Nostalgia isn't just a feeling — it's a design tool, a memory, a bridge between who we were and who we're becoming. In this episode, we're diving into how nostalgia shapes design, creativity, and even our identity. It’s not just about vintage — it’s about memory, belonging, and building the future with pieces of the past. Let’s talk about why we’re all obsessed with the past.

Let’s start with the dream: you’re doing something you love—painting, designing, writing, whatever—and you think, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if I could do this *full-time*?” For so many of us, that’s the ultimate goal, right? To turn our passion into our career. And when it happens, it feels magical. Suddenly, you’re being paid to do what you love! But then, something shifts. Deadlines creep in. The stakes get higher. And you realize...this isn’t just *fun* anymore.

We’re diving into a question that feels way too real for most of us: Does the grind ever stop? You know the feeling, right? That constant pressure to keep going, keep producing, keep achieving—because if you’re not hustling, what are you even doing? But where does that mindset come from? And more importantly, is it actually helping us, or is it quietly burning us out? In this episode, we’re unpacking the grind culture that so many of us live in—how society glorifies it, how it impacts our men...

What makes our identity valuable? Is it the culture we carry? The gender roles we navigate? The way our experiences shape how the world sees us—or how we see ourselves? In this episode, we’re diving into how identity functions as a kind of currency. How it opens doors, challenges us, and sometimes even limits us. Whether it’s about navigating traditions, challenging stereotypes, or embracing the complexity of being human, this conversation is all about understanding the worth we carry, simply...

Hadeer Omar is back to talks with nstudio but this time we will be discussing more about her participation during Film My Design. She will be moderating the “Navigating the Digital Future: Technology’s Impact on the Arts” panel and also will be teaching her own masterclass during the festival called “A New Era of Storytelling Through Arts.” Let's dive right into it!

I am so excited to announce that i will be the exclusive podcast partner for film my design. FMD is the first and only design-film festival in the MENA region, held bi-annually in Cairo, Egypt. Leveraging Egypt’s strong, long-standing connection to the film world, FMD’s mission centers on telling inspiring, engaging, and thought-provoking stories on design, architecture and city life using film. Our first guest is Basma Hamdy, designer, author, and educator from Egypt who specializes in Arab...

What does "To Make is To Be" mean? It means that your being is what you use to make. What you make comes from a deep innate nature of who you are. How do you know when you've found it? Listen now to find out.

What does it mean to be a digital creator? having a voice that is heard by thousands, eyes on you and your life all the time, with endless expectations from you? Amar Sibai, Lebanese digital creator and creative director , speaks to us on being relatable, genuine and creating a community through social media that transcends superficiality and one that becomes family in every sense of the word.

I would like to begin by saying that what is happening now is not normal. It is not normal to scroll and see endless images of dead bodies, children without limbs, mothers identifying the bodes of their babies, fathers trying to get their families from under rubbles of bombed buildings, and so much more.. Palestine is justice. Palestine is righteousness. Palestine is goodness. Palestine is bravery. Palestine is hope. Palestine is powerful. So many lessons can be learned from Palestinians. ...

Everyone has their traumatic story. Behind every story though, is a teaching moment. It either changes you for the better or for the worse. It is your choice in the end. Here I am sharing mine in hopes that you can find the silver lining in yours. Available on Apple Podcast, Anghami, Spotify & Youtube. Production team: Seventh Era

Hadeer Omar. What can't she do? Her passion for storytelling, cultural movements, and pop crosses disciplines within art, immersive technology, new digital media, photography, and film to present stories through her work. She found her way by utilizing digital and analog tools to observe her surroundings, document her process, and build a body of work that tells stories. Listen now to know more about her, her work, and how you can do life YOUR way.

What does it take to make a successful business, brand, or company? Is it strategy, execution, markets or external conditions? Not even close. Then whats the secret? Making it people centric. People always say business and love are like water and oil - the two can never mix. In this episode, I plan to prove otherwise.

We mentioned before in our “el shama3a” episode that in order to succeed, you need to start by being okay with failing. You will always be bad at something new. So unless you are willing to look like a fool, then you will never learn anything new. Experimentation is the foundation of every creative. There are so many levels you have to pass in order to have polished work. Expressing yourself creatively takes a whole lot of trial and error in order to know who you are and what work defin...

I get asked sometimes why my work is very Egypt centered. Why do i use it as a backdrop? why are Egyptians my main subject? why the pyramids, the sphinx, the streets, the songs, the cities, the language.. Why don't I broaden my scope and answer to a more international audience? why don't I use other subjects or other elements? I don't think i've ever explained my perspective. or said why. My answer is in this short (but sweet) episode.

This week we are having a really special episode with Asma Derouiche, Creative director at Studio 7; a concept store that offers a new retail experience for both designers and customers alike. Asma Derouiche is a product designer and interdisciplinary creative with an entrepreneurial mindset for herself and others. She explored the realms of Qatar behind an artistic lens and found that inclusivity, creativity, and collaboration is what this region is all about and decided to create a d...

It is a new year. Talks with Nstudio has a new look. We have brand new guests and amazing conversations for 2023. I think this topic is perfect to start with. Every year, we set a new set of goals and we create a checklist that usually creates a lot of pressure to get it done. However, we never take a moment to think about whether or not we are ready for such an immediate change. It takes a phase of transition. This is where becoming a liminal person is so important. Every year we...

This episode is about the power of your mind. This topic was actually inspired by my recent exhibition with TAM GALLERY. It was called “The person who lived in the Garden” and The concept behind it was about the literal or metaphorical definition of a garden. My interpretation is on the metaphorical side and is what I will expand on here with you all listening. In the modern age chaos, finding peace can be challenging. There is nowhere to go that isn’t bustling with opinions, anxiety, s...

This is a special episode done in collaboration with THE CREATIVE SCHOOL AT RYERSON UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO AND THE GREEK CAMPUS. The partnership kicked off with a special “Meet the Creative School” where experts discussed Creative Industries in Egypt. In anticipation of their September launch, The Creative School at Ryerson Cairo has invited local professionals and prospective students to a special evening at The GrEEK Campus where The Junction Summer Sessions took place for creative minds...

There is so much that goes into telling a story, it takes a set of skills that you are inherently born with. It is not merely a conversation, it is a sharing of experience, of thought, of humor, of influence, of sharing energy that will leave an impact. Nala Kamel is a young voice who has left a large foot print in this competitive field. She has been out and about in the Egyptian World of interviewing and hosting, from the Gouna Film Festival and Cairo International Film Festival to hosting...

In today’s episode, we will be talking more about the human factor behind the work. Each designer has gone through a phase of not fully reaching their potential. Maybe due to fear, discomfort, external judgement, etc. And it has been said that when someone can’t take responsibility for their life, their work, their mistakes, or even their shortcomings they start coming up with an external factor to throw the blame on. This is a sham3a. A shama3a in other words is an excuse. Sometimes ...