What I Did Next

This week, I'm sitting down with my producer Chirag Desai to reflect on a whirlwind first half of the year—from interviewing iconic figures and taking the show international to the importance of reclaiming our narrative. 
We talk about what drives the show, the magic of the MENA region, and what it truly means to create space for our own stories.

This episode is brought to you by:
EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!
Azza Fahmy Jewellery

Chapters:
0:00 Coming up...
1:44 WIDN goes international
4:30 Reclaiming our narrative
13:25 An updated lightning round
18:12 What's next for MalakMusic ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

This week, we're continuing the conversation with Karim Mekhtigian and Mohamed Fares, where they tell me about their design philosophy, and their new destination in Downtown Cairo, Tamara Haus, which is where we recorded the episode.
Karim & Fares, alongside Emy Hussein, are the visionary architects behind Cairo's premier design firm, Alchemy Architecture. Together, they have spent years shaping the architectural landscape in Egypt, setting new standards of quality, style and craftsmanship. 
On our previous episode, we talked about how they joined forces to create a partnership that spans two decades.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!

(00:00) - Coming up

(03:43) - Local aesthetics, global influence

(14:57) - Building the Alchemy ecosystem

(18:00) - Tamara Haus

Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

This week, I’m sitting down with Karim Mekhtigian and Mohamed Fares, two of the visionary architects behind Cairo’s premier design firm, Alchemy alongside Emy Hussein. Together, they have spent years shaping the architectural landscape in Egypt, setting new standards of quality, style and craftsmanship.
In the first of two episodes, we talk about how they each came to architecture and design, and then joined forces to create a partnership that spans two decades. On part two next week, Karim & Fares tell me about their design philosophy, and how they built a brand that became a movement.
Our conversation took place at Tamara Haus, a new destination by Alchemy Experience, in the heart of Downtown Cairo.

This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!

(00:00) - On this episode

(01:41) - Karim’s cosmopolitan childhood

(03:46) - Fares’ sporting upbringing

(12:01) - Meeting of minds

(17:14) - Drawing by hand vs AI

(22:34) - Building Alchemy

(27:38) - Lightning Round

Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

Ramy Adeeb, founder & managing partner of 1984 Ventures, is back for an Encore episode to talk about what he’s been upto since 2023. He talks about why he’s excited about AI in legacy sectors but worried about unemployment. He also takes on our signature lightning round.
This episode is part of Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni, so stay tuned.

(00:00) - Coming up...

(08:10) - Who captures value?

(15:47) - AI, wars and regulation

(27:15) - Guiding the Next Generation

(30:26) - Small companies taking on Big Tech

(34:38) - Ramy's mentor

(40:49) - Lightning Round

We’re continuing my conversation with Dina H. Sherif, talking about the shift from aid to agency, AI and regulation, and entrepreneurship as a national competitiveness strategy.
Dina has served as the Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship since 2019. You can catch the first part of our conversation in your podcast app or on our website.

I’ll be back next week with an Encore episode with founder of 1984 Ventures, Ramy Adeeb on everything he’s been up to since 2023.

This episode is brought to you by:
EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!
Azza Fahmy Jewellery

On the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Lotus Choker, Lotus Bouquet Cuff, Love Tribal Ring and the Lotus Bouquet Earrings. Dina is wearing Nizar Qabbani Necklace, Bouquet of Blessings Earrings and the Filigree Kaf Ring.

(00:00) - Coming up

(01:16) - From aid to agency

(11:17) - The importance of entrepreneurship

(14:35) - The sovereignty question of AI

(23:08) - The Case for Regional Unity

Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ