Inside Saudi Arabia

In our first-ever guest episode, we sit down with the one and only Mama Sandie. The Realest Housewife of Riyadh.

From becoming a mother at 18, to building a career, surviving sepsis, a spinal fracture, and eventually relocating to Saudi Arabia, Mama Sandie shares her unfiltered story with honesty, humor, and depth.

We talk about:

Identity loss and reinvention after moving to Saudi

Postnatal depression, loneliness, and COVID lockdowns

Motherhood across different life stages

Authenticity vs toxic positivity on social media

Expat culture, stereotypes, and finding your people

Health, resilience, and rebuilding after trauma

Love, marriage, and starting over later in life

Why Saudi Arabia is one of the most misunderstood countries in the world

This is a long, raw, laugh-out-loud and deeply emotional conversation about womanhood, survival, and choosing yourself.. again and again.

Settle in. This one stays with you.

Podcast Chapters:

00:00 – Cold open & Real Housewives energy

In this episode of Inside Saudi, we’re sharing our 2026 goals and intentions — from wellness and family life to growing a podcast and building a business in Saudi Arabia.

After a huge year that included moving to Saudi, growing our families, launching Inside Saudi, and navigating burnout, we both felt the need for a reset. This episode is an honest, reflective conversation about health, motherhood, balance, boundaries, and what it really looks like to build a life intentionally while living in Riyadh.

We talk about:

Resetting wellness goals in a realistic, sustainable way

Fitness, nutrition, and routines that work for busy mums

Setting phone boundaries, improving sleep, and avoiding burnout

Being more present with our kids and creating family rituals

Letting go of perfection and getting help at home

Our vision for Inside Saudi in 2026

Building community, hosting live events, and staying authentic

Lessons we’re taking into the new year from Mel Robbins and Rick Rubin

If you’re starting 2026 craving intention over perfection, this episode is for you.

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen

00:00 Welcome to Inside Saudi  

Welcome to The Riyadh Edit: Our Favourite Things of 2025.

In this episode of Inside Saudi, we’re sharing our most-loved places, finds, and everyday favourites from living in Riyadh — from cafés and coffee spots to beauty, shopping, furniture, kids’ activities, and wellness.

Think of this as our insider edit: the places we take visitors, the brands we actually shop, the beauty treatments we love, and the little things that have made life in Saudi feel like home.

Whether you’re living in Riyadh, planning a move, or just curious about life in Saudi Arabia, this episode is packed with practical tips and personal favourites from our first year here.

🎙 Hosted by Carly Overman & Vesna Petrovic

📍 Recorded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

👇 Jump to your favourite sections using the chapters below.

Chapter Markers

00:00 — Welcome to Our Favourite Things Episode

01:37 — Our Favourite Things & Why We’re Doing This Edit

02:29 — Diriyah: Vesna’s Favourite Area in Riyadh

03:30 — Roshn Front: Quiet, Family-Friendly & Underrated

05:44 — Flour & Firewood & Brunch + Cake: Cafés We Always Take Visitors To

07:34 — Camel Step & Bread Ahead: Riyadh Coffee Favourites

10:10 — Souq Al Zal: Perfumes, Kaftans & Hidden Gems

12:42 — Abayas & Tailoring the Perfect Fit

14:56 — Nocturne, Zara & Cute Matching Sets

16:26 — Kids’ Clothing: Where We Shop

17:03 — Favourite Malls in Riyadh

17:58 — Boulevard World & Riyadh Season Events

19:17 — Furniture Finds: Home Centre

20:45 — Dunya Al Asar: A Hidden Home & Décor Gem

22:30 — Furniture Recommendations: Stylish on a Budget

24:15 — Kids’ Activities in Riyadh (Big & Small)

25:45 — Groceries, Seafood & Food Apps We Love

31:39 — Nails & Salon Finds

35:50 — Tonic The Method: Riyadh’s Wellness Obsession

39:30 — Chinese Cars in Saudi: What We Drive & Why

42:08 — Humidifiers, Air Quality & Health Tips for Riyadh

45:00 — Final Thoughts & Wrapping Up Our Riyadh Edit

A short year-end chat on what this year brought us, what we’re grateful for, and why we’re so excited for 2026. Thank you for being here — we’ll see you in the new year 🤍

What is it really like being a woman in Saudi Arabia today?

In this episode of Inside Saudi, we share our real, lived experiences of living in Riyadh as women — openly addressing the biggest misconceptions around women’s freedom, safety, dress code, work, driving, and daily life.

This is not about what Saudi Arabia used to be like — it’s about what life is actually like now.

• Safety as a woman in Saudi Arabia

This episode is for anyone considering moving to Saudi Arabia, already living here, or simply curious about what life is really like for women in Riyadh today.

🎧 Listen now to Inside Saudi.

00:00 – 01:48 | Introduction & Why This Episode Matters

Moving to Riyadh and wondering how to make friends as an expat? You’re not alone. In this episode of Inside Saudi, we break down the real ways people build community in Saudi Arabia — from WhatsApp groups and fitness classes to saying “yes” more often and pushing past that initial loneliness.

We talk about:

✨ Why making friends in Riyadh is easier than you think

✨ How warm, open, and welcoming Saudis truly are

✨ Where expats meet people (walking groups, compound life, events, cafés)

✨ Our own story of meeting and starting this podcast

✨ How to put yourself out there — even when it feels scary

✨ What we’d do differently if we moved here again

✨ How living in Saudi Arabia changes you (in the best ways)

If you’re new to Riyadh, preparing for your move, or already here and craving deeper community — this episode is your guide.

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Podcast Chapters: 

0:11 Why Making Friends in Riyadh Matters (The Honest Truth)

1:43 Starting Over Abroad: The Reality of Building Community

3:34 Are Saudis Friendly? Our Real Experiences

4:45 How WhatsApp Groups Help Expats Find Their People

6:00 The Mindset Shift That Helps You Make Friends Faster

7:00 How We Met: From Compound Boot Camp to Close Friends

8:22 Turning a Friendship Into a Business & Podcast

11:50 Big News: Events, Meetups & Community Coming Soon

15:30 The Hard Part: Loneliness as a New Expat in Riyadh

17:55 Making the Most of Saudi Life (Say Yes!)

20:06 If We Moved to Riyadh Again, We'd Do This Differently

23:19 How Living in Saudi Arabia Changes You

If you’re planning to move to Riyadh in 2026, this episode gives you the REAL information you actually need — from visas and family relocation to schools, compounds, and how people are getting jobs in Saudi right now.

Carly and Vesna share their honest experiences with the Saudi visa system, family visa challenges, passport tips, and navigating life in Riyadh with kids. We break down Premium Residency, different visa types, relocation packages, and what living in a compound really looks like.

Whether you’re a family preparing to move, a partner relocating ahead of you, or someone exploring Saudi work opportunities, this episode cuts through the confusion and tells you exactly what to expect.

What you’ll learn:

• The truth about Saudi visas in 2025–2026

• How long families can stay apart during processing

• Step-by-step breakdowns of Carly and Vesna’s visa routes

• School and nanny options in Riyadh

• HOT TIPS for passports + Saudi visa appointments

• Premium Residency explained

• How expats are actually getting jobs in Saudi today

• Roles that aren’t open to international applicants

• LinkedIn strategies for Saudi recruiters

• Compound vs non-compound living

• The best (and most popular) areas for new expats

This is your realistic, experience-based guide to moving to Riyadh in 2026.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

00:10 – What We Cover in This Episode (Saudi Relocation Overview)

01:45 – Saudi Visa 101: Entry, Work & Residency Basics

03:51 – Vesna’s Visa Route: How She Moved to Saudi Arabia

11:57 – How Long Couples Can Stay Apart on Different Visas

13:06 – Carly’s Visa Process (Step-by-Step)

16:28 – Family Visa Process + Different Last Names & Passports Explained

18:32 – Schools & Nanny Options in Saudi Arabia

23:37 – HOT TIPS: Booking Passport & Visa Appointments in Saudi

24:40 – Can You Leave Saudi? Exit Rules & Types of Visas

28:01 – Premium Residency (Saudi Green Card)

29:24 – How People Are Relocating & Finding Jobs in Saudi

32:25 – LinkedIn Tips for Job Hunting in Saudi Arabia

36:40 – Relocation Packages & Reasons People Move to Saudi

39:10 – Compounds in Saudi: What They’re Really Like

40:50 – Compound vs. Non-Compound Living

47:42 – Choosing a Simple Life in Saudi

48:30 – Best Areas & Neighborhoods in Saudi (Overview)

We were nervous about raising our kids in Riyadh — new culture, new schools, new lifestyle. In this episode, we share the honest truth about what we feared, what actually happened, and how moving abroad has made our kids more confident, resilient, and culturally aware.

From the village feel of compound life to international schools, new friendships, nannies, travel opportunities, and learning gratitude, we share what life with kids in Riyadh is really like.

Whether you're considering a move to Saudi Arabia or you're already in Riyadh wondering how your kids will cope, this episode is the perspective we wish we'd had before relocating.

Our fears about raising kids in Riyadh

Why moving abroad can be the best thing for kids

Cultural exposure, confidence, and social skills

Compound life and the “old-school neighborhood” vibe

International schools and global education

Nannies, privilege, and teaching gratitude

Travel opportunities in Saudi and beyond

How parenting changes when you slow down

00:00 – We Were Scared to Move

Thinking about moving to Riyadh? Wondering what expat packages really include, how hard it is to get into schools, or which compounds are affordable? In today’s Q&A, we answer your biggest questions about expat life in Saudi Arabia — completely honestly.

We cover everything from salary negotiations and visas, to school admissions, compound prices, working as an expat wife, culture, moving with dogs, monetising social media in Saudi, and even how we met.

If you're relocating with kids, considering a job offer, or simply curious about modern expat life in Riyadh, this episode is packed with practical insight you won’t find anywhere else.

00:00 Welcome to Inside Saudi: Answering Your Burning Questions!

Saudi Arabia is changing fast — but what’s actually happening behind all those Vision 2030 billboards, mega projects, and construction cranes across Riyadh?

In this episode of Inside Saudi, Carly and Vesna break down Vision 2030 — what it really is, why it started, and how it’s reshaping everyday life in the Kingdom. We go beyond the headlines and talk about what you can literally see unfolding in Riyadh right now: from Sports Boulevard and King Salman Park, to Historic Diriyah, Boulevard World, and the Riyadh Metro.

We also dive into the huge national projects — NEOM, The Red Sea Project, AMAALA, Qiddiya, and Expo 2030 — and explain how they all fit into Saudi’s long-term plan for life beyond oil. Whether you’re new to Saudi, curious about the transformation, or just want to understand what Vision 2030 actually means, this episode breaks it all down — no jargon, no politics… just real life, lived here.

🕒 Episode Breakdown (Timestamps)

00:00 — Vision 2030: what it is and why it matters

01:00 — A little bit of history: how it all started

02:00 — Vision 2030 goals

02:16 — Why move away from oil (and what the US dollar has to do with it)

03:26 — The three pillars of Vision 2030

06:14 — How it’s rolling out in Riyadh

13:16 — Mega projects across Saudi Arabia

22:08 — Seeing the change in Saudi Arabia: cafés, culture, lifestyle

23:35 — Who pays for all this? (The Public Investment Fund)

24:05 — Wrap-up and reflections

💬 Key Takeaways

- The story behind Vision 2030 and why it’s reshaping Saudi Arabia.

- How everyday life in Riyadh is changing — parks, art, architecture, and cafés.

- The mega-projects turning Saudi into a new global hub: NEOM, Diriyah, Qiddiya, AMAALA, The Red Sea, Expo 2030.

- Why diversification away from oil is so critical for the future.

- And what it’s like to actually live through one of the biggest transformations in the world. 📍

Mentioned in This Episode @DiriyahGateSaudi @SportsBoulevard @KingSalmanPark @Qiddiya @NEOM @Trojena @Oxagon @RedSeaGlobal @Amaala @VisitRedSea @NewMurabba @Expo2030Riyadh @InsideSaudi @carlyoverman

🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music Follow the journey on Instagram and TikTok → @InsideSaudiArabia

Hosts: find us on IG @caroverman & @vesnapetrovicx or TikTok @carlyoverman @vesnapetrovix