Listen Now

Michele Vig, an accomplished executive in corporate America for two decades, founded Neat Little Nest to pursue her personal passion of helping people free themselves from clutter and create the beautifully organized spaces they've always desired. Michele is one of only a few KonMari gold-level certified decluttering professionals and one of Minnesota’s top 50 women in business as well as a featured “40 under 40” in Minneapolis Business Journal. In this episode we talk about her personal journey, what led her to leave her corporate position. Michelle shares her one-of-a-kind and personalized approach to working with clients, and how PR helped her reach a wider audience.   Please tell me what you would love to hear more about and we will deliver! I love a good podcast and hopefully you do too! The podcast is called SavvyTalk if you're new here and it's available on all podcast players.  Links: Neat Little Nest: Website • Facebook • Instagram

In today's episode, I am sharing a conversation that I had with Andy Krainak during the Art D'Égypte 2022 Talks Series in Cairo. The theme of our talk was The Secrets of Building & Launching a Successful NFT/Web3 Project.  Andy Krainak serves as the President of VeeFriends. Andy is an experienced digital and brand strategist with a 8+ year work history in Personal Branding, Growth Marketing and Social Media Advertising and served Gary Vaynerchuk's personal brand team (Team GaryVee) before taking over at VeeFriends. We took the stage to tell the story of @veefriends, to share our experiences on the launching of a NFT Project and thoughts on the Web3 world. We also had an insightful Q&A with artists, entrepreneurs and the Web3 curious. Links Andy Krainak on social: Instagram • Twitter • LinkedIn Veefriends

In today's episode, because I am obsessed with books, I want you guys to meet Salma ElWardany. Egyptian-Irish-South Asian writer, poet, and BBC radio host Salma has presented two TEDx Talks, collaborated with Edinburgh University on the Dangerous Woman project, and partnered with The British Library and The Wellcome Collection. She routinely collaborates with international brands to increase awareness through poetry and dialogue. She is the author of the amazing book These Impossible Things, which has landed on so many global lists of books to read in 2022! And she is a contributor to the critically acclaimed bestseller It's Not About the Burqa. I am a huge fan of her book which really puts the modern Arab woman in a story that the world talked about and read, bought and bragged about! I had the absolute pleasure of having her on my podcast and get to meet her IRL next week! The episode is about real talk and she leads the conversation in ways that keep you wanting more! We also talked about her background and her process of writing. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did and let me know if you read the book and your thoughts. Links Salma El-Wardany's social: Instagram • LinkedIn Book “These Impossible Things” on Amazon

On today’s episode of SavvyTalk season 5, I’m joined by Avery Akkineni, President of Vayner3, a VaynerX consultancy leading the mission to guide the world's largest intellectual property owners in navigating the next iteration of the internet, Web3. Avery is a leader, a mentor, and an investor in leading Web3 projects and communities, as well as an active advisor for leading Web2 & Web3 platforms. Avery is an active advisor and board member on various tech platforms, including the Web3 Advisory Board for Salesforce, Meta Creative X Council, and OneOf. We had the chance to talk about her career and all things Web3. All the opportunities this technology brings to all industries and who become an active student will be prepared for the present and future. Links Avery Akkineni's social: Instagram • Twitter • LinkedIn Vayner3: Website • LinkedIn • Twitter • Instagram Contact Vayner3

I am so happy to be joined by Karen Wazen, a person I admire so much. Karen received me in her beautiful home in Dubai. We had the chance to talk about a lot of things you don't usually see her talking about but that are a big part of her life. I had no idea about her personal connection with sunglasses -- where the inspiration and idea came from for KW Eyewear and her future plans for the brand. We had lovely interruptions — it’s as real as you can get being a mom. This is a good one — I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did.  Links:  Karen Wazen's social: Instagram • YouTube • TikTok • Twitter • Facebook KW Eyewear • Instagram Please tell me what you want to hear more about and we will deliver! I love a good podcast and hopefully you do too! The podcast is called SavvyTalk if you're new here and it's available on all podcast players.

I talked with an astronaut!  Welcome to SavvyTalk season 5, new episode is out! I'm joined this time by Sara Sabry, the first Arab, Egyptian and African woman to ever go up in Space. She made history on August 4th of 2022 by flight on Blue Origin's NS-22 mission, this day forward we all stand on her shoulders. All little girls and women of the region and beyond are proud, inspired by her achievement and as she said: “They can finally see themselves represented in space”.  I had the chance to talk with her before the launch of the Shepherd Suborbital rocket and a couple of days after she landed. You will be able to listen these two moments on today’s episode. It was fascinating seeing the excitement and expectation when we first talked and then listening to her sharing the unique and personal experience was really impactful.  We also talked about her trajectory, how she was prepared to the mission—breathing exercises and envisioning being one of tools used—she also shared her nexts steps after comeback to earth: working on her non-profit company Deep Space Initiative to increase the opportunities of space research in the Middle East region, and as a mechanical and biomedical engineer keep doing her PhD research focused on developing the next generation of planetary spacesuits. Expect to see more and more of Sara Sabry because she is continuing to do astronaut training to be qualified to do research on space. My Egyptian heart is full after this amazing episode.  Links: Sara Sabry's social Deep Space Initiative: Website • Instagram

On today's episode, I'm joined by Moroccan-born Hind Sebti, a former beauty executive at Procter & Gamble and L’Oréal and co-founder of Waldencast and the creator of Whind a globally inspired beauty brand, inspired by a drawing from Hind’s home country, love of travel, nature, and art. With Whind, Hind wants to elevate skincare to a joyful act, to bring soulful self-care back by approaching it more as a ritual than anything else. We talked about her professional journey and how having the courage to ask completely changed the trajectory of her career and life. The challenges of building a global beauty brand during the pandemic. And about beauty being first and foremost an emotion.  Links Hind Sebti's on Instagram  Waldencast: Website • Instagram  Whind: Website • Instagram  Maha on Instagram • Twitter Our website

On today's episode, I'm joined by my dear friend Fayrouz Eid. A talented entrepreneur, nutritionist, and mother of two adorable kids. Her passion for entrepreneurship made her build The Wellb, a company focused on helping people find long-lasting sustainable nutrition so they can get healthier and reach their goals. We first met while I was involved in a project of introducing Netflix to the Middle East. As a good chat between friends, in this episode we go all over the place, from talking about Adele's latest album to talking about the enormous impact being genuine in your social media can have in other people's lives. By discussing subjects like single motherhood joys and struggles, divorce, and therapy Fayrouz Eid helped normalize such important conversations in Egypt. And of course, we talked about FOOD! “Food is energy. We should be healing our relationship with food”. Please tell me what you want to hear more about and we will deliver! I love a good podcast and hopefully you do too! The podcast is called SavvyTalk if you're new here and it's available on all podcast players. Links: Fayrouz Eid's Instagram The Wellb: Website • Instagram

Nadine Abdel Ghaffar is the Founder and General Manager of Art D'Égypte and is my guest for this weeks show. She is an extraordinary woman that supports and promotes the Egyptian art and culture scene in bold ways never done before - including a massive installation at the Pyramids which seemed impossible to execute. We talked about traditional art, about digital art and its potential. I leave you with her quote: "Don't buy bags, buy art. Art is an investment." Let me know when you’re booking your flight to Egypt to take in some of the incredible art and culture she promotes! Links: Nadine Abdel on Instagram Art D’Égypte Art D’Égypte on Instagram Please tell me what you want to hear more about and we will deliver! I love a good podcast and hopefully you do too! The podcast is called SavvyTalk if you're new here and it's available on all podcast players.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Mazen Yassen, the Content Creator behind Justagoproer. Also actor, director and artist Manager. I have followed his work for about 6 to 7 years. We talked about his trajectory from the corporate world, where he stayed for 14 years, to then becoming an artist and content creator, a word that didn't even exist back then. Everything started to happen when he bought a GoPro and self-taught how to edit videos. We talked about inspiration, the hard work that content creation requires, advice for those who want to start on this path now, and the fact that it is never too late. Don't miss our rapid-fire questions in the end, so much fun. Links: Mazen Yassen on Instagram • Facebook Mazen Yassen on Youtube Mazen Yassen on TikTok The Content Creators Big Entertainment Co Please tell me what you want to hear more about and we will deliver! I love a good podcast and hopefully you do too! You can catch me on Twitter, and Instagram, and find our episodes on the website.

In today's episode I am sharing my conversation with the chairman of Weather Investments's parent company, the former chairman and CEO of Orascom Telecom Holding, my former boss and mentor, Naguib Sawiris, at this amazing event, RiseUp Summit in Egypt. Back in 2017, I interviewed him for his first appearance at Rise Up and once again I had this pleasure at the end of 2021. We had the chance to talk about innovation and how it requires a little bit of craziness, investments, and family. We also share some funny but meaningful stories of Orascom Telecom’s early days (I was employee number 5), when is the right time to quit your job, and of course the technology of the moment Blockchain. My favorite moment was when Naguib shared the power of believing in yourself.  Wait until the end, I asked him some fun questions and we had a quick Q&A with the audience. Now tell me who is Naguib's favorite musician?  Hope you enjoy this talk as much as I enjoyed doing it. Share your thoughts with me on this conversation - you can find me on Twitter and on Instagram. Naguib Sawiris on Twitter Please tell me what you want to hear more about and we will deliver! I love a good podcast and hopefully, you do too!

On today’s episode I’m joined by Heba Shunbo. She’s such an amazing personality—entrepreneur, interior designer, writer, podcast host, wife, mother of twins and one of the sisters behind the bakery The Four Fat Ladies. And just in time for Mother’s Day check out her book called "Mommy's Happy Hour." Love the new cover Heba!!! We got a chance to connect in Cairo about life as a modern mom and all the things — spoiler alert: the book is not about drinking ;-) And if you haven’t tried their carrot cake what are you waiting for? 🥕 Links: Heba on Instagram Heba’s website The Four Fat Ladies on Instagram

In today’s episode, you guys will watch my talk at this amazing event, RiseUp Summit in Egypt. I shared my thoughts on how you can connect with your audience and build your brand through cultural relevance and storytelling having nothing less than the pyramids of Egypt as the background. An outstanding conference that brought together people like Nadine Abdel Ghaffar founder of Art D'Égypte; actress Amira Adeeb; and for the second time I interviewed Naguib Sawiris. I will share this interview too here in the podcast soo, get ready. Hope you enjoy this talk as much as I enjoyed doing it. Links: RiseUp Summit RiseUp Summit on Instagram RiseUp Summit on Twitter Please tell me what you want to hear more about and we will deliver! Connect with me on Instagram or Twitter. Find our previous episodes and more on my website.

We are launching Season 4 with a special series from newsmakers and shakers from Egypt! And then get ready we have an NFT edition, a Dubai edition and SO MUCH MORE.  On today’s episode I’m joined by Omar Samra. He’s such an amazing personality—both an entrepreneur and as someone who has scaled amazing mountains and peaks in his life. He is the first Egyptian to climb Mount Everest, also is one of 40 known people to accomplish the "Explorers Grand Slam" challenge, which include climbing the highest mountain on every continent, the 7 summits, and skiing to both the South and North Poles. Last year saw the release of “beyond the raging sea”, a documentary which chronicles the maritime challenges he undertook to highlight the plight of refugees crossing dangerous waters. He was in Egypt a few weeks ago and I had a chance to reconnect with him.   Links: Omar's social: Website • Instagram • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube Beyond the Raging Sea • on IMDb Follow Digital & Savvy on Instagram

This week, we're talking about the qualities of good managers, and how to improve your own visibility as an employee. Maha shares how the role of the manager should be like that of a coach--someone who is motivating you to perform better, and help you grow.

This week, Maha answers questions we’ve received through the podcast and on Instagram over the last few weeks. On this episode, how to market a new pizza place with a shoestring budget, does Maha play tennis, can you make a ‘big’ announcement entirely organically, and a few more!

This week, Maha shares her thoughts on why Clubhouse is working, the power of social audio and her tips to consider if you'd like to engage on the platform. You can connect with her on Clubhouse, where she'll be hosting more rooms over the next few weeks. You can DM her on on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/digitalandsavvy) for more.

A key takeaway for Maha to help get through periods like we've had last year were her relationships. Maha shares how she categorises them and recommends you get out your notebook and write down the relationships you will look after in the coming year.

2020 changed a lot of our work behaviours—everything from working from home, running meetings & projects via video conferencing and tech-based collaboration tools, and the change of that work-life balance. On the episode, Maha shares her top 10 markers for what the future of work holds in the new year and how businesses should adapt. Tell us what the future of your workplace looks like by connecting with Maha on Instagram.

Happy New Year everyone! We're kicking off 2021 with Maha's top learnings from the year that was, and her outlook for everything you need to pay attention to over the next 12 months. She also shares why 2021 is the year of intention & attention.