Welcome to the See Me Podcast, hosted by psychotherapist and neurodivergent advocate Máire Crouchman.

In this episode, Máire is joined by Houssam Kayal, Managing Partner at DefineX and a leading strategist in embedded finance and digital payments. With years of experience advising banks and tech companies across the region, Houssam brings a human-centred perspective to innovation and leadership.

Drawing from his professional work and his family's experiences with neurodiversity and mental health, he explores how empathy, meaningful listening, and gratitude shape the way we lead — and why inclusive workplaces are essential in today's fast-moving world.

✨ In this episode: – Why empathy is a leader's most powerful skill – Personalising leadership to unlock individual strengths – Building workplaces where everyone feels seen and valued – Gratitude, presence, and leading with intention

Dr. Catherine O'Farrell, award-winning inclusion consultant, international inspector, and founder of Incluzun, joins Máire to discuss what true inclusion looks like in education — from empowering learning support assistants to transforming leadership across schools.

She shares her journey from classroom teacher in Ireland to international advocate for inclusion, and the realities of building systems that truly support children, families, and educators.

In this episode: – Building inclusive schools that empower every child – Supporting parents navigating complex education systems – Training and protecting learning support assistants – The power of empathy and leadership in education – Why systemic change starts with understanding and collaboration

📌 About Máire: Máire is a psychotherapist, educator, and neurodivergent woman passionate about creating spaces where every kind of mind is welcome.

Hady Bou Onk, Chief Customer Officer at GE Vernova Software, shares his journey as a father to a non-verbal autistic child and how it transformed his approach to leadership. He reflects on redefining "normal," building inclusive workplace cultures, and why happiness — not conformity — should be the ultimate goal.

In this episode:

• Parenting a neurodivergent child and embracing difference
• Lessons on empathy and perspective in leadership
• Why culture is the foundation of true diversity
• The challenges of hiring and inclusion in business
• A comic book inspired by his son's adventures

📌 About Máire: Máire is a psychotherapist, educator, and neurodivergent woman passionate about creating spaces where every kind of mind is welcome.

Ramzi Ghurani, Managing Partner at Petra Insurance Brokers, talks about resilience, fatherhood, and how his daughter's ADHD diagnosis reshaped his leadership. He shares how empathy, gratitude, and presence guide him as both a parent and a leader.

In this episode:

• Balancing authority with empathy in leadership
• Parenting through ADHD
• Building resilience in family and work
• Why workplaces must embrace neurodiversity

📌 About Máire: Máire is a psychotherapist, educator, and neurodivergent woman passionate about creating spaces where every kind of mind is welcome.

In Part 2, Gavin turns to mental health and the realities of leadership when life gets difficult. He shares how asking for help is strength, why humour matters, and how leaders can create safe, human-centred spaces for their teams.

In this episode:

• Why vulnerability is a strength in leadership
• Friends, mentors, and mental health
• Using humour in difficult times
• Building resilient, inclusive teams

📌 About Máire: Máire is a psychotherapist, educator, and neurodivergent woman passionate about creating spaces where every kind of mind is welcome.

In Part 1, PwC Academy Partner Gavin Aspden shares stories from childhood bullying to leading 170 people today. With humour and candour, he reflects on thinking differently, building trust, and the self-awareness that shaped his leadership.

In this episode:

• Why surrounding yourself with different thinkers matters
• Balancing intellect, strength, and vulnerability
• "Eggshell days" and self-awareness
• Why honesty is flexible

📌 About Máire: Máire is a psychotherapist, educator, and neurodivergent woman passionate about creating spaces where every kind of mind is welcome.

Entrepreneur and father Najib Sabbagh reflects on building businesses across hospitality, entertainment, tech, and real estate — and why inclusion, empathy, and community are always at the centre of his leadership.

In this episode:

• Leading diverse teams with vision
• Accessibility in workplaces and events
• Finding your tribe
• Protecting your well-being as a leader

📌 About Máire: Máire is a psychotherapist, educator, and neurodivergent woman passionate about creating spaces where every kind of mind is welcome.

Dr. Craig Cook, CEO of the Brain and Performance Center in Dubai, shares his journey of raising a non-verbal autistic son. From the moment that changed everything to the lessons his son taught him about love and identity, Craig reflects on parenting, marriage, and leadership with honesty and depth.

In this episode:

• Parenting a non-verbal autistic child
• From denial to acceptance
• Marriage and invisible labour in families
• Inclusivity in schools and workplaces

📌 About Máire: Máire is a psychotherapist, educator, and neurodivergent woman passionate about creating spaces where every kind of mind is welcome.

Philip Mahoney, SVP of Food & Beverage at Raffles and Fairmont Hotels, opens up about life as a neurodivergent executive, a father to neurodivergent children, and a leader in hospitality. Together with Máire, he explores what it really means to be seen — as a professional and as a human being.

In this episode:

• Neurodivergent leadership in practice
• Creating inclusive workplace cultures
• Parenting with compassion
• Why hospitality can be a hidden haven for diverse thinkers

📌 About Máire: Máire is a psychotherapist, educator, and neurodivergent woman passionate about creating spaces where every kind of mind is welcome.

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