"The MICHELIN Guide is NOT about Luxury!" -Gwendal Poullennec 155, The International Director of The MICHELIN Guides Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, has long been driven by a passion for gastronomy, travel, and hospitality. Since joining the Michelin Group in 2003, he has played a pivotal role in expanding the Guide globally—launching its first Asian edition in Tokyo in 2007 and overseeing the creation of 12 more international Guides. His deep involvement with i...
Jul 06, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 155
On this powerful episode, we sit down with certified self-development trainer and life coach Maha Al-Subaie for an honest and insightful conversation about self-love, emotional awareness, and the journey of inner healing. We explore why so many struggle with loving themselves, how to quiet the inner critic, and the real impact of positive self-talk. Maha shares practical advice for those at the start of their healing journey, and offers insights into emotional intelligence, the role of childhood...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 45 min•Season 5Ep. 154
Motaz is a Palestinian photojournalist and humanitarian storyteller who became one of the most recognized voices documenting life under siege in Gaza. With his camera as his witness, Motaz risked everything to shed light on the brutal realities faced by his people sharing unfiltered stories, haunting images, and raw truths that the world could no longer ignore. Born and raised in Gaza, Motaz began his field work at a young age, driven by a deep sense of duty and resistance. From surviving airstr...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Season 5Ep. 153
A returning guest on the podcast, Ziyad “Zizo” Almaayouf is Saudi Arabia’s first professional boxer undefeated, unapologetically proud, and a GQ Middle East cover star representing a bold new generation. Born in New York City on July 2, 2000, Zizo took up boxing at age 11 and overcame early challenges due to limited training resources. At 19, he moved to Los Angeles to train under legendary coach Buddy McGirt, fully committing to his craft and his country. On August 20, 2022, Zizo made history w...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 152
Christoph is the CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, where he blends creative design sensibility with strategic leadership to steer one of Switzerland’s premier luxury watchmakers. Originally from Germany, he studied interior design in England and Switzerland before first collaborating with IWC in 2006 to design its museum. As CEO, Christophe has focused on honoring IWC’s heritage while driving innovation and sustainability, and he has overseen the brand’s growing digital presence. His tenure has seen sign...
May 28, 2025•48 min•Season 5Ep. 151
Mustafa is an author, historian, and creator of the acclaimed ‘Beyond Bilal’ lecture series, for a wide-ranging conversation on faith, identity, and the often-overlooked contributions of Black-Muslims throughout history. Mustafa shares the personal story of how his journey into Islamic scholarship began, and what inspired his mission to shed light on the rich, global legacy of Black-Muslim communities—from West Africa to the Americas. He opens up about how his own identity has shaped his scholar...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Season 5Ep. 150
Spanish entrepreneur and former politician, Alejandro Agag is best known for pioneering sustainable motorsport. In 2012, he founded Formula E Holdings, launching the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 2014—the first-ever all-electric single-seater racing series. Under his leadership, Formula E has grown into a global platform for advancing electric vehicle tech and championing sustainability. On this episode, Mo and Alejandro dive into the early struggles of getting Formula E off the ground...
May 11, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 149
On this episode, Mo and Isaac discuss the journey of becoming Formula 1’s first Arab driver reflecting on his Algerian heritage, the roller-coaster start to his rookie season, from Melbourne highs to a China comeback and the intense mental and physical demands of F1. Isaac shares his “mind management” techniques, the art of precision braking, and the surprising psychology of chasing versus leading. He opens up about enduring brutal G-forces, the freezing cold of Suzuka, and the scorching heat of...
May 03, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 148
Ret Taylor is a founder, former CEO, and transformational coach with over 20-years of experience building and leading purpose-driven businesses around the world. Today, his work centers on helping high-performing individuals unlock what’s true, move with clarity, and lead from a place of deep power. He guides leaders through epic retreats, wild Misogi challenges, and one-on-one coaching grounded in his R³ Method—a framework designed to help people Reconnect, Refine, and Rise into their highest p...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 5Ep. 147
Abdullah, an American citizen, was arrested in 2003 under the federal material witness statute, which permits the government to detain individuals with crucial testimony in a criminal case if they might flee. Though never charged with a crime, he was held in high-security detention for 16 days and faced court-ordered restrictions for another 15 months. Believing his detention was unlawful, Abdullah sued then–U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, claiming his arrest violated the Fourth Amendment’s...
Apr 20, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 5Ep. 146
Rio Ferdinand is a former professional footballer, television pundit, and entrepreneur, widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of his generation.Over a stellar career spanning nearly two decades, he rose to prominence at Manchester United, where he won six Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League, and numerous domestic honours. As a key figure for the England national team, Ferdinand earned 81 caps, representing his country at the highest level. Since retiring from football, he h...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 145
Christophe Farnaud shares insights into his unique role of representing 27 nations and the evolving relationship between Europe and Saudi Arabia. He discusses the rapid transformation he is witnessing in Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation, from outdated perceptions to bold new policies—and the complexities of high-stakes diplomacy. The conversation explores key economic milestones, including the launch of the EU Chamber of Commerce in Riyadh, as well as transformative visa and tourism policies,...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 144
Former Chelsea, Arsenal & England International with over 100 appearances for his country, Ashley Cole has approached his transition from a world-class player to an aspiring elite coach with patience, humility and a deep commitment to learning. No fluff here, Ashley vulnerably reflects on his early days when his mother had to work three jobs just so he could play Sunday league football. He opens up about the highs and lows of his career, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what’s nex...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 143
Hana Basrawi is a Saudi fitness entrepreneur and influencer, best known as the founder of THYGA Official, a brand focused on empowering women through health and wellness. With a background split between Saudi Arabia and the UK, Hana blends cultural influences to promote confidence and individuality, THYGA inspired by the Arabic word for “trust,” offers science-backed fitness programs tailored to energy fluctuations, helping women optimize their workouts while balancing busy lives.Hana opens up a...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Season 5Ep. 142
Brian Ward is the Group CEO of Savvy Games Group, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company leading investment and long-term growth in global gaming and esports. With nearly 30 years of experience, he previously led worldwide studios at Activision Blizzard and held key roles at Electronic Arts and Microsoft. Under Brian’s leadership, Savvy has grown into a major player in the industry with 3,500 employees across 22 countries, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global gaming and esports...
Mar 06, 2025•51 min•Season 5Ep. 141
Jessica Kahawaty is a Food Entrepreneur, Human Rights Advocate, and International Model. The Australian with Middle Eastern roots bridges cultures in fashion and humanitarianism.With a background in Human Rights Law, the former Miss Australia and Miss World runner-up champions social responsibility, notably fronting Louis Vuitton and UNICEF’s ‘Make a Promise’ campaign.She co-founded Mama Rita, a UAE-based food and lifestyle brand, offering Arabic and international cuisine across 300+ locations.J...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 5Ep. 140
A Conversation with Boris Johnson at The Saudi Media Forum. Thank you to the Ministry of Media in Saudi Arabia for arranging this. Boris Johnson is a British politician, journalist, and author who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. A member of the Conservative Party, he was previously the Mayor of London (2008–2016) and a Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (2015–2023). Known for his charismatic and sometimes controversial style, Johnson played ...
Feb 25, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1
A pioneering Saudi Arabian Skier who turned pro in 2022, Sharifa is recognised as the Kingdom’s first female alpine skier. A few days ago, Sharifa made history by participating in the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, marking Saudi Arabia’s first-ever appearance in the event. Beyond her athletic achievements, Sharifa is a mother of two and aspires to inspire the next generation of female athletes in Saudi Arabia. She aims to build a thriving women’s sports community in the Kingdom, demons...
Feb 23, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 139
Jamila is a certified etiquette consultant, author, and content creator. She has written three books on etiquette and hosts a popular YouTube channel on etiquette with over 1 million subscribers. She graduated summa cum laude in International Affairs from George Washington University, earned a Master’s from the College of Europe, and received her certification from the International Etiquette and Protocol Academy of London. Raised in Azerbaijan, Jamila is fluent in six languages and combines her...
Feb 16, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 5Ep. 138
On this episode, we sit down with H.E Ihab Hashani, the Vice Minister of Housing and Municipalities and Chairman of the National Housing Company. He explains how reading Vision 2030 led him to switch from a long private-sector career into public service. We discuss his role in modernizing housing, improving city infrastructure, and boosting overall quality of life in Saudi Arabia. His excellency also shares his perspective on why more young people are choosing government roles, how large-scale i...
Feb 09, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 137
Khaled Tash is the Group Chief Marketing Officer at Saudi Airlines. On this episode, Khaled and Mo go into the company's ambitious growth plans, including network expansion, fleet development and the introduction of new passenger experiences. Khaled offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the airline navigates the transformative era of Saudi Arabia's aviation sector and its commitment to enhancing the travel experience.
Feb 02, 2025•2 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 136
Hala Abdallah is a Saudi Arabian content creator, entrepreneur, and global influencer. A graduate of OTIS College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. And jewelry design from IGI she combines her passion for art, design, and fashion through her brand, OFA. Known for her striking style and collaborations with luxury brands, Hala is redefining influencer culture in the Middle East. An adventurous spirit, she’s a horse rider, she’s a scuba diver, and world traveler who draws inspiration from her own l...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Season 5Ep. 135
Evan Spiegel is an American entrepreneur and co-founder of Snap Inc., the parent company of the popular multimedia messaging app Snapchat. The app, launched in 2011, revolutionized social media by introducing disappearing messages and creative visual tools like filters and lenses. Under Spiegel’s leadership as CEO, Snap Inc. has grown into a global company with innovative products such as Spectacles and augmented reality technologies. Recognized for his forward-thinking approach, Evan has become...
Jan 17, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 134
Maha Taibah is the Founder of RUMMAN, a human-centric design firm focused on workplace wellbeing, and an independent board member of PwC MENA. With 20+ years in human capital development across government, private, and academic sectors, she is a strategic advisor, investor, speaker, and wellbeing advocate. A former government leader driving national initiatives for the Saudi labor market, Maha also serves on several global boards and was the only “sharkette” on Shark Tank Arabia. An alumna of De...
Jan 09, 2025•2 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 95
“Beautiful things are created in the darkest hours” - Mo Islam A conversation with Talah Saleh, Falak Investment Hub. Thank you so very much to the team at Falak Hub for hosting me on their platform. Really enjoyed sharing my story and what was such a meaningful conversation with Tala Slaeh. A big thank you as well to everyone in the live audience who came to watch and support. Your presence and energy were truly appreciated, and I hope my journey and insights resonated with you in some way. Loo...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 5Ep. 133
On an episode where day turned into night, we had Tracy, a former investment banker turned entrepreneur and speaker. After a decade in finance, in 2018 Tracy transitioned to becoming an entrepreneur and had since become one of the GCC’s leading wellness entrepreneurs with a rapidly growing social media presence.Tracy founded Untraceable, a wellness and personal growth company whose latest program attracted 10,000 subscribers in its first quarter. Her latest venture, Mama Booza, is a UAE-born tra...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 46 min•Season 5Ep. 131
John Pagano is the Group Chief Executive Officer of The Red Sea Development Company and AMAALA, sister projects set along the north western coast of Saudi Arabia that will play key roles in the realisation of the Vision 2030 – KSA’s economic roadmap for the future.On this super special episode, John and Mo explore the visionary projects transforming Saudi Arabia’s coastline and redefining luxury tourism. Driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision, these initiatives blend cutting-edge de...
Dec 12, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 130
A short conversation taken just days ahead of the December 11th FIFA World Cup announcement. We had the pleasure to sit-down for an insightful fireside chat at the World Football Summit in Riyadh with Hammad Al-Balawi, head of the Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup Bid Unit.
Dec 09, 2024•24 min•Season 5Ep. 131
📺 https://bit.ly/3Zdb4xz🎧 https://apple.co/4g4oNxgMaha is a personal branding expert, CEO and founder of global communications consulting firm Digital and Savvy, and best-selling author of 7 Rules of Self-Reliance. With over three decades of experience, she has crafted strategies for global corporations, startups, sports organizations, governments, CEOs, and high-net-worth individuals. On this episode, Maha and Mo go through each one of her “7-rules” taken from her book. The episode eventually...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 129
Ali Shihabi is an author and commentator, specialising in GeoPolitics with a focus on Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Ali has authored two books: “The Saudi Kingdom: Between the Jihadi Hammer and the Iranian Anvil”, published as part of Princeton University’s Middle East series, and “Arabian War Games”, a novel. His analyses have been featured in major publications, including the New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Foreign Policy. In what unfolded to be quite a raw conversation,...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 128
