Portraits By Paula Mac

What if “wellness” was not a trend, but a skill you can build to feel safe in your body, lead better, and live with more clarity? In this episode of Portraits by Paula, Paula sits down with Soniyaa Kiran Punjabi, Founder of Dubai-based holistic wellness center Illuminations, and a hypnotherapist and holistic coach, to explore what it really means to blend spirituality with business in a grounded w...

What if the clothes you wear didn’t just shape your style, but also your health, nervous system, and energetic state? In this episode of Portraits by Paula, Paula sits down with Tengku Chanela Janiah, founder of Rodeo Park and a leading advocate for skin-safe style, conscious fashion, and frequency-led living. Chanel shares her deeply personal journey through identity, wellness, and self-discovery...

What if numbers weren’t just data, but a language shaping who we are, the choices we make, and the cycles we move through? In this insightful episode of Portraits by Paula, Paula sits down with Astro Numerologist Monica Gupta, based in Dubai, to explore how numerology and astrology intersect with identity, timing, and life direction. Monica shares her personal journey from a small town in India to...

What happens when trauma is collective, ongoing, and impossible to look away from? In this deeply moving episode of Portraits by Paula, Paula sits down with Dr. Haneen Jarrar, Child Therapist and Founder of Keif, and Chantale Ishac, Trauma and Addiction Specialist and Founder of Brain Spotting MENA, to explore how healing unfolds in the midst of war, displacement, and unimaginable loss. Both guest...

What if clarity, healing and direction are not found outside of you, but in the parts of yourself you rarely sit with? In this thoughtful and deeply grounding episode, Spiritual Growth Coach Maria Leonard Yahyeyan joins Paula to explore intuition, energy, grief, soul patterns and the unseen forces shaping our inner world. Maria opens up about her childhood across Kuwait, Syria, Iran, Lebanon and D...

How do you learn to dream bigger when you come from a place that never expected you to go far? In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Dr. Sheen Gurrib sits down with Paula to share the story of how a girl from Mauritius found her way to Oxford, Cambridge, Dubai, and eventually to building one of the most impactful women-focused platforms in the region. Sheen talks about identity, education, leav...

How do you find your voice in a world that often tells you to stay quiet? In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode, Dave Crane, public speaking master coach, broadcaster, and former BBC presenter, joins Paula to talk about what it really means to speak with confidence. Born to a mixed-race family in the UK, Dave shares how growing up different shaped his sense of humor, empathy, and drive...

How do you return to your natural strength in a world that’s made you forget it? In this deeply grounding episode, Houyem Mahfoudhi, prenatal and postnatal coach, birth doula, and herbalist, joins Paula to explore the power, wisdom, and healing hidden in womanhood. Born in France to Tunisian parents, Houyem shares how her multicultural roots shaped her sense of belonging and her connection to natu...

How do you rebuild your life when everything falls apart? In this heartfelt episode, Dariush Soudi, Investor, Founder & Global Speaker, joins Paula to share his extraordinary journey of resilience, faith, and purpose. From a difficult childhood in Iran and years of struggle in the UK to losing it all and starting over in Dubai, Dariush opens up about the experiences that shaped him and the les...

Season 2 starts here. We are back for Season 2 of Portraits by Paula Mac. Paula reflects on the journey so far, shares her gratitude for the community behind the podcast, and looks ahead to the themes and conversations waiting in the new season. This is an honest and uplifting start to a new chapter filled with curiosity, connection, and meaningful stories. We talk about:✔ Gratitude for the commun...

Learn how to heal from the inside out! In this inspiring episode, Master Healer and Sound Therapy Expert Naresh Dewnani joins Paula to share how breathwork, rhythm, and sound can help restore balance in both body and mind. From the best time to practice breathing exercises, to how frequencies like 174Hz can ease pain, to why everything in our system is deeply rhythmic, Naresh connects ancient prac...

What does it really mean to have “perfect skin” in today’s world? In this eye-opening episode, British Consultant Dermatologist Dr. Amna Shah joins Paula to talk about how social media shapes our idea of beauty, the challenges of moving countries as a young mother, and the truth behind common skincare myths. From dealing with Dubai’s harsh climate to understanding how genetics and lifestyle affect...

What happens when you realize the life you’ve built no longer fits? In this deeply personal episode, life coach Chris Harrison opens up about hitting rock bottom at 40 — facing addiction, divorce, and identity loss — and how he rebuilt his life from the inside out. We talk about: The power of rock-bottom moments Fatherhood as a turning point How men are redefining masculinity The link between body...

What does it mean to truly own your identity—online and off? In this episode of Portraits by Paula Mac , personal branding coach and creator Robyn Abou Chedid opens up about healing, self-worth, and building a personal brand with integrity.  In this episode: 🇦🇪 Starting Over in Dubai - How Robyn rebuilt her life and business with just 2,000 AED in her account ✨ Healing & Self-Discovery - A ca...

In this episode of Portraits by Paula Mac, Paula sits down with Anushka Gokani, a nutrition consultant, to explore how nutrition, hormones, and healing intersect in the journey to parenthood. From preconception to postpartum, male fertility to the baby’s first bites, she breaks down what true nourishment means for the whole family. If you're curious about how food, trauma, and fertility are de...

What does success mean to you? And what happens when the life you've worked so hard to build... no longer feels like yours? In this deeply personal episode, Paula MacNeill sits down with Moe Swidan, former tech executive turned leadership coach, for a raw and thought-provoking conversation about identity, purpose, and starting over. They explore:- How getting laid off during COVID became a catalys...

What happens when men are given space to feel? In this powerful episode, Paula MacNeill sits down with Zak Johari, founder of Happy Dads UAE — a movement that's changing the conversation around fatherhood, masculinity, and emotional expression. Zach opens up about growing up in Singapore, discovering dance, stepping into sudden fatherhood, and why he believes every dad needs a safe space to sp...

🎩 Magic, Meaning & the Man Behind the Illusion In this episode of Portraits by Paula Mac , host Paula Mac sits down with Nabeel Bera—a world-class magician who’s performed for Google, Cartier, and the Crown Prince of Bahrain. 🔮 What You’ll Hear: • From Bahrain to Dubai: Nabeel’s unlikely path to magic • Performing for brands, billionaires & brunches • Lessons from failed tricks and wild...

From backstage to center stage—meet the man building Dubai’s music empire. In this episode, Paula sits down with Dante Kennedy—musician and CEO of V4texx and one of the UAE’s most prolific performers. From his musical roots in Philadelphia to building a legacy in Dubai, Dante shares his raw and riveting journey. 🎵 Discover how Dante is shaping Dubai’s live entertainment scene 🎤 Hear how his fait...

What does conscious parenting really look like when you’re overwhelmed, sleep-deprived, and just trying to make it to bedtime? In this raw and relatable episode of Portraits by Paula , parenting coach and former educator Louise Hurley shares the real-life challenges of raising emotionally grounded kids—while trying to stay regulated yourself. From food battles and bedtime routines to screen time,...

What happens when you stop chasing expectations and start listening to your inner voice? In this heartfelt episode of Portraits , host Paula MacNeill sits down with Dr. Ava Ghasemi, a clinical psychologist, trauma specialist, and co-founder of mental health platform Hoopfull.com. She opens up about what led her to psychology, why EMDR and psychedelic therapy are transforming the mental health fiel...

Welcome back to Portraits by Paula Mac ! This week, host Paula MacNeill sits down with Tatiana Sunada —a yoga teacher, Theta healer, and fashion entrepreneur.  Born to a Japanese-Brazilian family and now based in Dubai, Tatiana shares her journey of cultural fusion, transformation through yoga, and the power of healing from within. From managing chronic pain to teaching energy-based practices like...

Unlock the Power of Feng Shui! In this episode, host Paula MacNeill sits down with Claire Bunce, a Feng Shui consultant and transformational coach, to explore how your space, energy, and mindset are deeply connected. Claire shares: ✨ How Feng Shui influences success, relationships & well-being ✨ Practical tips to shift energy in your home for positive change ✨ The surprising link between vo...

Welcome to Portraits by Paula Mac! Host Paula MacNeill kicks off the first episode with her own story—leaving Latvia, starting fresh in Dubai, and navigating life in a multicultural world. This podcast is all about big life changes, blending cultures, and finding meaning in new places. Each episode brings inspiring stories from people who’ve taken bold steps into the unknown. If you’re an expat, c...