Vision Voices

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...

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 ✅ B...

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 founde...

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...

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...

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...

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 lea...

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...

🎙 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 interna...

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?...

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...

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...

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 corpo...

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 in...

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 bran...

🎙️ 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 t...

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 & th...

In this insightful conversation, Jessica White, Global Growth Leader at Honeywell, joins Lara to discuss the evolving role of human connection in a digital-first world. 🌍 🔹 How do face-to-face interactions impact global business growth? 🔹 The role of AI & technology in shaping corporate culture 🔹 How businesses can balance digital transformation with human connections 🔹 The Circles method...

In this episode of Podfest 2024, host Lara talks with Mo Khaldi, Podcast Host and creator of a new Arabic podcast exploring the history of the economy in the MENA region. What we discover in this conversation: ✅ Why there’s a gap in Arabic content on history & economy ✅ The challenges of independent podcasting & finding an audience 🌍 With a fast-growing podcast scene in the region, Mo s...

In this episode, Tamara (Zubatiy) Nelson, CEO & Co-Founder of Barometer, joins host Lara to dive deep into how AI is reshaping the podcasting industry. From content creation to brand safety, advertiser trust, and monetization strategies, we explore how artificial intelligence is making podcasting more scalable, accessible, and profitable for creators and brands alike. Key topics in this episod...

Join the new Dubai #podfest2024 episode where Lara interviews James Cridland, Editor at Podnews, to explore the rapid growth of podcasting in the Arab world. Discover how Saudi Arabia’s video podcast became the most-watched globally and the trends shaping Arabic podcast content.  James shares insights on the importance of high-quality, consistent content, leveraging video and audio effectively, an...

Join Lara as she chats with Mohamed Helmy, a stand-up comedian and social media sensation with over 1 million followers on Instagram and 2.4 million on TikTok. In this episode, Mohamed shares his journey from live stand-up comedy to building a massive online family, all while staying authentic and consistent. He talks about: ✅ How he grew his audience through relatable humor and daily posts ✅ Th...

In this episode, Lara Varlamova sits down with Mais Mohammad, a TV host and podcaster, to talk about her journey from television to creating a podcast that’s uniquely her own. Mais shares how she keeps her episodes short and impactful, what it takes to connect with an audience, and why breaking the “rules” of podcasting can sometimes lead to the best results. You’ll hear about: ✅ How podcasting f...

In this episode, Lara Varlamova sits down with the talented Mehreen Munir, host of the popular podcast Karak with Mehreen. Discover how Mehreen turned her passion for cultural conversations into a thriving podcast with over 210,000 followers and 110 million views in just over a year.  📌 Topics covered: - How Mehreen started her podcast from scratch  - The secrets behind her incredible podcast gro...

In this special Christmas edition episode, Lara welcomes Mimi Nicklin, empathy advocate, keynote speaker, and author, to address a topic especially relevant during the holiday season – loneliness. While the holidays are often a time of joy, family gatherings, and celebration, for many, it can also be a season of isolation and unmet expectations.  Lara and Mimi explore the complexities of lonelines...