Diving into the joy of Guatemalan retreats and the love of Microsoft Excel, Hashem sits with Ayman Fakoussa this week to have a wide-ranging conversation. Hashem and Ayman chat about his experience growing up in Saudi Arabia before eventually moving to Dubai and embarking on a multi-faceted career that culminated in launching his own communications firm, The ... Show More
Jun 4
“I observe. I document. And more recently, I speak my mind.” Hani AlMalki on Dubai’s F&B reset, credibility over clout, and a restaurant career built without a restaurant.
Hani AlMalki — aka Bedouinfoodie — returns to podcast for a second sit-down, and it lands nothing like the first. When war hit the region, he started writing: a daily diary on his Instagram Stories that became required reading for Dubai’s food community, built on the one thing m ... Show More
56m 43s
Apr 2026
“If you tell me we're not going to build, then probably replace me. There is no need for having me.” Karim Awad on leading EFG Hermes mid-revolution, a decade of building, and why legacy is measured by what remains after you leave
Karim Awad walked into EFG Hermes at one of the most turbulent moments in Egypt's recent history — a company caught mid-revolution, a bruised brand, and a region that wasn't sure it wanted to stabilise. What he did next is what this conversation is about. Karim and Hashem talke ... Show More
53m 4s
Feb 2026
Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte on the Soul of Space and Collectible Design
“I really wanted to slow things down… to create an experience where people take their time, build relationships, and connect with design in a more human way.” Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte has spent fifteen years living out of a suitcase, experiencing the quiet palazzos of Venice ... Show More
50m 47s
Aug 2024
Fares Akkad on media, startups, and the future of AI
Motivated by curiosity, creativity, communication, and good food, Fares Akkad’s career has taken him on an exciting journey — from consulting, to makeup, to one of the biggest media and tech companies in the world. The common theme through it all? Making a positive impact on othe ... Show More
44m 41s
Jun 2022
Youssef El Deeb
I’m delighted to have Youssef El Deeb as my guest today. Youssef is a film-maker, photographer, writer, ad-man, broadcaster, foodie and even a sailor. A son of Alexandria, Youssef’s life has seen him move from Egypt to Canada, to Kuwait, and finally to Dubai where he currently re ... Show More
49m 11s
Dec 2018
The Explosion of Entrepreneurship in The UAE, Digital Media & Producing Content | Interview On Through The Lens
<p>On my recent trip to Dubai, I had the chance to sit down and do this really fun show, talking about my thoughts on the UAE, the middle east, my thoughts on digital media in the area, and how I'm able to produce so much content on such a large scale. </p>
15m 28s