The Mo Show

Evan Spiegel is an American entrepreneur and co-founder of Snap Inc., the parent company of the popular multimedia messaging app Snapchat. The app, launched in 2011, revolutionized social media by introducing disappearing messages and creative visual tools like filters and lenses. Under Spiegel’s leadership as CEO, Snap Inc. has grown into a global company with innovative products such as Spectacles and augmented reality technologies. Recognized for his forward-thinking approach, Evan has become one of the youngest billionaires in the world, known for reshaping how people communicate digitally.On this episode, Evan and Mo discussed Snapchat’s unique popularity in Saudi Arabia, Augmented Reality, Snapchat's inaugurating their new office in Riyadh and Evan’s admiration for the late great Kobe Bryant.

Maha Taibah is the Founder of RUMMAN, a human-centric design firm focused on workplace wellbeing, and an independent board member of PwC MENA. With 20+ years in human capital development across government, private, and academic sectors, she is a strategic advisor, investor, speaker, and wellbeing advocate. A former government leader driving national initiatives for the Saudi labor market, Maha also serves on several global boards and was the only “sharkette” on Shark Tank Arabia. An alumna of DePaul, Harvard Business School, and Singularity University, she has been featured in outlets like The New York Times, Forbes, and Fortune.

“Beautiful things are created in the darkest hours” - Mo Islam A conversation with Talah Saleh, Falak Investment Hub. Thank you so very much to the team at Falak Hub for hosting me on their platform. Really enjoyed sharing my story and what was such a meaningful conversation with Tala Slaeh. A big thank you as well to everyone in the live audience who came to watch and support. Your presence and energy were truly appreciated, and I hope my journey and insights resonated with you in some way. Looking forward to connecting again and continuing these impactful conversations!

Tracy Harmoush, a former investment banker-turned-entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey from finance to wellness. She explores the myths of nutrition and the dangers of unregulated weight loss medications among teens. Tracy emphasizes the importance of genuine connections in a tech-driven world and reflects on the significance of discipline over suffering in personal growth. With insights on self-awareness in relationships and the transformative power of forgiveness, she leaves listeners with a fresh perspective on navigating life's challenges.

In this engaging conversation, John Pagano, CEO of The Red Sea Development Company and AMAALA, unveils Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 plans for luxury tourism. He shares insights about creating unique resorts while prioritizing sustainability and marine life preservation. John discusses the innovative architectural projects on the horizon, like a UFO-shaped hotel, and highlights the emergence of yachting along the Red Sea. He also explores evolving public attitudes towards alcohol in tourism and the vital role these initiatives play in job creation and regional economic growth.

Hammad Al-Balawi, head of the Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup Bid Unit, discusses the thrilling lead-up to the FIFA World Cup announcement. He reflects on his team’s ambitious vision and the emotional journey behind the bid, emphasizing the importance of community and legacy. Al-Balawi shares insights into overcoming challenges in the high-stakes bidding process and showcases Saudi Arabia's initiatives to enhance football culture, including women's engagement. The conversation radiates excitement for the future and the transformative potential of hosting the World Cup.

Maha Abouelenein, a personal branding expert and bestselling author, shares her wisdom from over three decades in global communications. She discusses her '7 Rules of Self-Reliance', emphasizing the power of lifelong learning and resilience. Maha opens up about the challenges of navigating personal and professional landscapes, including her journey of loss and growth. Listeners will be intrigued by her insights on reputation management and the exciting transformation of the Saudi fashion industry.

Ali Shihabi is an author and commentator, specialising in GeoPolitics with a focus on Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Ali has authored two books: “The Saudi Kingdom: Between the Jihadi Hammer and the Iranian Anvil”, published as part of Princeton University’s Middle East series, and “Arabian War Games”, a novel. His analyses have been featured in major publications, including the New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Foreign Policy.In what unfolded to be quite a raw conversation, Ali and Mo dive deep into Saudi Arabia’s recent advancements in the world of sports, entertainment, tourism, and quality of life, exploring how the country’s global image is being transformed under ‘Vision 2030.’ They also discuss the Saudi-U.S relationship that is approaching 100-years, the genocide in Gaza, the attacks on Lebanon and broader regional stability.

Will Ahmed, CEO and founder of WHOOP, is a pioneer in health tracking and performance monitoring. He shares his journey from a college athlete to innovating wearable technology. Topics include the significance of sleep stages and recovery in health, and his collaboration with superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo. Ahmed emphasizes resilience, discussing personal experiences with bankruptcy, and highlights the transformative health trends in Saudi Arabia. He also reflects on the importance of small habit changes and the power of meditation in enhancing well-being.

A surgeon at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, made history by performing the world’s first robotic heart transplant, an achievement that highlighted both the advancement of technology in the medical field showcasing the surgeon’s technical brilliance but also the intense pressures faced by the medical team. Dr. Feras and Mo dive heavily into the subject of medications and how easily they are prescribed these days, particularly in the relationship between big pharmaceutical companies and the medical field that is driven by profits raising questions about whether patient health is always the primary focus. 0:00 Kicking Off3:35 Trusting Robotic Surgery14:10 The 16-Year-Old Patient’s Miraculous Recovery17:04 The Efficiency of Robotic Heart Surgery25:00 Managing Burnout as a Surgeon30:05 The Power of Meditation42:23 Balancing Surgery, Teaching Family47:03 Overprescription in Saudi Arabia50:00 Combating Drug Addiction with Compassion55:00 Saudi Arabia’s Crackdown on Drugs57:00 The Reward of Heart Surgery1:08:02 Following Passion Despite Expectations1:10:53 Pioneering Artificial Hearts1:12:04 Vision 2030: A Momentum for Innovation1:15:09 Contacting Dr. Feras