Christophe Farnaud shares insights into his unique role of representing 27 nations and the evolving relationship between Europe and Saudi Arabia. He discusses the rapid transformation he is witnessing in Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation, from outdated perceptions to bold new policies—and the complexities of high-stakes diplomacy. The conversation explores key economic milestones, including the launch of the EU Chamber of Commerce in Riyadh, as well as transformative visa and tourism policies, social shifts, cultural exchanges, and educational collaborations. Together, these dynamic changes are reshaping the region and ushering in a powerful new era for both Europe and Saudi Arabia. 0:00 Intro2:02 Saudi Arabia: Past and Present Impressions5:01 Changing Views on Saudi Arabia8:07 A Day in the Life of an Ambassador11:15 Navigating Accelerated Change13:00 The Passion & Complexity of Diplomacy14:36 Bridging Economic Partnerships18:08 Visa & Tourism Policies24:09 Empowerment, Women & Youth40:40 Education, Culture & Sustainability44:03 Economic & Cultural Dialogue49:32 Local Opportunities & Inclusive Hiring50:09 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Former Chelsea, Arsenal & England International with over 100 appearances for his country, Ashley Cole has approached his transition from a world-class player to an aspiring elite coach with patience, humility and a deep commitment to learning. No fluff here, Ashley vulnerably reflects on his early days when his mother had to work three jobs just so he could play Sunday league football. He opens up about the highs and lows of his career, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what’s next for him in the world of football. 0:00 Intro1:43 Life Choices & Home Support4:55 Facing Ronaldo 9:50 Tactics and Coaching14:20 Wenger vs Mourinho 17:45 What's Missing at Chelsea?20:31 Preparing Saudi for World Cup 203426:55 What Went Wrong For England's Golden Generation33:42 Spain Porducing Great Talent and Teams36:50 Modern Fees and The Saudi Pro League42:17 MLS Experience & Growth45:46 Coaching Career51:02 Arsenal vs. Chelsea56:00 Regrets, Lessons, & Future Goals59:42 Guilty Pleasures & Final Thoughts 

Hana Basrawi is a Saudi fitness entrepreneur and influencer, best known as the founder of THYGA Official, a brand focused on empowering women through health and wellness. With a background split between Saudi Arabia and the UK, Hana blends cultural influences to promote confidence and individuality, THYGA inspired by the Arabic word for “trust,” offers science-backed fitness programs tailored to energy fluctuations, helping women optimize their workouts while balancing busy lives.Hana opens up about the challenges of growing up as a cross-cultural kid, navigating her parents’ divorce, and coping with the loss of her father just a year ago. She shares her journey with honesty and depth, offering insight into resilience and personal growth.

Brian Ward is the Group CEO of Savvy Games Group, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company leading investment and long-term growth in global gaming and esports. With nearly 30 years of experience, he previously led worldwide studios at Activision Blizzard and held key roles at Electronic Arts and Microsoft. Under Brian’s leadership, Savvy has grown into a major player in the industry with 3,500 employees across 22 countries, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global gaming and esports hub by 2030. 0:00 Intros6:23 Saudi Gaming Passion10:43 Skills Benefits of Gaming14:05 VR Innovation15:05 Industry Challenges16:55 Evolution of Games18:59 Sports Brand Partnerships25:55 Personal Favorites31:37 Acquisition Growth Success36:01 Horizontal Leadership38:08 Building a Talented Team40:05 Taking Risks Being Adaptable46:03 Overcoming Career Labels47:07 Savvy’s Mission Esports Dominance53:22 Final Thoughts Anecdotes

Jessica Kahawaty is a Food Entrepreneur, Human Rights Advocate, and International Model. The Australian with Middle Eastern roots bridges cultures in fashion and humanitarianism.With a background in Human Rights Law, the former Miss Australia and Miss World runner-up champions social responsibility, notably fronting Louis Vuitton and UNICEF’s ‘Make a Promise’ campaign.She co-founded Mama Rita, a UAE-based food and lifestyle brand, offering Arabic and international cuisine across 300+ locations.Jessica’s humanitarian efforts include an undercover mission in Kolkata’s Red Light district with Free a Girl and fundraising for crises affecting Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian refugees with UNICEF and UNHCR.

A Conversation with Boris Johnson at The Saudi Media Forum. Thank you to the Ministry of Media in Saudi Arabia for arranging this. Boris Johnson is a British politician, journalist, and author who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. A member of the Conservative Party, he was previously the Mayor of London (2008–2016) and a Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (2015–2023). Known for his charismatic and sometimes controversial style, Johnson played a key role in the Brexit campaign and led the UK through its formal departure from the EU. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic challenges, and the Partygate scandal, which contributed to his eventual resignation in 2022. 0:00 Intro1:09 Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Development6:10 From Journalism to Politics10:00 Challenges in Modern Political Communication12:00 “Unleashed” and the Brexit Vision19:00 Vision 203021:00 Regional Geopolitics and Peace Efforts24:00 Media Relationship26:44 Final Thoughts and Messages

A pioneering Saudi Arabian Skier who turned pro in 2022, Sharifa is recognised as the Kingdom’s first female alpine skier. A few days ago, Sharifa made history by participating in the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, marking Saudi Arabia’s first-ever appearance in the event. Beyond her athletic achievements, Sharifa is a mother of two and aspires to inspire the next generation of female athletes in Saudi Arabia. She aims to build a thriving women’s sports community in the Kingdom, demonstrating that with passion and determination, barriers can be broken.

Jamila is a certified etiquette consultant, author, and content creator. She has written three books on etiquette and hosts a popular YouTube channel on etiquette with over 1 million subscribers. She graduated summa cum laude in International Affairs from George Washington University, earned a Master’s from the College of Europe, and received her certification from the International Etiquette and Protocol Academy of London. Raised in Azerbaijan, Jamila is fluent in six languages and combines her expertise in diplomatic protocol, good manners, and luxury living to promote personaldevelopment and multicultural understanding, positioning her as a leading figure in the world of etiquette. Jamila conducts etiquette workshops and meet & greet events globally.

On this episode, we sit down with H.E Ihab Hashani, the Vice Minister of Housing and Municipalities and Chairman of the National Housing Company. He explains how reading Vision 2030 led him to switch from a long private-sector career into public service. We discuss his role in modernizing housing, improving city infrastructure, and boosting overall quality of life in Saudi Arabia. His excellency also shares his perspective on why more young people are choosing government roles, how large-scale initiatives are reshaping cities, and what it means to serve a nation under an ambitious vision.H.E Ihab Hashani 137 | Vice Minister of Municipalities and Housing in Saudi Arabia

Khaled Tash is the Group Chief Marketing Officer at Saudi Airlines. On this episode, Khaled and Mo go into the company's ambitious growth plans, including network expansion, fleet development and the introduction of new passenger experiences. Khaled offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the airline navigates the transformative era of Saudi Arabia's aviation sector and its commitment to enhancing the travel experience.