Mastervision® Podcast by Nina Seredai

The world feels increasingly uncertain. Wars, economic instability, AI disruption, and constant pressure are reshaping the way we live, work, and lead. But is there really opportunity in times of crisis? In this episode of Mastervision® Podcast, our host Nina Seredai sits down once again with leadership and culture strategist Shereen Qutob for an honest conversation about resilience, decision-maki...

What happens when you accidentally receive an email in which your managers are discussing whether to dismiss you? For most, it's a nightmare. For today's guest, it became the catalyst for building one of the Middle East's most loved healthy food brands. In this episode of the Mastervision® Podcast, our host Nina Seredai sits down with Mazen Kanaan, Co-Founder and CEO of House of Pop...

What does leadership look like when the ground keeps shifting beneath you? For those of us building careers and businesses in Dubai and across the UAE right now, that question feels closer to home than ever. Amid regional uncertainty, many people are reassessing, some are leaving, and almost everyone is asking: what comes next? To support every leader navigating this moment, we went back through o...

This episode is for anyone who's been thinking about writing a book especially if you're an entrepreneur, coach, or consultant who wants to build your authority and influence. Nina sits down with Heidi van't Riet, a book-writing coach who works with business leaders to turn their expertise into published books. They have an honest conversation about why writing a book is still one o...

What if the secret to skyrocketing sales, a prosperous business, and lasting growth lies in the small talks happening by the coffee machine? In this episode of the Mastervision® Podcast, our host Nina Seredai sits down with Lena Tarakjian, former senior executive in the luxury industry who's now helping businesses tap into something most organisations completely overlook: the power of informa...

Hiring in 2026 is broken or at least it feels that way. In this episode of the Mastervision® Podcast, we explore recruitment in the UAE, where companies receive 1,500 to 2,000 CVs per role and still struggle to find quality talent. Louise Vine, founder of Inspire Selection and UAE recruitment expert with over 20 years of experience, reveals the truth about hiring today:  ▪️ Why there's a surp...

What happens when leaders stop managing KPIs and start leading people? In this episode of the Mastervision® Podcast, Sabahatt Habbib, Chief People & Culture Officer at The Giving Movement, openly shares her experience of building high-performance teams through empathy, transparency, and accountability. Sabahatt explains why, in her organisation, every KPI has a human story behind it, and why t...

Is the old mantra of "sacrificing everything for your career" actually working anymore? Or is it a fast track to burnout and emptiness, even if you succeed? In this episode of the Mastervision® Podcast, I speak with Lucie Lachaux. By 26, she was a CFO with everything she was supposed to want. Yet she felt utterly empty. Her story sparks a powerful conversation about understanding who you...

What does it take to succeed as an entrepreneur in Dubai’s competitive business world? What if real success comes from endurance, focus and vision? In this episode of the Mastervision ® Podcast, we talk with Jan Kübler, CEO of Worldfield Real Estate and Worldfield Investment Holding, and a multiple Ironman finisher. He shares how the discipline and resilience developed through endurance sports can...

Today, I’m joined by Kate Borodich, CEO of Drinkit, a digital-first coffee shop chain. After building and eventually closing the Dodo Pizza UK business as its COO, Kate moved to Dubai to start again — this time with a bold idea to merge coffee culture and technology. In this episode, Kate shares what it really takes to enter one of the most competitive F&B markets in the world. We talk about t...

In this episode, I'm talking with Michael Belton, the CEO of MERED Real Estate Development. Michael's path is a fascinating one: from Alaska to Russia, and finally to the GCC. With over three decades of experience in global real estate, he's managed a staggering $5B in assets across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. We get into what leadership truly means in a region of over 200...

Today, I’m joined by Maureen Hall, founder, CEO, and creative director of COÉGA, a Dubai-born swimwear brand that has grown steadily for over 21 years. After serving in the Canadian Air Force, Maureen transformed her sewing hobby into a fashion company that now operates in 100+ retail locations across the Middle East and has collaborated with Disney, Marvel, and Warner Brothers. In this episode, M...

Today, I’m joined by Phil Bedford, cofounder of Strategic Business Connect Company, professor of business networking at Tetr College of Business, international speaker, and bestselling author. I’ve invited Phil to speak directly to us Dubai entrepreneurs because in this extremely competitive market, survival and success often depend on one thing: the strength of your network. But how do you build...

Today, I’m joined by Hani Soubra, a former BBC MENA director, university lecturer, a published author, and business consultant. Together, we explore a critical question: Why do companies die, and how can some outlast market shifts, leadership changes, and even their own founders?  The statistics are staggering: the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company has dropped from 61 years in 1958 to jus...

Today, I’m joined by Tracy Jones, a mind management coach and educator who works with elite athletes, politicians, high-performing leaders, and ultra-high-net-worth families. Together, we explored a contradiction of our modern world: on one hand, we strive to achieve high performance at work, which often leads to constant distraction through multitasking, stress, and even burnout; on the other han...

Today, I’m joined by Sahar Karoubi, founder of Bambuyu — a sustainable tissue and toilet paper brand built in Dubai. Told by manufacturers she would fail, Sahar stayed true to her vision and turned an everyday product into a stylish, purpose-driven brand. In this episode, she shares how she built an eco-friendly business in the UAE, the challenges of launching a green product, and what it takes to...

Have you heard of executive interim management? Before this episode, I had no idea how powerful this niche leadership tool could be for companies facing business transformation, crisis management, or rapid market expansion. Whether your business is navigating a major transition, entering a new market, or urgently needs experienced leadership to avoid losing market share, an executive interim manag...

With the launch of Season 3, our Brands Through Stories podcast takes on a new name — Mastervision® — a name that reflects our purpose: to share sincere stories from around the world that help you see a meaningful future and take action toward it today. We begin this season with a powerful conversation featuring Alexander van 't Riet — former CEO of Mai Dubai Water, author of In Pursuit of Ch...

As a strategist, I thrive on creativity. I look for it everywhere — even in the least expected places. That’s exactly what happened with this episode. What started as a business discussion turned into a sincere and slightly philosophical conversation about the struggles entrepreneurs face  - and an unexpected yet fascinating parallel between the fierce world of business and the world of ballroom c...

Think crypto is a scam? Or just too complicated? This episode might change your mind — or at least help you finally understand what it’s all about. In this episode, I’m joined by Reza Ghiasi, CEO of YEX, a new global crypto exchange, to demystify the world of cryptocurrency for those who don’t get it—or just don’t trust it. We break down: • What Bitcoin, altcoins, and meme coins actually are • How...

Today, I am joined by Rachel Meuleman, a keynote speaker at top business events in the GCC and the founder of BizzAngels and The Bizz Advisors. Rachel has built a career around helping entrepreneurs network smarter, make connections that truly matter and grow their sales. Together, we break down how to choose the right business events, connect with the right people, read body language, and avoid c...

Starting a business in the GCC? Expanding from Dubai? Winning over investors? This special episode brings together the best insights from multiple expert guests, offering you a complete guide to navigating the business landscape of the UAE and beyond. We cover everything from attracting investment and building a strong network to developing a thriving corporate culture in Dubai, where people come...

Join me for an inspiring conversation with passionate startup founder and former Amazon top-performing manager, Allan Abbas, about his entrepreneurial journey. Allan left the corporate world to start his own business—not once, but twice. Now, he is launching a new venture in Saudi Arabia and has been selected from 8,000 applicants for the Antler startup incubation programme.  From his experience a...

Today, I am joined by the founder and president of the Emirates Legal Network, as well as a managing partner at Elnaggar and Partners – Ahmed Elnaggar. Together with Ahmed, we discussed how lawyers can turn time into money, how to stay confident and composed under real pressure during tough negotiations, and how to use the power of words to get what you want. Ahmed shares his extensive experience...

Throughout my life in Dubai and working with inspiring women from this region, I have always seen Arab women as strong, inspirational, intelligent, and dignified. There is something truly magical about them; they combine genuine femininity with strong leadership and power - qualities traditionally associated with men. Unfortunately, there are still many stereotypes that exist about Arab women, par...