Saudi Life: Unpacked

What happens when you leave behind the life you know and start again in a new country?

In this episode of Saudi Life: Unpacked, Frankie sits down with Diala Fawaz, founder of Cook Craft, to talk about starting over in Saudi Arabia, building a family, and creating a business from a personal need.Diala shares her journey from Dubai to Riyadh, moving to Saudi as a single woman and building a new life in the Kingdom.

She opens up about finding community, meeting her husband, embracing motherhood and eventually taking the leap into entrepreneurship.After years working in strategy and operations, Diala turned a challenge she experienced in her own home into Cook Craft - a food brand designed to make everyday family life easier while keeping quality and care at the heart of every meal.

A conversation about reinvention, ambition, motherhood and building something meaningful in Saudi Arabia.

SHOWNOTES:

• Diala Fawaz’s journey from Dubai to Riyadh and starting a new life in Saudi Arabia
• Moving to Saudi as a single woman and building community in the Kingdom
• How motherhood inspired the idea behind Cook Craft
• Turning a personal challenge into a business opportunity
• Building a food brand designed around modern family life
• The realities of balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship and ambition
• Female entrepreneurship and the opportunities for founders in Saudi Arabia
• Why solving real problems is the key to building a meaningful business
• The future vision for Cook Craft and creating convenience for families
  
  PRODUCT AND RECOMMENDATION:
• Cook Craft Frozen Range
• Cook Craft Deli Line
• Cook Craft Meal Kits
  
  Stay Connected:📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

What does it really take to build a beauty brand that feels authentically made for the women of the region?I

n this episode of Saudi Life: Unpacked, Frankie sits down with Sara Al Rashed, Saudi entrepreneur and founder of Asteri Beauty, for a conversation about beauty, business, identity and building a brand with the Arab woman at its heart.Sara shares the story behind Asteri - from the early idea to creating a homegrown beauty brand designed specifically for the region, its climate and the women who live here.

She talks about the inspiration behind the brand, the importance of seeing Arab women properly represented in the beauty industry and what it takes to turn a creative vision into something real.

But this episode goes far beyond makeup. Frankie and Sara talk about entrepreneurship, building a business from the ground up, trusting your instincts, navigating challenges, sisterhood and the realities of growing a brand in a rapidly changing Saudi Arabia.

They also explore what it means to be part of a new generation of Saudi founders creating businesses that feel proudly rooted in the region while thinking much bigger than it.

An inspiring conversation about beauty, ambition, representation and having the courage to create what you believe is missing.

SHOWNOTES:

• The story behind Asteri Beauty and how the brand began
• Why Sara wanted to create a beauty brand specifically for women in the region
• Building products designed to work in the Middle East’s climate
• The importance of Arab representation in the beauty industry
• Taking Asteri from an idea to a growing Saudi beauty brand
• The realities of entrepreneurship and building a business from scratch
• Learning to trust your instincts as a founder
• Navigating challenges, mistakes and lessons along the way
• Sisterhood and the influences that shaped Sara and the Asteri brand
• Building a brand that feels authentically Saudi while thinking globally
• The rise of female entrepreneurship in Saudi ArabiaSara’s perspective on ambition, resilience and creating with purpose
• What’s next for Asteri Beauty
  
  
  PRODUCT AND RECOMMENDATION:
• Asteri MascaraDesert
• Twist Fixing Spray
• Nourish Tinted Serum
• Spectrum Palette
  
  Stay Connected:
  📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

What does it really look like to build a business, raise a family and dream bigger in Saudi Arabia?

In this episode of Saudi Life Unpacked, Frankie sits down with Lujain, Saudi entrepreneur and founder of Akwan, for a conversation about motherhood, entrepreneurship, identity and being part of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly changing story.

After growing up between Jeddah, Kuwait and Dubai, Lujain returned home to Saudi with a completely new perspective - and a desire for her children to grow up connected to their country, culture and language.She shares how watching her own son struggle with Arabic became the inspiration behind Akwan, a children’s brand designed to make learning Arabic feel creative, playful and fun rather than something children have to do.

But this episode goes far beyond business.We talk about raising children with a strong sense of identity, building a company without having all the answers, the rise of female entrepreneurship in Saudi, learning from failure, protecting your energy, motherhood, growth mindset and why sometimes you simply have to start and figure things out along the way.Lujain’s philosophy is simple: just because you can’t do something now doesn’t mean you can’t do it — you just haven’t learned it yet.

An uplifting conversation about building with purpose, staying curious and raising the next generation in a Saudi Arabia full of possibility.

SHOWNOTES:

• Lujain’s journey from Jeddah to Kuwait, Dubai and back to Saudi
• Why she chose to return home and build in Saudi Arabia
• How motherhood inspired the creation of Akwan
• Helping children connect with Arabic through play
• Raising children with a strong sense of culture and identity
• Building her first branding business by accident
• The realities and lessons of entrepreneurship
• The rise of female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia
• Why growth mindset plays such a big role in her life
• Balancing business, motherhood and personal wellbeing
• Protecting your energy and learning when to disconnect
• Raising the next generation to dream bigger
  
  PRODUCT AND RECOMMENDATION:
• Akwan
• Pinterest
• Opal
• Acupuncture mat
  
  Stay Connected:
  📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

What if your closest mum friend was due to give birth... on exactly the same day as you?

In this episode, Frankie sits down with Lina and Christie, two expat mums who met in Riyadh, discovered they shared the exact same due date, and welcomed their baby boys just two days apart.

Together, they share their honest experiences of pregnancy, giving birth in Saudi Arabia, navigating the healthcare system, choosing the right hospital, and building a support network while living far from family. 

They also open up about postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and why looking after mums is just as important as looking after babies.

Whether you're expecting your first child or considering a move to Saudi Arabia, this episode is packed with practical advice, reassurance, and heartfelt stories from two mums who have been through it all.

SHOWNOTES:

• The realities of pregnancy and giving birth in Saudi Arabia
• Choosing the right maternity hospital in Riyadh
• Two mums, one due date, and an unexpected friendship
• Building a support system while living far from family
• Honest birth stories, C-sections, and labour experiences
• Postpartum recovery and the importance of supporting mums
• Breastfeeding, newborn care, and preparing for motherhood
• Why Saudi Arabia surprised them as a place to raise a family
  
  PRODUCT AND RECOMMENDATION:
• GermaCare Baby Wash
• GermaCare Baby Shampoo
• GermaCare Baby Lotion
• GermaCare Baby Oil
• GermaCare Baby Cream
• GermaCare Baby WipesT
• he Mum's Way
• Yasmin (Doula)
• Prenatal Classes
• Breastfeeding Class
  
  Stay Connected:📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

Would you move to Saudi Arabia... and have a baby there?

When Australian mum Nikki first heard about moving to Saudi Arabia, she never expected it would one day feel like home.Fast forward a few years, and she's now raising her family in Riyadh and preparing to welcome her third child in the Kingdom.

In this episode of Saudi Life: Unpacked, Frankie is joined by Nikki, an Australian mum who shares her honest journey of relocating to Saudi Arabia, navigating pregnancy in the Kingdom, and why she chose to have her third baby here instead of returning home. From navigating Saudi's healthcare system and finding the right doctor to building a support network as an expat mum, Nikki opens up about the realities of family life in Riyadh and how the Kingdom's welcoming community and family-friendly lifestyle have exceeded every expectation.

Whether you're expecting a baby, planning a move to Saudi Arabia, or simply curious about what family life is really like in the Kingdom, this episode offers practical advice, honest reflections, and a reassuring look at building a life and growing a family in Saudi Arabia.

SHOW NOTES

• Nikki's journey from Australia to Saudi Arabia
• What it's really like being pregnant in Saudi Arabia
• Giving birth in the Kingdom and why she chose to stay
• Navigating Saudi's maternity healthcare system
• Finding the right doctor and hospital
• Building a support network as an expat mum
• Raising young children in Riyadh
• Compound life vs. living outside a compound
• Postpartum support and motherhood abroad
• The biggest surprises about family life in 
• Saudi ArabiaAdvice for families considering a move to the Kingdom
• Why Saudi Arabia now feels like home
  
  PRODUCTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Weleda Skin Food
• Weleda Skin Food Lip Balm
• Weleda Mother & Baby range
• Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil
  
  Stay Connected:📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

Brain fog. Mood swings. Poor sleep. Fatigue. Sound familiar?
Many women assume it's simply stress, a busy season of life or just part of getting older. But what if it's something more?

In this episode of Saudi Life: Unpacked, Frankie is joined by Dr. May and Dr. Laura from Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital to unpack one of the biggest conversations in women's health today: perimenopause, menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Together, they discuss the symptoms women often dismiss, why awareness around perimenopause is growing, what HRT actually is, and how women's healthcare in Saudi Arabia is evolving to better support women at every stage of life.

Whether you're in your 30s, 40s or beyond, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you better understand your hormones, advocate for your health, and realise you don't have to "just put up with it."

SHOW NOTES

• What is perimenopause?Early signs and symptoms to watch for
• Perimenopause vs menopauseIs it stress, burnout or hormones?
• Understanding HRT and who it's forWomen's healthcare in Saudi Arabia
• Preventative health checks every woman should book
• Vitamins and supplements that support hormone health
• Lifestyle changes that make a differenceGLP-1 medications and women's health
• Fertility, hormones and ageing
• Why you don't have to "just put up with it"
• How to advocate for your health
• Expert advice from Dr. May & Dr. Laura
  
  PRODUCTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Fem Fresh – Intimate Wash
• Fem Fresh – Intimate Wipes
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12
• Magnesium
• Omega-3 Supplements
  
  Stay Connected:
  📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

Thinking about moving to Saudi Arabia... but worried you'll feel lonely?

One of the biggest questions we hear is: "How do you actually make friends in Saudi Arabia?" In this episode of Saudi Life: Unpacked, Frankie is joined by Sarah, Victoria and Jules, three women at very different stages of their Saudi journey, to talk honestly about building a life in the Kingdom. From arriving with no support network to finding lifelong friendships, they share the highs, the challenges and the unexpected moments that transformed Saudi Arabia from somewhere they moved for work into a place they now call home.

Together, they discuss the reality of making friends as an adult, raising families far from home, compound life versus living off compound, navigating loneliness, and why having a strong community can completely change your expat experience.

Whether you're moving on your own, relocating with children, or simply looking to feel more connected, this conversation is packed with practical advice and reassurance from women who've lived it.
 

SHOW NOTES

• Why finding your tribe is one of the most important parts of moving to Saudi Arabia
• Sarah, Victoria and Jules share their unique expat journeys
• The reality of making friends as an adult in a new country
• Compound life vs living off compound
• Coping with loneliness and building a support system
• How motherhood can help (or complicate) making new friends
• Why so many expats end up staying longer than planned
• Practical tips for meeting people and creating meaningful friendships
• Navigating the highs and lows of expat life in Riyadh
• Advice for anyone considering a move to Saudi Arabia
  
  Product Recommendations:
• Batiste Dry Shampoo (Brunette)
• Batiste Dry Shampoo (Tropical)
• Batiste Dry Shampoo (Original/Classic)
  
  Stay Connected:📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

Thinking about having a baby in Saudi Arabia? Wondering what breastfeeding support is really like?

In this episode of Saudi Life: Unpacked, Frankie sits down with Dr. Eman, a pharmacist, certified lactation consultant, VBAC educator, and pediatric nutritionist, to answer the questions every new and expectant mum has.

Together, they discuss what breastfeeding looks like in Saudi hospitals, whether you can breastfeed in public, the biggest myths surrounding breastfeeding, and why so many mothers struggle with pain, milk supply, and confidence during their feeding journey.

Dr. Eman also shares her own personal experience with postpartum depression, how it inspired her to become a lactation consultant, and why every mother deserves breastfeeding support before leaving the hospital.
Whether you're expecting your first baby, relocating to Saudi Arabia with a young family, or simply looking for expert breastfeeding advice, this episode is packed with practical guidance and reassurance.

SHOW NOTES

• Dr. Eman shares her journey to becoming a lactation consultant.
• Breastfeeding support available in Saudi Arabia.
• Can you breastfeed in public in Saudi?
• Common breastfeeding challenges and myths.
• Tips for pumping and returning to work.
• Why maternal mental health matters.
• Advice for new and expecting mums living in Saudi.
  
  Product Recommendations:
• Pigeon Softouch Bottle
• Lansinoh (nipple cream, breast pumps, milk storage bags, nursing pads)
• Haakaa Pump
• Nursing Pillow
• Breast Pump
• Nursing Cover
  
  Stay Connected:📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

Moving to Saudi Arabia changed Mila's life in ways she never expected. 

In this episode of Saudi Life: Unpacked, Frankie sits down with the Brazilian fitness coach to explore her journey from teaching CrossFit to becoming a leading voice in women's fitness and wellness in the Kingdom. We explore the realities of relocating to Saudi, building a new life from scratch, finding community, adapting to cultural differences, and why so many expats end up staying far longer than they originally planned.

Mila reflects on arriving in Saudi without speaking English, watching the country's fitness culture evolve, and helping women build strength, confidence, and healthier relationships with their bodies. 

This episode covers everything from workout routines and motivation to sleep, recovery, hydration, skincare, hormones, body image, and the growing pressure many women feel to achieve unrealistic beauty standards. 

This is a conversation about wellness, resilience, and creating a life you love in Saudi Arabia. 

SHOW NOTES

• Mila's journey from Brazil to Saudi Arabia
• Moving to the Kingdom without speaking English
• How Saudi Arabia's fitness scene has evolved over the past six years
• Building healthy habits that actually last
• Why strength training is essential for women
• Finding a workout routine you genuinely enjoy
• Social media, body image, and fitness expectations
• Mila's thoughts on Ozempic and quick-fix weight loss trends
• The importance of hormones, recovery, and sleep
• Staying active during the Saudi summer
• Skincare, hydration, and wellness tips for life in Saudi Arabia
• How fitness can help build confidence and community
• Why Saudi Arabia changed Mila's mindset and perspective on life
• Advice for women starting their fitness journey
• Lessons learned from living and thriving in Saudi Arabia as an expat 
  
  Product Recommendations:
• Femfresh
• Huda Beauty
• Forme
• CrossFit
• Lagree 
  
  Stay Connected: 📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

What if the best family memories you’ll make in Saudi are the ones just a road trip away?

In this episode of Saudi Life: Unpacked, Frankie and Lily sit down for a catch-up episode reflecting on a whirlwind few weeks of recording, exploring, and experiencing more of Saudi Arabia than ever before.From AlUla and The Red Sea to authentic Saudi homes, desert discoveries, local restaurants, family travel, and female solo adventures - this episode is all about why now feels like the most exciting time yet to properly explore the Kingdom.

We chat about why domestic tourism in Saudi is booming, the destinations expats are loving right now, why more people are staying local for Eid, female travel and road trips around the Kingdom, what’s surprised us most about Saudi culture, creating family memories while living here, life lately in Riyadh, and why expats really shouldn’t wait to properly experience Saudi.We also reflect on the incredible guests we’ve recently spoken to -  from exploring ancient archaeological sites and hidden desert gems, to learning about Eid traditions, Saudi hospitality, food, and the rapid transformation happening across the country.

This episode is your reminder to stop putting Saudi travel off and start exploring the incredible experiences right on your doorstep.

SHOW NOTES:

• Why domestic tourism in Saudi is booming
• Why more expats are staying local for EidAlUla, Red Sea & Saudi travel experiences
• Female travel & road trips around the Kingdom
• Saudi culture, hospitality & traditions
• Family travel & creating core memories Life lately in Riyadh
•  School decisions, health & routines
• Why expats should explore Saudi more
  
  Stay Connected:
  📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.