The Open Crate is a digital art platform launched by Amina Debbiche, a Tunisian art specialist and Nora Mansour, originally from Lebanon who previously worked with leading art and design entities like Art Basel and Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery. In this episode the two co-founders share how The Open Crate grew from a printed catalog into a private, global platform that secures provenance, organizes collections, and opens access to context, education and insight on the art market in the M...

In this episode Nour takes you behind the veil of the glamorous life of a content creator, from weekly invites to VIP events, to opportunities that are diverse and varied, so does one choose what to show up for? Nour dives deep into the art of saying "no" as a strategy for alignment, credibility, and brand longevity. We share why selective choices build trust, how to decline without guilt, and a real example of Nour walking away from a nostalgic invite to protect the vision. • saying no to c...

Nour Hassan shares her journey from growing up in Saudi Arabia to building The Curation, a platform celebrating art, fashion, design, and culture across the Middle East and beyond. • Born in Jeddah to an Egyptian family with Saudi roots, attending the British International School that shaped her worldview • Credits her international school experience for teaching critical thinking and instilling values of unity, diversity, and acceptance • Early creative passions included art, magazines, and...

Ready for a seasonal transformation? Just as the leaves begin their magnificent shift, your habits can experience a beautiful reset too. After finally embracing a true summer break—eating whatever I wanted and skipping workouts without guilt—I'm now craving structure again. It's that delicious contradiction of human nature: we need both freedom and framework to thrive. This episode walks you through my seven-step F/W reset plan that guarantees you'll enter the New Year feeling physically ref...

What does it take to document a cultural renaissance? Rebecca Anne Proctor never planned to become a journalist, yet her natural curiosity and love for writing led her to the forefront of Middle Eastern art and cultural reporting during its most transformative period. Growing up between America and Italy with an artist mother and writer father, Rebecca's global perspective was shaped early. After completing studies in art history and Middle Eastern Islamic studies, a weekend trip to Beirut s...

We've stopped being original, and it's time to get our uniqueness back. This episode explores how to break free from the clone culture that's making everyone look the same and reclaim your authentic personal style. • The problem of "copy-paste" culture where everyone wears identical fashion items and adopts the same aesthetic • How constant social media exposure erodes our ability to form independent style opinions • The importance of carefully curating who you follow on social media platfor...

What does it mean to create spaces where people truly live, not just exist? Eng. Mohamed Edris, the visionary behind Mabany Edris, shares how his journey from construction engineer to pioneering developer has transformed Egypt’s landscapes—from Sheikh Zayed to Ras El Hekma. Driven by the joy of turning empty desert into thriving communities, Edris builds with purpose: medical facilities, logistics hubs, and residential compounds designed around real needs, not fleeting trends. His landmark p...

Ready to transform your life but feeling overwhelmed by endless social obligations and digital distractions? This episode reveals the counterintuitive secrets to genuine personal growth that nobody talks about. The most powerful life upgrades often come from what you subtract, not what you add. Discover why "leaving early" has become my personal mantra and how the LIFO method (Last In, First Out) has revolutionized my approach to professional events. You'll learn why protecting your social b...

Authentic curation stands as a revolutionary act in a world drowning in sameness. What began as an intentional practice of selecting and editing life's experiences has morphed into a misunderstood buzzword—thrown around by brands without truly grasping its essence. But true curation runs deeper than aesthetic choices; it's about discernment, individuality, and the courage to express genuine opinions. Growing up with parents who naturally curated everything from home décor to conversational t...

The art world thrives on connections – between artists and institutions, across cultures, and through the passionate individuals who dedicate their lives to fostering creative dialogue. Dr. Princess Alia Al Senussi stands as perhaps the quintessential example of this connective power, described by Hans Ulrich Obrist as "the ultimate junction maker" in the global contemporary art scene. As we dive into this fascinating conversation, Dr. Al Senussi takes us through her journey from being a "th...

What happens when a fourth-generation Syrian American decides to revive and reimagine classical Arabic music traditions from New York City? Faraj Abyad takes us on a mesmerizing journey through the microtonal landscapes of Tarab and Maqam theory while breaking industry norms with his original compositions. Raised in a household where the legendary recordings of Sabah Fakhri played alongside his formal studies in jazz and Western music, Abyad developed a unique musical identity that bridges c...

Scent has a powerful ability to transport us through time and space, evoking memories with just one breath. In this riveting conversation with Yasmin Khalil, founder of KŌDO London, we unlock the secrets of luxury home fragrance that honors both indulgence and wellness simultaneously. Yasmin reveals how her Lebanese heritage and interior design background converged to create something truly revolutionary: decadent, food-inspired home fragrances that are potent and non-toxic. After discoverin...

A powerful conversation unfolds at Art Dubai 2025 as three visionary women share their journeys through the evolving landscape of arts education in the UAE. Dean Janet Bellotto of Zayed University, artist-educator Afra Al Dhaheri, and artist-founder of Medaf Studio Alia Hussain Lootah reveal the transformative potential of creative learning while challenging traditional pedagogical approaches. Their personal stories illustrate remarkable transitions—from financial accounting and PR studies t...

Nour Hassan dives into the universal struggle of imposter syndrome, sharing personal stories and actionable strategies to overcome self-doubt and fully own your worth. • Understanding imposter syndrome as a sign of growth rather than inadequacy • Normalizing these feelings by recognizing they affect even the most accomplished individuals • Creating a "confidence file" to document achievements and positive feedback for moments of self-doubt • Learning to separate feelings of inadequacy ...

From construction engineer to environmental researcher to destination visionary — Ibrahim El Missiri's career path defies conventional trajectories while offering profound insights into what makes extraordinary destinations thrive. As the CEO of Soma Bay Red Sea, El Missiri worked on the transformation of a stunning Red Sea peninsula into one of Egypt's premier destinations through strategic vision, innovative placemaking, and a deep understanding of both social and financial capital. The co...

Meet Mai Galal, the visionary stylist who has revolutionized Egypt's fashion landscape through her extraordinary career spanning decades. Far from an overnight success, Mai's journey began with a needle and thread at age eight, crafting homemade outfits for her Barbie dolls and transforming orange peels into artistic expressions. That same creative spirit would eventually lead her to style Egypt's most prestigious event in recent history – the globally televised Pharaohs Parade. In our conve...

In this episode out founder Nour Hassan steps into the world of fashion, resilience, and creativity with Anne Mehany, co-founder of Maison Mehany. In this episode, we explore Anne's extraordinary journey from a young girl captivated by fashion to a leader in the Egyptian luxury design scene. Driven by passion, her inspiring story unfolds through layers of personal loss, including the death of her father and the journey she endured while discovering her path in the challenging world of fashion...

This episode emphasizes essential steps for successfully starting a podcast, especially in the MENA region. We explore niche identification, the importance of storytelling, production practices, localization marketing, and monetization strategies. • Define your niche with a regional angle • Emphasize storytelling to build audience connections • Start production without perfection • Market your podcast tailored to the MENA audience • Understand monetization and d...

Join me as I take you through my updated morning routine! From mindful habits to productivity hacks, this routine helps me start my day with energy and focus. I include wellness tips, skincare, fitness, and how I set the tone for a successful day. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content like this and let me know what you'd like to see next as part of my Monday Monologues [MM] where I pick a topic and speak about it solo! Reminder: Make sure to click the CC button on You...

Join me, Nour Hassan, for a conversation with the incredibly talented Aya Abdelhamid, an Egyptian renowned makeup artist and beauty influencer who shares her inspiring journey in the beauty industry. From her unique upbringing in Cairo, where she was surrounded by actors and celebrities, to her rise as a respected figure in the makeup and winner of Charlotte Tilbury Arabia MUA of the Year Award, Abdelhamid opens up about her aspirations to create a lasting legacy for her family name. Her stor...