Culture Mapping

In this episode, we sit down with Iranian architect and designer Neda Salmanpour to explore the kind of depth you rarely find in global communities. Neda takes us inside the world of Islamic architecture — where geometry and mathematics shape patterns we often mistake for pure ornament. She explains why the beauty of Islamic design isn’t improvisation, but precision. We also talk about what “home”...

In this episode of Culture Mapping, we sit down with Robin Höfer, a German chef (Executive Chef at Kraken, Gault&Millau Future Great nominee, ex-Ossiano) who worked his way up from traditional kitchens in Europe to building his own culinary projects in Dubai. Robin talks about the growing crisis in Germany’s restaurant industry — where few young people want to become chefs because the job demands...

In this episode of Culture Mapping, we sit down with Jaime Brown — a mural artist from the US whose life took an unexpected turn after she read the Quran one day and decided to convert to Islam. Before moving to Morocco, Jaime worked in Hollywood — but everything changed when she felt a deep spiritual connection that led her to a completely new path. today, she lives and creates in Dubai, where he...

Discover the vibrant world of Arab art with Gaith Abdulla, co-founder of Bayt Al Mamzar, an independent gallery and art residency in Dubai. In this captivating episode, Gaith shares his journey from art enthusiast to gallery owner, offering invaluable insights on how anyone can start collecting art. Learn about the rich tapestry of Arab artistic expression and the exciting developments in the regi...

In the final episode of Season 1 of Culture Mapping , we sit down with Ghita Bahmad, founder of the innovative foodtech company, The Food Engine. Born in Morocco and raised in Canada, Ghita is a food engineer with vast experience in the industry, and she shares her inspiring journey from being an employee to becoming a successful entrepreneur. In this episode, we dive into the challenges and trium...

In the ninth episode of "Culture Mapping," we have an insightful conversation with George Katodrytis, a distinguished architect and professor with deep roots in both Cyprus and the UAE. George has spent many years in the UAE and is a passionate advocate for the country’s unique approach to urbanism and its rapid development. We explore George’s multicultural journey, including his marriage to a So...

In the eighth episode of "Culture Mapping," we dive into the fascinating journey of Imad Gharazeddine, CEO and co-founder of Mamo. From growing up in Saudi Arabia to studying in Canada and landing a dream job at Google, Imad's story is one of determination and discovery. Join us as we explore his leap into the startup world, the hurdles he faces as a CEO, and his insights on building a vibrant cor...

In the seventh episode of "Culture Mapping," we chat with Leena Vesterinen, a Finnish entrepreneur revolutionizing real estate investing with her company Asette. Leena shares her journey from Finland, where independence and entrepreneurship are fostered from a young age, to England, where she built various startups, and finally to the UAE with Careem. Discover how Leena's background in user experi...

Welcome to Culture Mapping, we are Anastasia and Konstantin, entrepreneurs based in the UAE and culture enthusiasts eager to share unique paths our guests have taken. In the sixth episode of "Culture Mapping," we welcome Felix Erdmann, an entrepreneur from Germany with a lifelong passion for event production and spatial experiences. Felix began his journey at just 12 years old and has never looked...

Welcome to Culture Mapping, we are Anastasia and Konstantin, entrepreneurs based in the UAE and culture enthusiasts eager to share unique paths our guests have taken. In the fifth episode of "Culture Mapping," we sit down with renowned artist Filippo Minelli . Join us as we explore the contrasting approaches to politics and culture in the Western and Eastern worlds, delving into thought-provoking...

Welcome to Culture Mapping, we are Anastasia and Konstantin, entrepreneurs based in the UAE and culture enthusiasts eager to share unique paths our guests have taken. In the fourth episode we have an enlightening conversation with Afaf Al Kharfan , the Programming & Events Manager of MIZA Abu Dhabi and co-founder of Dubai Poetry Slam . Afaf, an expert in community building, shares her insights on...

Welcome to Culture Mapping, we are Anastasia and Konstantin, entrepreneurs based in the UAE and culture enthusiasts eager to share unique paths our guests have taken. In the third episode we sit down with Anastasia Kopijevski , an art manager, founder of Skaya Art , and mother of two multicultural children. Join us as we explore Anastasia's unique journey, from her pre- / post-Soviet upbringing in...

Welcome to Culture Mapping, we are Anastasia and Konstantin, entrepreneurs based in the UAE and culture enthusiasts eager to share unique paths our guests have taken. In this episode we sit down with Sandhya Lalloo-Morar, the Founder of Ido Movement, for a captivating journey through her life and experiences growing up in South Africa during apartheid. Born and raised in South Africa to parents of...

Welcome to Culture Mapping, we are Anastasia and Konstantin, entrepreneurs based in the UAE and culture enthusiasts eager to share unique paths our guests have taken. In this episode we sit down with Alex Warren, a journalist turned entrepreneur and the founder of Zerzura Rare Books at Alserkal Avenue (culture cluster in Dubai). Join us as we explore his fascinating journey and his reflections on...

Welcome to "Culture Mapping”, a podcast, where we explore the world through personal stories. We are Anastasia and Konstantin, entrepreneurs based in the UAE and culture enthusiasts eager to share unique paths our guests have taken. We've experienced firsthand the transformative power of travel and cross-cultural encounters. Through this podcast, we aim to show that no matter where you're from or...