What I Did Next

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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