Forward_Moves

On creativity as resistance — and why making something from where you come from is never entirely innocentThere is a word Raja was initially hesitant to use in this episode. The word is resistance. Not the confrontational kind — not the kind that announces itself. The quieter kind: the insistence on being seen, on telling your own story rather than having it told for you, the daily decision to make something from where you come from, knowing that in the current climate that act carries weight whether you intend it to or not.None of the guests in this episode frame their work as resistance. A supper club, a jewellery collection, a gallery, an online radio station, a sound art practice, a restaurant. None of them look the same. All of them function as exactly that — evidence of a culture that is richer and more complex than prevailing narratives tend to allow.The episode's central argument: when you argue with the wrong story, you feed it. When you replace it — when you produce something so true and so full of life that the wrong story becomes less credible without you ever engaging it — that is how the narrative actually shifts.Voices in this episodeRadio Alhara  —  Palestinian online radio station founded during COVIDAhmad Halawa  —  Palestinian chef and founder of Ysupper clubs in Dubai. Nadine Kanso  —  Lebanese jewellery designer and founder of Bil Arabi. Amrita Sethi  —  Sound artist and founder of Soundbite. Sunny Rahbar  —  Co-founder of The Third Line gallery in Dubai. Basil Yassin  —  Founder of Yava restaurant in Dubai.Omar Al-Gurk  —  Emirati designer and founder of Modu Method. Chapters 00:53  Intro 03:08  Radio Alhara 05:20  Ahmad Halawa on his supper clubs06:46  Nadine Kanso on September 11th as the trigger07:29  Raja on the broader principle09:24  Amrita Sethi on pioneering a form that had no precedent11:39  Sunny Rahbar on coming back12:39  Basil Yassin 14:13  Omar Al-Gurk on the 1960s and 70s14:43  Closing argumentSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Every single person featured across three seasons of Forward_Moves lives between two places. Some between two countries. Some between a homeland they can access and one they cannot. Some between the person they were expected to be and the person they turned out to be.What Raja expected to find in the archive was pain around that in-between state: a longing for resolution, for belonging to one place or another. What he found instead was almost exactly the opposite. The between is not where the problem lives. It's where the work comes from.This episode explores what happens when you stop fighting the in-between and start creating from it — and what that has produced for five very different people, across five very different disciplines.Voices in This EpisodeBady Dalloul  —  French-Syrian multimedia artist. Has been unable to visit Syria since 2009. His matchbox drawings — hundreds of tiny scenes, entire narratives compressed into the size of your palm — carry the weight of a homeland transformed into imagination. Salma Mousfi  —  Lebanese singer and creator of Salma Nova. Lives between Paris and Beirut, belonging fully to both. Her album Salma Nova was written from the frustration of wanting to return to Lebanon during the 2006 war — and being unable to. Sumayya Dabbagh  —  Saudi architect. Moved from Saudi Arabia to England at 13 — a jolt that became the most important question of her life. Her buildings, including the Gargash Mosque in Dubai, give others the sense of belonging she had to work hard to find for herself. Ahmad Halawa  —  Palestinian chef and founder of supper clubs in Dubai. Has never been to Palestine, yet carries it in every dish. He makes maqlubeh from memory — reconstructed by feel in a Cairo kitchen when he was a student abroad. Yousef Anastas  —  Co-founder of Radio Alhara, the Palestinian online radio station founded during COVID lockdown. Named Alhara — the neighborhood — because the neighborhood is not a location. It is a feeling of gathering. Ricardo Karam  —  Lebanese broadcaster and founder of TAKREEM. Runs every morning on the Beirut Corniche, greeting the same faces, buying kaak from the same vendor. Chooses to remain in a city that gives him every reason to leave. Key Moments 00:00:35  Raja introduces the episode's central discovery: that the in-between is not the problem — it's the studio.00:02:52  Bady Dalloul on what happens when you can't go home: grief, and then imagination. The phase that comes after loss.00:04:47  Salma Mousfi on landing in both Paris and Beirut and feeling, both times, that she is home. 'I'm lucky.'00:06:52  Sumayya Dabbagh on the jolt of moving to England at 13: 'It really jolted me into thinking — who am I?'00:08:26  Ahmad Halawa on carrying a homeland he has never seen: 'Palestine was engraved in us since we were kids.'00:10:10  Yousef Anastas on Radio Alhara: the whole world as part of the same neighborhood.00:12:03  Ricardo Karam on why he stays in Beirut: the same faces every morning, the same kaak vendor, the same beautiful smiles.00:13:39  Raja's closing thought: 'Home is not a place. Home is the clarity about who you are that makes every place a little bit possible.'Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What does it actually mean to honour a tradition? In this recap episode, Raja Haddad revisits 6 conversations from the archive to explore a single, essential distinction: the difference between preserving the ashes and keeping the fire alive. The title comes from Mohamed Maktabi, heir to a Persian carpet legacy stretching back to his grandfather in Beirut, who described Iwan Maktabi as a forward-thinking brand that keeps the fire alive. Not the ashes but the fire. It's a distinction that turns out to run through the work of every guest in this episode. Guests revisited:Mohamed Maktabi: 3 generations deep in one of the Arab world's most storied carpet traditions, Mo's philosophy isn't preservation for its own sake. It's understanding what the tradition was actually doing and finding ways to keep doing that in the present. Nada Debs: The Lebanese-Japanese designer went to a Damascus workshop and asked a craftsman who spent 3 months inlaying mother of pearl to strip everything back to the underlying geometry. By removing centuries of decorative convention, she made the logic of the craft visible for the first time and produced work that is simultaneously ancient and completely contemporary. Anthony Maalouf: The Lebanese architect shared the origin story of the Dabke: Lebanon's celebrated folk dance started as roof maintenance. Neighbours gathering before winter to seal each other's homes, the stomp and rhythm emerging from the work itself. Anthony carries that same logic into his practice. When restoring Salon Beyrouth, he used the same marbles, brass, and woods Lebanese craftsmen used in the 1950s and 60s. Basil Yassin: The Palestinian culinary creator behind Yava in Dubai doesn't replicate his mother's recipes. He traces the principles behind them - the olive oil, the sumac, the generosity of the Palestinian table - and builds new forms around those principles.Amad Mian: The perfumer's anchor is jasmine as a specific memory - his grandmother, a house, a smell that meant safety and home. That specificity is what makes the scent resonate across Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, the UAE. Hani AlMalki: The Saudi food writer and Bedouin Foodie invokes the Japanese concept of shokunin - the master craftsman devoted to a lifetime of one thing - and asks why we don't celebrate our own version of it.  Don't reach for the generic version of your heritage. Go to the specific as that's where the life is. Chapters:00:00 Intro00:01 Mo Maktabi: Keeping the Fire Alive00:03 Nada Debs: The Visible Craft00:04 Anthony Maalouf: The Origins of Dabke00:07 Basil Yasin: New Forms around Original Principals00:09 Amad Mian: Scent Memory00:11 Hani Al Malki: The Sukonins among usSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What does it actually look like when someone changes course? In this recap episode, Raja Haddad revisits 5 conversations from the archive and finds a common thread running through all of them that reframes how we think about pivotal moments.The insight at the heart of this episode: we tend to tell success stories backwards. We start at the destination and trace a line back to the beginning, making the turning point sound inevitable. But almost none of the people Raja spoke to knew they were in a pivotal moment when they were living it. The leap wasn't a moment of clarity but a moment of honesty. Guests revisited:Natalya Urmanova - After 15 years thriving in luxury fashion, Natalya didn't leave for photography. She left for nothing. Photography came after, finding herself in the space the leaving created. She talks about what it means to be "leaving to nowhere" and why that might be the most honest description of a real leap. Zain Massoud - 15 successful years directing art fairs and curating collections across cities. What stopped her wasn't failure but the uncomfortable gap between what she was good at and who she actually was. A landscape design course taken alone during COVID, in an empty flat changed everything. Bader Najeeb - Founder of Burnt Orange Café, Bader turned down a full culinary scholarship to finish his accounting degree. Then he spent 6 months in that accounting job to prove to himself that it wasn't for him. He calls it closing the what-if permanently. Salma Mousfi - Known for years as the voice behind the celebrated Monodose album, Salma eventually stepped back, lived her life, and returned to music entirely on her own terms. Salma Nova, written partly from the anguish of being unable to return to Lebanon during the 2006 war, is not a sequel. It's a completely different statement from a different artist. Sunny Rahbar - Founder of the Third Line Gallery in Dubai, Sunny nearly closed the gallery during COVID after 15 years. A friend's question, what would you do instead? produced an honest answer: nothing. Because the gallery wasn't what she did. It was what she was. She refocused, returned to the original spirit of what she built, and calls where she landed Sunny 3.0. In every story, the leap was not a bet on something external. It was a decision to trust something internal: an instinct, a sense of self, a recognition that the person they were becoming had drifted too far from who they actually were.Chapters00:00 Intro 02:30 Nataalya Urmanova: Leaving to Nowhere04:10 Zain Masud: Excellence is The Trap06:35 Bader Najeeb: Testing it Out08:15 Salma Musfi: Away from Success10:57 Sunny Rahbar: Leap Back to The Start13:15 Closing wordsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What if the identity question isn't something to resolve before you start creating, but the creative material itself?In this first episode of the Forward Moves recap series, Raja revisits 38 episodes across 3 seasons and surfaces the thread that runs through nearly every conversation: identity. The guests who've done the most original, durable work aren't the ones who figured themselves out early. They're the ones who learned to live inside the uncertainty and made it productive.Voices from the archive:Bady Dalloul (French-Syrian multimedia artist) says answering the identity question will take a lifetime and means it without frustration. That open-endedness is what keeps driving him back to the studio, and into the fictional nations, invented archives, and miniature worlds that define his practice.Nada Debs (designer) spent years treating her Japanese upbringing and Arab heritage as 2 separate things she had to keep apart. The breakthrough was realising she didn't have to. East and East, she calls it.Amad Mian (founder, Dastaangoi) started from a place of shame about his Pakistani identity and built an entire fragrance and storytelling house in order to change that. He didn't wait to feel proud. He created in order to get there.Nadine Kanso (founder, Bil Arabi) was galvanised by September 11th, watching people around her become afraid of their own Arabic names. Her response was to make the Arabic language the most visible, celebrated thing she could. The brand name itself is the statement.Ricardo Karam (media personality, founder of the Takreem Foundation) has spent 3 decades arguing, through thousands of hours of conversation, that the Arab world is richer and more extraordinary than the prevailing narrative allows. What we need, he says, isn't a new identity but a return to what we already have.Nez Gebreel (co-founder, Dubai Design Week) stopped seeing her layered British, Arab, Italian, Greek and Turkish influences as a conflict to manage and started treating them as a creative advantage. Why can't I be all of them? she asks, and means it as a creative position, not just a personal one.Meshary Al Nassar (Kuwaiti interior designer) offers the most freeing take of all: no one knows what they're doing. We're all figuring it out. We're all humans for the first time.00:00:00:00 – Cold Open00:03:29:08 – Intro00:05:56:18 – Bady Dalloul00:07:59:23 – Nada Debs00:09:52:04 – Amad Mian00:11:29:02 – Nadine Kanso00:13:30:15 – Ricardo Karam00:14:42:13 – Nez Gebreel00:16:02:05 – Meshary AlNassar00:17:11:24 - OutroSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

History has always been a point of view. Bady Dalloul has built his entire practice around proving it. In this episode of Forward Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down in Paris with Bady Dalloul—French-Syrian multimedia artist whose work spans drawing, collage, objects, and installation—to trace a practice built on imaginary nations, miniature archives, and the deliberate blurring of fact and fiction. From inventing fictional countries with his brother during summers vacationing in Damascus when they were young, to a lesson in Byzantine art history that cracked open everything he thought he knew about who gets to tell the story, Bady's work is less about documenting history and more about exposing how it's made. He didn't plan any of it. He was just a kid cutting pictures out of his grandparents' books to fill the scrapbook pages of an imaginary nation called Badland. What followed—fine arts training in Paris, exhibitions from Tokyo to Doha, and a major traveling work, Land of Dreams—reads less like a career and more like a lifelong question that keeps getting deeper. This episode outlines what it means to make work that protects the people whose stories it carries—and why, for Bady, working small is never a limitation. It's an invitation. You will listen to different narratives: The genesis: Inventing Badland and Jadland with his brother during Damascus summers—and why that childhood game never really ended History as point of view: The Byzantine art history lesson that revealed official knowledge as constructed—and gave Bady license to intervene Growing under magnificent trees: Finding his own entry point as the son of two established artists Fiction as protection: How blurring fact and fiction can be an act of care—making difficult testimonies listenable without stripping them of their truth The matchbox as archive: Working at human scale, and why forcing viewers to lean in sets the pace of how a story lands Land of Dreams: Drawing parallels between his own migration to Japan and his parents' journey from Syria to Paris Bady's story is a reminder that the most powerful archives aren't always the official ones. Sometimes they're drawn in miniature, on a matchbox, by someone who had to invent a country just to have somewhere to put everything they felt. Tune in, subscribe to the show, and join us as we chart the creative journeys shaping the Middle East. And if you feel like it, share your thoughts by sending us a message. Until then—keep moving forward. Episode Timeline: 00:01:25 - Welcome & Introducing Bady Dalloul00:03:33 - Growing Up Between Paris and Damascus 00:08:06 - Badland and Jadland: The Genesis00:12:46 - Art History as Point of View00:15:34 - Finding Your Own Shade00:17:22 - Archive, Intimacy, and the Daily Drawing Practice 00:19:31 - Blurring Fact and Fiction00:24:37 - The Matchbox Series00:30:15 - Living and Working in the Same Space00:32:19 - Japan, Migration, and Land of Dreams00:41:41 - Can Art Change History?00:43:11 - Rapid Fire Questions Connect with Bady Dalloul Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badydalloul/ Website: https://thethirdline.com/artists/79-bady-dalloul/ Connect with Raja Haddad | Forward_Moves YouTube | Spotify | Apple PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/forward_moovzRaja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Some artists define an era. Salma Mousfi lived through several—and mademusic in every one of them, redefining each of them..In this episode of Forward Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down in Pariswith Salma Mousfi—the Lebanese singer whose voice became inseparablefrom Ziad Rahbani’s legacy through the cult classic album Monodose— totrace a life that refuses to hold still. From rehearsing in bomb shelters as atwelve-year-old in wartime Beirut, to belting Madonna covers that caughtthe ear of Lebanon’s greatest musical genius, to recording a Bossa Novaalbum inspired by her war-canceled move back to Beirut in 2006, Salma’sstory is one of constant reinvention driven not by ambition, but by sheernecessity to live.Salma didn’t plan to become a central figure of Middle Eastern avant-garde music. She was just a teenager who had to sing to exist. Whatfollowed—a decade-long collaboration with Ziad Rahbani, years ofstepping away from the spotlight to raise children and run a shop inGrasse, a pivot to jewelry design in Paris, and now a return to the stagewith a tribute to the mentor she lost—reads less like a career and morelike a life fully inhabited.This conversation explores what it means to carry a legacy without beingcrushed by it. It’s about the politics of being a Lebanese woman expatwho reinvents herself not by choice but by circumstance. About recordingan album over one summer with two babies and no expectation it wouldmatter—26 years before it still does. And about why Salma believes everymusician who ever played with Ziad owes it to him to perform his musiclive.This episode explores:• The Beirut that made her: Growing up during the civil war,rehearsing in shelters, and why music wasn’t an escape—it wasproof of existence• The discovery: How an 18-year-old singing Madonna covers at aBUC concert caught Ziad Rahbani’s attention and changedeverything• Monodose, unplanned: How Lebanon’s most beloved jazz albumwas made with no expectations, two babies in tow, and a summer’sworth of recording sessions• The Salma sound: Emotional but never melodramatic—how shelearned to live the meaning of a song without letting it tip intoperformance• Salma as collaborator, not muse: The moments she pushed back,and why Ziad listened• Salma Nova: Writing a Bossa Nova album while displaced by the2006 war—an expat’s love letter to a home she couldn’t return to• Keeping Ziad alive: Why she believes his legacy must be performed,not just streamed—and the 22-year-old musician from France whomight carry it forward• Two homes: What it means to land in Paris and feel home, then landin Beirut and feel home tooSalma’s story is a reminder that the most enduring voices aren’t the onesthat shout the loudest—they’re the ones that keep showing up, in shelters,in studios, in borrowed apartments, on stage. She is proof that a creativelife doesn’t need a plan. It just needs the refusal to stop.Tune in, subscribe, and join us as we chart the creative journeys shapingthe Middle East. Until then—keep moving forward.Episode Timeline:00:01:14 - Welcome & Introducing Salma Mousfi00:03:05 - The Night Ziad Heard Her Sing00:06:10 - Singing to Survive: Music in Wartime Beirut00:08:37 - Musical Influences: Stevie Nicks to Astrud Gilberto00:09:13 - How Ziad Structured Her Voice00:12:44 - Recording Monodose: A Collaboration, Not a Commission00:19:44 - The Birth of Salma Nova00:24:11 - Women Expats and Constant Reinvention00:26:43Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What can a Dubai-based food obsessive and a regional fragrance founder teach corporate leaders? In this special recap of two Forward Moves conversations, host Raja Haddad weaves together key moments from food writer and curator Hani AlMalki (Bedouin Foodie) and Dastaangoi co‑founder Amad Mian.Through six themes—identity, memory, integrity, craft, technology, and curiosity—the episode explores how food and scent become tools to reclaim cultural narratives, build trust, and design unforgettable experiences. You’ll hear how Hani “documents excellence” instead of chasing hype, why Amad built a brand “from the region, for the region,” and where both of them draw the line between scale and soul.In the final minutes, Raja turns these creative insights into a practical mirror for the corporate world:• How clear identity helps you say no to the wrong opportunities• Why emotional memory beats campaigns in building true brand equity• What it looks like to protect integrity under commercial pressure• How “Shokunin” craft cultures can exist inside large organizations• Ways to scale technology and reach without losing human connectionWhether you’re a corporate leader, brand builder, or simply someone who cares about the stories behind what we consume, this episode offers a fresh, regional lens on what it means to move forward—without losing ourselves.Connect with Raja Haddad | Forward_MovesYouTube | Spotify | Apple PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Some people post food photos. Hani AlMalki asks why it matters.In this episode of Forward_Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down with HaniAlMalki — the Dubai-based food writer, curator, and culinary entrepreneurknown as Bedouin Foodie. Born in Jeddah to a Syrian father and Palestinianmother, exposed early to Michelin-starred dining through family ties with JeanPaul Guerlain, Hani developed a palate shaped by culture, migration, andcraftsmanship.This episode covers the full arc — from the communal table we're losing to thedelivery culture killing the dining experience, from Michelin's evolving businessmodel to the rise of owner-operated restaurants where the real gold is found. Andit ends with how Hani channeled all of it into a signature French onion soupburger.This is not a conversation about food trends.It’s about preserving meaning.This episode explores:● Documenting excellence over chasing clicks: The shokunin philosophy,hole-in-the-wall gems, and why substance beats sensation● Food as cultural identity: Tracing dishes across borders — from Hejazipilgrims to Indonesian murtabak to Japanese dumplings● The death of the spectator: Why delivery culture is eroding the diningexperience, and what we lose when food becomes just consumption● Michelin, marketing, and who pays for stars: The business modelbehind culinary recognition in the UAE and Saudi Arabia● Creating a signature dish: The story behind the French onion soupburger — and why it can never be ordered onlineHani's story is proof that integrity builds something algorithms can't manufacture.That the most trusted voices aren't the loudest ones. And that the best meal you'llever have might be in a six-stool pizzeria in Tokyo, made by one person who hasspent a lifetime perfecting the dough.Tune in, subscribe, and join us as we chart the creative journeys shaping theMiddle East. Until then—keep moving forward.Episode Timeline:00:01:05 - Introduction and guest bio00:05:17 - Developing a palate00:08:12 - Turning OCD and ADD into a creative superpower00:11:34 - Research methodology and the holistic dining experience00:13:10 - The shokunin principle00:15:31 - How food travels across cultures and borders00:18:32 - Integrity, bad reviews, and UAE legal parameters00:23:13 - Dubai as a culinary melting pot00:26:17 - The Michelin star obsession00:29:45 - Losing the communal table — and who's bringing it back00:33:17 - The death of the spectator00:38:20 - Dubai vs. Saudi: different diners, different scenes00:40:18 - Michelin's business model and what it means for the region00:50:56 - Creating the French onion soup burger00:54:13 - Rapid fire roundConnect with Hani AlMalki | Bedouin Foodie | Food UnScripted PodcastSubstack: https://bedouinfoodie.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bedouinfoodie Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zoDC0zSHKpzWyDW9XZO5d Linktree: https://linktr.ee/HaniAlMalki Connect with Raja Haddad | Forward_MovesYouTube | Spotify | Apple PodcastInsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Some brands sell candles. Dastaangoi ignites memories.In this episode of Forward Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down with Amad Mian—co-founder of Dastaangoi, the Dubai-based luxury home fragrance brand turning cultural heritage into scent. What started as free Zoom storytelling events during lockdown has become something far more personal: a fragrance house where jasmine is your grandmother's morning ritual, orange blossoms are Damascus afternoons, and daffodils transport you to Kashmir valleys you've never seen.Amad didn't start this to sell products. He started it to answer a painful question: how do I make sure my daughter is proud of being Pakistani when I spent years ashamed of it myself? The answer came through scent—the most visceral carrier of memory we have. No added notes to jasmine. No dilution for Western markets. Just stories specific enough to transport you, open enough for you to write yourself into them.This is about a founder who learned perfumery by researching spice markets as ancient medicine, not just cooking ingredients. Who makes candles with custom wax blends because Gulf homes are bigger and hotter. Who does pop-ups himself because he wants to see people close their eyes and smile—or cry—when they smell home. It's about building something from the region, for the region, without asking permission from global luxury's playbook.This episode explores:● Reclaiming identity through scent: Why fragrance became the vehicle for teaching his daughter what he had to learn as an adult ● Research over formula: Starting with landscape, poetry, and lived experience—then building the fragrance ● Authentic vs. appropriated: What it means to create for your community instead of performing it for outsiders ● The open story: Making scents specific enough to transport, loose enough for anyone to project their own memory ● Artist residencies as core: Why bringing creatives together isn't marketing—it's who they are ● Scaling with soul: How to grow globally without losing the pop-up conversations that make people cry● Amad's story is proof that the most powerful brands aren't polished—they're honest. Dastaangoi shows us that cultural storytelling doesn't need validation from international markets. It just needs courage to say: this is us. Tune in, subscribe, and join us as we chart the creative journeys shaping the Middle East. Until then—keep moving forward.Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Some radio stations broadcast content. Radio Alhara creates neighborhoods.In this episode of Forward Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down with YousefAnastas and Saeed Abu Jaber—two of the five founders behind Radio Alhara, thePalestinian online radio station that turned quarantine isolation into globalconnection. What started in March 2020 as friends dropping audio files into ashared drive has become something far more radical: a sonic public square wheresound becomes resistance, gathering, and everyday life all at once.Yousef and Saeed didn't set out to build a platform. They built a neighborhood—one without borders, curators, or institutional funding. No agenda. No plan. Justan open calendar and a simple invitation: play what you love, not what the clubdemands. Sunday morning sets over Saturday night bangers. Cooking showsalongside protest takeovers. 11,000 shows that exist but aren't archived—becausesometimes the most radical act is to let something be ephemeral.This episode explores:● Openness as curation: Why they ask DJs for "Sunday morning, notSaturday night"—unlocking personal music collections nobody hears atclubs● The anti-institutional move: Rejecting funding to stay DIY, messy, andhonest—avoiding agendas and the flattening of culture● Radio as political gesture: How lending someone a sound card in anothercity becomes resistance—local networks going global● The archive question: Why 11,000 shows remain inaccessible by design—"you either listen or you miss it"● Radio from anywhere: How a station rooted in Bethlehem became ablueprint for any place that struggles for somethingYousef and Saeed's story is a reminder that the most powerful projects aren'tdesigned—they're lived. Radio Alhara is proof that cultural resistance doesn'tneed permission, funding, or a five-year plan. It just needs people willing to pressplay.Tune in, subscribe, and join us as we chart the creative journeys shaping theMiddle East. Until then—keep moving forward.Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Every chapter needs space to breathe — and this one earned it. In this paused episode of Forward Moves, host Raja Haddad steps back from the past 2 episodes to reflect on four truths from his exchanges with Ricardo Karam and Natalya Urmanova. This isn’t a recap. It’s a reckoning. Raja explores the tension many leaders quietly live with: the gap between who you are and who you’ve become in the pursuit of success. He reflects on leaving comfort behind, on careers that look right on paper but feel wrong inside, and on why real growth rarely announces itself loudly. Across corporate leadership and entrepreneurship, four reflections cut through the noise: • Identity is not a title — it’s defined by values, not positions. • Courage is not fearlessness — it’s clarity about which fear matters more. • Structure serves freedom — discipline creates space for spontaneity, not rigidity. • Don’t stay in yesterday — forward movement requires honesty, not certainty. From boardrooms to startups, this episode speaks to anyone questioning alignment, success, and what it truly means to move forward. If you’re feeling restless, that’s not a flaw. It’s a signal. 🎧 Listen, reflect, and keep moving forward Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

 In this episode of Forward Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down with Dubai-based portrait photographer Natalya Urmanova inside her exhibition Whimsical World for a deeply personal conversation about fear, reinvention, and the art of seeing beyond the surface. Raised around her father’s darkroom and shaped by 15 years in luxury fashion, Natalya shares how she walked away from the corporate world with “shaking legs,” only to discover photography as a portal into a parallel world — one where she could finally live, feel, and create freely. Known for her cinematic black-and-white portraits, Natalya speaks about photographing essence rather than faces, why she builds meticulous visual worlds only to surrender to spontaneity, and how fear often signals forward motion. From her first exhibition — and the vulnerability behind it — to why she believes in never “staying in yesterday,” this episode is a powerful reflection on creativity, courage, and choosing honesty over certainty. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Forward Moves for conversations shaping the creative economy in the Middle East and beyond. 🔗 Connect with Natalya Urmanova Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urmanova_imagery Website: https://www.urmanovaimagery.com 🔗 Follow Forward Moves YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves X / Twitter: https://x.com/forward_moovz Raja Haddad: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj 📌 PINNED COMMENT Natalya says: “The fear of staying was much bigger than the fear of leaving.” What’s something you’ve felt called to walk away from — even without knowing what comes next? Share your thoughts below If this conversation resonated, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the episode with someone navigating their own creative leap. Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

 � In this powerful episode of Forward Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down with renowned Lebanese media personality, entrepreneur, and TAKREEM Foundation founder Ricardo Karam for an unfiltered conversation about dignity, identity, and the power of human connection.  🇱 �  Taped in Beirut, Ricardo reflects on decades of interviewing world leaders, artists, and everyday people — not as a collector of names, but as a listener driven by curiosity and purpose. He speaks candidly about what he believes the Arab world has lost, why identity is rooted in values rather than geography, and how globalization and imitation have diluted authenticity. 📌This episode explores: • Why Ricardo believes “we lost our dignity as Arabs” — and how it can be restored • The power of curiosity and treating every human encounter equally • Resourcefulness over resilience in the Lebanese experience • The turning point from personal success to purposeful impact • How TAKREEM is reshaping the global narrative about Arab excellence• What the next generation must carry forward to shape the future At its core, this conversation is a reminder that progress isn’t always loud. And that moving forward begins with remembering who we are. 🎧 Listen, watch, and join the conversation. 📩 Subscribe for more stories shaping the Middle East .Connect with Raja Haddad | Forward_Moves@octoraj, and @forward_movesConnect with Ricardo [email protected] us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

In this in-between-episodes reflection, host Raja Haddad unpacks the firstconversations of Chapter Three with Basil Yassin and Anthony Maalouf. Instead ofrecapping, Raja dives into four reflections: heritage as creative fuel, innovation asadaptation, human connection as the real metric, and the power of owning yourstory before someone else writes it for you.This episode is a breath, a reset, and a reminder that moving forward starts withknowing where you come from.🔥 Remember• Heritage as Creative Fuel — your roots aren’t static; they’re raw material.• Innovation Through Adaptation — progress rarely arrives in idealconditions.• Human Connection Over Features — people remember how you madethem feel.• Own Your Story — speak your narrative before it’s written for you.🎧 Subscribe on your favorite audio platforms so that you don’t miss any episode.Download, share it, and if you like it give us a five star rating.🤟 Until then, keep on moving forward !Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What does it mean to preserve culture through cuisine? In this candid conversation, host Raja Haddad sits down with Basil Yassin — the culinary creator behind Yava and Tonton Bakes, two of Dubai’s most talked-about dining concepts. From Musakhan Pretzel to caramel-dipped mini croissant pops, Basil blends Palestinian heritage, creative experimentation and bold entrepreneurship to build food experiences that are anything but traditional. 🤟 Basil opens up about: • Leaving a corporate career to pursue hospitality • Using Palestinian ingredients to tell a different kind of story • Why team culture is the true “ingredient” behind great dining • The struggle to prove identity in a city that moves fast • Riding the wave of social media — but not letting it define him • The future of his brands — and the dream of a beachfront boutique hotel 🎧 Whether you love food, culture, business or just a good story about taking risks and staying rooted, this episode will inspire you to create — and keep moving forward. 📍 Visit Yava & Tonton in Wasl 51, Jumeirah — and taste the story for yourself. 📺 Subscribe for more episodes featuring the creative forces shaping the Middle East. #BasilYassin #YavaDubai #TontonBakes #ForwardMovesPodcast #DubaiRestaurants #PalestinianCuisine #CreativeEntrepreneurs #CulinaryInnovation #MiddleEastCreatives #FoodIdentity #Gastronomy #Entrepreneurship #HospitalityIndustry #FoodCulture #DubaiFNB #FounderStories #PodcastShow Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Chapter 3 is finally here, and with it the deep personal conversations with thought leaders of the creative community in the Middle East continue to share lived experiences and life hacks to move forward.In this episode host Raja Haddad sits with architect Anthony Maalouf—the mind behind iconic Lebanese spaces like Dar Zefta and Salon Beyrouth—for a heartfelt conversation about design, heritage, and the stories that architecture carries. Anthony reflects on his early influences, the responsibility of building in a country of many histories, and why tact, curiosity, and humility lie at the heart of timeless design. From Lebanon’s layered architectural identity to the role of mentorship and adaptation, this episode is a compelling look into how spaces can honor the past while shaping the future.What’s inside this episode:How the Dabkeh dance was created.(can you insert a dancing emoji here)🖼️ The many design influences on Lebanese architecture 🏛️Challenges facing architecture and particularly Lebanese architecture  ⚖️ Striking a balance between innovation and heritage to forge an identity .🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify,Amazon, Anghami, and Apple Podcasts.🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share!#Forward_Moves #AntoineMaaloufArchitects #LebaneseArchitecture #Architecture#HeritageDesign #CulturalPreservation #DarZefta #SalonBeyrouth #ArchitectureStories #MiddleEastCreatives #DesignWithSoulFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forward.movesX: https://x.com/forward_moovz Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Anthony: https://www.instagram.com/antoinemaaloufarchitects/Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

The journey toward the 3rd chapter of Forward_Moves has been a thoughtful one, in true fashion of any movement… forward.In this transition episode, Raja Haddad distills the key themes from the past 25 episodes, sharing his insights on:Identity as action, transmission, and habitatCreativity as storytelling, and balancing the flow with the chaseThe common misunderstandings of resilienceTune in, reflect, and join Raja as he paves the way for what’s next. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite platform, and as always, keep moving forward.Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What role does art and creativity play in advocacy and forging an identity? How to valance passion and entrepreneurship , and how important are communities in transmitting stories within cultures? 🙌🏽🎙️ The season 2 final episode wraps up the diverse themes shared by the 12 wonderful guests over the past 3 months, with Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad picking up cards and reflecting on these different topics: Identity & Cultural Reclamation Creativity as AdvocacyMentorship & Community Spirituality & Sacred PracticePassion vs Profession Legacy & the Future Emotional Resilience and Inner Work 🎧Whether you downloaded all episodes and want to revisit them, or simply catch up on episodes past and join the conversation, this season finale promises to connect all the dots and bring you up to date with what’s on the minds of the creative community though leaders. 📍Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What do chocolate, culture, and choosing your own path have in common? One Emirati chef. In this episode of Forward_Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down with Chef Bader Najeeb, pastry chef, chocolatier, and founder of Burnt Orange, for a deliciously honest conversation about baking, identity, and doing what truly moves you.From making fondant in his childhood kitchen to opening one of Dubai’s most soulful cafés, Bader shares how desserts became his language for storytelling, for self-expression, and for staying true to his roots.In this episode:- From home baker to Swiss culinary school- Chocolate as an emotional, cultural connector- Managing pressure, perfectionism & online noise- Building Burnt Orange with soul, not trends- Embracing Emirati identity while thinking globally📌 Whether you're a foodie, creative, or founder, this is your reminder that the best things come when you follow what actually matters to you.🎧 Watch now on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.#Forward_Moves #ChefBaderNajeeb #BurntOrangeDXB #CulinaryCreativity #EmiratiVoices #Chocolatier #Foody #Chef #EmiratiChef #DubaiCafes #MiddleEastCreatives #dubai #abudhabi #mydubai #dubailife #inspiration #uaefood #followforfollow #chocolatechefb #burntorangechocolatierFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Chef Bader: https://www.instagram.com/chef.b/?hl=enFollow Burnt Orange: https://www.instagram.com/burntorangechocolatier/?hl=en Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:24 Meet Chef Bader02:23 Early Inspirations and Family Influence04:13 Challenges of Being a Self-Taught Chef06:02 Discovering Fondant and the Path to Pastry09:42 Balancing Passion and Practicality14:10 Pursuing Culinary Dreams15:03 From Accounting to Culinary Arts17:46 The Scholarship Dilemma21:55 Embracing Social Media and TV Experiences24:16 Opening Burnt Orange Cafe24:35 The Courage to Quit25:18 Support from Friends and Family27:23 Handling Feedback and Criticism35:30 Innovations in the Culinary World43:59 Future Aspirations and Advice49:10 Final ThoughtsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What does it mean to build beauty with purpose?In this episode of Forward_Moves, host Raja Haddad is joined by Zain Masud, a London-trained art world professional turned landscape designer, who is reshaping how we experience space, memory, and nature in the Middle East.🎙️ In this episode, we explore:- Zain’s journey from the global art scene to land-based design in the Arab world- Why she views nature as storytelling—and gardens as living archives- How beauty, emotion, and identity are layered into space- Designing spaces that heal, include, and speak to a deeper sense of belonging- Letting go of perfection and trusting the process of reinventionZain’s gardens are not just visual—they’re emotional, ancestral, and bold in their quiet defiance.🌱 This is an episode about starting over, looking inward, and designing spaces that feel like home.👉 Watch the full episode now on YouTube, or tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Zain: https://www.instagram.com/zainmasud/?hl=en Follow Zain’s Studio: https://www.instagram.com/studiozainmasud/ Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Song Choice00:19 Personal Connection to The Beatles01:17 Life Advice and Personal Growth02:22 Welcome to the Show02:40 Guest Introduction: Zain Maud04:13 Early Influences and Love for Nature08:52 Career Transition and New Beginnings18:14 The Art of Garden Making28:27 Exploring the Urgency of Climate Change29:32 The Invitation to Learn and Discover30:37 Earliest Memories of Gardens33:10 Navigating Career Challenges37:06 Creating Poetic Spaces41:04 Sources of Inspiration50:13 Imagining the Inner Garden53:25 Concluding Thoughts and ReflectionsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Can a room tell a story?In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with Meshary Al Nassar—renowned Interior Architect & Cultural Storyteller—to explore how space, memory, and identity intertwine.From rearranging furniture at age 12 to leading his own interior design studio, Meshary opens up about his career and personal journey.📍 Highlights include: – Designing for emotion, not prestige – Reclaiming Arab identity through storytelling – Turning rejection into motivation – Why every object holds meaning – The beauty of grief, stillness, and slowing down🎧 Now streaming on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. 🔔 Subscribe for more stories from the Middle East’s creative changemakers.Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Meshary: https://www.instagram.com/studiomesharyalnassar/?hl=en Chapters:00:00 Introduction 01:42 Meet the Guest: Meshary Al Nassar03:58 Meshary's Early Inspirations and Family Influence04:45 Discovering Interior Design06:59 The Art of Spatial Design09:46 Creating Inclusive and Welcoming Spaces13:27 Passion Projects and Personal Identity24:09 The Importance of Vulnerability and Authenticity26:43 Exploring Emotional Intimacy27:21 Tools for Decompression29:12 Overcoming Personal Challenges32:57 Facing Rejection and Finding Motivation37:52 The Journey to Acceptance and Connection39:47 Future Aspirations and Legacy46:06 The Fantasy of Disappearing48:02 Final ThoughtsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Can a single dish carry the weight of heritage, memory, and identity?In this episode of Forward_Moves, host Raja Haddad sits down with Chef Ahmad Halawa, the Palestinian culinary artist bringing people together—one plate at a time.From childhood memories in his family kitchen to launching a supper club in Dubai, Ahmad shares how food became his way of preserving culture, connecting communities, and telling stories that words sometimes can’t.Plus, a special scoop: Ahmad announces his upcoming restaurant in Dubai.📌 This is more than a conversation about food—it’s about home, legacy, and why a good dish sometimes just needs to hug you.🎧 Now on YouTube & all major podcast platforms.Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Ahmad: https://www.instagram.com/chefhalawa Chapters:00:00 Introduction 00:23 The Role of Music in Life00:59 Meet Chef Ahmad Halawa02:46 Early Culinary Influences08:44 Cooking Journey Begins in Cairo15:19 Starting a Supper Club18:49 Meeting Interesting People19:27 Memorable Dishes and Their Meanings22:18 Impact of Fast-Paced Life on Food24:05 Preserving Culinary Heritage25:58 This or That: Fun Food Preferences30:14 Connecting Through Food34:51 Future of Palestinian Cuisine35:53 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

🎙 How do you honour your purpose and find joy in the process? In this heartfelt episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with multidisciplinary musical artist Fadi Rifai to explore the power of creativity, community, and self-discovery.From Sufi sound journeys and musical theatre to letting go of labels, Fadi shares how he moved from self-doubt to full-time artistry—turning personal healing into soulful expression. 💡 If you're navigating your own creative leap or seeking meaning through expression, this one’s for you.🎤 Topics include:- Taking the leap into full-time artistry- Sufi poetry, music, and spiritual process- Creativity as healing, not performance- Community as a mirror and safety net- Self-love, vulnerability & emotional truth📌 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts! #Forward_Moves #CreativeJourney #ArtAsHealing #MiddleEastCreatives #SufiPoetry #SpiritualArtistry #AuthenticExpression #arabartist #arabicart #arabiculture #tanweerfestival #arabicmusic #musicalFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Fadi:https://www.instagram.com/fadirifaai/?hl=en Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Song's Emotional Impact02:12 Introduction 04:11 Fadi's Artistic Journey and Background07:26 Finding and Following Your Passion14:45 Balancing Passion and Practicality18:13 The Role of Sufi Poetry and Music24:04 Navigating the Artistic Path26:50 Integrating Sufi Journeys27:37 Navigating Emotions and Purpose28:14 The Power of Practice28:35 Facing Disappointments29:13 The Inner Work31:40 Recognizing Musical Success32:00 The Metamorphosis Event33:02 Liberation Through Music36:58 Spirituality in Music44:24 Community and Collaboration48:17 Emotional Reflections51:04 ConclusionSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

From rebranding Victoria Beckham to redefining Arab identity! Welcome back to Forward_moves! In this bold and thought-provoking episode, Nez Gebreel, Creative Luxury Strategist, joins Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad to unpack what it means to reclaim Arab identity, challenge cultural stereotypes, and lead with curiosity and creativity.🔍 You’ll hear about:Her journey from London to Dubai and beyondWhy grassroots craftsmanship matters more than everPersonal stories of trauma, healing, and mentorship🎧 Stream now on YouTube & all major podcast platforms.Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Nez:https://www.instagram.com/nezarella/?hl=en Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Music Choices03:13 Guest Introduction03:49 Nas Giri's Career Highlights05:27 Cultural Identity and Creative Expression16:53 Challenges and Opportunities in Dubai's Creative Industry22:38 Critique of Mentorship Expectations23:32 Question from Sue Holt: Future of Creative Industry in the Middle East24:18 Stability and Regional Collaboration25:44 Challenges of Identity and Community28:36 Defining Success and Personal Fulfillment33:06 Marketing and Changing Perceptions42:22 Advice to a Younger Self45:58 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Silence, sound, and the soul of a region. In this powerful episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Raja Haddad and Lina Nahhas sit down with Shelley Frost—harpist, entrepreneur, and founder of The Fridge—to explore the art of listening, the magic of mentorship, and the evolution of the Middle East’s grassroots music scene.🎧 In this episode:- Building The Fridge and Dubai’s independent music ecosystem- What Icelandic silence revealed about creativity- Artistic self-worth vs. commercial rates- Curating the Arab League’s historic ceremony at UNESCO- Embracing failure, feedback, and reinvention- The power of reimagining heritage for modern audiences📌 A must-watch for creatives, cultural leaders, and anyone tuning into their next move.🎙️ Now streaming on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.#forward_moves  #ShelleyFrost #TheFridgeDubai #SoundOfSilence #WomenInMusic #CreativeLeadership #MiddleEastCreatives #CulturalCuration #UAEArts #ArabicCulture #ArbicArtists Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Shelley:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-frost-333b7a38/ Keep up with The Fridge: https://thefridge.me/Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Discussing the Piece of Music01:52 Meet Shelley Frost03:14 Shelley's Musical Journey07:28 The Love for Performing Arts08:48 Creating Moments Through Music11:30 Championing Local Talent21:00 The Impact of Silence22:13 The Sound of Silence22:54 Common Mistakes Artists Make24:32 Navigating the Art Scene in Different Regions26:11 Embracing Failure as an Artist27:32 The Role of Mentorship29:05 Transitioning from Musician to Entrepreneur31:00 The Importance of Self-Worth38:05 Creating Meaningful Performances38:27 A Memorable UNESCO Performance44:27 Concluding ThoughtsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What does it take to build billion-dollar businesses and empower the next generation of founders across MENA? In this episode, Raja Haddad sits down with Noor Sweid, VC powerhouse, author, and Shark Tank judge. Noor shares her journey from scaling IPOs to reshaping the region’s entrepreneurial future.🔍 What to expect:The story behind Coming of Age, her bestselling book on MENA startupsHow Zen Yoga taught her more than a billion-dollar IPOBuilding a VC firm that backs 68+ startups across 3 continentsThe rise of the creator economy and MENA’s digital leapHow to find your zone of genius—and why it mattersAdvice for young founders and women in venture capital📌 Whether you're a founder, investor, or curious creator, this episode is packed with insight, clarity, and inspiration.🎧 Now streaming on YouTube & all major podcast platforms.Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Noor:https://www.instagram.com/noor_sweid/?hl=en chapters:00:00 Introduction01:12 Welcome to Forward Moves01:41 Meet Noor Sweid: A Trailblazer in Venture Capital04:22 Noor's Journey: From Biotech to Yoga06:13 The Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship07:56 The Evolution of Work and Entrepreneurship11:22 Addressing the Funding Gap in MENA14:28 The Role of Women in Venture Capital17:04 Introducing 'Coming of Age': Stories of MENA Founders20:21 Embracing New Technologies20:42 Regulation and Founders' Stories22:56 Media Evolution and Personal Growth26:33 The Rise of the Creative Economy31:33 Investment Opportunities and Challenges33:54 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs38:01 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What does it mean to truly belong, and can design help us find our way home?In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with pioneering designer Nada Debs, whose work blends heritage and modernity, craft and culture, East and East.Born in Lebanon, raised in Japan, and shaped by a global perspective, Nada opens up about her journey of reconciling identity and how it shaped her powerful design philosophy—handmade & heartmade. She shares how her deep love for craft became a vehicle for storytelling, spiritual connection, and healing.🔍 Inside the episode:- The story behind her signature design language East and East- Why sacred geometry and craftsmanship are meditative acts- How design became a way to reclaim cultural pride- Navigating duality and staying authentic in a globalised world- Why belonging, intuition, and community are central to her work📌 Watch now to explore how Nada Debs transformed personal struggles into a global design philosophy.🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.#Forward_Moves #NadaDebs #CulturalDesign #CraftAndStorytelling #EastAndEast #ContemporaryArabDesign #SacredGeometry #DesignWithSoul #MiddleEastCreatives #LebanonDesign #LebanonDesigner #UAEDesign Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Nada:https://www.instagram.com/nadadebs/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/studionadadebs/?hl=enchapters:00:00 Music Picks01:43 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest03:18 Nada's Journey: From Japan to the Arab World08:29 Discovering and Reviving Middle Eastern Craftsmanship16:57 Creating a Modern Arab Identity Through Design22:37 Pride in Cultural Heritage22:42 East and East: A New Design Philosophy23:01 Balancing Opposites in Design23:32 The Designer's Intuition and DNA24:18 Storytelling Through Furniture25:15 Craftsmanship as Meditation27:12 Embracing Duality and Identity31:45 The Role of Community and Belonging35:38 Navigating the Competitive Design World36:52 Trusting Intuition and Staying Grounded40:11 Final ThoughtsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What happens when tradition meets bold vision in the world of design? In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with Mohammad Maktabi, the creative force behind Iwan Maktabi, to explore the powerful intersections of heritage, innovation, and personal transformation.From a family of renowned carpet merchants to a design visionary, Mohamed’s story blends tradition, bold reinvention, and timeless craft.🌱 Discover how the self-proclaimed “city boy” became a nature enthusiast. 🧵 Hear how he brought ancient craft into the future. 🌍 Learn how Iwan Maktabi evolved from a Beirut boutique to a regional design powerhouse, now shaping Dubai’s creative landscape.Whether you're a design lover, entrepreneur, or creative thinker, this episode is full of rich insights on finding your voice, embracing change, and honoring where you come from.📍 Available now on YouTube and all podcast platforms 🔗 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy the episode!Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Mohamed: https://www.instagram.com/iwanmaktabiofficial/ https://www.instagram.com/mo_maktabi/chapters:00:00 Introduction 00:31 Discovering a Love for Nature01:59 Meet Mohammad Maktabi03:22 Early Beginnings in the Family Business07:04 The Influence of Family and Education08:23 Blending Tradition with Modern Design09:59 The Importance of Craftsmanship18:31 Power of Repetition and Mastery19:32 A Question from a Friend22:19 A Journey to Istanbul22:58 Father's Reaction to Patchwork Carpets24:06 Blending Tradition with Modern Trends25:13 Collaborations and Creative Challenges30:29 Facing Setbacks and Perseverance33:47 The Philosophy of Acceptance38:37 Establishing a Flagship Store in Dubai41:15 Future Vision and Community Engagement43:33 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Welcome back to Season 2 of Forward_Moves! Hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down for a raw, face-to-face conversation with Sunny Rahbar, co-founder of The Third Line gallery in Dubai. Together, they trace Sunny’s journey from post-9/11 New York to pioneering one of the region’s most impactful contemporary art spaces.🎨 What You'll Hear • How a personal crisis after 9/11 became a catalyst for cultural change • Founding Bidoun magazine and The Third Line  • The role of art in reshaping narratives about the Middle East • Mentorship, community, and the real work behind sustaining a gallery • Sunny’s vision for the future—from gallery leadership to artist retreats in natureIf you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone passionate about creativity and cultural legacy, this episode will speak to you.🔔 Watch now and share with someone who needs a creative spark. 🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.#Forward_Moves #SunnyRahbar #TheThirdLine #MiddleEasternArt #WomenInArt #DubaiArtScene #ArtistMentorship #ArtLeadership #CreativeEntrepreneurship #CulturalLegacyFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Sunny: https://www.instagram.com/sunra77/ Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Season 2 kicks off with an inspiring conversation between hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad and special guest Asmaa Al Shabibi, co-founder of Lawrie Shabibi Gallery and a key figure in Dubai’s evolving art scene. What’s Inside This Episode?🏛️ How Asmaa transitioned from corporate law to curating groundbreaking art exhibitions.🖼️ The early days of the Dubai Art movement & how it became a global hub.🎨 Challenges Middle Eastern artists face & how galleries help shape their success.⚖️ The fine balance between art, business, and passion in the creative industry.Asmaa’s story is a masterclass in reinvention, risk-taking, and resilience. Whether you're an entrepreneur, artist, or someone navigating career shifts, this conversation has valuable insights for you! 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share!#Forward_MovesPodcast #DubaiArtScene #Art #Gallery #MiddleEasternArt #Creativity #Entrepreneurship #ArtAndBusiness #NewSeason #ArtDubai2025Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Asmaa: https://www.instagram.com/lawrieshabibi/ Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:31 Discussing Music Preferences and Misconceptions02:03 Meet Asmaa Shabibi02:50 Asmaa's Background and Career Journey05:59 The Leap from Law to Art13:14 Challenges and Entrepreneurial Insights17:21 Differentiating in a Competitive Art Scene20:22 Life in Bahrain and Cultural Mix21:26 Advocating Through Art22:21 Middle Eastern Art Perceptions24:00 Challenges for Young and Mid-Career Artists27:37 Balancing Passion and Profession31:07 Finding Time for Hobbies36:23 Reflections and Future Plans38:56 Final ThoughtsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

In this face-to-face season finale episode of Forward_Moves, co-hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad open up about the origins of the podcast and their shared mission to celebrate art, creativity, and human connection.From the emotional depth of music to the transformative power of gratitude, this conversation explores how awareness and movement shape our identities and relationships.🔍 What’s Inside:- Raja’s perspective on movement—how life is always in motion and the importance of flowing with its joys and challenges- Lina’s journey from the corporate world to founding The Sameness Project—a social innovation movement fostering empathy and connection- Why gratitude, awareness, and mentorship are essential for navigating life’s challengesThrough intimate stories and reflective insights, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that life moves forward—and it’s up to us to embrace the journey.👉 Watch now for a deep dive into art, identity, and the human spirit.#Forward_Moves #HumanConnection #Art #Identity #Gratitude #Movement  #NewPodcast #NewEpisode #ArabicArt #ArabicCommunity #UAE #Dubai Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Is success about pushing harder—or knowing when to surrender? In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas & Raja Haddad talk to Dina Ghandour, a wellness expert and entrepreneur, about her journey from corporate PR to yoga, energy healing, and conscious entrepreneurship.Dina now leads yoga sessions, workshops, and retreats worldwide. As a certified Usui Reiki master, she specializes in energy healing and is a skilled womb and fertility massage therapist, helping women reconnect with their bodies.In this episode, she shares: ✨ How yoga changed her life from age 15 ✨ Her leap from corporate PR to founding yApparel ✨ Navigating uncertainty & embracing change ✨ The commercialization of yoga & staying authentic ✨ Breaking societal norms & finding true belongingA powerful conversation on growth, resilience, and redefining success. Watch now!🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories! Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Dina: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswithdina/?hl=en Chapters:00:00 Introduction: The Power of Music02:29 Meet Dina Ghandour03:11 Dina's Journey: From UAE to the US03:48 Discovering Yoga: A Life-Changing VHS08:49 Transition to Entrepreneurship15:52 Challenges and Reflections21:06 The Evolution of Yoga Practice23:22 The Shift from Community to Commodity24:35 The Impact of Modern Life on Well-being27:15 Exploring Artistic Expression30:29 The Role of Rebellion in Self-Expression33:51 Questions from the Audience37:06 Reflecting on Belonging and Community41:35 Creating a New Online Space42:49 Closing WordsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

What does it mean to create? Emirati designer and entrepreneur Omar Al Gurg, founder of Modu Method, believes everything is a reinvention—an evolution of what already exists. In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad explore Omar’s journey of balancing architecture, furniture design, and storytelling while drawing inspiration from his Arab roots and global experiences.Here’s what you’ll learn: 🔹 Creativity & Reinvention – Is anything truly new?🔹 The Power of Tactile Design – How sensory experiences shape our world.🔹 Balancing Business & Art – Merging structure with freeform creativity.🔹 Nature & Playfulness – How solitude, curiosity, and the natural world fuel creativity.🔹 The Boldness of the ‘70s – Why Omar admires this era for its fearless self-expression.From childhood museum visits to shaping the future of sustainable design, Omar’s story is a testament to curiosity, adaptability, and passion. 🎧 Tune in for a deep dive into the intersections of art, business, and personal growth. ✨#Design #Creativity #Entrepreneurship #Forward_Moves #SustainableDesign #Architecture #InteriorDesign #EmiratiDesigner #Dubai #UAEFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Omar: https://www.instagram.com/oalgurg/?hl=en Chapters:00:00 Introduction 01:32 Influence Of the ‘80s02:18 Omar AlGurk's Background03:45 Creative Philosophy and Challenges06:22 Balancing Creativity and Business09:34 The Role of Sensory Experience18:20 Navigating Client Relationships22:47 Maintaining Work-Life Balance23:29 Struggling with Work-Life Balance23:50 Finding Stillness in Nature26:44 The Importance of Alone Time27:00 Living in Dubai and the Need for Solitude29:04 The Healing Power of Activities31:02 Books and Their Influence37:12 Mentorship and Community42:22 Advice to the Younger Self44:19 Concluding ThoughtsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Can sound become art? Can technology reshape storytelling? 🎨🎧In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas & Raja Haddad sit down with Amrita Sethi, a former banker turned award-winning digital artist and an NFT artist in the UAE. She pioneered Soundbite Art, blending AR, VR, and blockchain to bring sound waves to life in visual form. 🌊From a career in banking to pioneering digital art, Amrita shares: ✅ How a retreat in Goa reignited her creativity ✅ Navigating traditional art vs. crypto spaces ✅ The concept behind Bucket Monsters and personal growthAn inspiring conversation on art, technology, and NFTs—don’t miss it!🔔 Like, comment & subscribe for more!#Forward_Moves #AmritaSethi #NFTArt #DigitalArt #AR #Blockchain #Creativity #ArabicArt #Art #ArabicCulture #inspiration #uae #dubai #soundbite chapters:00:00 Introduction02:46 Amrita Sethi's Background05:10 Journey into Economics and Banking07:33 Spiritual Awakening and Artistic Rediscovery11:27 The Birth of Soundbite Art15:34 Navigating the Art and Tech Worlds20:44 Challenges and Success in the NFT Space24:07 The Gatekeeping of Traditional Art24:56 Embracing the Crypto World25:58 The Fine Line Between Chasing and Attracting27:50 Navigating the Art and Tech Fusion31:13 The Concept of Soundscapes38:55 The Bucket Monsters Analogy43:59 The Role of Tech in Art49:03 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

🌟 Meet The Mind Behind Karrouhat 🎶This episode of forward_moves explores the journey of the musical project Karrouhat, which beautifully fuses Arabic heritage with global sounds. Hosted by Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad, the conversation dives into balancing a career in telecom engineering while crafting music with friends to performing on global stages like Paris Fashion Week.🎧 Why should you tune in?- Discover how childhood, family values, and a love for Arabic pop shaped creativity- Hear the inspiring story of how a last-minute DJ set led to a groundbreaking Arabic music experience.- Learn about the philosophy of "radical honesty" and how it fuels authenticity in life and art.- Get an inside look at the upcoming project, “Back to Home,” which reflects the return to roots and creative essence.🎙️Tune in for an inspiring journey of music, heritage, and authenticity with Karrouhat! 🎶#forward_moves #Karrouhat #ArabicMusic #Authenticity #MusicJourney #podcast #musicpodcast #arabiccultureFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Karrouhat: https://www.instagram.com/karrouhat/?hl=enSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Step into the world of Stefania Nazzal, where vibrant colors collide with tactile textures to create sensory masterpieces! Our hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad dive into Stefania’s artistic journey—from her fascination with numbers to her unique approach with materials like strings and everyday objects. 🔑 What you’ll learn:-How Stefania’s deep connection with numbers shapes her art -The art of transforming everyday materials into thought-provoking pieces -Breaking free from comfort zones and embracing creative evolution -Overcoming challenges and staying authentic in a competitive art world Get ready to be inspired by her story of perseverance, reinvention, and artistic passion! Like, comment, and follow to keep up with the latest insights from the world of art and creativity! 🎧💬Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Stefania: https://www.instagram.com/stefania.nazzal/ chapters:00:00 Introduction 00:55 Welcome to Forward Moves01:19 Meet Stefania Nazzal03:59 The Influence of Numbers in Art05:51 Living in Different Cultures07:13 Artistic Inspirations and Transitions09:50 Early Career and Education13:46 The Role of Material in Art16:06 Unscripted Questions from Friends17:09 The Rainbow Phenomenon21:33 Evolving Artistic Meanings22:19 Impact on Dubai's Creative Community22:38 Facing Criticism and Copycats24:13 Navigating the Art Market27:55 Organic Growth in the U.S.31:25 Balancing Creativity and Commerce34:11 Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone37:17 Advice to Younger Self and Future Artists38:34 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Discover the Secrets to Luxury Branding with Ayman Fakoussa 🌟In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad explore the successful journey of Ayman Fakoussa, co-founder of The Qode, Dubai’s leading luxury brand communications agency. Ayman shares how he turned personal challenges into opportunities, built his network of support, and reshaped luxury branding in the Middle East.✨ Highlights:Launching The Qode during a pivotal moment in the industry.Fostering team motivation and long-term client relationships.Resilience, emotional management, and staying composed under pressure.The power of trust, curiosity, and adaptability in business and life.🎥 Tune in for invaluable insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and overcoming challenges! #LuxuryBranding #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #Forward_Moves #TheQode #Marketing #LuxuryMarketing #EventManagement #Podcast #NewPodcast #Inspiration #SuccessStoryFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/ X: https://x.com/forward_moovz Lina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/ Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/ Follow Ayman: https://www.instagram.com/aymanfakoussa/?hl=en  Follow The Qode: https://www.instagram.com/theqode/?hl=en Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Forward_Moves! 🎙️ This week, your hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with the talented Mariam Yehia, creator of the acclaimed fashion label Mrs. Keepa. Mariam opens up about her path to success, the challenges she overcame, and how her cultural duality shaped her unique voice in the world of fashion.🔑 Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:Mariam’s Background: Growing up in a French-Egyptian household, balancing two vibrant cultures, and how this influenced her creative perspective.The Story of Mrs. Keepa: From a personal nickname to a celebrated brand blending eclectic, multicultural influences.Lessons in Creativity: Why an organic, unstructured approach has been key to Mariam’s authentic success.Personal Growth: Reflecting on pivotal moments, embracing her identity, and finding inspiration in life’s unpredictability.Mariam also shares her philosophy on fashion as a storytelling medium, the power of cultural heritage, and the importance of staying curious and unpredictable in both life and creativity.🎧 Tune in now to uncover the stories, lessons, and inspirations behind Mariam’s journey and the legacy of Mrs. Keepa.🌟 Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with your friends. Let’s keep moving forward!#Forward_Moves #MariamYehia #MrsKeepa #FashionAndCulture #CreativeDesign #CulturalHeritage #StorytellingThroughFashion #PodcastEpisodes #Inspiration #Fashion #Designer #ArabicCulture Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/X: https://x.com/forward_moovzLina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/Follow Mariam: https://www.instagram.com/mrskeepa/?hl=enFollow Mrs Keepa: https://www.instagram.com/mrskeepaofficial/?hl=enSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Explore the Inspiring Journey of Faissal El-Malak on the latest Forward_Moves Episode!This week, Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with Palestinian artist, healer, and vocalist Faissal El-Malak. From launching a fashion brand to creating award-winning vocal and film projects, Faissal’s journey is one of creativity, resilience, and cultural connection.🌟 What You’ll Discover:- Faissal’s artistic beginnings across the Middle East and Europe.- Global achievements in fashion, art, and vocal projects.- The impact of connecting with his Palestinian roots.- Reflections on resilience, vulnerability, and redefining success.Faissal’s story is a testament to innovation, meaningful storytelling, and the magic of honoring heritage.👉 Tune in and let Faissal’s journey inspire you!#FaissalElMalak #Forward_Moves #PalestinianArtist #Creativity #Resilience #CulturalIdentity #ArtAndHealing #PodcastInterview #ArtisticJourney #InspirationFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/X: https://x.com/forward_moovzLina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/Follow Faissal: https://www.instagram.com/faissalelmalak/?hl=en Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Join hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad on the Forward_Moves as they explore the remarkable journey of Sumaya Dabbagh, a renowned Saudi architect whose work bridges cultural heritage and modern design. Sumaya’s story is a testament to the power of authenticity, self-awareness, and creativity.In this episode, Sumaya shares:✨ Her transition from Saudi Arabia to the UK at 13, navigating identity and adaptability.✨ Rediscovering her Saudi roots in Paris and blending them with Western influences.✨ Founding her architectural practice in Dubai's multicultural landscape.📌 Don’t miss this compelling conversation, packed with insights on life, creativity, and meaningful impact!#SumayaDabbagh #Saudi #Architect #ForwardMoves #Architecture #CulturalHeritage #PersonalGrowth#Podcast #ArabicCulture Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/X: https://x.com/forward_moovzLina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/Follow Dabbagh Architects: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDbkbR0TW7c/?hl=en&img_index=1 Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Uncover the Artistic World of eL Seed Welcome back to Forward_Moves. On this week’s episode, Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad welcome the internationally acclaimed artist, eL Seed. Renowned for blending Arabic calligraphy with contemporary street art, eL Seed’s work transcends borders, weaving themes of identity, coexistence, and humanity. What you’ll discover:eL Seed’s journey from a young dreamer to a global art icon.How his Tunisian-French heritage shaped his unique artistic style.Using art to break stereotypes and connect cultures.Life lessons on discipline, resilience, and creativity.🎧 Tune in to hear how eL Seed’s art transcends borders and inspires change.👉 Watch now to explore art, identity, and humanity like never before!#eLSeed #ArabicCalligraphy #ForwardMovesPodcast #ArtAndCulture #Creativity #IdentityFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forward_moves/X: https://x.com/forward_moovzLina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_movements/Raja’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoraj/Follow el Seed: https://www.instagram.com/elseed/?hl=enSend us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe. 

Welcome to the very first episode of Forward_Moves!Join Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad as they sit down with the remarkable Nadine Kanso—renowned designer and creative visionary—to explore her journey of self-discovery, boldness, and resilience.Nadine shares the lessons she wishes she’d embraced earlier, the importance of staying true to your identity, and how to turn challenges into opportunities. Her story is a true testament to perseverance and authenticity.Looking for inspiration or a spark to keep moving forward? This first episode of Forward Moves is a must-watch!Like, comment, and share your thoughts! Don’t forget to hit subscribe to join us as we kick off this exciting new podcast series!Send us Fan MailSupport the showDownload. Share. Subscribe.