Forward_Moves

Can a single dish carry the weight of heritage, memory, and identity? In this episode of Forward_Moves , host Raja Haddad sits down with Chef Ahmad Halawa, the Palestinian culinary artist bringing people together—one plate at a time. From childhood memories in his family kitchen to launching a supper club in Dubai, Ahmad shares how food became his way of preserving culture, connecting communities,...

🎙 How do you honour your purpose and find joy in the process?  In this heartfelt episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with multidisciplinary musical artist Fadi Rifai to explore the power of creativity, community, and self-discovery. From Sufi sound journeys and musical theatre to letting go of labels, Fadi shares how he moved from self-doubt to full-time artistry—t...

From rebranding Victoria Beckham to redefining Arab identity!  Welcome back to Forward_moves! In this bold and thought-provoking episode, Nez Gebreel, Creative Luxury Strategist, joins Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad to unpack what it means to reclaim Arab identity, challenge cultural stereotypes, and lead with curiosity and creativity. 🔍 You’ll hear about: Her journey from London to Dubai and beyond...

Silence, sound, and the soul of a region.  In this powerful episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Raja Haddad and Lina Nahhas sit down with Shelley Frost—harpist, entrepreneur, and founder of The Fridge—to explore the art of listening, the magic of mentorship, and the evolution of the Middle East’s grassroots music scene. 🎧 In this episode: - Building The Fridge and Dubai’s independent music ecosystem...

What does it take to build billion-dollar businesses and empower the next generation of founders across MENA? In this episode, Raja Haddad sits down with Noor Sweid, VC powerhouse, author, and Shark Tank judge. Noor shares her journey from scaling IPOs to reshaping the region’s entrepreneurial future. 🔍 What to expect: The story behind Coming of Age , her bestselling book on MENA startups How Zen...

What does it mean to truly belong, and can design help us find our way home? In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with pioneering designer Nada Debs, whose work blends heritage and modernity, craft and culture, East and East. Born in Lebanon, raised in Japan, and shaped by a global perspective, Nada opens up about her journey of reconciling identity and how...

What happens when tradition meets bold vision in the world of design?  In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with Mohammad Maktabi, the creative force behind Iwan Maktabi, to explore the powerful intersections of heritage, innovation, and personal transformation. From a family of renowned carpet merchants to a design visionary, Mohamed’s story blends traditio...

Welcome back to Season 2 of Forward_Moves! Hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down for a raw, face-to-face conversation with Sunny Rahbar, co-founder of The Third Line gallery in Dubai. Together, they trace Sunny’s journey from post-9/11 New York to pioneering one of the region’s most impactful contemporary art spaces. 🎨 What You'll Hear  • How a personal crisis after 9/11 became a cataly...

Season 2 kicks off with an inspiring conversation between hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad and special guest Asmaa Al Shabibi, co-founder of Lawrie Shabibi Gallery and a key figure in Dubai’s evolving art scene.  What’s Inside This Episode? 🏛️ How Asmaa transitioned from corporate law to curating groundbreaking art exhibitions. 🖼️ The early days of the Dubai Art movement & how it became a glo...

In this face-to-face season finale episode of Forward_Moves, co-hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad open up about the origins of the podcast and their shared mission to celebrate art, creativity, and human connection. From the emotional depth of music to the transformative power of gratitude, this conversation explores how awareness and movement shape our identities and relationships. 🔍 What’s Insi...

Is success about pushing harder—or knowing when to surrender? In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas & Raja Haddad talk to Dina Ghandour, a wellness expert and entrepreneur, about her journey from corporate PR to yoga, energy healing, and conscious entrepreneurship. Dina now leads yoga sessions, workshops, and retreats worldwide. As a certified Usui Reiki master, she specializes i...

What does it mean to create? Emirati designer and entrepreneur Omar Al Gurg, founder of Modu Method, believes everything is a reinvention—an evolution of what already exists. In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad explore Omar’s journey of balancing architecture, furniture design, and storytelling while drawing inspiration from his Arab roots and global experiences. He...

Can sound become art? Can technology reshape storytelling? 🎨🎧 In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas & Raja Haddad sit down with Amrita Sethi, a former banker turned award-winning digital artist and an NFT artist in the UAE. She pioneered Soundbite Art, blending AR, VR, and blockchain to bring sound waves to life in visual form. 🌊 From a career in banking to pioneering digital...

🌟 Meet The Mind Behind Karrouhat 🎶 This episode of forward_moves explores the journey of the musical project Karrouhat, which beautifully fuses Arabic heritage with global sounds. Hosted by Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad, the conversation dives into balancing a career in telecom engineering while crafting music with friends to performing on global stages like Paris Fashion Week. 🎧 Why should you t...

Step into the world of Stefania Nazzal, where vibrant colors collide with tactile textures to create sensory masterpieces!  Our hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad dive into Stefania’s artistic journey—from her fascination with numbers to her unique approach with materials like strings and everyday objects.  🔑 What you’ll learn: -How Stefania’s deep connection with numbers shapes her art  -The art...

Discover the Secrets to Luxury Branding with Ayman Fakoussa 🌟 In this episode of Forward_Moves, hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad explore the successful journey of Ayman Fakoussa, co-founder of The Qode, Dubai’s leading luxury brand communications agency. Ayman shares how he turned personal challenges into opportunities, built his network of support , and reshaped luxury branding in the Middle Ea...

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Forward_Moves! 🎙️ This week, your hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with the talented Mariam Yehia, creator of the acclaimed fashion label Mrs. Keepa. Mariam opens up about her path to success, the challenges she overcame, and how her cultural duality shaped her unique voice in the world of fashion. 🔑 Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: Ma...

Explore the Inspiring Journey of Faissal El-Malak on the latest Forward_Moves Episode! This week, Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad sit down with Palestinian artist, healer, and vocalist Faissal El-Malak. From launching a fashion brand to creating award-winning vocal and film projects, Faissal’s journey is one of creativity, resilience, and cultural connection. 🌟 What You’ll Discover: - Faissal’s artis...

Join hosts Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad on the Forward_Moves as they explore the remarkable journey of Sumaya Dabbagh, a renowned Saudi architect whose work bridges cultural heritage and modern design.  Sumaya’s story is a testament to the power of authenticity, self-awareness, and creativity. In this episode, Sumaya shares: ✨ Her transition from Saudi Arabia to the UK at 13, navigating identity a...

Uncover the Artistic World of eL Seed  Welcome back to Forward_Moves . On this week’s episode, Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad welcome the internationally acclaimed artist, eL Seed. Renowned for blending Arabic calligraphy with contemporary street art, eL Seed’s work transcends borders, weaving themes of identity, coexistence, and humanity.  What you’ll discover: eL Seed’s journey from a young dreamer...

Welcome to the very first episode of Forward_Moves ! Join Lina Nahhas and Raja Haddad as they sit down with the remarkable Nadine Kanso—renowned designer and creative visionary—to explore her journey of self-discovery, boldness, and resilience. Nadine shares the lessons she wishes she’d embraced earlier, the importance of staying true to your identity, and how to turn challenges into opportunities...