Dana Alhanbali is a strategist, storyteller, and founder of Bark & Berg—a creative company built on the belief that the strategy is in the story.
With 16+ years of experience advising 150+ brands, she co-founded the globally awarded agency Beattie + Dane and leads work rooted in purpose, growth, and cultural impact.
A TEDx speaker, writer, and advocate, Dana uses storytelling to challenge narratives, spark awareness, and lead with intention. Her work lives at the intersection of entrepreneurship, identity, and social change.
She is also the host of Something to Consider—an award-winning podcast exploring identity, entrepreneurship, and social culture through intimate, thought-provoking conversations.
This podcast is where those conversations live—real, reflective, and always evolving. We hope you’ll find something to consider.
Dana Alhanbali is a strategist, storyteller, and founder of Bark & Berg—a creative company built on the belief that the strategy is in the story.
With 16+ years of experience advising 150+ brands, she co-founded the globally awarded agency Beattie + Dane and leads work rooted in purpose, growth, and cultural impact.
A TEDx speaker, writer, and advocate, Dana uses storytelling to challenge narratives, spark awareness, and lead with intention. Her work lives at the intersection of entrepreneurship, identity, and social change.
She is also the host of Something to Consider—an award-winning podcast exploring identity, entrepreneurship, and social culture through intimate, thought-provoking conversations.
This podcast is where those conversations live—real, reflective, and always evolving. We hope you’ll find something to consider.
Freej didn’t just make us laugh — it rewired what was possible for Gulf storytelling. In this raw conversation, Mohammed Saeed Harib (creator of Freej) opens up about the real price of legacy: long-term burnout, the pressure of being “first,” and the quiet weight behind public success.
We trace his creative roots in Emirati oral poetry and grandmothers’ wisdom, how Freej paused for 11 years and returned to speak to a new generation, and why maintaining success is success.
We also talk male vulnerability, ADHD vs. burnout, building IP in a tough animation market, making a feature film during COVID, and the rituals that restore a creator.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msharib/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC6jThnLmLU8vACoZP8ucOGA
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
What if your first brain isn’t in your head?
In this episode, founder, mother, and coach Hadil shares how a high-velocity corporate life, postpartum depletion, and an “undiagnosed” health spiral pushed her to rebuild her habits around ancestral nutrition and gut health.
We talk microbiome 101, the gut–brain axis, why minerals matter more than most blood tests show, and the real difference between stock and long-simmered bone broth. We explore saying no as a growth strategy, the tension between integrity and scale, and why doing less—on purpose—can still mean doing something great.
If you’ve felt unheard in conventional care, or you’re craving a more intuitive, agency-driven approach to wellness, this conversation is a reset: slow down, listen to the whispers before they become screams, and remember that food is your first form of self-care. We hope you will find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healwithhadil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadil-alkhatib-27a91431/
Website: www.roost.ae
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
What happens when the goal you’ve spent your life chasing is finally behind you?
In this intimate and reflective episode of Something to Consider, entrepreneur Bilal Ballout — co-founder of BMB Group, the company behind some of the region’s most beloved confectionery brands — joins host Dana Alhanbali to explore the quiet after the exit: identity, integrity, and the freedom to rebuild on your own terms.
From bootstrapping with AED 500K to scaling globally and exiting in 2021, Bilal shares what most founders don’t talk about — the emotional cost of success, letting go of your “baby,” and redefining self-worth when your name is no longer on the door.
Key Takeaways:
- The 12-Month Rule of post-acquisition: why most founders should transition out within a year.
- Knowledge over capital: how deep research and local adaptation built a global baklava brand in Walmart and 30+ countries.
- Resilience over luck: how a tough childhood built the emotional muscle for entrepreneurship.
- Culture over cash: why team belief and small daily wins sustain growth.
- From performance to presence: moving beyond “fake it till you make it.”
- Financial independence = freedom of choice: how autonomy changes what success means.
- Closure is a choice: learning to let go of companies, relationships, and old selves with intention.
- Communication and respect: the two non-negotiables that make relationships (and partnerships) work.
Redefining success: purpose, sustainability, and balance over scale and ego.
If you’re a builder, creator, or founder reflecting on what comes after achievement, this episode will shift your perspective on ambition, balance, and fulfillment.
We hope you will find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bilal-ballout-74192655/
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
In this episode of Something to Consider, Wafa Al Obaidat — entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Playbook, one of the fastest-growing women’s leadership and education platforms — joins Dana Alhanbali to talk about building a global movement, women in leadership, and believing in your work when the world feels uncertain.
We unpack the realities of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and purpose: from early rejection and burnout to scaling a mission-driven business and redefining success through community, financial literacy, and faith.
We hope you will find something to consider.
You’ll learn:
- What it takes to build a movement and lead with purpose
- How women can access mentorship, funding, and leadership opportunities
- The truth about burnout, balance, and boundaries
- Why believing in your work matters more than external validation
About Wafa Al Obaidat
Wafa is the founder CEO of Playbook, a digital edtech and leadership platform connecting women across 100+ countries. Her mission: help women rise, lead, and invest in each other.
If this resonates:
🌍 Share it with one woman who’s ready to scale her purpose.
🎧 Subscribe for more deep conversations on entrepreneurship, self-belief, and the strategy behind every story.
Connect with the Guest:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wafaobaidat/?hl=en
Website: https://www.get-playbook.com/en/home
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wafa-al-obaidat-8a992046/
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
Entrepreneur and writer Fouad Jeryes—behind CashBasha, Amman Tech Tuesdays, and now Maqsam, an Arabic-first AI cloud contact center—joins Dana Alhanbali to talk about the side of startups you don’t see in headlines: self-doubt, burnout, heartbreak, and the clarity that sometimes follows unraveling.
We cover: tying identity to performance, coming of age in adulthood, small wins vs. “scale,” building Arabic AI for real contact-center work, and why vulnerability is a leadership advantage—especially in MENA cultures that expect men to carry silently.
Fouad also shares how his team at Maqsam funds anonymous mental-health care for employees across Jordan, KSA, Egypt, and the UAE.If you’re building in MENA tech, curious about Arabic LLMs, or renegotiating your metrics for a good life, this episode gives language, tools, and maybe permission to change.
We hope you will find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fouadjeryes
X: X.com/fouadjeryes
Company Website: www.maqsam.com
Medium: https://medium.com/@fouadjeryes
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
This episode of Something to Consider explores the underestimated strength behind a founder’s journey. Rama Kayyali, co-founder of Little Thinking Minds, transformed a small idea into a platform reaching half a million students across the Arab world. Along the way came setbacks, pivots, and the quiet fight to preserve language and identity in classrooms that often overlooked their worth.
It is a reminder that failure can shape us more than success — and that the strength we tend to overlook in ourselves often becomes the most powerful. I hope you will find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlethinkingminds/
Website: https://www.littlethinkingminds.com
Website: https://seesaw.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rama-kayyali-07a44113/
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
X: https://x.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
What if the power of film isn’t in getting every detail “right,” but in capturing something deeper—an honesty you can feel? In this episode, we sit down with Mohamed El Zayat, an internationally acclaimed director whose work blurs the lines between advertising, storytelling, and art.
From People of Egypt to Lonesome Traveler, Mohamed’s films refuse to flatten people into categories. Instead, he draws on the discipline of communication, the playfulness of surreal flourishes, and the intimacy of lived experience to ask us not just to watch—but to truly see.
In our conversation, we talk about what it means to move from persuasion to meaning, how stories rooted in one place often become universal, and why being “in-between” identities can be both a weight and a gift.
We also explore the role of whimsy and exaggeration in revealing truths that realism alone can’t hold.
If you’ve ever wondered what storytelling is really for—or why some images stay with us long after the credits roll—this episode offers you something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zayat/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zayat_film/
Website: www.vimeo.com/mohamedelzayat
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCljHoBEeO3I_BpXCcijingQ
What if true longevity isn’t about hitting a magic number—like 120 years—but about feeling your best right now?
In this candid conversation with Dr. Elie AbiRached, a longevity expert and biohacker with a PhD in functional health, we challenge mainstream ideas around aging, wellness, and what it really means to live well.
Dr. Elie dismantles the hype around biohacking and reveals one vital truth: optimal living isn’t found in shortcuts—it’s found in balance, recovery, and a deeper understanding of your own biology.
Together, we explore:
• Wellness vs. Well-Being: Why true health is less about moments of feeling good and more about continuous, conscious integration with your body and environment
• The Science of Recovery: Why recovery isn’t an afterthought—it’s the foundation of high performance
• Data, Diagnostics Skepticism: How to use wearables and lab tests wisely—without outsourcing your intuition
• Beyond the Buzzwords: Why your health is your responsibility, and what it takes to cut through the noise
• A Philosophical Shift: Why the most important question might be: “Have I done everything in my power?”
If you’re overwhelmed by wellness trends or tired of chasing productivity at the cost of presence, this episode offers you something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elie.truth/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-eli-abirached/
Website: https://restorefitness.ae
Website: https://limitlesshuman.ae
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.elie.restore
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCljHoBEeO3I_BpXCcijingQ
What if the most powerful thing a doctor could offer isn’t a diagnosis — but presence in your most terrifying moment?
Dr. Wisam Ismail is an oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgeon trained in the UK, Iraq, France, and Germany, with over a decade of experience treating women at their most vulnerable.
In this deeply human episode, we explore:
- Why breast cancer is rising in younger women — and what’s really causing it
- The hidden psychological toll doctors carry, and why many are silently burning out
- The 3 most powerful support systems every patient needs to survive- How AI is transforming cancer diagnostics — and why it can’t replace empathy
- The ethical grey zones doctors face behind closed doors
- Why shame and silence are making cancer deadlier — and what needs to change
- How patients reclaim their identity and agency after the scar
- The 1-minute monthly ritual that could save your life
This episode is for anyone facing illness, supporting a loved one, or rethinking their relationship with their body.
We hope you will find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_wisam_ismail/
Website: https://www.ahdubai.com/doctors-profile/wisam-ismail
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCljHoBEeO3I_BpXCcijingQ
In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with Arwa Al-Turkait—intuitive eating coach and certified eating disorder recovery coach—to explore the complex relationship we have with food, the voices we internalize, and the quiet courage it takes to heal.
This isn’t just a conversation about eating. It’s a conversation about control, shame, and the invisible rules that shape how we see ourselves—especially in cultures where worth is often tied to body image and discipline is mistaken for wellness.
Arwa opens up about her personal journey, the lies sold by diet culture, and the daily work of building body trust. We speak about intuitive eating as a framework for living with more flexibility, more awareness, and more self-respect—not just in how we eat, but in how we show up in our lives.
We unpack the idea of food as memory, the pressure of appearance, and the emotional weight of unspoken expectations—within ourselves and within our families. Most importantly, Arwa reminds us that recovery isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. And sometimes, the most radical act of self-love is learning to listen to your hunger without judgment.
If you’ve ever felt at war with your body, or if you’re unlearning what you were taught about food, beauty, and discipline—this episode offers a powerful reframe.We hope you’ll find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ana_arwa11/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ @AnaArwa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arwa-al-turkait/
Website: www.AnaArwa.com
Podcast: Kifaya Diet Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%D9%83%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%AA/id1764890815
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ @danaalhanbali
In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with Riham Monzer—licensed child psychologist, parental guidance specialist, and someone who’s worked with over 6,000 families—to reflect on the emotional weight of parenting, the patterns we inherit, and the healing that makes space for something new.
This isn’t just a conversation about parenting—it’s a deep dive into identity, trauma, ego, and the quiet pressure of raising children in an unstable world. Riham speaks openly about why parenting is not instinctive, how maternal instinct is misunderstood, and why healing ourselves is one of the most important acts of love we can offer our children.
We explore fatherhood beyond provision, the danger of legacy-driven parenting, and the long-term impact of disrespect on a child’s psychological safety. Through it all, Riham reminds us that parenting is a skill—one rooted in presence, empathy, and unlearning what no longer serves us.
If you’re a parent, a future parent, or someone reckoning with your own upbringing, this episode offers a gentle, powerful reframe.
We hope you’ll find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riham_monzer/
Website: https://www.rihammonzer.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@riham.monzer
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali
In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with Loulou Khazen—serial entrepreneur, investor, and host of Conversations with Loulou—to reflect on reinvention, resilience, and the quiet cost of becoming.
This isn’t just a conversation about exits, startups, or success—it’s an honest exploration of what it takes to keep building when identity, impact, and boundaries are constantly being redefined.
Loulou opens up about creative risks, the emotional toll of pursuit, the loneliness that often lingers behind leadership, and the lessons learned about trust and self-worth along the way.We dive into how accountability shapes growth, why mentorship matters, and how raising the next generation offers a chance to build a different kind of legacy.
If you’re navigating your next chapter—or simply questioning what "success" really means—this episode is for you.
We hope you’ll find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louloukhazen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louloukhazen/
X: https://x.com/louloukhazen
Website: www.conversationswithloulou.com
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
X: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
In this episode, we sit down with Butheina Kazim, founder of Cinema Akil, home to the Reel Palestine Film Festival, to explore what exists beyond the screen—within the spaces we hold, the stories we choose, and the communities we build.
What began as a series of pop-ups has grown into a cultural landmark in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue. Butheina shares her journey from media to mission, reflecting on the intention behind building a cinema rooted in regional identity, independent thought, and collective belonging.
We explore the emotional, political, and communal power of film, the value of slow and intentional growth, and the quiet beauty that lives between the stories—before the lights dim, after the credits roll, and in the lingering impact of a shared experience.
We hope you find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butheinahk/
X: https://x.com/butheina
Cinema Akil Website: https://cinemaakil.com
Reel Palestine Website: http://www.reelpalestine.org
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
Not every idea becomes a business—and that’s the point.
In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with Lama Masri Osman—a startup builder who understands what it really takes to bring an idea to life. But this isn’t just a conversation about scaling or getting funding—it’s about the mindset of a builder and what separates ideas that stay ideas from those that actually turn into something real.
We talk about the 7 essential steps to launching an MVP, but we go deeper—exploring the moments in between: the tough decisions, the myths of hustle culture, and why timing is everything. When do you push forward? When do you pivot? And when do you walk away?
Lama shares what it means to build with intention, why not every business needs to be a billion-dollar startup, and how collaboration, adaptability, and patience play a bigger role in success than we often admit.
This episode isn’t just about business—it’s about rethinking growth, leadership, and success in a way that aligns with who we are. If you’re in the process of building something—or wondering if you should—this one’s for you.We hope you’ll find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lama.i.masri
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lama-osman-public
7 Steps to Launching an MVP: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lama-osman-public_startups-innovation-venturecapital-activity-7275498421854052353--6e-/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with Dr. Saliha Afridi—a clinical psychologist and founder of The Lighthouse Arabia—whose work focuses on destigmatizing mental health and guiding people through deep introspection. Dr. Afridi takes us on a powerful journey of identity, belonging, and the emotional cost of unlearning inherited narratives.
Through candid conversation, she shares what it means to live in the in-between—navigating the grief of historical erasure, the anger of internalized narratives, and the courage it takes to reclaim identity on our own terms. She reflects on the lifelong process of questioning dominant narratives, the emotional toll of detaching from imposed definitions, and why raising her daughter to embrace her Arab identity became an act of resistance.
Together, we explore how language shapes our sense of self, the fine line between grief and transformation, and the tension between losing and reclaiming identity. Dr. Afridi challenges us to ask: Who were you before the world told you who to be?
This episode is a deep reflection on identity as a fluid, ever-evolving journey—and a reminder that rewriting our story is a radical act of self-definition. We hope you’ll find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsalihaafridi/
Website: https://www.lighthousearabia.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salihaafridi/
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
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In this episode of Something to Consider, we dit down with Deema Al-Alami —a passionate storyteller, educator, and co-author of best-selling children’s books—whose work is reshaping the Arab cultural narrative.
Deema takes us on a deeply personal journey that spans from the powerful influence of childhood storytelling and the traditions of her Iraqi-Palestinian heritage to her pioneering work in Arabic children’s literature. Through candid conversation, she shares the process behind projects like 48 Stories of Exile from Palestine and the transformative “Mother to Author” program, which empowers mothers to write their own stories.
Together, we explore how the shift from oral traditions to digital storytelling has impacted our connection to our roots, and why reclaiming our authentic narratives is more important than ever. Deema talks about the challenges of preserving cultural heritage in a world dominated by Western educational ideals, the emotional toll of revisiting painful memories, and the essential role of reading for pleasure in nurturing a genuine sense of identity.
This episode is a heartfelt call to recognize that our stories are not just reflections of the past—they are acts of resistance and resilience that can empower future generations. We hope you will find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deema_al_alami/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deemajalalami/
Book Channel: https://www.instagram.com/oh.thebooks/
From Mother to Author Program: https://www.instagram.com/mother_to_author/
Book: www.48stories.com
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with the incredible Lousin Mehrabi—a world-renowned professional negotiator, trainer, and speaker whose work spans billion-dollar IPOs to high-stakes peace-building efforts.
But beyond the boardroom, Lousin brings a fresh perspective: negotiation isn’t just about deals—it’s about finding clarity, peace, and even courage in life’s most defining moments.
We explore the unspoken negotiations we have every day, the difference between compromise and fairness, and why emotional intelligence is the real superpower in any conflict. Lousin also shares her deeply personal journey navigating her son’s diagnosis with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, reshaping resilience, surrender, and what it truly means to be in control.
This is an episode about reframing power, making peace with ourselves, and understanding that negotiation is so much more than we think. We hope you’ll find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lousinmehrabi/
LinkedIn: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/lousin-mehrabi
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit down with the brilliant and often misunderstood Sarah Al Agroobi—a multidisciplinary artist, researcher, educator, and host of The Native Informant podcast. Sarah’s work challenges societal norms, explores identity and cultural belonging, and pushes the boundaries of artistic and academic expression.
We delve into what it means to be truly seen, the complexities of belonging, the evolution of Arab identity, cancel culture vs. redemption, and the role of art as social activism.
Sarah reflects on navigating dual identities, breaking away from societal expectations, and the importance of holding space for difficult conversations.This is an episode about courage, resilience, and carving out space in a world that often demands conformity. We hope you will find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahalagroobi
Website: https://www.sarahalagroobi.com
Podcast: www.thenativeinformant.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-alagroobi-6b940777/
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
What does It take to fully embrace who you are? In this inspiring episode we sit down with Sara Abiqwa, a self-empowerment coach, yogi, and advocate for the transformative power of self-love. We explore what it means to embrace feminine energy, the importance of self-awareness in personal growth, and how reframing self-love can change how we show up in the world.
Sara shares her journey of reconnecting with her authentic self, breaking free from societal expectations, and guiding others to do the same. Whether you're looking to deepen your connection with yourself, strengthen your relationships, or tap into the power of the feminine, this conversation is filled with wisdom and practical advice to empower you to live fully and intentionally. We hope you will find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraabiqwa/
Website: www.saraabiqwa.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saraabiqwa
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about
In this episode of Something to Consider, we dive into a conversation with Zak Jarallah, founder and creative director of Ajdadi Collective, a clothing brand and social enterprise that combines traditional Palestinian tatreez (embroidery) with streetwear. Zak's mission is driven by the idea of celebrating heritage as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. He shares moving stories about his love for his homeland, traditions that have shaped his view of the world, and the rich cultural tapestry and heritage of Palestine. We explore the complexities of navigating cultural identity and discuss how embracing one's roots can lead to a stronger, more integrated sense of self. We hope you will find something to consider.
Connect with the Guest:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajdadi.collective/
Find us at (Instagram podcast page) https://www.instagram.com/somethingtoconsider.podcast/
Listen to us (all available platforms)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-to-consider/id1674861838
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/618zDVAJO0teMngLOzyKz4?si=8bfddd1364d34fc7
Connect with the Host:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalhanbali/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danaalhanbali
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaAlhanbali
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danaalhanbali
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danaalhanbali5621/about