Shows
Seat of the MuseWhat Makes a Restaurant a Hotspot? Yaroslava Malkova on Creating London's Most In-Demand TablesThis week’s Muse is Yaroslava Malkova, a foodie working in food, and the Global brand director and creative mind behind some of London’s most in-demand restaurants, including Nina, Zephyr, Bottarga and Lagana.In this episode, Yara answers the question everyone's dying to know: how do you actually land a role like hers, and end up shaping the restaurants everyone’s trying to get into? She shares how she broke into hospitality, how these concepts were built from the ground up, and what it really takes to turn an opening into a hotspot.
2026-02-111h 06Seat of the MuseBuilding Worlds on Screen: Mounia Akl on Architecture, Film & Netflix's House of GuinnessThis week’s Muse is Mounia Akl, Lebanese director, writer, and (sometimes) actress whose work blurs the line between structure and emotion.Trained as an architect before turning to film, Mounia built her voice through stories rooted in Beirut before stepping onto Global sets, including directing episodes of Steven Knight’s House of Guinness on Netflix.We talk about her first time on set, how architecture still shapes her eye for storytelling, and what it truly means to direct before, during, and long after the camera rolls. She shares how...
2025-11-1245 minSeat of the MuseMuse Moment: Two Sisters, Two Takes on Building a Personal BrandSnippet from the full episode with sisters and co-founders Lydia and Amelia Miller on building a personal brand.Full episode link here: https://youtu.be/sDABortrHWY?si=k2NmBiFm1uH3UmCP
2025-11-0304 minSeat of the MuseThe Best Pitch in the Den and the Women Behind It: Amelia & Lydia Miller on Building IveePeter Jones called it the best pitch he’d ever heard in the Den, but this story starts at home.This week’s Muse is a double one with sisters Lydia and Amelia Miller, co-founders of Ivee , the platform rethinking return to work after career breaks.Within a year, they went from idea to investment, from Techstarts and Balderton Capital to BBC's Dragon's Den, where Peter Jones called their pitch the best he’d ever heard. They walked in asking for £75,000 for 3% equity, and walked out with two Dragons: Steven...
2025-10-2248 minSeat of the MuseInside Dukes Bar with Alessandro Palazzi: The Man Who Perfected James Bond’s MartiniThis week’s Muse is Alessandro Palazzi acclaimed head bartender and enduring face of Dukes Bar, one of London’s most iconic institutions and the birthplace of James Bond’s legendary Vesper Martini. For nearly five decades, Alessandro has embodied old-world hospitality - from the George V in Paris to The Savoy in London and since 2007, at the helm of Dukes. A place that feels like a private club without needing to be one, Dukes is a world built on legacy, ritual, and trust.We talk about what defines true s...
2025-10-0843 minSeat of the MuseFrom Restaurants to Members’ Club: Laurel Tchitembo on the Art of Hosting & Running the House of KOKOThis week’s Muse is Laurel Tchitembo, General Manager of The House of KOKO in London. Laurel and I first met years ago at Folie, where he worked in the restaurant before moving into the world of private members’ clubs. Today, he runs the food and beverage operations at one of the most exclusive venues in the city.In this episode, we trace his journey in hospitality and unpack the difference between running a restaurant and orchestrating a members’ club. We go behind the scenes of his role - what i...
2025-09-2450 minSeat of the MuseNo Small Talk at the Table: Carolina Gawronski on Connection, Vulnerability & Questions that MatterThis week’s Muse is Carolina Gawronski, conversationalist, human behaviour expert, and founder of No Small Talk - a platform that turns the simple act of gathering into something far richer.A few months ago now, I walked into a dinner expecting small talk and social niceties - instead, my phone was taken away, and I was handed a single card with a question. No titles, no bios, no filters - just strangers leaning into depth. That was the No Small Talk experience.In this episode, Carolina shares why sh...
2025-09-1039 minSeat of the MuseMuse Moment: Olive Oil Sommelier Answers 10 Rapid Fire QuestionsSnippet from Episode 2 with Olive Oil Sommelier Mazen Assaf.
2025-08-2601 minSeat of the MuseWhy She Quit Wall Street: Francesca Launches Bianca Arte for Next-gen Art CollectorsThis week’s Muse is Francesca Inglima, who spent eight years at top tier U.S. investment banks before stepping into the Art world. After studying at Sotheby’s she founded Bianca Arte, a cultural salon for the next generation of art collectors.In this episode, we explore the leap from finance to art, the skills that translate across both worlds, how she found the courage to leave, and how her definition of success evolved from corporate life to entrepreneurship. Francesca also shares a few artists she loves and what a new client can expe...
2025-08-1336 minSeat of the MuseBuilding 16mm Bar: Hady Chehlaoui on Bringing His Vision to Life Amid Lebanon's Toughest TimesThis week's Muse is Hady Chehlaoui, the owner of 16mm, a bar in the heart of Beirut's liveliest district Gemmayzeh. In this raw conversation, Hady takes us through his incredible journey of resilience, navigating some of Lebanon's most difficult challenges. From the upheaval of revolution and the global COVID pandemic to surviving the devastating 2020 Beirut blast, Hady shares how these events shaped both his business and personal life.But it’s not just about surviving, it's about thriving. Hady opens up about the importance of community, the hurdles of bu...
2025-07-3031 minSeat of the MuseInside Beirut’s Hottest Social Wellness Club: Farah Dagher on Co-founding Origin CircleThis week's Muse is Farah Dagher, co-founder of Origin Circle, Beirut's first social wellness club. What started as a conversation between two best friends on holiday quickly became a sanctuary for movement, recovery, and human connection. In this episode, Farah shares the full behind-the-scenes of launching Origin Circle with her co-founder Michelle - from diving in headfirst with no team, to navigating the unexpected realities of building a business in Lebanon.Origin Circle has since become the most talked-about wellness club in Beirut, with a regional spotlight that grew...
2025-07-1643 minSeat of the MuseWhat If Your Matcha Was a Perfume? KŌDŌ Founder Yasmin Khalil on Gourmand Scents, Rituals & WellnessThis week’s Muse is Yasmin Khalil, the founder of KŌDŌ - a clean fragrance brand where scent becomes ritual, and perfume smells like your favorite indulgence.Trained in interior design, Yasmin shifted from shaping physical spaces to curating invisible ones - through smell. Her journey began in Florence, where she signed up for an Airbnb perfume workshop just for fun - and left knowing she wanted to build a life in fragrance. KŌDŌ is built on the belief that perfume can be more than floral or musky - it can be gourma...
2025-07-0234 minSeat of the MuseFrom Harrods to Le Cordon Bleu: Olive Oil Sommelier Mazen Assaf's Serendipitous JourneyThis week’s Muse is Mazen Assaf, the mind behind The Olive Oil Guy, a brand on a mission to elevate olive oil from everyday ingredient to craft product.What began as a personal passion soon became a lifelong pursuit of excellence: Mazen has since judged at international olive oil competitions, taught at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute, and worked with some of the top Michelin-starred chefs. Today, his products are stocked in iconic destinations like Harrods, Selfridges, and Zapp.In this episode, we dive into the ma...
2025-06-2043 minSeat of the MuseThe Woman Behind Sotheby’s Dubai: Katia Nounou Boueiz on Art, Expansion, Leadership and MotherhoodThis week's Muse is Katia Nounou Boueiz, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby's Middle East.After joining Sotheby’s London in 2008 to grow its Middle Eastern client base, Katia moved to the UAE in 2015 to establish the auction house’s first office in the region. Since then, she’s helped cement Dubai’s position on the global art map - leading strategy, exhibitions, and regional engagement for one of the world’s most prestigious institutions.In this episode, we talk about Katia’s journey into the art world, what it means to lead with...
2025-06-1840 min
Seat of the MuseMuse #11 - From Harrods to Le Cordon Bleu: Mazen Assaf's serendipitous journey with the Olive Oil GuyThis week’s Muse is Mazen Assaf - the mind behind The Olive Oil Guy, a brand on a mission to elevate olive oil from everyday ingredient to craft product.What began as a personal passion soon became a lifelong pursuit of excellence: Mazen has since judged at international olive oil competitions, taught at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute, and worked with some of the top Michelin-starred chefs. Today, his products are stocked in iconic destinations like Harrods, Selfridges, and Zapp. In this episode, we dive into th...
2025-06-1842 minSeat of the MuseMY FIRST SOLO EPISODE - Stories that Shaped Season 1 and Learnings from Starting a PodcastThis is my first solo episode as I close out what has been an incredible Season 1.Thank you to all the guests who came on to share their stories and agreed to be part of my journey in hosting this podcast.Thank you to all the listeners who were here every other Tuesday waiting for the drops.Thank you for your feedbacks, follows, ratings and for just being here. SO thankful for you all and for making this first season such a fun experience.
2025-03-0509 minSeat of the MuseWhat’s Really in Your Baking Mix? How Andrea Kazan’s Health Journey Sparked Good MessThis week's Muse is Andrea Kazan, founder of clean baking mix brand Good Mess.In this episode, Andrea opens up about her health journey, and how almost 5 years ago, her life turned upside down when she fell seriously ill and had to rethink everything she ate, which led her to create a baking mix free from refined sugars and processed ingredients.We dive into her story - how she turned a challenge into a business, the truth about food labels and ingredients in store-bought mixes, and the early struggles...
2025-02-1130 minSeat of the MuseThe Business of Football: Wael Al Qadi on Owning a ClubThis week's Muse is Wael Al Qadi is a Jordanian football executive and the president of English football club Bristol Rovers. Since becoming owner in 2016, his leadership has been marked by incredible milestones, including two promotions: one in May 2016, with a dramatic last-minute winner on the final day of the season, and another in 2022 with an unforgettable 7-0 victory over Scunthorpe United.In this episode, Wael takes us behind the scenes of his journey, from the pivotal moment he decided to buy a football club to his emotional farewell a...
2025-01-2835 minSeat of the MuseInside the Cockpit: Alex El Khawaja on the Life of a Pilot and Questions that Keep Us CuriousThis week's Muse is Alex El Khawaja, commercial pilot for the Middle East Airlines.In this episode, Alex takes us behind the cockpit doors to uncover the realities of a pilot’s life, from the rigorous training and discipline required to reach the skies to the rare experiences that come with navigating the world from above.Whether you’re an aspiring aviator or simply fascinated by the intricacies of flight, this episode promises a blend of inspiring stories, technical insights, and answers to the questions you’ve always wondered about...
2025-01-1445 minSeat of the MuseThe Therapist Innovating Therapy: Dr. Nicole Nasr’s Journey of Healing and HustleThis week's Muse is Dr. Nicole Nasr, counseling psychologist and founder of Journey, a platform that connects clients with practitioners through personalized matchmaking. This episode is of two halves where we first explore what it’s really like to work in therapy - how therapists process the emotions of their clients, whether they themselves seek therapy, and much more. We then switch gears and focus on Nicole’s leap into entrepreneurship, building Journey with no prior startup experience. She shares insights into the highs and lows of launching a platform that’s changing the way pe...
2024-12-1743 minSeat of the MusePouring Wisdom: Anthony Yukio on Sake Secrets and Becoming a Sake SommelierThis week's Muse is Anthony Yukio, head Sake Sommelier at Kioku Bar in London's OWO Raffles hotel. In this episode, we dive into the captivating world of Japanese Sake. In the first part, I put Anthony to the test with 10 fun, rapid-fire questions to uncover the secrets behind this iconic drink. Then, we get personal - Anthony shares his journey, from his first encounter with Sake to becoming a Sommelier and what life is like in this unique and exciting role.Get yourself a booking at the Kioku Bar here....
2024-12-0336 minSeat of the MusePredicting Human Irrationality: Lea Karam on the World of Behavioral ScienceThis week’s Muse is Lea Karam, consulting director atBehave (Total Media), and one of the most sought-after and disruptive experts in consumer behavior today. Recognized as a top global expert by Inside Behavioral Economics, she’s also a Campaign Media Week 30 Under 30, and Management Today 35 Women Under 35 honoree, underscoring her significant industry impact.In this episode, Lea delves into the fascinating world ofwhat truly drives people - the often overlooked 'unsaid.' We explore both the theoretical and practical sides of her work, including a real-life example of how she shaped TikTok’s marketing and product strate...
2024-11-1934 minSeat of the MuseLetting Go to Grow: How Maya Bhyer Found Purpose Beyond 3 StartupsThis week's Muse is Maya Bhyer, 3x founder who knows firsthand the power of resilience and alignment in the entrepreneurial journey. From building a key exchange platform for Airbnb hosts to a venture at the intersection of neuroscience and mental health, Maya has courageously pivoted each time to follow her true calling.In this episode, I fully hand over the mic to her to share her story uninterrupted, with all the challenges she faced along the way. She shares how the hardest decision in her life turned into the best and triggered her whole...
2024-11-0534 minSeat of the MuseFrom Lab-grown Diamonds to Royal Endorsements: Jessica Warch on Kimai’s rise, Meghan Markle, and Dragons' DenThis week’s Muse is Jessica Warch, Forbes 30 under 30, and CEO and co-founder of Kimai, a lab-grown diamond company she bootstrapped with her childhood best friend and GIA certified gemologist Sidney Neuhas, with the aim of reinventing an old industry with sustainability and transparency. In this episode, Jessica takes us through Kimai's journeyfrom its early days, sharing how the idea became a reality and the pivotal moment when Meghan Markle became the first royal to wear lab-grown diamonds, catapulting the brand into the spotlight. We discuss the challenges of finding the right investors, building a b...
2024-10-2237 minSeat of the MuseTrading the Office for the Court: How Houman Ashrafzadeh Built a Padel Club from the Ground UpThis week’s Muse is Houman Ashrafzadeh, a serial entrepreneur best known for co-founding the salad bar chain Urban Greens and, more recently, launching Padium, London’s premier padel club backed by Spotify co-founder Martin Lorentzon.In this episode, we explore Houman’s early days in the corporate world and the turning points that led him to entrepreneurship. We dive into his journey, from building Urban Greens to creating Padium, and discuss what it truly takes to establish a padel club from the ground up—along with all the highs and lows that come with it...
2024-10-0832 min