YouTube Podcasts Showcasing Regional Talents

Live:STR SELECTIONS

by Alexandra Mansilla

YouTube Podcasts Showcasing Regional Talents

2 Sept 2024

A little while ago, we highlighted some great podcasts worth checking out, but we are far from finished. You know we are always on the hunt for talented and inspiring people to feature in The Sandy Times — and we find plenty. Some come recommended by those already featured on our pages, while others we discover ourselves, sometimes through podcasts. Today, we want to share some podcasts that are doing something important: they are shining a spotlight on the talents of this region.

Hikmat Wehbi Podcast

Hikmat is a well-known photographer with over 25 years of experience, having worked with numerous celebrities and influencers in the region. Four years ago, he launched his own podcast, where he interviews inspiring people from the region. He is great at it, asking questions that really help paint a full picture of his guests. His channel was a huge help when I was preparing for interviews with Shawn Chidiac and another amazing guest (whose name I will keep under wraps for now since the interview hasn’t aired yet). So far, Hikmat has released 183 episodes featuring a diverse range of guests. Check them out — these interviews are incredibly engaging.

"Dubai Diastories" by Yvette Kikuyu

I won’t lie — I absolutely love Yvette’s podcast. The conversations are so lively and engaging. It is not just about her emotion, sincerity, and undeniable professionalism (the questions she asks are very cool), but also how openly her guests share their stories and the incredible energy between them and the host. It feels like you are right there in the studio, listening to their conversation in real-time.

Yvette describes her guests: “‘For "Dubai Diastories", my guest selection is a bit selfish. For the first two seasons, I wanted to focus exclusively on people who look like me. I call it FUBU — For Us By Us — because I feel we are underrepresented in the media space here in the Middle East. We don't have our own TV channels or radio stations; Instagram is the main way we communicate as a community. I want to build a platform that brings us together.”

Check out Yvette’s personal story here. Yvette, we can’t wait for the next episodes!

WhoWeAre Podcast

We love everything about this podcast, starting with its name — WhoWeAre. With the help of guests, the host aims to explore and define what it means to be Emirati; the podcast’s mission is to delve into and share the essence of Emirati identity. They bring on Emirati guests to discuss their journeys, tackle social issues across generations, and dive deep into the culture and traditions of the UAE.

Sheen Gurrib

Dr. Sheen Gurrib has devoted her channel to empowering women. She interviews inspiring women about their career journeys, the challenges they have faced, and how they have overcome them. She also dives into a wide range of topics, including self-esteem and “how to be a total badass” (a quote from her channel description that we couldn’t resist including).

Layla K. Saleh

Layla K. Saleh stands out from our selection — she doesn’t feature regional talents. Why is it here? We love it. On the video, you will only see her at the mic, always talking to someone off-camera. That someone is her dad! Together, they dive into tough topics like the art of setting boundaries, saying no, forgiving parents, depression, and the victim mentality.

Karak With Mahreen

Mahreen Munir, a Pakistani living in the UAE, hosts this podcast where she chats with fascinating guests in the UAE. Their conversations dive into cultural pressures, social norms, and identity, all while enjoying a hot cup of Karak. The aim? To uplift the South Asian and Arab communities by sharing these diverse perspectives.

by Alexandra Mansilla