Hashem catches up with the renowned art collector and CEO of Vivium Holding, his newly established family office. Elie, a self-made man who grew up during Beirut's civil war has had a fascinating career journey, pivoting to advertising early i

“When I see everybody walking in a certain direction, I like to choose the other path” Hamad Al Awar on juggling founding burger brand 'High Joint', being a police officer, visual animator and father

Mar 21st, 2024 58m 8s

Hashem catches up with Hamad Al Awar, the founder of the home-grown burger brand, High Joint, a police officer and a creative artist. Having met at a shawarma place in a very interesting coincidence, Hashem decided to bring their conversation t

Trailer

Teaser: Hamed Al Awar

Mar 19th, 2024 36s

Catch our brand new episode this Thursday with Hamad Al Awar, the founder of the beloved home-grown burger brand 'High Joint'.

"Dubai is like a millefeuille. There are layers and layers." Mohamed Maktabi on the rich history of his family’s business 'Iwan Maktabi' and his passion for storytelling through the intricate artistry of carpets

Feb 15th, 2024 45m 27s

Hashem catches up with Mohamed Maktabi, the CEO of Iwan Maktabi, the go-to address for rare carpets and textile art in the MENA region. They go back in time as Mohamed reveals the captivating tale of his family's heritage: from his grandfather'

Trailer

Teaser: Mohamed Maktabi

Feb 12th, 2024 54s

We're back this week with a brand new episode with Mohamed Maktabi, the man behind the carpet dynasty, Iwan Maktabi. Find it in your podcast player this Thursday.

2023: (It Goes Like) Naaaaaah

Jan 19th, 2024 51m 16s

In our 2023 review episode, our producer Chirag Desai catches up with Hashem to discuss the milestones from this past year such as coping with fear of failure, the allure of leaving a legacy behind and the loneliness of being an entrepreneur. P

Trailer

Episode #79 Teaser: 2023 - (It Goes Like) Naaaaaah

Jan 18th, 2024 43s

Hashem and his producer Chirag look back on 2023, sharing who makes a good podcast host, why fear of failure keeps popping up, and how to make a business outlast its founder. Catch the new episode, out this Friday!

2023 Throwback: Ayman Fakoussa on launching The Qode, balancing friendship with business, and why he can’t let go of Excel

Jan 5th, 2024 48m 3s

In this throwback episode from 2023: Our conversation with Ayman Fakkousa, co-founder of The Qode. Hashem and Ayman chat about his experience growing up in Saudi Arabia before eventually moving to Dubai and embarking on a multi-faceted career t

“Not everybody is going to like me. I’ve accepted that.” Mariana Wehbe on her remarkable journey from a corporate job at DHL to becoming a PR powerhouse and founding WE Design Beirut

Nov 30th, 2023 47m

Hashem catches up with Mariana Wehbe, the creative force behind MWPR. Renowned for crafting extraordinary events and transformative projects, Mariana shares her journey from surviving the Beirut blast in 2020 to embracing Abu Dhabi as her newfo

Bonus

Bonus: Tom Arnel on pivoting their 20,000 sq.ft. concept, The Guild, during the pandemic

Nov 30th, 2023 5m 1s

Tom Arnel talks about the concept behind The Guild, their ambitious 20,000 sq. ft. space in the Heart of Dubai. You can listen to our full episode with Tom in your podcast player or on our website.

Trailer

Teaser: Mariana Wehbe

Nov 28th, 2023 32s

Coming this week, Mariana Wehbe, founder of MWPR, on The Lighthouse Conversations with Hashem Montasser

“I try to remember often that this is the greatest experience of my life” Tom Arnel on the thrill of building purposeful spaces and managing stress in a high-level role

Nov 16th, 2023 45m 46s

Hashem catches up with Tom Arnel, founder of EatX and the man behind some of the most successful dining concepts in Dubai, including The Sum of Us, Common Grounds, Harvest & Co, Byron Bather’s Club, HawkerBoi, and The Guild at DIFC. Known for c

Trailer

Teaser: Tom Arnel

Nov 15th, 2023 28s

Coming this Thursday, Hashem catches up with Tom Arnel, founder of EatX and the man behind some of the most successful dining concepts in Dubai, including The Sum of Us, Common Grounds, Harvest & Co, Byron Bather’s Club, HawkerBoi, and The Guil

“I learned what absolute zero feels like.” Hassan Sheheryar Yassin on starting from zero, conquering fear of failure and a serendipitous meeting with William & Kate.

Oct 19th, 2023 41m 16s

Hashem catches up with Pakistani couturier Hassan Sheheryar Yassin, or HSY. In one of our rawest episodes yet, HSY gets candid about his past as the child of a single mother and the effects of poverty and living in a women’s shelter. HSY and Ha

“My father eats, sleeps, and breathes design.” Nakkash on its 40th anniversary as a family-run business, the future of collectible design in the UAE, and passing the baton from one generation to the next.

Oct 5th, 2023 53m

Hashem catches up with the Nakkash family: patriarch Wajih Nakkash, his daughter Aya, and son Omar. To celebrate their 40th business anniversary, Wajih recounts how the Nakkash journey started with a showroom in Sharjah in 1983 and an avant-gar

“The thrill of the chase has always been my thing.” The Lighthouse friend Ayman Fakoussa on launching The Qode, balancing friendship with business, and why he can’t let go of Microsoft Excel.

Sep 21st, 2023 50m 13s

Diving into the joy of Guatemalan retreats and the love of Microsoft Excel, Hashem sits with Ayman Fakoussa this week to have a wide-ranging conversation. Hashem and Ayman chat about his experience growing up in Saudi Arabia before eventually m

Summer Throwback: HE Zaki Nusseibeh on the importance of storytelling in building identities

Aug 31st, 2023 48m 6s

In this throwback episode to our live episode at The Lighthouse: HE Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh shares personal anecdotes from his childhood in Jerusalem, the early days of the UAE when he worked as a translator for HH Sheikh Zayed and the

Summer Throwback: Ahmad Al Marri on launching Canvas Gelato against the odds and why community support was crucial to his success.

Aug 17th, 2023 51m 51s

In this throwback episode from 2022: Hashem invited Ahmad Al Marri, Founder of Dubai-based ice cream brand Canvas Gelato to the hot seat. Launched in 2017, Canvas Gelato’s raison d'être is to produce ice cream that is made exclusively with “rea

Summer Throwback: Myrna Ayad on the evolution & perception of Middle East art (2019)

Aug 4th, 2023 31m 59s

In this throwback to our first episode from 2019: Hashem talks to Mryna Ayad, the former Editor-in-Chief of art magazine Canvas and now an independent art consultant who continues to shape the way art & artists from the Middle East are represen

“As a Khaleeji guy, I had to prove myself over and over.” Meshary AlNassar on finding his footing as a designer, navigating interior design trends and the benefit of having a good eye.

Jul 7th, 2023 42m 59s

Our guest is up-and-coming designer Meshary AlNassar. Hailing from Kuwait, Meshary’s journey into interior design started during childhood with American TV pop culture influences The Oprah Winfrey Show and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Hashem

“There is nothing wrong with romanticizing Cairo.” Mai Eldib on her book ‘Cairo Eternal’ and what makes Cairo magical.

Jun 23rd, 2023 48m 43s

Cairo, mon amour! This week Hashem catches up with Sotheby’s veteran Mai Eldib, whose recent book release ‘Cairo Eternal’ was instantly sought after even by the iconic Fifi Abdou. Hashem and Mai bond over their experiences in Cairo—from overbea

2022 Throwback: Anoud Alzaben on the process of creating and immortalizing ephemeral tablescapes.

Jun 9th, 2023 44m 46s

We're throwing it back to our 2022 conversation with Anoud Alzaben. Anoud is a multidisciplinary designer rooted in the practice of architecture. She shared snippets from her childhood growing up in a family steeped in tradition, and how this u

“You can’t lead with arrogance.” Natasha Sideris on taming ambition, striving for balance as a restaurateur, and why there’s no way she’ll open in Greece.

May 25th, 2023 54m 25s

Hashem catches up with Natasha Sideris after a two-year scheduling ping-pong. He instantly bonds with the iconic restaurateur and founder of Tashas, Avli, and Flamingo Room, over their quest for work-life balance and sustaining a timeless brand

“Depriving me from Arabic was limiting” Publisher Yasmina Jraissati on unlocking the potential of the Arabic language and how she accidentally became a rebel with a cause.

May 11th, 2023 56m 26s

Hashem catches up with publisher Yasmina Jraissati, who manages content strategy and acquisition at Storytel MENA. They explore the commonalities of growing up in Arab homes with a French-speaking parent, and the implications of language on soc

“A dish is like a door into an entire people.” Nouri restaurant’s Ivan Brehm on his passion for “crossroads” cooking and the best advice he ever received.

Apr 29th, 2023 48m 20s

On the back of his recent trip to Singapore, Hashem catches up with Ivan Brehm, chef-owner of Michelin-starred restaurant, Nouri. They discuss the essential role storytelling plays in Ivan’s “crossroads” menu and how he curated his space at Nou