with Loulou

In this special episode, Loulou Khazen speaks with Mo Gawdat about fear, uncertainty, and the psychological impact of war. في هذه الحلقة الخاصة، تتحاور لولو خازن مع مو جودة حول الخوف وعدم اليقين والتأثير النفسي للحروب. As the Gulf faces a moment that can no longer be ignored, this conversation explores what happens inside people when threat stops feeling abstract. ومع لحظة حساسة تعيشها منطقة الخليج ولا يمكن تجاهلها، يستكشف هذا الحوار ما يحدث داخل الإنسان عندما يتوقف الخطر عن كونه فكرة بعيدة ويصبح واقعاً. From anxiety and overload to risk assessment, parenting, media fatigue, and emotional regulation, this is a practical conversation about how to think clearly and stay human when the world feels unstable. من القلق وتدفق المعلومات إلى تقييم المخاطر وتربية الأطفال وإرهاق الأخبار وتنظيم المشاعر، يقدم هذا الحوار نقاشاً عملياً حول كيفية التفكير بوضوح والحفاظ على إنسانيتنا عندما يبدو العالم غير مستقر. Key Moments محطات الحلقة What you will learn ماذا ستتعلم في هذه الحلقة ✔️ Why the brain struggles so much with uncertainty لماذا يعاني العقل البشري كثيراً عند مواجهة عدم اليقين ✔️ How fear changes the way we think, feel, and behave كيف يغير الخوف طريقة تفكيرنا وشعورنا وتصرفاتنا ✔️ How media overload distorts judgment and increases stress كيف يؤدي الإفراط في متابعة الأخبار إلى تشويه الحكم وزيادة التوتر ✔️ How to assess risk without spiraling كيف يمكن تقييم المخاطر دون الوقوع في دوامة القلق ✔️ Why calm is a better way to function under pressure لماذا يعتبر الهدوء الطريقة الأفضل للتعامل مع الضغوط ✔️ How to support children emotionally during crisis كيف يمكن دعم الأطفال عاطفياً أثناء الأزمات ✔️ How not to lose your humanity in difficult times كيف نحافظ على إنسانيتنا في الأوقات الصعبة 00:00 Introduction | المقدمة 02:35 Why this conversation became necessary | لماذا أصبح هذا الحوار ضرورياً 05:00 What war does to the human mind | كيف تؤثر الحروب على العقل البشري 08:10 How social media normalized violence | كيف جعلت وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي العنف يبدو طبيعياً 11:50 How to question your thoughts in a crisis | كيف نراجع أفكارنا أثناء الأزمات 15:10 Propaganda, media overload, and fear | الدعاية وتدفق المعلومات وتأثيرهما على الخوف 18:45 Why uncertainty makes us anxious | لماذا يسبب عدم اليقين القلق 22:10 How the brain reacts to danger | كيف يتفاعل العقل مع الخطر 26:30 Real danger vs perceived danger | الفرق بين الخطر الحقيقي والخطر المتصور 30:40 How parents should talk to children about war | كيف يتحدث الآباء مع أطفالهم عن الحروب 35:10 Why compassion matters in a crisis | لماذا يظل التعاطف مهماً في الأزمات 40:15 How different people react to stress | كيف يختلف رد فعل الناس تجاه الضغط 45:00 How to stay calm during chaos | كيف نحافظ على هدوئنا وسط الفوضى 49:30 How to turn fear into clarity | كيف نحول الخوف إلى وضوح 55:40 How not to lose your humanity | كيف لا نفقد إنسانيتنا 01:01:00 What to remember from this conversation | ما الذي يجب أن نتذكره من هذا الحوار Follow Loulou Khazen تابعوا لولو خازن Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Also available on متوفر أيضاً على Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/3Stm32D Spotify https://bit.ly/3H1vzHO Share your feedback شاركونا آرائكم https://33s6g1ujw6w.typeform.com/to/K New to With Loulou? هل هذه أول مرة تتابعون Hi, I’m Loulou Khazen, based in Dubai. I started my journey as a tech entrepreneur, and today I’m a startup investor, podcaster, and speaker. Most importantly, I’m a mom of two. مرحباً، أنا لولو خازن، أعيش في دبي. بدأت مسيرتي كرائدة أعمال في مجال التكنولوجيا، واليوم أنا مستثمرة في الشركات الناشئة وبودكاستر ومتحدثة في الفعاليات. والأهم أنني أم لطفلين. To learn more, check out my LinkedIn profile or read my latest feature in Entrepreneur Magazine: للمزيد من المعلومات، يمكنكم زيارة صفحتي على لينكدإن أو قراءة مقابلتي الأخيرة في مجلة Entrepreneur: https://bit.ly/3QLwBKs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover how Anam Khalid, co-founder and COO of Squatwolf, went from a small-town girl in Pakistan to building a global fitness brand from Dubai. In this inspiring conversation, Anam reveals the sacrifices, challenges, and truths of entrepreneurship, breaking gender barriers, and building a business with her husband. If you dream of creating your own success story, this episode will light the fire. 🌐 This episode is brought you you by: Whoop: https://join.whoop.com/us/en/loulou/ signup through this link to get an exclusive 1 month free with the Whoop device included! Bioniq: https://bioniq.com/loulou use code CWL40 for an exclusive 40% on your first order of Bioniq Go

لماذا علينا أن نتحدث عن المال؟ ولماذا تكون النساء أكثر عرضة للموت مفلسات؟ في هذه الحلقة، نستضيف الإعلامية العالمية، خبيرة التواصل، ومؤلفة كتاب "The Brilliant Communicator"، نعمة أبو وردة، وهي أيضاً صحفية سابقة في هيئة الإذاعة البريطانية (BBC)، لنغوص في قضايا المال، واتخاذ القرار، وأهمية الحضور والتعبير عن الذات. نعمة، بخبرتها في آلاف المقابلات وتدريب مئات الأشخاص، تشرح لنا لماذا لا تقل طريقة عرض المعرفة أهميةً عن المعرفة نفسها. هذه الحلقة ليست موجهة للنساء فقط، بل لكل من يسعى لفهم النظام، وكسر الصمت، وصناعة حياة مليئة بالخيارات والكرامة 🎁هذه الحلقة برعاية XM Arabia. زوروا الموقع للحصول على مكافآت تسجيل خاصة 🌐 https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167 🎁هذه الحلقة برعاية Mustashar Mini MBA. زوروا الموقع وإستعملو الكود: Loulou للحصول على خصم ٤٠٪ وكمان خصم إضافي ٢٠٪ إذا سجلتو قبل ١٠ آب 🌐 https://www.mustasharminimba.com?coupon=LOULOU 👇 Explore the full journey below | استكشفوا محطات الحوار الكاملة هنا 👇 00:00 مدخل تمهيدي للحلقة | Episode Hook 00:54 التعريف بنعمة أبو وردة ومقدمة الحلقة | Meet Nima Abu Wardeh & Episode Intro 01:29 رسالة نعمة إلى المستمعين | Nima’s Message to Listeners 04:36 الفلسفة والدوافع وراء تفكير نعمة | Behind Nima’s Mindset & Drive 07:02 لماذا من الضروري تبنّي منظور صانع القرار؟ | The Importance of Stepping into the Decision-Maker’s Shoes 08:43 كن المدير التنفيذي لخبرتك | Become the CEO of Your Expertise 10:28 نجاحك يتحدد بمن يعرفك، لا بمن تعرفه | Your Success Is Defined by Who Knows You, Not Who You Know 12:29 أهمية بناء الحضور خارج إطار العمل | The Importance of Building Presence Beyond the Workplace 16:38 ضعف شبكة العلاقات يؤدي إلى قلة الفرص المهنية | How a Weak Network Hurts Career Opportunities 17:53 وجودك على منصة هو مفتاح نجاحك | Why Having a Platform Is Key to Success 21:27 تميّزك يلغي المنافسة | Stand Out by Defining Your Uniqueness 25:41 كيف تحقق أهدافك؟ دليل من الكتاب | Reaching Your Goals – Insights from the Book 31:19 الفيل في المقابلة: الأسئلة غير المعلنة | Addressing the Elephant in Job Interviews 34:08 امتلك خبرتك بثقة | Owning Your Expertise with Confidence 38:59 عبّر للعالم عمّا تريده | Communicate What You Want to the World 39:30 خطوات عملية لتحقيق الأهداف | Steps to Achieving Your Goals 40:10 اقترض لتبني | Borrow to Build 45:00 تدرّب على عرض قيمك عبر المنصات | Practice Sharing Your Values Across Platforms 48:50 لماذا النساء أكثر عرضة للموت مفلسات؟ | Why Are Women More Likely to Die Broke? 56:00 الحقيقة حول فجوة الأجور بين الجنسين | The Truth About the Gender Pay Gap 01:02:00 الطلاق وتحمل المسؤولية المالية بمفردك | Divorce and the Burden of Being the Sole Provider 01:04:05 تكلفة المعيشة بالنسبة للنساء | The Cost of Living for Women 01:06:50 الظلم الواقع على النساء حول العالم | Injustice Toward Women Worldwide 01:08:15 كيف تواجه المرأة المُهمشة واقعها؟ | How Can Disadvantaged Women Stand Up for Themselves? 01:11:07 هل هناك ما يُسمى بوظيفة “أقل قيمة”؟ | Is There Such a Thing as a Lesser Job? 01:11:45 كسر القيود الثقافية التي لا تخدمنا | Defying Cultural Norms That Don’t Serve Us 01:14:48 كلمات ختامية | Closing Remarks

What does progress mean when you start life as a refugee? In this heartfelt episode, Snapchat's MENA VP Hussein Freijeh opens up about building what his father and grandfather never had. We talk about fatherhood, the pressure to succeed, why he nearly lost his job in Big Tech, and how he's now mentoring others to find the path he once had to figure out alone. He also shares his vision for Snap as a platform that embraces simplicity, authenticity and creativity.

ماذا لو كان ما نؤمن به عن النجاح والمشاعر والعمل... مجرد وهم مغلف بإتقان؟ في هذه الحلقة المؤثرة، نستضيف محمد جودت — الرئيس التنفيذي السابق للأعمال في غوغل إكس، مؤلف عالمي الأكثر مبيعًا، وصوت رائد في السعادة وتطوير الذات 🌐 هذه الحلقة برعاية Bioniq Go: https://bioniq.com/loulou 🎁 استعملوا الرمز CWL40, للحصول على خصم 40% على أول طلب

شاهد الملايين برنامج “دبي بلينغ” على نتفليكس، حيث نتابع حياة الأثرياء الباذخة في الجانب الصاخب من دبي. لكن ما لا يعرفه كثيرون هو من هم هؤلاء الأشخاص خلف الكواليس، بعيدًا عن الأضواء والثراء. في هذه الحلقة، أتحاور مع زينة خوري، نجمة “دبي بلينغ”، حول الشهرة، والثروة، وما وراءهما هذه الحلقة برعاية Bioniq Go 🌐 https://bioniq.com/loulou 🎁 إستعمل الرمز CWL40 للحصول على خصم Millions have watched Dubai Bling on Netflix, where we follow the daily lives of the rich and glamorous in Dubai. But what many don’t know is who these people really are behind the scenes, away from the spotlight and the luxury. I sat down with Zeina Khoury, star of Dubai Bling, to talk about fame, wealth, and what lies beyond them. 00:00 - 01:39 مقدّمة 01:39 - 03:45 النشأة في لبنان 03:45 - 05:51 قرار الهجرة والبدء من الصفر في دبي 05:51 - 06:56 من بيت الأهل إلى الاستقلال المادي 06:56 - 08:03 محاولات دخول الإعلام والعمل الحر 08:03 - 10:49 أول فرصة حقيقية في مجال التقديم وإدارة الأعمال 10:49 - 11:24 إعلان 11:24 - 14:02 كيف جنت زينة ثروتها 14:02 - 15:29 الاستثمار والتفكير المالي 15:29 - 17:57 الاستثمار في العقارات والوقت الصحيح للبيع 17:57 - 23:14 ظاهرة الربح السريع في الجيل الجديد ودورالسوشال ميديا والتأثير 23:14 - 27:50 استخدام الأدوات الحديثة في السوشال ميديا وأهمية وجود أساس للتأثير 27:50 - 33:30 الانضمام إلى دبي بلينغ والتعامل مع الشهرة 33:30- 36:50 الفصل بين الشخصية الحقيقية والصورة الإعلامية 36:50 - 35:36 تأثير السوشال ميديا على العلاقات والمفاهيم 35:36 - 41:31 مفهوم زينة النجاح خارج المال والمظاهر 41:31 - 43:18 فلسفة زينة في السكن والمعيشة العملية 43:18 - 45:52 أدوات للاستثمار العقاري الحديث 45:52 - 47:58 مفهوم زينة للنجاح وأهمية السعي للتطور 47:58 - 50:00 التعامل مع المقارنة والضغط الاجتماعي 50:00 - 53:11 تجربتها الشخصية مع التحيّزات الجمالية 53:11 - 59:17 عن القلق، التمثيل، والانطباع الخارجي 59:17 - 1:05:03 التحرش والمضايقات في بيئة العمل وضرورة المواجهة 1:05:03 - 1:06:35 الإيمان بالنفس كمفتاح لكل شيء 1:06:35 - 1:07:24 الخاتمة

Paddy Cosgrave, founder and CEO of Web Summit, joins me for a fast-paced conversation recorded live at Web Summit Qatar. We talk about how he scaled a 150-person event into one of the world’s largest tech conferences, and why the same principles—imagination, naivety, and engineering serendipity—can be applied to anything you want to build. Paddy shares his thoughts on avoiding fear-driven decisions, why big ideas need a bit of “clinical insanity,” and how success often comes down to simply starting—even if you have no idea what you’re doing. We also touch on tech hype, unsanitized founders, and why he won’t let his kids near addictive apps. This episode is about thinking big, starting small, and taking action—no matter what you’re building. Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here to claim your non-deposit cash bonus! Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here to take the 5 min Quiz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

في الحلقة الأولى من البودكاست بالعربي، حبيت اني أتكلم مع صديقي رائد الأعمال محمد أبو النجا المعروف في مصر ب"نجاتي". محمد عندو رؤية في مجال العمل. عندما كان موظف في فوري، قرر إنو يشتري أسهم بالشركة وأدرجت فوري على البورصة المصرية في عام ٢٠١٩. ومن بعد فوري، كان نجاتي المدير الإقليمي لشركة "كريم" في مصر. وبعدها، كان الشريك المؤسس لشركة "حالاً" وهي اليوم شركة مليارية. ولقد أدى نجاح نجاتي في العمل إلى شهرة كبيرة في مصر وهذه الشهرة فتحت له أبواب منها نجاحه في البودكاست "المال الحلال" الذي اطلقه في أخر سنة ٢٠٢٤ في هذه المحادثة، نتكلم عن الحياة في مصر والفرص المتاحة للشباب والشابات، نتكلم عن دور المرأة المصرية في تربية الجيل الجديد وعن الثقة بالنفس، الرؤية، النجاح و تأثير الشهرة و كيف نتعامل مع الفشل. انشالله تستمتعو بالحديث 00:00 مقدمة الحلقة والتعريف بالضيف 03:18 نجاحات وإخفاقات نجاتي في ريادة الأعمال 09:36 البودكاست والشهرة 11:56 أهمية الإتقان في العمل 20:54 الذكاء الاصطناعي ومستقبل الأعمال 24:47 التحديات والفرص في السوق المصري 32:41 أهمية العائلة والتربية في حياة نجاتي 01:16:07 التوازن بين العمل والحياة الشخصية 01:20:44 خاتمة الحلقة والدعوة للتفاعل

We kick off by exploring the broader implications of President Trump’s ‘drill baby drill’ policy and how it could shape GCC economies, from oil markets to capital flows. We then deep dive into the art of deal-making, from knowing when to sell, to navigating high-stakes negotiations, to creating a win-win scenario to uncovering the one thing that kills a deal. Ziad gives us a behind the scenes look into how a deal is made and what can go wrong. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious about the inner workings of M&A, this conversation is packed with lessons on valuing time, thinking strategically, and winning in business.

I sat down with Philip Bahoshy, founder of MAGNiTT, for a no-holds-barred conversation on the realities of the startup world. We unpack the "Startup Valley of Death," exploring why founders fail, when to quit, and how to navigate burnout. Philip dives into M&A challenges, scarce exits, and the rising role of secondary transactions and IPO readiness. He also highlights scaling hurdles in fragmented markets, the talent crunch, and UAE-Saudi ecosystem dynamics. With sharp predictions for 2025—AI’s rise, more IPOs, and deeper ties with Southeast Asia—this episode offers critical insights for founders and investors navigating today’s uncertain venture landscape.

In this episode, we dive into the hard truth about why exits in MENA are so challenging, the role of tariffs in protecting domestic production, and how bad actors have tarnished the reputation of an entire industry. Sky also gives us a masterclass on navigating capital markets, working with your board (hint: don’t deprive them of their learning moments), and what to do when you’re stuck with an inflated valuation. From ag-tech failures to billion-dollar blunders and business model innovation at scale, this conversation is packed with insights for founders, investors, and anyone interested in the future of food production. Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment platform with offices in Dubai. Click herefor a chance to win AED 1m.

Chris Rogers is a global entrepreneur who co-founded Nextel Communications, a wireless connectivity company, in 1987 and sold it for $35B in 2005. In the early 2000s, Chris came to Saudi Arabia to launch Nextel as a joint venture with Saudi Telecom. His deep connection to the region brought him back as an investor in Careem, Kitopi, and several other startups. In this episode, Chris shares what it takes to build and lead billion-dollar businesses, his perspective on Sovereign Wealth Fund initiatives shaping the MENA startup ecosystem, the challenges Venture Capital firms face in the region, and what it truly means to exit successfully. Chris also offers timeless lessons on resilience, attracting global investors, and balancing ambition with wellness. Whether you’re a founder, VC, or someone with big dreams, this episode is packed with insights to help you scale your next big thing. Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment company with offices in Dubai.Click herefor a chance to win AED 1m.

I sat down with Maha Abouelenein, powerhouse communicator, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of Seven Rules of Self-Reliance. Maha shares her incredible journey—from starting as a secretary for Naguib Sawiris to building a PR empire, working with global icons like Gary Vee, and becoming a bestselling author. We dive into the lessons from her book, the importance of betting on yourself, unlearning outdated ideas, and building a personal brand rooted in authenticity. Maha’s insights are both inspiring and practical, whether you’re an entrepreneur, corporate leader, or someone seeking purpose and growth. This is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and self-belief! Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment company with offices in Dubai. Click here for a chance to win AED 1m.

I sat down with Talal Tabbaa, co-founder of CoinMENA, to unpack the latest in the crypto world. We dive into Bitcoin’s recent bull run and why ETFs are a game-changer for institutional adoption. Talal shares his take on altcoins, meme coins, and whether they’re worth the hype—or just a gamble. We also tackle the big question: is it too late to get into Bitcoin? Plus, we discuss how governments, particularly in the GCC, are positioning themselves in the crypto race. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this episode offers insights you can’t afford to miss. Support for the show comes from Capital.com a global investment platform with offices in Dubai. Click here for the chance to win AED 1m: https://bit.ly/3CDIT3f

I sat down with H.E. Sheikh Fahim a member of the Executive Council of Sharjah and the Executive Chairman of the Department of Government Relations to talk about his marine conservation work. Sheikh Fahim a.k.a. ‘the Turtle Sheikh’ whose love for the ocean - sparked by saving ‘Farah’ a turtle stuck in a fishing net - led him to launch SeafoodSouq, a technology business that tracks the global seafood supply chain or as per his words ‘a digital passport for fish’. Our conversation covers the state of our oceans, overfishing, bycatch and outright fraud. A fascinating discussion about the need for us all to do our bit and most importantly, to ask a very simple question: where is my fish coming from? Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment platform with offices in Dubai. Visit (https://bit.ly/3YaWM0R)

I sat down with Abdullah Mutawi, Partner and Head of Corporate at law firm Taylor Wessing and prolific angel investor as the Co-founder and Chairman of Dubai Angel Investors and Saudi Angel Investors and we unpack some of the challenges that startups founders and venture capital investors are facing as they learn how to deal with a major downturn echoing the global venture capital downturn post 2020/2021 bubble. As a prominent lawyer, Abdullah is often called upon to mitigate distress situations, those that evoke strong emotions between the parties. Abdullah shares his learnings from various situations he has managed including one of the successful restructuring deals he worked on with Fetchr, the logistics startups that was saved, only to shut down again in 2021 in a twist of fate. If you are in the startup ecosystem or a stakeholder of the ecosystem, then you will certainly enjoy this discussion. Support for the show comes from capital.com, a global investment platform with offices in Dubai.

I sat down with Charlie Wright, Founder & CEO of Humantra, the fastest-growing electrolytes brand in the UAE, now eyeing global expansion after a successful UK launch. Charlie’s journey to Dubai began straight out of college, where a sales job quickly showed him that he craved more than the corporate grind. After two failed ventures, he learned valuable lessons that paved the way for something bigger. A chance encounter with the Huda Beauty investment team led him to join their incubator, ultimately giving birth to Humantra. In this episode, we explore the world of electrolytes, navigating obstacles, scaling a business, and forming international collaborations, all while unpacking the key insights Charlie picked up along the way. Support for this episode comes from Capital.com, a global investment platform with newly launched offices in Dubai. To learn more about Capital.com click here. Support for this show comes from Dubai Harbour Residences, a newly launched beachfront project. Book your apartment by clicking here.

I sat down with Farida El Agamy, an entrepreneur, a lawyer and expert on the MENA family business landscape, to get a peak into the rise and challenges of the families that shaped our region from the Almajdouie and Zamil families in Saudi Arabia, to W.J. Towell in Oman, the Sawiris in Egypt and Juma Al Majid in the UAE and many more. Those family businesses grew to become multifaceted conglomerates employing thousands and creating a considerable economic and social impact across the region. Farida shared insights from her extensive research work at Tharawat Family Business Forum, highlighting the critical importance of succession planning, governance, and the role of women in family businesses. We explored the rise of single-family offices, how investment strategies are evolving across generations, and the increasing importance of sustainability. Throughout our discussion, we kept circling back to one question: how will the 3rd or 4th generation of family business owners navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world? To learn more about family businesses in MENA visit: www.tharawat.org and www.familybusinesshistories.org or connect with Farida on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faridafelagamy/

Welcome back to work everyone. In this last part of the '3 part bite sized summer special', I revisit my conversations with my guests in the first half of 2024 and distill 3 trends that are shaping MENA startups. If you’re an entrepreneur you’re probably head down and ready for an eventful second half of the year! If you’re fundraising, you’re probably wondering if the VC winter will come to an end now that the US Federal Reserve Chief is signaling rate cuts? Will you be able to ‘blitzscale’ again? If you’re raising a big round of funding today, where is the money going to come from? Lastly, how big is the influence of China on our startup ecosystem? I hope you enjoy this episode and always happy to hear your input. We go back to our original programing next week!

As you gear up for back to school season, I hope you enjoy part 2 of our 3 part - bite sized - summer special. In this episode, I share with you my personal views on what makes a great entrepreneur. Having been an entrepreneur myself over the past decade, having sat with unicorn founders, and hundreds of entrepreneurs that I’ve met over the past 5 years of venture capital investing, I offer you the 5 characteristics that make a great entrepreneur. Keen to know your thoughts!