This Christmas week, we sit down with Mrs. Ilona Markosyan, who shares her inspiring journey from Armenia to Greece and finally to Cyprus. Ilona opens up about the universal truths that unite us, love, acceptance, and support, reminding us that, no matter our background, we are all searching for the same things in life.As a licensed counselling psychologist, Ilona also shares valuable tips and insightful reflections on navigating life’s challenges, embracing change, and finding balance....
In this episode, we sit down with Lina Maalouf Husseini, a French-Lebanese, self-taught artist.Lina's art bridges cultures, influenced by her life between Lebanon and France. Known for her contemporary approach, she transforms ordinary materials, particularly PVC, into stunning works of art, thanks to a unique collaboration with her husband, Roland Husseini. Together, they merge creativity and technical precision, producing innovative and unconventional pieces.From exhibitions in Beirut, Duba...
Anna-Maria Athanasiou, a Greek Cypriot author from Leeds, began her writing journey in secret, jotting down her first stories on napkins. Her debut novel, Waiting for Summer, grew from these humble beginnings into a 900-page best-seller, eventually becoming the first book in a two-part series. Encouraged by her family, especially her supportive brother, Anna-Maria embraced her identity as a writer and published her book, which quickly earned a spot on Amazon’s contemporary romance best-seller...
In this episode of our podcast, we're thrilled to introduce Holly Johnson. Holly is the inspiring editor of Vegan Food & Living magazine and the host of the Simply Vegan podcast.During our conversation, Holly will share her personal journey of going vegan seven years ago, what motivated her to make the switch, and how it has shaped her life in the UK. With a wealth of experience, she’s interviewed leading figures in the vegan movement and even spoken at events like VegFest.Holly’s mission...
In this episode, we speak with Rebecca Pierides, a Cypriot leader in the hospitality industry and Managing Director at Churchill Hotel Management, which operates the Crowne Plaza Limassol. With years of experience Rebecca shares her passion for delivering true hospitality and the incredible stories behind it.Rebecca takes us through her life, from growing up in the family-owned hotel that sparked her love for the industry to her ongoing journey in hospitality. She discusses the joy of connect...
In this episode, we sit down with Taras Lozhenko, a Ukrainian entrepreneur and one of the passionate founders of Octopus Microbrewery, a rising local favorite in Cyprus. Located in Sotira, near Ayia Napa, Octo Microbrewery is known for its unfiltered and unpasteurized beers that capture the essence of clean, aromatic flavors.Taras shares insights into their unique experiments with ingredients like salted caramel and local fruits such as pear, papoutsosyko, passionfruit pushing the bound...
In this episode, we’re so happy to introduce Christine Keeble Watson, a founding member and Past President of Cyprus International Women of Today (CIWOT). Christine has been with CIWOT since it was established in 2009, and with her extensive experience living across various countries, she understands first hand the profound need for a welcoming community when arriving in a new place. Her passion for CIWOT reflects her belief in the power of connection, support, and personal growth.CIWOT is de...
In this podcast, we’ll meet Lusine and hear her inspiring journey from Armenia to Cyprus, filled with challenges she faced along the way. With her positive outlook and sharp mind, Lusine has achieved remarkable success in Cyprus. She is the Director at Vestnik Kipra Group, a company dedicated to serving the Russian-speaking and expat communities in Cyprus through publishing, event management, and PR consulting focused on business development and communications. Lusine holds an MBA with a spec...
In this episode, we are joined by George Xydas, co-founder of the Swiss Biological Medical Center in Cyprus. George shares the story behind the center, which focuses on holistic health and wellness by integrating advanced medical practices with natural healing. The center aims to help people achieve longevity and optimal health through personalized treatments based on biological medicine.We’ll dive into George's vision for the center, discussing its unique approach to health, wellness, and ho...
In this episode, we sit down with Baria Alamuddin, a renowned British-Lebanese journalist and writer, whose passion for her work shines through her decades-long career. An award-winning journalist and editor of Media Services Syndicate, Baria has interviewed numerous world leaders and played a significant role in shaping political discourse in the Middle East and the UK. In this podcast, she discusses her commitment to advocating for women’s rights in Arab countries, emphasizing the importanc...
In this episode of Hotel Talk, we are thrilled to welcome Carine Khoury Niemann, the visionary director of Floral Image, a sustainable flower service based in Cyprus. Join us as we explore her unique experiences growing up in a multicultural environment, balancing different languages and traditions, her academic journey, and the challenges and joys of motherhood.This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone in the hotel industry, those with a multicultural background, and busy moms...
Eleni Savva is a storyteller at heart, with a background in filmmaking and coaching. Having lived most of her life in London, she’s traveled the world capturing human stories and connecting with diverse cultures. Her experiences naturally led her to coaching, where she empowers individuals to unlock their potential and believe in limitless possibilities.As part of the TEDxEleftheriaSquare team, Eleni is the host, speaker curator, and author of Symphony of Minds. Taking place on October 12th, ...
Richi Shah is an Indian social media influencer, and content creator. Originally from Mumbai, Richi began her career as an accountant but soon discovered her passion for social media. Through her creative content, she started collaborating with brands and embraced her love for travel. Now, she travels the world with her partner, sharing travel tips and lifestyle insights.In this podcast, we’ll learn about Richi's perspective on the world, her experiences as a traveler, and her valuable ...
Clementine Ynna, born in France and now living in Paphos, Cyprus, is a Muscular Dystrophy expert, a talented author, and a loving mother who has turned her personal challenges into a mission of hope.Her life changed when her young son was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. This pushed her to learn more about the condition and its causes, alter her mindset and ultimately led to what the doctors and family had thought would be impossible, her son not only walked but thrived. Through this journe...
Kiera Chaplin, a businesswoman and philanthropist, is carving out her own path while honouring the legacy of her iconic family name. In this series, we will explore her journey from a successful modelling and acting career to her current ventures in business and her philanthropic efforts. As a passionate member of the Desert Flower organization, Kiera believes that education is the key to overcoming many of the challenges faced by communities in need.Enjoy, and stay tuned because every week, ...
Agni Scott is the main female actor in the Netflix No 1 movie ‘Find Me Falling’ who played alongside Harry Connick Jr in this romantic and humorous film. She is even more beautiful in real life and shares with us some of her history, how she got into acting, where her name comes from, what she’s loved about her job, balancing her career and motherhood and of course some insights into working with Harry Connick Jr and of course the kiss!… this part will make you laugh! A superb feel good episo...
Princess Katarina of Serbia shares some incredible stories with us along with inspiring insights into what it means to be Royal, with her love of the outdoors, growing up with apples and being the only daughter of the family. She is a descendent of Queen Victoria and happily gives us some tips on Royal etiquette also! A delightful episode that everyone can enjoyHost Farah Shammas :InstagramFacebookLinkedin TikTokSt Raphael
Amal Daraghmeh Masri is the Editor in Chief and CEO of the Middle East Business News and Magazine and the founder and CEO of Ougarit Group. She lives in Palestine and tells us honestly what life is like there on a daily basis and her hopes for the future. We are not a political podcast but this honest, real and authentic interview is an inspiring eye opener and moving story of her family’s journey with her amazing vision and efforts to support others.Amal Daraghmeh MasriFacebookInst...
A short and sweet episode where you can smile and find out more about the concept, design and early history of our GOLDEN MONKEY AUTHENTIC THAI RESTAURANT. Fawzi Azar is not only the interior architect and designer behind this incredible restaurant but also a family friend and guest of our resort… our family now enjoyjng no less than four generations of close friendships. In this episode we reminisce about our trip to Thailand doing research back in 2019 along with discussing why career...
Alexander Novicov is a brand storyteller, a speaker, and the author of a Seth Godin endorsed book called ‘Not Another Pair of Shoes’. Living in London but having grown up in Cyprus, he tells us a little about his own personal journey but more importantly the power of marketing and telling your brand’s story. We discuss some common mistakes, interesting examples and how best to go about it. A really inspiring and informative episode that you will definitely gain from and must afterwards read h...