Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s job market is evolving fast. In this Vision Voices episode, former big-tech HR executive David van Lochem explains how AI and the augmented workforce are reshaping careers in the Gulf. We unpack what universities should really teach in an AI master’s (leaders with transformation skills, not just coders), the rise of DIY AI ($20 tools, agentic workflows), and why human + AI beats human vs AI. You’ll learn practical plays for SMBs and enterprises: wher...

Most brands still treat YouTube like an archive — webinars, clips, and press videos. But the companies winning attention today treat it like strategy. In this episode of Vision Voices, Lara and Valeria Korotina (former YouTube lead and media strategist) unpack what makes channels like Alex Hormozi and Ali Abdaal work — and how their lessons apply to B2B marketing. We explore: • Why YouTube is the most trusted platform for long-form attention • What B2B can learn from kids’ content — authent...

In this STEP 2025 special, Lara sits down with Stefania Brunori — Personal Branding & Social Media strategist, 2x TEDx Speaker, Wellbeing Entrepreneur, Consultant, Coach, and Trainer — to explore the rising importance of mindfulness in business, leadership, and daily life. In this insightful conversation, Lara and Stefania dive into: - Why multitasking is a myth (and how it hurts productivity) - How mindfulness helps leaders, founders, and teams reduce stress & stay focused - The ro...

Ever wondered how English words slip into everyday Arabic? In this episode of Vision Voices, we dive into the fascinating mix of language and culture — from words like “influencer,” “fashion,” “podcast,” and “video game” to timeless expressions like “habibi”. Language isn’t just about words — it’s about identity, tradition, and how cultures evolve. Join us as we explore how Arabic embraces modern terms while staying rooted in history and values. 🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscrib...

In this special last-minute episode, Lara spoke with Dean Seddon, CEO of Maverick, right after the Epic Content Workshop in Dubai. In this very honest and straight-to-the-point conversation about content strategy, AI, and the future of long-form vs short-form media, they cover: ✅ Is podcasting still relevant in 2025—or is video taking over? ✅ How to grow a YouTube channel in a crowded space ✅ Business vs. Creator model: Which makes money faster? ✅ The rise of AI-generated content and the fut...

In this episode of Vision Voices, Lara speaks with Lucy Chow, investor, futurist, board director, and advocate for women in leadership. The conversation covers Lucy’s professional journey in the UAE, her work in supporting entrepreneurs and female investors, and her involvement in initiatives such as the Women of the Future UAE project. Topics discussed include: - The funding gap for female founders and factors that contribute to it - Unconscious bias in early-stage investments - The import...

In the new Vision Voices podcast serial, we dive into the heart of Arabic culture, language, and identity. In this episode, join Lara and Radwa Hassan as they explore the powerful meanings behind some of the most commonly used Arabic expressions, such as Yalla, Khalas, and Inshallah. These aren’t just words — they carry generations of tradition, faith, and lived experience. 🎙️ What you’ll hear in this episode: - Why “Yalla” isn’t just “let’s go” – it’s a call to action rooted in spirituali...

In this powerful conversation, Lara sits down with Nancy S. Habashi from Inlight Consulting to explore how emotional intelligence (EQ) is reshaping the future of business, leadership, and branding—especially in high-pressure environments like Dubai’s startup and corporate scene. Nancy shares her unique perspective on: ✅ Why EQ outperforms IQ in real-world business success ✅ How leaders can build emotionally intelligent company cultures ✅ The role of self-awareness, empathy, and adaptability ...

In the new Vision Voices Podcast episode, from #Step2025 serial, Lara is joined by Chetna Chada, Founder & CEO of Silver Fin Digital, to break down what it really takes to build successful products. Chetna shares why many startups fail, the importance of validating assumptions, and how to stay truly customer-obsessed. The conversation covers: - The shift from feature-heavy MVPs to problem-led design - Opportunities in legacy industries like construction and insurance - Real use cases of...

What does it take to lead in marketing, find your voice, and succeed as a woman in business in the MENA region? In the new episode of Vision Voices, Lara welcomes Heba Sayed, marketing leader with 20+ years of experience across IBM, LogRhythm, and the broader tech landscape in the Middle East. Heba shares her journey from being a quiet contributor in Egypt to becoming a public speaker, thought leader, and Head of Marketing and Communications in a fast-moving, male-dominated industry. ...

What if you didn’t have to choose one version of yourself to be taken seriously? In this solo episode of Vision Voices, host Lara unpacks the quiet pressure to simplify who we are — and challenges the belief that we need to fit into one title, one lane, or one identity. This is about embracing your full range — not just what looks good on paper. Inside this episode we explore: - Why complexity is often mistaken for confusion - How showing your full self builds deeper connection - The cost...

🎙 How do you build a career in AI without losing yourself in the process? In this episode of Voices Voices, Lara Varlamova spoke with Tina Valand, Generative AI Director and Co-Founder of Women in Alliances, to talk about the realities of building a career in a fast-changing world. They talk honestly about: - What it really takes to adopt AI in complex organizations - How to start building internal AI capability (and where most fail) - Why women often consider stepping away from their care...

Attention is no longer a byproduct of impact — it is the impact. This episode explores a quiet but profound shift: the replacement of talent with visibility, purpose with performance. Once, craft and vision were enough. Now, we live in a system where the algorithm decides who is seen, not based on depth, but on engagement. What does it mean to create in a world that rewards surface over substance? How do we stay rooted in something real when everything around us insists on being curated, ca...

In this inspiring conversation at #STEP2025, Lara was joined by Reim El Houni, one of Dubai’s most influential media voices, for a discussion on visibility, confidence, and the evolution of content in the digital age. Reim is a Media Strategy Consultant, Executive Producer of DXB Today on Dubai One, and founder of TI22 Films and Dubai On Demand. With years of experience in TV, events, and digital production, she shares insights on how individuals and brands can own their voice, build credibi...

Are you building a startup in the Middle East? Thinking about fundraising or dreaming of an exit? In this exclusive STEP 2025 conversation, Jacopo Pichelli from FTI Capital Advisors breaks down the real story behind startup acquisitions — and what makes a company truly attractive to buyers. 💡 Learn: - What M&A (mergers & acquisitions) actually means for startups - Why most founders prefer fundraising — but still end up selling - What large corporations look for when scouting startu...

In the new #STEP2025 episode, Lara Varlamova spoke with Polly Dhaliwal, COO of Enterprise Nation - the UK’s largest small business community. They talked about corporate-startup symbiosis and Dubai’s rapidly evolving startup ecosystem. They explore: - How Dubai’s young startup scene compares to the UK’s mature market - The importance of embracing failure in building successful startups - How corporates and startups are collaborating to drive innovation - What makes Dubai’s multicultural com...

Join Lara Varlamova at STEP 2025 as she hosts Michael Lints, Partner at Golden Gate Ventures, for a conversation about the rise of the MENA startup ecosystem, the future of venture capital in the GCC, and what it really takes for startups to scale in 2025 and beyond. From his early days at STEP in 2014 to mentoring and investing across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Michael shares powerful insights on: - The evolution of Dubai’s innovation scene over the past 11 years 🌍 - Why corporati...

In this STEP 2025 episode, Lara is joined by Clara Armand-Delille, Founder of ThirdEyeMedia — a boutique PR agency working with top startups and VCs across Europe and beyond. Clara shares insights on startup communications, building brand authority, and how founders can use PR as a strategic tool — not just a press engine. If you're a founder, marketer, or comms lead looking to grow your brand and get media coverage that actually moves the needle, this one’s for you. Topics covered: - PR s...

🎙️ In this STEP 2025 exclusive, Lara Varlamova talks with Kushaal Devanahalli, Co-founder of Proximity Works, to break down the evolution from Generative AI to Agentic AI and what that means for the future of business and technology. Kushaal shares insights into how Generative AI laid the foundation for the next wave of autonomous systems — Agentic AI — capable of reasoning, executing tasks, and transforming how enterprises operate. In this conversation, you'll learn: - What is Agentic AI ...

In this insightful interview, Lara Varlamova sits down with Ted Kemp, former Managing Editor at CNBC International, award-winning journalist, and media strategist, at #STEPConference2025 in Dubai. 📺 With decades of experience across the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East, Ted shares his perspective on: 🔹 How AI is disrupting global newsrooms 🔹 The death of commodity content & the need for deep, contextual journalism 🔹 Managing multinational teams and navigating geopolit...