We’re thrilled to share another podcast from Kerning Cultures Network with you: al empire.

al empire returns for Season 3 with more stories of exceptional Arabs from around the world and their journey to the top, from comedians and entrepreneurs to musicians and media mavericks. This season of al empire, we’re also releasing the full uncut video episodes online.

In this episode we sit down with Egyptian Adventurer and Entrepreneur, Omar Samra. 

Omar went from being an investment banker to adventuring around the world. He’s been on adventures climbing the highest mountains in the world, attempting to row across the Atlantic Ocean, skiing in the North and South Poles, and a lot more, like starting his travel and adventure business, Wild Guanabana.

Omar walks us through life’s eccentric highs, literally, and mournful lows.

This episode was produced by Hebah Fisher and Tamara Rasamny with editorial support by Dana Ballout and Alex Atack.  Sound design by Tamara Rasamny, and mixing by Mohamad Khreizat, fact-checking by Zeina Dowidar. The original sting for al empire was composed by Ramzi Bashour. 

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“You're this tiny thing in this huge body of water, whatever is happening is just gonna happen to you.”

In the middle of an angry ocean, Team O2 grapples to find a balance between doing their absolute best and accepting that the outcome is beyond their control. When you come so close to death, how does your mind experience spirituality and hope? What greater strengths do we harvest to find peace and solace?

State of Mind is produced by Kerning Cultures Network.

State of Mind is hosted by Lobna Monieb. This episode was produced by Ban Barkawi and edited by Heba El-Sherif. Research and fact-checking by Deena Sabry. Sound Design by Youssef Douazou. Special thanks to Dr. Daniel Tomasulo for speaking to us for this episode. 

More about the film, Beyond the Raging Sea: https://www.beyondtheragingsea.com/.

Support this podcast on patreon.com/kerningcultures for as little as $2 a month.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Look, I'm suffering. I can't talk right now.”

Up until Omar Samra and Omar Nour decided to row across the Atlantic Ocean, they were acquaintances. But after nearly dying together in the middle of the ocean, their relationship took a quick turn. How does the relationship between two people evolve when they have to depend on each other for survival?

State of Mind is produced by Kerning Cultures Network.

State of Mind is hosted by Lobna Monieb. This episode was produced by Ahmed Ashour and edited by Deena Sabry. Research and fact-checking by Deena Sabry, with additional support from Eman Al-Sharif. Sound Design by Monzer El-Hachem. Special thanks to Dr. Paul Forbes for speaking to us for this episode.  

More about the film, Beyond the Raging Sea: https://www.beyondtheragingsea.com/.

Support this podcast on patreon.com/kerningcultures for as little as $2 a month.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The only time that’s enjoyable is when you’re unconscious.”

The only break Omar Samra and Omar Nour get after their two-hour rowing shifts is a 40-minute nap in a two-meter wide cabin, using a wet sheet and a crumpled wet t-shirt for a pillow. When your only break from intense physical stress and mental anxiety is a few hours of intermittent sleep per day, how does this drastic pattern change affect your brain, and what dark places does your mind wander to?

State of Mind is produced by Kerning Cultures Network.

State of Mind is hosted by Lobna Monieb. This episode was produced by Lobna Monieb and edited by Heba El-Sherif with support from Deena Sabry. Fact-checking by Deena Sabry, and sound design by Youssef Douazou. Special thanks to Dr. Neil Stanley for speaking to us for this episode. 

More about the film, Beyond the Raging Sea: https://www.beyondtheragingsea.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"If I don't close my eyes for literally two, three, five minutes, I'm done for.”

Omar Samra had to cope with an extreme bout of seasickness. Omar Nour had to pick up extra shifts. On top of all that, a huge wave turns their boat upside down and puts them on the brink of death. How do you activate your calm response when your body is aching? And does going through stressful experiences shield us from similar ones in the future?

State of Mind is produced by Kerning Cultures Network. This episode is supported by Metavisionaries. 

State of Mind is hosted by Lobna Monieb. This episode was produced by Ban Barkawi and edited by Heba El-Sherif. Fact-checking by Deena Sabry, and sound design by Monzer El-Hachem. Special thanks to Dr. Christoph Anacker for speaking to us for this episode. 

More about the film, Beyond the Raging Sea: https://www.beyondtheragingsea.com/.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I’m going to let go.”

About nine days into the journey, Omar Samra and Omar Nour’s boat capsizes in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. How do you nurture the resilience to continue when you’re faced with an impossible situation? And what happens in the case of refugees when you add trauma, war, violence, and torture to the equation?

State of Mind is produced by Kerning Cultures Network. This episode is supported by UNHCR.

State of Mind is hosted by Lobna Monieb. This episode was produced by Ahmed Ashour and edited by Heba El-Sherif. Research and fact-checking by Deena Sabry and Eman Al-Sharif and sound design by Youssef Douazou. Special thanks to Benedicte Duchesne for speaking to us for this episode. 

More about the film, Beyond the Raging Sea: https://www.beyondtheragingsea.com/.

Support this podcast on patreon.com/kerningcultures for as little as $2 a month.

Read this episode’s transcript here.

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“I just don’t want to be rocked anymore. Stop rocking me.”

Omar Samra and Omar Nour embark on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a seven-meter boat with only each other and the very real possibility of not making it. How would such an experience affect your relationship with nature, impact your brain, and alter your mind?

State of Mind is produced by Kerning Cultures Network. This episode is supported by Metavisionaries. 

Lobna Monieb is the host of State of Mind. This episode was produced by Lobna, and edited by Heba El-Sherif. Fact checking by Deena Sabry and sound design by Monzer El-Hachem. Special thanks to Dr. Anna Lembke for speaking to us for this episode. 

More about the film, Beyond the Raging Sea: https://www.beyondtheragingsea.com 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens inside your mind when your body is pushed to its limits?

State of Mind is produced by Kerning Cultures Network.

State of Mind is hosted by Lobna Monieb. It’s also produced by Lobna, alongside Ahmed Ashour and Ban Barkawi. The show is edited by Heba El-Sherif and Deena Sabry. Deena is also the researcher and fact-checker with additional support from Eman Al-Sharif. Sound design is by Mohamad Khreizat, Monzer El-Hachem, and Youssef Douazou.

Learn more about the film, Beyond the Raging Sea: https://www.beyondtheragingsea.com/.  

Support this podcast on patreon.com/kerningcultures for as little as $2 a month. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.