Shows
Riyada: Business, Tech, and Innovation in MENAPalestinian Film Maker and Poet Injects Authenticity and Empowerment into the IndustryThis month, the Riyada podcast featured the talented men and women advancing MENA’s film scene to better understand how creators in the region fare against the global media industry. To conclude, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with film director, writer, and poet Hind Shoufani. Hind’s life experiences in Damascus, Amman, Beirut, Dubai, and NYC have shaped her values, stories, and career trajectory, while celebrating her Palestinian identity.
2022-10-2447 min
The Wilson CenterEpisode 40 - Palestinian Film Maker and Poet Injects Authenticity and Empowerment into the IndustryThis month, the Riyada podcast featured the talented men and women advancing MENA’s film scene to better understand how creators in the region fare against the global media industry. To conclude, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with film director, writer, and poet Hind Shoufani. Hind’s life experiences in Damascus, Amman, Beirut, Dubai, and NYC have shaped her values, stories, and career trajectory, while celebrating her Palestinian identity.
2022-10-2147 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 40 - Palestinian Film Maker and Poet Injects Authenticity and Empowerment into the IndustryThis month, the Riyada podcast featured the talented men and women advancing MENA’s film scene to better understand how creators in the region fare against the global media industry. To conclude, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with film director, writer, and poet Hind Shoufani. Hind’s life experiences in Damascus, Amman, Beirut, Dubai, and NYC have shaped her values, stories, and career trajectory, while celebrating her Palestinian identity.
2022-10-2147 minRiyada: Business, Tech, and Innovation in MENAUSAID’s Jordan Mission Director on Youth and Women EntrepreneurshipCo-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Sherry Carlin, who serves as Mission Director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Jordan. MD Carlin discussed USAID’s extensive programs targeting youth economic empowerment, breaking down barriers to women’s employment, and addressing issues related to climate change and water scarcity, among other efforts.
2022-10-1426 min
The Wilson CenterEpisode 39 - USAID’s Jordan Mission Director on Youth and Women EntrepreneurshipCo-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Sherry Carlin, who serves as Mission Director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Jordan. MD Carlin discussed USAID’s extensive programs targeting youth economic empowerment, breaking down barriers to women’s employment, and addressing issues related to climate change and water scarcity, among other efforts.
2022-10-1226 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 39 - USAID’s Jordan Mission Director on Youth and Women EntrepreneurshipCo-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Sherry Carlin, who serves as Mission Director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Jordan. MD Carlin discussed USAID’s extensive programs targeting youth economic empowerment, breaking down barriers to women’s employment, and addressing issues related to climate change and water scarcity, among other efforts.
2022-10-1226 min
The Wilson CenterEpisode 38 - Highlighting Narratives from the Region and by the Region through FilmOn this episode of the Riyada podcast, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa zoom into the production side of MENA’s film industry. Ali Jaafar, head of the film division at MBC Studios, produced numerous films, including The Swimmers (2022), King of Thieves (2018), and The Idol (2015). Ali discussed his transition from journalism to production and desire to elevate diverse narratives from the Arab world to regional and global audiences.
2022-10-0435 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 38 - Highlighting Narratives from the Region and by the Region through FilmOn this episode of the Riyada podcast, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa zoom into the production side of MENA’s film industry. Ali Jaafar, head of the film division at MBC Studios, produced numerous films, including The Swimmers (2022), King of Thieves (2018), and The Idol (2015). Ali discussed his transition from journalism to production and desire to elevate diverse narratives from the Arab world to regional and global audiences.
2022-10-0435 minRiyada: Business, Tech, and Innovation in MENAAward-Winning Film Director from Jordan Reflects on the Importance of FilmCo-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Amin Matalqa, a pioneering filmmaker from Jordan. Amin’s first film, Captain Abu Raed (2008), won the Sundance World Cinema Audience Award and was the first Oscar submission from Jordan. He’s gone on to direct other films and TV shows, including Disney’s soccer drama The United (2012) and Jinn (2019), Netflix’s first Arabic show.
2022-09-0736 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 36 - Award-Winning Film Director from Jordan Reflects on the Importance of FilmIn September, the Riyada podcast will highlight the world of arts and film, a budding sector across the MENA region. To kick off the discussion, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Amin Matalqa, a pioneering filmmaker from Jordan. Amin’s first film, Captain Abu Raed (2008), won the Sundance World Cinema Audience Award and was the first Oscar submission from Jordan. He’s gone on to direct other films and TV shows, including Disney’s soccer drama The United (2012) and Jinn (2019), Netflix’s first Arabic show.
2022-09-0636 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 36 - Award-Winning Film Director from Jordan Reflects on the Importance of FilmIn September, the Riyada podcast will highlight the world of arts and film, a budding sector across the MENA region. To kick off the discussion, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Amin Matalqa, a pioneering filmmaker from Jordan. Amin’s first film, Captain Abu Raed (2008), won the Sundance World Cinema Audience Award and was the first Oscar submission from Jordan. He’s gone on to direct other films and TV shows, including Disney’s soccer drama The United (2012) and Jinn (2019), Netflix’s first Arabic show.
2022-09-0636 minRiyada: Business, Tech, and Innovation in MENAOn Youth in Jordan from UNICEF's Youth HeadCo-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa sat down with UNICEF’s youth expert at Jordan’s country office, Giorgia Varisco, to learn more about what she sees as the most pressing challenges and promising solutions facing youth. Giorgia detailed the organization’s work to address Jordan’s high youth unemployment - particularly among women - with an emphasis on preparing young people for the world of work.
2022-08-3138 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 34 - On Youth in Jordan from UNICEF's Youth HeadThis month, the Riyada podcast commemorated International Youth Day – recognized on August 12 – by featuring vibrant, young entrepreneurs from the MENA region. In this interview, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa sat down with UNICEF’s youth expert at Jordan’s country office, Giorgia Varisco, to learn more about what she sees as the most pressing challenges and promising solutions facing youth.
Giorgia detailed the organization’s work to address Jordan’s high youth unemployment - particularly among women - with an emphasis on preparing young people for the world of work. This includes connecting them to employment opportunities and providing tailored pro...
2022-08-2638 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 34 - On Youth in Jordan from UNICEF's Youth HeadThis month, the Riyada podcast commemorated International Youth Day – recognized on August 12 – by featuring vibrant, young entrepreneurs from the MENA region. In this interview, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa sat down with UNICEF’s youth expert at Jordan’s country office, Giorgia Varisco, to learn more about what she sees as the most pressing challenges and promising solutions facing youth.
Giorgia detailed the organization’s work to address Jordan’s high youth unemployment - particularly among women - with an emphasis on preparing young people for the world of work. This includes connecting them to employment opportunities and providing tailored pro...
2022-08-2638 minRiyada: Business, Tech, and Innovation in MENAEdraak CEO Shares the Importance of Skilling MENA’s Youth and Open Online ResourcesThis episode of the Riyada podcast looks at one of the main features of the workforce development challenge in the MENA region: the skills mismatch. One organization dedicated to closing this gap is Edraak, a massive open online course (MOOC) platform and key initiative of the Queen Rania Foundation in Jordan. Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Shireen Yacoub, CEO of Edraak since 2017, who leads the company’s skills strategy, preparing youth for the digital economy.
2022-07-1336 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 29 - Edraak CEO Shares the Importance of Skilling MENA’s Youth and Open Online ResourcesThis episode of the Riyada podcast looks at one of the main features of the workforce development challenge in the MENA region: the skills mismatch. The asymmetry between employers’ needs and job seekers’ capabilities is caused in part by an archaic education system on the ‘supply side’ and need to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem on the ‘demand side’.
One organization dedicated to closing this gap is Edraak, a massive open online course (MOOC) platform and key initiative of the Queen Rania Foundation in Jordan. Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Shireen Yacoub, CEO of Edraak since 2017, who leads the company’s sk...
2022-07-1336 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 29 - Edraak CEO Shares the Importance of Skilling MENA’s Youth and Open Online ResourcesThis episode of the Riyada podcast looks at one of the main features of the workforce development challenge in the MENA region: the skills mismatch. The asymmetry between employers’ needs and job seekers’ capabilities is caused in part by an archaic education system on the ‘supply side’ and need to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem on the ‘demand side’.
One organization dedicated to closing this gap is Edraak, a massive open online course (MOOC) platform and key initiative of the Queen Rania Foundation in Jordan. Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Shireen Yacoub, CEO of Edraak since 2017, who leads the company’s sk...
2022-07-1336 minRiyada: Business, Tech, and Innovation in MENAThe Riyada Podcast Welcomes its New Co-Host Imad ShawaMEP Director Merissa Khurma introduces her new co-host of the Riyada podcast, Imad Shawa. In this discussion, Merissa spoke with Imad about his journey as an entrepreneur in Amman, Jordan, and the decision to launch his own podcast, Howdy Arabia.
2022-07-0724 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 28 - The Riyada Podcast Welcomes its New Co-Host Imad ShawaMEP Director Merissa Khurma introduces her new co-host of the Riyada podcast, Imad Shawa. In this discussion, Merissa spoke with Imad about his journey as an entrepreneur in Amman, Jordan, and the decision to launch his own podcast, Howdy Arabia.
2022-07-0624 minThe Wilson CenterEpisode 28 - The Riyada Podcast Welcomes its New Co-Host Imad ShawaMEP Director Merissa Khurma introduces her new co-host of the Riyada podcast, Imad Shawa. In this discussion, Merissa spoke with Imad about his journey as an entrepreneur in Amman, Jordan, and the decision to launch his own podcast, Howdy Arabia.
2022-07-0624 min
Howdy ArabiaEp. 18 - Nika Gilauri: Prime Minister turned Global Reform Guru. Lessons in curbing corruption, simplifying the rules and growth hacking your country.Nika Gilauri was Prime Minister of Georgia from 2009 to 2012. He also served as Minister for Energy (2004–2007) and Minister for Finance (2007–2009).
Nika's tenure in government was marked by dramatic economic recovery and growth that countries only dream of, whereby his team enacted a series of bold and radical anti-corruption and growth hack tactics. The results were monumental:
Georgia’s GDP rose from -9.0% when Mr Gilauri was appointed to +8.1% when his term came to an end in 2012. Georgia’s budgetary deficit also decreased under his leadership dropping from 9% in 2009 to 3% in 2012. Mr Gilauri also guided reforms in the ene...
2021-08-2256 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 17 - Does Palestine have a branding problem? Asked and answered with Saint LevantMeet the young Gaza-raised US-based Palestinian activist, hip-hop artist, influencer, entrepreneur: Marwan AbdelHamid AKA Saint Levant
Host Imad Shawa and Marwan talk about Palestinian rights, Israel's ethnic Apartheid, anti-semitism, right of return, Gaza resilience, lobbying in America, connecting diasporas, Tik Tok and making music. The interview was recorded from a March 18th 2021 ClubHouse room entitled "Does Palestine have a branding problem?"
Here's the episode breakdown of topics:
00:00 to 00:48 Sample from "Jerusalem Freestyle" written & performed by Marwan
00:49 to 03:48 Imad's introduction
03:49 to 17:07 Activism for Palestine, echo chambers and narratives
17:08 to 26:0...
2021-06-291h 19
The Creative Minds#73: Imad Shawa x Aida Tleel " Founder of Mlabbas"Imad Shawa is the founder of Mlabbas, and the host of the HowdyArabia podcast.
Mlabbas is a shopping and printing services concept which functions as a creative gift shop which allows it's customers to have their own designs printed on various products from t-shirts to phone covers, mugs to pillows, aprons to hoodies, and much more
In this episode he shares more about his story, how Mlabbas came to existence, but beyond all of that, I truly enjoyed his authenticity in this episode and how verbal he was about how COVID has truly affected his b...
2021-04-3059 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 16 - Vytalize Health transforms patient care, and everybody wins. With co-founder Faris GhawiA bright spot in America's bloated healthcare system. CEO and co-founder Faris Ghawi sat with Imad Shawa back in January at Mlabbas studios on Rainbow street in Amman to explain the quiet revolution that's taking place in Medicare cost cutting and beyond.
Faris is heading up a wildly successful American health care company called Vitalyze Health, which makes a fortune by transforming healthcare delivery to senior patients, not by charging their clients, but by sharing the savings their value-based care achieves.
Medical costs for most of the 60 million American seniors are paid for by Medicare, a...
2021-03-1047 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 15 - Disciplined, profitable, niche e-commerce. Ghassan Halazon talks IPO, mantra, pipeline and mental health.Ghassan Halazon is the CEO & founder of Emerge Commerce, a diversified, rapidly growing acquirer and operator of niche e-commerce brands across North America, with a market cap of $135 million after only a month of listing on the Toronto exchange (TSXV: ECOM).
Ghassan speaks to Imad Shawa about the mantra and approach of EMerge, the profile of target acquisitions, employee equity, and the mental toll of being an entrepreneur and CEO.
Ghassan Halazon is a Jordanian-Canadian technology and e-commerce entrepreneur, born and raised in Amman, Jordan. He attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and holds...
2021-02-1448 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 14 - Tribalism, Islamism, Meritocracy and the Need for Political Parties, with Kais ZayadinThe absence of political party maturity and political freedom is an ailment that infects most of the Arab world. In Jordan virtually no one is a serious member of any political party, and the vast majority of elections and voting is based on tribal relationships rather than policy. Enter the "Maan List" in 2016.
Kais Khalil Zayadin is a young lawyer who jumped into politics and became an elected member of Jordan's parliament since 2016. But the platform he and his colleague Khaled Ramadan ran on was brazenly secular and liberal. So it was a shock to most (except Kais...
2021-01-171h 08Howdy ArabiaEp. 13 - The One About The Jordanian Economy, with Fawaz GhanemGrim but not too grim. Small, but not out. If you have any vested interest in Jordan you'll want to hear this casual & candid discussion about the economic landscape in Jordan, between host Imad Shawa & guest Fawaz Ghanem.
Jordan is a poor post colonial nation with little natural resources to speak of, and a workforce by-in-large either in the informal economy or the public sector. Despite its public health and education sectors in long-term decline, the country remains stable politically, in contrast to most of its Arab peers. Thanks to the stabilizing efforts of both the internal aff...
2021-01-041h 08Howdy ArabiaThe One About The Jordanian Economy, with Fawaz GhanemGrim but not too grim. Small, but not out. If you have any vested interest in Jordan you'll want to hear this casual & candid discussion about the economic landscape in Jordan, between host Imad Shawa & guest Fawaz Ghanem.
Jordan is a poor post colonial nation with little natural resources to speak of, and a workforce by-in-large either in the informal economy or the public sector. Despite its public health and education sectors in long-term decline, the country remains stable politically, in contrast to most of its Arab peers. Thanks to the stabilizing...
2020-12-261h 08Howdy ArabiaEp. 12 - Network Gaming in the Middle East with Jawaker CEO Mohamad Haj HasanOnline network gaming can be considered a winner in the Covid era. And perhaps the most well positioned player in the Arab world is Jawaker. Co-founder and CEO Mohamad Haj Hasan talks about the culture inside his company and what his time in the US (at MIT and Stanford) taught him about organization mindset. We also discuss what tech companies do with data and their different approaches to revenue channels.
Mohamad sat with Imad Shawa in Amman for over 2 hours. This condensed version of the talk is brought to you by Mlabbas. Get your custom printed shirts and acc...
2020-11-1449 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 11 - Nobody wants to be fat. The journey to 400 lbs and back: Sachir Ajlouni's 30-year war on food addiction, and what finally worked.Today Sachir Ajlouni gives an intense food addiction program for obese people, and the waiting list is in the hundreds. But just a few years ago he was lost and powerless against his own food addiction. For 32 years he was fighting the wrong thing, and resorted to every trick humanly possible to get thin. His stories are both hilarious and horrific.
Based between Tampa, Florida and Amman, Jordan, Sachir has moved his course online due to Covid, and is able to take on more people. Just e-mail his team at hello@aglonrecovery.com
Sachir sat w...
2020-10-121h 14Howdy ArabiaNobody wants to be fat. The journey to 400 lbs and back: Sachir Ajlouni's 30-year war on food addiction, and what finally worked.Today Sachir Ajlouni gives an intense food addiction program for obese people, and the waiting list is in the hundreds. But just a few years ago he was lost and powerless against his own food addiction. For 32 years he was fighting the wrong thing, and resorted to every trick humanly possible to get thin. His stories are both hilarious and horrific.
Based between Tampa, Florida and Amman, Jordan, Sachir has moved his course online due to Covid, and is able to take on more people. Just e-mail his team at hello@aglonrecovery.com
Sachir...
2020-10-1100 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 10 - Conscious Living - The founders of Kyan Foundation reveal how & why this vehicle for self-awareness came to be. With Zein, Yassi and Noor.Kyan Foundation, launched in July 2020, is dedicated to unfolding and uplifting the essence of humanity with a special focus on Education, Parenting and Self Mastery. It's the culmination of 4 Jordanian women's life's work. Imad Shawa sat with 3 co-founders Yasi bint Asem, Noor bint Asem and Zein Nimri to get a feel for the foundation's work and focus.
Kyan Foundation is on Instagram: @kyan_foundation and was founded by Sarah Bint Asem, Yasmine bint Asem, Noor bint Asem and Zein Nimri.
Follow Howdy Arabia on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: @HowdyArabia
Imad Shawa...
2020-08-0955 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 9 - TikTok, Alabama and Palestinian Elvis. Khaled ElAhmad talks Social Media Strategy and a past life in America.Known online as Shusmo, social media consultant Khaled ElAhmad talks about Facebook privacy, TikTok, and decades spent in the deep south before coming to Jordan. His book "Shusmo" is about the journey of building his personal brand and is a great guide on harnessing social media. Khaled joins Imad Shawa to reminisce about America, Arab culture and the future of social media.
2020-07-1559 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 8 - Acting while Arab. Laith Nakli talks about Hulu's Ramy and Racial JusticeSeason 2 of Ramy just dropped on Hulu, sandwiched between Covid-19 and global police brutality protests. Laith plays Uncle Naseem, and if you haven't seen the show, this interview is a SPOILER. Imad Shawa talks to Laith about being Arab in Hollywood, his Syrian roots, the brilliance of Ramy Youssef, and the future of racial justice in America. And of course, the big reveal of Uncle Naseem in episode 9.
2020-06-1652 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 7 - You are what you eat. You eat how you feel. Functional Nutrition with Zein NimriImad Shawa spoke to Functional Medicine Nutritionist Zein Nimri about diets, meditation, addiction, Hungry Ghosts, and how mindfulness is the cure for our destructive eating habits.
2020-06-0624 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 6 - Will the real emotion, please stand up? Avoiding avoidance, with Rania AtallaAre we equipped to face & tame negative emotions? Amman-based psychotherapist Rania Atalla breaks down the emotional regulation technique that works: RAINS which stands for Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Non-Judgment / unmet Need, and finally Surf the emotion!
Whether it's fear, guilt, shame or anger, mastering the RAINS technique re-wires our brain to take back control of our emotions and how we react to them. Hosted by Imad Shawa.
2020-05-2450 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 5 - Kids, parenting, lock-downs and anxiety! With Sirsa QurshaChild Development and Parenting Specialist Sirsa Qursha talks to Imad Shawa about her work with kids and parents during the time of Coronavirus, lockdowns and high anxiety.
2020-05-0855 minHowdy ArabiaThe Swiss Response, with Faisal DarwazehLabatec Pharma CEO Faisal Darwazeh talks from his home in Geneva, about Switzerland's performance in dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic. We also discussed a wild conspiracy theory or two. All opinions are our own.
2020-04-3039 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 3 - Dining, Delivery and Dark Kitchens. How Will Restaurants Survive the Pandemic? With Omar TabbaaImad Shawa sat with restaurateur and Endeavor entrepreneur Omar Tabbaa of Eat Restaurant Group to discuss his venture into "Delivery Kitchens" or cloud kitchens, and how the restaurant industry should pivot to survive & thrive during the Covid pandemic.
2020-04-2630 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 2 - Ecotourism & the Grim Future of post Covid Tourism with Nabil TaraziImad Shawa speaks to Nabil Tarazi of EcoHotels.me and Jordan's renowned eco-tourism jewel: Feynan Ecolodge. How can tourism come back? What is the scale of the devastation on the sector globally and in Jordan? Recorded on Easter Sunday under extreme Corona lock-down, Amman, Jordan.
2020-04-2144 minHowdy ArabiaEp. 1 - Covid, NYC and US Healthcare with Dr. Hadi HalazunHadi is an Arab-American cardiologist in Manhattan who's been working Covid-care at his hospital. What's the future of health care in America after this? And how is his old home town of Amman, Jordan faring during Corona?
2020-04-1655 min