The Icon Edit

In Episode 9, I’m joined by Leah Nicholls, founder of Impulse Self-Defence, for a practical conversation on what real-world self-defence actually looks like: trusting your intuition, spotting red flags early, using your voice and body language, and setting boundaries without guilt. We break down the fight/flight/freeze response, why training matters, and simple scripts you can use in everyday situations to feel safer and more confident.

Perimenopause can start earlier than you think and the symptoms don’t always look hormonal. Menopause Coach & Educator Sharon James joins The Icon Edit to unpack “The Hormone Shift”: the most overlooked signs, what gets misread as stress or burnout, how to track symptoms and advocate for yourself, and what you should know about HRT.

Episode 7 is a science-first skincare deep dive with Athina, a skincare chemist who formulates the products we use every day. We unpack what’s hype vs what actually works, how to protect your skin barrier, and why ingredients like hyaluronic acid can behave differently in Dubai heat and constant AC. Plus: Korean skincare, underrated actives, and a simple routine framework that delivers real results.

In Episode 6 of The Icon Edit, I sit down with Victoria Brugger - writer, cultural commentator, and the mind behind a rapid rise to over 100K followers through bold takes on capitalism, feminism, modern identity, and the uncomfortable truths people usually avoid. Victoria also self-published a 550-page book, Last Words of an Ego on Death Row, which she describes as the “autopsy of an ego” and the record of who she became on the other side of collapse, reinvention, and radical self-honesty.

In this episode of The Icon Edit, I sit down with Maya Moghrabi, founder of Innocent Sweets - a sugar-free, gluten-free dessert brand (with a shop in Business Bay, Dubai) that started from a personal need and grew into a real business. We talk about the real story behind “healthy desserts,” the stigma people have when they hear “everything-free,” and the behind-the-scenes pressure of building a brand that people take seriously, especially when they only see 10 seconds of your day on social media.

From accountant to stand-up comedian, Imah Dumagay turned stage fright into sold-out theatres and became the first Filipino to build an English stand-up career in the Gulf region – all while being named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the world. In this episode of The Icon Edit, we talk about how laughter can change your life (and other people’s), what it means to represent overseas Filipinos, and why you sometimes have to be a little “shameless” to follow your purpose.

Being almost 50 in a world of 18-year-old TikTokers, navigating perimenopause and building a thriving fashion career online – in this episode of The Icon Edit I sit down with Irene, Dubai-based content creator, stylist and fashion writer, to talk about what it really means to grow, evolve and stay visible as a Gen X woman in the influencer space.

In this episode, host Iwona Laub sits down with Salwa Ali, a Dubai-based real estate agent who has built a standout personal brand in one of the most competitive markets in the world. From Saudi Arabia to Toronto to Dubai, Salwa has turned courage, consistency, and social media savvy into a thriving career in property.

In this episode, host Iwona Laub sits down with Aga Al Rumaihi, an award-winning interior designer known for creating deeply personal, functional, and culturally inspired homes in the Middle East.

Welcome to The Icon Edit — the podcast for women who want real conversations about the things that shape our lives. I’m Iwona Laub, based in Dubai, and every week I sit down with women who say the honest part out loud — about identity, ambition, money, power, relationships, health, confidence, reinvention, and everything in between.

We launch January 15 with three episodes at once. After that, you’ll get a new episode every Thursday.

Hit Follow so you don’t miss the launch.