I’m often asked how I got started with the podcast. On a special solo episode this week, I’m taking you behind the scenes to tell you how and why I started What I Did Next, and how it came together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ayman Tamer is the Chairman of the Tamer Group, a third-generation business with a 100-year history in Saudi Arabia. Ayman tells me how his grandfather opened the first pharmacy in the Arab peninsula in 1922 and its evolution to one of the largest healthcare companies in the region today, with over $2.5 billion in revenue. It was clear from our conversation that family is everything for Ayman, and it weaves through the company’s heart and soul. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, y...
A few weeks ago, What I Did Next partnered with the 2025 edition of The Narrative Summit which was held at the breathtaking Soma Bay. Today, I’m delighted to share my panel discussion where we explored perceptions of Egypt through a historical and cultural lens, a subject that is close to my heart. I was joined on the panel by historian Mahmoud Sabit, award-winning historian and broadcaster Bethany Hughes, multidisciplinary artist & deisner Louis Barthelemy, creative director Zach Sherif, an...
Welcome again to What I Did Next Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite alumni guests. Today, I’m re-connecting with one of the guests from our first-ever season, advertising director Ali Ali. He catches me up on what he’s been up to since we last spoke, his short film, Smokey Eyes, and exploring production in Saudi Arabia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week’s bonus episode, Fatenn Mostafa Kanafani tells me about her work in documenting, codifying, and cataloging her research in art. She’s contributed a chapter in Daughters of the Nile, authored Modern Art in Egypt, and is now working on a third book. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 4:35 The Importance of Modern Egyptian Art 6:59 Exploring the Egyptian Avant-Garde Learn mor...
Fatenn Mostafa Kanafani has led a life full of twists and turns. Her career trajectory has seen her go from being a successful marketer with Procter & Gamble to being instrumental in the success of the relaunch of Ahram Beverages, leading to its eventual sale to Heineken in 2002. Fatenn then turned her attention to modern Egyptian art and launched Art Talks, a gallery as well as a forum for discussion on all aspects of art. She is now working on a third book in a trilogy looking at Egyptian ...
On today’s episode, I’m reconnecting with pioneering Arab designer, Nadine Kanso, founder of jewellery brand BilArabi. Nadine tells me what’s been happening since our last conversation two years ago, including her partnership with Berluti, and staying authentic in an influencer-dominated world online. This episode is part of our special series, What I Did Next Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite alumni guests. We’ll continue this series each month with more of the show’s alumni,...
We’re continuing my conversation with award-winning ad director and filmmaker Omar Hilal. This week, he tells me about three key projects: the hilarious Aqua Mangos ad, the ground-breaking Royal Jordanian Ad and a sneak-peek into his upcoming film. You can listen to my full episode with Omar Hilal where he tells me about his life’s pivots, starting out as a photojournalist to award-winning ad director to filmmaker: https://listen.amaeya.fm/widn-omar-hilal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
I’m delighted to be joined by award-winning ad director & filmmaker Omar Hilal as this month’s guest. Omar is one of those people who discovered that he wanted to become a director very early in life. He started out as a photo-journalist and went on to become an accomplished ad director, with stand-out ads such as the Aqua Mangos ad for Nestle and the ground-breaking Royal Jordanian Ad in his portfolio. The ads he’s worked on have won more than 50 awards, including 5 Grand Prix. In 2023, he ...
This week, I’m joined by Rawya Mansour, Chairwoman of RAMSCO Egypt and Oasis Technologies Monaco, for a special episode as part of our collaboration with The Narrative Summit 2025. Rawya is a pioneer of sustainable development and regenerative agriculture, including shifting away from chemical polymer fertilisers towards green charcoal. We’ll get into the pivotal moments that led her on this journey as well as her involvement with The Narrative Summit. The theme for the 2025 edition of The Narra...
I’m excited to share a special episode from the podcast, Gems of Arabia about Arab Representation in Media. The episode, hosted by WIDN alum Hatem Al Akeel, was recorded a few weeks ago at the CNN Academy in Abu Dhabi in front of a live audience of the Academy’s latest cohort of budding journalists. We were joined by another WIDN alum Becky Anderson, Managed Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi and Arab News’ Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas. This was a great conversation about breaking stereotypes, how Arab voi...
We’re continuing my conversation with interior architect Nouf Al Moneef, Director of the Noor Riyadh festival. On today’s episode, Nouf tells me about the evolution of Noor Riyadh, why they chose light as a theme in addition to art, as well as about her own design aesthetic. You can find the first part of my conversation with Nouf in your podcast app as well as on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nouf Al Moneef is an interior architect and the Director of the Noor Riyadh festival, which falls under the larger umbrella of the Riyadh Art Project. Noor Riyadh has now welcomed more than 3 million visitors and hosted artworks by hundreds of Saudi, regional and international artists. Nouf also continues to help grow the conversation about art and design on social media, although she is not a fan of the word influencer. Nouf has garnered a huge following and has had an obvious impact on how the...
We’re continuing my conversation with actor Khalid Abdalla this week, going behind the curtain into his solo play, Nowhere. I saw the play when I was in the UK last October and was personally moved by his performance. On this episode, Khalid tells me about the journey that led to him writing Nowhere, and the impact of his work. On a bonus episode for members out next week, we’ll dig into his process as an actor, and how he prepared for his role as Dodi Fayed on The Crown. If you haven’t tuned in...
Khalid Abdalla first became known to many of us with his incredible role in The Kite Runner. More recently, he was on our screens as Dodi Fayed on The Crown. But beyond all his subtle and challenging roles, I was personally moved by his stage performance in his solo play, Nowhere, which I saw last October. We covered so many topics during our conversation that we’re bringing this to you as a two-part episode. On our main episode today, Khalid tells me about his journey, including his performance...
I’m excited to welcome Farida Osman as the first athlete on the show! She’s a 3-time Olympian, 3-times world bronze medalist and holds senior national records for butterfly, freestyle and backstroke events. Farida is such a natural, positive person who is authentic and passionate about her sport. She’s a wonderful ambassador for swimming and an incredible role model for young sportspeople who can look to her and see that anything is possible. This episode is brought to you by EFG Holding, a lead...
I’m super excited to kick-off 2025 with one of our new segments called WIDN Encore, where I’ll be checking in with some of your favourite What I Did Next alumni. My first guest is adventurer, entrepreneur, and podcaster Omar Samra. I first spoke to Omar in 2021 about his company, Wild Guanabana, and his epic maritime challenge with Omar Nour which they parlayed into an award-winning documentary, Beyond the Raging Sea. We’re picking up right where we left off and Omar tells me what he’s been upto...
A quick teaser on what’s coming up on in 2025, including a new line-up, schedule and offerings! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thank you for joining me for an incredible year of What I Did Next. This week, I’m joined by the show’s producer, Chirag Desai, to look back at how quickly the year has gone by, and what is to come in 2025. This episode is brought to you by EFG Holding. For 40 years, EFG Holding has been realising more, for clients, investors, businesses, communities and individuals. See the world differently, and realize more with EFG Holding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Omar Elsahy is General Manager for Amazon in Egypt, overseeing 2,500 employees in the country as well as after-market services across the region. He told me about his early years in the US and Egypt, starting a number of businesses with his brother before pivoting to e-commerce with Souq.com. I enjoyed getting to know Omar through this conversation, and also got some great insights into the way he thinks as a leader, and how Amazon approaches innovation. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Ho...
A quick note: we recorded this conversation before the conflict began in Lebanon earlier this year. Sarah Beydoun is the founder of Sarah’s Bag, a social enterprise that produces bespoke luxury accessories and clothing. She tells me how her company was born out of a University thesis and how they continue to empower women in spite of the never-ending turmoil afflicting Lebanon, as well as her son’s being diagnosed with autism. I find her story so inspiring and moving. Learn more about your ad ch...
Louis Barthélemy is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based between Marrakech and Paris. He went on to work for Dior after studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins, before pivoting away from the fashion world after the public departure of designer John Galliano. Louis designs beautiful works of art, from tapestry to rugs to stained glass and works on paper. He is a passionate exponent of craftsmanship and turns to ancient and trusted techniques to execute his work. We also talk abo...
Yasmine and Farida Khamis are continuing the legacy left by their father, Mohammed Farid Khamis. He launched Oriental Weavers in 1979, which grew to become one of the world’s largest carpet manufacturers. Yasmine took over as Chair of its Board since his passing in 2020, while her two siblings joined her as board members. Farida chairs the Petrochemical business and looks after the British University in Egypt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Haitham Mattar is the Managing Director of the Intercontinental Hotel Group for India, Middle East & Africa. Haitham has had a distinguished career working for global hotel giants as well as leading tourism for the Governments of Ras Al Khaimah and Saudi Arabia. His story is one of individual will, grit and resilience starting from his first job at 17. He tells me about the importance of maintaining and nurturing relationships all his life and how he’s now trying to get new generations inter...
I’m excited to welcome Her Royal Highness Nourah Al Faisal as this season’s inaugural guest. She’s the founder of bespoke jewellery brand Nuun, and the founder of design and research consultancy Ahdlal for Design. She’s also the great-granddaughter of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. As someone who grew up in Saudi, I continue to be impressed by the transformation taking place across the country. I talked to her about her work with Vision 2030, and her recent appointment as CEO of the Art of Heritag...
I’m excited to bring you a new season of What I Did Next, where I talk to people about their pivotal moments and life journeys. Season 8 begins September 24, with new episodes every second Tuesday. This season, we’re also adding new benefits to our members’ club. You’ll be getting early access to our episodes—in fact, members can listen to the first THREE episodes of our season on Tuesday—we’ll be continuing our bonus episodes with guests and we’ll also be checking in some of your favourite What...
Hope you’re having a great summer so far. We’ll be back with new episodes in September. In the meantime, here’s another one from our archive: my conversation with author, entrepreneur & tech giant, Mo Gawdat. Mo was Chief Business Officer at Google X, and is now the popular author of Solve for Happy, Scary Smart, and more recently, That Little Voice in Your Head, with more books to come. He is also behind the One Billion Happy movement which is inspired by his late son, Aly, who died tragica...
We’ll be back with new episodes in September. In the meantime, here’s one from our archive–actor and comedian Ramy Youssef. Ramy is the starof the eponymous hit show, Ramy, which has won Golden Globes and Peabodies, as well as Emmy nominations. He's also the co-creator of Mo with Mo Amer, and can be seen later this year in Poor Things with Emma Stone, William Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo among other big wigs of the industry. As writer, actor, director and producer of the show, Ramy brings nuance and s...
I’m joined by the show’s producer, Chirag Desai, to look back at some of the season’s highlights & themes from our latest line-up of incredible guests. You’ll also hear from Mostafa Gad, Global Head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes, an EFG Holding Company. EFG Holding has been an incredible partner for the show & I talk to Mostafa about his life's trajectory and his stellar career with the bank. Thank you for joining me on an incredible Season 7, and for your feedback and comments. We...
As a multidisciplinary artist, Ghada is as comfortable working with a needle and thread as she is with a paintbrush, or forging steel for sculptures or working on one-of-a-kind garden installations. She began exhibiting her work in the 90s, and her art continues to focus on women equality and female sexuality. Ghada’s work has been shown at the world's finest fairs and exhibition spaces, including, the Whitney Biennial and PS1 Contemporary Art Center in New York, at the Venice Biennale where she...
