Dr. Dunia Alhashimi is a retired Pediatric Emergency doctor from Bahrain, who spent decades saving lives, training doctors, and lecturing at medical institutions across the region. Since retiring, she has thrown herself into new experiences, hobbies, and challenges - and shows absolutely no signs of stopping.

In this wide-ranging conversation we cover a lot of ground. We talk about what it really looks like to break free from cultural and societal expectations - as a woman, as an Arab woman, and as someone who simply refused to let convention write her story. Her philosophy is simple: say yes first, figure it out later.

We also get into emotional intelligence, leadership, and communication - and draw on her decades of medical expertise to explore the nuances of understanding children at different ages, how to truly connect with them, and what most people get wrong.A conversation that will make you think differently - about life, about people, and about what you've been putting off.

-

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction01:04 Life in Bahrain During Uncertain Times04:06 Finding the Silver Lining07:04 Meet Dr. Dunia — Her Story & How We Met08:07 30 Years as a Paediatric Emergency Doctor09:21 Why She Retired at 5510:09 Discovering Painting & Joining the Arts Community12:47 A Life Built Around Reading14:34 The Masters Degree That Changed Everything17:01 Leadership & People Skills Medicine Never Taught Her20:28 Emotional Intelligence & the Communication Gap in Healthcare22:03 Involving Patients in Their Own Care23:46 Communicating with Children at Different Ages26:03 The Communication Loop — Closing the Gap28:48 Never Assume — Lessons from Emergency Medicine32:05 Teaching Communication to the Next Generation of Doctors33:38 Reading Nonverbal Cues & Body Language in Children37:15 Spotting Signs of Concern in Family Dynamics40:09 How to Handle Suspicion Without Alarming Parents42:54 Differences in Child Protection Laws Across Countries46:04 How She Learned to Connect with Children of All Ages50:31 The Exam That Taught Her Everything About Newborns53:09 Using Humor as a Medical Tool59:14 Toastmasters — A Natural Fit1:02:15 Breaking Stereotypes as an Arab Woman1:06:16 Growing Up in Sacred Heart School, Bahrain1:13:28 The Relationship Between Medicine & Comedy1:17:24 Self-Deprecating Humor & Why It Works1:23:02 Think Like a Scientist — In Everything You Do1:25:04 Don't Believe Everything You Read or See1:28:38 The Dunning-Kruger Effect Explained1:31:52 Imposter Syndrome vs. Overconfidence1:33:21 Never Stop Learning — Exercise Your Brain1:35:06 Breaking Age Stereotypes on a Beach in Bahrain1:36:55 The Father Who Gave Her the Can-Do Attitude1:44:30 Say Yes First — The Philosophy She Lives By1:47:10 Dragon Boat Racing & Knowing Your Limits1:52:04 If You Don't Get What You Love, Love What You Get1:56:09 Leave on a High — Why She Retired at Her Peak1:57:29 Final Thoughts & Goodbye

-

🎧 🎥 Podcast available at:Spotify

Apple Podcasts

YouTube

-

📲 Get In Touch:

Instagram

Website

-

🎵 Music by Casa O'Dennehy