Hashem catches up with Avni Doshi, author of ‘Burnt Sugar’, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize. In her book, Avni explores the themes of identity, culture and motherhood. The heartfelt discussion captures the poignant moments of personal growth that permeate her narrative, now seen through the lens of maternal experience, where vulnerabil ... Show More
Jun 11
"I’m competing with white space”: Heba El Gabaly on designing the future
Heba El Gabaly, co-founder and CEO of Efreshli, discusses her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship, scaling a tech-driven design-led business, and the importance of blending online and offline experiences. The episode explores her unique blend of leadership, what it felt li ... Show More
1h 2m
Apr 15
“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
This week on The Lighthouse Conversations, Hashem sits down with Abdullah Alajaji, Founder of Driven Properties, to discuss his meteoric journey in real estate. Tune in as they discuss taking personal risks, how he spotted a gap in the UAE real-estate market, and how Driven Prope ... Show More
1h 7m
Mar 2025
"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.
@hashem is back this month with Chef Salam, the Chef-Operator of one of the UAE’s most popular restaurants, Bait Maryam. Chef Salam shares the journey behind her success and how she slowly built up her business from the ground up while honoring the legacy of her late mother. She ... Show More
47m 29s
Dec 2021
Siri Hustvedt on the Value in Embracing Ambiguity
When Siri Hustvedt was 12 years old, she began reading 19th-century novels by Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain that were given to her by her Norwegian mother, and soon developed a passion for literature. She found great satisfaction in how these st ... Show More
1h 23m
Feb 2025
Loren Ridinger: Living Your Best Life After Losing Your Greatest Love
In the latest episode of the Angie Martinez IRL Podcast, Angie kicks off a new season by delving into an intimate and inspiring conversation with Loren Ridinger. Loren, a long-time friend and the CEO of Market America Worldwide and Shop.com, discusses her new book 'Scrambled or S ... Show More
1h 6m
Dec 2023
Feminine Wellness and Overcoming Challenges: A Conversation with Emaan Abbass
On this week's episode, we delve into the world of Emaan Abbass, the former founder and creator of KETISH. In this engaging conversation, she shares her journey of removing the stigma surrounding feminine wellness and self-love. Emaan's journey was marked by both triumphs and set ... Show More
32m 45s
Jun 23
Unfinished Stories: Dr. Marie Nakhoul on Memory, Medicine, and the Meaning of Home
Dr. Marie Nakhoul reflects on growing up in Lebanon, the emotional complexities of migration, and how her work as an OBGYN in the U.S. deepens her understanding of grief, memory, and identity. A powerful conversation on belonging, nostalgia, and writing as a way to return home. F ... Show More
25m 51s
Jun 2023
Spirituality, Inspiration, Ego & The Power of Curiosity | Punam Verna [S2Ep6]
On this episode of Rooted Within, Lily and Dan interview Punam Verma, a multi-talented artist who started as a poet and then pursued music, writing over 250 songs and performing in front of 70,000 people for her first concert.
Punam is a fascinating individual with a keen underst ... Show More
40m 41s
Jul 2024
Redefining Beauty Standards with Teni Panosian
Today, we journey with Teni Panosian, whose voyage from Tehran amid turmoil to the entrepreneurial triumph in the beauty world, embodies the essence of resilience and self-discovery.
Born into an Armenian Christian family, Teni's narrative unfolds across continents, facing a maj ... Show More
32m 32s
Dec 2024
Interview | Growing Up Neem-Rooni - Jasmin Mozaffari, Director of Motherland, on Identity in a Problematic Time
In this episode, Leyla sits down with acclaimed filmmaker Jasmin Mozaffari to discuss her short film Motherland, a poignant exploration of cultural identity, family trauma, and resilience. Jasmin reflects on her upbringing as a neem-rooni (half-Iranian, half-Canadian) in post-9/1 ... Show More
28m 9s