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In this episode of Something to Consider, we confront what it means to witness a genocide while it is still unfolding.We are joined by Ahmed Kouta, a Palestinian nurse who arrived in Gaza to complete his master’s thesis and instead spent months inside hospitals under bombardment, treating the wounded, witnessing mass civilian casualties, and surviving the systematic collapse of every structure meant to protect life. Ahmed did not plan to document what he was seeing. But as hospitals were overwhelmed, entire neighborhoods erased, and civilians targeted, he felt a moral obligation to speak so that what was happening would not be reduced to statistics, headlines, or silence.This conversation is not an analysis of news coverage. It is lived testimony. We talk about working in emergency rooms without adequate supplies, caring for children with catastrophic injuries, and the impossible ethical weight of choosing who receives care when systems collapse. Ahmed reflects on why documentation became an act of sumud (steadfastness), how images alone fail to convey the reality of genocide, and why translation without context allows violence to be misunderstood, minimized, or denied.We also address the pressure placed on Palestinians to perform grief, resilience, or morality in ways that make others comfortable, and the cruelty of judging survival choices from a distance. Ahmed speaks candidly about what it means to leave Gaza physically while carrying it with you psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually.This episode asks a direct and uncomfortable question:What does witnessing demand of us when neutrality itself becomes a form of complicity?And what responsibility do we carry once we have seen?This is not a conversation meant to be consumed.It is one meant to stay with you.We hope you find something to consider.Connect with Guest: https://www.instagram.com/princekouta/

We often think of stories as an escape. But sometimes, a story does the opposite. It pulls us closer to ourselves.In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit with Sara Hamdan, a Palestinian American journalist-turned-novelist whose debut book, What Will People Think, explores identity, belonging, and the quiet tensions we inherit.Sara’s life has unfolded between worlds - raised in Greece, shaped by Palestine, and now based in Dubai. Her work holds humor and grief in the same breath, excavating family histories, cultural expectation, and the private negotiations that shape who we become.   We talk about the long road to creative courage, the cost of choosing yourself, the role of joy amid intergenerational trauma, and what it means to stop running and start sustaining a life that feels aligned.   This is a conversation about writing as remembrance, storytelling as resistance, and belonging as something we may have to invent for ourselves. We hope you will find something to consider.

Filmed live at Expand North Star 2025, this episode of Something to Consider features Joel Gujral in partnership with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and Poddster.   What happens when the body breaks before the mind can make sense of it?   In this conversation, Joel Gujral, founder and CEO of Myndup reflects on a deeply personal journey that began with a debilitating gut condition in his mid-20s and spiraled into depression, isolation, and a confrontation with a system designed to respond only once people are already in crisis.   We talk about the gut–brain connection, the danger of toxic positivity, and the quiet signals we often ignore until they demand our attention. Joel shares how healing reshaped his approach to leadership, why prevention matters more than reaction, and what it means to empower people rather than manage them.   We also explore wellness beyond pathology, how peace can coexist with ambition, why thriving still requires support, and how asking for help is not a weakness but a turning point.   A conversation about healing, self-trust, and taking responsibility for the one thing we can truly control: how we show up.   We hope you will find something to consider.

Filmed live at Expand North Star (ENS) 2025, this Startup Spotlights episode features Osman Sultan in partnership with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and Poddster. What does it mean to build something the world hasn’t imagined yet? In this conversation, Osman Sultan the founding CEO of du and one of the region’s most influential telecom leaders reflects on a 40-year journey that reshaped how millions connect. We talk about vision in times of uncertainty, the dream of “a mobile in every hand,” and the surprising truth about keeping massive industries human in the face of rapid change. Osman shares lessons from leading across generations, the discipline required to build inside corporate structures, and the emotional cost of a life spent at the frontier of innovation. We also explore the urgency and discomfort of today’s AI moment — what we gain, what we risk, and why balance remains the quiet virtue behind every form of progress. A conversation about connection, relevance, and the timeless question: Where are we running to, and at what price? We hope you will find something to consider.

Freej didn’t just make us laugh — it rewired what was possible for Gulf storytelling. In this raw conversation, Mohammed Saeed Harib (creator of Freej) opens up about the real price of legacy: long-term burnout, the pressure of being “first,” and the quiet weight behind public success.    We trace his creative roots in Emirati oral poetry and grandmothers’ wisdom, how Freej paused for 11 years and returned to speak to a new generation, and why maintaining success is success.   We also talk male vulnerability, ADHD vs. burnout, building IP in a tough animation market, making a feature film during COVID, and the rituals that restore a creator.   Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msharib/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC6jThnLmLU8vACoZP8ucOGA   Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/   Listen to us (all available platforms)  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7   Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about

What if your first brain isn’t in your head?    In this episode, founder, mother, and coach Hadil shares how a high-velocity corporate life, postpartum depletion, and an “undiagnosed” health spiral pushed her to rebuild her habits around ancestral nutrition and gut health. We talk microbiome 101, the gut–brain axis, why minerals matter more than most blood tests show, and the real difference between stock and long-simmered bone broth.    We explore saying no as a growth strategy, the tension between integrity and scale, and why doing less—on purpose—can still mean doing something great. If you’ve felt unheard in conventional care, or you’re craving a more intuitive, agency-driven approach to wellness, this conversation is a reset: slow down, listen to the whispers before they become screams, and remember that food is your first form of self-care. We hope you will find something to consider.    Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healwithhadil/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadil-alkhatib-27a91431/ Website: www.roost.ae   Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/   Listen to us (all available platforms)  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7   Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about

What happens when the goal you’ve spent your life chasing is finally behind you? In this intimate and reflective episode of Something to Consider, entrepreneur Bilal Ballout — co-founder of BMB Group, the company behind some of the region’s most beloved confectionery brands — joins host Dana Alhanbali to explore the quiet after the exit: identity, integrity, and the freedom to rebuild on your own terms. From bootstrapping with AED 500K to scaling globally and exiting in 2021, Bilal shares what most founders don’t talk about — the emotional cost of success, letting go of your “baby,” and redefining self-worth when your name is no longer on the door. Key Takeaways: - The 12-Month Rule of post-acquisition: why most founders should transition out within a year. - Knowledge over capital: how deep research and local adaptation built a global baklava brand in Walmart and 30+ countries. - Resilience over luck: how a tough childhood built the emotional muscle for entrepreneurship. - Culture over cash: why team belief and small daily wins sustain growth. - From performance to presence: moving beyond “fake it till you make it.” - Financial independence = freedom of choice: how autonomy changes what success means. - Closure is a choice: learning to let go of companies, relationships, and old selves with intention. - Communication and respect: the two non-negotiables that make relationships (and partnerships) work. Redefining success: purpose, sustainability, and balance over scale and ego. If you’re a builder, creator, or founder reflecting on what comes after achievement, this episode will shift your perspective on ambition, balance, and fulfillment. We hope you will find something to consider. Connect with the Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bilal-ballout-74192655/ Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/ Listen to us (all available platforms) Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7 Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about

In this episode of Something to Consider, Wafa Al Obaidat — entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Playbook, one of the fastest-growing women’s leadership and education platforms — joins Dana Alhanbali to talk about building a global movement, women in leadership, and believing in your work when the world feels uncertain. We unpack the realities of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and purpose: from early rejection and burnout to scaling a mission-driven business and redefining success through community, financial literacy, and faith. We hope you will find something to consider. You’ll learn: - What it takes to build a movement and lead with purpose - How women can access mentorship, funding, and leadership opportunities - The truth about burnout, balance, and boundaries - Why believing in your work matters more than external validationAbout Wafa Al Obaidat Wafa is the founder CEO of Playbook, a digital edtech and leadership platform connecting women across 100+ countries. Her mission: help women rise, lead, and invest in each other. If this resonates: 🌍 Share it with one woman who’s ready to scale her purpose. 🎧 Subscribe for more deep conversations on entrepreneurship, self-belief, and the strategy behind every story. Connect with the Guest:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wafaobaidat/?hl=en Website: https://www.get-playbook.com/en/home LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wafa-al-obaidat-8a992046/ Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/ Listen to us (all available platforms) Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7 Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about

Entrepreneur and writer Fouad Jeryes—behind CashBasha, Amman Tech Tuesdays, and now Maqsam, an Arabic-first AI cloud contact center—joins Dana Alhanbali to talk about the side of startups you don’t see in headlines: self-doubt, burnout, heartbreak, and the clarity that sometimes follows unraveling. We cover: tying identity to performance, coming of age in adulthood, small wins vs. “scale,” building Arabic AI for real contact-center work, and why vulnerability is a leadership advantage—especially in MENA cultures that expect men to carry silently. Fouad also shares how his team at Maqsam funds anonymous mental-health care for employees across Jordan, KSA, Egypt, and the UAE.If you’re building in MENA tech, curious about Arabic LLMs, or renegotiating your metrics for a good life, this episode gives language, tools, and maybe permission to change. We hope you will find something to consider. Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fouadjeryes X: X.com/fouadjeryes Company Website: www.maqsam.com Medium: https://medium.com/@fouadjeryes Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/ Listen to us (all available platforms) Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7 Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about

This episode of Something to Consider explores the underestimated strength behind a founder’s journey. Rama Kayyali, co-founder of Little Thinking Minds, transformed a small idea into a platform reaching half a million students across the Arab world. Along the way came setbacks, pivots, and the quiet fight to preserve language and identity in classrooms that often overlooked their worth.   It is a reminder that failure can shape us more than success — and that the strength we tend to overlook in ourselves often becomes the most powerful. I hope you will find something to consider.   Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlethinkingminds/ Website: https://www.littlethinkingminds.com Website: https://seesaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rama-kayyali-07a44113/   Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/   Listen to us (all available platforms) Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7   Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about

What if the power of film isn’t in getting every detail “right,” but in capturing something deeper—an honesty you can feel? In this episode, we sit down with Mohamed El Zayat, an internationally acclaimed director whose work blurs the lines between advertising, storytelling, and art. From People of Egypt to Lonesome Traveler, Mohamed’s films refuse to flatten people into categories. Instead, he draws on the discipline of communication, the playfulness of surreal flourishes, and the intimacy of lived experience to ask us not just to watch—but to truly see. In our conversation, we talk about what it means to move from persuasion to meaning, how stories rooted in one place often become universal, and why being “in-between” identities can be both a weight and a gift. We also explore the role of whimsy and exaggeration in revealing truths that realism alone can’t hold. If you’ve ever wondered what storytelling is really for—or why some images stay with us long after the credits roll—this episode offers you something to consider. Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zayat/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zayat_film/ Website: www.vimeo.com/mohamedelzayat Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/ Listen to us (all available platforms) Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7 Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCljHoBEeO3I_BpXCcijingQ

What if true longevity isn’t about hitting a magic number—like 120 years—but about feeling your best right now? In this candid conversation with Dr. Elie AbiRached, a longevity expert and biohacker with a PhD in functional health, we challenge mainstream ideas around aging, wellness, and what it really means to live well. Dr. Elie dismantles the hype around biohacking and reveals one vital truth: optimal living isn’t found in shortcuts—it’s found in balance, recovery, and a deeper understanding of your own biology. Together, we explore: • Wellness vs. Well-Being: Why true health is less about moments of feeling good and more about continuous, conscious integration with your body and environment • The Science of Recovery: Why recovery isn’t an afterthought—it’s the foundation of high performance • Data, Diagnostics Skepticism: How to use wearables and lab tests wisely—without outsourcing your intuition • Beyond the Buzzwords: Why your health is your responsibility, and what it takes to cut through the noise • A Philosophical Shift: Why the most important question might be: “Have I done everything in my power?” If you’re overwhelmed by wellness trends or tired of chasing productivity at the cost of presence, this episode offers you something to consider. Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elie.truth/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-eli-abirached/ Website: https://restorefitness.ae Website: https://limitlesshuman.ae TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.elie.restore Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/ Listen to us (all available platforms) Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7 Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCljHoBEeO3I_BpXCcijingQ

What if the most powerful thing a doctor could offer isn’t a diagnosis — but presence in your most terrifying moment? Dr. Wisam Ismail is an oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgeon trained in the UK, Iraq, France, and Germany, with over a decade of experience treating women at their most vulnerable. In this deeply human episode, we explore: - Why breast cancer is rising in younger women — and what’s really causing it - The hidden psychological toll doctors carry, and why many are silently burning out - The 3 most powerful support systems every patient needs to survive- How AI is transforming cancer diagnostics — and why it can’t replace empathy - The ethical grey zones doctors face behind closed doors - Why shame and silence are making cancer deadlier — and what needs to change - How patients reclaim their identity and agency after the scar - The 1-minute monthly ritual that could save your life This episode is for anyone facing illness, supporting a loved one, or rethinking their relationship with their body. We hope you will find something to consider. Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_wisam_ismail/ Website: https://www.ahdubai.com/doctors-profile/wisam-ismail Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/ Listen to us (all available platforms) Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7 Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCljHoBEeO3I_BpXCcijingQ

In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with Arwa Al-Turkait—intuitive eating coach and certified eating disorder recovery coach—to explore the complex relationship we have with food, the voices we internalize, and the quiet courage it takes to heal. This isn’t just a conversation about eating. It’s a conversation about control, shame, and the invisible rules that shape how we see ourselves—especially in cultures where worth is often tied to body image and discipline is mistaken for wellness. Arwa opens up about her personal journey, the lies sold by diet culture, and the daily work of building body trust. We speak about intuitive eating as a framework for living with more flexibility, more awareness, and more self-respect—not just in how we eat, but in how we show up in our lives. We unpack the idea of food as memory, the pressure of appearance, and the emotional weight of unspoken expectations—within ourselves and within our families. Most importantly, Arwa reminds us that recovery isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. And sometimes, the most radical act of self-love is learning to listen to your hunger without judgment. If you’ve ever felt at war with your body, or if you’re unlearning what you were taught about food, beauty, and discipline—this episode offers a powerful reframe.We hope you’ll find something to consider. Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ana_arwa11/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@AnaArwa⁩ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arwa-al-turkait/ Website: www.AnaArwa.com Podcast: Kifaya Diet Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%D9%83%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%AA/id1764890815 Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/ Listen to us (all available platforms) Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7 Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@danaalhanbali⁩

In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with Riham Monzer—licensed child psychologist, parental guidance specialist, and someone who’s worked with over 6,000 families—to reflect on the emotional weight of parenting, the patterns we inherit, and the healing that makes space for something new. This isn’t just a conversation about parenting—it’s a deep dive into identity, trauma, ego, and the quiet pressure of raising children in an unstable world. Riham speaks openly about why parenting is not instinctive, how maternal instinct is misunderstood, and why healing ourselves is one of the most important acts of love we can offer our children. We explore fatherhood beyond provision, the danger of legacy-driven parenting, and the long-term impact of disrespect on a child’s psychological safety. Through it all, Riham reminds us that parenting is a skill—one rooted in presence, empathy, and unlearning what no longer serves us. If you’re a parent, a future parent, or someone reckoning with your own upbringing, this episode offers a gentle, powerful reframe. We hope you’ll find something to consider. Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riham_monzer/ Website: https://www.rihammonzer.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@riham.monzer Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/ Listen to us (all available platforms) Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7 Connect with the Host: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali