With MJP

Brando Baldan, President of Baldan Group, breaks down the real business of modern beauty beyond filters, hype, and viral trends. From the impact of social media on unrealistic expectations to why science now drives decision making in aesthetics, Brando shares what actually works, what’s fading, and how men and women approach beauty very differently.#thisisdubai #dubai #dubailife

Exec Coach and Founder of GAIA, Marisa Kamall works with women navigating pressure, power, and leadership at every stage of their careers. In this episode, she unpacks why so many women burn out inside corporate systems, how confidence is built through self awareness and boundaries, and why calm is one of the most powerful leadership skills. We also explore how GAIA was created to give women the t...

Luxury isn’t marble floors or automated check-ins. It’s instinct. It’s timing. It’s knowing when to engage and when to disappear. In this episode, Pratik Kachroo, Cluster Director of Operations at KHAMAS Hospitality, reflects on growing up inside the world of hotels, blending classic service with modern systems, and why true leadership is built on humility, clarity, and decisive thinking. From dig...

Rami Wahood and Ben Bandari talk about building businesses in public through Million Dollar Listing and what that level of visibility does to pressure, decision-making, and leadership. They get into handling money at scale, managing teams, navigating ego, and the mental load that comes with being watched while still having to perform. The conversation reflects how the work changes you, how expecta...

What does building a city look like when you design for people, not just profit? Donald Bremner breaks down Marjan’s long-term vision for Ras Al Khaimah, from tourism growth and hospitality to outdoor living, community spaces, and cultural identity. A clear-eyed look at how modern cities are really built.

Sleep isn’t just eight hours. It’s a biological operating system and most of us are running it on low battery. Dr Mohammed Nami, MD and PhD in cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology, Associate Professor at The School of Health Sciences and Psychology at the Canadian University Dubai, breaks down why modern life is wrecking our sleep, why women ruminate more at night, how hormones hija...

Fergus James is the founder of one of Dubai’s leading bespoke jewellery brands, and in this episode he breaks down the real forces reshaping the diamond industry today, explaining how lab-grown diamonds surged, why social media has changed what people expect from engagement rings, and how Dubai became a global hub for custom pieces. He walks through the evolution of his business, the shifts in pri...

At 18, Mark White was spiraling. At 23 years sober, he’s one of the most grounded voices in the wellness space. In this conversation, he opens up about the intervention that changed everything, the moment he realised he couldn’t keep living the way he was, and how gratitude, movement, and community rebuilt his life from the inside out.

Dr Katherine Iscoe breaks down the real impact of people pleasing on ambitious women who appear successful yet feel drained, overlooked, and never quite good enough. She speaks openly about the patterns that shaped her need for approval, the moments that pushed her to confront her own behaviour, and the shift that helped her move from self-doubt to genuine self-respect. The conversation gets into...

Evren Özka’s story is one of raw transformation. Before building Mallet London and Everybodies Nutrition, he was trapped in a cycle of addiction, unhealthy habits, and self-doubt.    Hitting rock bottom forced him to rebuild everything from the ground up. Evren shares how running became his therapy, how nutrition reshaped his mindset, and how he turned pain into purpose.    He...

Ahmed Haffar is one of the most recognizable voices in the Middle East. Known as The Voice of Dubai, he has lent his sound to government campaigns, global brands, airlines, and iconic events across the region. But behind the polished voice and professional success lies a story most people have never heard. At 17, Ahmed was in a horrific car accident in Lebanon that killed his two best friends and...

Lauren O’Connell shares her deeply personal journey with breast cancer, from the moment she discovered a lump at home to enduring chemotherapy, hair loss, and the life-changing lessons that followed. She reflects on the emotional and physical challenges she faced, the importance of early detection, and how she involved her family in every step of her recovery. Lauren opens up about the role of the...

Irish educator and boxing journalist Cormac O’Donnell joins the show to unpack the UAE’s growing obsession with combat sports and why it’s showing up everywhere from classrooms to fitness studios. From how schools are introducing boxing-inspired programmes to the cultural forces driving the region’s fight boom, Cormac offers sharp insights on discipline, community and what happens when education m...

Vishakha Abbi is a British-trained nurse in mental health and learning disabilities, as well as the Founder of Mind Path UAE, a consultancy helping organisations, schools, and individuals solve people challenges that training alone can’t fix. In this episode, she unpacks the real reasons teams fall apart, why emotional intelligence matters more than management training, and how even well-meaning H...

When Langtry “Lala” White found out she was pregnant with monochorionic twins just months after moving to Dubai, life took an unexpected turn. The pregnancy was complicated by Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, a rare and high-risk condition that changed everything. What came next was a journey of isolation, resilience, and eventually purpose. The support she found during that time became the spar...

Craig Cook, CEO of the Brain & Performance Centre in Dubai, joins me to talk about the future of brain health and performance. The centre is the largest hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility in the world, helping people with recovery from stroke, concussion, autism, cerebral palsy, and more. In this conversation, Craig shares how their programs are improving lives, supporting athletes, and unlock...

What happens when the people telling the world’s stories carry invisible scars of their own? This week on With MJP, we sit down with Dr. Masa Al-Kurdi, psychologist, researcher, and one of the few founders of MENATA. From her first-hand work in refugee camps to the rise of trauma-focused therapy for reporters, Dr. Masa sheds light on the toll of frontline storytelling, why the industry still strug...

Frank Kane, a leading business journalist and media veteran in the Middle East, dives into the realities of Dubai’s media world. He talks about censorship red lines, how business reporting becomes political, and why influencers have taken over the spotlight. With decades of experience covering the region, Frank shares unfiltered insights on the good, the bad and the ugly of UAE media, and what it...

What makes a city truly livable? Strategic urban planner and city design advisor Fatma Al Khayat breaks it down from future proofing against climate change to rethinking JLT as a walkable 15 minute city. Fatma explains how smarter design can change the way we live, move, and connect. She gets real about Dubai’s transport gaps, why heritage matters, and how to build cities that work for everyone, k...

Natassia Dsouza isn’t just an Emotional Eating Coach (CBT), she’s living proof that transformation is possible. After losing 65 kilos and breaking free from binge eating, she rebuilt her confidence and her life. Now, she’s on a mission to help others heal their relationship with food, overcome body dysmorphia, and create lasting change with her “feel it, not feed it” philosophy.

Alana Wallace, Dubai radio host and survivor, shares her powerful story of surviving two abusive relationships, breaking free, and rebuilding her life.    From the trauma of violence to the long road of therapy and healing, Alana opens up about the warning signs, the turning points, and how she found strength after years of fear.   This conversation is a raw and honest look at the r...

Radio presenter turned entrepreneur Lorna Bancroft joins to discuss why kids today are glued to their phones, how her venture Gen X DXB is giving tweens a screen-free social space, and why she believes mobile phones have no place in schools. From childhood memories without phones to helping the next generation rediscover imagination, Lorna shares insights every parent should hear.

Doug Morrione, storyteller, filmmaker, and director, shares his journey from New York’s music and editing scene to documenting life in Dubai. In this conversation, he reflects on the evolution of the UAE’s indie film community, the art of storytelling, and the challenges of creating in a place with unique cultural dynamics. Along the way, he discusses expat life, the UAE’s response to the pandemic...

On this episode we’re joined by Rob Salomon, the Dean of NYU Stern at NYU Abu Dhabi, to talk about education, ambition, and the bold bet Abu Dhabi is making on the future of business. From his personal journey as a globalization expert to why the UAE is attracting top talent from around the world, this episode unpacks what it really takes to build an institution that lasts and a career that matter...

“Suicide loss survivor. These are the people left behind.”   On this episode, we’re joined by Renu Varun, a Dubai-based suicide prevention facilitator who turned personal tragedy into purpose. She’s using her voice to open up conversations we often shy away from. About grief, mental health, and the will to keep going. It’s bigger than just one story.