What I Did Next

Encore: Jalal Abu-Gazaleh & Dalia Sultan

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

I’m re-connecting again with one of my first guests, Jalal Abu-Gazaleh & Dalia Sultan, co-founders of Gourmet Egypt. The headline news since we first spoke in 2021 is that the company went public earlier this year!

Tune in for the inside story of their expansion and IPO.

This episode is part of Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni, so stay tuned.

Chapters:

0:00 Coming up..

13:27 The IPO Journey

31:53 Balancing marriage and business

37:45 The lightning round

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Tim Marshall on the importance of geography

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0000

We're continuing my conversation with journalist & best-selling author of Prisoners of Geography, Tim Marshall. On this episode, Tim tells me how the journalism landscape has changed, and the importance of geographical context in understanding current affairs and geopolitics.

I’ll be back again next week with a special Encore episode with two of my earliest guests—Jalal Abu Ghazaleh and Dalia Sultan, co-founders of Gourmet Egypt—and the amazing story that led to their incredible IPO earlier this year.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start investing today: https://app.efghermesone.com/

Chapters:

0:00 Coming up...

10:40 The importance of geography in current affairs

15:24 The new world order

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Tim Marshall

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:30:00 -0000

Tim Marshall joins me on the show this week to talk about his journey from starting out with the British Royal Air Force to his three-decade career in journalism and now best-selling author of ‘Prisoners of Geography’.

We also talk about the importance of understanding geography and how that intersects with current affairs and geopolitics. This is particularly relevant considering the ongoing war in the Middle East. More on that in Part 2 which comes out next week.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start investing today: https://app.efghermesone.com/

Chapters

0:00 Coming up...

4:12 All the world‘s a stage

11:54 From the Royal Air Force to Sky News correspondnt

28:10 Reassessing after danger

32:42 Tim‘s writing process

37:46 The Lightning Round

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Empowering the arab youth, with Thuraya Ismail

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:45:00 -0000

I’m continuing my conversation with Thuraya Ismail, CEO of Mentor Arabia, an organisation dedicated to improving the well-being of the Arab youth. On this episode, Thuraya shares her insights on drug prevention, overcoming stigma and how this work intersects with her other passion for arts & film.

This episode is brought to you by:⁠

EFG Hermes One⁠, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide⁠. Start investing today!
Azza Fahmy Jewellery⁠

Chapters:

0:00 Coming up

3:27 Tackling drug prevention

12:12 Impact of Saudi Vision 2030

14:14 Supporting youth through arts

16:13 Expanding Mentor Arabia

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Thuraya Ismail

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 06:30:00 -0000

I’m delighted to welcome Thuraya Ismail. She's the CEO of Mentor Arabia, an organisation dedicated to improving the well-being of young Arabs in general, and towards drug prevention in particular. Since its launch in 2006, the organisation has reached more than 1.5 million beneficiaries and now operates across 12 countries. Stay tuned for more on that in Part 2 of our conversation next week.

I’m really impressed with Thuraya’s work, and I was happy to sit down and get a real in-depth look at her personal journey, including losing her father last year, and her work to mentor the youth of our region.

This episode is brought to you by:

⁠EFG Hermes One⁠, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide⁠. Start Investing today: https://app.efghermesone.com/
Azza Fahmy Jewellery⁠: https://azzafahmy.com/

Chapters

0:00 Coming up...

7:36 Career Beginnings at UNDP

13:53 Love for youth development

18:40 Transition to Mentor Arabia

21:52 Personal loss

29:00 Lightning Round

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Abdel Wahed El Wakil

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0000

I‘m joined today by a legend of from the world of architecture, Abdel Wahed El Wakil. I sat down with him a couple of weeks ago in Doha, where he now lives, to document his incredible journey, his vision for architecture as an industry, and Islamic architecture in particular.

Abdel Wahed has designed buildings around the world, including in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Paris and London. He also studied and worked under his mentor, Hassan Fathy, an architecture legend in his own right.

We’ll be continuing our conversation next week, where Abdel Wahed tells me about the evolution of architecture and materials, so stay tuned!

This episode is brought to you by:

⁠EFG Hermes One⁠, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide⁠. Star Investing today!
Azza Fahmy Jewellery⁠

Chapters:

0:00 Coming up

10:42 Architecture's Purpose

19:10 Materialism vs Spirituality

23:21 Cultural Revolution

26:34 Designing for the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

37:58 Reviving Community Spaces

41:40 Lightning Round

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Double-Take: Art & Heritage with Nada Debs, Louis Barthelemy, Omniya Abdel Barr & Sarah Beydoun

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:58:00 -0000

On this episode, you'll hear about the incredible message through art with designer Nada Debs and entrepreneur Sarah Beydoun, and the importance of preservation from Omniya Abdel Barr and artist Louis Barthelemy. This episode is part of our new segment, Double-Take, where I take a deep-dive into a single topic and connect the dots between some of our best conversations.

This episode is brought to you by Azza Fahmy Jewellery⁠

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Encore: Mo Hefzy

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0000

I'm re-connecting today with award-winning film producer Mo Hefzy. Since I first spoke to him in 2022, Mo has had a series of successful releases, including 'Flight 404', 'Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo', 'Darwish', and many more. You can listen to that first conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH9tNi21eZo This episode is part of Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni, so stay tuned. Chapters

0:00 Welcome to a new Encore

0:44 Growth of Saudi cinema

2:50 Challenges in Egyptian cinema

8:00 The impact of streaming

23:34 The Lightning Round

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Abdel Wahed El Wakil on the evolution of architecture

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 08:10:00 -0000

We’re continuing my conversation with legendary architecture Abdel Wahed El Wakil. Today, we’re diving deep into the world of architecture and materials. This episode is a crash-course whether you're in the field, an enthusiast like me, or just want a better understanding of the world around us. Abdel Wahed also tells me about the spiritual connection that traditional architecture fosters with nature and our experience as humans.

You can watch the first part of our conversation here:

This episode is brought to you by:

⁠EFG Hermes One⁠, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide⁠. Start Investing today: https://app.efghermesone.com/
Azza Fahmy Jewellery⁠: https://azzafahmy.com/

Chapters 0:00 Coming up 0:35 The masters of modern architecture 10:43 The essence of traditional art 13:02 The shift to individualism 19:20 The significance of courtyards 20:31 The importance of brick 27:16 Timeless Truths

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Encore: Bobby Chinn

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:30:00 -0000

I'm re-connecting today with celebrity chef & author Bobby Chinn. I first spoke to Bobby during the summer of 2021 in preparation for Season 2. That feels like such a long time ago, we were just 8 episodes in at the time, and we're now in our 6th year with more than a 100 episodes!

You can listen to that episode in your podcast app or our website: https://www.at-media-group.com/what-i-did-next/bobby-chinn/

This episode is part of Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni next month, so stay tuned.

Chapters 0:00 Coming up... 2:03 Bobby's dream project 4:00 Sustainable seafood 10:11 Crying on TV 15:21 Climate Change and Food Systems 24:43 Lightning Round

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Maria Shollenbarger on why destinations trend, and the future of travel

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 07:30:00 -0000

We’re continuing my conversation with luxury travel journalist and editor Maria Shollenbarger. Today, we’re delving into the travel industry—how and why certain destinations trend over others, how preferences have changed since COVID, and the future of travel in the age of AI. In case you missed Part 1 of our conversation, you can watch it here: I’ll be back next week with a new Encore episode with all-round rockstar Bobby Chinn.

This episode is brought to you by:⁠

EFG Hermes One⁠, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide⁠. Start Investing today: https://app.efghermesone.com/
Azza Fahmy Jewellery⁠: https://azzafahmy.com/

Chapters

0:00 Coming up...

2:30 Travel in a post-COVID world

5:56 The Impact of Social Media

7:22 The role of Airbnb

9:03 Life as a Travel Journalist

11:47 The evolution of luxury travel

16:37 Travel in the age of AI

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Maria Shollenbarger

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0000

I’m excited to be kicking off the year with Maria Shollenbarger, travel editor at the Financial Times’ HTSI magazine. I got to know Maria last year at The Narrative Summit, where she was on a panel that I moderated.

Maria has been with the FT now for 17 years and had always dreamed about working as a travel journalist. On Part 1 of our conversation, we unpack her journey traveling and living around the world.

Maria has a sophisticated eye, an instinct for what travellers need and want, and we’ll her industry in a lot of depth on Part 2 next week, so stay tuned.

This episode is brought to you by:

EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide
Azza Fahmy Jewellery

Chapters:

0:00 Coming up

3:53 Early Career in Magazines

14:56 Moving to Europe

21:37 Life in Singapore

25:22 Reflections on an itinerant life

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Welcome to our 6th year!

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

We all know the value of looking back to understand our path. But as the world becomes increasingly uncertain, I wanted to open a new chapter on the show.
In 2026, in addition to reflecting on the past, we’re also tackling the big questions about our future. I’ll be asking my guests how they're navigating the same anxieties and opportunities we all face, from AI to climate change to the changing world around us.

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My conversation with EFG Holding’s Mohamed Abdel Khabir

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0000

We’re closing out the year with a special episode with EFG Holding, and I’m joined today by the Group’s Chief Finance & Operations Officer, Mohamed Abdel Khabir. Mohamed joined the investment bank in 2008 and took on the CFO role in 2016. Earlier this year, he took on the additional responsibility of Operations, which includes Marketing, Technology & Administration. Mohamed has been actively involved in EFG Holding’s transformation from a MENA-based investment bank to its current avatar—a leading financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and a leading investment bank in MENA. We’ll be back in the New Year with a bit of a refresh, new episodes with some amazing guests from across the region. In the meantime, you can catch up on episodes you might have missed here: Chapters 0:00 Coming up... 2:54 EFG Holding’s transformation 3:53 Regional strategy and global footprint 10:00 Lessons learnt from acquisitions 17:34 Leadership and fostering talent 23:04 Investor relations 25:51 ‘Resilience is not a choice’ 29:21 The Lightning Round

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Bonus: Mounir Nakhla on MNT Halan's high-RPM expansion into Turkey, the UAE & Pakistan

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Last week, Mounir Nakhla told me about his entrepreneurial journey with MNT Halan, and how the company has risen to become of the Africa’s fastest growing start-ups. On this bonus episode, Mounir talks to me about the strategy behind their recent expansion into 3 new territories — Turkey, the UAE & Pakistan. Watch my full conversation with Mounir here:

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. ⁠Start Investing Today⁠: https://app.efghermesone.com/

Chapters:

0:00 On this episode...

5:12 Consolidation vs. Expansion

8:36 The impact of geopolitical factors

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Mounir Nakhla

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:30:00 -0000

I'm joined today by entrepreneur Mounir Nakhla. Mounir is the co-founder & CEO of MNT-Halan, Egypt's fintech unicorn that has now served more than 8 million customers and recently expanded into the UAE, Turkey & Pakistan.

Mounir launched his first company in 2010, which showed him the true potential of micro-financing to unlock economic potential. This led him to co-found MNT-Halan in 2021 with Ahmed Mohsen.

Mounir is an old friend and I've always known him to be incredible disciplined and routine-based. So I wasn't surprised to see this translate into his role as a founder and CEO. He tells me how he pivoted to technology and fintech, and how he's grown as a leader as well.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. ⁠Start Investing Today⁠: https://app.efghermesone.com/

0:00 Coming up...

1:59 Early Influences and Education

9:46 Mentorship and Guidance

17:00 Embracing Technology

20:12 From micromanager to delegator

29:03 Personal Goals and Values

30:50 Well-being and Self-Care

32:52 The Lightning Round

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Encore: Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0000

I'm re-connecting today with Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram. Dr. Nadine is the founder & CEO of Proximie ⁨and a practicing NHS surgeon with a specialty in plastic surgery. I first spoke to Dr. Nadine three years ago, when she told me how she wanted to help operating rooms function more effectively with Proximie. You can catch that episode here:

This episode is part of Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni, including Chef Bobby Chinn, film producer Mo Hefzy, and more.

Chapters

0:00 Coming up...

7:24 Driving Transformation in Healthcare

15:26 Expanding into the U.S. Market

17:12 Innovations in the Middle East

19:58 Personal Achievements and Reflections

27:13 Lightning Round!

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Diving into the VC world with Karima El Hakim

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

We’re continuing my conversation with Karima Hakim on this episode, talking about the evolution of the private sector in Egypt and Africa, and her work specifically with Plug & Play.

You can also catch the first part my conversation with Karima in your podcast app or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwjEtGnYxRs&feature=youtu.be This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. ⁠Start investing today⁠: https://app.efghermesone.com/

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

0:45 The Private Sector Evolution

11:39 Women Supporting Women

16:23 Leadership in a Changing World

19:55 Karima’s work with Plug and Play

26:48 Addressing the Forum for President Macron

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Karima El Hakim

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:30:00 -0000

I’m joined today by Karima El Hakim, Country Director at Plug & Play Egypt, and co-director for the company’s operations in the rest of Africa. Just as importantly, for me she’s one of the show’s biggest fans!

On Part 1 of my conversation with Karima, we’re criss-crossing through both her personal and professional journey, from growing up in Egypt in a Francophone home to her pivot to technology and the investment world.

Coming up next week on part 2, Karima tells me about her work with the private sector in Egypt and across Africa, as well as her role serving on the Economic Committee of Egypt’s National Council for women.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start Investing Today!

Chapters

0:00 Coming up…

2:00 Early years in Cairo

9:24 Getting into market research

16:09 Return to Egypt

19:06 Personal loss & navigating grief

23:38 The impact of B_URN

29:17 The transition to tech

33:25 Life outside of work

40:42 Lightning Round!

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Hanaa Helmy

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Today’s episode is a deep-dive with our sponsor, EFG Holding. As a long-time sponsor of the show, EFG have been with us from our single digit episode count all the way through to 100! I’m joined on this special episode by Hanaa Helmy, Chief Corporate Sustainability and Impact Officer at EFG Holding and CEO of the EFG Foundation. Hanaa has been with the company 19 years, and has been involved with the Foundatoin right from its launch in 2006. She has also been recognised by Forbes Middle East as one the region’s Top Sustainability Leaders in both 2024 and 2025.

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Celebrating 100 episodes!

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:30:00 -0000

We’re celebrating 100 episodes! So this week I’m sitting down with our producer Chirag Desai to celebrate this milestone and unpack some of the learnings. Chapters 0:00 Episode 100! 1:11 Evolution of Podcasting 3:11 Reflections 13:53 Destiny vs Agency 24:08 The Impact of Our Work 24:28 A big thanks to @EFGHolding 25:35 Malak takes on the Lightning Round

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Azzam Fakhreddin on getting started in hospitality & his love for football

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:30:00 -0000

We’re continuing my conversation with Azzam Fakhreddin this week, where he tells me about his decision to shift focus to economics under the mentorship of Dr. Galal Amin and getting starting in the family hospitality business. Azzam also tells me about his involvement with the Jordan football team, which just qualified for its first FIFA World Cup in 2026.

I’m also excited to share that What I Did Next just completed 100 episodes! Next week, I’m sitting down with our producer Chirag Desai to celebrate this milestone and unpack some of the learnings.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start Investing Today: https://app.efghermesone.com

Chapters 0:00 Introduction 4:03 Meeting Dr. Galal Amin @AUC 9:23 The Family Business Unfolds 14:32 Fakhreddin Restaurant Legacy 19:26 Football!

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Azzam Fakhreddin

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:41:00 -0000

I’m joined today by Azzam Fakhreddin, a name familiar to many across the Middle East as a notable figure in the hospitality industry. On Part 1 of our conversation, Azzam tells me about his involvement in two significant projects, the book ‘Palestine, Memories of 1948’ and the feature film ‘Palestine36’, which is Palestine’s official entry to the 2026 Oscars. It stars iconic actors Jeremy Irons and Liam Cunningham and will be premiering in London later this month.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start Investing Today!
Chapters

0:00 Introduction

5:41 Family Legacy and Early Life

14:10 Palestine, Memories of 1948

21:24 Life After 50

22:25 The making of Palestine 36

33:11 Lightning Round

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Our AI future, with Mo Gawdat, Tarek Nour, Omar Elsahy & Ramy Youssef

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0000

AI is a topic that has come up many times over the years on the show, so today I’m sharing a special episode of Double-Take where I’m connecting the dots from some of our previous episodes on the philosophical, ethical and practical implications of our future AI world.

You’ll hear from author & AI expert Mo Gawdat on how we all need to be better role models for this nascent technology, actor Ramy Youssef on some of the implications for creators and filmmakers, Amazon’s Omar El Sahy talks about some of its practical applications and ad legend Tarek Nour asks some philosophical questions about our AI future.

Chapters

0:00 Coming up

1:10 Tarek Nour: The age of acceleration

7:18 Mo Gawdat: The scary-smart world of AI

20:45 Mona Hamdy: What do we want AI to do?

21:27 Ramy Youssef: The manipulation of soundbites

23:59 Omar Elsahy: The future of the workforce

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Mona Hamdy unpacks the role of Artificial intelligence and its ethical implications

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:30:00 -0000

Continuing my conversation with Dr. Mona Hamdy to unpack the role of AI, and how the emerging world should prioritise its adoption. We talk about the ethical implications of technological advancements, and the need to close the gap between profit-driven AI development and our needs as a society. She also tells me about her work with Anomaly, the ‘Bitcoins and Birkins’ club, and upcoming launch of iConnections Middle East.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start investing today: https://app.efghermesone.com/

Chapters

0:00 Where tech and humanity intersect

5:51 Navigating AI's Future Responsibly

9:23 Defining the Ethical Framework for Technology

15:15 The Global Race for AI Resources

20:07 The Bitcoins and Birkins Club

27:25 Launching Middle East Operations

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Dr. Mona Hamdy

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0000

The word AI gets bandied about by everyone in everything today, and I’ve been wanting to unpack the opportunities and challenges our future world holds for us. So I’m delighted to welcome technology ethicist Dr. Mona Hamdy to the show this week.

On Part 1 of our conversation this week, we talk about her pivots, and how she found herself at this unique intersection of technology and human dignity.

Coming up next week on Part 2, I pick Mona’s brain on some of my questions on the future world of AI: have we unleashed something we don’t really understand? How does the emerging world prioritise its technology adoption?

Links:

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start Investing Today!

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

4:37 Childhood Experiences in Egypt

11:07 Philosophical Foundations of Technology

17:26 Early Career and Social Development

24:33 Balancing Family and Education

29:00 Her mother’s impact

37:56 The Future of AI and Its Implications

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Double-Take: Giving Back, with Sir Magdi Yacoub and Meta’s Fares Akkad

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0000

One of the themes that often comes up on the show is giving back to the community. Today I wanted to highlight two guests who instantly come to mind when talking about giving back—the incredible heart surgeon, Sir Magdi Yacoub and META’s Regional Director, Fares Akkad.

This episode is part of our new segment, Double-Take, where I take a deep-dive into a single topic and connect the dots between some of our best conversations.

When I spoke to Fares in late 2023, he had just come back from visiting the Za’atari Refugee Camp, where Meta has established a digital literacy program.

And while Professor Yacoub already had a distinguished career as a cardiothoracic surgeon, he’s leaving behind an even bigger legacy through his charity, Chain of Hope, building long-term impact on the lives of the children in developing communities.

Chapters

0:00 The theme of ‘Giving Back’ to the Community

0:50 Fares Akkad’s work with Za’atari Refugee Camp

5:03 Sir Magdi Yacoub’s legacy with Chain of Hope

8:24 Establishing Sustainable Hospitals

12:54 Community-Centric Healthcare

13:46 Rwanda: A New Hope

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How I prepare for guest interviews

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Today I’m sharing the answer to another question I’m asked quite often: “how do you prepare for your interviews?”

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Omar El Akkad

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Author and commentator Omar El Akkad joins me this week to talk about his latest book “One day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This”. This is perhaps the most important book I’ve read in the last couple of years as it brought together all that I have been thinking, and feeling, about Western Liberalism. I talk to Omar about the larger themes that led to him writing the book, and his own questions of identity as a result of his experiences as an Arab writer in the West. Our conversation was powerful, intense and thought-provoking. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start Investing Today: https://app.efghermesone.com/

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to Omar El Akkad

02:10 Exploring identity and belonging

18:15 What opened Omar’s eyes to this?

24:20 The power of language and of social media

31:35 The role of individuals to effect change

36:15 The Lightning Round

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Encore: Amy Mowafi

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Media powerhouse Amy Mowafi returns to the show for Encore, where I check-in with your favourite alumni guests.

Since we last spoke, Amy has been leading and participating in various must-attend events across Egypt. She’s also been returning to her first love, writing, with her ⁠Substack⁠.

You can also catch my previous Encore conversations with adventurer Omar Samra, designers Nada Debs and Nadine Kanso, and entrepreneur Ahmed Alfi in your podcast apps, or on our website.

I’ll be back with a new guest next week, see you then!

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How I choose my guests

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Another question I get asked often is “how do you select your guests?”Join me for a look behind-the-scenes at how I select my guests and some of the criteria involved.

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Farrah El Dibany on her transformative journey playing Carmen

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0000

We’re continuing my conversation with the talented mezzo-soprano Farrah Al Dibany, exploring the world of opera.

Farrah tells me about her experiences and challenges of her work, including her transformative journey playing Carmen, and her commitment to introducing classical music to broader audiences. She also tells me about her artistic choices on stage, and how she prepares for her roles.

You can listen to Part 1 of our conversation here: https://www.at-media-group.com/what-i-did-next/farrah-el-dibany/

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start Investing Today >

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Farrah El Dibany

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Mezzo-soprano Farrah El Dibany joins me on the show this week. We cover her journey from discovering her passion for singing at 14, to her incredible performances, including the FIFA World Cup Final in Qatar and the celebration of the re-election of French President Emmanuel Macron in 2022. I had the opportunity to see Farrah perform in-person a couple of years ago, at the Manial Palace for Prince Abbas Hilmi’s museum festival. She has a powerful voice and an incredible presence on stage. Farrah is dedicated and disciplined as only a performance singer or athlete can be. We also spoke of the nuances of being an opera singer and the challenges and joys her career brings her.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start investing today!

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2025 so far…

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0000

It’s already been an exciting 2025 for What I Did Next. So this week, my producer, Chirag, and I decided to do a check-in and recap the last six months.

We talk about the inspiring conversations, guests and events that have made up the year so far, as well as a look at what’s coming up. I also share a sneak peek into our next guest episode, so listen in to find out!

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Start investing today!

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How I started ‘What I Did Next’

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0000

I’m often asked how I got started with the podcast. On a special solo episode this week, I’m taking you behind the scenes to tell you how and why I started What I Did Next, and how it came together.

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Ayman Tamer

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Ayman Tamer is the Chairman of the Tamer Group, a third-generation business with a 100-year history in Saudi Arabia.

Ayman tells me how his grandfather opened the first pharmacy in the Arab peninsula in 1922 and its evolution to one of the largest healthcare companies in the region today, with over $2.5 billion in revenue.

It was clear from our conversation that family is everything for Ayman, and it weaves through the company’s heart and soul.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide.

Chapters

0:24 Going to boarding school

7:17 Family Values in Business

12:43 The Reorganization of Tamer Group

16:11 Taking charge of the business

21:00 Involving the next generation

23:15 Family dynamics

28:57 Future plans

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History and Culture: Perceptions of Egypt (The Narrative Summit 2025)

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

A few weeks ago, What I Did Next partnered with the 2025 edition of The Narrative Summit which was held at the breathtaking Soma Bay. Today, I’m delighted to share my panel discussion where we explored perceptions of Egypt through a historical and cultural lens, a subject that is close to my heart.

I was joined on the panel by historian Mahmoud Sabit, award-winning historian and broadcaster Bethany Hughes, multidisciplinary artist & deisner Louis Barthelemy, creative director Zach Sherif, and Maria Shollenbarger, travel editor at the Financial Times’ ‘How to Spend it’ magazine.

From reclaiming our narrative beyond the pharaohs, to celebrating craftsmanship, beauty, and global collaborations — this panel was a powerful reminder that culture is not just heritage, it’s our future.

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Encore: Ali Ali

Tue, 27 May 2025 09:45:00 -0000

Welcome again to What I Did Next Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite alumni guests.

Today, I’m re-connecting with one of the guests from our first-ever season, advertising director Ali Ali. He catches me up on what he’s been up to since we last spoke, his short film, Smokey Eyes, and exploring production in Saudi Arabia.

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“Reclaim our narrative,” Fatenn Mostafa Kanafani on her work to document modern Egyptian artists

Tue, 13 May 2025 06:00:00 -0000

On this week’s bonus episode, Fatenn Mostafa Kanafani tells me about her work in documenting, codifying, and cataloging her research in art. She’s contributed a chapter in Daughters of the Nile, authored Modern Art in Egypt, and is now working on a third book.

This episode is brought to you by ⁠EFG Hermes One⁠, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide.

Chapters 0:00 Introduction 4:35 The Importance of Modern Egyptian Art 6:59 Exploring the Egyptian Avant-Garde

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Fatenn Mostafa Kanafani

Tue, 06 May 2025 06:46:00 -0000

Fatenn Mostafa Kanafani has led a life full of twists and turns. Her career trajectory has seen her go from being a successful marketer with Procter & Gamble to being instrumental in the success of the relaunch of Ahram Beverages, leading to its eventual sale to Heineken in 2002.

Fatenn then turned her attention to modern Egyptian art and launched Art Talks, a gallery as well as a forum for discussion on all aspects of art. She is now working on a third book in a trilogy looking at Egyptian modern art and artists. She talks to me in great detail about the threads connecting art, politics, and her identity in shaping who she is today.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Download EFG Hermes One on the App Store or Google Play Store and start investing today!

On a bonus episode out next week, I talk to Fatenn about her work in documenting, codifying, and cataloging her research in art. She's contributed a chapter in the book Daughters of the Nile, authored Modern Art in Egypt, and is now working on a third book. You can find out all about this on the bonus episode, so stay tuned.

Chapters: 0:00 On this episode… 2:01 Childhood Experiences Abroad 5:21 Cultural Identity and Challenges 7:29 Transition to Marketing Career 10:36 Journey with Procter & Gamble 13:17 Moving Back to Cairo 18:11 Ahram Beverages 21:56 The Ahram Beverages Success Story 24:08 Personal Life and Marriage 28:34 The Role of Art 29:38 Founding Art Talks 35:50 Focus on Modern Egyptian Art 39:01 Lightening Round

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Encore: Nadine Kanso

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0000

On today’s episode, I’m reconnecting with pioneering Arab designer, Nadine Kanso, founder of jewellery brand BilArabi. Nadine tells me what’s been happening since our last conversation two years ago, including her partnership with Berluti, and staying authentic in an influencer-dominated world online.

This episode is part of our special series, What I Did Next Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite alumni guests. We’ll continue this series each month with more of the show’s alumni, so stay tuned. And if you haven’t already done so, you can also listen to my Encore conversations with Omar Samra, Nada Debs and Ahmed Alfi.

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“Catch the (aqua) mango!” Omar Hilal on his award-winning ads and his upcoming movie

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0000

We’re continuing my conversation with award-winning ad director and filmmaker Omar Hilal. This week, he tells me about three key projects: the hilarious Aqua Mangos ad, the ground-breaking Royal Jordanian Ad and a sneak-peek into his upcoming film.

You can listen to my full episode with Omar Hilal where he tells me about his life’s pivots, starting out as a photojournalist to award-winning ad director to filmmaker: https://listen.amaeya.fm/widn-omar-hilal

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Omar Hilal

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0000

I’m delighted to be joined by award-winning ad director & filmmaker Omar Hilal as this month’s guest. Omar is one of those people who discovered that he wanted to become a director very early in life. He started out as a photo-journalist and went on to become an accomplished ad director, with stand-out ads such as the Aqua Mangos ad for Nestle and the ground-breaking Royal Jordanian Ad in his portfolio. The ads he’s worked on have won more than 50 awards, including 5 Grand Prix.

In 2023, he switched gears to release his directorial debut, Voy! Voy! Voy!, which went on to win 16 awards globally and was Egypt’s official selection to the Oscars.

Listen in as he tells me about his life’s twists and turns from ad-man to film director and everything in between.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Holding, a financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa.

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Rawya Mansour

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

This week, I’m joined by Rawya Mansour, Chairwoman of RAMSCO Egypt and Oasis Technologies Monaco, for a special episode as part of our collaboration with The Narrative Summit 2025.

Rawya is a pioneer of sustainable development and regenerative agriculture, including shifting away from chemical polymer fertilisers towards green charcoal. We’ll get into the pivotal moments that led her on this journey as well as her involvement with The Narrative Summit.

The theme for the 2025 edition of The Narrative Summit is Egypt reset – to redefine Egypt’s global standing by showcasing its economic resilience, investment potential and cultural dynamism. The summit will focus on three key pillars—Financial accessibility, Tourism and hospitality, and the sports ecosystem. The Narrative summit will take place from April 7 to 9 against the breathtaking backdrop of Somabay on the Red Sea coast.

You can follow me on Instagram for coverage from the event, and I’ll also be moderating a panel on the 8th of April.

I’ll be back with a new guest next week, see you then!

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My guest appearance on ‘Gems of Arabia’ about Arab Representation in Media with Becky Anderson, Faisal Abbas & host Hatem AlAkeel

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:30:00 -0000

I’m excited to share a special episode from the podcast, Gems of Arabia about Arab Representation in Media. The episode, hosted by WIDN alum Hatem Al Akeel, was recorded a few weeks ago at the CNN Academy in Abu Dhabi in front of a live audience of the Academy’s latest cohort of budding journalists.

We were joined by another WIDN alum Becky Anderson, Managed Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi and Arab News’ Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas.

This was a great conversation about breaking stereotypes, how Arab voices are represented, and the importance of re-shaping and owning our narrative on the world stage. I hope you find the conversation as insightful as I did.

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Bonus: Nouf Al Moneef on the evolution of the Noor Riyadh Festival

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0000

We’re continuing my conversation with interior architect Nouf Al Moneef, Director of the Noor Riyadh festival. On today’s episode, Nouf tells me about the evolution of Noor Riyadh, why they chose light as a theme in addition to art, as well as about her own design aesthetic.

You can find the first part of my conversation with Nouf in your podcast app as well as on YouTube.

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Nouf Al Moneef

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0000

Nouf Al Moneef is an interior architect and the Director of the Noor Riyadh festival, which falls under the larger umbrella of the Riyadh Art Project. Noor Riyadh has now welcomed more than 3 million visitors and hosted artworks by hundreds of Saudi, regional and international artists.

Nouf also continues to help grow the conversation about art and design on social media, although she is not a fan of the word influencer. Nouf has garnered a huge following and has had an obvious impact on how the KSA is perceived and she is a wonderful ambassador for culture, the arts and her country as a whole.

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Khalid Abdalla on the four year journey that led to ‘Nowhere’

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -0000

We’re continuing my conversation with actor Khalid Abdalla this week, going behind the curtain into his solo play, Nowhere. I saw the play when I was in the UK last October and was personally moved by his performance.

On this episode, Khalid tells me about the journey that led to him writing Nowhere, and the impact of his work.

On a bonus episode for members out next week, we’ll dig into his process as an actor, and how he prepared for his role as Dodi Fayed on The Crown. If you haven’t tuned in, you can also catch the first part of my conversation with Khalid in your podcast app.

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Khalid Abdalla

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 04:26:00 -0000

Khalid Abdalla first became known to many of us with his incredible role in The Kite Runner. More recently, he was on our screens as Dodi Fayed on The Crown. But beyond all his subtle and challenging roles, I was personally moved by his stage performance in his solo play, Nowhere, which I saw last October.

We covered so many topics during our conversation that we’re bringing this to you as a two-part episode. On our main episode today, Khalid tells me about his journey, including his performances in The Kite Runner, The Square, The Crown and Nowhere, as well as how he views them through the lens of his own identity and how this has evolved now that he’s a father of two.

Next week, we’ll go behind the curtain into Nowhere itself, how the play came to be and the impact of his performance. And finally as a bonus episode for our members, we’ll dig into his process as an actor, and how he prepared for his role as Dodi Fayed.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Holding, a financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa.

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Farida Osman

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0000

I’m excited to welcome Farida Osman as the first athlete on the show! She’s a 3-time Olympian, 3-times world bronze medalist and holds senior national records for butterfly, freestyle and backstroke events.

Farida is such a natural, positive person who is authentic and passionate about her sport. She’s a wonderful ambassador for swimming and an incredible role model for young sportspeople who can look to her and see that anything is possible.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Holding, a leading financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa.

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Encore: Omar Samra

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0000

I’m super excited to kick-off 2025 with one of our new segments called WIDN Encore, where I’ll be checking in with some of your favourite What I Did Next alumni.

My first guest is adventurer, entrepreneur, and podcaster Omar Samra. I first spoke to Omar in 2021 about his company, Wild Guanabana, and his epic maritime challenge with Omar Nour which they parlayed into an award-winning documentary, Beyond the Raging Sea. We’re picking up right where we left off and Omar tells me what he’s been upto since.

A reminder that these Encore episodes will be members-only going forward, so if you’d like to hear from your favourite alumni, including Ahmed Alfi, Nada Debs, Ali Ali and Amy Mowafi, subscribe now so you can get this and all of our bonus episodes throughout the year!

Chapters:

00:00 Coming up

00:41 Introduction

02:00 Moving away from city life

03:58 What Omar is working on

08:49 Launching two podcasts

11:33 Darkness retreat

15:19 The body experience of the darkness retreat

27:26 A more reflective Omar

30:09 Influential people in his life

33:22 Anthropology and Astronomy

35:20 Lightning Round

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Coming up in 2025

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0000

A quick teaser on what’s coming up on in 2025, including a new line-up, schedule and offerings!

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Wrapping up 2024

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0000

Thank you for joining me for an incredible year of What I Did Next. This week, I’m joined by the show’s producer, Chirag Desai, to look back at how quickly the year has gone by, and what is to come in 2025.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Holding. For 40 years, EFG Holding has been realising more, for clients, investors, businesses, communities and individuals. See the world differently, and realize more with EFG Holding.

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Omar Elsahy

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 11:03:00 -0000

Omar Elsahy is General Manager for Amazon in Egypt, overseeing 2,500 employees in the country as well as after-market services across the region. He told me about his early years in the US and Egypt, starting a number of businesses with his brother before pivoting to e-commerce with Souq.com.

I enjoyed getting to know Omar through this conversation, and also got some great insights into the way he thinks as a leader, and how Amazon approaches innovation.

This episode is brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

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Sarah Beydoun

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0000

A quick note: we recorded this conversation before the conflict began in Lebanon earlier this year.

Sarah Beydoun is the founder of Sarah’s Bag, a social enterprise that produces bespoke luxury accessories and clothing. She tells me how her company was born out of a University thesis and how they continue to empower women in spite of the never-ending turmoil afflicting Lebanon, as well as her son’s being diagnosed with autism. I find her story so inspiring and moving.

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Louis Barthélemy

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 07:23:00 -0000

Louis Barthélemy is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based between Marrakech and Paris. He went on to work for Dior after studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins, before pivoting away from the fashion world after the public departure of designer John Galliano.

Louis designs beautiful works of art, from tapestry to rugs to stained glass and works on paper. He is a passionate exponent of craftsmanship and turns to ancient and trusted techniques to execute his work. We also talk about Louis’ disillusionment with the fashion industry, and how a cancer diagnosis led Louis to the Middle East.

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Yasmine & Farida Khamis

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0000

Yasmine and Farida Khamis are continuing the legacy left by their father, Mohammed Farid Khamis. He launched Oriental Weavers in 1979, which grew to become one of the world’s largest carpet manufacturers. Yasmine took over as Chair of its Board since his passing in 2020, while her two siblings joined her as board members. Farida chairs the Petrochemical business and looks after the British University in Egypt.

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Haitham Mattar

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0000

Haitham Mattar is the Managing Director of the Intercontinental Hotel Group for India, Middle East & Africa. Haitham has had a distinguished career working for global hotel giants as well as leading tourism for the Governments of Ras Al Khaimah and Saudi Arabia. His story is one of individual will, grit and resilience starting from his first job at 17. He tells me about the importance of maintaining and nurturing relationships all his life and how he’s now trying to get new generations interested in hospitality.

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HRH Nourah Al Faisal

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0000

I’m excited to welcome Her Royal Highness Nourah Al Faisal as this season’s inaugural guest. She’s the founder of bespoke jewellery brand Nuun, and the founder of design and research consultancy Ahdlal for Design. She’s also the great-granddaughter of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.

As someone who grew up in Saudi, I continue to be impressed by the transformation taking place across the country. I talked to her about her work with Vision 2030, and her recent appointment as CEO of the Art of Heritage Center.

Members, we have something special for you to kick off Season 8! You can listen to the next 2 episodes today—just head over to our website (or in Apple Podcasts) and listen now.

Link:

Subscribe Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on our Website

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Season 8 begins September 24

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0000

I’m excited to bring you a new season of What I Did Next, where I talk to people about their pivotal moments and life journeys. Season 8 begins September 24, with new episodes every second Tuesday.

This season, we’re also adding new benefits to our members’ club. You’ll be getting early access to our episodes—in fact, members can listen to the first THREE episodes of our season on Tuesday—we’ll be continuing our bonus episodes with guests and we’ll also be checking in some of your favourite What I Did Next alumni.

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From the archive: Mo Gawdat (2022)

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Hope you’re having a great summer so far. We’ll be back with new episodes in September. In the meantime, here’s another one from our archive: my conversation with author, entrepreneur & tech giant, Mo Gawdat.

Mo was Chief Business Officer at Google X, and is now the popular author of Solve for Happy, Scary Smart, and more recently, That Little Voice in Your Head, with more books to come. He is also behind the One Billion Happy movement which is inspired by his late son, Aly, who died tragically in 2014.

Mo today is more monk than mogul. He has gone from corporate man to living out of a carry-on bag, lugging his podcast equipment around the world, and having conversations with people who will shine a light on a hidden corner of the human experience.

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From the archive: Ramy Youssef

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:14:00 -0000

We’ll be back with new episodes in September. In the meantime, here’s one from our archive–actor and comedian Ramy Youssef. Ramy is the starof the eponymous hit show, Ramy, which has won Golden Globes and Peabodies, as well as Emmy nominations. He's also the co-creator of Mo with Mo Amer, and can be seen later this year in Poor Things with Emma Stone, William Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo among other big wigs of the industry.

As writer, actor, director and producer of the show, Ramy brings nuance and subtlety to what are, on the surface, extremely difficult issues to broach on US TV and he does so with the one tool that always breaks down prejudices—humour.

He talks about growing up in New Jersey, the show, and how his life has changed before and after the show's global success.

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Wrapping up Season 7

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

I’m joined by the show’s producer, Chirag Desai, to look back at some of the season’s highlights & themes from our latest line-up of incredible guests.

You’ll also hear from Mostafa Gad, Global Head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes, an EFG Holding Company. EFG Holding has been an incredible partner for the show & I talk to Mostafa about his life's trajectory and his stellar career with the bank.

Thank you for joining me on an incredible Season 7, and for your feedback and comments. We’ll be back with new episodes in September. Until then, you can catch up on our previous episodes, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and on X for updates, and on YouTube for extended video clips.

Thanks to our partners EFG Holding for their support of this season. EFG Holding is a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

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Ghada Amer

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

As a multidisciplinary artist, Ghada is as comfortable working with a needle and thread as she is with a paintbrush, or forging steel for sculptures or working on one-of-a-kind garden installations. She began exhibiting her work in the 90s, and her art continues to focus on women equality and female sexuality.

Ghada’s work has been shown at the world's finest fairs and exhibition spaces, including, the Whitney Biennial and PS1 Contemporary Art Center in New York, at the Venice Biennale where she won the UNESCO Prize, at the Johannesburg Biennial, and the Istanbul Biennale among many others.

If you’ve enjoyed Ghada’s story and want to hear more, we have a bonus episode for members where she tells me about her artistic process, and what’s in her creative inbox. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts or on our website, and you’ll also get extra content from all our previous guests where we offer a deep dive into their worlds.

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Mohamed Al Fayed

Tue, 28 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Mohamed Al Fayed is the co-founder & CEO of Grubtech, he's a digital advisor as well as a mentor, and he calls himself a tech disruptor. Even if you may not have heard of him directly, you’ll have come across some of his work. Beginning his career with Macy’s, one of the largest retailers in the U.S., Moe led the launch of Mamas & Papas and Gap in the GCC as well as the region’s largest luxury online marketplace, Ounass. He also served as Senior Vice President of Omnichannel at Al Tayer Group, where he worked for 12 years before launching his startup, Grubtech.

Moe has a great professional story, and a very moving personal story that shapes his outlook today. He shares how much he has changed from the guy starting out 30 years ago in the US, and what failing early in life has taught him.

On our bonus episode for members next week, Mohamed tells me about his early years, and how Ounass was launched out of Al Tayer Group.

This episode is brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becky Anderson

Tue, 14 May 2024 06:00:00 -0000

Becky Anderson is the Managing Editor at CNN Abu Dhabi, and one of the channel’s most visible international anchors. From being the first team to broadcast from Riyadh after the ban on women driving was lifted to Tunisia during the Arab Spring, she has spearheaded special shows from Tehran, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Beirut and many more region capitals.

I was excited to indulge my love for all things news with Becky. We talk about the industry as a whole, her pivot to broadcasting, and her mission to change the perception of this region through her work.

On this members’ bonus episode next week, we’ll talk about her role as Managing Editor and how our region fits into the larger CNN programming agenda worldwide.

This episode is brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

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Dr. Mounir Neamatallah

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Dr. Mounir Neamatalla is the founder of Environment Quality International, EQI, which he founded in 1981. EQI started out as the first environment-focused advisory in Egypt and went on to become a pioneer in the world of micro-finance. Then in 1996, Dr. Mounir’s visit to the remote oasis of Siwa led to the launch of the pathbreaking Siwa Sustainable Development Initiative.

My conversation with Dr. Mounir was special for a number of reasons—he is a family friend, I’ve long-admired his philosophy on life and how he sees the world, and he has all the characteristics of what is fast becoming a bygone era. He is a romantic, a dreamer, a deep thinker, choosing the slower measured approach over today's fast and frenetic pace. He has been on my podcast wish list since the show's inception but he kept resisting my requests to come on and share his story...until now.

This episode is brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

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Malak El Baba

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

I’m joined this week by Malak El Baba, Egypt Country Manager for Visa, and a leader and role model for so many in her industry. We had a wonderful conversation that spanned different countries and phases of her life.

Although she has spent nearly two decades in banking and finance, she actually started out wanting to become a diplomat. But destiny had other plans, shaping not just her career but who she married and where she lives today.

Like a true marketer, Malak is very much a people-person, a team builder, and a team player. She’s also an optimist. She truly embodies the traits I find is most successful people. Malak also leads Visa’s Women Leadership Network for MENA, and is the winner of several market leadership awards including four MENA Effies’ awards and 2 Media Efficiency awards.

This episode is brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

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Hatem Al Akeel

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Hatem Alakeel is an award-winning Saudi designer, fashion entrepreneur and podcast host. He has designed for global icons including Mattel’s Barbie, Evian, Lexus, Fairmont, Raffles, and the Ritz Carlton among others, and he was among the first regional artists to create and celebrate Saudi traditions.

With his first company, Toby Hatem Alakeel, Hatem brought the traditional thobe into the luxury fashion world, with displays at Harvey Nichols, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Boutique 1. Today, he runs Authenticite, a consulting and creative production agency connecting creators and brands who want to understand Saudi culture. He also continues developing content with his editorial pieces showcasing Saudi artists on his website, and through his podcast, Gems of Arabia.

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Janan Shihadeh

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 07:30:00 -0000

Janan Shihadeh has made her mark creating bespoke pieces for clients all around the world—from murals in Washington D.C., to furniture and candles in Cairo, to transforming old handbags into little arm-candy jewels in Dubai.

To say that Janan is versatile is an understatement. She brings passion, imagination and dynamism to whatever art medium she is working on and her eye for detail and colour is unsurpassed. Janan and I have known each other a long time, we even attended the same high school in Jeddah. As a friend, Janan is fun and mischievous. As a guest, she comes across as passionate, eager to tell her story and driven to make her mark through art.

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Amr Moussa

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0000

His Excellency Amr Moussa has had a distinguished career in the world of international diplomacy and cooperation. He served as the Ambassador of Egypt to India for 3 years in 1983, he was the Permanent Representative of Egypt to the UN in 1990, he was the Foreign Minister of Egypt for 10 years until 2001, when he became Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.

He continues to leave an impact today as an elected member of the Panel of the Wise, a critical pillar of the Peace and Security Architecture of the African Union, and as Chairman of the High-Level Advisory Council to the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations or UNAOC.

This episode was brought to you by EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

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Season 7 begins March 5

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

A new season of What I Did Next begins March 5.

I’ll be welcoming a new guest from our region every other Tuesday, and we’ll take a deep-dive into their lives’ pivotal moments. We’ll cross-cross the region and cut across a variety of industries to bring you conversations of success, failure, and everything in-between. This season, I’ll be talking to pioneers from the worlds of art, fashion, business, politics, sustainability, broadcasting and tech.

Make sure to hit the follow button so you’ll get an alert for new episodes. You can also subscribe to become a member of the show to get bonus episodes with each guest and all of our previous bonus content as well. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts or visit our website for more.

You can also find extended clips from all our episodes on YouTube, and connect with us on Instagram, X and on LinkedIn—just search for What I Did Next.

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From the archive: Tarek Nour

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

We’re currently on a season break and will be back with new episodes in March. In the meantime, I wanted to share my conversation legendary ad-man, Tarek Nour. Tarek told me about the trials and tribulations of the advertising world, and how he continued to adapt to the constantly changing industry. Today Tarek is semi-retired, active in some aspects of his business but also able to take a bird’s eye view of the industry, his life and Egypt.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, X or on LinkedIn for updates, and you can also find longer video clips from my interviews on YouTube. We’ll be back with new episodes in a couple of weeks!

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From the archive: Fatma Said

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

We’re currently on a season break and will be back with new episodes in March. In the meantime, I wanted to share my conversation with soprano sensation Fatma Said. Fatma talked to me about her incredible achievements, burning out and a lot more.

You can find her album, El Nour on various streaming platforms here.

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From the archive: Prince Abbas Hilmi

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

We’re currently on a season break and will be back with new episodes in March. In the meantime, I wanted to share my conversation with Prince Abbas Hilmi, who told me about his unique life journey and the Egyptian royal family. Through his father, Prince Mohamed Abdel Moneim, he is a descendent of Mohamed Ali of Egypt, while his mother, Neslishah Sultan, was the granddaughter of Mehmed VI, the last Ottoman Sultan.

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From the archive: Kim Ghattas

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

We’re currently on a season break and will be back with new episodes in March. In the meantime, I wanted to share my conversation with journalist and author Kim Ghattas. Kim, who is half Lebanese and half Dutch, shot to prominence as a BBC reporter, first covering Lebanon and then reporting on U.S. foreign policy from the United States.

Lately, she has gained recognition as an author of bestselling books, The Secretary and Black Wave, a must-read for all those interested and concerned about Middle East politics.

She unpacks what inspires her and more profoundly talks about the shadow that growing up in the Lebanese civil war still casts across her life and outlook.

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A deep-dive with EFG Holding

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:48:00 -0000

Today’s episode is a deep-dive with our partners, EFG Holding. As a long-time sponsor of the show, EFG Holding have been avant-garde and frontier-breaking, keeping with their own ethos of being a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in Frontier and Emerging Markets.

This week, I’m sitting down Aladdin El Afifi, CEO of EFG Finance, an EFG Holding company - EFG Holding’s Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) platform. I also speak to Mohamed Abou Basha, an MD and Head of Macroeconomic Analysis at EFG Hermes Research. We talk about their early career pivots, what brought them to EFG and how the company’s culture and values is at the foundation of their growth.

Thank you for joining me on this season of What I Did Next. We’ll be back with a new season in March. Until then, you can catch up on any episodes you’ve missed and also watch segments of our interviews by following us on YouTube.

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Wrapping up Season 6

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

This week, I’m joined by the show’s producer, Chirag Desai, to look back at the highlights of our latest season, some common threads among our guests, as well as general insights from our recent conversations. We also discuss the issue of crisis management. This is a big picture conversation that impacts all of us and comes on the heels of discussions I've had recently with friends about concurrent crises happening around the world.

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Youssra

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 09:14:00 -0000

My final guest of this season is the one-and-only Youssra, who tells me about her life’s journey from key decisions that led to her breakout success to her ground-breaking acting career that took on societal taboos. With over 80 movies, countless serials and theatre performances, her career has spanned seismic shifts in society, culture and politics, and she has witnessed, interpreted and contributed to all of them.

Youssra is also a role model to younger actors and people in the industry and is often championing new talent in her films and TV work. What struck me most about her was her professionalism, her simplicity and how down-to-earth she is—there is no entourage, assistants, or arriving late.

My conversation with Youssra was recorded in September 2023 at our studio here in Cairo. If you’re a member of the show, we’ll have a bonus episode next week where Youssra shares her thoughts on the future of the Egyptian and regional film industries.

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Ramy Adeeb

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0000

I’m joined this week by Ramy Adeeb, founder and Managing Partner of 1984 Ventures, a firm that specialises in providing seed funding to start-ups. Ramy’s is a quintessential What I Did Next story, he moved to Canada for high school, went on to have early jobs at Microsoft and then as an investor in Silicon Valley, before launching his own start-up, Snip.It, which was acquired by Yahoo in 2013. He tells me how important risk taking has been for his career, and how his life’s journey led him to the launch of his current company, 1984 ventures.

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A clip from my conversation with Amina Naguib

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In case you missed my conversation with fitness entrepreneur Amina Naguib, here’s a quick clip from our conversation. You can listen to the full episode in your podcast app, and we’ll have a bonus episode out for our members soon!

This episode was brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank franchise in frontier and emerging markets.

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Amina Naguib

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

I’m joined this week by Amina Naguib, fitness entrepreneur and founder of B-URN. Amina always wanted to explore the human body and health—she studied sports science in Washington and then physiotherapy in Amsterdam before returning to Egypt. With B-URN, she has created a community of people looking to improve their health and wellbeing.

Amina and I talk about how she’s been connecting the dots of her life, particularly a major pivot in 2020 that was also a pivotal moment for me. She’s a believer in each of us having the tools to better the quality of our lives — you just need to figure out how to unlock them.

If you’re a member of the show, you’ll get a bonus episode with Amina next week where she talks about the intersection of exercise and physical therapy with happiness, and the B-URN community she continues to build.

This episode was brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank franchise in frontier and emerging markets.

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Mohamed Hefzy

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:20:39 -0000

Mohammed Hefzy is the award-winning film producer behind mega hits such as Clash, Sheikh Jackson, Microphone, Paranormal, and Perfect Strangers, to name but a few of the films that make up his incredible catalogue of work. Hefzy began his career as a screen writer but made the transition to producing quite quickly, realising he wanted more control of the film-making process as a whole. This led to the formation of his company, The Film Clinic, where he not only develops his own movies but produces new and emerging talent as well.

Hefzy and I go way back to his pre-film industry days when we were both London-based. Meeting in a formal interview setting gave me a license to ask all my nerdy questions about the film industry that you can't get away with at a party! We’ll also have a bonus episode next week for members where he dives deeper into the writing process, and how different it is for him to produce other people’s work versus writing his own.

This episode is brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank franchise in frontier and emerging markets.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sir Magdi Yacoub

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

I’m joined this week by Sir Magdi Yacoub, ground-breaking cardiologist and founder of the Chain of Hope charity. Professor Yacoub has almost single-handedly revolutionsed cardiology from his early days as a junior doctor in London in the 60’s, to retirement from his beloved NHS in 2001.

As someone who has been on my Top 10 list of dream guests since the show began three years ago, Professor Yacoub was a joy to interview and his breadth of his knowledge is incredible.

Today, Professor Yacoub dedicates his time to his Chain of Hope charity. His much-anticipated biography, A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdy Yacoub is now available at AUC Press. He has pledged a percentage of the book royalties to the Magdi Yacoub Foundation in Cairo. You can find more information on both the foundation and the book in our show notes.

This episode was brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank franchise in frontier and emerging markets.

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Nadine Abdel Ghaffar

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0000

I’m joined this week by curator Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, founder of Art d’Egypte. From humble beginnings in 2017, their annual event has become a celebration of art, installations and global partnerships. Nadine is also an art curator with a passion for one of Egypt’s most celebrated artists, Mohamed Nagy, and manages their art estate along with his family.

Nadine tells me how her childhood experiences led to her building a tremendously successful art platform and why her life’s mission is the development of all things culture.

Links:

This episode was brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank franchise in frontier and emerging markets.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imran Amed

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Welcome to a new season of What I Did Next! I’m joined by fashion entrepreneur Imran Amed, one of the leading voices in fashion and CEO of The Business of Fashion. Today, BOF employs 75 people with a presence in London, New York, Paris and Shanghai. It also boasts a community of 800,000 email subscribers and 100,000 paying members across 120 countries.

What I Did Next was a media sponsor at the first edition of Egypt Fashion Week, where I met & interviewed Imran in front of a live audience at the Agricultural Museum in Cairo.

This episode is brought to you by:

EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank franchise in frontier and emerging markets.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new season begins September 4

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0000

I’m excited to be bringing you a new season of the show starting September 6, with new episodes every second Monday.

I’ve had incredible guests over the past five seasons, leaders in their fields from a wide range of industries such as business, art, design, fashion, medicine, and entertainment. These conversations keep reminding me that each person’s journey is unique to them, and I’m always floored by how honest and authentic my guests are.

I’m also excited to introduce a new platform this season! We’ve just launched our YouTube channel where you’ll find extended clips from our interviews. And of course, we’ll continue to have shorter clips and updates on social media. You can follow us on Instagram, X and on LinkedIn.

I can’t wait to share some amazing conversations with you again.

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From the archive: Samih Sawiris

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0000

We’re currently on a season break and will be back with new episodes in September. In the meantime, I wanted to share my conversation from last year with renaissance man Samih Sawiris.

Samih and his brothers, Naguib and Nassef continue to be icons in the business world in Egypt and the Middle East. Samih is the founder of Orascom Development Holding which operates 33 hotels with over 7,000 rooms and controls approximately 100 million sqm of land.

Samih is above all, a sort of renaissance man, and a person who doesn’t define himself by his career or profession. He has a multitude of interests and he consciously prioritises the work / life balance. Now that he is no longer involved in the day-to-day running of the company, he is spending time developing his passions and checking off his extensive bucket list.

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From the archive: Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0000

We’re currently on a season break and will be back with new episodes in September. In the meantime, I wanted to share my conversation from last year with reconstructive surgeon Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram, who told me about her shift to entrepreneurship with Proximie, to revolutionise the world of surgery.

Dr. Nadine saw the horrors war inflicts on people and communities during her formative years living in Lebanon after the civil war, and how difficult it is for individuals to re-build their lives if proper health care is not available. Her story is one of perseverance, dedication and incremental change.

We also have more from Dr. Nadine in a bonus episode exclusively for our members. You can listen in Apple Podcasts or subscribe on our website.

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From the archive: Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0000

We’re currently on a season break and will be back with new episodes in September. In the meantime, I wanted to share my conversation from last year with businessman, art collector, activist and academic Sultan Sooud Al Qaseemi.

Sultan’s story starts out as a proud son of Sharjah in the UAE before he came to the attention of a wide audience around the world for his activism during the 2011 revolutions in the Arab World. His heritage, nationality and deep sense of what it means to be Arab today is the thread that links all his work and interests.

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From the archive: Amy Mowafi

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0000

We’re currently on a season break and will be back with new episodes in September. In the meantime, I wanted to share my conversation from last year with Amy Mowafi, a dynamo in the region’s media space, and an inspiring role model for the younger generation of empowered Egyptian and Arab women.

Amy and her team are the digital publishers of CairoScene, ElFasla, StartUpScene, NFTYScene, NFTY Arabia, SceneNoise, SceneTraveller, SceneEats, CairoZoom & the SceneNOW App. They also house a digital creative agency and are leading the way in the Web3 universe as well.

Amy brings passion, authenticity and a sense that anything-is-possible to everything she does. She is a fierce proponent of what our generation used to call Girl Power, and is awed by how Gen Z women have given that voice full-throttle.

We also have more from Amy in a bonus episode exclusively for our members. You can listen in Apple Podcasts or subscribe on our website.

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Wrapping up Season 5 with Malak Fouad

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0000

Thank you for joining me on an incredible season 5 of What I Did Next, and for your feedback and comments. This week, I’m joined by our producer Chirag Desai to talk about my own life’s pivots and a few highlights from our season.

We’ll be back with new episodes in early September. Until then, you can catch up on our previous episodes, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for updates.

Thanks to our partners EFG Hermes for their support of this season, and to Egypt Fashion Week for a lovely collaboration.

Links:

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Chef Hussein Hadid

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0000

I’m joined on the show this week by the talented Lebanese/Iraqi chef, Hussein Hadid.

If you’ve been lucky enough to attend his unique kitchen table experience in Beirut, you'll know that Chef Hussein conjures up magic not just for your taste buds, but also by giving a lot of thought to the atmosphere and decor. He actually started out working in finance, quickly discarding that career in favour of a chef's jacket and hat.

Our conversation took many twists and turns, with amazing anecdotes from his time working for a top New York restaurant to his more difficult experiences in Lebanon over the last few years. Chef Hussein also told me how his business has weathered these storms, and what's to come.

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Salma El-Wardany

Mon, 29 May 2023 08:00:00 -0000

I’m joined this week by poet, author and radio host, Salma El-Wardany. Salma is the author of These Impossible Things, a best-selling novel that that breaks down barriers by looking at how a group of muslim girlfriends navigate love, friendship & sex. She also currently hosts The Breakfast Show on BBC Radio London, which reaches over half a million listeners daily.

Salma is of Irish and Egyptian descent, combined with influences from the Pakistani community of Northern England and her current home in multi-cultural London. Questions of identity are at the core of who Salma is, and this is at the heart of much of her writing, public speaking and poetry. Salma has given voice to what many modern young women from Jakarta to Jeddah talk about behind closed doors. I find Salma's story fascinating, uplifting and hopeful.

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Fares Akkad

Mon, 15 May 2023 08:00:00 -0000

I'm joined on the show this week by Fares Akkad. Fares is currently Regional Director for Meta and has a long track record with the company formerly known as Facebook. Over the course of his career, Fares has had stints at KPMG, Booz Allen and media giant MBC, as well as going it alone as an entrepreneur.

As a son of a Syrian diplomat, Fares grew up in South America and Europe, before moving to the US for university. We talk about how being exposed to so many different cultures has solidified his sense of self.

We also dig into the future of technology, the metaverse, and where Meta sees itself in that equation.

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Mounaz and Aya Abdel Raouf

Mon, 01 May 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Mounaz and Aya Abdel Raouf are the sisters behind the global luxury brand, Okhtein. They have always had a love for fashion and accessories, and day-dreamed about working in the industry from when they were children.

In 2014, they turned their fantasy into a reality, launching Okhtein. Since then, they’ve had celebrities like Beyoncé, Emma Watson, Cardi B and Gigi Hadid photographed with their accessories. Their brother, Mohamed Abdel Raouf, joined the company as CEO in 2018.

Today, Okhtein continues to expand its retail footprint, widening their distribution network to new markets, and exploring new product ranges, including a collaboration with Balmain which was unveiled during Paris Fashion Week in October last year.

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Ramy Youssef

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Ramy started out as a stand-up comedian, and is the star of the eponymous hit show, Ramy, which has won Golden Globes and Peabodies, as well as Emmy nominations. He's also the co-creator of Mo with Mo Amer, and can be seen later this year in Poor Things with Emma Stone, William Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo among other big wigs of the industry.

I binged watched all 3 seasons of Ramy and am so happy we are finally seeing a show that potrays the Arab immigrant experience as more than a 2D cliché. The show is part comedy, part drama and part spiritual quest, raising questions and making you keel over laughing at the same time. As writer, actor, director and producer of the show, Ramy brings nuance and subtlety to what are, on the surface, extremely difficult issues to broach on US TV and he does so with the one tool that always breaks down prejudices—humour.

We talk about growing up in New Jersey, the show, and whether his life has changed before and after the show's global success.

This episode is brought to you by

EFG Hermes One: Your one-stop gateway to investment
Egypt Fashion Week, May 12-15, 2023: The past, present & future

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Bonus: Egypt Fashion Week 2023, with Paul Antaki & Susan Sabet

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 13:30:00 -0000

This season we've partnered with the Egypt Fashion & Design Council, which is launching the first edition of Egypt Fashion Week from May 12 to May 15. I’m joined on this bonus episode by two of the Council’s co-founders, Paul Antaki & Susan Sabet. We talk about the mission behind the EFDC and what they’re hoping to achieve with the first Egypt Fashion Week.

You can find out more on their website, and also follow Egypt Fashion Week on Instagram and on TikTok.

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Omniya Abdel Barr

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Omniya is an architect and a specialist in cultural heritage conservation, working between Cairo and London. She has worked on some landmark projects in the region, and now divides her time between the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation (EHRF) in Cairo and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. Omniya was also one of four co-curators of the Islamic Art Biennale in Jeddah.

Omniya talks about the effort that goes into maintaining our historical sites, including raising funds from across the region’s benefactors and institutions. My conversation with Omniya is a reminder that cultural heritage is as important to a nation’s foundation and economy as tangible industries like manufacturing or oil.

As always, we'll have a bonus episode with a few more details about her projects and what's in her cultural inbox. That'll be out for members next week.

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Ali Shihabi

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0000

I'm joined on this episode by Ali Shihabi. Ali is a businessman, an investor, a scholar, a writer, and a pundit. A few years ago, Ali left the management of his company, Rasmala Investment Bank, to focus on his passion for writing and commentary. Ali has published two books — Arabian War Games and The Saudi Kingdom — and also writes for outlets like The New York Times, The Atlantic and Foreign Policy.

We dig into his life's pivots, from being at the center of one of the biggest reshuffles in the Saudi banking sector, to becoming an entrepreneur, and how he views the region against the world at large.

We'll have a bonus episode with Ali for our members out next week.

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Hala Gorani

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Welcome to Season 6!

We're kicking off with a powerhouse broadcaster and journalist, Hala Gorani. Over a career spanning 25 years, Hala has covered natural disasters, wars, elections and interview key global leaders. Last year, Hala took a sabbatical from CNN and is currently working on her first book—a memoir that explores the subject of identity—which will be out in Spring 2024.

We dig into her life’s pivotal moments, growing up in the US and France, how and why she chose to become a journalist, and how she’s working to better understand her multicultural identity in a increasingly complex world.

Links

Vogue Arabia: Ex-CNN News Anchor Hala Gorani on Taking a Sabbatical Year, and Why the Risk Has Been More Than Worth It

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Season 5 begins March 6

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0000

What I Did Next is back with a new season beginning March 6.

On the show, we delve into people’s life journeys from the point of view of twists and turns, shifts and pivots. We’ve all had these moments in our lives that make us stop in our tracks, and course correct. Often we realize the importance of these moments only with hindsight, and this is what forms the underlying current of What I Did Next.

We’ll also have a bonus episode with each guest exclusively for our members. You can subscribe on our website with a free trial, as well as on Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 4 Wrap-up

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to Season 4 of What I Did Next! It’s been an incredible season and we want to thank each of you for listening in and sending in your feedback and reviews.

As always, we end the season with our wrap-up episode where I’m joined by our producer Chirag Desai to chat about some highlights from the season, and a special interview with Magued Sherif, Managing Director at our season partner, SODIC.

We’ll be back with new episodes in early March. Until then, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for updates, video clips of our guests and more.

You can also catch all our bonus episodes from the season by becoming a member in Apple Podcasts. You’ll also get early access to episodes when our new season begins!

This episode is brought to you by:

Sodic, celebrating 25 years of creating timeless places
EFG Hermes One, your one-stop gateway to investment

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neveen El Tahri

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

On our final episode of the season, I’m joined by a powerhouse business woman and role model, Neveen El Tahri. Neveen is the first woman to sit on the board of both the Egyptian Stock Exchange and the Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority. More recently, she’s been associated with the world of entrepreneurship. As Chairperson of Delta Shield, Neveen is enhancing growth and employment with a focus on youth, entrepreneurship & SME activities. Our conversation though did not just focus on her career; we chatted about marriage, religion and health.

We also have more from Neveen in a bonus episode exclusively for our members coming out next week. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts to get this bonus episode, and early access to future episodes of the season as well!

This episode is brought to you by:

Sodic, celebrating 25 years of creating timeless places

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tarek Nour

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0000

I’m joined today by a living legend, Tarek Nour, who single-handedly revolutionised the advertising world in Egypt and the Middle East at large. He made household names out of major brands with catchy jingles and his signature voice-overs. Today Tarek is semi-retired, active in some aspects of his business but also able to take a bird’s eye view of the industry, his life and Egypt.

We also have more from Tarek in a bonus episode exclusively for our members coming out next week. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts to get this bonus episode, and early access to future episodes of the season as well!

This episode is brought to you by:

Sodic, celebrating 25 years of creating timeless places
EFG Hermes One, your one-stop gateway to investment

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caroline Louca

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

I’m joined on the show today by Caroline Louca. Carol is an art consultant and started out as a corporate lawyer in Paris and Cairo. In 2008, she moved to the UAE and joined the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. In that role, she was intricately involved with the establishment of the Louvre, the Guggenheim and the Zayed national museums. She then joined the Middle East team at Christie's in Dubai.

Carol and I are old friends and we had a great chat about her career and the art world, especially the Middle East art scene.

We also have more from Carol in a bonus episode exclusively for our members coming out next week. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts to get this, and early access to future episodes of the season.

This episode is brought to you by:

Sodic, celebrating 25 years of creating timeless places
EFG Hermes One, your one-stop gateway to investment

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ayman Mohyeldein

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

My guest today is Ayman Mohyeldin, the Arab-American TV anchor on the NBC and MSNBC networks in the US. Ayman spent his formative years in the United States and gravitated towards journalism after he graduated. Over the years, he’s worked as a field producer and reported in the Middle East with CNN and Al Jazeera in addition to the NBC network of channels. A few years ago, he exchanged his flak jacket for a suit & tie to take on prestigious and high-profile anchor positions in New York with NBC & MSNBC. He is currently the host of Ayman on weekend evenings.

We met over the summer in Almaza on the North Coast of Egypt and had a wide-ranging discussion about his childhood and education, his career choices and his opinion on the current political climate in the US.

We also have more from Ayman in a bonus episode exclusively for our members coming out next week. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts to get this bonus episode, and early access to future episodes of the season as well.

This episode is brought to you by:

SODIC, celebrating 25 years of creating timeless places

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram joins me in the hot seat today to discuss her amazing, life-changing work. Dr. Nadine is a reconstructive surgeon working with the National Health Service in the UK. She's is also the founder of Proximie, a start-up revolutionising how surgery is conducted, with a technology platform that enables operating rooms across remote locations to virtually interact and conduct surgeries in real time.

We also have more from Dr. Nadine in a bonus episode exclusively for our members coming out next week. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts to get this bonus episode, and early access to future episodes of the season as well!

This episode is brought to you by:

Sodic, celebrating 25 years of creating timeless places
EFG Hermes One, your one-stop gateway to investment

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mo Gawdat

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

My guest on this episode is a giant in every field he’s ventured into, Mo Gawdat. Mo was Chief Business Officer at Google X, and is now the popular author of Solve for Happy, Scary Smart, and more recently, That Little Voice in Your Head, with more books to come. He is also behind the One Billion Happy movement which is inspired by his late son, Aly, who died tragically in 2014.

We also have more from Mo in a bonus episode exclusively for our members coming out next week. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts to get this bonus episode, and early access to future episodes of the season as well.

This episode is brought to you by:

Sodic, celebrating 25 years of creating timeless places

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Mowafi

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

My guest on this episode is Amy Mowafi, who makes up one-fourth of the MO4 network of companies. Amy and her team are the digital publishers of CairoScene, ElFasla, StartUpScene, NFTYScene, NFTY Arabia, SceneNoise, SceneTraveller, SceneEats, CairoZoom & the SceneNOW App. They also house a digital creative agency and are leading the way in the Web3 universe as well.

We also have more from Amy in a bonus episode exclusively for our members coming out next week. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts to get this bonus episode, and early access to future episodes of the season as well!

This episode is brought to you by:

Sodic, celebrating 25 years of creating timeless places

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Fadi Ghandour

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

We’re kicking off this season with Fadi Ghandour, an icon of the Middle East’s business and entrepreneurial landscape. After co-founding Aramex, Fadi became the poster-boy for Arab entrepreneurship success. Aramex went on to become the first Arab company to list on NASDAQ, not a small achievement by any means.

We’re focusing our conversation on the pivot that followed, when Fadi decided to leave Aramex and everything he’s been doing since.

We also have more from Fadi in a bonus episode exclusively for our members coming out next week. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts to get this bonus episode, and early access to future episodes of the season.

This episode is brought to you by:

Sodic, celebrating 25 years of creating timeless places
EFG Hermes One, your one-stop gateway to investment

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Season 4 begins September 5

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0000

What I Did Next is back with a new season, beginning September 5th.

If you’ve heard the show before, you’ll know that the guests on our show are leaders in their fields from across the Middle East. This season we have entrepreneurs, doctors, designers, journalists, innovators and more! You’ll hear a new guest join me in the hot seat every other Monday until the middle of December.

We’re also launching a subscription via Apple Podcasts this season. If you like the show as it is, nothing will change, but if you want little bit extra, you'll get to hear episodes a few days earlier, and be able to unlock bonus content. You can subscribe in Apple Podcasts now to get started with a free trial.

While you wait, check out our library of episodes in your podcast player and don’t forget to save the date of 5th of September for the kick off of Season 4!

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Season 3 Wrap-up

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 07:45:10 -0000

I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to Season 3 of What I Did Next! We’ve had an incredible line-up of guests, and want to thank each of you for listening in and sending in your feedback and reviews.

Listen in to our wrap-up episode where I sit down with our producer Chirag Desai to talk about the highlights of the season, some learnings and a look ahead to Season 4.

We’ll be back soon — until then, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter and on Facebook for updates on the show.

This episode is brought to you by:

Marakez, Spaces for Life
EFG Hermes Holding, a universal bank in Egypt with the leading investment bank franchise in frontier emerging markets (FEM)

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Youssef El Deeb

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 07:05:00 -0000

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 resides.

In 2006, Youssef launched the food channel, Fatafeat, a venture he calls ‘his baby’. Youssef created the Fatafeat catchphrase, El Haya Helwa. The origin of this phrase is very close to his heart but can also be seen as the guiding words of his life. Youssef unpacks the peaks and troughs of his life in our conversation, and we discuss the pivots that have shaped his journey.

This episode is brought to you by:

Marakez, Spaces for Life
EFG Hermes Holding, a universal bank in Egypt with the leading investment bank franchise in frontier emerging markets (FEM)

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Nadine Kanso

Mon, 30 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

I’m joined on this episode by Nadine Kanso, the ultra-chic and super-creative jewellery designer, photographer, purveyor of beautiful things and all ‘round influencer.

Nadine has taken the concept of what it means to be an Arab and translated it using her camera lens, calligraphy or by moulding gold into bold, strong letters to form her signature brand, Bilarabi. Over the years, she has become a leader and style icon in the region. Nadine shares her key pivot points and how there was no linear path that got her to where she is today.

This episode is brought to you by:

Marakez, Spaces for Life

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Dr. Ahmed Heikal

Mon, 16 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Dr. Ahmed Heikal is today’s guest on the show. As chairman and CEO of Qalaa Holdings, Ahmed is well known to many in the business community across the Middle East. Prior to founding Qalaa Holdings, Ahmed was an integral part of the rise and dominance of EFG-Hermes bank. To some, Ahmed is a polarizing figure. We talk candidly about the trajectory of his career, his appetite for risk and how he views the current phase of his career.

This episode is brought to you by:

Marakez, Spaces for Life

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Clarissa Ward

Mon, 02 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Clarissa is a multi-award winning journalist and Chief International Correspondent for CNN. She’s been reporting for over 15 years from various countries in the region, including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. More recently, she covered the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, and she’s also been covering the Ukraine war.

Clarissa is also the author of On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist, one of my favourite books of 2020. She talks about her unconventional childhood and how 9/11 was a clear pivot point in helping her decide to tell stories for a willing.

This episode is brought to you by:

Marakez, Spaces for Life
EFG Hermes Holding, a universal bank in Egypt with the leading investment bank franchise in frontier emerging markets (FEM)

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Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 07:00:00 -0000

I’m delighted to welcome Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi to the show. Sultan is someone I have long-admired from afar; a man who has worn many hats over the decades—businessman, art collector, activist, academic. Sultan’s story starts out as a proud son of Sharjah in the UAE before he came to the attention of a wide audience around the world for his activism during the 2011 revolutions in the Arab World. His heritage, nationality and deep sense of what it means to be Arab today is the thread that links all his work and interests.

This episode is brought to you by:

Marakez, Spaces for Life
EFG Hermes Holding, a universal bank in Egypt with the leading investment bank franchise in frontier emerging markets (FEM)

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Hend Sabri

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 07:00:00 -0000

We have the gorgeous Hend Sabri on the show! Hend is the queen of our cinematic hearts, and a leading light of both the silver and the small screens. Although a lawyer by training, Hend went on to star in ground-breaking roles such as Asmaa, where she portrays an HIV-positive woman in rural Egypt, and Ola in Ayaz-Atgawez, whom she recently brought back Finding Ola, which is available on Netflix. Hend has often taken on difficult and taboo subjects that are whispered about but not spoken about out loud.

And underneath the actress, Hend is a woman of fierce intellect, who cares deeply for the world she will be passing on to her daughters.

This episode is brought to you by:

Marakez, Spaces for Life

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Kito de Boer

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0000

My guest on this episode is Kito de Boer. Kito spent nearly 30 years at McKinsey, and his exposure to the world of management consultancy as well as international political institutions has given him unique insights into what makes the world go ‘round. Kito also reveals himself to be a man of many hobbies and facets, acknowledging the grounding importance of family and the essential need for a satisfying ‘inner life’. He and his wife are avid collectors of Indian art.

His work in helping set government strategies across various sectors in the Middle East placed him in a unique position to succeed Tony Blair as Head of Mission of the Quartet from 2015 to 2017. This entity was tasked with helping mediate between Israel and Palestinians, particularly tackling issues from an economic perspective.

This episode is brought to you by:

Marakez, Spaces for Life

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Fatma Said

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0000

We’re starting season 3 with the Soprano sensation Fatma Said. Fatma is a soprano taking the world of opera by storm. Since starting out at the iconic La Scala theatre in Milan, she tours the world as a soprano bringing beloved roles to life in productions spanning the traditional languages of opera; Italian, German, French and Russian.

In October 2020 Fatma released her debut album with Warner Classics called El Nour, where she crosses cultures from Spain, Egypt and France and encompasses classic opera with folks songs as well.

Listen to Fatma share the moments that changed her life around and about her exciting life on the stage. Her passion is heart-warming and contagious!

You can find her album, El Nour on various streaming platforms here.

This episode is brought to you by:

Marakez, Spaces for Life
EFG Hermes Holding, a universal bank in Egypt with the leading investment bank franchise in frontier emerging markets (FEM)

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Season 2 Wrap-up

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0000

We hope you’ve enjoyed listening to Season 2 of What I Did Next!

We’ve had a great line-up of guests, great feedback and some Apple Podcasts love by being included in their Best of 2021 selection. What more can a podcast ask for?!

Tune in to our wrap-up episode where we discuss the highlights of the last 8 episodes and look ahead to Season 3. Listen to the show to hear about an exciting new announcement as well!

Happy holidays everyone :)

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Prince Abbas Hilmi

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0000

I’m delighted to welcome Prince Abbas Hilmi onto the last episode of Season 2. Prince Abbas Hilmi is a descendent of two Middle Eastern royal houses. Through his father, Prince Mohamed Abdel Moneim, he is a descendent of Mohamed Ali of Egypt, while his mother, Neslishah Sultan, was the granddaughter of Mehmed VI, the last Ottoman Sultan. A quiet and modest man, Prince Abbas Hilmi spoke to me about his unique life journey, weaving stories of royalty and history with the more contemporary realities of the region’s finance and business industries.

This episode is brought to you by Marakez, building spaces for life; and by EFG Hermes, the leading financial services the leading financial services corporation in frontier emerging markets.

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Kim Ghattas

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0000

Meet Kim Ghattas, journalist, writer and lecturer. Kim’s career has been extensive and multi-layered. Kim, who is half Lebanese and half Dutch, shot to prominence as a BBC reporter, first covering Lebanon and then reporting on U.S. foreign policy from the United States.

Lately, she has gained recognition as an author of bestselling books. First came The Secretary and more recently, Black Wave, a must-read for all those interested and concerned about Middle East politics.

Listen to my conversation with her where she unpacks what inspires her and more profoundly talks about the shadow that growing up in the Lebanese civil war still casts across her life and outlook. You can find the episode in Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Podbean.

This episode is brought to you by Marakez, building spaces for life; and by EFG Hermes, the leading financial services the leading financial services corporation in frontier emerging markets.

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Bobby Chinn

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0000

Bobby Chinn—celebrity chef, raconteur, comic, mimic and globetrotter—is my guest on the show this week. Perhaps best known in the Middle East as one of the judges on MBC’s highly rated show, Top Chef, Bobby brings a unique perspective on what a life journey should look like.

Our conversation covers everything from his peripatetic childhood to his steep learning curve trying to find the path that was best for him. Taking us on his journey we are entertained and awestruck by his innate positivity and optimism.

The most striking thing for me was his deep love of family and country that he kept reverting back to time and again during our chat.

This episode is brought to you by Marakez, building spaces for life; and by EFG Hermes, the leading financial services the leading financial services corporation in frontier emerging markets.

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Dr. Lama Al-Sulaiman

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0000

Meet Dr. Lama Al-Sulaiman; Wife, mother, business-woman and most notably, an unexpected pioneer of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. Listen to her story, where she comes across as thoughtful and compassionate. She opens up about her challenges and talks passionately about helping the underdog and less fortunate as well as her fight to get women treated equally in the boardroom.

This episode is brought to you by Marakez, Spaces for Life. Marakez is one of the largest mixed-use developers in Egypt that designs, builds and manages their own properties which have grown to become the heart and soul of the communities they serve.

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Hassan Al Damluji

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0000

Today Hassan Al Damluji, the Deputy Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is our guest on the show.

We trace his life journey, from a young adult discovering his Iraqi roots, to his current role in public health. We talk about his work in the region and his developing a more global world view. Discover how chance trips and encounters have contributed in shaping Hassan’s path.

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Nada Debs

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 07:30:00 -0000

Today I welcome Nada Debs to the show. Nada is a Lebanese designer who has re-invented the Levantine tradition of wood-work making. She has taken traditional techniques and given them a modern, contemporary twist. Nada works across a wide range of design including furniture, accessories, crafts, fashion and interiors.

Nada’s life—from her childhood in Japan to graduate school in the US—have all laid the foundations for her professional and personal journey. The 'less is more’ aesthetic that Nada brings to all she does has gained her wide recognition and this has translated into very interesting and dynamic collaborations with such diverse brands as Louis Vuitton, Converse and IKEA.

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Max Rodenbeck

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0000

Today I am delighted to welcome journalist Max Rodenbeck to the show. From 2000 to 2015 he was the Economist’s man in the Middle East—in 2010, in an article for the magazine, Max predicted the seismic changes that were to come in Egypt in January 2011.

Having been raised from the age of 2 years old in Egypt, Max is not your usual expat; his wife is Egyptian and he has deep roots in the country. Max is also the author of one of my favourite books, Cairo: The City Victorious, a must read for those interested in history and cities.

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Fatma & Amina Ghaly

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0000

We’re kicking off our new season with Fatma and Amina Ghaly, the two talented sisters who are the driving force behind the luxury jewelry brand, Azza Fahmy. They work hand-in-hand to ensure their mother’s philosophy and aesthetic are moved forward for a new generation of customers. The sisters have been instrumental in taking the firm from a local Egyptian niche company to a luxury international brand with 19 retail doors across the Middle East as well as in London and Washington DC, and a staff of over 280 people.

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Season 2 launching August 23

Sat, 21 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0000

📣 Season 2 begins August 23!

We’re thrilled to back with you for a new season of What I Did Next, starting Monday.

Season 2 is a bit less Egypt-centric, we’ve cast a wider net to include an amazing line-up of guests from across our amazing region, and across a range of industries.

We’re also excited to announce that the season will be sponsored by Marakez.

Whether you listen to the show on your walk, your commute, your workout or simply bumming around, we hope you enjoy this season! Remember to stay connected to us for the latest episodes and news.

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Malak Fouad: Behind the Scenes

Thu, 27 May 2021 07:00:00 -0000

We're wrapping up season 1 today with a slightly different episode. My producer Chirag Desai is turning the tables on me and asking me about my own life journey and the show's two staple questions. A big thank you to our guests this season, and to all of you for joining us, and leaving us wonderful reviews. A new season of _What I Did Next_ is currently in the works with another amazing line-up of guests coming your way in a couple of months. Until then, please stay tuned to our [Instagram](https://instagram.com/what.i.did.next) where we'll be sharing bonus material from Season 1 and news on what's coming next. Thanks to [Marakez](https://marakez.net) for their support of the show.

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Omar Samra

Thu, 13 May 2021 08:00:00 -0000

Omar Samra is the first Egyptian to reach the top of Everest, he’s climbed the 7 Summits and he has skied to both the North and South Pole. He is the founder of [Wild Guanabana](https://wildguanabana.com), one of the region’s leading adventure travel companies. In 2017, Omar took up a maritime challenge with his friend Omar Nour to highlight the plight of refugees who were crossing dangerous waters to seek a better life. That journey ended just 1000 kms later, and the men had to be rescued. The trip has become the subject of a documentary called [_Beyond the Raging Sea_](https://www.beyondtheragingsea.com), which has garnered rave reviews at various film festivals. This episode also brings us towards the close of season 1. For the final episode next episode, the tables are being turned on me. I'll be in the hot seat, answering the questions I've been putting to my guests all season. Thanks to our partners [Marakez](http://marakez.net) for sponsoring this episode. Marakez is the leading mixed-used developer in Egypt, with an ever growing portfolio of commercial and residential projects.

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Ali Ali

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0000

My guest today comes from the world of advertising. Ali Ali is the co-founder of Good People Films and one of the most highly respected and sought-after advertising directors around. The Gunn Report named him one of the 10 most-awarded directors in the world and AdWeek placed him amongst the top 10 most exciting directors of 2020. Thanks to our partners [Marakez](http://marakez.net) for sponsoring this episode. Marakez is the leading mixed-used developer in Egypt, with an ever growing portfolio of commercial and residential projects.

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Jehane Noujaim

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 07:30:00 -0000

My guest on this episode is Jehane Noujaim, a multi-award-winning director from the world of documentary film-making, specifically, the cinema verité genre. Jehane has captured the zeitgeist time and time again in her work. She’s the engine behind such well-known documentaries as Startup .com (2001) and Control Room (2004). More recent films include The Square (2014), the Great Hack (2019) which is available on Netflix, and the series The Vow on HBO, all produced in collaboration with her husband, Karim Amer.

Thanks to our partners Marakez for sponsoring this episode. Marakez is the leading mixed-used developer in Egypt, with an ever growing portfolio of commercial and residential projects.

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Samih Sawiris

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0000

My guest today is Samih Sawiris, the founder of Orascom Development Holding which operates 33 hotels with over 7,000 rooms and controls approximately 100 million sqm of land. He is perhaps best known as the person behind El Gouna, a tourist resort town on the Red Sea coast of Egypt. Samih is above all, a sort of renaissance man, and a person who doesn’t define himself by his career or profession. He has a multitude of interests and he consciously prioritises the work / life balance. Now that he is no longer involved in the day-to-day running of the company, he is spending time developing his passions and checking off his extensive bucket list. Our interview was recorded at the end of 2020. If you’re enjoying the show, leave us a review in Apple Podcasts, or reach out to us on Instagram.

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Dina El-Mofty

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0000

My guest today is a multi-award winning powerhouse in the NGO landscape of the Middle East. Dina El-Mofty is the co-founder of [Injaz](http://injaz-egypt.org) in Egypt in 2003. Dina’s first pivot came at the start of her career and she has been shifting gears ever since. Moving from education to the start-up world, Dina has used her entrepreneurial know-how for the benefit of others; helping people garner employment skills and then translating them into businesses and new opportunities. Dina’s positive and upbeat approach are dynamic and impactful. If you’re enjoying the show, leave us a review in [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-i-did-next/id1549640242), or [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14051098/), or reach out to us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/what.i.did.next/).

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Sarah Trad

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0000

I’m joined this week by Lebanese hotelier Sarah Trad, who is the owner of [Beit Trad](http://beittrad.com/), an idyllic and luxurious guesthouse in the mountains of Lebanon. She is also the co-founder of Skoun, the first-of-its-kind drug and addiction rehabilitation center in Beirut. But beyond her professional pivot points, it was a major change in her personal life that resonated with me the most. Sarah has consistently pushed the bounds of convention and has chosen to go down her own path, even when those choices are at odds with what is expected.

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Jalal Abu-Gazaleh & Dalia Sultan

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0000

I’m joined on the show today by Jalal Abu-Gazaleh & Dalia Sultan, the husband-and-wife team behind Gourmet Egypt, a company that has raised the bar for food retail in Egypt. Join our conversation to hear about their pivot points — from the cute way they met to the challenges they encountered in the evolution of their business. The conversation blends the personal and professional and we meander down memory lane to key cross-roads along their path.

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Ahmed Alfi

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 06:30:00 -0000

My guest on the inaugural episode of What I Did Next is Ahmed Alfi, a well-known name in the tech start-up world in both Egypt and the Middle East. From starting his career on Wall Street, Ahmed moved to Egypt in 2006, went on to co-found Sawari Ventures and is also the co-founder of Flat6Labs and the Greek Campus, a startup innovation hub in downtown Cairo. Tune in to the episode to find out all about those turning points in Ahmed’s life, who he’s inspired by, and what makes him tick.

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Introducing: What I Did Next

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 13:51:00 -0000

What I did Next is a show that will explore life’s pivot points, both professional and personal. We’ll look at life’s journeys through this lens and how sometimes certain circumstances can lead to life-altering changes. Season One launches February 4, 2021 with a fantastic mix of guests from the Middle East who share their pivot points. Do you take the left or right at the fork in the road? Do you choose the path less traveled and go against what is expected? These are the big questions at the heart of this show—questions that inform and shape our lives and the paths we take. The people I’ll be interviewing will either be from the Middle East or have a connection to the region in some way. These are people who are multi-national, multi-lingual, are engaged, curious and passionate about knowledge and aim to leave a positive imprint on the world. They represent a variety of industries and careers but they all have one thing in common: they aren’t afraid to do it their way.

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