Farah Podcast

Meet Yosr El Sherbiny — a Dubai-based Egyptian author, creative writing instructor, and narrative strategist passionate about reclaiming personal and cultural stories through fiction.As the author of The Last Silk Thread, Yosr brings mid-century Egypt to life through a lyrical, character-driven debut that weaves love, memory, and rebellion into one unforgettable tapestry. Her storytelling draws from a rich background in architecture, creative writing, and urban research — a blend that shapes the vivid worlds she creates on the page.Yosr holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and supports other storytellers in building strong narrative foundations through workshops, retreats, and creative tools. She has taught writing across the UAE and recently launched a pilot writers' retreat program called Writing Her.Her writing journey is deeply personal — shaped by years of building other people’s visions before finally daring to tell her own. Today, she’s on a mission to help others do the same.Alongside her literary work, Yosr is a program manager, leading educational projects with government, academic, and creative institutions across the UAE and beyond.

Meet Reem Madkour — a Dubai-based entrepreneur dedicated to enriching early Arabic language development in children. As the founder of Dardasha, Reem is passionate about creating engaging Arabic children’s books and developmental toys that nurture a love for the Arabic language and identity. Her commitment to cultural preservation and education is further reflected in her co-founding of the Arab Child Summit — a pioneering platform that unites hundreds of Arab experts and caregivers to support the development of proud Arab children who thrive as global citizens.Reem’s journey with Dardasha was born from her own childhood struggles with the Arabic language and sense of identity. Today, her mission is fueled by her two boys, Iyad and Kareem — the best guinea pigs she could have asked for.Reem is the proud winner of the Visa She’s Next in Publishing award, presented by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, and has been featured in both national and international media.Before launching Dardasha, she made a lasting impact as an engineering consultant, specializing in façade engineering and championing gender diversity within the construction industry.

Nahla AlMalki is an education consultant and Arabic language advocate, bringing over 17 years of experience in both school and higher education settings. Her dedication toshaping young minds and supporting fellow educators has been the cornerstone of her career.Beyond her role in training, Nahla is driven by a profound passion for enriching Arabic children's literature. As an aspiring author, she seeks to create stories that are not only captivating but also relevant and representative of Arab children's identities and culture. Her aim is to fill bookshelves with stories that foster pride, curiosity, and a deep connection to heritage.An outspoken advocate for the preservation and promotion of Arabic as a mother tongue, Nahla uses her social media platforms to share valuable insights, resources, and practical tips—empowering parents and educators to make Arabic a meaningful part of daily life. She is often invited to speak at regional conferences focused on education, literacy, and language advocacy, and her work has been featured in outlets such as Arab News (Saudi Arabia), among others.Driven by a deep sense of responsibility, Nahla is increasingly concerned about the growing decline in the use of Arabic among families and children, and the cultural and societal gaps this shift is creating. Her work is rooted in a sense of urgency to restore Arabic’s role in the lives of young people—bridging identity, belonging, and self-expression.Nahla holds a Master’s degree in Teacher Education from the University of Manchester and a Diploma in Teaching from the University of Cambridge. With her multifaceted approach to advocacy, teaching, and writing, she continues to make a lasting impact on both the educational landscape and the world of Arabic children's literature.

At 35, amidst the challenges of relocating from Syria to Dubai, raising three children, and leaving behind a decade-long career in architecture, Yara found herself disconnected, overwhelmed, and sinking into stress. In search of strength and balance, she turned to yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork—a journey that not only healed her but transformed her life.Now, as a certified yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork teacher, with six years of teaching experience and deep studies in anatomy, neuro-mechanics, and nervous system regulation, her mission is to empower Arab women —especially moms— to reconnect with their bodies, regulate their emotions, and build both physical and emotional strength.She integrates science-backed movement, breathwork, and meditation to help women lower stress, find inner peace, and age gracefully. Her approach is more than just focused on wellness—it’s about creating freedom from within, allowing women to step into their power and cultivate a life of balance, resilience, and joy.Specialties:Yoga & Mindfulness for Stress ReliefBreathwork for Emotional & Nervous System RegulationNeuroscience-Based Movement for Strength & LongevityHelping Moms Reclaim Self-Care & Inner Balance

Meet Noor Al Jawhari – a health coach passionate about helping women transform their relationship with food.Bringing an analytical mindset from her 15-year career in computer engineering, Noor combines science and holistic health to help women break free from emotional eating, balance their hormones, and develop mindful eating habits.As a mother of two, she deeply understands the challenges women face when it comes to food, stress, and energy. Her personal journey with emotional eating led her to study gut health, hormone balance, and eating psychology at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Today, she empowers women to nourish their bodies in a way that feels natural and fulfilling.Noor has been featured in Driven Magazine - UAE and regularly hosts workshops and webinars on emotional eating, hormone health, and mindful nutrition. Some of her most recent sessions that she conducted were "Balanced Ramadan" on February 25th and "Emotional Eating Uncovered" on March 8th.Through her coaching, Noor helps women understand how the gut-brain connection, hormones, and emotions shape their eating habits. She provides simple, actionable steps to make peace with food, manage cravings, and feel more energized.When she’s not coaching, you’ll find Noor baking, playing tennis, or walking while listening to audiobooks.Connect with Noor on Instagram @HealthyNourita for practical tips on emotional eating, gut health, and mindful nutrition!

Where is Home & Slowing Down: Season 2 Finale In the season finale of Farah Podcast, I reflect on how to embrace a slower pace this summer and set realistic, meaningful goals. I also delve into the journey of an expat searching for a sense of home after living abroad for over a decade. Tune in and reflect with me on the importance of grounding oneself and setting realistic goals. Tune in to what's coming in Season 3, with exciting new themes and stories. Don't miss this heartfelt and introspective conclusion to Season 2!

From hand drawn sketches to being in multiple stores helping hundreds of moms overcome parenting challenges. Mira Khleif is an architect, designer and mom of 2 boys, Mira started her business using her creative thinking to teach her kids various life skills. By creating simple visual tools and playful parenting techniques Mira's Business MKandM is now helping to re-think the way we play, teach and parent. After going through a tough surgery and a transformative physical and mental journey, Mira shares some tips and tricks on how to raise resilient and emotionally intelligent children, who can regulate their emotions and navigate through life's hurdles with ease. Mira stresses on the importance of mental health in today fast pace modern world and the different conscious parenting methods that are curated to each family principles and values and caters to each child's strength and learning styles. Her business MKandM aims to inspire other parents with the purpose of making the journey of parenting as joyful, as impactful and as playful as can be.

Mahy Hussein, the founder and creative director at Monde Interiors, isn't just a talented designer – she's a testament to the vibrancy that emerges from embracing diverse cultures. This Dubai-based designer, with a heritage that blends German and Egyptian influences, brings a unique and captivating perspective to the world of interiors. After venturing into the design scene in Dublin, Ireland, Mahy's path led her back to Dubai in early 2023 to establish a local hub and assemble her team. But her story transcends meticulously crafted floor plans and expertly chosen color palettes. In this episode, Mahy delves into the complexities of navigating a bicultural upbringing. She'll share anecdotes about the sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartwarming cultural exchange between her Polish partner and her Arab father, offering a window into the beautiful tapestry of her family life. But Mahy's journey doesn't stop there. This podcast episode also explores the whirlwind adventure of launching a design studio while cradling her precious 9 month-old daughter, Emilia. Listeners will be inspired by Mahy's resilience, her ability to find beauty in chaos, and the way she seamlessly blends her creative spirit with the profound joy of motherhood.

Dana Alhanbali is a multifaceted entrepreneur, creative consultant, writer, speaker, and podcast host of Something to Consider. Her professional journey began at one of the world's leading communications firms where she refined her skills in design, business development, and strategy, eventually becoming the youngest group director to run a regional office. Dana's entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found Beattie + Dane, a multi-award-winning creative firm. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Bark & Berg, a strategic consultancy that helps CEOs develop strategic playbooks for brand and business growth. Also a member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, where she has served on the board in Kuwait, UAE and MEPA region. Dana's work is driven by the belief that brands have the power to make a difference in people's lives, and she emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to unlock powerful communication strategies. In this episode, we explore what it takes to push oneself to make significant change in life. How a pivot can lead to an enormous amount of personal growth and transformation that can shape your view of the world.

In this powerful and inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Samar Ghura, a breast cancer survivor who faced her diagnosis head-on with incredible strength and resilience. Samar shares her journey from the moment she learned she had breast cancer, through the decision to undergo a double mastectomy, and into her transformative path to recovery. Samar opens up about the physical and emotional challenges she faced, and how she refused to let cancer define her. Instead, she adopted a new, healthier, both physically and mentally, lifestyle that not only aided in her recovery but also helped her find a renewed sense of purpose and positivity, focusing on finding joy in everyday moments. One of the most empowering messages Samar brings to our listeners is the idea that life doesn’t end after 40 for women. She passionately promotes the notion that women can and should continue to thrive, set new goals, and embrace new opportunities at any age. Her story is a testament to the power of positive thinking, resilience, and the importance of self-care. Tune in for an episode that’s sure to leave you feeling inspired and uplifted as Dr. Samar Ghura reminds us all that with the right mindset and support, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges and live our best lives. Learn more about her journey and be inspired by her unyielding spirit and optimism. This is a very real and authentic episode that you wouldn't want to miss!

🎙️ Meet Aline, a dynamic and multifaceted post-rehab trainer dedicated to transforming lives. At 29 years old, Aline has already made significant strides in the fitness world, blending expertise from a rich athletic background with a compassionate approach to training. As an everything-altogether specialist, Aline excels in working with a diverse clientele. Whether helping pregnant women stay active and healthy, assisting individuals in overcoming stiffness, or guiding clients toward achieving their fitness goals, Aline’s approach is holistic and empathetic. Aline’s philosophy is simple yet profound: encourage people to work out diligently while ensuring they don’t stress or pressure themselves. It’s about finding the balance between staying fit and enjoying life, unless there’s a specific goal to achieve. Join us on our podcast as we explore the inspiring journey of Aline, a trainer who not only motivates others to reach their fitness goals but also teaches them to enjoy the process. Tune in to hear Aline’s insights and passion for helping others live their best lives. 🎧🔥

Bayan Al Khatib a mother of a 14 year old girl & an educator is a passionate advocate for personal growth and social and emotional learning. After navigating the challenging journey of divorce, Bayan discovered a renewed sense of self and purpose. This transformative experience ignited a deep commitment to helping others harness their inner strength and emotional intelligence. She shares her insights and strategies on how to cultivate resilience & how she saw her challenge as an opportunity for growth. How life can always take a turn for the better if we decide to take risks and chances. She taps into the importance of raising a healthy daughter regardless of the circumstances & how pivotal it is to be aware of the consequences of unintentional damage to children caused by divorced parents.

Gigi Alaqqad is a mom of two girls and a certified kids life coach who has always been passionate about working and connecting with children. She left her career of 10 years in project management and decided to find her purpose in pursuing her kids life coaching certification. Her passion, love, and interest in all children related topics made this such a natural decision. Gigi works with children ages 6 and above in a private one-on-one basis and group workshops. She has worked with helping children learn life skills related to emotional regulation, self-confidence, communication and social skills, conflict resolution, attention and focus skills, positive and growth mindset, and more. Her goal is to empower a generation of children to navigate life with confidence and resilience. Gigi believes that there is a story behind every child’s behavior. There is always a ‘why’ to the way they act. Working on the ‘why’ in addition to giving them the necessary life skills will help children gain a more positive mindset towards life. Through this episode, Gigi gets vulnerable sharing her journey through childhood, motherhood, and coaching children. She shares common challenges that children are facing these days as well as some helpful tips for parents.

Meet Dalia Arja, a Palestinian chef and baker dedicated to preserving her rich culinary heritage, focusing on the rustic art of fallahi baking and ancient recipes. Dalia’s creations are more than just food; they are stories encapsulating the taste and smell of her homeland. From the pungent olive oil to the earthy zaatar, every bite tells a story of connection and heritage. She is the founder of the artisan bakery ‘Karmiyeh’, a tribute to traditional bakeries from the villages of Palestine. The concept centers around her signature product, the Palestinian Eid Bread (أقراص العيد), an olive oil-infused bread symbolizing the connection of ancient Palestinian farmers to their land. She’s also the host of the ‘Dinner in Palestine’ supperclub, where she serves elaborate dinners around a communal table, following a storytelling approach that highlights the history and traditions behind the dishes and how Palestinian food acts as an expression of identity and connection. Dalia’s story is not only about her culinary creations, but also about her deep connection to her ancestors and heritage. Growing up, she watched her mother create culinary magic in the kitchen and heard endless stories from her father about traditions of preserving and honoring seasonal produce in Palestine. Through these moments, Dalia absorbed the essence of Palestinian cuisine, rooted in community and love for the land. Her journey took a pivotal turn when she moved to Dubai, where she began recreating her mother’s recipes to reconnect with her roots. Although her journey didn’t start in the kitchen—after 10 years in the tech industry, she eventually worked on developing a supperclub online marketplace. A project that inspired her to pursue cooking full-time—this shift led her to dedicate herself to sharing the flavors of Palestinian cuisine with the world. “Through my food, I’ll tell you a love story about a land and its people, one that transcends barriers and divides. It’s the story of Palestine, told one dish at a time.” - Dalia

🎙️ Meet Zina Ashour, a figure of inspiration and innovation in the digital world. Zina’s story is not just about her accomplishments, but also about her passion for empowering others and her spiritual empathy. 🌐 Zina is a leading marketing strategist who developed a special interest in Blockchain when she stepped into the crypto space in 2017. She has spent over two decades in start-ups, some of which were dedicated to the Blockchain and cryptocurrency domain. But her expertise doesn’t stop there. She’s a certified Metaverse Expert, an MBA holder from the New York Institute of Technology, and a Certified Business Strategist. 🚀 She founded Women in Crypto Arabia, a platform that encourages women’s participation in the crypto space. She also serves as a marketing consultant for Mining Race, the world’s first Bitcoin mining network. In her entrepreneurial journey, she established Dhad World, an educational channel that once taught kids various topics in Arabic. 📚 Zina is an active investor with a strategic focus on Blockchain and cryptocurrency projects. Her curiosity is unending. She’s always learning and currently exploring NFTs, Metaverse, and Web3. She shares her knowledge through workshops on Blockchain basics and Cryptocurrencies. 🧠 Join us on our podcast as we delve into the inspiring journey of Zina Ashour, a woman who’s not just surviving, but thriving in the digital age. Tune in as she shares her knowledge and passion. 🎧🔥

Nimati is a seasoned communications and brand-building strategist and advisor, boasting over 20 years of experience in strategy, integrated marketing, and brand communications, handling some of the region’s most complex and rewarding mandates. She is the founder of Jaleelah, a thriving community for successful women, aimed at informing, challenging, and inspiring them to reach their utmost potential. Through Jaleelah, Nimati orchestrates peer-to-peer coaching, circle meetings, webinars, trainings, events and tailored 1:1 career coaching sessions. Established in 2013 as a result of a Fellowship, Jaleelah stems from Nimati’s deep dive into the role of media in fostering gender equality and empowering women. Empowering women in business fuels Nimati’s drive, as she remains steadfast in building brands and legacies within the region while truthfully showcasing its narratives to the world. Nimati is passionate about writing and has contributed to platforms like the Huffington Post, further amplifying her impact and influence. Holding a BA in Marketing and an MBA from the University of Kent, she embodies expertise and dedication in her endeavors.

As I reflect on my journey through recording, interviewing, and getting to know some remarkable ladies through season 1, it's time for the season finale of Fa/ra7 Podcast. In this special episode, I take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to my incredible supporters and listeners whose encouragement has fueled this journey. Join me as I reflect on the profound lessons learned from the courageous and resilient women which I had the honor of interviewing throughout Season 1. From entrepreneurs breaking barriers to athletes championing change, each story shared has left a mark in our hearts and minds. These women have taught us that strength comes in many forms and that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. As I bid farewell to Season 1, I am thrilled to announce that Season 2 is just around the corner, brimming with even more empowering stories, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring guests. Get ready to embark on another journey of discovery and empowerment as we continue to celebrate the resilience, strength, and wisdom of women from all walks of life. Thank you for being a part of this empowering community, and I can't wait to see where the next chapter takes us.

Introducing Hala Al-Fares the creative mind behind Hijab Fashion Icon Brand, a beacon of elegance and sophistication in the world of modest fashion. With a passion for blending modesty with modern styles, Hala Started her journey in modest fashion design during her college days, her strong desire for novelty was driven by the lack of creative modest stylish garments in the market. This was combined with her attraction to eccentric textiles, sheer embroideries and unconventional beadings. Beyond her talent on the runway, Hala is also a devoted mother, finding inspiration in her children and the beauty of family life to infuse her designs with warmth and authenticity. Join Hala Al-Fares on a journey of style and motherhood, where passion, creativity, and maternal grace intertwine to create fashion that is empowering as well as elegant.

In 2015, Israa took a leap of faith and left her full-time job and invested herself in the etiquette and protocol world. Since then, she has delivered projects all across the GCC and worked primarily with executive clientele, government entities, and royal households. Born and raised in the UAE, Israa holds a master’s degree in leadership and human resources management and has been certified by The European School of Protocol in London, England. Additionally, she has continued to enhance her knowledge and skills through various certifications, including, Herrmann HBDI®️ Certified Practitioner, and Masterclass in Modern Protocol from Protocol bureau in the Netherlands. Recently, Israa earned her ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential. And with this, Israa is now a trainer, a consultant, and a coach! In this FARAH podcast episode, Israa walks us through the career shift that she made and the reasons that drove her decisions . She tells us more about Etiquette & Protocol, and their role and importance in our social and professional lives. "Through etiquette and protocol, we shape a more gracious world, one courteous gesture at a time." – Israa Shaheen

At the age of 5, Raya found herself playing the UAE national anthem on the keyboard and singing it out along with her school mates until the age of 9. She graduated from high school with distinction awards and received numerous recognitions for her grades, talents in music & arts, and sports. Growing up to being mom and dad’s trophy daughter, she followed her parents’ dreams of pursuing a career to become a doctor at York University, Toronto. She had faced a lot of challenges with cultural shocks and behavioral changes. She realized that there was actually a lot more to learn than what she already knew. Bringing these reality checks back home, her parents were not on board but of course helped Raya to find her way through the start of her journey. Through this podcast episode, Raya will tell her story on how important it is to trust your parents’ judgement, whilst following what your heart deeply desires. Bridging those gaps makes the wildest dreams come true 💫