In this episode Abbey talks about moving from America to Dubai and finding Islam. She talks about her first challenges, facing stereotypes, and how these led her to Islam. Abbey shares how prayer gave her purpose and the change after accepting a new faith. She also mentions feeling part of the Muslim community and how her views have changed. It's a story of adjusting, finding faith, and fitting in. So, grab your Karak and enjoy the show.
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode, we talk about the tough choices we make between following our dreams and meeting family expectations. We hear from people with different stories on how they kept true to themselves while staying close to their families and culture. From picking careers to deciding where to live or who to marry, we dive into the struggles and wins of balancing personal goals with family ties. So grab your Karak and get ready to hear real stories about making your own path with family and culture ...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode Divya Bhathela talks about her unexpected career as a cabin crew member and the adventures that followed. She shares how her mother's strength and unique views on life helped shape her into the person she is today. From dealing with surprises to finding her own way in Dubai, Divya's journey is all about staying strong and believing in yourself, thanks to her family's support. This episode is a heartwarming look at growing up, facing challenges, and the importance of family. So, g...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 26
This episode features Neeti Sharma, who dives into her journey of growing up with a Desi background in a Western context. Neeti shares her insights on the struggles of identity formation, the pressure of academic and professional ambitions, and the complex dynamics of love and approval in Desi families. Her personal anecdotes shed light on the challenges of fitting in, battling societal beauty standards, and decoding the unique ways Desi parents express affection. Join us as Neeti discusses embr...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 25
In this conversation with Mohammed we explore his journey about life's challenges, mental wellness, and the often overlooked realm of couple therapy. Uncover the power of positive thinking and learn to navigate self-doubt. From conquering Kilimanjaro to scaling the peaks of personal growth, this podcast delves into uncharted territories, offering insights on resilience, love, and the untapped potential within us all. Grab a cup of Karak and enjoy the show!
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this conversation with Sundeep Fernandes we explore the layers behind the laughter. Sundeep, a digital star renowned for his comedic genius, reveals the complexities of navigating life as an introvert in the spotlight. From humorous takes on societal expectations to profound insights on personal identity and the essence of happiness, Sundeep shares his journey beyond the jokes. He shares with us his honest thoughts on love, marriages, and divorces in today's society. So, sit back, relax, and ...
Feb 27, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this insightful chat with Richard Fitzgerald, founder of Lovin Dubai, we dive deep into the heart of media evolution, entrepreneurship, and positive storytelling of Dubai. Richard shares his candid thoughts on navigating the media landscape, emphasizing the importance of ethical journalism, the power of positive news, and the building of a media brand that genuinely reflects and impacts society. From discussing the challenges of sensationalism to celebrating the human spirit, this episode sha...
Feb 21, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this episode, Anand takes us on a hilarious yet insightful journey from his early days in traditional roles across the US, India, and the UAE to finding his true calling in comedy. He shares the cultural shocks, the quirks of corporate life, and how humor became his bridge between worlds. Anand's stories are not just laughs; they're about chasing dreams, understanding diverse cultures, and finding joy in the unexpected. Join me for a ride filled with laughter and revelations by sipping your o...
Feb 13, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 21
This episode takes you on a fast-paced journey from the traditions of India to the buzz of New York City. We chat about the crazy world of modern matchmaking, the evolving roles of women, and how to make it big in NYC. Keziah has lived in NYC for a major portion of her life before moving to India to be CEO of Dholakia Foundation for the past 6 months. Enjoy this interesting episode about the experiences within two distinct yet beautiful cultures with your own cup of Karak! ----------------------...
Feb 12, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode of Karak With Mahreen, we explore Chinese parenting through the eyes of our guest, Hana, a successful Chinese entrepreneur who credits her achievements to the strict discipline instilled by her parents. We're talking tough love, high expectations, and how these shaped her today. She shares personal anecdotes, revealing how a balance of strictness and support from her family not only pushed her towards excellence but also taught her the value of resilience and hard work. From disc...
Feb 12, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 19
*Tahrim and I are both wearing these beautiful sets made by Tahrim Munir. You can find them here: https://www.instagram.com/tahrimmunir/* In this episode of "Karak With Mahreen," we dive into the touching story of Tahrim and Harris, a couple who found love through an arranged marriage. Tahrim opens up about her life as a deaf individual and how it's shaped her approach to love and relationships. Harris brings in his perspective on how he is making the relationship work. We talk about everything ...
Feb 11, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 19
You may know Umang Shandilya as Dubai’s incredible Dance influencer, but she is also an architect, an astrologer, a Vastu consultant, a numerologist, and now she is declared to be Instagram’s most loved entertainer blogger. In this conversation, we dived into her love for dance, why it is so culturally important in India, and her learnings from Hinduism and Vastu. We explored a brand new realm of topics in this episode where I learned a lot more about some of the important practices in Indian cu...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Erim Kaur is a powerhouse. She has built a multi-million pound luxury hair care brand from scratch. She also uses her platform to empower women all over the world, those without moms, without sisters. In this conversation, we dove deep into the Punjabi culture to understand why there is a strong pride among Punjabis. We also discussed some of the challenges among the Punjabi community including alcoholism before understanding how Erim has navigated through social media scrutiny, especially as a ...
Dec 23, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Omar Ghanem is a social impact genius, the co-founder of U-Light, a company that impacts 12,000+ families with access to energy. He’s raised $2m for his Web3 gaming startup. An entrepreneurial wizard with a crazy storytelling power that got him all the way to United Nations. In this episode, we talked about the power of storytelling, the beauty of being in a collectivist, family-based culture, and the significance of teachers in our lives. -------------------------- Feel Good Tea Make sure to ge...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Saba Yussouf is an investor, a speaker, and the CEO of InvisiSmart, a tech company that kills germs. She is revolutionizing the science industry, all while being a badass woman and a really cool Pakistani female living and enjoying life. In this episode, we talk all about how Saba navigates through the judgement and criticism she faces as she lives her life differently from Pakistani norms. She is breaking social norms and empowering women all over the world by redefining what it means to be a w...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 14
In this episode, Mashal and I dive into a vast array of topics from understanding the rights of women in South Asia and how that has evolved to the privilege of freedom and safety in Dubai. We discuss stories of social media hate and cancel culture, as well as how to navigate through that. In the realms of mental health, we touched upon the perception of therapy in society and how to manage that. This was quite an enlightening discussion that I am sure you'll enjoy too with a cup of Karak. -----...
Nov 15, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Craig Fernandes is on a mission to make education more accessible for students across the world. He founded Lock&Stock, a platform that improved students' digital wellbeing, and is now the founder of SecureMyScholarships, a company that bridges the gap between students' dream universities and funding. He is making a difference in this world by reducing educational inequality, one student at a time. In this episode, we dive into the intricacies of educational inequality, the importance of sch...
Nov 03, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 12
@YourFellowArab is a YouTuber on a mission to show the human side behind the most dangerous places in the world. He is challenging stereotypes in every place he visits with the aim to understand the people rather than judge them. From being a professional gamer to a successful streamer and now, a worldwide renowned YouTuber, Arab has dominated every industry he has been in. In this fascinating episode, we dive deep into the stories of his visits to understand the circumstances the people have be...
Oct 26, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Simrin Gupta is an incredibly passionate woman who has mastered the art of journalism, presenting, broadcasting, and more. She is a ball of energy, love, and enthusiasm. She also happens to be a shrimp-addict turned vegetarian who is passionate about animal rights. In this diverse conversation, we talk about so many different topics from love to relationships to animal rights advocacy and radical feminism. Simrin breaks down the true meaning of feminism, the reason for respecting animals, and th...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode, Mohammed and I explore the intricacies about UAE and its culture. We discuss the different elements of the culture that has shaped him to become who he is. We also explore things he would like to see improved in his society. Mohammed Aljasmi is a presenter, cultural guide, content creator, and educator who does it all to inform people about the UAE culture. He takes on the world with his big, wide smile. Above all, he values the importance of being a 'good human being'. ________...
Oct 02, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this episode, I talk to Avni about the stereotypes imposed on women entering into the tech industries and the ways one can tackle and eliminate them as they advance in their careers. We talked about the nature of workplaces today and how such biases emerged in the first place. Avni Barman is a sensational woman who empowers young women in tech for a living. She has founded her company, Generation She, which provides a platform for ambitious Gen Z women in tech to connect with top tech startup...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 17 min
In this episode, I talk with Ghaliaa, a multi-talented woman who is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. We discuss about how our childhood and upbringing influences our ability to express ourselves emotionally. This was a personal conversation where we dive deep into finding outlets to release our emotions in, how music has been that outlet for her, and how we can overcome the toxic process of bottling up feelings.
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Nouf Al Katheeri is a presenter from Abu Dhabi, who has participated in various programs and spoken at TEDx Zayed University! In today's unmissable episode, we talk about paradigms and prejudices related to women in her culture, challenging several divergent thoughts from reality. Beyond her personal experience, we delve into her journey and all her experiences.
Sep 20, 2023•55 min
Yasmina Alidodova is an actress, model, singer, and songwriter from the United Arab Emirates, who works in the film industry. She made her film debut with the movie "Camp-Off" in 2014. She also made her Malayalam film debut with "Meow" in 2021. In addition to having various cover videos, Yasmina has also produced her own compositions such as "Never Let Me Go" and "I Was an Angel." In this incredible episode, I talk with Yasmina about her insecurities, her professional and personal identity, and,...
Sep 20, 2023•53 min
Mohamed Magdi is a young entrepreneur who has built his life from scratch, initially working in part-time jobs from selling school uniform to selling electronics in exhibitions since the age of 17. He is now on a mission to help businesses in the Middle East successfully embark on their social media journey ever since he launched his company, Knine Unit, approximately two years ago through which he has successfully marketed 150+ businesses and individuals in UAE and the GCC on both Tiktok and In...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Welcome to another exciting episode! Today we are pleased to welcome a special guest, an incredible woman who explored and excelled the world of education, content creation, consulting, tech, entrepreneurship, and more. Prepare to be inspired and captivated as we delve into the experiences and achievements of our multi-talented guest. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sheen Gurrib, an exceptional woman. She paved the way for success with her dedication and passion for knowledge. We discussed ...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 3
In this episode, we are honored to welcome Alina Hayat, an inspiring woman who was born in New Zealand, has explored Pakistan and now calls Dubai home. Throughout this interview, we dive into her unique journey, discussing the challenges and joys of living in different countries. Alina shares her personal experiences in adapting to new cultures, languages, traditions and reveals to us the fascinating details of her multifaceted life.
Jun 16, 2023•51 min
A 16-year old Pakistani in the UAE who’s blown up on social media and won the hearts of many young kids merely by here lightheartedness and humour. She uses her platform to spread smiles, to showcase her life, to relate others, and to simply make people happy. She is a TikToker, a YouTuber, and she also happens to be my sister. Let me welcome Fozi Munir.
Jun 14, 2023•44 min•Ep. 1
