Al Nafs Podcast - Roots and Narrative

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More than coffee… this is legacy, culture, and identity in every cup. ☕🇮🇶 In this powerful episode of Roots & Narrative, we sit down with Ahmed Ridha Alwan, CEO and co-founder of Ridha Alwan Coffee the largest coffee brand in Iraq. Ahmed shares the story behind the name, the responsibility of carrying a family legacy, and how Iraqi culture is deeply embedded in every coffee shop experience. From...

He had the career, the money, and the life in London… but something kept pulling him back. In this episode, we sit down with a founder who walked away from finance to help build Iraq’s startup ecosystem from the ground up. From growing up across Iraq, Sweden, and the UK… to launching companies in one of the toughest markets in the world — this is a story about identity, risk, and purpose. We dive...

Welcome back to Roots and Narrative. Today, Rida and Naba sit down with Mustafa Alchali, the founder of Al Ghad Al Mushreq. He walks us through the early days of the orphanage the struggles, the small victories, and the overwhelming need that pushed him to build a safe space. The twist? The children who once called this place home now manage it. We sit with the new generation of leaders who are cu...

From hardship to building multiple successful businesses in Iraq, this is a story of vision, grit, and belief. 🇮🇶 We’re proud to welcome Hadi Laith, Founder and CEO of Rawnaq Aldur, Iraqi Franchise, and Qasraliya, to the Roots & Narrative podcast. Hadi is more than a business leader, he’s a world traveller, antiques collector, and visionary entrepreneur whose journey is shaped by resilience, strat...

This episode of Roots & Narratives was recorded on the road across Iraq 🇮🇶 Our guest, Ali Al Makhzomy, founder of Bil Weekend, is one of the key figures reshaping how the world experiences Iraq. From working in foreign cultural centres and studying in Dubai, to building one of Iraq’s most influential travel initiatives — Ali shares his personal journey, the risks, the challenges, and the beauty of...

Filmed in the holy city of Najaf, this episode of Roots and Narrative takes us inside the Hikayati Center Joined by Haider Alassam— a groundbreaking, purpose-built educational space redefining support for orphans in Iraq. We sit down with Haidar Lassen, the center’s manager, who shares his powerful personal journey: from growing up in Baghdad, leaving Iraq under political pressure in 1998, rebuild...

العراق 🇮🇶 قصة تُروى لأول مرة بهذه الصراحة والعمق. في هذه الحلقة الجديدة من Roots & Narratives، نستضيف الدكتور حيدر حمزة العابدي رئيس هيئة الصحة والتعليم الطبي في مؤسسة وارث الدولية لعلاج السرطان. رحلة إنسانية استثنائية، يشاركنا فيها الدكتور حيدر تجربته من حكم الإعدام، مرورًا بسنوات التحدي والمعاناة، وصولًا إلى موقع قيادي يُحدث أثرًا حقيقيًا في حياة الآلاف. حلقة عن الصمود، الإيمان، الرسالة، وخدمة ا...

Couples therapy isn’t a sign of failure — it’s a commitment. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Noor Chachan for an honest and powerful conversation about psychiatry, stigma, relationships, and healing. From communication breakdowns and childhood trauma to why couples therapy can feel like opening a Pandora’s box, we explore what it really takes to work through life together — as individuals and...

🌍✨ From Diyala to Dubai to China — one Iraqi’s unbelievable journey of identity, ambition, and finding home again. What happens when you grow up abroad, lose touch with your roots, and then return to the place that shaped you? This episode dives deep into belonging, reinvention, culture shocks, family stories, and the emotional reality of being Iraqi abroad. 🇮🇶❤️ 🔥 From crashing call centres, t...

In this inspiring episode of Roots in Narrative, Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani sit down with award-winning couple Dr. Zainab and Dr. Ahmed. A powerhouse pair in dentistry and aesthetics to explore what it really means to build a life of purpose, partnership, and balance. From their journeys as British-Iraqis navigating identity and family expectations, to the realities of marriage, communication,...

Today we dive into Iraq beyond the headlines — the memories, the kitchens, the rivers, the art, the loss, and the love that survives across generations. 🇮🇶💛 Linda Dangoor shares her journey of growing up in Baghdad, leaving after the revolution, and rebuilding identity through art, food, and storytelling. From the Tigris River 🌊 to life abroad, we explore the question: Where is home, when home i...

When war destroys faces… he gives them a second chance. In this emotional episode, Dr Mohammed Hassan Hussain, an ENT and nasal reconstruction surgeon, shares how he leaves the UK every few weeks to perform life-changing surgeries on war-injured patients in Lebanon. From children with devastating facial injuries to survivors who’ve lost everything, his story is one of courage, faith, and hope. Thi...

In this episode, we sit down with Hassan Mohamad, a transport planner whose story of resilience, identity, and ambition takes us from the streets of Basra to the heart of London. He shares: Growing up in the Iraqi diaspora and navigating life in the UK His pivotal role in transport planning during the COVID-19 crisis (including the Nightingale Hospital project) How infrastructure, mobility, and am...

Welcome to another heartfelt episode of Roots and Narrative with your hosts, Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani. In this special episode, we welcome Naba back after her time away due to the passing of her father. Join us as we navigate the complexities of grief, share personal stories, and discuss the importance of community support during difficult times. In this episode, we also share exciting news a...

In this heartfelt episode of Roots & Narratives, hosts Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani welcome the talented Mayassah Alsader, a landscape architect and historian. Mayassah shares her insights into the field of landscape architecture, tracing its historical roots back to the 16th century and discussing its evolution. She explains that landscape architecture encompasses much more than just plant selec...

In this episode of Roots & Narratives, hosts Rida Alwan and Hawra Milani welcome the inspiring Raghad Al-Abboodi, who shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Babylon to pursuing a career in technology. Raghad discusses her childhood experiences in a region marked by conflict and how they shaped her identity and ambitions. She reflects on the challenges she faced as a woman in tech, partic...

In this episode, we welcome Zahra, the founder of Iraqi Innovators, a media company dedicated to tech and startup news in Iraq. Zahra shares her passion for promoting Iraq's development and changing misconceptions about the country. She discusses her unique background, being ethnically Pakistani, and her deep-rooted connection to Iraq, particularly through her Shia heritage. Zahra reflects on her...

In this heartfelt episode of Roots & Narratives, hosts Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani welcome photographer and artist Emily Garthwaite, who shares her profound experiences in Iraq. The episode opens with a touching tribute to Naba's late father, Sayied Salah Al Madani, inviting listeners to keep him in their prayers. Emily, who has been documenting the Iraqi Arbaeen for several years, discusses her...

In this episode, hosts Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani welcome their friend Mugdad Alkhateeb, who shares his inspiring journey from a non-educational background to becoming a university head lecturer. The episode delves into the challenges and triumphs Mugdad faced while pursuing his education later in life. The discussion highlights the importance of education and personal growth, as well as the su...

In this episode, hosts Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani welcome Dr Rabbie Hanna, a Chaldean Iraqi oncologist and head of robotics, who has flown in to participate in an upcoming medical conference. The discussion begins with an exploration of the Chaldean community, highlighting their significance as the majority of Christians in Iraq, their historical presence, and current demographics. Dr. Hanna sh...

In this episode, hosts Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani welcome sit down with Hashim Ali, a talented physiotherapist from Hull Football Club. Hashim shares his inspiring journey from growing up in West London to becoming a key figure in the world of football physiotherapy. Despite his family's limited interest in the sport, Hashim developed a passion for football at a young age and has achieved signi...

In this episode, hosts Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani welcome Hassan Abdulrazzak’s, a multifaceted individual whose journey spans the globe. Born in Prague to Iraqi parents, Hassan shares his unique upbringing, speaking Czech until the age of three before moving to Iraq. He reflects on his childhood in Baghdad, highlighting his family's beautiful home in Karada. With a rich background as a doctor,...

In this episode, hosts Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani welcome author and scriptwriter Samantha Elias to discuss her new book focused on Judeo-Arabic. Samantha shares her experiences as a second-generation Iraqi Jew, detailing her family's migration history and the cultural significance of the language. The conversation explores the rich linguistic connections between Arabic and Judeo-Arabic, emphas...

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