“Bookstores typically have been a place where I escape myself—and [a place where] I find a new self,” says this week's podcast guest, Nadia Wassef. “I feel like I walk in there and the world is open to me.” The author of the newly released Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller knows a thing or two about bookstores: she co-founded Diwan—the Egyptian ca ... Show More
Sep 2025
Tracee Ellis Ross Loves Seeing the World Solo
Repeat: Tracee Ellis Ross’ earliest memories involved traveling the world with her mother, Diana Ross, but it was at the age of 22 that she discovered what solo travel could give her. This episode, Lale sits down with Tracee to discuss how solo travel can be an act of radical sel ... Show More
30m 14s
Feb 2021
‘Every act of reading is historical,’ Nadia Wassef on the art of reading vs. the craft of writing, and the business of founding Diwan, one of Egypt’s most popular modern book stores.
This week we’re joined remotely by Nadia Wassef who in 2002 co-founded Cairo’s popular Diwan bookstore with her sister, Hind Wassef and their friend Nihal. Now, with three Masters degrees in her pocket and a separation from Diwan, Nadia is embarking on the arduous journey of writ ... Show More
53m 12s
Jan 2022
Nadia Wassef - A Cairo bookseller
When Nadia Wassef, her sister Hind and friend Nihal started their bookshop, Diwan, back in 2002, they had no idea that ten years later they would be running ten bookshops across Egypt meeting a growing demand for books both in Arabic and English, French and German. There were man ... Show More
17m 9s
Jun 2022
“The issue with progress is that it’s seldom linear.” Nadia Wassef on narrative structure, trafficking in nostalgia and life after publishing a debut memoir.
This week, we reunite with a previous guest; author and friend of The Lighthouse, Nadia Wassef. Since our first episode with Nadia, her well received debut memoir Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller has been published in several languages and Nadia is now preparing for her second na ... Show More
47m 36s
Aug 2022
Nada Baeshen | The Mo Show 65 | Financial independence, Working Women, Legacy & Happiness
Nada Baeshen is a social media influencer, skincare and fashion fanatic, an avid traveler, and the owner of The Huntress, a multi-brand boutique store based in Jeddah. She also runs Bimini Beauty, a home services spa. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she worked in financing and b ... Show More
1h 12m
May 2022
From Sierra Leone to London (Part 2) featuring Nadia Maddy.
*From Sierra Leone to London* featuring author Nadia Maddy Sierra Leonean author Nadia Maddy joins the podcast to discuss her early years and the differences and similarities between living in London and Sierra Leone in terms of culture, class, education, and gender roles. We hop ... Show More
33m 25s
Jul 2024
the book that changed my life
(Video podcast available on Spotify & YouTube) In this episode of Pretty Lonesome, Madeline hosts a book club for the popular book, Women Who Run with the Wolves. In this book, the author discusses stories of women's safety -- including falling for predators, ignoring red flags, ... Show More
42m 45s