They Say It Takes A Village

Send us Fan Mail This one is for every woman who has ever been called مسكينة (miskeenah). In this deeply honest and refreshingly raw episode, we sit down with Maha Gorton - social impact professional, writer, brand ambassador, and mother of three - for a conversation that so many women have needed to hear but rarely get to have. We go there. All the way there. From the impossible juggle of modern...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal Mother’s Day episode, I sat with someone who has shaped my life in every possible way my mother, Ban Altoumah. A clinical biochemist, a mother, and a woman who has lived through the many layers of what it means to give, nurture, and grow, she brings both wisdom and honesty into this conversation. Together, we explore the realities of motherhood beyond the s...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply moving episode, I sat with Caroline Labouchere , a woman whose story challenges everything we’ve been taught about beauty, worth, and aging. Known today for redefining visibility as a silver-haired model who began her career at 54, Caroline shares the quieter, more vulnerable chapters that came long before the spotlight. We talk about growing up never feeling beauti...

Send us Fan Mail In this profound and unfiltered conversation, I sat with Rima Zanoun -  entrepreneur, holistic coach, speaker, and founder of Makaw and Kream by Makaw - to explore what it truly means to live as a sovereign woman in today’s world. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in coaching, family and systemic constellations, and conscious entrepreneurship, Rima challenges modern narrati...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling conversation, Raya sits down with Saif Al-Yasi, a health coach, men’s mentor, and founder of Alphacast Studios, to explore the realities of modern masculinity. Raised between Baghdad and the UK, Saif brings a unique perspective on identity, cultural expectations, and the unspoken pressures placed on men today. Together, they unpack the beliefs boys inherit about...

Send us Fan Mail Breast cancer is often spoken about with fear—but rarely with clarity. In this powerful episode, Breast Imaging Specialist Dr. Tatiana Khoury from King’s College Hospital London – Dubai joins Raya to demystify one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—diseases affecting women today. With over 500 lives saved through her work in Breast Interventional Radiology, Dr. Tatiana bri...

Send us Fan Mail What if ADHD isn’t something to be fixed... but something to finally be understood? In this episode of They Say It Takes A Village, we sit down with Dominic Watts holistic coach, former teacher, mindfulness practitioner, and author of Diary of a Mindful Dad - to unpack a radical yet refreshing approach to ADHD. Dominic challenges the mainstream narrative around attention, behavior...

Send us Fan Mail What if “the change” was really just the beginning of a whole new chapter? No more whispering about hot flashes in the corner or Googling symptoms at 2 AM - it's time to have the talk. You know the one: about hormones, moods, sleep, sex, and the sneaky changes that show up before we even know what “perimenopause” means. In this refreshingly honest episode, I sit down with the...

Send us Fan Mail In a world that constantly demands more - more energy, more approval, more sacrifice; how do you protect your peace without guilt? In this deeply inspiring episode, Mais Mohammed - media powerhouse, life coach, and global Goodwill Ambassador, opens up about what it truly means to set boundaries, reclaim your energy, and live from a place of inner alignment. From navigating public...

Send us Fan Mail What if ADHD isn’t a limitation, but a doorway to understanding how your child learns, thinks, and thrives? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Aalia Thobani—Founder & CEO of The Brain Accelerator, speech-language pathologist, and learning specialist with over 20 years of experience—to explore how neuroscience can shift the way we approach learning, attention, and behavi...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to raise a child in today’s fast-paced world? In this heartwarming and honest episode, I sit down with Ashleigh Lloyd and Nick Blair, co-founders of The Baby Expo Dubai, to talk all things parenting—from the emotional rollercoaster of new parenthood to the magic that happens when a community comes together to support one another. With backgrounds in events...

Send us Fan Mail What if your greatest breakdown could lead to your most powerful breakthrough? In this powerful episode, I sit down with emotional health expert, 5x award-winning author, and host of The Brave Table podcast, Dr. Neeta Bhushan. A former cosmetic dentist turned resilience coach, Neeta shares her remarkable journey of loss, healing, and radical reinvention. From navigating grief and...

Send us Fan Mail What does true health and self-love really look like in today’s world? In this powerful episode of They Say It Takes a Village , we sit down with Alex, a high-performance coach for CEOs and athletes, and Dr. Jenna, a seasoned medical director with 17 years of international healthcare experience and the driving force behind ZOIME Longevity Clinic in Dubai. Together, they challenge...

Send us Fan Mail Negotiation isn’t just about boardrooms and business deals—it’s a skill that shapes our careers, relationships, and everyday interactions. So, how do you remain calm in stressful situations? How do you handle rejection, difficult conversations, and emotional triggers without losing control? In this powerful episode, Lousin Mehrabi, a globally recognized negotiation expert and lead...

Send us Fan Mail What if 90-95% of your behavior was ruled by your subconscious mind? How many times have limiting beliefs, self-doubt, or fear of failure held you back from the life you truly want? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Kai Simmonds, Soul Purpose Coach and Yoga Teacher, to explore how we can rewire our minds, break through self-imposed barriers, and step into the highest versi...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when life throws you an unexpected challenge, but you refuse to let it define you? Lauren O’Connell, Cosmopolitan Middle East’s Beauty Editor, beauty entrepreneur, and breast cancer warrior, sits down for a deeply personal and empowering conversation about beauty, resilience, and rewriting your own narrative. With a background in biomechanical engineering and nursing,...

Send us Fan Mail Parenting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging journeys, and no one understands this better than Coach Maysaa —a mom of four, a former primary school teacher, and a certified Conscious Parent Coach . Trained under the renowned Dr. Shefali , Maysaa specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral profiling, helping parents navigate the ups and downs of raising emo...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to transform the way you approach beauty and self-care? Join us in this inspiring episode with Mamta, founder of Apothecary by Mamta , as she takes us on her journey from the corporate rat race to becoming a leader in the clean beauty movement. Inspired by her mother's natural remedies, Mamta turned her passion for holistic skincare into a thriving business dedi...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Barbara, founder of Go With The Floooow , shares her inspiring mission to make road safety education accessible and engaging for children and families across the UAE. A passionate advocate for cycling, Barbara combines her Dutch upbringing and love for an active lifestyle to empower kids with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe on the roads....

Send us Fan Mail Prepare to be inspired and awakened in this transformative episode with Shayoon, a wellness expert, healer, and founder of the LightForce app. Shayoon opens up about her journey as a mother, healer, and advocate for conscious living, sharing her incredible experiences, including a harrowing near-kidnapping incident involving her child in Bali. Her powerful story highlights the imp...

Send us Fan Mail What does it truly mean to redefine masculinity in today’s world? Join us in this eye-opening episode with Ciarán McBreen , a certified executive and performance coach, school wellbeing adviser, author, and mental health podcast host. With years of experience working with corporate organizations, elite athletes, and schools, Ciarán shares his invaluable insights on empowering the...

Send us Fan Mail “How can we make it thoughtful? What do women really want?” In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Julie Nguyen , the visionary founder of Crunchmoms , the first private network in the Middle East for women navigating both their careers and motherhood. Julie opens up about the challenges and triumphs of building a supportive community for women, while sharing insights from he...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dina Butti, a dynamic TV presenter, content creator, and mom, known for her work with major platforms like CNN Arabia, Dubai One TV, and MTV Arabia. Dina has interviewed some of the biggest names in Hollywood, but in this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of her own journey—from nervous beginnings in front of the camera to becoming...

Send us Fan Mail "If you don't put in the work, you won't see the results"—there are no shortcuts to lasting health and wellness. I sit down with Layla Al Naif, a certified holistic nutritionist specializing in women’s health, wellness, and nutrition. Layla's journey began after overcoming hormone-related health concerns in her early 20s, and she’s since dedicated her care...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Brianna Fade—a woman who truly wears all the hats. As the mastermind behind FadeFit, a dedicated mother, a beloved reality TV star from Dubai Bling, and the wife of radio personality Kris Fade, Brianna's journey is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, Brianna opens up about her early challenges, from navigating tough...