Around the World with Joe

Redouane was born in Belgium and grew up there after his parents migrated from Morocco, surrounded by a multicultural circle of friends that shaped his worldview. Speaking five languages, he’s always been able to connect across borders, but his journey started in a very different place—engineering. Trained to think analytically, he soon realized that his true passion wasn’t just solving technical...

Meet Nesrine— born and raised in Algeria, now thriving as an IT Director in Paris. We worked together for years, bringing our teams together in Algiers, Dubai, and across the world, and I’ve watched her continually level up in both career and life. In this episode, she shares how her Algerian roots still guide her—through family, culture, people, and of course, food—while navigating success on the...

I met Atuoma in Dubai while he was studying abroad and pushing himself to new levels, following the powerful example set by his parents—especially his father. His father’s journey from humble beginnings in Nigeria to earning a scholarship that brought his family to the United States is nothing short of inspiring. Atuoma carries that legacy forward with pride with his own young family, blending his...

Carolina Martinez grew up in Bogotá, Colombia — splitting her time between the city and the countryside, always deeply rooted in her family, culture, and country. But even early on, she knew she didn’t want the typical path. In Colombia, most jobs don’t offer real freedom or financial growth, and she was determined to create something more. She started as a coach, helping people improve both their...

Shaimaa grew up in the lively streets of Cairo, where curiosity and resilience were just part of everyday life. She later surprised everyone—including herself—by learning Chinese and moving to China for work. That bold decision unlocked a global career path that eventually brought her to Dubai, where we worked side by side for years. But Shaimaa’s story didn’t stop with success in the corporate wo...

Meet Nick Gemenetzidis, his story is one of resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose. Growing up in Greece, Nick was forced to mature quickly after the passing of his father, a moment that shaped his character and drive from a young age. His journey took him to the UK, where he spent years learning, adapting, and building the foundation for his future. But it was in Dubai that Nick truly disco...

With Bulgarian roots under communist rule, Vanja’s life has been shaped by bold moves and relentless drive. After her family paved the way to Sweden and packed all their belongings into their car alone to start a new life, she embraced new opportunities, chased her passion for soccer, and followed her sense of adventure—all the way to Australia, where she built a life and family. Her biggest test...

This 4th of July weekend, I sat down with someone who truly embodies the American spirit—JJ Lund. A cowboy’s cowboy and a bold entrepreneur, JJ doesn’t just work hard and play hard—he somehow does both at the same time. From starting companies before he even knew what the business was about… to buying airplanes, ranches, and bucking bulls on the national rodeo circuit… JJ lives big, bets on himsel...

Meet Luis. Originally from Peru, he moved to Miami as a kid, then later to Dubai after meeting his wife. That move opened the door to a decade of career success and a life built far from where he started. We met playing basketball, and in this conversation, we talk about work, fatherhood, and what it’s like to hit pause after years of going full speed. Now between chapters, Luis is taking time wit...

Ahmad is the best basketball player I know in Dubai—but more than that, he’s one of the kindest and most grounded people you’ll meet. Originally from Tripoli, Lebanon, Ahmad has built an impressive career with L’Oréal, now splitting his time between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In this episode, we talk about growing up in Lebanon, making it in the corporate world, and staying connected to your roots....

Vishnu grew up in Kerala, in the south of India, and now lives in Bangalore—two very different parts of a country shaped by contrast. Different languages, cultures, foods, religions, and histories—all woven into one place where diversity doesn’t divide, it unites. Vishnu moves through that complexity with clarity. He’s helping the next generation of leaders cut through the noise, take action, and...

Meet Alvaro, originally from Spain. He moved to Dubai with one goal: to grow something big. With a mindset focused on learning from people who know more than him, Alvaro bet on himself and built a reputation from the ground up. Today, he's the go-to guy in Dubai for luxury cars — from Bugattis to Ferraris to anything you can imagine. If it exists, Alvaro can get it. This episode is about risk,...

From a small town in Sicily to global influence, Giovanni is one of the most connected people I’ve ever met. We became friends in Dubai, but his journey started with a strong family and incredible mentors in Italy. That foundation led him to work with the Italian government to host the Olympics, opening doors to key Global leaders. Eventually, Giovanni played a pivotal role in the World Expo, work...

Meet Aaron— a man whose life has been shaped by adventure, faith, and a love for learning. With roots in the tiny island of Niue, Aaron grew up in a big family surrounded by the natural beauty of New Zealand’s waterways, where he developed a deep appreciation for exploration early on. After a life-changing mission trip to Australia, he moved there for work and started a family — and it’s where his...

Manvir is one of the most gracious guys I know. Raised by parents who immigrated from India in the ’90s, Manvir grew up with the values of hard work, gratitude, and vision. Those roots gave him the foundation to become a thriving entrepreneur before the age of 30. Beyond his business success, is his depth of thought, quiet wisdom, and rare global perspective. Alongside his incredible wife, they ar...

Sasirus Yuvaves aka Khun Am grew up in Thailand and has a rich cultural upbringing that shaped her values and drive. Her journey took her across the world to study in the US, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of global perspectives. As a successful Emcee and coach, her experiences are inspiring people across the globe to reach their full potential both personally and pr...

Andy grew up in Corsica and has lived all around the world before settling in the UAE. A near-death experience involving his wife deeply shaped his outlook on life. His story is powerful, global, and grounded in simplicity and family. 🔗  Connect with Andy on LinkedIn

Patrick grew up on a small island in the Philippines, where a simple life close to nature shaped his view of the world. After moving to Dubai for much of his life and later Guam, he kept that same spirit of exploration and resilience. As part of the GoPro family, Patrick shares his journey — capturing real moments and showing what it means to live life with purpose, wherever you are.

Meet Eva  — with Bulgaria roots and raised in Cyprus, she is now soaring the skies with Emirates from her base in Dubai. With a passport full of stamps and a heart full of adventure, Eva shares what it’s like to live globally, embrace new cultures, and never stop exploring and trying new things.

Meet Filsan, a proud Somali-Canadian whose parents migrated to the Greater Toronto Area in search of a better future. Their sacrifice and resilience laid the foundation for Filsan’s success. Now thriving as the founder of a growing health clinic, Filsan is also on a journey to reconnect with her Somali roots—blending her heritage with her passion for wellness and community impact in Canada and thr...

Born in Belarus with a passion for basketball, Sergei moved to Moscow to lead air traffic control for all of Russia. After years of high intensity decision making, he moved to Dubai to slow down, breathe, and enjoy life’s pace on his own terms.

Tak-San, Takayuki Tsuchiya grew up outside Tokyo, studied in the U.S., and has traveled the world, gaining a unique perspective on life and cultural wisdom. A passionate advocate of  Wabi-Sabi , he embraces imperfection perfectly and helps others grow in all aspects of life.

Jardian Ormsby has deep roots in Basketball Australia and now leads digital innovation at Kayo and Fox Sports. We explore his journey, the influence of his Māori Australian heritage, and his passion for life. A must-listen for hoops fans and culture lovers! Connect with Jardian on Linkedin and IG: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jardian/ https://www.instagram.com/jardianormsby/

Byron shares his journey from Venezuela to studying at MIT and building a career in Dubai. He talks about the challenges of adapting to new cultures, the drive behind his success, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Not to mention a Division 2 basketball league championship in Dubai!

Luke left Zimbabwe for Dubai, chasing opportunities to build a better life for himself and his family. After trying multiple jobs that didn’t work out, he found his true passion—helping others through fitness. Now, as a personal trainer, he’s turning his struggles into strength and purpose. Connect with Luke on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shreddedluke_dxb?igsh=MW9ieDBzM3Mwcmh6ag==