Culture Capsule
Belonging in the UAE

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Nathalie Habib, Co-Owner and Executive Producer of Blink Studios, one of the Arab region’s leading independent film and animation studio. Born and raised in the UAE with Lebanese and Greek roots, Nathalie has spent more than two decades developing original content, intellectual property, and educational media for children, families, and public institutions across the region. Her work sits at the intersection of creativity, business, and social impact, using storytelling as a powerful tool for cultural connection and positive change. In this episode of Culture Capsule, we explore Nathalie’s journey in media and content creation, the evolution of the Arab creative industry, the importance of developing locally rooted yet globally relevant intellectual property, and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of Arab creators. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on culture, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and the power of creative industries to shape the future. Live on LinkedIn and YouTube via OneStream Live.

Welcome to another episode of Culture Capsule! Culture Capsule is a podcast series that features experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from around the world, with each episode exploring unique cultural layers that help simplify and better understand life in the UAE and beyond. In this episode of Culture Capsule, Samar Karam welcomes Cindy Khoo, founder of Core Values Pilates in Abu Dhabi and a BASI Pilates Comprehensive Certified instructor. Having lived in the UAE for nearly two decades, Cindy shares her journey from passionate mover and athlete to business owner, educator, and advocate for lifelong wellness. Originally from a multicultural background spanning Malaysia, Australia, and Chinese heritage, Cindy offers unique insights into movement, community, entrepreneurship, and cultural coexistence in the UAE. The conversation explores: • How Abu Dhabi has evolved over the past 18 years and created opportunities for families, professionals, and entrepreneurs • The growth of sports, wellness, and women's participation in physical activity across the UAE • Building community as an expat through running groups, sports clubs, and shared interests • Why comprehensive education and continuous learning matter in the Pilates profession • Helping clients recover from injury, build confidence, and become "engineers of their own bodies" • Turning passion into a business and the realities of entrepreneurship in the UAE • Cultural adaptation, tolerance, and coexistence in one of the world's most diverse societies • The importance of communication and understanding across cultures in multicultural workplaces and communities • What movement can teach us about resilience, confidence, and personal growth Cindy's story is a powerful reminder that movement is about much more than exercise. It is about connection, empowerment, lifelong learning, and creating a healthier, more confident life wherever you call home. Culture Capsule is for expats, visitors, entrepreneurs, and curious thinkers; anyone who wants to understand the UAE beyond assumptions. Tune in! #CultureCapsule #Pilates #Wellness #AbuDhabi #UAE #ExpatLife #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #HealthAndWellness #Movement #Leadership #Community

Welcome to another episode of Culture Capsule! In our upcoming episode, I have the great pleasure to welcome Maria Pruna a serial entrepreneur, business owner, and founder of Your Seconds. Known by many online as the ‘Car Wash Lady’’, Maria shares her remarkable journey from corporate life in Europe to building and scaling businesses in the UAE. Maria’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience, adaptability, and cultural openness can create extraordinary opportunities especially for expats building a new life and business abroad. Originally from Romania, Maria spent over a decade in Belgium working across administration, operations, sales, and business development before stepping into entrepreneurship. After successfully growing and exiting her first carwash business, she relocated to the UAE, where she launched My Car Service in Sharjah and later expanded into mobile carwash (as well as boat exterior and interior cleaning) services operating across the UAE. Our conversation explores: - Why the UAE has become a global launchpad for entrepreneurs - Building a personal brand through authenticity and consistency - How LinkedIn can create visibility and business growth in unexpected industries - The realities of leading multicultural teams in the service industry in the UAE - Cultural intelligence, empathy, and employee empowerment - Adapting to local customs and integrating into UAE society - The role of networking and research when relocating abroad - Transitioning from corporate life into entrepreneurship in the UAE - Women in business and breaking stereotypes in male-dominated industries - Why human connection remains essential in business success Culture Capsule is a podcast series that features experts, entrepreneurs, and thought-leaders from around the world, with each episode exploring unique cultural layers that help simplify and better understand life in the UAE and beyond.

In this episode our guest is Rudi Schmidt, a C-level thought-leader who has been on the front lines of many industries across various cultures. Currently he is the CEO of Amanahyat Institute Abu Dhabi and managing partner at Seven Shams as well as a Patron of the amazing Louvre Abu Dhabi. Tune in for his unique insights exploring both scientific advancements and the practical wisdom gained from a life dedicated to health innovation always with a strong cultural appreciation. Join our conversation that delves deep into the complexities of modern healthcare, the nuances of human biology, and the cultural fabric that shapes our well-being. This episode underscores the importance of individualized health journeys, the critical role of data and AI, and the profound connection between culture, environment, and our health. Key topics featured in the interview: - UAE's interest in proactive health - The longevity enigma - The importance of personalized health - Genetics vs. Environment - Beyond the gym - Health Span Over Lifespan - The power of culture and unity - Investing in science Culture Capsule is an intentional conversation where global perspectives meet the lived, modern realities of the UAE. In every episode, we create space for: ● Real stories ● Thoughtful reflections ● Practical insights that support everyday belonging in the UAE

Welcome to the fourth episode of the Culture Capsule! In this episode of ‘Culture Capsule’, Samar Karam welcomes His Excellency Renso Herrera Franco, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the United Arab Emirates, for a conversation that goes far beyond traditional diplomacy. What emerges is a portrait of a diplomat who sees his role not simply as representing a nation, but as actively building bridges between cultures, people, and shared opportunities. Ambassador Herrera Franco reflects on the foundations of meaningful diplomacy: respect for history, openness to cultural differences, and a genuine effort to understand others on their own terms. The episode also explores the evolving relationship between the Dominican Republic and the UAE, offering a glimpse into how diplomacy today is as much about human connection as it is about policy and strategy. Topics discussed: Diplomacy as “Building Bridges” with respect, cultural understanding, and shared humanity at the core Human-connection and trust building in diplomacy The Dominican Republic as a multicultural society with cultural similarities with the UAE UAE as a model for rapid transformation and future planning The Dominican Republic’s Goal 2036: double the economy and attract high-value investments Strengthening Dominican Republic – UAE relations: partnership for innovation, investment, and sustainable growth 'Culture Capsule' is a podcast series hosted by Samar Karam, Intercultural Consultant and CEO of Cross-Culture Consultants based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The series features experts and thought-leaders from around the world and each episode explores a unique cultural layer that helps you simplify and understand life in the UAE and beyond. Culture Capsule is for expats, visitors, and curious thinkers, anyone who wants to understand the UAE beyond assumptions. Tune in!

Culture Capsule feat. Alberto Aguilar, CEO of Plantaform Welcome to the Culture Capsule! A podcast series exploring stories of Belonging in the UAE and beyond. How does a childhood in the United Arab Emirates shape a global food innovator? In this episode, I speak with Alberto Aguilar, co-founder and CEO of Plantaform™, a pioneer company in Fogponics (the most water-efficient irrigation technology in agriculture, originally developed by NASA) whose early exposure to water scarcity and imported food systems planted the seeds for what would become a mission-driven career in sustainable agriculture. Inspired by technology originally developed by NASA, Alberto is now pioneering fogponics -a system that uses up to 98% less water- to rethink how food is grown, from homes to commercial farms. Alberto Aguilar's journey is as diverse as the crops his company aims to grow. Raised in Spain, he experienced his formative years in the UAE before pursuing higher education in Canada. This multicultural upbringing as a 'Third Culture Kid' (TCK) provided him with a unique global perspective. From his childhood spent in the UAE to scaling ventures across Canada and the Middle East, his work today reflects a powerful idea: the future of food is local, efficient, and in our hands. This episode explores: • How childhood environments shape entrepreneurial vision • Why food security is a global—not regional—challenge • The role of technology in decentralizing food production • And how we can all regain control over what we eat #CultureCapsule #UAE #FoodSecurity #FutureOfFood #AgriTech #Sustainability #entrepreneurship OneStream Live is the all-in-one streaming solution that helps you to go live on 45+ social platforms at once.

Welcome to the second episode of the Culture Capsule! 'Culture Capsule' is my brand new podcast series live from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The series features experts and thought-leaders from around the world and each episode explores a unique cultural layer that helps you simplify and understand life in the UAE and beyond. In this episode of ‘Culture Capsule’, I welcome Dr. Keld Jensen (DBA). Dr. Jensen is a globally recognized expert in negotiation, trust, and behavioral economics, currently ranked #2 worldwide in negotiation by Global Gurus. He is the founder of the SMARTnership Negotiation framework (one of the world’s most awarded negotiation methodologies) and an associate professor at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. The conversation explores these topics: - The impact of AI on negotiation and value creation - Why negotiation remains fundamentally human - Trust as a driver of measurable business outcomes - Developing negotiation as a skill - The role of emotional intelligence under pressure - Gender dynamics at the negotiation table - Cultural nuances vs. individual differences - Moving from tactics to collaboration - Negotiation capabilities in the GCC region - Virtual vs in-person negotiation dynamics Culture Capsule is for expats, visitors, and curious thinkers, anyone who wants to understand the UAE beyond assumptions. Tune in! OneStream Live is the all-in-one streaming solution that helps you to go live on 45+ social platforms at once.

Marhaba! Welcome to the first episode of the Culture Capsule! 'Culture Capsule' is my brand new podcast series. The series features experts and thought leaders from around the world, and each episode explores a unique cultural layer that helps you simplify and understand life in the UAE. In our inaugural episode of ‘Culture Capsule’, I welcome global business leader Julio Cesar Do Monte, a true international executive whose career has taken him across six countries and four continents. Julio currently serves as the Area Vice President for Russia, Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey (RAMET) at Kenvue, based in Dubai. Based on his impressive track record in leading multinational companies such as Kenvue, Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Unilever, and Danone in complex markets across the Middle East, Russia, Africa, and Turkey, Julio shares what it means to lead in multicultural environments where culture, communication, and adaptability shape success. Our conversation explores: • Life as a global expatriate and how constant relocation shapes perspective • How international careers impact family life and identity • Navigating culture shock • Building trust through human-centered leadership and daily connection with teams • Supporting employee mental health, resilience, and well-being in challenging times • How AI tools are transforming productivity and the future of work • Leading through uncertainty, with lessons inspired by leadership approaches in the UAE Culture Capsule is for expats, visitors, and curious thinkers, anyone who wants to understand the UAE beyond assumptions. Tune in, please click on 'Be notified' in order to be notified when we go live!