Beirut Buzz

Beirut Buzz

By Beirut.comSociety & Culture
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Beirut Buzz episodes

  • Nude Photography: Capturing Bodies That Carry Beauty And Cultural Gravity

    Venturing into what is seen as a daring genre of art, Lebanese beauty and commercial photographer Oliver El Helou has gained recognition for his fine art nudes that sculpt the human body with elegance before our very eyes. He joins our host Lynn on the Beirut Buzz podcast to tell us more about his photography style, his experience with male nude photography, and how he helps models move beyond the stage of awkwardness into posing comfortably in front of the camera. If you are interested in delving deeper into the world of nude photography and modeling, Oliver has some helpful tips for you – and an intriguing list of DON’TS.

    Don’t forget to take a look at Oliver’s exquisite web gallery by following him on his Instagram account @portraitone.

    Also be sure to follow us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and Beirut Videos on YouTube.

    The Beirut Buzz is available on Anchor, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.

    27 min
  • "Yalla Let's Heal" With Clinical Psychologist Karim Khalil

    From not having a personal Instagram account to creating Lebanon’s leading wellness space, clinical psychologist and mental health advocate Karim Khalil became an internet hero saving many young lives through his “Yalla Let’s Heal” platform. On this episode of the Beirut Buzz podcast led by our host Lynn, Karim shares with us his self-care routine for preventing counselor burnout, his first dream of being an actor, and insights on how collective trauma is being translated among the Lebanese population today. Stay tuned for Karim's tips for coping with financial stress and activities to help you unwind in celebration of The National Relaxation Day!

    Feeling blue from being overexposed to daily social media content is all too common. That’s why following mental wellness platforms like Karim Khalil’s @yalla.lets.heal is key to revitalizing your feed – and your overall mood. And if you feel the need to seek psychological support, be sure to reach out to NINE9 @ninelebanon– the mindful wellness center where Karim's clinic can be found.

    Also be sure to follow us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and Beirut Videos on YouTube.The Beirut Buzz is available on Anchor, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.

    29 min
  • Lebanon’s Wild-At-Heart Artist Projecting The Sound Of The Marginalized
    After a friend signed her up for The Voice auditions back in 2015, the three-chair-turns made Domina confidently unleash her full potential as a singer. With over eighteen years of experience in HipHop dancing, Domina mixes her professional dance skills and strong vocals to always put up an unforgettable daring show. She joins our host Lynn on this Episode of the Beirut Buzz podcast to talk about her experience as a dance movement therapist working with disabled kids, the appearance she made as a Lebanese queer artist on Joe Maalouf’s New TV program “Fawda”, and how her mother helped her understand and accept her sexuality growing up.
    Want to know what Domina forgave herself for as part of Bayne W Baynik’s women’s day campaign and how she deals with being a struggling artist in today’s world? Tune in to find out!
    Keep up with Domina’s work on Instagram @dominaofficial_ and check out her original music on YouTube.
    Also be sure to follow us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and Beirut Videos on YouTube.
    The Beirut Buzz is available on Anchor, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.
    24 min
  • On Crane Operators And Male Dancers With Warsha’s Award-Winning Duo
    On this episode of the Beirut Buzz podcast, we continue the thread of Lebanese women’s success stories by catching up with Lebanese-Canadian writer and director Dania Bdeir about her new movie “Warsha”, which nabbed Sundance Film Festival’s Best International Short Film award and the grand prize at the Asian Shorts Film Festival for 2022. Joined by Khansa, a Beirut-based multi-talented artist who played the film’s main character, Dania reveals to us the magical moment that inspired her storyline, the unexpected event that forced the production team to work in a virtual studio in France, and her personal experience with the cultural tension between Syrian and Lebanese populations – a theme touched upon by the movie. Join the conversation as Khansa shares his struggles as a male belly dancer redefining masculinity in the Middle East, how he relates to the character he embodied silently and his hopes for the future!
    The 15-minute film follows the story of Mohamad, a Syrian crane operator working in Lebanon. You can watch the trailer of “Warsha” on YouTube and follow the movie’s Instagram account @warshashortfilm. Be sure to share this podcast with friends and family to spread the word and help the film get nominated for an Oscar!
    Also be sure to follow us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and Beirut Videos on YouTube.
    The Beirut Buzz is available on Anchor, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.
    40 min
  • The Lebanese Woman Breaking Stereotypes from Behind The Wheel of Her 350Z

    Breaking into the male-dominant world of motorsports in Lebanon is not an easy gig, but our guest Vanessa Rady has defied the norms, taking the Lebanese drift scene by the storm! Join this episode of the Beirut Buzz podcast as Vanessa, who also happens to be a certified Reiki practitioner and an on-demand graphic designer, tells you all about her journey: the family member who introduced her to drifting, the current obstacles pushing her, and other local drivers to drift away from their hobby, her dream car, and the famous male racer she looks up to. If you’re someone who wants to get involved in motorsports, our female drifter has an important message for you, so be sure to tune in!


    Want to see Vanessa in action? Check out her posts on Instagram @vee.rady and let your head spin!


    Also be sure to follow us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and Beirut Videos on YouTube.

    The Beirut Buzz is available on Anchor, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.

    19 min
  • A Convo With The Arab Top Innovator of 2020: From Mechanical To Tissue Engineering

    Crowned as the Arab Top Innovator in 2020, Lebanese biotech entrepreneur Waddah Malaeb participated in Stars of Science, a top-notch Qatari innovation competition and docu-reality TV show, winning the program’s 12thseason with the highest number of public and jury votes. Waddah joins our host Lynn on this episode of the Beirut Buzz podcast to tell you all about his winning product: a cost-effective biochip that replicates the human body tissues, providing an atmosphere for safe and practical drug testing. How was Waddah introduced to the world of biomedical engineering? What was the biggest challenge he faced during the creation process? And what advice would he give to aspiring entrepreneurs living in Lebanon? Hit the play button and get an answer to all these questions!

    You can watch season 12 of Stars of Science on the show’s Youtube channel, and follow Waddah’s journey on Instagram @Waddah Malaeb.

    Also be sure to follow us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and Beirut Videos on YouTube.

    The Beirut Buzz is available on Anchor, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.

    25 min
  • Famous Lebanese Illustrator: Sketching Daily Life, Nostalgia, and Hope

    From being known as “the kid who can draw” amongst family members to getting featured in GQ Middle East’s “50 faces of Lebanon’s global creative community,” interior architect and illustrator Tony Maalouf has been successfully associating his emotionally-filled mixed media artworks with Lebanese culture and local political and social events. You might be familiar with his viral “Bonjus and Mankoushe” valentine-special illustration, or the powerful animation he created for Pfizer’s #WorldCancerAwarnessMonth2022 campaign. If not, this is a good chance for you to become familiar with Maalouf’s journey, the singular compositions that make him recognizable, the influence that his background in architecture has on his art, and his two favorite female singers! Tune in to this episode of Beirut Buzz to find out more about the inspiration behind Maalouf’s drawings and his upcoming collaborative project with Greenpeace!

    Follow Tony Maalouf on his art account @Elmaalouf. We promise he is going to make your Instagram feed prettier!

    Also be sure to follow us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and Beirut Videos on YouTube.

    The Beirut Buzz is available on Anchor, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.

    16 min
  • Beirut’s Past Keeper Walks Us Into His Own “Sistine Chapel”

    After opening his house to the public as a three-story museum built from pieces of demolished Beiruti heritage homes, Lebanese artisan, architecture enthusiast, and antique collector Henry Loussian has been featured in Reuters as “The keeper of Beirut’s past” who revived the city’s bulldozed treasures. In this episode of Beirut Buzz, we discover Henry’s love for the old Beirut, the reason why he chose the town of Koubba in Batroun as an ideal location for his residency, the first vintage piece he brought to the museum and the number of years it took him to finish the hand-painted murals. Our guest also uncovers the age of his Henry’s Handmade jewelry store in Hamra and the location he’s eyeing for a new cultural museum.

    Want to immerse yourself in Beirut’s glorious past? You can book your Henry BB museum tour on +961 03 753 654, and follow the designer of this masterpiece on Instagram @museehenrybb.

    Also be sure to follow us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and Beirut Videos on YouTube.

    The Beirut Buzz is available on Anchor, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.

    23 min
  • On Action Sports With Lebanon’s Only Base Jumper

    A skydiver, surfer, skateboarder, snowboarder, slackliner, and the only base jumper based in Lebanon, Mikel Khalil has a resume that boasts an accomplished adrenaline junkie. The athlete joins our host Lynn on the Beirut Buzz podcast to discuss all you need to know about base jumping and skydiving and give you insights into the behind-the-scenes of his risky Habtoor Hotel Roof base jump, his regular flights over the Metn highway, and the local spots he plans on jumping off next! For those who want to experience the thrill of action sports, Mikel will also give you basic tips and motivational tools to test your own limits, so stay tuned!

    Want to go on a virtual adventure with Mikel Khalil? Watch his daring stunts on Instagram @mikelkh and YouTube @Mikhel Khalil.

    Also be sure to follow us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and Beirut Videos on YouTube.

    The Beirut Buzz is available on Anchor, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.

    24 min
  • The Two Georges Turning Serious Issues Into Satirical Parodies
    Resorting to humor to get through dark times is what our guests Georges Daccache and Georges Mahfouz do best. You might know them as Gstrings, the Lebanese duo who poke fun a different problems we face through musical parodies that combine humorous Arabic lyrics with famous tunes. Today, they join our host Lynn on the Beirut Buzz podcast to tell us how they met, what they fight over the most, which song made them go viral across social media, and all about the Lebanese-themed board game they plan to release in July. The band will also be singing you an original, so tune in for an instant mood boost!
    You can catch Gstrings perform live at KED collaboration with Awk.word. If you want to listen to more parodies, follow the band on Instagram @gstringslb and subscribe to their YouTube channel @Gstringslb.
    Be sure you’re following us for more interesting content, @beirutcityguide on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and BeirutVideos on YouTube.
    The Beirut Buzz podcast is also available on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
    24 min

About Beirut Buzz

From the publisher's feed

A conversational podcast covering life in Lebanon and everything that comes with it, Beirut Buzz is a Beirut.com production. Each week, join our hosts as they interviews guests with a unique perspective on social, cultural, and economic issues in Lebanon.