist Mika that has already raised over 1 million Euros, he talks about being censored by authoritarian regimes, the balancing effect of yoga and his work as an architect which has been featured in AD Middle East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mazen Hajjar is the CEO of Hawkers, a craft beer brand based in Australia. He talks about establishing 961 beer in Lebanon in 2006, the brew‘s ancient history in the Middle East, the important scientific and technological breakthroughs the industry has sparked and why you should never drink beer from a bottle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hussein Wehbe is the new CEO of Fetchr, a Dubai-based shipping company that avoided collapse by cutting over 1200 jobs and raising fresh funding in August 2020. He talks about the new vision, shifting his mindset towards the future and building a strong company culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Saleh Barakat is a Lebanese art expert, gallery owner and curator. He talks about the right approach to buying art and the real returns on investment. He gives tips on starting a collection and comments on a few Levantine artists who are becoming influential on a global level.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Talal Tabbaa is the Dubai-based co-founder and COO at Jibrel Network. He explains how cryptocurrency is regulated by digital scarcity, how it can protect investors against inflation and the advantages of trading on the ethereum blockchain, including the fact that it bypasses the traditional banking system. He predicts that it will eventually replace money as we know it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mohamed Al Fayed is the CEO and Co-Founder of Grubtech, a Dubai-based F&B tech company founded in 2019 that recently received $2 million in seed funding. He explains how the restaurant delivery industry has rapidly evolved with COVID-19, how Grubtech optimizes the digital process, the advent of robotic kitchen 'staff' and the ways AI will change the way we eat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Salah Tabbara is co-founder of Naseem Akkar Windfarms, Lebanon's first wind energy project that will power 225,0000 homes. In this episode recorded before the August 4th explosion at the Port of Beirut, he talks about the project's progress, how the private sector can help restructure that country's failed economy and eliminate the need for subsidies and addresses the rise of sustainable energy across the Middle East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dounia is a Moroccan-American singer, songwriter, model, and activist based in Queens, New York. She talks about grappling with her identity as a Muslim, writing explicit lyrics and how her unconventional beauty and message of self-acceptance has led to a huge following and fan base.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sebastian Bond is the CEO & Founder at Kitab Sawti. The Arabic audiobook company was recently acquired by Sweden-based Storytel, a main competitor to Amazon's Audible, as part of a strategy to acquire global, emerging markets. He explains how he came up with the idea in Sweden in 2016 where the second language is Arabic and explains why audiobooks encourage reading.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Issmat Kassem is an Assistant Professor of Food Microbiology Safety at the University of Georgia. He sounds the alarm about an antibiotic-resistant gene called MCR-1 that's making its way from the poultry industry into humans at an alarming rate and how this will lead to millions of deaths across the Middle East, Asia and the world. He explains why Colistin should be banned from agriculture and why we should be investing in alternatives to antibiotics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mariam Yeya is the Founder and Creative Director of Mrs Keepa, a Dubai-based fashion label. Fresh off the release of her new collection Champs de Liberté, she talks about going all out despite the economic slowdown, selling style vs. fashion across the Middle East and the pitfalls of being an influencer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kareem Rahma is a comedian, poet, producer and film writer based in Brooklyn. He talks about Kanye West, identifying with the Black Lives Matter movement as an Egyptian-American, using entertainment to call out and fix social injustice, why he thinks poetry is having its biggest revival in over a century and why he thinks TikTok is the best thing that's happened since Facebook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Khaled Kteily is the founder and CEO of Legacy, a sperm freezing and testing service that ships sleekly-packaged kits overnight. The startup recently raised $3.5 million to expand its global footprint in this growing industry, which he says has been grossly underfunded. He reveals some shocking data about men's fertility, explains why 18 might be the ultimate age for men to freeze their 'most valuable assets' and why Mick Jagger is their biggest enemy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Abishur Prakash is a geopolitical futurist at the Center for Innovating the Future in Toronto. His new book 'The Age of Killer Robots' lays out the possible outcomes as countries move towards deploying autonomous drones and robots in warfare. He talks about the weaknesses of algorithms, the current battle for AI supremacy between China and the US and how Saudi Arabia might transition from an oil-based economy to a self-sufficient technology hub as data becomes the new oil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Syrine Chaalala is the co-founder of nextProtein, a French-Tunisian startup that has just raised over $11 million in series A funding. From breeding happy flies to crisping them and distributing the product, she explains how they are paving the way in this nascent industry, its immense positive impact on the planet and why insect protein is the next hot commodity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Roy Baladi is a co-founder of Jobs for Lebanon, a platform that rallies the global diaspora and connects the world's biggest employers with talent in Lebanon, where a highly educated population is facing an economic crisis. He explains how they've leveraged SmartRecruiters' software and why Lebanon might be a great place for corporations to explore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rami Zeidan is the Head of Video and Creative at TikTok Middle East. He talks about how the platform is educating creators to develop content beyond signing and dancing, how it can be leveraged by entrepreneurs and how it has been tailored to suit Arab culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nadine Hachach-Haram is the founder and CEO of Proximie, an AR platform for surgery that has made its way into over 80 hospitals in 30 countries since it was founded in 2015. Nadine, who is based in London, talks about the company's rise, from helping a surgeon in Gaza reconstruct an 18-year old boy's hand to winning large-scale contracts in the UK and around the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chaker Khazaal is a Palestinian-Canadian author and reporter. He talks about why he loves living in hotels, releasing his new book 'Life Dice' during COVID-19 and how he's incorporated UPC codes that link to real video footage of the US invasion in Iraq. He also reveals the next step for his celebrity-endorsed app, Candle of Hope.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Maximilian Büsser is the founder, CEO and Creative Director of MB&F, a Swiss high-end watch brand. Now based in Dubai, he talks about the importance of making space for creative thinking and happiness. He also describes how he's dealt with COVID-19, including by slashing his small production in half and leveraging IG Live to sell his timepieces, which can sell for as much as $500,000.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sameh Saleh is the co-founder and CEO of Hawaya, a dating app tailored to Muslims looking for a life partner. He talks about launching the startup in Cairo in 2017, their acquisition by Match Group, its growing success around the world and how the algorithm works to help users with high intentions find their ideal mate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Amir Hegazi is the author of Ecosystem Arabia, a new book that compiles insights from over 100 experts on startups, funding, entrepreneurship and policy in MENA. He talks about the challenges of connecting 400 million people in 22 countries into a cohesive market and the enormous potential in this emerging scale up ecosystem.
You can download a free version of Ecosystem Arabia on www.ecosystemarabia.com or on www.flippingbook.com or get a print copy on all Amazon outlets including Amazon.com and Amazon.ae.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Egyptian-American stand-up comedian Maria Shehata shares anecdotes from her career as a female comic and reveals what her father said when she announced her plans to perform in comedy clubs full-time. She also gives key advice on how to be funny on stage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The chef with the world's best hommus recipe Sami Tamimi has a new cookbook called Falastin, co-written with food writer Tara Wigley. He talks about his unique partnership with Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi, the challenges Palestinian farmers face to export their world-class olive oil and the heirloom vegetables that are being reintroduced to counter the pitfalls of commercial agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joe Tabet is the founder of JT+Partners, a UAE-based architecture and engineering firm. Five years ago at the age of 41, he left one of the world's biggest firms to start his own business. He now has over 70 employees and projects all around the world. Joe shares the secrets to great leadership and striking deals in the Middle East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Growth marketing expert Nelio Leone talks about strategies that will help your business navigate the economic crisis and what the new corporate normal will look like. He shares wisdom he acquired at Careem and also in Chiang Mai, where he soaked up some lessons from digital nomads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Greek-Lebanese singer Matteo El Khodr stunned both the jury and the audience at the blind auditions of The Voice France’s Season 9. The buff performer talks about how he became the Middle East's only countertenor and his acting debut in the Lebanese romantic comedy film ‘Khabsa’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Faisal Saeed Al Mutar joins us from NYC to talk about Ideas Beyond Borders, an organization that's translating thousands of Wikipedia entries and the world's most influential books into Arabic. He also talks about growing up in Iraq and being on Al Qaeda's Death List.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is a plant-based diet the answer to many of our generation’s health and viral epidemics? Veganism is sweeping the Middle East, from vegan Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, whose KBW Ventures recently invested in a company developing lab-produced milk, to the new crop of restaurants and food products flooding the region’s marketplace. Vegan advocate and international speaker Seb Alex is a Barcelona-based, Lebanese-born proponent of veganism and in this episode, he makes a compelling case for a cruelty-free lifestyle and reveals what the Koran and the Bible say on the topic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dani Afiouni is the Head of Marketing Transformation at PepsiCo for Africa, Middle East and South Asia and an entrepreneur. He explains how climbing mountains has deeply changed him and talks about Longevity Sports, an ice-bath technology he’s developed to train for endurance sports that also has other health benefits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Emmy-nominated journalist and public speaker Ahmed Shihab-Eldin weighs in on Trump’s “Deal of the Century” for Israel-Palestine and the ramifications of coronavirus, including racism and profiteering. Now based in NYC, he talks about his latest projects and finding new ways to inspire change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Designer Roni Helou explains his approach to growing his sustainable ready-to-wear label, winning the Fashion Trust Arabia 2019 Prize and how he sources vintage and dead stock to create modular, multipurpose pieces that are meant to outlast trends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
19-year old Sami Fathi has spoken on youth issues at the UN in New York City and contributed editorial columns to Arab News. He shares his take on the rapid changes taking place in his native country of Saudi Arabia and tries to dispel common misconceptions.
Check out the Da Miri Podcast here: https://link.chtbl.com/dmpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fourth-generation lawyer Dr. Talal Jaber shares his take on religious laws in the Middle East and how they impact families. He proposes reforms that take into account local culture and contemporary values.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Farid Talih is a Psychiatrist at American University of Beirut Medical Center AUBMC who specializes in addictive behaviours and sleep disorders. He reveals the most prevalent drugs in the Middle East, the latest approaches to treatment and why addiction is now being called 'substance abuse disorder.'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Raw Bites co-founder Ali Bazzaz talks protein, good carbs and why the Lebanese brand's peanut-flavored Just Protein Puffs are spreading like wildfire. He also talks about how they've crafted their international expansion, which is already well underway.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
George Eid is the Co-Founder of XLAB, a Beirut-based agency that is at the forefront of experiential marketing in the Middle East. He talks about the playful hardware and software they create for brands and the company's expansion into Saudi Arabia and the UAE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gilbert Doumit is a Public Policy Expert and Political Activist and a Managing Partner at Beyond Reform & Development, a consulting firm and social enterprise that advises countries across the MENA. He explains why the term 'politics' should be redefined and what the new government should look like in Lebanon following the revolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Abdo el Hage is an internationally certified mixed martial arts coach and judge. He talks about the rules of cage fights, the benefits of training and why MMA promoters should focus on the Middle East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Allan Chaaraoui is the Canadian frontman of Beirut-based indie band Lazzy Lung. He talks about keeping his alternative rock band alive since 2011, music industry secrets and the band's latest album, Swim The Tide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Raymi is an illusionist, professional magician and mentalist. He is based in Dubai and performs all across the Middle East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What's Up Lebanon is an Instagram page with close to 250k followers. Founder Kareem Chaarani talks about his unique approach to promoting restaurants, nightclubs, covering current events and also his deep sense of duty to the community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Managing Editor of Annahar English Elias Sakr talks about the challenges of transitioning from print to digital, how the Middle East business model differs from that of the western media and why you should fork over six dollars a month for exclusive news stories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
International lawyer, law professor and former presidential candidate Chibli Mallat talks about one of his latest books, 'Philosophy of Nonviolence: Revolution, Constitutionalism, and Justice Beyond the Middle East' and how to translate an uprising into a new social construct.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest, Joseph Kéchichian is a Senior Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh. In this episode, he explains why he thinks the kingdom is likely to achieve its ambitious Vision 2030 goals, and why critics of the country are merely spreading propaganda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lebanese singer and actor Marc Hatem shares his personal thoughts on being on The Voice and Dancing with the Stars. Hatem talks about how to be a great performer, the problem with artists in the Middle East and why he started his own music academy, Music Factory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Puerto Rican basketball player Walter Hodge reveals the advantages of not playing in the NBA, the perks of living in the Middle East and he suggests ways the sport could be marketed better in the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Farid Hobeiche (AKA @Farixtube), a comedic influencer with a unique approach to digital content and product placement, explains his strategy and his humorous take on social and political problems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rami El Ali, a professor of philosophy at the Lebanese American University and a political activist, shares his views on the circumstances that have led to Lebanon's October Revolution and explains the post-Civil War mindset and main socio economic issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Imad Salamey, a political science professor at the Lebanese American University, explains how Lebanon's October Revolution is different from previous uprisings and should be the starting point for a benchmark-setting, non-sectarian, forward-thinking government in the Middle East. Correction: Dr. Salamey is the former Director of the Institute for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution at the Lebanese American University in Lebanon, not the current one as stated in the podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Actor and video blogger Issam Merheb/ SiMi voices his criticism of the film and television industry in Lebanon and the actresses who rely on plastic surgery to grow their popularity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Middle East's Interior Designer of the Year Rabih Geha of RG/Architects talks about winning the Middle East's top industry awards. Find out why clients from all over the world are seeking him out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michel Elefteriades founded Music Hall in 2003 and has since replicated the concept internationally including in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and soon in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In his first interview in the last four years, he talks about building a network of entertainment venues and why he now favours riding in utilitarian company cars over his highly publicised, matte black custom Bentley.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
French-Syrian photojournalist Ammar Abd Rabbo talks about his latest exhibition IM-Matricules, a series of nude photographs meant to highlight the collapsing world around us and how we cope. Known for his portraits of international figures including Bashar al-Assad, Muammar Gaddafi and Stephen Hawking, he has also been lauded for chronicling events in Iraq, Libya and Lebanon since the 1990s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mouhamad Rabah is the CEO of Beirut Digital District, a buzzing tech hub and real estate development in downtown Beirut that’s made up of ten buildings covering over 20,000 square metres of office space and housing 135 companies. In this episode we discuss the ongoing project and the benefits of co-working spaces.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do women want from men? It's a universal conundrum, irrespective of one's culture, ethnicity or language. Men are constantly scratching their heads over their mysteriously disgruntled girlfriends, and research since the 1940s has revealed that women are responsible for initiating at least 70 percent of divorces. So what's going wrong? In this episode, we finally solve the riddle that's been plaguing mankind since the beginning of time, with the help of renowned Lebanese sexologist Dr. Sandrine Atallah, host of Sex Talk, and Lebanese journalist Rayane Abou Jaoude, host of Khilqit Binit. Warning: This conversation is raw, uncensored and brutally honest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fadi El-Jardali is a Professor of Health Policy and Systems at the American University of Beirut and the Director of the Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center. In this episode, we discuss the ongoing legislative process for the legalization of cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes in Lebanon and the potential benefits and risks of implementation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.