The Mantate Show

This episode is a reflection on what it’s been like living in the UAE while everything is happening in the region ... through the lessons I’ve been learning and the things that have quietly fascinated me. Just real thoughts, everyday moments, and the strange feeling of trying to live normally while being aware of something much bigger going on around you.

Last year, I promised I would share my experience buying property as a foreigner, and this is where that conversation begins. In this first episode of a multi-part series, I’m unpacking the thinking behind my decision to buy property outside my home country. Why I chose to invest in the first place, how I selected the country, where I searched for properties, and the criteria I used to ensure I wa...

Love - but not at the cost of yourself. This week on  The Mantate Show , I’m reflecting on what I think makes love worth it… and what absolutely doesn’t. The questions I ask myself before entering (or staying in) a relationship. The standards. The boundaries. The clarity. And boy don't I forget these sometimes! And also - remembering that love isn’t only romantic. It’s in our friendships, our...

Happy New Year, and welcome to the first episode of  The Mantate Show  in 2026 ✨ Yes, it’s a little late—but this episode is a reflection on the mindset I’m carrying into 2026, the energy I’m choosing, and the perspective I want to share with you as we move through the year together. I also reflect on a book that currently has my heart,  Life Unscripted , and how it’s shaping the way I’m moving....

In this series of chats with women I meet in the UAE, I want to find out what girlhood and womanhood looks like for different people. Their takes on friendship, sisterhoods, travel, money and selfcare. In this episode, I sat down with Sakina and it was such a fun conversation. I hope you enjoy it! Fun fact: We met for the very first time on the day of this shoot, which made it even more interestin...

This week on  The Mantate Show , I’m diving into the tradition of going home in December ... where it comes from, the moments in history that shaped it, and the tensions many individuals and families feel in trying to maintain it today. I explore what “home” means in a world where people are building their lives, futures, and families elsewhere. It’s a conversation some might see differently, and...

From 29 October to November 2, I had the pleasure of attending the South-South Movements Convention in Cape Town, South Africa. This episode is a brief, energy-packed summary of the experience.

This week on  The Mantate Show , I’m reflecting on what it really means to build a brand - not the narrow kind that fits perfectly into a single box, but one that tells the full story of who you are. Too often, we treat branding like it’s about having one image that meets expectations - professional, religious, academic, or creative. But for many of us, we hold so many identities: entrepreneur, sc...

In this episode of  The Mantate Show , I dive into the money conversation. Not just how we earn and spend it, but how we  think  about it. I share the lessons I’ve picked up from friends and experiences, from learning the discipline of saving and investing to exploring the power of multiple streams of income. This is about building a healthier, growth-centered relationship with money — one that’s...

In this episode of  The Mantate Show , I’m talking about community projects — what they mean, why they matter, and how they’ve shaped the way I think about giving back. I share some of the projects I’ve worked on in the past, the impact they had, and the lessons I learned along the way. We’ll also explore how anyone can start small, build on what they care about, and create real change in the comm...

This week on The Mantate Show I am reflecting on one of my most memorable vision board experiences in 2016 and how it shaped the way I think about goals, growth, and storytelling. Vision boards don’t have to be about ticking boxes; they can be living boards, evolving threads that connect who we were, who we are, and who we are becoming. If you have never done one, this is a good episode to listen...

We talk a lot about self-care and self-love, but sometimes the things we call “rest” — like creating, cooking, or chasing projects — are just another form of work. They can bring joy, but they don’t always leave us feeling restored. In this episode of  The Mantate Show , I’m taking a step back to ask: am I really resting? I share some honest reflections about how we treat self-care, how to protect...

In this episode of The Mantate Show, I’m opening up a conversation we don’t often have: friendship breakups. Friendships can end for all kinds of reasons — sometimes because of others, sometimes because of us — and those endings can be heavier than romantic ones. I share some reflections on what friendship breakups have taught me, how to think about the friendships we want to protect, and why it’s...

Grad school is a big decision — one that can shape your career, finances, and lifestyle for years to come. In this episode, I break down how to decide if graduate school is right for you, how to find the best program, and what to look for when choosing a university. If you’re thinking about grad school, this is your guide to making a smart choice.

Travel isn’t just about the destination — it’s about the planning, the hacks, and the memories you make along the way. In this episode, I share my favorite travel tips and hacks as a true travel enthusiast: from budgeting and packing smart to visas, accommodation, and even making the most of conferences or fellowships that take you abroad. If you’re ready to travel smarter and stress less, this on...

Graduating from Oxford is an achievement that carries prestige — but for many African and international students, the story after the degree is far from glamorous. This episode of  The Mantate Show  explores the shared realities that too often go unspoken: visa hurdles costing thousands, survival jobs that test identity, mental health pressures, and the heavy expectations of peers and family. It’s...