Builders

What happens when two startup veterans decide to challenge the consumer goods playbook in the Middle East? In this episode, I sit down with Walid Daniel Dib and Hass Anver, co-founders of Better, a self-care DTC brand doing $50,000/month in revenue—run by just two people. Newsletter: https://www.mahmoudkhodor.comBetter Website: https://itsbetter.app/Walid LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wdan...

Are AI agents the beginning of the end for websites, apps, and even jobs? In this explosive episode, Silicon Valley tech analyst and investor Jeremiah Owyang joins us to reveal why AI agents are not just another tech fad—but the biggest shift since the internet. From Uber drivers already reporting to algorithms, to billion-dollar LLMs, to the post-website internet—this conversation dives deep into...

In this episode we unpack the hard truths behind building successful tech products. From busting the “Steve Jobs genius myth” to breaking down the $300K product flop, Mahmoud shares behind-the-scenes insights from working with top founders and scaling digital products used by millions. If you’re a founder, product manager, or just someone building in tech — this episode will change how you approac...

Discover the revolutionary approach to product development in this exclusive podcast with Jason Fried, co-founder of 37signals. In this episode, Jason reveals why 37signals ditched traditional roadmaps in favor of the “Shape Up” methodology—a strategy that empowers small teams to build profitable, lovable products without chasing enterprise giants. Learn how building products you love, prioritizin...

In this unfiltered, must-hear podcast episode, we dive deep into the raw stories behind our journey from rock bottom to building a multi-million-dollar sales training empire. Discover how tough love, unwavering faith, and a no–BS approach to leadership transformed our business, marriage, and personal lives. We share powerful lessons on overcoming betrayal, embracing risk, and the importance of fam...

In this episode, I sit down with Christophe, the ex-CPO of Property Finder, who played a pivotal role in transforming the company into the industry leader in the region. We dive deep into:- How Property Finder won the marketplace battle and beat competitors like Dubizzle and Bayut.- Why trust is the #1 currency in marketplaces and how they solved the fake listing problem.- AI’s role in real estate...

Product management is one of the most misunderstood roles in tech. Everyone talks about strategy, roadmaps, and innovation, but what does it actually take to be a great product manager? 🚀In this episode, I sit down with Pooja Vithlani, a seasoned product leader who has worked at Microsoft, Expedia, and Careem, to break down the realities of product management. From how to build habit-forming prod...

Private credit is booming—and in this episode, we dive deep into why with Johanna Krüger, Head of Investor Relations at Kilde, a Singapore-based private credit platform. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.mahmoudkhodor.comJohanna unpacks:- What private credit really is (and why it’s not like traditional banking)- Why private credit is now the "Taylor Swift" of finance- The explosive growth of...

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Chahwan, the founder of Sarwa, the UAE’s first licensed fintech investment platform. Discover how Sarwa disrupted the investment space, made investing accessible to everyone, and pioneered regulatory changes in the region. We dive into: ✅ The challenges of launching a fintech startup✅ Personal finance habits and investing strategies✅ How Sarwa is helping t...

In this episode, I sit down with Mirela Mus, Founder & CEO of Product People, Europe's largest fractional product management agency. We dive into:✅ Why 42% of startups fail due to a lack of product-market fit✅ How fractional product managers help companies scale efficiently✅ The real reasons companies hire fractional PMs (beyond just filling headcount)✅ Interim vs. Fractional Product W...

In this episode, Christina Craver, Account Executive at Slack and former Oracle leader, dives into Dubai’s fast-paced tech scene, burnout, hiring challenges, and why MENA startups struggle with true innovation. We explore high-performance teams, startup culture, and the Slack vs. other workplace tools debate. Christina Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinamcraver🔹 Timestamps:0:00 - Chri...

In this brutally honest and unfiltered conversation, Prashant, the founder of Zeda, an AI-powered platform for product managers, shares his journey from securing $3.7M in funding to ultimately shutting down his startup after four years.🚀 In this episode, we cover:- The reality of building and scaling a startup- Why product management tools struggle to find product-market fit- How Prashant navigat...

When Jerry first got recruited into blockchain, he thought it was a scam. Now, he's leading innovation at Apex Fusion, a groundbreaking project aiming to solve Web3’s biggest challenges. In this episode, we explore:✅ Why Web3 adoption is still lagging✅ The biggest UX/UI issues in crypto and how to fix them✅ How Apex Fusion is revolutionizing blockchain technology✅ The role of decentralizat...

🚀 How do top product leaders make it to the best companies like Spotify? In this exclusive interview, Johanna shares her incredible journey—from inventing a talking toothbrush for kids to leading product innovation at Spotify and Dubai’s top tech hubs.🌟 Learn how she tackled regulatory challenges, scaled teams through hackathons, and cracked the secret sauce of product leadership. Whether you&#3...

Discover Abu Obeida’s journey from engineering at Microsoft and Amazon to leading product culture at Hunger Station in the GCC. Learn how he navigated rejection, overcame imposter syndrome, and championed customer-centricity in a fast-evolving market. Explore insights on transitioning from engineering to product management, building tech hubs, and fostering team culture. Keywords: product manageme...

Distraction isn't new—humans have battled it for over 2,500 years. But in today's world of iPhones, social media, and endless notifications, mastering focus is the skill of the century. In this episode, I sit down with Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable, to uncover how we can overcome distraction, build better habits, and take control of our time and attention. From...

Are you an aspiring Product Manager or a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your craft? In this engaging episode, Shravan (a.k.a. Swag Wala on YouTube) shares actionable insights, timeless wisdom, and practical strategies to elevate your product management game. We cover everything from cracking PM interviews to mastering the art of building impactful products. 🚀🔑 What you'll learn in...

🚀 In this insightful episode, I'm thrilled to host Gökhan Polat, a seasoned product leader and Founder, who is redefining startup funding and collaboration through decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). With over a decade of experience scaling ventures and leading product teams, Goang dives deep into how Web3 and AI are transforming the way startups are built and operated.🎯 What you&...

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Jeffrey Pfeffer, the world-renowned Stanford professor and author of "7 Rules of Power". In this powerful discussion, Jeffrey shares unfiltered insights on how anyone—not just CEOs or politicians—can harness power to achieve success.🔑 Key Topics Covered:Why confidence often beats competenceHow to stop sabotaging yourself and get out of your o...

In this episode, we sit down with the legendary Dr. Robert Cialdini, author of "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion". Known as the father of influence science, Dr. Cialdini unpacks the seven principles of persuasion and shares actionable insights on how to ethically influence others, build trust, and drive collaboration.🚀 Key Takeaways from the Episode:The difference between persuas...

In this episode, I sit down with Sudipt, the visionary founder behind Digital of Things and UserQ. From leaving a stable corporate career to building a UX research powerhouse in the Middle East, Sudipt shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. He discusses the importance of user experience, the cultural nuances of building digital products in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and the strategies behind...

In this in-depth conversation, I sit down with Roman Pichler—author of "Strategize" and a leading expert in Agile product management—to uncover what truly separates a grand product vision from a clear, actionable product strategy. We delve into Roman’s proven four-part framework that seamlessly connects your overarching product vision with practical roadmaps and backlogs, ensuring every...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of growth hacking with Sean Ellis, the entrepreneur who coined the term and helped scale companies like Dropbox and Eventbrite. Learn what growth hacking really means, how it differs from traditional marketing, and why product-market fit is essential before you grow. Sean shares actionable frameworks, data-driven experimentation techniques, and insider...

Join us as Neil Patel, digital marketing legend, reveals his bold strategies for scaling businesses in competitive markets. Discover why he believes common advice like “riches in niches” is misleading, and hear the story behind his $8.6M “experiment” that changed the game. Packed with insights on branding, SEO, and risk-taking, this episode challenges traditional business wisdom and offers practic...

In this riveting episode, Muhammad Chbib, one of the MENA region's most accomplished entrepreneurs, shares his incredible journey from a $25M deal collapse to building billion-dollar startups. Starting his entrepreneurial path at age 12, Muhammad delves into lessons learned from failure, insights into leadership, and his vision for empowering the MENA startup ecosystem. Don't miss this epi...