What I Did Next

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Episodes

189

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Connecting the dots across the Middle East through storytelling. Join host Malak Fouad, as she brings you the most inspiring people and unpacks their life journeys — successes, failures and everything in between!

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60 recent

October 13, 2026Episode 13529 min

Hazem Barakat

Hazem Barakat, co-founder and Chairman of B Investments, joins me on the show to talk about the personal turning points that shape how he leads and lives, and the realities of private equity in Egypt. On Part 1, we talk about moving to the US at 16, returning to work with his father in the family firm and the importance of ethics and hard work. On Part 2 coming up next week, we’ll dive into the world of private equity and investor interest in sectors such as education, healthcare and agriculture. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One , your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today ! (00:00) - On this episode... (03:10) - Moving to the US (08:58) - Working with his father (13:37) - The move to private equity (22:12) - Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

October 6, 2026Episode 13439 min

Encore: Hala Gorani

Award-winning anchor, journalist and author Hala Gorani returns to the show to talk about returning to field reporting and the future of journalism & independent media. Hala also catches me up on what she’s been up to since I first spoke to her in 2023, right after she had finished writing her book But You Don’t Look Arab . This episode is part of Encore , where I check-in with your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni, so stay tuned. (00:00) - Coming up (02:20) - Reporting: Truth, opinion and now Substack (24:25) - Future of independent media (37:52) - Lighting Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

September 22, 2026Episode 13329 min

Suzanne Zeidy & Rawah Badrawi on their life’s pivots

We’re continuing my conversation with Suzanne Zeidy and Rawah Badrawi, he co-authors of a new book Egypt: Recipes and Stories from an Ancient Land. On this episode, Suzanne and Rawah tell me about their life’s pivots, marriage, children and friendship. We also talk about being the sandwich generation, and whether we can really have it all. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today ! Azza Fahmy Jewellery On the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Fallahy Kaf Earrings , the Mamluki Kaf Bangle and the Gold Roman Chain Ring . Suzanne Zeidy is wearing Azza Fahmy’s T-Lock Necklace and Gold Rosette Necklace , the Joyful Ring and the Endearment Gold Ring Rawah Badrawi is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Mabrouka Earrings and Filigree Kaf Ring . Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

September 15, 2026Episode 13226 min

Suzanne Zeidy & Rawah Badrawi

I’m joined today by Suzanne Zeidy and Rawah Badrawi, the co-authors of a new book Egypt: Recipes and Stories from an Ancient Land , which is part travelogue and part culinary journey. They also happen to be two of my closest friends! On Part 1 of our conversation, Suzanne and Rawah tell me how they came together to write this incredible book, and how they peeled away the fears and uncertainties of local communities to reveal a vibrant and rich culture not seen before by the outside world. We’ll continue the conversation in Part 2 next week, where Suzanne and Rawah tell me about their life’s trajectories and take on our signature lightning round. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today ! Azza Fahmy Jewellery On the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Fallahy Kaf Earrings , the Mamluki Kaf Bangle and the Gold Roman Chain Ring . Suzanne Zeidy is wearing Azza Fahmy’s T-Lock Necklace and Gold Rosette Necklace , the Joyful Ring and the Endearment Gold Ring Rawah Badrawi is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Mabrouka Earrings and Filigree Kaf Ring . Chapters: 0:00 On this episode... 3:08 Suzanne’s first book: Cairo Kitchen 5:12 Rawah’s first book: Siwa 6:56 Coming together for ‘Egypt’ 16:36 The magic of Sinai 20:57 The book’s audience 24:59 AI and the Future of Books Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

August 25, 2026Episode 13119 min

Looking back, looking forward

This week, I'm sitting down with my producer Chirag Desai to reflect on a whirlwind first half of the year—from interviewing iconic figures and taking the show international to the importance of reclaiming our narrative. We talk about what drives the show, the magic of the MENA region, and what it truly means to create space for our own stories. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today ! Azza Fahmy Jewellery Chapters: 0:00 Coming up... 1:44 WIDN goes international 4:30 Reclaiming our narrative 13:25 An updated lightning round 18:12 What's next for Malak Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

August 18, 2026Episode 13028 min

Karim Mekhtigian & Mohamed Fares on building a brand that became a movement

This week, we're continuing the conversation with Karim Mekhtigian and Mohamed Fares, where they tell me about their design philosophy, and their new destination in Downtown Cairo, Tamara Haus , which is where we recorded the episode. Karim & Fares, alongside Emy Hussein, are the visionary architects behind Cairo's premier design firm, Alchemy Architecture. Together, they have spent years shaping the architectural landscape in Egypt, setting new standards of quality, style and craftsmanship. On our previous episode, we talked about how they joined forces to create a partnership that spans two decades. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One , your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today ! (00:00) - Coming up (03:43) - Local aesthetics, global influence (14:57) - Building the Alchemy ecosystem (18:00) - Tamara Haus Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

August 11, 2026Episode 12932 min

Karim Mekhtigian & Mohamed Fares

This week, I’m sitting down with Karim Mekhtigian and Mohamed Fares, two of the visionary architects behind Cairo’s premier design firm, Alchemy alongside Emy Hussein. Together, they have spent years shaping the architectural landscape in Egypt, setting new standards of quality, style and craftsmanship. In the first of two episodes, we talk about how they each came to architecture and design, and then joined forces to create a partnership that spans two decades. On part two next week, Karim & Fares tell me about their design philosophy, and how they built a brand that became a movement. Our conversation took place at Tamara Haus , a new destination by Alchemy Experience, in the heart of Downtown Cairo. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One , your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today ! (00:00) - On this episode (01:41) - Karim’s cosmopolitan childhood (03:46) - Fares’ sporting upbringing (12:01) - Meeting of minds (17:14) - Drawing by hand vs AI (22:34) - Building Alchemy (27:38) - Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

July 28, 2026Episode 12845 min

Encore: Ramy Adeeb

Ramy Adeeb, founder & managing partner of 1984 Ventures, is back for an Encore episode to talk about what he’s been upto since 2023. He talks about why he’s excited about AI in legacy sectors but worried about unemployment. He also takes on our signature lightning round. This episode is part of Encore , where I check-in with some of your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni, so stay tuned. (00:00) - Coming up... (08:10) - Who captures value? (15:47) - AI, wars and regulation (27:15) - Guiding the Next Generation (30:26) - Small companies taking on Big Tech (34:38) - Ramy's mentor (40:49) - Lightning Round

July 21, 2026Episode 12729 min

Dina H. Sherif on entrepreneurship as a national competitiveness strategy

We’re continuing my conversation with Dina H. Sherif, talking about the shift from aid to agency, AI and regulation, and entrepreneurship as a national competitiveness strategy. Dina has served as the Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship since 2019. You can catch the first part of our conversation in your podcast app or on our website . I’ll be back next week with an Encore episode with founder of 1984 Ventures, Ramy Adeeb on everything he’s been up to since 2023. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today ! Azza Fahmy Jewellery On the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Lotus Choker , Lotus Bouquet Cuff , Love Tribal Ring and the Lotus Bouquet Earrings . Dina is wearing Nizar Qabbani Necklace , Bouquet of Blessings Earrings and the Filigree Kaf Ring . (00:00) - Coming up (01:16) - From aid to agency (11:17) - The importance of entrepreneurship (14:35) - The sovereignty question of AI (23:08) - The Case for Regional Unity Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

July 14, 2026Episode 12636 min

Dina H. Sherif

I’m joined by Dina H. Sherif about entrepreneurship and ecosystem building in growth markets. Dina has served as the Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship since 2019. She also talks about her own entrepreneurship journey with Ahead of the Curve , and her personal experiences with loss. We’ll continue the conversation in Part 2 about the shift from aid to agency, AI and entrepreneurship as a national competitiveness strategy. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today ! Azza Fahmy Jewellery On the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Lotus Choker , Lotus Bouquet Cuff , Love Tribal Ring and the Lotus Bouquet Earrings . Dina is wearing Nizar Qabbani Necklace , Bouquet of Blessings Earrings and the Filigree Kaf Ring . (00:00) - Coming up (10:03) - Focus on growth markets (12:32) - Egypt’s entrepreneurial future (16:07) - Dina’s entrepreneurial journey (23:25) - Adult Bullying at Harvard (26:48) - Dealing with loss & illness (34:22) - The Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ