The Mo Show

Mo Islam

Own your narrative

  1. When Art Becomes Therapy | Nourine Hammad on Motherhood and Healing

    22 OCT

    When Art Becomes Therapy | Nourine Hammad on Motherhood and Healing

    Nourine is a visual artist whose intricately detailed pencil drawings explore the line between reality and constructed imagery. Her immersive works challenge perception and invite quiet reflection. Beginning with photography or digital compositions, she meticulously translates her ideas into pencil on paper blending contemporary image-making with traditional technique.   Through themes of identity, interaction, and perception, her focus on objects, surfaces, and textures creates a heightened sensory experience, prompting deeper reflection on how form and space shape human experience. In this intimate 90 minute conversation, Mo and Nourine traverse a wide spectrum from the evolving art world and the boundaries of creative freedom, to motherhood, postpartum depression, and the quiet strength it takes to support loved ones through life’s most testing moments.     0:00 Intro 1:20 What Is Hyperrealism? 5:02 From IBM Engineer to Full-Time Artist 9:53 Instability, London Survival 12:41 Independence, Failure Mindset Resilience 19:18 Gulf Art on the Rise 25:27 What Makes “Art”? 28:00 Inspiration, Process Research Ethics 38:52 Burnout vs. Patience 45:00 Politics, Palestine Artistic Freedom 47:12 Creative Blocks 50:00 Postpartum Depression 59:02 Family Balance, Presence Digital Detox 1:09:11 Digital Addiction, Parenting Screens 1:13:23 Preparing Kids For Life 1:15:43 The IWC Minute 1:18:04 Life Without Art :20:30 Mantras Influences 1:24:06 Childhood, Vision, and the Gift of Observation 1:26:53 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

    1h 26m
  2. How Diriyah is Shaping Saudi Arabia's Cultural Future | Kiran Haslam, CMO Diriyah

    7 OCT

    How Diriyah is Shaping Saudi Arabia's Cultural Future | Kiran Haslam, CMO Diriyah

    Kiran is the Chief Marketing Officer at Diriyah Company who is leading the efforts to re-establish Diriyah’s position as a globally recognized cultural and historical landmark. With a career spanning international marketing, communications, and brand transformation, he brings a wealth of expertise in crafting narratives that resonate with diverse audiences around the world.   At Diriyah, he is driving initiatives that celebrate Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage while positioning it as a world-class destination for culture, history, and tourism.   On this episode, Kiran unpacks the immense scale of the extraordinary project that represents the birthplace of Al-Saud. With several assets already open and many more including hotels, housing, branded residences, and retail outlets set to come online soon, the nearing completion of DG1 and DG2 marks another major milestone in Diriyah’s transformation.   0:00 Intro: City of Earth6:57 Responsibility, Expectations & Pressure9:05 Building a World-Class Saudi Marketing Team12:00 The Power of Authenticity17:30 The New Saudi Way of Living22:33 Coffee, Scent & Hospitality25:00 Blending Heritage with Modern Living28:01 Smart-City Vision31:00 Riyadh’s Urban Renaissance37:24 Shifting Global Perception44:32 Hospitality Pipeline50:16 A Low-Rise, People-Focused City52:01 Life in Diriyah: Pedestrian Lifestyle1:00:52 Life in Saudi vs Expectations1:04:05 Positivity and Hunger of the Saudi Spirit1:08:25 Advice for the Next Generation1:11:30 Closing Remarks

    1h 11m
  3. Storytelling: A Common Thread of Humanity | Fatima Al-Banawi 160

    29 SEPT

    Storytelling: A Common Thread of Humanity | Fatima Al-Banawi 160

    A Saudi storyteller, actor, writer, and director whose work blends art with social impact, Fatima is the founder of Alf Wad Production House and The Other Story Project, initiatives that have transformed storytelling into a tool for cultural dialogue and community building. Her breakout role in Barakah Meets Barakah (2016), Saudi’s submission to the Oscars, helped shape the country’s new cinematic wave. Named a “Next Generation Leader” by Time Magazine and described as the “Sophie Calle of Saudi Arabia” by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fatima has become one of the most recognized creative voices from the Kingdom. She holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University, where she researched Arab identity and gender representation in cinema and literature. 0:00 Intro 2:34 Childhood Background 6:47 Control, Messiness Acceptance 13:00 Parents, Resentment Empathy 22:03 Imposter Syndrome 35:13 Barakah Public Reaction 41:50 Writing/Directing vs Acting 45:30 Owning the Narrative 55:04 Saudi Film Ecosystem Grows 59:34 “The Other Story” 1:11:24 Globalization Cinema 1:19:32 Alwad: A Thousand Valleys to the Heart 1:23:22 Red Sea Festival Market Maturity 1:34:44 Mental Health, Phones Finding Balance 1:40:31 Women, Theology Harvard 1:49:58 “Carve What Isn’t There” 1:52:56 Ignoring Bad Advice 1:55:29 Feeling Most Alive 1:58:32 Dreams, Manifestation Mortality 2:06:13 Closing Fatima Albanawi Instagram https://bit.ly/4mC4nP1 LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3IBI5iE Wikipedia https://bit.ly/4nNGdCi Website https://bit.ly/3IA3IQm The Mo Show Youtube https://bit.ly/3nDwsZv Apple Podcast https://apple.co/3J9ScX4 Spotify https://spoti.fi/33dzsC2 Anghami https://bit.ly/3mRo1uy Instagram https://bit.ly/2KAwq5v X https://bit.ly/3KanEnJ TikTok https://bit.ly/43L92po Website https://bit.ly/3H2DhMM Email info@themopodcast.com

    2h 3m
  4. "Nature Is A Sucker For My Soul' -Andrew Zaloumis 158, CEO Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve

    11 SEPT

    "Nature Is A Sucker For My Soul' -Andrew Zaloumis 158, CEO Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve

    We kick off season six with the CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, internationally recognized for his pioneering work in conservation and community-driven environmental management.   A visionary conservation leader and human rights advocate known for his pioneering work in sustainable, people-centered environmental management. He rose to prominence as the founding CEO of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.   On this episode, Andrew and I explore the PMSBR at Wadi Al-Disah, home to 15 ecosystems and an ambitious re-wilding program bringing back locally extinct species like the Persian onager and sand cat. They discuss why the reserve remains unfenced, forming a vital wildlife corridor linking NEOM, the Red Sea, and AlUla. The conversation dives into how tech and AI satellite collars, camera traps, vulture and turtle tracking translate into real conservation impact.   Andrew also reflects on leadership lessons from working with Nelson Mandela and highlights community-first initiatives, including a pioneering team of female rangers driving change on the ground. We touch on public access (camping, guided experiences over gate fees), education to combat litter, and the reserve’s aspirations for UNESCO recognition.   00:00 Intro 03:50 Wild Childhood  05:56 Mandela & Leadership 11:39 15-Ecosystems Revealed 14:15 Rare Species & Juniper Trees 16:39 Re-wilding Explained 21:30 Conservation Tech & AI 24:06 Open Corridors & Access 28:23 Rangers, Women & Beddouins 33:25 Protection, Education & Vision 43:57 UNESCO Bid & Climate 55:34 MBS Leadership And Closing   PMBSR Instagram https://bit.ly/4mWzx4x Twitter https://bit.ly/4gl4gWI LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4pl4XDr Website https://bit.ly/467Vs1u   The Mo Show Youtube https://bit.ly/3nDwsZv Apple Podcast https://apple.co/3J9ScX4 Spotify https://spoti.fi/33dzsC2 Anghami https://bit.ly/3mRo1uy Instagram https://bit.ly/2KAwq5v X https://bit.ly/3KanEnJ TikTok https://bit.ly/43L92po Website https://bit.ly/3H2DhMM Email info@themopodcast.com   Saudia  Website https://bit.ly/495n6fB Instagram https://bit.ly/3UgTTdA X https://bit.ly/4beIQY8   Noon  Instagram https://bit.ly/3XRScUY Website https://bit.ly/44lnA1S   Eight Sleep https://www.eightsleep.com/sa/themoshow/   IWC  Instagram https://bit.ly/44dxbFW Website https://bit.ly/43K8JMk   Brew 92 Instagram http://bit.ly/3VN6MeI LinkedIn https://bit.ly/42kN65E Website https://bit.ly/4grbAjK   Credits Andrew Zaloumis | Guest Mo Islam | Host Founder Ryan Ismail | COO Gregoris Kalai | Head of Strategy Fares Saied | Executive Producer Mahmoud Taha | DOP Adnan Alkhateeb | Gaffer Omar El-Faroug | BTS Photographer Production Assistant Tito | Creative Director Youssef Hamieh | Show Manager Powered by "STUCK?" | Translation The Mo Show Theme Song by Saud Al-Turki

    54 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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