New On STR: Two Podcasts To Listen To This Month

by Barbara Yakimchuk

New On STR: Two Podcasts To Listen To This Month

9 Apr 2025

Photo: Midjourney x Sandy Times

STR is growing — new tracks are playing, new music directions are covered. Need some extra new things? Here they come. Last month, we launched two fresh shows: +Add to Playlist — rare music picks with top voices from the Middle Eastern scene, and Community Eating — honest talks with Dubai’s restaurant founders about what really drives success.

Two different realms, two different types of guests. What to expect, and when to listen? Discover it all below!

Why listen to podcasts at all?

These days, we are so used to fast content — we see something, chew it up, and move on. Reels and TikToks are everywhere, and honestly, it is hard to escape them. We keep scrolling, and scrolling, and scrolling.

Statistics from 2024 show that the average user spends about 58 minutes a day on TikTok. Why? Because it is instant dopamine — low-effort and highly entertaining.

But if you are feeling tired of that constant rush, try switching things up — even just a little. As an option — give podcasts a shot. They help you focus, give your brain something steady to hold onto. And they actually make you a better listener — which, let's be honest, is a pretty underrated skill these days. So, what will you find in our new podcast?

+Add to Playlist

Concept

In this podcast, we invite guests from across the music scene — DJs, singers, songwriters, and just music lovers — to share their top 10 favourite tracks. These selections mix genres, blend cultural influences, and cross musical boundaries.

How did it go?

The most fascinating part of the podcast? Every guest approached the task in their own unique way. Some treated it as a kind of musical lecture — bringing in unexpected facts about bands, artists, and the origins of the song. Others focused on highlighting the national identity behind each track, exploring musical flows, languages, and cultural roots.

And then there were those who turned their playlists into personal diaries, associating each song with key moments in their lives, using music as a memory holder.

Photo: Midjourney x Sandy Times

Who is on the microphone?

The first episodes featured incredibly vibrant and well-known voices from the Middle Eastern creative scene. Among them were:

Layla Kardan — Singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. She is now making waves in the wellness space with her Dubai-based project Contrast Wellness — a recovery studio offering saunas, ice baths, massages, and more.
Tala Samman — DJ, content creator, and founder of My Fashion Diary. Her platform blends fashion finds, travel stories, and personal recommendations into a charming, inspiring space.
Khlood Kibeda — A talented content and visual creator, who collaborates with many well-known brands on creative and advertising campaigns across the region.

These three episodes are already available to listen to on . Who else will join? Let's see!

What is special about it?

This podcast is for anyone who feels their playlist needs a refresh — something new, bold, and unexpected. It is also for those who do not just listen to a track for its catchy surface but want to dive deeper into its meaning and mood.

And it is especially for those who believe music has no borders — ready to embrace English, French, Arabic, African, even Japanese influences and rhythms.

Community Eating

Concept

In this podcast, we sit down with restaurant founders and co-founders in Dubai to hear the stories behind the spaces they have built — and, most importantly, the communities that have grown around them. What inspired them to start? How have their restaurants evolved? What keeps people coming back? These are the questions we explore in every episode.

How did it go?

The funniest thing about this podcast is that even though we asked each guest similar questions, the variety of answers was truly fascinating.

Think about it — the guests of the podcast are people working in the same industry, launching projects around the same time, all with one shared goal: to create a sense of community in their space. But the paths they took and the tricks they have got? Completely different.

Who is on the mic?

The first three episodes featured the founders' three quite well-known spots in Dubai, perfect for grabbing something to eat, having a chat, and relaxing.

Tarek Roumie — Co-founder of Rascals and Moonrise. In this podcast, he speaks openly about the challenges of running a business, chasing Michelin stars, and the reasons behind the success of the project.

Necip Camcigil — Co-founder of One Life Kitchen. His story is all about choosing a dream over stability — a decision that led to one of Dubai’s most beloved cafés.

Tamer Elkhayat — Partner of Kokoro and Co-founder of Pinza. After years in the hotel industry, he took a leap into the restaurant world — and never looked back. Now behind several popular spots, he shares how he made it happen.

These three episodes are already available to listen to on STR. Who else is there? Stay tuned to find out first!

What is special about it?

This podcast is a great pick for all the business-minded folks out there! The different stories show how the communities behind the brand influence a stable and successful business — what challenges come up, and which unexpected tools can actually lead to success.

And if you are a fan of the restaurants and cafés whose founders we welcome into the cosy STR studio — good news: we talk about their future plans, too!

by Barbara Yakimchuk