LIT- Luca's Insight Track

Welcome back to Off Track, the space where I speak unscripted, unfiltered and straight from the heart. No guests, no notes, just honest reflections shaped by real conversations and real life.This episode follows my recent conversation with Mazen Hayek, former spokesperson for MBC Group and one of the most influential figures in Arab media over the last two decades. What started as a discussion about media, power and leadership became a much deeper reflection on ego, trust and what really matters in a world obsessed with visibility.Here are the three insights behind this episode.1️⃣ Visibility Is Not Power. Credibility Is.One of the strongest takeaways from Mazen was this idea that real power rarely sits in the spotlight. In high stakes communication, your job isn’t to be seen, it’s to be trusted. As a spokesperson, Mazen was never the message. He was the bridge between the institution and the audience. That means parking your opinions, suppressing ego and understanding that the mission always comes before the individual. In a world pushing personal brand above everything else, this felt like a necessary reminder that chasing visibility too hard can quietly end careers.2️⃣ Trust Is the Only Currency That Actually CompoundsPower doesn’t buy trust. But trust, over time, creates power. How a media institution handles sensitive topics, avoids sensationalism and treats its audience with respect determines whether people believe it or walk away. Right now, we’re living through a collapse of trust in traditional media, and that vacuum has been filled by individuals. Podcasts, long form conversations and consistent voices have become trusted not because they’re perfect, but because they’re familiar. Consistency builds credibility. Authenticity compounds trust.3️⃣ In an AI World, Value Comes From Choosing the Right BattlesAs AI accelerates, Mazen spoke about the importance of context, judgement and human insight. For me, that insight landed slightly differently. The real challenge isn’t competing with machines on intelligence, it’s knowing where to place our energy. Emotional intelligence. Self awareness. Fighting the right battles instead of every battle. In a world of noise, power now comes from discernment. What you engage in matters as much as what you ignore.Honest, reflective and straight from the heart.This is me, off my chest and off the cuff.Welcome to Off Track. 🎙️✨

In this episode of Luca’s Insight Track, we sit down with Mazen Hayek, former MBC Group spokesperson and senior advisor, for a rare behind-the-scenes conversation on media power, influence, and leadership in the Middle East.Mazen shares what it’s really like to operate inside one of the region’s most powerful media institutions, exploring how narratives are shaped, decisions are influenced, and why real power often exists away from the spotlight. We also discuss leadership psychology, advisory power, trust, and the future of Arab media in an AI-driven world where attention has become the most valuable currency.

Welcome back to Off Track, the space where I speak unscripted, unfiltered and straight from the heart. No guests, no notes, just honest reflections shaped by real conversations and real life. This week, I’m diving into my Season 5 episode with Dr. Reem Lebhar, founder and CEO of MenaTech AI. What started as a conversation about artificial intelligence quickly evolved into something far more human, touching on inclusion, fear, identity and the value of time. Here are the three insights behind this episode. 1️⃣ The Real AI Revolution Is About Inclusion, Not Speed Dr. Reem shared how her mother’s struggle with apps and smartphones became the inspiration for building AI products designed for elders, not just youth. That really stayed with me. We talk about innovation as speed, efficiency and scale, but progress that leaves parents and grandparents behind isn’t progress at all. A truly functional society designs for both ends of the age spectrum, taking care of the young while honouring and including the old. 2️⃣ Fear of AI Is an Old Fear Wearing New Clothes We spoke about how fear is rarely logical. It’s rooted in the unknown. From tribalism to racism to technological change, humans have always feared what they don’t understand. AI is simply the latest version of that fear. But this shift is different. For the first time, we’re facing a world where machines can outperform human intellect. That means the work ahead isn’t just technical, it’s emotional. We’re moving from an era driven by IQ into one that demands empathy, self-awareness and emotional intelligence. 3️⃣ Cancer Teaches What Leadership Never Can: Time Is the Only Currency Dr. Reem’s experience surviving cancer three times profoundly changed how she sees life, leadership and communication. She spoke about removing bureaucracy, sugarcoating and unnecessary diplomacy in favour of clarity, value and honesty. She also shared something deeply important: cancer patients don’t always need constant support. Sometimes they need space. Time, distance and respect can be more powerful than words. It’s a reminder not to waste energy on what doesn’t matter, and to treat time as the most valuable currency we have. Honest, reflective and straight from the heart.This is me, off my chest and off the cuff. Welcome to Off Track. 🎙️✨

In this episode of Luca’s Insight Track, we sit down with Dr. Reem Lebhar, CEO of Minitech AI and senior advisor, to explore human-centric AI, leadership, and long-term vision in the UAE.Dr. Reem shares why technology must remain rooted in people and purpose, how the UAE is shaping global conversations around AI governance, and why sustainable progress depends on clarity, execution, and values-driven leadership.She also reflects on women in leadership, cultural identity, motherhood, and surviving cancer three times, offering a grounded perspective on resilience, responsibility, and building a future that truly serves society.

Welcome back to Off Track, the space where I speak unscripted, unfiltered and straight from the heart. No guests, no notes, just honest reflections shaped by real conversations and real life.This week, I’m diving into my Season 5 episode with entrepreneur, speaker and founder of Untraceable, Tracy Hamoush. What started as a conversation about wellness, discipline and ambition quickly became something deeper, a reflection on identity, shortcuts and the courage to act on what we already know.Here are the three insights behind this episode.1️⃣ When the Title Disappears, You Meet the Real YouTracy said something that really stayed with me: without the business card, you feel like nobody. And she’s right. Titles give us structure, pride and a sense of importance. I felt that deeply when I left my CEO role. Suddenly, I had to answer a harder question: who am I without the title? That transition forced me to do the inner work, to separate who I am from what I was called. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s where real identity is built.2️⃣ The Quick Fix Is Always the Long WayWe spoke about shortcuts, whether in health, success or life. Tracy was clear: quick fixes don’t move you forward, they set you back. Focusing on fast results might feel good in the moment, but it ignores who you’re becoming long term. This applies far beyond fitness. Taking the easy route in career or life might protect your ego today, but it delays the growth you’ll need tomorrow. The harder path is often the right one.3️⃣ Awareness Is the Starting Point, Not the ShiftSelf-awareness puts you ahead of the game, but it’s not enough on its own. Tracy and I agreed on this completely. Knowing what needs to change means nothing unless you act on it. And not once, but consistently. Action builds momentum, and momentum creates real behavioral change. You don’t need to do everything. You just need to do something and keep showing up for it.Honest, reflective and straight from the heart.This is me, off my chest and off the cuff.Welcome to Off Track. 🎙️✨

In this episode of Luca’s Insight Track, we speak with Tracy Harmoush, entrepreneur, public speaker, and founder of Untraceable, about discipline, mindset change, and real transformation.Tracy breaks down why motivation fades, why consistency matters more than intensity, and how small daily decisions rewire your identity over time. They discuss the illusion of quick fixes, the hidden costs of shortcuts, and what it really takes to build habits that last.The conversation also gets personal.Tracy opens up about leaving the corporate world, facing rejection, building confidence from the ground up, and learning to choose discipline even when it feels uncomfortable.

Welcome back to Off Track, the space where I speak unscripted, unfiltered and straight from the heart. No guests, no notes, just honest reflections shaped by real conversations and real life. This week, I’m diving into my Season 5 episode with comedian and content creator Anand Raman. Under the laughs were real, human truths about validation, identity and self-worth. Here are the three insights behind this episode. 1️⃣ The Like Chase Always Takes More Than It Gives Anand told me his video hit 90 million views but brought in only 20,000 followers. Instead of feeling proud, he felt disappointed and unseen. That is the price of the like chase. It reshapes your creativity, pulls you away from who you are and can ruin your day when the numbers don’t land. I’ve felt that too. When you build from likes instead of purpose, you lose the joy that made you create in the first place. 2️⃣ Performing For Others Can Make You Forget Yourself Anand shared that there are two versions of him. The amplified character people recognize online and the quiet, affectionate guy he is at home. He even said he sometimes mirrors others just to fit in. That hit close to home. Growing up away from my parents, I did the same to feel accepted. But when you spend years performing, you eventually face the hardest question of all: who am I when no one’s watching? 3️⃣ Pleasing Everyone Leaves You Empty Every Single Time Through breathwork, Bali, and some deep honesty, Anand realised that trying to please the masses is a losing game. It never fills the inner gaps. I’ve been doing my own inner work too, slowly filling those holes one by one, like the Aero-bar image I shared in this episode. It’s the only path that actually brings grounding. Because when you close your eyes at night, the only thing that matters is whether you feel whole inside, not how many people approved of you today. Honest, reflective and straight from the heart.This is me, off my chest and off the cuff. Welcome to Off Track. 🎙️✨

In this episode of Luca’s Insight Track, we sit down with Anand Raman, a comedian and content creator known for his viral “Job Interview” skits, to talk about modern fame, content pressure, and the emotional cost of going viral.Anand opens up about the pressure of always being “the funny one,” the addiction cycle of likes and validation, and how brand partnerships can quietly shape creativity. The conversation explores identity, people-pleasing, masculinity, and what it means to feel trapped by the version of yourself the internet rewards.This episode is an honest look at authenticity, self-worth, and learning to separate who you are from how you perform online.

Welcome back to Off Track, the space where I speak unscripted, unfiltered and straight from the heart.  No guests, no notes, just honest reflections shaped by real conversations and real life. This week, I’m diving into my Season 5 opener with Bardha Krasniqi from Love Is Blind UK. Beneath the entertainment were real lessons about identity, perception and the patterns we repeat without realising it. Here are my three insights behind this episode. 1️⃣ Fast Fame Reveals You It Doesn’t Reinvent YouWhen fame hits overnight, it doesn’t turn you into someone new. It simply exposes who you already are. Bardha shared that she still doesn’t “feel famous” despite millions watching her journey. She received waves of hate, yet held tightly to the one message telling her she had given someone else strength. That’s the truth of fast fame. It amplifies your character, your integrity and your emotional foundation. It reveals you, not reshapes you. 2️⃣ Reality TV Isn’t About Them It’s About UsWe forget how little we actually see.Bardha explained that an entire storyline about money came from one dinner. Just a single moment, edited in a way that allowed the audience to fill in the gaps with their own biases. That’s the power of perception. We think we’re watching their story, but we’re actually watching our own projections. Reality TV becomes the mirror, and our reactions say more about us than the cast on screen. 3️⃣ In Love We Don’t Choose People We Choose PatternsWhen she said “this has to work” about her engagement, it revealed something deeper than romance. It was cultural pressure, emotional conditioning and the familiarity of repeating old stories. But at the altar, she broke the cycle. She chose honesty over expectation and admitted he was a great guy, just not her guy. That moment wasn’t rejection. It was self awareness and the courage to stop repeating what no longer serves you. Honest, reflective and straight from the heart.This is me, off my chest and off the cuff. Welcome to Off Track. 🎙️✨

In this episode of Luca’s Insight Track, we speak with Bardha Krasniqi, known for her appearance on Netflix’s Love Is Blind UK, about love, fast fame, and life after reality TV.Bardha shares her experience on the show, why she went in genuinely looking for a partner, and how dating changes when visibility and public attention enter the picture. The conversation explores modern dating, red flags, dating in Dubai versus London, and why consistency matters more than chemistry.We also discuss the impact of overnight visibility, online judgement, and learning to stay grounded while choosing yourself in moments that truly matter.

Welcome back to Off Track, the space where I speak unscripted, unfiltered, and straight from the heart. No guests, no notes, just honest reflections shaped by real conversations and real life. This week, I’m diving into that strange, floaty period between Christmas and New Year, the “weird week” where routines fade, motivation dips, and time loses structure. It feels directionless… but maybe that’s exactly the point. Here are the three insights behind this episode: 1️⃣ The Weird Week Has a Purpose It’s the only time you can say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” in the same breath and somehow be right and wrong at once.Schedules blur, productivity drops, and life feels suspended. But this week isn’t meant to be productive. It’s the emotional exhale after a long year, a moment to rest properly and decompress. 2️⃣ Downtime Creates Quiet Alignment If you’re someone who reflects and grows, this week is a gift. It’s the pause before the reset, a space to ask: Who am I becoming?What energy do I want to carry into 2026? This is where manifestation becomes powerful: not as wishful thinking, but as clear, gentle intention. 3️⃣ My Manifestations for 2026 This year, my focus is simple: A calm confidence and deeper self-trust.Leaning further into my purpose, helping people unlock the power of their authentic voice.Attracting abundance without ever losing my soul or my values As we grow, what matters shifts, and our manifestations shift with us. Honest, reflective and straight from the heart.This is me, off my chest and off the cuff. Welcome to Off Track.   

Welcome back to Off Track, the space where I step away from the guest chair, speak completely unscripted, and share the insights that genuinely matter. No notes. No filters. Just honest reflections shaped by real conversations and real life.This week’s Christmas Special explores why this time of year feels different, softer, slower, and more meaningful. It’s the one moment in the calendar that invites us to pause, reflect, and appreciate what’s already here.Here are the three insights that shaped this episode:1️⃣ Embrace the DowntimeAfter nearly 360 days on the treadmill, Christmas gives us permission to rest. A chance to slow down properly, switch off without guilt, and recharge before the new year. If we don’t take the break now, we carry exhaustion into the months ahead.2️⃣ Remember the Meaning Behind ChristmasBeyond the marketing and early decorations, there’s a deeper message: reflection, humility, and togetherness. Whether you’re religious or not, this season invites us to reconnect with the values beneath the noise.3️⃣ Practise Gratitude for What You Already HaveWhile New Year’s pulls us toward the future, Christmas brings us back to the present. It’s a moment to appreciate family, safety, warmth, and connection, privileges many don’t have. The small, imperfect moments often become the ones that matter most.As I share the chaos and joy of Christmas with my wife and two young boys, I’m reminded how precious these fleeting moments are.The older we get, the fewer Christmases we get all together, and the more important it becomes to notice the ones we still have.Honest, reflective and straight from the heart. This is me, off my chest and off the cuff.Welcome to Off Track.

Welcome back to Off Track, the space where I step away from the guest chair, speak completely unscripted, and share the insights that genuinely matter. No notes. No filters. Just honest reflections shaped by real conversations and real life. This week I dive into a word we hear everywhere yet rarely experience in its purest form: authenticity. It is the most overused word of the year and the most misunderstood. And understanding it has changed the way I host, coach and show up in my own life. In this Off Track, I unpack three insights that will reshape how you think about being real, being seen and being yourself. 1. The Rise of the Real: Why authenticity has become the most valuable currencyIn a world full of polish and personas, only one thing cuts through. Realness. People feel it immediately. And the more the world leans on tech, the more human truth becomes our only true differentiator. 2. The Vulnerability Threshold: How connection really gets builtAuthenticity is impossible without vulnerability. Not oversharing and not hiding. Just enough that the audience recognises something they have felt too. This is where trust begins and where real communication lives. 3. Purpose in Plain Sight: Alignment as the foundation of true authenticityThe most authentic people are the ones whose personal values and professional purpose finally match.  I share how my podcast, coaching and personal work converged to reveal my own purpose: helping others unlock their real voice. Honest, reflective and straight from the heart.This is me, off my chest and off the cuff.

This bonus episode of Luca's Insight Track goes Off Track as I dive into something that’s been gnawing at me for weeks: why does everyone say they’re “busy” or “surviving”… yet no one actually says how they are? This reflection turned into three big insights about honesty, opinion, and the widening gap between what we think and what we say. 1️⃣ The gap between what we think and what we say is exploding Most people live in the shadows, scrolling, judging, observing, never expressing.In a world obsessed with being “PC,” where everyone tiptoes to avoid offending anyone, honesty has become rare. But 2025 demands something different: a real voice, not a polite one. Silence is no longer neutral, it’s erasing our individuality into a sea of sameness. 2️⃣ Having an opinion isn’t enough, you need to voice it We live in a time when AI is flattening everything. If you don’t speak up, you disappear.After nearly 70 episodes, I’ve seen it over and over: 70% of guests stay at 35,000 feet. Safe. Balanced. Polished. Forgettable. People don’t get inspired by “on the one hand, on the other hand.” They get inspired by people who pick a side. Love or hate, at least it’s real. At least it’s human. Your voice is the only thing that separates you from the algorithm. 3️⃣ We’re lying to each other every day, starting with “How are you?” “Busy.” “Surviving.” “All good.”We’ve replaced honesty with convenience. Less than 10% of people answer truthfully, and when we do speak, we give headlines, not stories. If we want deeper relationships, deeper conversations, deeper lives…we need to tell the truth — to ourselves and to each other. Honest, reflective and straight from the heart. This is me off my chest and off the cuff. Welcome to Off Track.

Dubai’s global success isn’t luck — it’s strategy, vision, and decades of intentional choices. In this special HSMAI Middle East live episode, we sit down with Aida Al Busaidy, AVP of Consumer Advocacy, Celebrity Management, and Social Media at DET, to unpack the real engine behind Dubai’s rise. We dive into:• How Dubai transformed from “desert” to global benchmark• What it takes to manage 40+ social channels for a city• Why third-party advocacy beats influencers• How long-term strategies like D33 and the 2040 vision shape the next 50 years• Why people aren’t pushed from elsewhere — they’re pulled into Dubai• The mindset, creativity, and leadership behind the city’s momentum. If you want to understand how great brands — and great cities — are built, this conversation is a blueprint.

This bonus episode of Lucas Insight Track goes Off Track where I share the personal insights that surfaced after my live event recording with Aida Al Busaidy, AVP for Consumer Advocacy, Celebrity Management and Social Media at Dubai Tourism DET. In this Off Track I unpack three key insights: 1️⃣ Events are mattering more, but connecting less In a world obsessed with AI and tech, real human connection has never been more valuable. Personal branding is now a true differentiator and events are a powerful stage to stand out, yet most fall flat. The reason is simple. Weak audience engagement and very little meaningful involvement. 2️⃣ Push or Pull? Dubai wins anyway…  As the UAE celebrated National Day, Dubai felt busier, brighter and more filled with opportunity than ever. Tourists arrive and many end up staying. Are they drawn to Dubais energy or escaping what they know. These days it is genuinely hard to tell. 3️⃣ Regional rivalry is actually regional unity  The GCC is booming. Riyadh. Abu Dhabi. Dubai. Doha. All rising. All thriving. Competition does not divide us. It sharpens us. And the regions greatest competitive edge remains unchanged. Our hospitality. Honest reflective and straight from the heart. This is me off my chest and off the cuff. Welcome to Off Track.

This bonus episode of Luca’s Insight Track takes you Off Track, where I share the reflections that surfaced after being named in the ‘Best of 2025 Podcast’ by Apple Podcast, and stepping back and examining the craft of podcasting and the year I’ve had.  In this Off Track, I unpack three big insights:  1. Do numbers and awards really matter that much?They matter, but not enough to obsess over.  Metrics hold weight, but they’re only one indicator. Real progress comes from keeping a wider, more grounded view of what success actually looks like.  2. The best guests know who they really are. After hosting around 40 guests this year, the standout conversations came from those clear on their story, brand, and positioning. Self-awareness is the root of true insight.  3. Podcasters need a better value exchange. As podcasters, we put so much in time, energy, money and often get little back. Value grows when we focus on personal development, meaningful feedback, and actually appreciating recognition rather than racing past it.Honest, reflective, and straight from the heart.  This is me, off my chest and off the cuff. Welcome to Off Track.

This bonus episode of Luca’s Insight Track takes you Off Track, where I share the personal reflections that surfaced after my conversation with Rasha Hamzeh, Managing Director of The Inhouse Agency, Executive Producer of this show… and yes, my wife. In this Off Track, I unpack three big insights: 1️⃣ Marketing has changed, dramatically. We’ve slipped into a world of copy-paste campaigns, platform obsession, and performance metrics ruling creativity. When no one takes risks, talent suffers, and churn rises. The industry isn’t short of ideas; it’s short of bravery. 2️⃣ Marriage is a lot like a podcast. It demands consistency, effort, and intentional energy. Working with your partner isn’t easy, respect, trust, and friendship are the foundation, but even then, the work never stops. 3️⃣ Rasha’s belief in me made me ask a deeper question: Can someone else’s faith in you truly shape both your conscious and subconscious mind? Her unwavering belief in me doesn’t just support me, it merges with me. At some point, her conviction becomes indistinguishable from my own thoughts. It’s as if our minds start working in unison, expanding the arena of what’s possible to a level I couldn’t reach alone. Raw, unfiltered, and straight from the heart, this is me, off my chest and off the cuff. Welcome to Off Track.

In this episode of luca’s insight track, Luca sits down with Rasha Hamzeh — his wife, executive producer, and the real force behind the show.What happens when your partner is also your business partner?They talk about running startups, parenting, working together, and what really goes on behind the camera. From building The Inhouse agency to balancing marriage and media, Rasha opens up about the lessons, challenges, and moments that shaped their journey.This is the most personal episode yet — raw, honest, and filled with insights on partnership, purpose, and keeping it real when life gets busy.Listen now to hear the conversation that usually happens after the cameras stop rolling.

This special bonus episode of Luca’s Insight Track takes you Off Track — where I share the personal insights that stayed with me after my powerful conversation with Mohamed Al Banna, advisor to the UAE Royal Family, serial investor, and CEO of Lead Ventures. Mohamed’s mindset around networking, belief, and energy inspired me to reflect deeply and in this improvised episode, I unpack three takeaways that might shift how you think about success and decision-making in today’s world. 1️⃣ In an AI-driven age, who you know now matters more than what you know. Intelligence is accessible, but relationships build real momentum. 2️⃣ Having a Plan B might sound smart, but it often signals doubt. When you fully commit to Plan A, you move differently. 3️⃣ The true green flag in any investment or partnership? A person’s energy. It’s the fastest, most reliable signal of alignment, or a warning to walk away. Raw, unfiltered, and straight from the heart — this is me, off my chest and off the cuff. Welcome to Off Track.