“The beautiful thing about podcasting is it’s just talking. It can be funny, or it can be terrifying. It can be sweet. It can be obnoxious. It almost has no definitive form. In that sense it’s one of the best ways to explore an idea, and certainly much less limiting than trying to express the same idea in stand up comedy. For some ideas stand up is best, but it’s really, really nice to have podcasts as well.”
Joseph James Rogan
He is an American UFC color commentator, podcaster, comedian, actor, and former television presenter. He hosts The Joe Rogan Experience, a podcast in which he discusses current events, comedy, politics, philosophy, science, and hobbies with a variety of guests.
Podcasts are becoming an increasingly popular form of entertainment and education for people on the go. They provide a unique opportunity for listeners to learn from other successful entrepreneurs, industry experts, and thought leaders. In this article, I will go beyond the well-known TED talks and share with you five must-listen podcasts for entrepreneurs and people who are interested in new ideas and experiences around the world.
Thmanyah: Saudi Arabia’s Leading Producer of Award-Winning Arabic Podcasts
and Documentaries
Thmanyah, established in Saudi Arabia in 2016, has emerged as a prominent producer of Arabic podcasts and documentaries. It boasts several highly acclaimed podcasts, including “Fnjan”, an Arabic talk show with over 1.6 million monthly listeners, alongside “Swalif Business,” “Socrates,” and “Things That Changed Us.” Thmanyah’s remarkable productions have been awarded seven prestigious awards across the MENA region, with two consecutive awards from the Saudi Ministry of Media. “Socrates” documents the progress toward Vision 2030 objectives for three years, featuring over 50 Saudi public leaders. In addition to podcasts, Thmanyah has also made over 90 documentaries and short films, amassing more than 15 million viewers. These documentaries cover a vast range of topics, including popular videos on Malcolm X, Edward Said, and the kidnapping of a Saudi Counsel in Iran.
My personal favorite show is “Swalif Business” and one of the best episodes is the following:
It is interesting to mention that SRMG acquired a 51% stake in Thmanyah as part of a new digital-first growth strategy in KSA. I believe the amount exceeded $8 million.
My second favourite episode of the same show is the following:
Some of the main takeaways from these two episodes are related to Age maturity and learning from other peoples’ experiences.
Age maturity is a critical factor in the success of an entrepreneur. It takes years of experience and learning from others to truly understand the nuances of business. Listening to the experiences of others and learning from their mistakes can help one avoid making the same errors in judgment. While awards and media attention can be alluring, they can be empty and not reflective of real success. Instead, the key to success is hard work and a focus on building a strong foundation for your business. It may take time, but the rewards of creating something that is truly yours are immeasurable.
Sarde After Dinner Podcast: Lebanese-based platform hosted by Médéa Azouri & Mouin Jaber. They cover and un-cover stories of people from different walks of life
The Sarde with Carlos Ghosn episode has become my favorite due to its insightful discussion on a range of topics. Ghosn’s remarkable legacy with the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance is discussed, as well as the reasons behind his belief that countries conspired against him.
The episode also delves into his infamous arrest and the ensuing allegations, including the alleged Versailles wedding. Additionally, Ghosn provides a detailed account of his escape and newfound freedom, while also sharing his reasoning for choosing Lebanon as his new home. Finally, the episode concludes with Ghosn’s perspective on the current economic situation in Lebanon. The depth and breadth of the topics covered make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in global business dynamics.
“Seen, Sou’al” by Ahmad Alshugairi: The Influential Saudi Media Personality with Millions of Followers and a Successful Youtube Show
As one of the most influential and motivational figures for Arab youth with 12 million Twitter followers, Ahmad Alshugairi has received a quarter million US dollars. Alshugairi is a renowned Saudi media personality who created and hosted the successful Saudi Arabian TV program “Khawater” for 11 seasons. He has authored several books, including “Khawater from Japan,” which covers the fifth season of his TV show. Alshugairi’s newest show, “Seen,” is now available on YouTube, with “S” standing for “Question” in Arabic.
One of my favorite episodes appeared last year where he interviewed some interesting founders including;
- Mostafa Kandil, Founder & CEO of Egypt-based transport app Swvl, a premium mass transit system.
- Abdelhameed Sharara, Founder and CEO of RiseUp.
- Salman Al-Suhaibani, Founder and former CEO of Morni.
- Ahmed Hamdan, CEO of Unifonic Inc.
- Aly Orady is the founder and Chief Technology Officer of Tonal.
- Nabil Khalifa, Founder of Sigma Fit.
- Mahmoud Zohair Co-Founder and CEO of SPARE.
- Loaye Al-Nahedh, Founder & CEO of Siwar.com.
- Hussam Hammo, Founder of Tamatem Games.
- Rami Al- Qawasmi, CEO of Mawdoo3.
- Raed A. Masri, Founding Partner at TRANSFORM VC.
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The Diary of a CEO podcast takes you on an unfiltered journey through the remarkable stories of individuals who have defined culture, achieved greatness, and created inspiring narratives worth studying.
This episode features a famous guest whose name is one of the most searched terms on YouTube and the author of books that have sold millions and millions of copies. Simon Sinek.
In this video, the host covers a range of topics, starting with discussing “your why” at 01:43. Later on, they discuss giving up on someone (14:17), mindset privilege (19:44), and the impact of COVID on the workplace (26:01). The conversation then shifts towards the struggles of the younger generation, with a focus on Gen-Z’s lack of resilience (37:03). The host also talks about relationships and the most difficult conversations (57:19 – 01:13:00). Additionally, they delve into the topic of men’s unmet needs in a changing world (01:17:01), before concluding with the last guest question at 01:35:35.
GaryVee: Marketing for the Now: AI Edition!
Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as Gary Vee, is an American entrepreneur, author, speaker, and Internet personality of Soviet origin. He co-founded Resy, a restaurant reservation software company, and Empathy Wines.
In this episode, he explores how Ai will impact the Business world! A very interesting topic for our future.
‘The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude’
Oprah Winfrey.
In conclusion, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Eid. May this special occasion bring peace, joy, and happiness to your homes and hearts. I also hope that the podcasts I have shared with you will provide you with inspiration, entertainment, and valuable insights. Remember to take the time to reflect, learn, and grow, and to share the knowledge and positivity with others. Happy listening and happy Eid!
FEKRA BNINA 