Saudi Life: Unpacked

What is life in Jeddah really like - beyond the stereotypes?

In this episode of Saudi Life Unpacked, Frankie Lily sit down with Rawan Al-Turki, a Saudi photographer born and raised in Jeddah, to explore the city through truly local eyes. From the historic streets of Al-Balad to fish markets, fashion shoots, and everyday moments most visitors never see, Rawan shares how photography has become a way to tell Saudi Arabia’s untold stories.

We talk about growing up in Jeddah, the city’s deep cultural mix, the role of women in Saudi’s creative industries, and how heritage and modern life coexist in powerful, unexpected ways. Rawan also reflects on how Saudi Arabia has changed over the years - especially for women and why storytelling through art matters now more than ever.

This conversation is an honest, inspiring look at Jeddah’s culture, creativity, and people and a reminder that Saudi Arabia is far more layered than many imagine.This episode is a must-listen for expats, creatives, and anyone curious about modern Saudi Arabia, female perspectives, and the beauty found in everyday moments.

Shownotes:
- What it is really like to grow up and live in Jeddah as a Saudi woman
- Why Jeddah feels culturally different from other Saudi cities
- The history and beauty of Al-Balad and Hijazi architectureHow photography became a storytelling tool for capturing Saudi life
- The rise of female creatives in Saudi ArabiaShooting fashion, heritage, and everyday life - from old houses to fish markets
- Why art, culture, and people are central to understanding modern Saudi Arabia
- How Saudi stereotypes fall apart when you experience daily life on the ground

What happens when life forces you to stop - and start again?

In this episode of Saudi Life Unpacked, Frankie Lily sit down with Umniah Alzahery, a Saudi entrepreneur based in Jeddah, to talk about career ambition, burnout, illness, and building a business that brought joy back into her life.

Umniah shares her journey from a high-pressure corporate HR career to surviving cancer during the pandemic - and how that experience completely reshaped her relationship with work, health, and success. We explore what it is really like to navigate Saudi Arabia’s corporate world, the healthcare system, and female entrepreneurship, and how a simple love of food evolved into a taco truck business that went all the way to Formula 1 events.This is an honest, powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what life and business can look like when you choose purpose over pressure.

A must-listen for those at a crossroads - For anyone feeling burned out, rethinking their career, building something new, or finding their place in Saudi Arabia.

SHOWNOTES:
- Working in Saudi Arabia’s corporate world and the pressure to succeed
- Burnout, health challenges, and navigating cancer during COVID
- The Saudi healthcare system and personal care experiences
- Leaving corporate life and redefining success
- Building a food truck business in Jeddah from scratch
- Turning a side hustle into a Formula 1-level business
- Female entrepreneurship and startup culture in Saudi Arabia
- Life lessons on resilience, purpose, and starting again

For community questions tips, join our Whatsapp community here:
Khobar; https://chat.whatsapp.com/K8Dk4iX50tNLukqgHHLnvV?mode=ems_copy_c
Jeddah; https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kv6MxVrWKwG3pjv2XXFciH?mode=ems_copy_c
Riyadh; https://chat.whatsapp.com/DysXvVVswHoHhUNMxALH1s?mode=ems_copy_c

In this episode of Saudi Life Unpacked, Frankie and Lily sit down for an honest, end-of-year conversation about expat life in Saudi Arabia - the highs, the challenges, and the moments that make the Kingdom start to feel like home.

They share personal life updates, winter travel plans, parenting reflections, and what it really looks like to raise happy children while living abroad. The conversation also dives into community questions, including practical expat topics like shipping, Christmas traditions, events, and navigating everyday life in Saudi.Frankie and Lily pull back the curtain on building Saudi Life Unpacked as a podcast, business, and community platform - from authenticity and monetisation to why listening to the community has shaped everything they do. They also reflect on expat wins, buying property, finding identity after moving countries, and the small moments that signal you are no longer just visiting, you belong.

A thoughtful, reassuring listen for anyone living abroad, re-evaluating their journey, or stepping into a new chapter in Saudi Arabia.

Show Notes:
- Expat family life, parenting, and school holidays
- Winter travel plans and life updates
- Community QA on shipping, Christmas, and everyday logistics
- Building Saudi Life Unpacked as a podcast, business, and community
- Events, WhatsApp groups, and bringing Saudis and expats together
- When Saudi Arabia starts to feel like home
- Personal wins, identity, and settling into life in the Kingdom

For community questions tips, join our Whatsapp community here:
Khobar; https://chat.whatsapp.com/K8Dk4iX50tNLukqgHHLnvV?mode=ems_copy_c
Jeddah; https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kv6MxVrWKwG3pjv2XXFciH?mode=ems_copy_c
Riyadh; https://chat.whatsapp.com/DysXvVVswHoHhUNMxALH1s?mode=ems_copy_c

Can you drink the tap water in Saudi Arabia? 

And what’s actually the safest, healthiest option for your family?In this research-led episode of Saudi Life Unpacked, Frankie and Lily deep dive into one of the most asked (and most misunderstood) expat topics: water quality in Saudi Arabia. 

From desalinated tap water and delivery gallon bottles, to glass spring water and under-sink filtration systems, they break down the pros, cons, costs, and health considerations of each option.Lily shares the months of independent testing she carried out  including third-party lab testing,  to understand what’s really in common household water sources in the Kingdom. 

They also discuss microplastics, TDS (total dissolved solids), chlorine, and why water safety can feel different in a desert climate.Whether you’re new to Saudi or have lived here for years, this episode will help you make informed decisions about drinking water, filtered water systems, bottled water, and family health in the region.

SHOW NOTES:
- Why Saudi tap water is desalinated and why most residents avoid drinking it
- The pros and cons of gallon bottled water (cost, convenience, microplastics)
- Glass bottled spring water as an alternative
- What microplastics are and why heat can make plastic bottles a concern
- What TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) means when testing water quality
- Installing an under-sink home filtration system and how it works-
 Independent lab testing results for filtered vs. tap water
- Cost comparison between bottled water and filtration systems
-  Other home water considerations like shower filters and hard water

Resources & Recommendations
Water Filtration & Testing
-  Brita – Popular pitcher and faucet-mounted water filters
- TDS Meter – Handheld Total Dissolved Solids tester for home water checks
-  Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) System 
– Whole-home/under-sink filtration option

Bottled Water Options
- Glass Spring Water 
– Recommended to avoid microplastics and heat leaching
-  Delivered Gallon Water Containers 
– Common expat water delivery choiceHealth & Safety
- Third-Party Water Lab Testing – For accurate analysis of minerals, TDS, and contaminants

Stay Connected:📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

Ep 59. Rozana Albanawi: The Heartbeat of Human-Centred Leadership (and golden Insights into Jeddah!)

Ep 58. From Identity to Anxiety: Psychologist, Carl Garner on the Real Emotional Impact of Moving Abroad 

Ep. 57 "So Here's the tip...." We answer some FAQ's & give some tips on 'what to wear' to 'how to drive' (and all in-between)

In this special episode of Saudi Life Unpacked, Frankie is joined by her husband Michael for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it’s really like moving to Saudi Arabia as a married couple and raising a young family in Riyadh. 

From long-distance marriage during the transition and early culture shock, to career growth in the Kingdom, compound life, having children in Saudi, and watching the country transform under Vision 2030, they share the highs, the challenges, and the mindset shifts that made the move life-changing.

If you’re considering relocating to Saudi, navigating expat family life, or curious about working and building a future in the Kingdom, this episode offers practical advice and real lived experience from people who’ve been through it.

SHOW NOTES:
- Relocating to Saudi and managing long-distance during the transition
- Adjusting to Saudi work culture and why the Kingdom can accelerate your career
- Compound life, community, and building a support system as expats
- Raising children in Riyadh, international schools, and family lifestyle
- Having a baby in Saudi and navigating healthcare
- The mindset needed to make relocation work
- How life in Saudi has transformed in recent years

RESOURCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
- The 5AM Club – Robin Sharma (mindset & routine) 
- AlUla (favorite Saudi travel spot) 
- Kingdom Hospital, Riyadh (maternity care) 
- Strava (fitness tracking)

Stay Connected:
📍 Follow @saudilifeunpacked for updates, resources weekly episodes.

Ep. 54 Bonjour Arabia! Frankie Lily sit down with Cecilia Pueyo, co-founder CEO of Bonjour Arabia (formally 'Bonjour Saudi') - expert on cultural experiences in Saudi.

The Stories Behind the Hosts – Frankie & Lily’s Path to Saudi Arabia