In conversation with Rabea Ataya, CEO of Bayt.com, Fadi Ghandour — Founder of Aramex and Executive Chairman of Wamda — shares a candid and deeply personal conversation about resilience, responsibility, and why real leaders do not leave when things get difficult.From building Aramex during civil wars and regional instability, to listing on NASDAQ, to investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs, Fadi reflects on what it truly means to “stick around” in times of crisis. He speaks openly about war, cash flow, leadership town halls, going public, activism, and why entrepreneurship in this region is not glamorous — it’s grit.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro03:00 – Building Aramex during civil war07:00 – Serving clients through crisis14:00 – Globalization reversing?16:00 – Investing by gut instinct25:00 – Too young or too old to start?26:00 – Mentors, luck, and talent pools45:00 – Purpose beyond profit49:00 – Philanthropy and the next chapter59:00 – Optimism about the region’s future#BaytCast #FadiGhandour #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Aramex #Wamda #MiddleEastBusiness #StartupEcosystem #Resilience #IPOStory #CrisisLeadership #BuildingThroughWar #PurposeDriven

In conversation with Rabea Ataya, CEO of Bayt.com, Fadi Ghandour — Founder of Aramex and Executive Chairman of Wamda — shares a candid and deeply personal conversation about resilience, responsibility, and why real leaders do not leave when things get difficult.

From building Aramex during civil wars and regional instability, to listing on NASDAQ, to investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs, Fadi reflects on what it truly means to “stick around” in times of crisis. He speaks openly about war, cash flow, leadership town halls, going public, activism, and why entrepreneurship in this region is not glamorous — it’s grit.

🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else.

Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1

🎧 Listen on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wm

Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb

00:00 – Intro

03:00 – Building Aramex during civil war

07:00 – Serving clients through crisis

14:00 – Globalization reversing?

16:00 – Investing by gut instinct

25:00 – Too young or too old to start?

26:00 – Mentors, luck, and talent pools

45:00 – Purpose beyond profit

49:00 – Philanthropy and the next chapter

59:00 – Optimism about the region’s future

#BaytCast #FadiGhandour #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Aramex #Wamda #MiddleEastBusiness #StartupEcosystem #Resilience #IPOStory #CrisisLeadership #BuildingThroughWar #PurposeDriven

In this episode of BaytCast, Paras Shahdadpuri, Chairman of Nikai Group of Companies, shares a story that defies convention — walking away from a 17-year diplomatic career to build one of the region’s most recognized electronics brands: Nikai. In conversation with Rabea Ataya, CEO of Bayt.com, Paras reflects on risk, resilience, family legacy, competition, and the power of exceptional service. From splitting a $10M letter of credit when he barely had capital, to building a global brand across markets, this episode is a masterclass in long-term thinking and entrepreneurial courage.At its core, this is a reflection on purpose, grit, and the drive to keep creating impact — even at 80.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro01:00 – Why leave a 17-year diplomatic career?05:00 – Learning business from scratch in your 40s11:00 – The $10M letter of credit crisis19:00 – How Nikai was born22:00 – Competing with global giants25:30 – The power of exceptional after-sales service31:00 – Lessons on partnerships44:30 – India’s economic future and global power47:00 – Energy, purpose, and working past 80#BaytCast #RabeaAtaya #Baytcom #ParasShahdadpuri #Entrepreneurship #Nikai #Leadership #BusinessMindset #FromDiplomatToEntrepreneur #FamilyBusiness #MiddleEastBusiness #StartupJourney #Resilience #LegacyBuilding

In this unmissable BaytCast episode, Palestinian-American comedian Amer Zahr takes center stage, blending humor and activism to dismantle power and amplify the Palestinian voice. Joining Rabea Ataya, Amer takes us on a journey from law school to the comedy stage, where his sharp wit and deep-rooted Palestinian identity fuel a unique comedic style that confronts power, challenges injustice, and reclaims narratives through humor.Amer reveals how comedy isn’t just about laughs, it’s about resistance. From challenging systemic injustice to redefining what it means to be Palestinian in America, he shows how humor has become his weapon of choice for speaking uncomfortable truths.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro02:00 – From law to laughter: the journey of Amer Zahr06:12 – Navigating Palestinian identity through comedy10:50 – Laughter against oppression15:32 – The power of storytelling in comedy21:15 – The price of speaking truth and attempts to silence27:02 – Reflections on 9/11 and October 7th34:45 – Laughing through tragedy41:10 – Palestinians as overachievers: survival and success47:20 – Political and social backlash in America52:55 – A vision for Palestinian liberation and the future#BaytCast #AmerZahr #ComedyAsProtest #PalestinianComedy #ArabAmerican #Palestine #StandUpForPalestine #PoliticalHumor #PalestinianIdentity #ComedyAndResistance #CulturalAdvocacy #StandUpComedy #Storytelling #PalestinianVoices #SocialChange #ComedyWithPurpose

Cinema isn’t just entertainment; it’s an infrastructure for identity. In this BaytCast episode, Butheina Kazim, the visionary behind Cinema Akil and Reel Palestine, joins Rabea Ataya for an unfiltered conversation on the art (and hustle) of building cultural spaces that outlast trends. They dive into memory, identity, and cultural entrepreneurship—from repurposing a single screen into a movement, to shaping policies that could power the next generation of Arab cinema.Learn about designing human-scale spaces in a hyper-modern city, the startup mindset behind art initiatives, why underrepresented films matter “one audience at a time,” and the policy levers (visas, rebates, distribution) needed to unlock a real film ecosystem.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb

00:00 – Intro03:00 – Belonging through stories, not artifacts06:06 – Designing a cinema as shelter, not spectacle14:07 – Melting pot, mosaic… or lava lamp?21:05 – Startup mindset for arts: test fast, stay lean26:09 – Storytelling as currency in the age of AI32:06 – Why underrepresented films must be on big screens36:44 – Fighting erasure & reclaiming narratives44:01 – Opening Cinema Akil, and scaling the festival54:01 – What a film ecosystem needs#BaytCast #CinemaAkil #ReelPalestine #DubaiCulture #IndependentCinema #Storytelling #CreativeEconomy #MENA #ArtHouseCinema #Placemaking

هل جرّبت يومًا أن تبدأ من الصفر؟ طارق بوجسيم لم يكن يعرف كلمة عربية واحدة، نشأ في مدارس بريطانية، وتخرّج من جامعة ستانفورد في أمريكا. لكن رحلة بسيطة لتعلّم العربية تحوّلت إلى نقطة تغيّر حياته بالكامل!في هذه الحلقة، يحكي طارق قصته من البداية: من عالم التقنية إلى طريق الإيمان. كيف بدأ من الصفر ليتقن الفصحى ولهجات عربية متعددة، وكيف قادته اللغة إلى التعمق في الدين، فصار شيخًا وعضوًا في دائرة الفتوى ومستشارًا في التمويل الإسلامي.استمع إلى قصة استثنائية عن الإيمان، الهوية، واللغة… وكيف يمكن أن تغيّر العربية حياة إنسان بأكملها.🔔 لا تفوّت أي حلقة! نقدّم لكم حوارات جديدة وصادقة تُبثّ كل أسبوعين، مع نخبة من القادة وصنّاع النجاح الذين لن تسمعوا قصصهم في أي مكان آخر. اشترك في BaytCast وفَعِّل جرس التنبيه لتكون دائمًا على اطّلاع: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1

Discover the incredible life story of Mohan Valrani, the visionary co-founder of the Al Shirawi Group. In this powerful episode, Valrani shares his remarkable journey from an 8-year-old refugee who lost everything during the partition of India and Pakistan, to building a multi-billion dollar empire from scratch—not once, but twice.Learn about the importance of radical transparency, the art of reverse mentoring, and why he believes Dubai is a "one-horse race" that you should never bet against.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro02:37 – How adversity shaped his journey08:41 – Landing in Dubai with just $7.5012:23 – The darkest hour and building everything twice23:42 – The golden rule for any new business28:05 – The 2008 strategy: sell everything33:29 – The power of radical transparency44:45 – The key to happiness is free52:13 – Parenting advice: "Give them wings"54:20 – "Never bet against Dubai"#BaytCast #MohanValrani #Baytcom #RabeaAtaya #MohanValrani #Dubai #Entrepreneurship #FamilyBusiness #Leadership #Resilience #CrisisManagement #Transparency #GCC #buildinginpublic

In this BaytCast episode, Nelly Attar, extreme athlete, entrepreneur, and the first Arab woman to summit K2, joins Rabea Ataya to share the lessons that shaped her journey from psychology graduate to Guinness World Record holder!From launching Saudi Arabia’s first dance studio to scaling some of the world’s toughest mountains, Nelly reveals how to act before you “know your why,” why risk is a skill you can train, and what it takes to push past fear, doubt, and criticism. This isn’t just a story of records; it’s a blueprint for anyone ready to build resilience, embrace uncertainty, and turn bold goals into lasting impact.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: / @baytcom 🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro01:30 – From psychology to the world’s highest peaks05:20 – Chasing K2: the first Arab woman on the Savage Mountain10:10 – The role of fear, and how to move faster when it rises18:15 – Facing risk and the thin line between possible and impossible22:00 – Handling critics, even when they’re family26:00 – Building an entrepreneurial engine to fund impact30:20 – Representation and visibility: why her climbs matter beyond her34:00 – What’s next: coaching, community, and regional activation37:10 – How to apply Nelly’s lessons to your career#BaytCast #NellyAttar #K2 #Makalu #MiddleEast #WomenInSports #Grit #RiskManagement #CareerAdvice #Calisthenics #HighAltitude #Entrepreneurship #TalentDevelopment #Baytcom

In this BaytCast episode, Dean of Engineering and Architecture Alan Shihadeh joins Rabea Ataya to share how AUB “punches above its weight” and why it has produced more wealth and talent in the region than almost any other institution.From AUB’s bold push into entrepreneurship and real-world innovation to tackling Lebanon’s toughest job market challenges, Dean Shihadeh shares candid insights on grit, opportunity, and the future of work. Plus, how AI is already transforming education, and why resilience may be the most important skill of all. Whether you’re a student, parent, or employer curious about the future of education and employability in the Middle East, this conversation is unmissable.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else.

Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: / @baytcom 🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb

#baytcast #AUB #Lebanon #MiddleEastEducation #FutureOfWork #Engineering #Entrepreneurship #CareerAdvice #AIinEducation #TalentDevelopment #LiberalArts #StudentSuccess #Baytcom

How do you challenge an industry that hasn’t changed in a century, and still come out stronger after every setback? In this episode of BaytCast, Rabea Ataya sits down in Beirut with Roger Zaccar, a third-generation insurance entrepreneur. From turning down early investors and building a team of dreamers, to expanding into Egypt and Europe, navigating Lebanon’s financial freefall, and now harnessing AI to reshape insurance, Roger shares the real highs, lows, and lessons of disruption.For anyone building a business, leading through uncertainty, or curious about the future of insurance, this conversation is packed with raw insights, tested strategies, and the mindset it takes to scale when the odds are against you.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: / @baytcom 🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro01:11 – From family insurance roots to regional tech play06:19 – Insur tech 101: simpler buying, true price transparency09:23 – Flipping the sales model: selling to employees, not HR16:28 – How to hire dreamers (and spot them)30:58 – The three tests of a real disruptor (disrupt/scale/legal)36:55 – Advice to grads: fail early, learn elsewhere, bring it home38:57 – Stay or leave? Finding opportunity at home45:16 – Hiring for AI: iterate, measure, learn47:18 – Get mentors, then knock until they open#BaytCast #Entrepreneurship #Startups #FamilyBusiness #Insurtech #AI #Lebanon #Egypt #ScalingStartups #CareerGrowth