Rice Pudding Project

Laughter, Failure & Growth | The Obaid Ali Story What does it take to keep stepping onto a stage when there's no guarantee of success? In this episode of  The Rice Pudding Project , Amin Soltani sits down with comedian  Obaid Ali  for an honest conversation about comedy, resilience, personal growth, and the lessons learned through failure. From navigating the ups and downs of stand-up comedy t...

What does it really mean to raise a child with Down syndrome? In this heartfelt episode of The Rice Pudding Project, Amin Soltani sits down with Johanna Said to discuss motherhood, homeschooling, raising two children with very different needs, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Johanna shares her experiences as a mother to a child with Down syndrome, challenging misconceptions and re...

Finding Your Voice Between Cultures | The Sophia Delavari Story What happens when you grow up between different cultures, identities, and expectations? In this episode of the Rice Pudding Project, Amin Soltani sits down with Sophia Delavari for an honest conversation about belonging, identity, resilience, and the journey to finding your own voice. Sophia shares her experiences navigating life betw...

Leadership, Resilience & Reinvention | The Lee Hole StorySuccess is rarely a straight line. In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project, Amin Soltani sits down with Lee Hole for a conversation about leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and the lessons learned from building businesses and leading people through change. Lee shares insights from his professional journey, discussing the reali...

What does it take to help build an entire comedy scene from the ground up? In this episode of  The Rice Pudding Project , Amin sits down with Mina Liccione — comedian, performer, educator, and one of the driving forces behind Dubai’s stand-up comedy movement. From performing internationally with STOMP to co-founding Dubomedy and helping shape the UAE’s comedy and improv scene, Mina shares the real...

Winning, Losing & Starting Again | Tarek Suleiman In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project, Amin Soltani sits down with MMA fighter Tarek Suleiman for an honest conversation about the highs, lows, and brutal realities of combat sports. From the adrenaline of stepping into the cage to the emotional aftermath of defeat, Tarek opens up about discipline, resilience, identity, and what it really...

In this episode of the Rice Pudding Project, I sit down with Laura Fontaine for a conversation about reinvention, entrepreneurship, mindset, and navigating growth in both life and business. We talk about taking risks, building momentum, adapting to change, and the realities behind creating opportunities for yourself in a constantly evolving world. This is an honest conversation about ambition, res...

In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project, I sit down with tattoo artist and creative Klaus Hu Fruhmann for a conversation about identity, reinvention, art, and the stories people choose to carry on their skin. We talk about the deeper meaning behind tattoo culture, the trust involved in permanently marking someone’s body, and how tattoos often become reflections of pain, growth, memory, and tra...

From PR to AI | Reinvention, Motherhood & Building with Purpose In this episode of the Rice Pudding Project, I sit down with Abha Malpani to talk about reinvention, motherhood, mindset, and navigating the fast-changing world of AI and communication. We discuss her journey from the world of PR and communications into AI, what inspired her to pivot careers, and how she now helps female business...

In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project, Amin sits down with Aunindo Sen for an honest conversation about creativity, leadership, identity, and navigating the pressure of working in one of the world’s most demanding industries. From building ideas that connect with people to balancing ambition with personal growth, this episode explores the reality behind creative careers, the evolution of adv...

Healing, Identity & Reinvention | A Conversation with Joy SommersIn this episode of the Rice Pudding Project, I sit down with Joy Sommers for a deeply honest conversation about healing, identity, resilience, and what it really takes to reinvent yourself after life forces you to change. We talk about personal growth, emotional healing, self-worth, overcoming difficult chapters, and the journey...

In this episode of the Rice Pudding Project, I sit down with Hattem Mattar to talk about one of the hardest decisions a person can make — walking away from security to follow a passion. Hattem shares the journey from a successful career in oil and gas to becoming one of the region’s most respected chefs and pitmasters. We talk about fear, identity, taking risks later in life, and what happens when...

From Economics to Bold Leadership | Dolly Saidy on Reinvention & GrowthIn this episode of the Rice Pudding Project, I sit down with Dolly Saidy—an accomplished leader whose journey is defined by resilience, transformation, and stepping into bold decisions. We talk about what it really takes to evolve in your career, the mindset required to lead with confidence, and how to navigate change witho...

Building RAW Coffee | Kim Thompson on Entrepreneurship, Sustainability & Dubai’s Coffee Culture In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project , I sit down with Kim Thompson, founder of Raw Coffee Company—one of the pioneers of specialty coffee in Dubai. We talk about what it really takes to build a business from the ground up, long before the coffee scene became what it is today. Kim shares her...

From Gong Show Winner to Full-Time Comedian: Luca Cupani on Taking the LeapWhat happens when a moment on stage changes everything? In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project, I sit down with Luca Cupani to talk about the turning point that took him from performing on a gong show… to becoming a full-time comedian. We get into the reality of betting on yourself, the grind behind stand-up, and what...

From PR to AI | Reinvention, Motherhood & Building with Purpose In this episode of the Rice Pudding Project, I sit down with Abha Malpani to talk about reinvention, motherhood, mindset, and navigating the fast-changing world of AI and communication. We discuss her journey from the world of PR and communications into AI, what inspired her to pivot careers, and how she now helps female business...

The Woman Who Helped Make Dubai Laugh | Gail Clough In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project , I sit down with Gail Clough , founder of The Laughter Factory , to talk about how she went from travelling the world as a DJ to building one of Dubai’s most iconic comedy platforms. We get into the early days of entertainment in the UAE, what it took to grow a live comedy scene from scratch, and how G...

Success isn’t built in big moments — it’s built in what you do every day. In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project, Jon Marchant (Group President MENA, Memac Ogilvy) shares the habits, mindset shifts, and life experiences that shaped his journey in leadership, business, and beyond. From the power of small daily techniques to the most underrated leadership skill — listening — this conversation d...

What happens when you step away from the safe path and choose growth instead? In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project, William Shintani shares his journey through finance, personal development, and the moments that forced him to rethink success, risk, and purpose. We dive into the realities of building a career, navigating uncertainty, and learning what truly matters beyond titles and stabilit...

In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project, Amin Soltani sits down with Jouhayna Almheiri to explore leadership, personal growth, and the mindset required to navigate challenges in both career and life. From developing confidence and resilience to reflecting on the experiences that shape who we become, Jouhayna shares honest insights about ambition, identity, and the lessons learned along the way...

In this episode of The Rice Pudding Project, Amin Soltani sits down with Michael Becker to discuss leadership, business strategy, and the mindset required to build organisations that last. From navigating complex industries to developing strong teams and long-term strategy, Michael shares insights from years of experience working at the intersection of business, innovation, and leadership. The con...

Watch the full episode here: 👉  http://www.youtube.com/@RicePudding-Project In this episode of Rice Pudding Project, Amin Soltani sits down with Salman Qureshi — a creative force who made the bold decision to leave the corporate world and pursue comedy and performance. We talk about growing up in Saudi Arabia, the cultural influences that shaped him, navigating identity, and what it really takes...

In this powerful episode of The Rice Pudding Project, Amin Soltani sits down with Husena Beguwala — a double lung transplant recipient who battled Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) and was given a second chance at life. Pulmonary Hypertension is a life-threatening condition that affects the lungs and heart. Husena opens up about the physical and emotional toll of living with PH, the uncertainty of being...

Every educator has a story — and Mike Lowery’s is one of purpose, humility, and genuine impact. In this episode, Mike opens up about the realities of teaching, leadership, shaping young minds, and what it truly means to build a community within a school. These are the conversations that remind you why education matters.🎧 Full episode with Amin Soltani — out now on The Rice Pudding Project. Subscr...

In this episode of  The Rice Pudding Project , Amin sits down with  Dr Katie Chimes , an experienced chiropractor whose journey blends elite sport, fitness, and clinical excellence. Katie graduated from the  Anglo-European College of Chiropractic  in 2010, where she was also awarded the  Flavio Grillo Prize for Clinical Excellence . With a background in competitive swimming, athletics, and bodybui...