The Lighthouse Conversations with Hashem Montasser

“It’s not enough to just have good taste.” Rajat Malhotra on building the last major independent festival in the GCC

"I’m competing with white space”: Heba El Gabaly on designing the future

“I saw a massive gap in institutionalizing the real estate process. And I wanted to take a crack at it.“ Abdullah Alajaji on identifying market gaps in real estate and playing the long game

"People walk in as strangers and leave as family. That is what Bait Maryam is all about." Chef Salam Dakkak on honoring her mother’s legacy through every single dish.

“The region is going through a renaissance within the creative industry that we very much want to be part of.” Sultan Al Darmaki on bridging silos in the creative ecosystem, and finding that right balance to keep being inspired.

“The Middle East is the best market for all luxury brands worldwide” Rami Al Ali on bridging cultural divides, redefining Arab luxury, and the evolution of modern identity through couture.

Teaser: Rami Al-Ali

“Luxury isn’t just about products that are crazy expensive.” Samir Aghera on navigating heritage abroad, celebrating the spirit of nomadism, and redefining the essence of luxury experiences.

“I have a vision of leaving a legacy with this brand” Faiza Bouguessa on her journey through the world of fashion, being true to her vision, and leaving a legacy for the Middle-East

Teaser: Faiza Bouguessa

“I’m very comfortable around people who are homesick but not sure where home is.” Avni Doshi on the impact of culture, motherhood and identity on her creative writing process, and the UAE’s nascent literary ecosystem.

Teaser: Avni Doshi, coming August 8

Bonus: Fadi Kattan’s Molokhia Handroll

“If somebody calls hummus a dip again, I'm going to scream!” Fadi Kattan on why food is so central to his celebrating his Palestinian heritage and on the magical powers of oral history.

“I’m an art pragmatist. You need a balance.” Hashem Montasser talks to Caroline Louca about growing up around art, themes in his current collection, and how The Lighthouse fits in with his mission to

“When I see a few characters in a painting, I create my own stories.” Elie Khouri on his multiple career pivots, the joy of collecting art & having fun on hit reality series ‘Shark Tank’

“When I see everybody walking in a certain direction, I like to choose the other path” Hamad Al Awar on juggling founding burger brand 'High Joint', being a police officer, visual animator and father

Teaser: Hamed Al Awar

"Dubai is like a millefeuille. There are layers and layers." Mohamed Maktabi on the rich history of his family’s business 'Iwan Maktabi' and his passion for storytelling through the intricate artistry

Teaser: Mohamed Maktabi

2023: (It Goes Like) Naaaaaah

Episode #79 Teaser: 2023 - (It Goes Like) Naaaaaah

2023 Throwback: Ayman Fakoussa on launching The Qode, balancing friendship with business, and why he can’t let go of Excel

“Not everybody is going to like me. I’ve accepted that.” Mariana Wehbe on her remarkable journey from a corporate job at DHL to becoming a PR powerhouse and founding WE Design Beirut

Bonus: Tom Arnel on pivoting their 20,000 sq.ft. concept, The Guild, during the pandemic

Episode #78 Teaser: Mariana Wehbe

“I try to remember often that this is the greatest experience of my life” Tom Arnel on the thrill of building purposeful spaces and managing stress in a high-level role

Episode #77 Teaser: Tom Arnel

“I learned what absolute zero feels like.” Hassan Sheheryar Yassin on starting from zero, conquering fear of failure and a serendipitous meeting with William & Kate.

“My father eats, sleeps, and breathes design.” Nakkash on its 40th anniversary as a family-run business, the future of collectible design in the UAE, and passing the baton from one generation to the n

“The thrill of the chase has always been my thing.” The Lighthouse friend Ayman Fakoussa on launching The Qode, balancing friendship with business, and why he can’t let go of Microsoft Excel.

Summer Throwback: HE Zaki Nusseibeh on the importance of storytelling in building identities

Summer Throwback: Ahmad Al Marri on launching Canvas Gelato against the odds and why community support was crucial to his success.

Summer Throwback: Myrna Ayad on the evolution & perception of Middle East art (2019)

“As a Khaleeji guy, I had to prove myself over and over.” Meshary AlNassar on finding his footing as a designer, navigating interior design trends and the benefit of having a good eye.

“There is nothing wrong with romanticizing Cairo.” Mai Eldib on her book ‘Cairo Eternal’ and what makes Cairo magical.

2022 Throwback: Anoud Alzaben on the process of creating and immortalizing ephemeral tablescapes.

“You can’t lead with arrogance.” Natasha Sideris on taming ambition, striving for balance as a restaurateur, and why there’s no way she’ll open in Greece.

“Depriving me from Arabic was limiting” Publisher Yasmina Jraissati on unlocking the potential of the Arabic language and how she accidentally became a rebel with a cause.

“A dish is like a door into an entire people.” Nouri restaurant’s Ivan Brehm on his passion for “crossroads” cooking and the best advice he ever received.

Bonus: Ice baths and social media, with Shereen Al-Mulla

“It’s our responsibility to keep our heritage alive.” Shereen Al-Mulla on launching Hikma Rituals, motherhood and reclaiming her heritage.

“Finance is riddled with emotion.” Cordoba Advisory’s Rami Sarafa on demystifying the art of investing and the importance of psychology in wealth management.

“To look at buildings you have to peel away the signage then reconstruct.” Mohamed Elshahed on tracing Cairo’s human experience, one building at a time.

“Artists are the last truth sayers.” Sunny Rahbar on having a front row seat to Dubai’s art scene propelling itself onto the global stage and the unlikely rise of The Third Line in its midst.

“When you do something right, everyone comes to you.” Ayman Baky on grit, perseverance in the F&B industry, and reshaping Egypt’s restaurant culture.

2022: Don’t Sweat the Technique

Welcome to The Lighthouse Conversations

2022 Throwback: Stasha Toncev on her improbable journey from Belgrade to Dubai and the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs

2022 Throwback: Mohamad Orfali on traditions, storytelling & mulukhiya