The Quality of Life Podcast

In the season finale of the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha welcomes Cynthia Karam, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability for the Middle East at Coca-Cola. Cynthia is an advocate for sustainability, gender equality and empowerment, leading initiatives that have shaped opportunities for women across the region.This episode is a celebration of courage, grace and living by your values. Raha and Cynthia explore what it means to lead with empathy while owning your seat at the table, even in male-dominated spaces.In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, Cynthia shares:What quality of life means to her and why safety, purpose and simple joys matter mostHow her parents shaped her values of kindness, humility and resilienceHer perspective on inner peace and the small habits she uses to protect itThe story behind Tumo, a pioneering women’s empowerment initiative in Saudi ArabiaHow she finds balance between motherhood, career and personal growthHer honest take on failure, redundancy and trusting the processOvercoming imposter syndrome and learning to advocate for herselfWhy collaboration, not competition, is key to women thriving togetherHer motto: “Iron fist in a velvet glove” and what it has taught her about leadershipCynthia’s story reminds us that true strength lies in staying grounded in who you are — and that you can create lasting impact without losing your softness.📚 Cynthia’s Book PickManuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho🌿 Everyday JoysLong walks by the sea with a good playlistJournaling and sharing travel memoriesDark chocolate and quiet evenings with familyProduced by Pineapple Audio Production

In this episode, Raha sits down with trailblazing Emirati athlete, speaker and mental health advocate Amna Al Haddad.From becoming the first Emirati woman to compete internationally in Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit, to helping the UAE qualify for the Rio Olympics, Amna has carved her own path often without support, and in defiance of expectations.Together they unpack:What quality of life means when you're no longer performing for approvalHow Amna found her way in sport without cheerleaders or sponsorsThe weight of cultural expectations and breaking free of themHer favourite way to reset and recharge (hint: it involves the ocean)Misconceptions about women and lifting and why muscle doesn’t equal masculinityNavigating burnout, intuition, and redefining success on your own termsAmna’s story is a raw and powerful look at what it means to build strength from within and how sometimes the absence of support is the greatest fuel.Books That Inspired or Reflect Her JourneyThe Untethered Soul by Michael A. SingerA book about letting go, tuning into your inner self, and finding peace beyond the mind.Grit by Angela DuckworthA powerful exploration of passion and perseverance, the science of what keeps people going.When the Body Says No by Gabor MatéProduced by Pineapple Audio Production

This week on the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha sits down with global strategist, storyteller, former ballerina and proud single mother of two — Mona Elsaka,With over 20 years of experience working with Fortune 100 companies and leading some of the most iconic sports and entertainment partnerships in the world, Mona’s career is powerful on paper but even more powerful in person.In this open and deeply honest conversation, she shares:Her visual triangle of quality of life and what sits at the top of itHow she rebuilt her identity after divorce and burnoutThe grief of losing both parents young and how it shaped her independenceWhy her two sons are her greatest source of joy and strengthThe deep power of female friendship and why her girlfriends are her board of directorsThe moment a therapist asked her the question that changed everything: who are you without the titles?Why ballet helped her reconnect to herself after years of forgettingWhat people don’t see behind the glamorous world of global partnershipsHer honest take on mental strength, asking for help and what it means to really pick yourself upThe pressure of performance, the beauty of softness and why resilience is her true superpowerThis is not just a conversation about career or motherhood. It’s about remembering who you are, choosing to grow through the hard seasons, and showing up as yourself, one day at a time.📚 Mona’s Book and Life PicksLet Them by Mel RobbinsDaily rituals of dance, classical music and drawer organizingFavorite mantra: Everything happens for a reason. One day at a time.🍕 Guilty pleasures: pizza and a little numbing TV in the backgroundProduced by Pineapple Audio Production

This week on the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha sits down with someone very close to her heart - her friend of 15 years, Emma, founder of Asperia Volleyball Academy and a quiet powerhouse in Dubai’s sports and startup scene.In her first ever podcast appearance, Emma opens up about how she went from a corporate job in Italy to building a women-led beach volleyball community on Kite Beach; all while staying deeply committed to freedom, flexibility and doing work that feels meaningful.In this heartfelt and grounded conversation, Emma shares:What quality of life means to her and why freedom is the foundationThe inspiration she drew from brave women throughout her lifeThe surprising way beach volleyball became her full-time careerHow her corporate background shaped the way she now runs her businessHer passion for giving her team freedom and flexibility at workThe realities of building a community around a niche sport in DubaiWhy planning, structure and small steps matter just as much as passionWhat she does to recharge and why playing volleyball is better than meditationThe myth that volleyball is too hard to start, and why it’s actually one of the most joyful, accessible sportsHer take on failure, planning and the power of believing in your dreamThe unexpected lessons from Frida Kahlo and how her story still inspires herEmma reminds us that you don’t need to make noise to make an impact. This episode is about moving with quiet confidence, turning a lifelong love into a career, and building something that reflects who you are.📍 Asperia Volleyball Academy is based at Kite Beach, DubaiFollow along on Instagram for updates, events and open training sessions📚 Emma’s Recommended ReadsBedtime Stories for Rebel GirlsFrida Kahlo: The Story of Her LifeProduced by Pineapple Audio Production

This week on the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha meets Kayleigh, a British entrepreneur and the founder of The Female Network Dubai, a fast-growing community created to empower and connect women across the UAE.Kayleigh opens up about how she grew a network of over 70,000 women while juggling motherhood, grief, burnout and five dogs, all with honesty, humour and heart.In this warm and inspiring episode, she shares:What quality of life means when you’re a mum, a founder and everything in betweenHow losing her mother nearly made her give up the network, but ultimately inspired her to keep goingThe daily reality of raising kids, running events and managing a business from homeHer honest take on mum guilt, phone boundaries and setting routines for sanityHow her community went from a simple idea to one of Dubai’s largest female networksThe misconceptions around women-only networking and why this one is differentHer advice for anyone moving abroad with children and facing the weight of it allHow she finds peace through cardio, evening swims and walking her five dogsThe honest truth about what it takes to grow something meaningful without burning outThis is a conversation about resilience, connection and choosing to show up even when life feels like too much. If you’ve ever juggled family, ambition and the need for a bit of quiet, Kayleigh’s story will hit home.📱 Join The Female Network DubaiInstagram: @thefemalenetworkdubaiEvents: From yacht afternoons to yoga in hot air balloons, you’ll find all the latest happenings inside the appProduced by Pineapple Audio Production

This week on the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha meets Carleen, a multi-business owner, fashion entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for helping women leave the 9 to 5 and build financial freedom on their own terms.Carleen’s story is not just about success. It’s about facing burnout, losing her energy and direction, and slowly rebuilding with purpose, calm, and a strong morning coffee.In this open and inspiring conversation, Carleen shares:The unexpected signs of burnout and how no one warned herHow a functional medicine approach helped her healWhy she gave up intense workouts, started eating blueberries before bed, and learned to slow downHer simple morning routine that changes everythingThe story behind Blondie and the fashion gap she saw in DubaiThe joy she finds in puzzles, journaling, Grey’s Anatomy, and mint dark chocolateWhy emotion in business isn't weakness but a strengthThis is a conversation about mindset, healing, ambition, and finding joy in the little things. Whether you're navigating stress, thinking about starting something new, or just need a reminder that it’s okay to pause and begin again, Carleen’s story will leave you feeling inspired and understood.📚 Carleen’s Recommended ReadsThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoAtomic Habits by James ClearThe Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod📍 Visit Blondie in JBR DubaiProduced by Pineapple Audio Production