
SEF Backstage Pass
SEF backstage pass is a platform powered by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. Think of this podcast as the behind the scenes pass to the festival experience, the inspiring talks from the keynote speakers, the thought-provoking conversations, and a glimpse into the magic that makes the festival truly special. Here, you will be joining our exceptional guests as they share their personal journeys; the changemakers who abandoned the limitations that others set for them and let only their ambitions dictate what is possible. This is not just a place to get inspired, it’s a community that you will relate to and a platform that will share real strategies and tools to get you closer to answering the question. “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Sharjahef.com
Episodes
70 episodes
من عدسة المصوّر إلى ريادة الثقافة
كيف ممكن للفن يكون وسيلة لريادة الأعمال؟وكيف تتحول العدسة والخط العربي إلى أدوات لحفظ الإرث وصناعة المستقبل؟في هذه الحلقة الملهمة، ينضم إلينا الفنان والمصور والخطاط عبدالله الأستاذ ليروي كيف استطاع أن يوثّق التغير العمراني وال...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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22:19

كيف تكسر الحواجز في صناعة الملاحة
في هذه الحلقة الملهمة من بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass، نستضيف كابتن سحر راستي – مؤسسة والرئيس التنفيذي لـ SJR GROUP وأول قبطانة إماراتية 🇦🇪من كسر الصور النمطية، إلى قيادة السفن، وتأسيس شركة متخصصة بالمجال البحري… رحلة استثنائية ...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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23:25

Inside the Future of Islamic Finance
The Future of Crypto in the Gulf — with H.E. Mohammed Al HakimIn this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, H.E. Mohammed Al Hakim — President of Crypto.com for the GCC and Turkey — shares his journey, insights into the future of crypt...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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26:19

The Secrets to Building a Global Bakery Brand
How do you build a brand from scratch—and turn it into a global name in just two years?In this inspiring episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Brooke Bellamy, founder of Brookie, shares how she built her dessert brand with bold vision,...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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29:03

What Happens When You Say Yes To Life
Step behind the scenes at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival with Ammar Kandil, Co-founder of YES Theory. In this episode, Ammar shares the untold story of how growing up in a "shell of a dream" inspired him to build a thousand-year project ...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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39:54

The High-Performance Mindset
What if everything you believed about motivation and confidence was wrong?In this powerful conversation, performance strategist and global keynote speaker Shade Zahrai breaks down the psychology behind high performance—why confidence comes ...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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43:05

Building StarzPlay & Learning As CEO
From Silicon Valley to StarzPlay.Maaz Sheikh shares how he left a stable career at 45 to build the MENA region’s top streaming platform.A journey fueled by purpose, family legacy, and learning on the job as a first-time CEO....
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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16:23
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Our Existence Is Resistance
Why do Palestinians keep dancing, creating, and giving birth—amid war and destruction?In this moving episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, we sit down with journalist and writer Plestia Alaqad, who courageously reported from Gaza d...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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8:02

اكتشف سر الفلاح
في هذه الحلقة العميقة من بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass، يستضيف البودكاست الدكتور أحمد عمارة، استشاري الصحة النفسية والطاقة الحيوية، ليفكك معنا أكبر الأكاذيب التي تربينا عليها: أن السعادة هي الهدف، وأن الوظيفة هي الغاية.من الفرق ب...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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21:04

The Secrets to Building a Beauty Empire
In this powerful conversation, Kuwaiti influencer and entrepreneur Noha Nabil shares her journey from TV host to social media pioneer to founder of Noha Nabil Beauty—a brand inspired by the richness of Arab identity.📲 Watch the full epi...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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21:16

The Woman Behind the UAE’s Music Rise
How does a classically trained harpist go from performing in hotel lobbies to founding one of the region’s most influential entertainment agencies?In this inspiring episode, Shelley Frost—Founder & Director of The Fridge
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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30:58

Building a Legacy Beyond Tennis
From chasing a childhood dream to becoming a Grand Slam champion, Sania Mirza shares her journey of resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose beyond the court. In this inspiring episode, she opens up about the sacrifices behind the wins, wha...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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17:02

Exploring Humanity, Consciousness & Purpose
What makes us human? Is AI conscious? Will machines ever feel emotions?In this mind-expanding conversation, Mo Gawdat—author, tech visionary, and former Chief Business Officer at Google X—dives deep into some of the biggest questions of...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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19:01
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Hamza Namira: Finding Peace Through Music
انضموا إلينا في هذه الحلقة الخاصة مع الفنان المصري المحبوب حمزة نمرة، ضمن مهرجان الشارقة لريادة الأعمال 2025. يتحدث حمزة بكل صدق عن رحلته الشخصية مع القلق، وكيف كانت الموسيقى وسيلته للتعبير والعلاج، ولماذا يبقى الفن هو اللغة العالمية ...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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12:18

From Home Kitchen to 10 Branches with Hind Al Mulla
From her home kitchen to 10 thriving locations (and counting!)In this inspiring conversation, Hind Almulla, Founder of Home Bakery, shares how she turned her passion into a brand loved across the region — starting with the accidental cr...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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26:52

The Champion Mindset with Thierry Henry
The SEF Backstage Pass Podcast hosts Thierry Henry like you’ve never seen him before.In this raw and honest conversation at Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2025, the football legend opened up about leadership, ego, investing in yourse...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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22:36

Brisket, Business & Big Dreams: The Mr. Brisket Story
From a JLT balcony to UAE’s top brisket spot! Ahmed & Malek, the visionary brothers behind Mr. Brisket, share their inspiring journey of resilience, passion, and business growth. Discover how they turned a food truck dream into a thriving b...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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30:37

Beyond Textbooks: Raya Bidshari on Rethinking Education
The future of education is here! Raya Bidshari, founder of School of Humanity, discusses how her groundbreaking approach to learning is shaping the next generation. No exams, no outdated curriculums—just real-world, personalized education. Don’...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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22:17

The Business of Healthy Choices: Rashed Al Mulla’s Entrepreneurial Path
What does it take to build a health-conscious brand in a competitive market? Rashed Al Mulla, founder of Frio Sparkling Water, shares how he disrupted the beverage industry with sustainability, innovation, and community-driven business strategi...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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49:42

Mental Well-Being & Corporate Wellness with Asma Al Suwaidi
Balancing career success and mental well-being is no easy feat. Asma Al Suwaidi, founder of Art of Being, explores emotional resilience, corporate wellness, and the importance of prioritizing self-care in high-performance environments. Tune in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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20:07

Revolutionizing Logistics: The Startup That Moves Trucks Smarter with Pradeep Mallavarappu
How do you transform an entire industry? Pradeep Mallavarappu, co-founder of Trucker, reveals how his innovative platform is reshaping logistics in the MENA region. Tune in to learn about the challenges, successes, and the future of smart truck...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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27:44

Brisket, Business & Barbecue Culture with Hattem Mattar
From the grill to the boardroom, Hattem Mattar shares his journey of blending passion with business to build a barbecue empire. Discover how he turned his love for smoked meats into a thriving brand and what it takes to succeed in the culinary ...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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20:09

Revolutionizing Ice Cream: The House of Pops Story
Redefining ice cream with House of Pops! CEO & Co-founder Mazen shares how he combined health, sustainability, and pure ingredients to create a thriving brand. From plastic-free packaging to global expansion, this is a masterclass in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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23:54

Dr. Ahmed Ghanim Al-Ali on the Future of Work & Business
How will AI reshape industries, productivity, and the way we work? In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Dr. Ahmed Ghanim Al-Ali, co-founder of Deep Opinion AI, to explore the impact of automation, entrepreneurship, and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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37:49

Building an Investment Ecosystem with Kushal Shah
Explore the evolution of startup funding in the UAE with Kushal Shah, a trailblazer in angel investing and corporate venture capital. Gain insights into his journey, lessons learned, and vision for building a thriving investment ecosystem. Excl...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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27:36
