This is a confronting episode talking about a very important topic of PTSD across Child Abuse and Domestic Violence and therefore we place a trigger warning for those who may feel more sensitive to this line of conversation. In this episode we speak with HH Al Sayyida Basma Al Said, a mental health expert specializing in PTSD. Sayyida Basma shares a bit about her life, reflecting on her time in Australia, being born in the UK and calling Oman home. We cover a lot under the topic of trauma and its effects on people particularly from child abuse and domestic violence. Sayyida Basma explains how emotional manipulation often keeps victims trapped, even when they have the means to leave as well as the misconceptions recognizing triggers and seeking help. We also cover how to start your healing journey which includes therapy and, when appropriate, medication, and most importantly the need for support in overcoming the effects of abuse. She passionately advocates for understanding the mental health struggles many face and encourages listeners to confront their experiences to foster resilience and recovery. Get in touch with HH Sayyida Basma: @basmaalsaidoffical (Instagram) @serenitymuscat (Instagram) Let us know if you have any follow up questions

In this episode, Nicki Bedford interviews Amna Al Qubaisi, the first female Emirati driver currently racing in the Formula One Academy. This is a great conversation where Amna shares her journey into motorsports, ignited by her father’s racing career, which started in karting to competing in Formula 4 and Formula 3. We cover a lot of ground including the physical and mental toughness, balancing training and life as well as the importance of family support, particularly racing alongside her sister, and how they navigate the pressures of the sport together.

In this episode, we are joined by Faranak Farahmand Pour, Google’s Director of Global Strategic Initiatives. We cover a lot - talking with Faranak about her career shift from Law to Sales, her multicultural upbringing in Iran and the Netherlands, and her extensive international work experience in regions like China, Africa and the Middle East. We cover all things Google - including AI and cloud computing, as well as mentorship, diversity & Inclusion as well as being a woman in business. Tune in, this was a great chat :)

In this episode, Nicki sits down Farah Danish, an autism family coach who shares her personal journey with autism, growing up with a sibling on the spectrum and later having her own child with autism. 
She discusses the emotional challenges faced by families, including the initial trauma of the diagnosis and the pressures of early intervention. This is a really great discussion, and we cover a lot! - everything from acceptance and processing emotions, advocating for lifestyle changes and self-care for parents as well as what we can be doing as community to increase awareness. We also touch on a personal fave topic of mine - to the law of attraction and maintaining a positive mindset.

In this episode, we are joined by Salama Mohamed, an entrepreneur, content creator with almost 2M followers, mother and founder of the skincare brand Peacefull. Salama shares her journey of building her business, Peacefull, which focuses on skincare for sensitive skin, driven by her own 'blessings' with conditions like Vitiligo. She also talks openly about her experience with ADHD and Dyslexia. Salama emphasizes her mission of authenticity on social media, spreading self-love, and finding happiness in the little things. A really beautiful conversation <3

In this episode, Nicki sits down with Christiana Maxion, founder of Maxion, to chat through all things finding love and launching a matchmaking agency. Christiana discusses her diverse journey to success in Dubai as well as how Maxion evolved from an offline matchmaking agency to a tech-driven platform. We also chat through the challenges of creating a new business and the requirement of unwavering self belief and resilience.

In this episode, we are joined by Andrea Prazakova - SVP at Mastercard leading Foundry and ESG. We discuss the future of banking in the digital age, including the rise of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and Web3 and the opportunities these innovations opens up for women in fintech. Andrea also discusses Mastercard's sustainability initiatives, including its commitment to achieving net zero emissions.

In this episode, we are joined by Natalie Abumrad, Head of HR at Sanofi and we discuss how to stand out in today's competitive job market. If you're looking to find a new job, or make a career change - this is the episode for you! We discuss; - What skills are most sought after and how candidates can develop or showcase these skills, including the importance of soft skills (great communication + emotional intelligence) - Tips on how you can prepare yourself in advance for the job of your dreams - Critical importance of diversity, inclusion and equity and how organisizations are prioritising this - Natalie shares her personal experience on how company support for women is incredibly powerful for progression

We are joined by Nayla Al Khaja, UAE's first female film-maker and discuss her incredible life of filmmaking, driven by her desire to challenge stereotypes about Arab women. Nayla shares her passion for storytelling and the importance of portraying women from her culture in a different light. We also talk about her experiences in the film industry, including directing including everything from her work on commercials, to shorts and recently releasing her first feature film THREE which is in cinema's now! We also discuss projects like being behind the scenes director of "Star Trek", working with Annie Leibovitz as well as the impact of AI on the film industry including how she's incorporated it into her latest film.

In this episode, Nicki sits down with Marketing Communications & Automotive executive Cristina Guida La Licata. Cristina shares her very recent journey of life transformation, transitioning from the corporate world (within the automotive space), embracing mental health practices, and finding self-love, culminating in the launch of her book, "On a Journey Within Me, Within You." The episode really speaks to highlights the importance of figuring out how to embrace change, prioritizing mental health, and shifting from loneliness to solitude for personal growth.

In this episode, Nicki sits with communications guru Menna Zaki, Senior Director - Global Brands Communication at PepsiCo about her career shift from biomedical science to communications, insights into building a successful brand including the power of a 'social first' approach and strategies on how to best connect with your audience as well as the importance of not only mentorship but sponsorship when it comes to women in the workplace.

In our first episode of Season 2, Nicki sits down with Joyce Azzam - the first Lebanese woman to scale the 7 summits! - Including Everest! 

 This is such an inspiring episode for anyone looking to push their own boundaries and see what they are truly capable of. Joyce talks to us about her passion for Mountains, the key driver behind her conquering the 7 summits both physically but also within her education as well.
We talk though her Mental Health challenges and how she was able to push through particularly when it comes to emphasizing her attention to joy and being in the present moment - she now helps others with this, especially in her role as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. You can find Joyce on: @joyceazzamofficial www.joyceazzam.com www.mounturtle.com

In the 5th and final episode of the US Female Founder mini series, Nicki is joined by Actress & Producer as well as Female advocate, Anna Fishbeyn to discuss her groundbreaking film, Galaxy 360A Women's Playground, which challenges societal norms with its futuristic narrative where women rule the world. Anna shares a transformative near-death experience during childbirth that fueled her fearless pursuit of acting and filmmaking. Anna introduces Anteriya World, a feminist platform envisioning a world where women confidently hold power, urging women to embrace confidence through mindful body language. This episode emphasizes the potential of adversity, the revolutionary concepts in Galaxy 360, and Anna's commitment to reshaping narratives for female empowerment.

In the 4th episode of the US Female Founders series, Nicki is joined by Sansan Fibri, a tech entrepreneur and Founder of Wakefully.io, a mental wellness app offering AI-guided dream analysis. Sansan shares her journey from the film and TV industry to entrepreneurship, highlighting the unique approach of Wakefully in using advanced AI for personalized dream insights. The episode explores the power of AI in dream analysis, and Sansan offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of understanding their "why" and staying resilient in the face of challenges.

In this 3rd episode on the US Female Founders series, Victoria Vaughn, a serial entrepreneur and Co-founder of InCryptoland, takes us on a captivating journey from her early days in Russia's techie school to becoming the CEO of Coin Telegraph. She shares the dynamics of leading a team of 200, navigating the volatile crypto market, and the pivotal moments that shaped her entrepreneurial spirit. Victoria's insights into the cultural disparities between Russia and the US, coupled with her emphasis on confidence and community support, make this a must listen episode!

In this episode, Nicki sits with Olya, the force behind the Ukraine's largest charity for children with cancer, to chat about taking risks, staying positive, and being open to the unexpected. It's a heartwarming journey filled with genuine insights on charity leadership, making a difference, and navigating the wild ride of transforming lives. Olya's Bio: CEO and Founder, Kids of Ukraine and Tabletochki, Ukraine Olya is the founder and chair of Tabletochki, Ukraine’s largest charity supporting children with cancer. At the age of 23, Olya founded the organization and since 2011, Tabletochki has helped transform the field of pediatric oncology in Ukraine, improving the quality of treatment for over 60,000 children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

In this episode, Nicki is joined by Victoria Yampolsky, a serial entrepreneur, startup advisor, strategic CFO, policy advocate, and the CEO and Co Founder of PowerUp, who seamlessly weaves passion into purpose. From PowerUp, addressing the gender funding gap with a blend of financial strategy and mindset coaching, to navigating the intricacies of influencing policies, Victoria exemplifies the fusion of business acumen, resilience, and a commitment to empowering women in entrepreneurship. Her journey is a testament to transforming challenges into opportunities and creating a lasting impact on both the startup and policy fronts.

In this extremely candid episode, Nicki Bedford shares her transformative journey through major life changes, such as relocating to Dubai, leaving her corporate career, ending a seven year marriage and building a new business. She highlights how much can change in 1 year, and talks about how building She Leads the Way, which empowers women in business, and discusses the importance of confidence, fearlessness, and building a support network. The episode also emphasizes the value of embracing imperfection, taking bold steps, and iterating as one navigates entrepreneurship and personal growth.

In this episode, Nicki interviews Tamara Abdul Jabba, who shares her insights on mentorship, gender lens investing, and the journey of launching a unique venture to support women in business. Tamara highlights the importance of mentorship in both personal and professional growth, the significance of gender lens investing to empower women entrepreneurs, and the challenges and rewards of pioneering a new venture in a relatively unexplored space.

In this episode, Nicki speaks with serial entrepreneur Rima Zanoun about her journey from a young entrepreneur to a successful businesswoman with multiple ventures. She shares valuable insights from her experiences and emphasizes the importance of self-trust and embracing change with faith in your abilities.