What if the banking system as we know it is already collapsing from within? Omair Ansari believes the future of money will not be built by regulators or traditional banks, but by innovators who understand blockchain, global liquidity, and trust.In this episode of In the Arena, Dariush Soudi sits down with Omair Ansari, the visionary founder behind a one stop international neobank serving markets from Nigeria to Indonesia. Together they explore how blockchain is changing everything, why central banks are losing control, and how the next financial revolution will be led by those who dare to challenge the old system.Omair opens up about his journey from buying a bank to building technology that connects emerging markets, the lessons fatherhood taught him about balance and priorities, and why faith and integrity matter more than ever in a digital world of money and power.What You Will Learn in This Episode•⁠ ⁠Why blockchain is redefining global finance•⁠ ⁠How emerging markets will lead the next financial revolution•⁠ ⁠Why traditional banks will not survive without innovation•⁠ ⁠The role of family, faith, and responsibility in leadership•⁠ ⁠How decentralization is forcing regulators to rethink controlThe future of money belongs to those who understand that transparency and trust are the new currency.

The media world is undergoing its biggest transformation in history. With algorithms changing the rules daily and creators armed with just a camera rivaling global broadcasters, is traditional media losing its crown? Or can television still hold its authority in an era where anyone can go viral overnight?In this episode of In the Arena, Dave Crane sits down with Reim El Houni, a powerhouse in both old and new media and the driving force behind one of the region’s leading daily TV shows, DXB Today. Together they unpack the shifts happening in broadcasting, why credibility still matters, and how the playing field has been leveled for creators everywhere.Hosted by Dave Crane, Ex BBC broadcaster and award winning motivational speaker, who has trained thousands of leaders to master influence and communication in just 7 seconds.Reim reveals what it takes to thrive in today’s fast paced industry, from adapting to evolving formats to learning directly from the best producers and directors in the game. Whether you are a content creator, aspiring journalist, or seasoned broadcaster, this conversation is a roadmap to navigating media’s new landscape.What You Will Learn in This Episode•⁠ ⁠Why algorithms have changed the balance of power in media•⁠ ⁠How traditional broadcasting is adapting to survive the digital shift•⁠ ⁠The importance of credibility in a world flooded with content•⁠ ⁠Why learning from diverse environments and leaders is essential•⁠ ⁠How to future proof your skills in a rapidly evolving industryBecause in today’s world, it is not about choosing between TV and YouTube. It is about mastering both and knowing how to stand out no matter where the audience is watching.00:00:00 - Many creators lack business savvy.00:00:21 - Digital media is leveling the playing field.00:00:38 - Industry changes require quick adaptation.00:00:57 - TV still has more credibility than YouTube.00:02:09 - Reim's childhood obsession: TV and film.00:03:13 - He sent a cold email to the BBC; he landed an internship.00:04:18 - Broadcasting has a clear career path.00:04:36 - Dubai has become Reim's new home.00:05:41 - Freelance contracts are common in media.00:07:21 - Business savvy is crucial for creators.00:09:07 - Worked on Mission: Impossible in Dubai.00:10:33 - Transition from executive producer to logistics.00:12:24 - No regrets; I learned large-scale operations.00:14:20 - Media evolution demands faster learning.00:15:53 ​​- Audiences care about content, not origin.00:17:57 - Social media was essential during the Arab Spring.00:19:25 - Younger Arabs embrace social media.00:23:22 - TV still has more credibility.00:33:23 - Podcasts and streaming are growing.00:51:25 - Consistency is key for new creators.Follow Dariush:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dariushsoudiofficial/?hl=enWebsite: https://dariushsoudi.comFollow Dave: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedavecrane/?hl=en Linkedin: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/davecranedubaiFollow Reim El Houni:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimelhouni/Linkedin: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/reimelhouniWebsite: https://www.reimelhouni.com/

What does it take to build a media empire in a region that historically never had one? Richard Fitzgerald did not just ask the question, he jumped on a plane to Dubai and spent the next three years living out of airports to find the answer.From launching Love in Dubai in 2015 to reaching a quarter of a million readers in the first month, Richard’s story is one of relentless hustle, trial by fire, and learning how to create demand where none existed. The early days were not easy. Selling ads was a battle. But persistence, the right incentives, and an unshakable belief in publishing the right stories for the right audience turned his vision into a brand millions recognize today.In this episode of In the Arena, Richard sits down with Dariush Soudi to share the highs, lows, and lessons of building a media company in the Middle East. They explore how hard work compounds over time, why systems matter more than luck, and whether Richard would ever sell the company he has built from scratch.What You’ll Learn in This Episode•⁠ ⁠How Love in Dubai became one of the region’s fastest growing media brands•⁠ ⁠Why building demand is about consistency and trust, not shortcuts•⁠ ⁠The hidden challenges of selling in a market that was not ready for you•⁠ ⁠How systems, incentives, and accountability drive long term success•⁠ ⁠Richard’s honest take on whether he would ever exit the businessHard work always pays but only if you are willing to keep showing up when no one else believes it will.00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:03 – Early Career & Move to Dubai00:02:21 – The Ambition to Build00:04:08 – From London to Dubai: Seeking Opportunity00:06:00 – The Hustle of Agency Life & Sales00:08:49 – The Genesis of "Lovin Dubai"00:10:06 – The Struggle & Bootstrapping00:14:25 – Pivoting from Agency to Media00:18:26 – Understanding the Media Landscape00:20:15 – Personal Journey: Conversion to Islam00:23:39 – Building a Media Empire00:32:02 – Platform Strategy & Dominance00:35:52 – Inbound Demand Creation00:37:09 – The "Leakage" Problem00:46:12 – Investing in Studios & Original Content00:48:33 – Funding & Future GoalsFollow Dariush:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dariushsoudiofficial/?hl=enWebsite: https://dariushsoudi.comFollow Richard:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitzyrichard/ Linkedin: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/fitzyrichardX: https://x.com/fitzyrichard?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Men are facing one of the biggest challenges of our time. The pressure to always appear strong and in control is silently damaging their mental health. Can strength and vulnerability exist together without conflict? And what happens when men are finally allowed to show both sides of themselves?In this episode of In the Arena, thought leader Rahaf Kobeissi joins Dave Crane to break down the stigma around men and mental health. They explore how society’s expectations shape identity, why AI will never replace human compassion, and what practical steps men can take to protect their wellbeing.Hosted by Dave Crane, Ex BBC broadcaster and award winning motivational speaker, who has trained thousands of leaders to master influence and communication in just 7 seconds.Together, Rahaf and Dave explore what men need most today connection, honesty, and a safe space to let their guard down without fear of judgment. Because real strength is not about silence, it is about knowing when to speak up.What You’ll Learn in This Episode* Why men are silently struggling with mental health* How strength and vulnerability can coexist without conflict* Why AI cannot replace human compassion and empathy* The cost of hiding emotions and suppressing feelings* Practical steps men can take to open up and build resilienceMen do not fail because they are weak. They fail when they believe they have to face it all alone.

What does it really take to survive two financial crises, and still come out ahead?In this episode of In the Arena, entrepreneur and investor Richard Pajer shares the hard-earned lessons from nearly two decades navigating Dubai’s ever-shifting economy. From the crash of 2008 to the volatile market dynamics of today, Richard reveals how strategy, timing, and liquidity have been his sharpest tools. He also pulls back the curtain on market manipulation, how media moves the needle, and why it’s harder than ever to trade on fundamentals alone.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:•⁠ ⁠How Richard bought and sold during two Dubai crashes•⁠ ⁠Why “cash is king” in a crisis, and how to use it strategically•⁠ ⁠How to spot signs of stock manipulation in the news•⁠ ⁠Is it still possible to build wealth in today’s market?•⁠ ⁠Why the next global crisis might be closer than we thinkNot every opportunity is obvious, but the best ones rarely are.

We all live in a reality, but is it truly our reality? What if you could create something entirely different?In this episode of In the Arena, Adeyemi Adeyosoye shares his journey into spirituality from an unusually young age and why he believes in the everyday magic of the universe. From dreams that became reality to the signs science send us, Adeyemi blends the mystical with the practical, showing how miracles can happen when we choose to look deeper.He challenges the comfort zones we build for ourselves, the fear of asking “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” and explains why the cost of avoiding these questions is far greater than the discomfort of facing them. For Adeyemi, power lies in action, in opening yourself to light even when decisions hurt, and in embracing vulnerability as part of the process.What You’ll Learn in This Episode•⁠ ⁠Why your current reality may not be the only reality available to you•⁠ ⁠How science and spirituality can work together to reveal life’s magic•⁠ ⁠Why many people avoid deep self reflection and how to move past it•⁠ ⁠The real cost of not asking life’s biggest questions•⁠ ⁠How to make decisions without hardening yourself in the processYour reality is yours to shape, but only if you are willing to see it, feel it, and act on it.

What if the key to solving the global health crisis isn’t more medicine, but more control?In this episode of In the Arena, tech innovator Mehdi Bouchenak unveils a silent epidemic: 1.8 billion people suffering from multiple chronic conditions, and no real access to their own medical data. The system is broken, and it’s costing lives.This isn’t just a healthcare conversation. It’s a blueprint for health sovereignty. From outdated hospital systems to privacy loopholes and the shocking reality of data ownership, Mehdi explains how Vitalls is putting power back where it belongs: in the patient’s hands.With one app, one click, and full transparency, you can now decide who sees your vitals, when, and for how long.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:•⁠ ⁠Why chronic illness is exploding - and preventable•⁠ ⁠The hidden reason you don’t own your own medical data•⁠ ⁠How Vitalls is flipping the system from top-down to patient-first•⁠ ⁠The tech behind real-time, shareable health passports•⁠ ⁠Why the future of wellness depends on data ownership•⁠ ⁠What it takes to become a proactive patient in a reactive worldThis is more than innovation, it’s a movement to decentralize healthcare.

Weddings are emotional, magical, and a massive business. But in a world of dating apps, instant swipes, and unrealistic expectations, is lasting love getting harder to find and even harder to keep?In this episode of In the Arena, wedding industry insider Rhiannon Downie shares what she has learned from years of working with couples at their most emotional and most stressed. From the shift toward instant “fireworks” to why slow burn relationships often stand the test of time, she reveals how modern dating culture is reshaping marriage itself.She also takes us behind the scenes of the billion dollar wedding industry, unpacks the pressures couples face today, and offers her take on the real secret to a marriage that lasts.What You’ll Learn in This Episode•⁠ ⁠Why the wedding industry is bigger and more complex than ever•⁠ ⁠The hidden pressures of dating in the swipe era•⁠ ⁠Why instant chemistry can be overrated•⁠ ⁠The most important factor in long term relationship success•⁠ ⁠How modern couples can future proof their marriageLove is timeless but how we find and keep it is changing fast.

What if the most advanced factory on earth wasn’t powered by silicon, but by the jungle?In this episode of In the Arena, entrepreneur Gareth Lloyd takes us inside the most automated Brazil nut facility in the world, processing over 1.5 million nuts per month, all sourced from virgin Amazon rainforests.But here’s the catch: Brazil nuts can’t be farmed. They can only grow in untouched rainforest ecosystems, meaning every Brazil nut you’ve ever eaten is wild-harvested.Gareth shares how his team built an industry-first model that balances automation, ethical sourcing, and environmental stewardship, while capturing up to 30% of the global market share, and achieving the lowest production cost with the highest quality output.This isn’t just about nuts. It’s about supply chain disruption, jungle economics, and what happens when innovation meets nature - without trying to control it.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:•⁠ ⁠How one factory changed global pricing and market share•⁠ ⁠Why Brazil nuts are nature’s wild product, and why that matters•⁠ ⁠The invisible logistics of sourcing in the Amazon•⁠ ⁠How to compete globally without compromising sustainability•⁠ ⁠What this model teaches us about innovation without exploitationSometimes the world’s most advanced systems are the ones nature designed - we just had to learn how to work with them.Podcast Breakdown:00:00:41 - World's most automated Brazil nut factory00:02:21 - Early DJ career and rave culture00:05:15 - Building first business 00:08:15 - Launching £200M recruitment company00:12:44 - Pivot to Peruvian agriculture00:15:50 - Brazil nut discovery and challenges00:18:39 - Cartel threats in the Amazon00:21:44 - Richard Branson mentorship00:25:30 - Factory automation breakthroughs00:28:08 - Global distribution strategy00:32:15 - Workforce and social impact in Peru00:36:40 - Near-failure moments and resilience00:40:22 - Family life vs. entrepreneurship00:44:10 - Future expansion to Brazil00:47:35 - Charity projects in rainforest communities00:50:00 - Market domination goals (30% global share)00:52:18 - Data on Brazil nut industry size00:54:30 - Personal leadership philosophy00:56:05 - Advice for young entrepreneurs

What drives someone to master the markets? For Professor Silvia Vianello, it wasn’t greed - it was survival.

In this episode of In the Arena, Prof. Silvia Vianello joins Dave Crane and Dariush Soudi to share how a dream to lift her family out of poverty sparked a journey into one of the world’s most complex and high-stakes industries: finance.

But this isn’t a get-rich-quick story. It’s a wake-up call. They dive deep into what most “gurus” won’t tell you - the dangers of chasing fast gains, the psychology behind financial success, and how governments and institutions play on public fear to protect the elite.

Silvia’s approach is rooted in discipline, data, and education. Her mission? To teach people how to build real, sustainable wealth, not illusions. If you think making 20% a month sounds like success, she’ll tell you why that mindset could be your downfall.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

•⁠ ⁠Why Silvia chose finance over any other path

•⁠ ⁠The biggest mistake beginners make when entering the market

•⁠ ⁠How financial institutions manipulate retail investors

•⁠ ⁠Why “fast money” usually ends in failure

•⁠ ⁠The mindset shift required to build real wealth

•⁠ ⁠The truth about financial freedom, risk, and personal responsibility

If you're beginning your financial journey, do it with awareness, and a plan.