Around The Emirates with Sara Mousa

Hadil is an entrepreneur with a mission - bringing healthier options to your routine that actually benefit your gut in the tastiest way!Founder of The Broth Lab, Hadil has created the most nutritious broth in multiple ways for easy consumption - and it stems from a very personal yet common experience most of us can relate to. Listen to her journey on your favorite show!

Guess who’s back on your favorite podcast?The one, the only, Ahmed of Khosouf Studio!The ultimate gamer, entrepreneur, and all around badass that has a brand new game on the way - just for you!With funding secured, he’s about to rock your world - find out more on your favorite show!

Christiana Maxion is a springboard diver turned teacher, turned matchmaking expert, and now a tech Founder and the CEO of MAXION!MAXION is a UAE-based, AI-powered social app transforming digital intent into meaningful, real-world relationships.Christiana built a platform designed to move people beyond swipe culture and into more intentional, real-life connections.Listen to her full story on the importance of building social connections in times of joy and times of uncertainty. On a side note - you’ll notice my reaction to an alert that came in when recording this interview before the ceasefire began - I decided to keep that in the final edit to show the authenticity of exactly the reality we live in - finding a “normal” routine, meeting new people and staying strong in challenging times.

Candace Braganza is Founder of Scuplt25, an agency that delivers end-to-end brand storytelling driving real business growth through photography, design, branding, social media management, and marketing strategy. She began her career in the corporate world before making a deliberate shift into entrepreneurship. The catalyst was adopting her German Shepherd, which inspired her to develop a pet product and scale it into a full e-commerce brand. Listen to this amazing story and be inspired to start your own dream business!

Meet Victoria Myers, founder of the Small Retailer Network, a platform supporting small business in growing their brands and promoting their products. In times of economic uncertainty, it’s people like Victoria that help the community the most!Listen to her interview exclusively on the show!

Ameen is Grammy-nominated music producer with an incredible story! From merging musical stories across borders to earning global accolades, this is the ultimate musical story of inspiration!

Katie Godfrey is a leading business strategist, best-selling author, and podcast host who built a 7-figure beauty brand after starting £50,000 in debt. Today, she is the founder of multiple award-winning salons, training academies across the UK, and a professional product range sold internationally. Katie mentors beauty, hair, and aesthetics entrepreneurs worldwide, helping them step off the salon floor, gain financial freedom, and build businesses they are passionate about.But that’s not all! Katie is the author of Get Off the Tools, a deep dive for industry professionals ready to scale beyond the treatment room and create more freedom, income, and impact. Through her coaching, writing, and podcast, Katie shares advice, proven strategies, and mindset shifts that helped her grow a globally recognised brand - inspiring beauty entrepreneurs to create their own paths to success. Listen to her episode out now on YouTube and Spotify!

Jürgen is a globally recognised personal brand strategist, leadership coach, and author, known for helping leaders and professionals build meaningful, authentic personal brands in times of change.With 25+ years of experience, Jürgen has coached 14,000+ professionals across 100+ countries, worked with brands including Adidas, Coca-Cola, and even Louis Vuitton! He has also authored the internationally acclaimed book, ‘Creative Personal Branding’. Listen to this awesome interview on your favorite podcast- out now!

THY SKIN is a Dubai-born boutique skincare brand developed with a science-led, climate-aware approach to skin health. The brand emerged after founder Athina experienced eczema and chronic dryness following her move from London to Dubai - and everything changed. The aim of THY SKIN is to restore comfort, balance, and glow with freshly made microbiome-friendly formulas.Listen to Athina’s journey exclusively on your favorite show!

Alex George has spent more than two decades shaping the timber and pallet industryacross the GCC. Today, as Managing Director of Al Ostad Pallet Factory, he leads one of theregion’s most trusted names in pallet manufacturing, operating from an 8,000 sqmstate-of-the-art facility in Dubai Industrial City.By day, Alex is a remarkable businessman. But by night - Alex’s creative side comes alive through music! A gifted guitarist and pianist, he has collaborated with Grammy award-winning artists, written music for performers across various genres, and seen his work featured on platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. Listen to his amazing interview - out now!

Introducing Charral Izhiman, senior marketing leader and author of The Marketing Movement, a powerful voice on how marketing is evolving into a people-powered leadership discipline!Charral’s new book, published by Quartz Press, challenges the outdated view of marketing as a tactical function and reframes it as a strategic driver of business growth, introducing an exciting framework called SHAPE: Strategy, Heart, Activation, Purpose and Execution. Charral also touched on the Movement Readiness Index (MRI), a practical diagnostic for leaders.Want to know more? You know what to do! The exclusive interview is out now on Spotify and YouTube.

Have you ever considered where major rewards programs come from when making your purchases?Three words: Global Rewards Marketplace. What do these words have to do with Loylogic? Loylogic, a leader in global loyalty rewards management, is way ahead of the curve when it comes to brands navigating rapidly changing loyalty expectations.Listen to CEO Gabi Kool share insights on how the sector is moving, his vision for the company, and more!

Sarah is an athlete unlike any other you’ve ever seen. Not only has she participated in the Olympics - she has been part of multiple international events with an amazing sense of discipline, bravery, and being a team player. With the Winter Olympics underway - this is the perfect episode to tune into. Listen to this incredible interview exclusively on the show!

Y’all gotta meet this incredible Emirati pioneer real quick!Asma Hilal Lootah is the founder of The Hundred Wellness Centre - Dubai's longest standing Pilates studio and the only one founded and run by an Emirati. How amazing is that? Asma is one of the coolest entrepreneurs I’ve ever interviewed, and you’re about to find out why. Listen to the full segment!

ChatGPShe is a bold initiative by Marisa Kamall, an advocate for female entrepreneurship and advancement. As the Founder of GAIA, her first major platform for women empowerment, ChatGPShe is an extension of Marisa’s vision for women in leadership, designed to ensure women’s voices actively shape the future of artificial intelligence. ChatGPShe equips women to prompt smarter, better, and more confidently, transforming them from passive AI consumers into active creators, influencers, and leaders.Listen to this tech - focused interview exclusively on your favorite podcast!

Heather Mills is a globally recognised pioneer of plant-based innovation and one of the most influential disruptors in the modern food industry. With a career spanning more than three decades, she has consistently been at the forefront of groundbreaking, science-based food innovation, creating products that have transformed the way the world eats.In line with Veganuary, I had the honour of speaking with Heather about her successes, including creating the world’s first vegan meat-free burger, the first plant-based Domino’s cheese, and event the first vegan McDonald’s burger!Her latest venture, No Bloat, is the result of years studying gut health and testing thousands of foods for a tasty result. Listen to her full interview - out now on Spotify and YouTube!

I hope you brought your appetite to this episode!Chef Kriti Shetty is a dynamic culinary voice known for her modern approach to Indian and Asian cuisine. She’s trained at APCA Malaysia and Lavonne Academy, and has worked on recipe development and menu innovation for brands like EL&N London, Dlish Café, NutriCook, and Foodhall.She’s now working on her own fine dining restaurant in Downtown Dubai, set to open this year!Hear all about her amazing journey on your favorite show!

The Pop Up Story is an experiential, multi-brand shopping pop up born from a shared passion for fashion and art between two friends, Simran Shetty and Rashi Khetwani.This story is wild - we’re talking 30+ unique brands across diverse categories! And they’re all displayed under one roof in locations across India and the UAE.With two successful two editions in Dubai, TPUS is now gearing up for its next Dubai edition this January 2026- find out more by watching the interview!

Do you love a good scent? A spritz of perfume makes you feel great?I’ve got the best episode for you!Meet Imtiyaz Kalsekar, Founder and CEO of Rasasi Imtiyaz Group, headquartered in Dubai. Rasasi has become one of the region’s most trusted names in perfumery, renowned for blending rich Arabian traditions with contemporary fragrance artistry. Rooted in family business - there’s so much love, passion, innovation and beauty in this story. Imtiyaz’s key collection, Imrasasi, is just one example of how decades of fragrance mastery have redefined the art of scent for modern audiences. Listen to this interview and thank me after you order their newest release!

With the fresh start for the new year comes a fresh new episode of your favorite show!Asma Ali Zain is a renowned journalist with an excellent track record of expertise across tier-1 outlets. And now, she’s taken the bold step of starting her own business - she established The Gulf Pulse, a digital platform focused on all things real estate, architecture, and more! Find out why Asma made this move exclusively on the show. 

Niccolo Nicotra has the scoop on the UAE tech industry that you didn’t know you needed!As Head of the CEO’s office at ASPIRE, Niccolo shared his insights with me on all things AI, phygital, and of course, the recently concluded Games of the Future!This episode isn’t just great- it’s brilliant. And it’s time for you to hear it! Out now on all platforms.  

Vidhi Shah is Head of Commercial Valuation at Cavendish Maxwell, one of the Middle East’s leading real estate advisory groups and property consultants. From skyscrapers to major malls, Vidhi knows all about valuation of high profile properties - and there’s more to learn about these than you might think!Listen to her interview on the show!

Amina Shazib has quite the story for you - with a very important message. A psychologist with a mission, Amina is passionate about helping young children with additional needs reach their full potential by utilizing multidisciplinary, child-focused/child-led approaches and strategies to support their social communication, language development, socio-emotional competence and to facilitate school readiness.There’s so much to digest - and learn- from this remarkable woman. Don’t miss this insightful conversation!

Fatima is an artist unlike any other you’ve seen before. Born in Pakistan and based in Dubai for many years, Fatima is a visual artist whose creative journey transcends borders and disciplines. With a background in Business Administration, her heart has always belonged to art. She received her formal training at an international art school in Dubai and was mentored by a master in traditional Arabic calligraphy. Over time, she developed a distinctive visual language that fuses contemporary abstraction with sacred tradition. Her signature style often features symbolic florals, layered textures, and meditative lettering — creating space for reflection, emotion, and meaning.Listen to her creative story exclusively on the show!

Are you golfer? Love to go for a good swing?Look no further than Around The Emirates for your golf treat for the week with Trevor Bundus, founder of Performance Golf!This is the coolest story about the best golf simulator - and it’s all yours to listen to - out now!

Archana Rayamajhi is founder of Prairie Bakes, a cloud kitchen that puts a modern spin on recipes inspired by the Canadian cuisines!The recipes are a family secret passed down from generations of grandmother to grandmother and finally brought right here to you in the UAE.  These recipes are deceptively simple, yet packed full of healthy hearty goodness that you know only grandmothers' can deliver.Listen to her story on your favorite show!​

It’s time for y’all to meet Reim El Houni, Executive Producer, Media Strategist, and Founder of Ti22 Films and Mission Visible, a platform helping leaders build their influence through video.With over 25 years in media (starting at the BBC and producing for Expo 2020, COP28, and Dubai One), Reim has built an empire of storytelling, one frame at a time. Her production house, Ti22 Films, has scooped 28 international awards, and her latest passion project, Mission Visible, is all about empowering CEOs to show up confidently on camera. Reim was also named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business (2024)! Listen to this amazing interview exclusively on your favorite podcast!

Prathiba Leo is a formidable entrepreneur with one key goal: coaching clients to gain confidence in public speaking. With clients from across the nation, there’s so much to learn about Prathiba’s story!Don’t miss this awesome episode of the show with this wonderful Business Communications Coach!

After 17 years as a cabin crew member, Andrea started a new job in a different sector, country, and even culture!Andrea Tito is a proud real estate expert working with Crompton Partners - with an incredible journey to share with you. If you’ve ever doubted changing your career, this one’s for you.Listen to Andrea’s story - out now!

Meet Dr Sherif Yehia, an incredible Professor of Civil Engineering from the American University of Sharjah!Dr Sherif Yehia led the invention of a United States Patent product called “Concrete Structural System.” The patent covers a novel conductive concrete mixture that not only carries design loads but also shields essential infrastructure from harmful electromagnetic disruption.The innovation enables structural concrete to carry design loads while shielding critical facilities such as power stations, data centers and communication hubs from harmful electromagnetic pulses and interference. But there’s so much more to this product that you need to hear about - and you’re about to learn all about it!

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, I’m dedicating a special episode of the podcast to discuss our health. I sat with Dr Mufaza Rashid, a family doctor with international expertise, as we discussed women’s health and the trends she’s noticing that we need to be mindful of when it comes to taking care of ourselves. Thank you for raising awareness for this important topic on the show!

Are you all about skincare? Listen to this!Bien-Etre was founded by Aly Rahimtoola, who after a decade of building a traditional skincare brand realised that the standard “one-size-fits-all” approach was not effective in addressing individual needs. This was the catalyst behind the creation of Bien-Etre, a place where science and technology converge in perfect harmony.The company’s dedicated team of scientists and product developers work passionately to translate complex genomic insights into practical, personalised solutions. Don’t miss this exciting episode - out now!

Jazz Ferguson is a professional basketball player turned mental performance coach who empowers ambitious teens and adult leaders to unlock their potential!Founder of Reps With Jazz, he delivers mentorship programs that build resilience, confidence, and the winning mindset needed to succeed in sports and life. Raised in one of Louisville’s toughest neighbourhoods, Jazz overcame early challenges through relentless discipline and focus—qualities that carried him to a 15-year pro career across Italy, France, Australia, and the Middle East.Now, Jazz shares those lessons with the next generation, offering mentorship, workshops, and school talks that inspire young people to rise above obstacles, embrace consistency, and pursue their goals with the mentality of a champion.Listen to his full interview now!

Aaaaand here’s the interview you’ve all been waiting for!The one, the only, Coach Khaled!This incredible man is not only a coach (and incredibly passionate about peoples’ wellbeing in general), but he’s also CEO and co-owner of IGNITE Egypt, an amazing fitness facility that whips up the community into the best shape of their lives - and I’m an example!Hear Coach Khaled talk all things health, his massive career shift and why he doesn’t take the small things for granted in easy-to-achieve daily routines that you can apply to your lifestyle. Don’t walk, run to your favorite podcast hosting platforms!

You need to meet Nadine Walters!A schoolteacher with a mission, Nadine is founder of The Talk, a programme that helps educate teens and schoolchildren on puberty, health, growing pains, and more! Nadine works closely with UAE schools to send a message to both students and parents - that it’s more than okay to talk about our health, puberty, and it’s one of the most important conversations you’ll hear about today.  

Finance wellness consultant? Check! Communications expert? Check!Beth Clay is a trailblazer with both these amazing titles - and her experiences will rock your world. From appearing on Shark Tank to helping clients understand both their finances and brand reputations, there’s nothing Beth can’t do. Hear all about it on your favorite show!

Are you into fitness, business, or just love hearing about really cool stories for the community? This episode is for you!Matthew Mansell is the visionary Founder & CEO of ATHLO - the world’s first flexible fitness and wellness marketplace that’s redefining how people engage with wellness. With a career that bridges professional sport, high-performance finance, and disruptive tech entrepreneurship, Matthew is spearheading a platform that gives users the ability to book, share, and even re-sell fitness classes and memberships-without a subscription! It’s a model designed for today’s on-demand, tech-savvy consumer, and it’s already changing the way both individuals and operators think about fitness access.ATHLO has already grown from just five founding partners to over 150 premier gyms and studios, including F45, Sweat by BXR, Repose, and MAD Lagree, attracting more than 15,000 active users and facilitating thousands of bookings. Now, the brand is bringing its game-changing concept to the UAE! Learn more exclusively on the show. 

Introducing Dr Gloria Esoimeme!As a physician, speaker and negotiation coach, this incredible lady comes with a beautiful story. Find out just how she became a triple threat exclusively on the show!

Calling all fashionistas! I had a great time interviewing the founders of Azi Atelier, a contemporary fashion label born in Dubai from the shared passion of two best friends who bonded over a love for style, creativity, and self-expression. For Fira and Jawaria, what began as a hobby—designing and creating their own outfits—soon evolved into a purposeful brand rooted in empowerment, individuality, and timeless elegance. Don’t miss this exciting episode - out now!

Lorna Bancroft has done something y’all ain’t ever seen before. Founder of Gen X DXB, Lorna has created a safe space for teens and tweens to socialize, developing critical development skills, and without screens or parents around!So - how does this work and why did she create this platform? You know where to find out more!

2ND INNINGS, a UAE-based social enterprise dedicated to enriching the lives of senior citizens, has received the prestigious Ma’an Certification and joined the My Community Dubai App—signifying formal recognition for its work in senior empowerment across the Emirates.Founded by Yash and Sonam Bhayani, 2ND INNINGS is pioneering a refreshing and much-needed model of engagement for seniors living in or visiting the UAE. Through thoughtfully-designed offline and online activities, intergenerational programs, cultural immersions, tech-literacy workshops, and health-focused events, the platform has already touched the lives of hundreds of elders—offering them not just services, but a sense of belonging. Don’t miss this super cool interview on your favorite show!

Alysha Clements is Head of Secondary Sport & PHE at the Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD) - but she’s definitely one of the coolest sports educators and coaches I’ve ever seen!This trailblazer’s football career in the UK spanned over a decade, during which she captained teams, won numerous league titles and trophies, including the Surrey Cup, and played for clubs such as Fulham FC, Tooting and Mitcham, and AFC Wimbledon. Not only is she an award-winning athlete - she has been coaching since she was 14, and one of the players she coached for two years went on to win a gold medal in football for Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Many others have earned athletic scholarships to the U.S. in sports including football, volleyball, basketball, and track and field!Don’t miss Alysha’s incredible interview on your favorite podcast - out now.

As we get older, we’re becoming more focused on our health and particularly our skin. Dr Parul Thakur and Dr Akreti Sobti are board-certified dermatologists and co-founders of Athena Dermatology Clinic in Dubai, a practice known for combining medical precision with a modern, regenerative approach to skin health. And with more women and men in their 40s stepping away from the “anti-ageing” mindset, these incredible doctors are helping the community embrace skin longevity as a more thoughtful, long-term approach to skincare.Listen to their beautiful story!

Award-winning executive coach and leadership trainer Deema Ghata-Aura has helped leaders worldwide unlock their full potential. As the founder of Criterion Coaching, she has worked across the United States, Europe and the Middle East, coaching senior personnel at major organisations, as well as hundreds of entrepreneurs.Now based in the UAE, Deema specialises in supporting professional women over the age of 40 to increase their confidence and enhance their leadership skills. Sounds interesting right? Head over to your favorite podcast, Around The Emirates, to listen to the full episode! 

Sara Beattie is a UAE-based Positive Psychology Practitioner & Menopause Coach. She specialises in supporting midlife women worldwide as they navigate perimenopause, menopause, and the unique challenges of expat life. Not only that - she created two original research projects exploring the lived experience of menopause!Listen to her story to hear all about her journey and find out important insights on menopause, exclusively on the show. 

Lucie Vodickova is a legendary tennis coach with a message for you on how to bring the community together through sport! Don’t miss her exciting story exclusively on your favorite show!  

In a fast-moving world that can often feel overwhelming, one thing has never been more vital: community. For women, especially those living away from their home countries, having a safe, supportive space to connect, share, and grow is a necessity. That’s exactly why platforms like Facebook groups and digital hubs such as That Dubai Girl continue to flourish, offering a much-needed sense of belonging and everyday connection.That Dubai Girl  is now home to a vibrant, private network of over 40,000 women in Dubai. The group has evolved into a trusted space for everything from job leads and career advice to parenting support, healthcare recommendations, or just a late-night chat about life in the city. Listen to TishTash’s Laura Davison, Director of Consumer Marketing, and Allana Leroy, Director of Digital, talk all things marketing, community platforms and influencer strategy to bring concepts like That Dubai Girl to life! 

Mariam Jabbour is Marketing Director at Monty Mobile, a global telecommunications solutions provider empowering mobile network operators, enterprises, and service providers with innovative technologies. With a presence in over 120 countries and 19 regional offices, Monty Mobile delivers cutting-edge solutions in messaging, fintech, eSIM platforms, and so much more! Beyond her career, Mariam is a trailblazer with an incredible story to tell! Tune in to her episode exclusively on your favorite podcast.

وأخيراً حلقة روني بقت جاهزة! احب أعرفكم بروني.   روني شخصية إعلامية معروفة جدًا وكمان رجل أعمال وصاحب مطعم اسمه "مرجوحة". حلقة روني ماتتفوتش! شوفوها وقولولي رأيكم😊Rony's episode is finally ready! I'd love to introduce you to Rony. He's a well-known media personality, as well as a businessman and the owner of a restaurant called "Marjouha." Rony's episode is not to be missed! Watch it and let me know what you think 😊

With over 30 years of global hospitality experience, Siddhartha Sattanathan is redefining luxury service. As the General Manager of the Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills, Siddhartha’s strategic mindset extends beyond guest experience- he also prioritizes his people. His industry influence  earned him a spot on the Hotelier Middle East GM Power List 2024, reinforcing his status as a hospitality leader in Dubai.Listen to Siddhartha talk all things management, building a business and how to lead a balanced lifestyle!