Send us a text 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 Advoc...

Send us a text 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 storytelli...

Send us a text 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, an...

Send us a text 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 stor...

Send us a text 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 annou...

Send us a text 🎙 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 navigat...

Send us a text 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,...

Send us a text 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....

Send us a text 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+ star...

Send us a text 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 ho...

Send us a text 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 ...

Send us a text 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 &...

Send us a text 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 s...

Send us a text 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 importa...

Send us a text 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 w...

Send us a text 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 ...

Send us a text 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 ✅ N...

Send us a text 🌟 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 c...

Send us a text 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&n...

Send us a text 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.Fosteri...