Launching your own business is exhilarating - but it can also be lonely, terrifying, and full of unexpected challenges. In this episode of the mentl space, Scott Armstrong sits down with Dr. Naim Maadad, CEO & Founder of Gates Hospitality and a judge for 'the mentl awards 2025', alongside Shamia Abdul Aziz, a seasoned marketing leader turned first-time entrepreneur, to explore how mentorship can shape the entrepreneurial journey. From the emotional rollercoaster of leaving corpora...

In this powerful episode of the mentl space, Scott Armstrong sits down with Leah Cotterill, CEO of Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa and a judge for 'the mentl awards 2025'. Filmed at the stunning Folly Brasserie – the official venue for this year’s awards – this conversation explores how mental health, leadership and culture intersect in a fast-paced, high-performing region like the UAE. Leah shares deeply personal stories and professional insights, from managing burnout and leadin...

“Talent will flock to companies that protect their mental health.” In this inspiring episode of the mentl space, we sit down with Mazen Gadir PHD, scientist, strategist, and one of the inspiring judges for the mentl awards 2025. 🌐 Learn more about the mentl awards 2025: https://mentl.space/posts/the-mentl-awards-2025-enter-and-join-our-community-of-hope From his early career in quantum physics to advising governments on healthcare strategy, Mazen shares the science, the stories, and ...

What if leadership wasn’t just about skill but about your brain? In this deeply insightful episode of the mentl space, Scott Armstrong sits down with Jason Levy, founder of Prime Performance Labs, and cognitive neuroscientist Samira Cutts, to explore how brain science, neuroplasticity, and emotional intelligence are transforming leadership in the modern workplace. We talk burnout, hustle culture, emotional regulation, sleep, purpose, and even why your leg strength could determine your...

"Once you come to acceptance, you realise it’s not that bad. If you’re not pushed, you’ll never discover what you’re truly capable of.” These powerful words from Dr. Ahmed Shatila, Neurology Consultant at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, encapsulate his extraordinary journey of resilience after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at just 21 years old. Last year this inspirational medic was honoured in the 11th edition of the Abu Dhabi Awards, presented by UAE President, H.H. Sheikh M...

Is DEI dead - or just misunderstood? In this powerful episode of 'the mentl space' podcast, organisational psychologist and DEI expert Sarah Christensen joins host Scott Armstrong to unpack why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is facing backlash, how it's evolving, and why it's more essential than ever. From navigating shifting gender dynamics in the workplace to creating truly inclusive cultures - not just ticking boxes - Sarah shares honest, energizing insights. As a judge for the m...

< Please note - this was recorded at a live event > "There is no health without mental health. It deserves to be part of every conversation, every system, and every community." That was the message from Her Excellency Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre as leading voices from healthcare, business, and policy came together at Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week to confront one of the sector’s most enduring barriers: stigma. Hosted by mentl as pa...

In this powerful episode of the mentl space podcast, we sit down with David Stockton, CEO of Dulsco Group, for an eye-opening discussion on mental health, leadership, and creating a culture of care in the workplace. 🏆 As the 2024 'the mentl awards' Leader of the Year, David shares his personal journey with mental health, the challenges leaders face, and why prioritizing well-being is not just the right thing to do—it’s essential for business success. 🔹 How leaders can break the stigma and f...

🎙️ Mental Health as a National Priority | HE Maqsoud Kruse on The Mentl Space In this powerful episode of the mentl space: live, we sit down with HE Maqsoud Kruse, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Institution UAE, to discuss mental health as a fundamental human right and a national priority in the UAE. From the groundbreaking UAE Mental Health Law to the 2025 Year of Community, this conversation dives deep into how leadership, policy, and workplaces must evolve to support well-being. ...

Imagine being diagnosed with stage four cancer. How would you react? How would you feel? And how would you go forward from there? Steve Ashby, is a man who received a devastating stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis, and, instead of retreating into silence, chose to rise. Quite literally. In the latest episode of the mentl space, we sit down with Steve, the founder of Rise, a movement dedicated to saving men’s lives through early detection, breaking the stigma around prostate cancer, an...

“It’s not weakness to ask for help — it’s courage." That was the message from one of the fittest men on the planet, as mentl’s Tear Away The Silence campaign took to the stage at a major sporting event in Dubai. As part of the ongoing campaign, supported by global healthcare leader Viatris, an inspiring conversation unfolded with a powerhouse panel featuring World Ironman Champion Sam Laidlow, clinical psychologist Dr. Thoraiya Kanafani (Dr. T), and longevity and nutrition expert Dr. El...

If you look at any study on longevity, you'll see that one thing is key, community. Its presence can extend life, both the length and the quality of it, its absence can shorten it. Loneliness, in particular, is becoming a key factor in the world today, with the World Health Organization calling it a critical health issue, and the US Surgeon General equating it to smoking at least 15 cigarettes a day. So with that in mind, if we asked you, what are your keys of life, what would your ...

"We have to, as companies, allow our staff to feel all their feelings and have a safe place to go.”"Connection is a choice. If you are not choosing connection, you’re choosing disconnection.""You can check your thoughts and you can change them. If you change your thoughts, you change your feelings."Three powerful insights from a conversation packed full of wisdom in the first episode of our inspiring podcast series Tear Away The Silence, supported by Viatris. Tune in now to hear more fro...

World Mental Health Day serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of mental well-being, particularly as this year’s theme is ‘Prioritise mental health in the workplace’ So today on ‘the mentl space’ podcast, Naim Maadad, CEO of Gates Hospitality, sat down with us to press the necessity for companies to not only acknowledge mental health but to actively enhance people’s mental well-being as integral to their business strategies. The CEO discussed the significant changes in conve...

The link between physical health and mental well-being is increasingly recognized as a fundamental aspect of overall health. Episode 55 of ‘the mentl space’ podcast sat down with Harjit Bahia, Chief Medical Officer of ZOI ME, to delve into how physical activity, nutrition, and overall lifestyle choices influence mental health. We explore how, as we all increasingly face the pressures of modern life, prioritising both physical and mental health can lead to enhanced well-being.Vicious...

In a world where we are more connected but lonelier than ever, family and the sense of shelter it provides has perhaps never been more important.The latest episode of ‘the mentl space’ podcast features the inspirational Ben Salmi family from the UK, discussing the importance of mental health and resilience while sharing valuable insights from each family member. The Ben Salmi family are a multiple award winning UK based family of 6 (Sabrina Ben Salmi (the mother), Lashai, Tray-Sean Ben S...

Have you ever worked with somebody, or lived with somebody, that made you doubt yourself? A person who eroded your confidence by constantly denying your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Did they leave you questioning your reality and asking yourself if, as they asserted, it indeed was your fault? In an emotionally charged episode of ‘the mentl space: live’ podcast we tackled narcissism with the New York Times best-selling author of ‘It’s Not You Identifying and Healing from Narcissi...

It’s a constant conversation that never stops. The digital age has ushered in a new relationship between brands and consumers, altering the traditional one-way communication to a dynamic ‘always on’ exchange facilitated by digital platforms like social media and apps such as ChatGPT. On the latest episode of ‘the mentl space podcast’, tackles the evolving landscape of retail, social media's influence, and the impact on mental health in today's interconnected world with Kate Hardcast...

Let's face it – balancing work and family is no easy feat in today’s fast-paced world. That’s why creating parent-friendly workplaces is more important than ever, but the latest research shows that the business benefits of supporting mums and dads are clear.Here in the UAE, the Parent Friendly Label program is encouraging organisations to foster environments that support working parents. But what does that really mean for employees and the economy? We dive into this in the late...

Please note: This episode was recorded at a live event and so be forgiving on the audio.The intersection of technology and society continues to evolve, shaping our daily lives in profound ways, but should we embrace these changes or pull back?In search of answers, ‘the mentl space’ podcast travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Sync Summit, a major conference exploring digital wellbeing and the paradox presented by the evolution of technology. This episode features a number of key speakers as...