What I Did Next

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram is a trailblazing plastic surgeon and the CEO of Proximie, a revolutionary tech company transforming surgical operations. In this conversation, she shares insights on Proximie's explosive growth and its mission to enhance healthcare efficiency with AI technology. Nadine delves into her balancing act between surgery and her startup, emphasizes the need for large-scale healthcare innovation, and reveals her new venture focused on health for high-performers. Her passion for improving patient lives shines brightly throughout.

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

Karima El Hakim, Country Director at Plug & Play Egypt and a vibrant advocate for animal welfare, shares her inspiring journey from a Francophone upbringing in Cairo to a dynamic career in technology and investment. She discusses navigating personal losses and how they reshaped her priorities. Karima also delves into her work with ecosystem building in Africa and her passion for teaching fitness at BURN. With candid insights on mental health, career pivots, and her quirky personal brand, she offers a refreshing perspective on balancing life's challenges.

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