Tak on the Pod

In this episode of Tak on the Pod, host Andrea Makhlouf sits down with Habib Kairouz, Managing Partner at Rho Capital Partners, for a conversation about long-term thinking, conviction, and responsibility. With over three decades of experience backing founders through cycles of boom and collapse, Habib reflects on building a lasting career in venture capital while staying deeply connected to Lebano...

In this episode of Tak on the Pod, our host Andrea Makhlouf sits down with Dr. Shihab Kuran - a Jordanian-born inventor, serial entrepreneur, and seasoned executive in the global semiconductor, power, and clean tech sectors.  Throughout his career, Dr. Kuran has engineered solutions that bridge technology and humanity, shaping some of the most significant technological shifts of our time. From sem...

In this episode of Tak on the Pod, Andrea sits down with the talented Najla Said, a Lebanese-Palestinian-American actor, playwright, and author whose powerful work in theatre and literature explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complexity of cultural narratives. Known for her groundbreaking solo show Palestine and her memoir Looking for Palestine, Najla opens up about her journey as an a...

In this episode of Tak on the Pod, Andrea sits down with Nadine Chakar, one of the most influential voices in global finance and digital assets innovation. As the Managing Director and Global Head of Digital Assets at DTCC, Nadine has been at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and tokenization into the traditional financial system. We explore how the financial i...

In our latest episode of Tak on the Pod, Andrea sits down with Micheline Nader, best-selling author of The Dolphin’s Dance and Leap Beyond Success, healthcare entrepreneur, philanthropist, and leadership visionary. From her roots in Lebanon to reshaping the healthcare landscape in the US and co-founding the Jesra Foundation, Micheline’s journey is a testament to purpose-driven leadership grounded...

In this episode of Tak on the Pod, Andrea sits down with Nayla Fahed, an educator and social entrepreneur reshaping the future of learning in Lebanon. As the co-founder of Lebanese Alternative Learning (LAL) and the force behind Tabshoura, a groundbreaking digital education platform, Nayla has dedicated her career to making quality education accessible to underserved communities. We discuss the ch...

In this episode of "Tak on the Pod," Andrea sits down with Noha Hachach, Managing Director of the GCC for Cedars-Sinai and a trailblazer in healthcare innovation and strategy across the Arab world. We dive into Noha’s journey in transforming healthcare systems, the importance of international collaboration, and how she bridges leadership and impact through both her executive role and NGO...

In this episode of Tak on the Pod, Andrea sits down with Mishka Mourani, a writer, educator, and storyteller whose life has been deeply shaped by the history of the Levant. Born in Alexandria and rooted in Beirut, Mishka has lived through war, displacement, and resilience, using writing as a means to reclaim agency in the face of conflict. We explore the themes of exile without departure, the powe...

In this episode of "Tak on the Pod", Andrea sits down with Rima Nasser, founder of Selections Magazine, a platform dedicated to showcasing the richness of Arab art, design, and culture. Through Selections and initiatives like Cultural Narratives, Rima has created a space for artists to share their stories, connect with collectors, and gain global recognition. We explore the power of stor...

In this episode of "Tak on the Pod," we are joined by Ghada Feghali, an educator, mentor, and advocate for educational reform in Lebanon. With 35 years of experience at the International College of Beirut, she has shaped generations of students as a biology instructor, department chair, and Associate Director at IC Middle School.   Beyond the classroom, Ghada co-founded MMKN in 2010, an...

In this episode of “Tak on the Pod”, we are joined by Omar Itani, an award-winning social entrepreneur and the founder of FabricAID, a pioneering enterprise tackling fabric waste and promoting sustainable fashion solutions across the region.   Omar’s entrepreneurial journey began with the co-founding of Visio, a waste management company that introduced him to the transformative power of social ent...

In this episode of "Tak on the Pod," we are joined by Mona El Hallak, a renowned architect and heritage preservation activist from Beirut. Mona’s work has been pivotal in preserving Lebanon’s architectural and cultural heritage, most notably leading the transformation of the historic Barakat Building into Beit Beirut—a museum of memory and cultural hub. As the Director of the Neighbourho...

In this episode of "Tak on the Pod," Andrea welcomes Hala Zreiqat, a trailblazer in biomedical engineering and a passionate advocate for the next generation. From her beginnings in the Royal Medical Services with the Jordanian Armed Forces to becoming a Payne-Scott Professor at The University of Sydney, Hala's journey is a testament to resilience and innovation.  Dive into the untol...

Join host Andrea in this captivating episode of "Tak on the Pod" as we welcome Habib Azar, an eight-time Emmy Award-winning producer and director. Renowned for his dynamic style and creative genius, Habib has left an indelible mark on the arts landscape with works spanning feature films, contemporary opera, and live broadcasts. Dive deep into Habib's creative process, his experience...

In the inaugural episode of "Tak on the Pod," join host Andrea as she sits down with the visionary Ricardo Karam, founder of Takreem. With over twenty-five years of experience as a talk show host, public speaker, writer, and advocate, Ricardo shares insights into his journey and the mission behind the TAKREEM Foundation. Discover the essence of 'Takreem' and its role in honorin...