The Saudi Chapter

What happens when you leave the predictability of the West to raise a family in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s fastest-growing era?In this episode of The Saudi Chapter, Aziz sits down with entrepreneur and creator Carmen Lincoln. After growing up in northern Germany, living 7 years in Sydney, and 7 years in London, Carmen and her family made the bold leap to relocate to Riyadh with two toddlers under the age of five.From navigating compound living and experiencing genuine Saudi hospitality to tackling the contrast between Western high-alert parenting and Riyadh’s safety, Carmen pulls back the curtain on the real expat experience on the ground. We dive deep into the cultural power of Tawakkul (trust in God) in business, the mind-blowing development speed under Vision 2030, and why breaking past media headlines is the ultimate key to expanding your worldview.CHAPTERS:00:00 – Why We Left the West: Family, Mindset & Saudi Coffee09:30 – Relocating Toddlers: Pushback, Safety & The London Contrast14:48 – First Impressions vs. Reality: Hospitality & Saudi Women22:42 – Faith in Daily Life: The Power of Tawakkul & Pausing for God30:16 – Life on the Ground: Ramadan Nights, Compound Freedom & Desert Trips34:49 – The Speed of Vision 2030: Building Faster Than Dubai48:27 – The Expat Perspective: Raising Culturally Sensitive Kids & Final AdviceFollow Carmen on Instagram: @carmen_in_the_worldFollow the show on Instagram and Tiktok at: @aziz.alserhan

What is it actually like to pack up your life in Paris and move to Riyadh?In this episode of The Saudi Chapter, host Aziz sits down with Simone De Comptior, a French executive coach who made a bold, leap-of-faith move to Saudi Arabia with her entrepreneur husband. From her initial impressions landing in the July heat to navigating day-to-day life outside of an expat compound, Simone opens up about the reality of living in a country undergoing a massive societal and cultural shift.We dive deep into:The Power of Unplugging: Experiencing her very first Ramadan in a Muslim country and discovering the unexpected peace that comes with shifting from a fast-paced Western hustle to a intentional societal "reset."Identity vs. Environment: How expats handle the mental load of losing their familiar routines (like running along the Seine) and how a local French bakery provides a sweet sense of comfort. The Human Cost of Speed: The internal pressures Saudi men and women face as they rapidly adapt to the bold goals of Vision 2030 and modern technology. The Power of Tawakkul: How moving to Riyadh completely changed Simone’s perspective on stress, success, and learning to leave the results in the hands of God. Whether you’re curious about life in the Kingdom, dealing with your own identity shift, or wondering what the Western media gets wrong about Saudi culture, Simone’s perspective as an observer and coach is a must-watch. Chapters:00:00:00 – Preview: Culturally adapting to the Kingdom 00:03:25 – Leaving Paris: The bold decision to move 00:09:20 – First Impressions: Heat, construction, and landing in Riyadh 00:21:04 – Decompressing: A transformative first Ramadan 00:26:04 – Vision 2030: Modernization vs. Westernization & the mental cost of speed 00:44:22 – Expats & Identity: Dealing with the shift when your environment changes00:55:10 – Adopting Tawakkul: Finding a sense of peace & final messageFollow Simone on Instagram @simone_de_comptoir​

In the premiere episode of The Saudi Chapter, I sit down with Saoirse Gardner, an American expat in Saudi Arabia who relocated six months ago with her husband and son. What began as a major international relocation quickly turned into a journey of discovery, reframing perspectives, and building a new home—and a lasting friendship along the way.Saoirse shares an honest, firsthand look at her family’s transition, breaking down what it’s really like living in Saudi Arabia and navigating daily life, culture, and community in the Kingdom today. Whether you are researching how to move to Saudi Arabia, curious about expat life in Riyadh, or just love stories about human connection across cultures, this chapter is for you.Follow Saoirse on Instagram: @saudisideupLike and subscribe. Share this episode with friends and family.

Telling the expat stories of Saudi Arabia