Send us a text Welcome to a powerful and unfiltered episode of The Playground Podcast. This week, Shamim sits down with one of the UAE’s most influential voices, Dr. Maya Al Hawary, for a deep dive into the realities of modern parenting, mental health, and marriage. In this honest and emotional conversation, we cover: 💔 Why more couples are divorcing and delaying marriage 👩‍🍼 The traditional “Nafas” & Postpartum period and why it matters today 🧠 What to do when your partner is str...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Playground Unfiltered, host Shamim Kassibawi sits down with three guests to unpack real and raw messages from our listeners—because parenting isn’t always picture-perfect. We dive into: A working mum’s guilt—juggling a career and missing out on precious moments with her kids. A husband who feels he lost his wife after they became parents. A new mum feeling lonely and unsupported, contemplating divorce. A mum struggling with overbearing in-laws and ...

Welcome to the first episode of Playground Unfiltered, a special series on The Playground podcast where no topic is off-limits. Host Shamim Kassibawi is joined by three incredible guests to dive deep into the unspoken challenges of modern parenting.In this candid conversation, we explore:Managing time with family members when their values don’t align with yours.The struggle of losing yourself after becoming a mum.The role of nannies in family dynamics.Emotional journeys through IVF and the st...

In this captivating episode of The Playground Podcast, host Shamim Kassibawi sits down with Real Housewives of Dubai stars and entrepreneurs, Caroline Stanbury and Sergio Carrillo. Join us for an exclusive, no-holds-barred conversation that goes far beyond the glitz and glam of reality TV. Caroline and Sergio open up about life beyond the cameras, sharing insights on their entrepreneurial journeys, future business plans, and upcoming projects.They don’t shy away from the personal either – Car...

In this warm episode of The Playground Podcast, our host Shamim Kassibawi sits down with Principal Lisa, a beloved figure known as the "godmother" to countless children in Dubai. With a huge following on social media and a reputation for being a beacon of support to families, Principal Lisa shares her inspiring story. Growing up, she always knew she wanted to support families and work with children. From juggling her training as a teacher while raising three kids of her own, to dedicatin...

In this enlightening episode of The Playground, Shamim Kassibawi welcomes Zahra Abdalla, a mother of three teenage boys, award-winning cookbook author, entrepreneur, and creative director. As the first mother of teenagers to join the podcast, Zahra brings a fresh and insightful perspective to the conversation.Join us as Zahra shares her journey and wisdom on:Manifestation: Zahra delves into how she practices manifestation and its impact on her life.Love for Reading: Discover her favorite book...

Welcome to another insightful episode of "The Playground Podcast"! This week, we're thrilled to have our first male guest, the renowned media personality and father of three, Hassan Al Sheikh. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of modern-day parenting with Hassan, who shares his wisdom and experiences on raising children in today's fast-paced world.In this episode, Hassan opens up about the challenges and joys of keeping cultural traditions alive while navigating the influences of the o...

In this heartfelt and candid episode of The Playground, we sit down with Tala Ardalan, a new mother who bravely shares her journey through the challenges of parenting during the 2020 Covid pandemic. Tala opens up about the two years she battled depression, the struggle to manage her social circle, and the empowering process of learning to say no and doing things her way with her child.Listen as Tala discusses her unique approaches to discipline, her favorite brands for both mom and baby, and ...

In this heartfelt episode of The Playground, we are joined by the incredible Dina Butti, an Egyptian/Canadian TV presenter, content creator, and voiceover artist. Dina, a mother of two energetic boys, shares her deeply personal journey through motherhood, starting with the shocking moment she lost her job the same week she discovered she was pregnant.Dina opens up about her battles with anxiety and the pressures of self-imposed expectations and body image issues. She candidly discusses how th...

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Playground! Today, we are thrilled to have the incredibly multifaceted Nina Zandnia as our guest. Nina, a Persian/Swedish dynamo who grew up between New York and Sweden, is now making waves in Dubai. As a TV Presenter, United Nations Speaker, Producer, Director, Public Speaker, and Moderator, Nina has had a vibrant career that started at the young age of 14 when she hosted a children's show.In this episode, Nina shares her deeply personal and inspi...

In this emotionally charged episode of The Playground, we sit down with Alana, a Dubai-based American expat whose journey through motherhood has been marked by profound loss and resilience. After experiencing the devastating loss of her first baby at 20 weeks, just before her wedding in Italy, Alana embarked on a journey to break the silence surrounding miscarriage and infant loss.Launching her Instagram account, ＨＵＭＡＮ | ＩＮＧ, Alana sought to create a safe space for women to share their storie...

🎙️ Welcome to another insightful episode of "The Playground," where we navigate the world of parenting with expertise, empathy, and a touch of humour. In this episode, our esteemed guest, Dr. Alya Alsuwaidi, an Emirati conscious parenting expert, joins us for a heartfelt conversation on the challenges parents face and the transformative power of conscious parenting.👶 As we delve into the episode, Dr. Alsuwaidi shares her wisdom on handling tantrums, addressing iPad/gaming addiction, and debun...

🎙️ Get ready to step into the glittering world of the Real Housewives of Dubai on this special episode of The Playground Podcast! In this riveting interview, Shamim Kassibawi sits down with the multi-talented Taleen Marie, the newest sensation to grace the cast. Known for her prowess as a singer/songwriter, fitness entrepreneur, advisor, and investor, Taleen takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the glamorous but demanding life of a Real Housewife and devoted Mum. 👑 Join us as Taleen ...

Welcoming a new baby is a thrilling yet challenging journey for every family. In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Cecile, a revered midwife with decades of invaluable experience supporting new parents and their precious bundles of joy. Join us as Cecile delves into the intricacies of this transformative phase. From discussing the evolving role of fathers in modern parenting to the profound changes mothers undergo both physically and emotionally, this conversation offers a trea...

Join us in this powerful episode as we sit down with the multifaceted Rehab Al Mehairi, an incredible Emirati woman who wears multiple hats with grace and resilience. From being a devoted mother, actress, TV presenter, to a thriving entrepreneur, she shares her inspiring journey through the highs and lows of life.Rehab delves into her deeply personal story, recounting the trials she faced during a tough pregnancy and the emotional hurdles that followed, including the heartbreaking loss of bot...

In this touching episode, Tina Chikhani Nader, a successful leader, opens up about her personal journey. She bravely discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding career and the emotional turmoil of unsuccessful IVF attempts while navigating motherhood decisions. Tina candidly shares the societal pressures, emotional struggles, and internal conflicts she faced, revealing the resilience needed to overcome setbacks and the valuable lessons learned. Her story highlights the profoun...