The Culture Counter

Former Cabinet minister and British Army officer Johnny Mercer joined us in Leo's on the release day of his new book, No Way To Run A Country.  Mercer reflected on his nine turbulent years in Parliament, serving under five prime ministers, and shared the stories behind his candid, insightful and often darkly funny account of modern British politics.

In this episode of The Culture Counter, we we're joined by Eleanor Palfrey, UK art curator for Deutsche Bank. We discuss all things banking and art as well Palfrey's journey into the industry.

Parenthood, identity, and emotional resilience come into focus in a thoughtful discussion led by Dr. Sarah Rasmi, licensed Psychologist & Founder of Thrive Wellbeing Centre and Michelle Estekantchi , M.Ed. & licensed Psychologist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre examining how to lead with steadiness rather than certainty through the shifting realities of family life. Drawing on professional insi...

We are thrilled to welcome Moeen Ali OBE.  World Cup champion, celebrated all-rounder, and one of cricket’s most distinctive voices. Beyond his achievements on the field, Moeen reflects on his journey as a professional athlete, his experience receiving the Order of the British Empire, and the personal values that have shaped his leadership and global influence. The conversation touches on the dema...

In this episode, Blanche Parris, Head of Cultural Programming at The Arts Club, is joined by History Hit host and bestselling author Tristan Hughes, to explore two of history’s most legendary figures: the mythical hero Odysseus and the legendary conqueror Alexander the Great.  In celebration of Christoper Nolan’s release of the ancient Greek epic The Odyssey , they discuss how myth and history int...

This episode features Jonathan Caplan KC, one of the UK’s most high-profile and well-respected barristers, speaking on his new book Not For Disclosure , in conversation with Madison Marriage, former Editor of Special Investigations at the Financial Times and now Investigations Team Leader at Bloomberg. Not For Disclosure is a landmark study of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), previously kn...

Silicon Valley–based sex tech expert Kaamna Bhojwani explores how advances in AI and robotics are reshaping intimacy, relationships, and human connection in conversation with Blanche Parris, Head of Cultural Programming at The Arts Club.  From AI chatbots to increasingly humanlike humanoid robots, she examines a future where the boundaries between digital and physical relationships are becoming ev...

A fireside chat between Francesco Sciortino , Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Proxima Fusion , and Devika Thapar , Co-founder and General Partner at Wilbe , brings the global race toward energy abundance into focus. Together, they explore the promise of fusion energy, the scientific and commercial challenges ahead, and what it will take to move fusion from breakthrough research to a scal...

With summer approaching, host Blanche Parris sits down with two leading voices in functional medicine to explore how to support our health holistically, treating root causes rather than symptoms, and how to navigate the season's many temptations without losing our footing. A practical, expert-led conversation for anyone looking to feel their best. Featuring Dr Nikita Glover , physician, membe...

This panel discussion explores the increasingly divisive politics of rewilding and its impact on the future of the UK countryside, spanning environmental ambition, food security, rural livelihoods, and economic reality.  Featuring conservationist and bestselling author Isabella Tree, agricultural diplomat Dr Kevin Parris, rewilding practitioner and founder of the Thousand Year Project Merlin Hanbu...

In this episode of The Culture Counter , leading voices from across the art world discuss what it means to collect in a rapidly evolving global market. Recorded at The Arts Club Dubai, the conversation explores shifting collector behaviours, the growing influence of regional ecosystems, and the role of art in shaping cultural identity today.

How will AI reshape the way we live, work and think? In this thought-provoking live recording from The Arts Club London, Dr. Daniel Hulme, founder and CEO of Satalia, Chief AI Officer at WPP, and one of the leading voices in artificial intelligence, explores the extraordinary opportunities and existential questions emerging from the next wave of AI. Drawing on more than two decades at the forefron...

An exclusive session in collaboration with WHOOP featuring the authors Unstressable, Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google [X], and Alice Law, stress and resilience specialist, moderated by Kristen Holmes, Vice President of Performance Science at WHOOP. Together, they explore how data and psychology intersect to redefine resilience in leadership — offering insight into the four dimens...

An insightful conversation on one of today’s most talked-about medical and cultural phenomena, the rise of weight loss medication. As these drugs transform approaches to weight management, they are also reshaping the pharmaceutical industry, clinical practice, and public perception. We welcome Gastroenterologist Dr. Rahul Nathwani and Endocrinologist Dr Katia Sibai, moderated by Dr. Sheen Gurrib,...

A timely conversation as the region prepares to welcome one of its most significant cultural moments of the year, Abu Dhabi Art. This discussion will explore how the contemporary art landscape is being reshaped in an era where collectors build direct relationships with artists and digital platforms redefine access. Art fairs, too, are navigating this transformation — evolving from market hubs into...

An illuminating discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the pharmaceutical landscape — from drug discovery to patient care. Moderated by Khawar Mann, co-founder and CEO of Auxilium Services, the panel brings together Mo Khodadadi Executive of AI at PureHealth, Alex Aliper of Insilico Medicine, and Charlie Regis of HKX Capital. Together, they will explore how AI is advancing personal...

Writer and former New York Times journalist Sara Hamdan joins us at The Arts Club Dubai to discuss her debut novel, What Will People Think? — an intergenerational story moving between 2011 New York and 1947 Jaffa, exploring identity, legacy, and the tension between tradition and ambition. A Palestinian American raised in Greece and based in Dubai for two decades, Hamdan brings a global perspective...

In the lead-up to World Mental Health Day, we welcome Dr. Naif Al Mutawa for a workshop on recognising and reframing negative thought patterns, building emotional resilience, and prioritising mental wellbeing in both daily life and the workplace. Through practical, guided exercises, participants learn to cultivate greater self-acceptance and transform unhelpful patterns into rational, positive per...

Fresh from the Fashion Weeks, this conversation brings together leading voices in the industry to unpack the season’s defining ideas and aesthetics. Featuring Sujata Assomull, Contributing Editor at Vogue Business and Founding Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar India ; Sharifa Al Hashemi, founder of ONORI; and Jessica Michault, Senior Editor at Emirates Woman , the panel explores standout collecti...

When Paul Griffiths arrived in the UAE in 2007, he took a bold leap from his role as MD of Gatwick Airport. Since then, he has led the remarkable transformation of Dubai Airports — guiding its rise from just over 34 million passengers a year to one of the world’s busiest international hubs. In conversation with journalist Rosanna Lockwood, Griffiths reflects on the records broken and world firsts...

Hormones affect everything — from our skin and sleep to mood and weight. In this insightful conversation, Francesca Ogiermann-White, founder of The Beauty Triangle and Tatler’s Health & Beauty Editor-at-Large, leads an expert panel on how to better understand and manage these vital body chemicals. Joined by bio-identical hormone expert Dr Martin Galy, aesthetic doctor Dr Suha Kersh, and GP Dr...

What happens behind the scenes to preserve the artworks we love? Tune in for an engaging conversation on the craft, care, and complexity of art conservation led by industry experts, including Ekaterina Plastinina, Associate Director at Green Art Gallery; Vedika Kochhar, Founder and Head Conservator at Partum Restauro; and Collector Salvatore Lavallo. The discussion sheds light on the complex proce...

Step into the world of luxury and vision with Brunello Cucinelli in this exclusive fireside chat that marks his first appearance in Dubai. Discover the extraordinary journey of the man behind Italy’s iconic brand, as he shares how his personal values, family, and challenges shaped his philosophy of "Humanistic Capitalism." Get a rare glimpse into Cucinelli’s reflections on building a leg...

Dr Jan Stritzke, a leading specialist in Internal Medicine and Cardiology and Medical Director at the award-winning Austrian health resort, Lanserhof Sylt, shares valuable insights into the crucial link between gut health and longevity. He explains how a balanced gut microbiome affects digestive health, heart function, immunity, and ageing. Dr Stritzke provides practical tips on enhancing gut heal...

In recognition of World Mental Health Day, Dr. Saliha Afridi, founder of The LightHouse Arabia, leads the conversation focusing on the importance of mental health and wellbeing in today's fast-paced world. She explores the meaning of a healthy mind, common mental health challenges, and strategies for fostering resilience.  With this year’s theme centring on mental health in the workplace, the...