The Next

The Next

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TECHNOLOGY
EVERY TWO WEEKS

The Next is a sharp, fact-first podcast exploring the shifts reshaping our world. Every two weeks we unpack a big idea in tech and finance (AI at work, tokenized assets, sovereign chips, the UX of money) with founders, policymakers, and operators at the table. No hype, no fluff, just clear takeaways, grounded research, and the people building what comes next.

2 DAYS AGO

Tribe’s Gary Blowers & Sebastian Agren on Real Estate Tokenization, Ownership, and Regulation

In this episode of The Next, host Ahmed Ismail sits down with Gary Blowers, CEO of Tribe, and Sebastian Agren, COO, to break down how real estate tokenization actually works in practice, beyond the hype. Breaking down the concept of how property ownership can be digitized and fractionalized *LEGALLY*, who manages these tokenized properties, how rental income is distributed, and why regulation is a critical trust layer when dealing with real-world assets. From VARA compliance and custody models to tenant rights, secondary markets, and long-term liquidity, this conversation explores how Tribe is building a fully regulated, transparent framework for real estate investing in the UAE. This episode sits at the intersection of blockchain, regulation, and real estate, and what it really means to invest in tokenized property legally and securely.

55 min
22 JAN

Episode 9 - Sean McHugh on the Borderless Digital Economy

In this episode of The Next, host Ahmed Ismail sits down with Sean McHugh, Head of Assurance at VARA (Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority), to unpack what it really takes to build a trusted regulatory framework in the fast-moving world of crypto, Web3, and digital assets. LISTEN IN TO: ⁠How the UAE is positioning itself as a leader in responsible innovation⁠⁠Why regulation should be seen as a competitive advantage: not a constraintHow cross-border collaboration is reshaping the future of finance, compliance, and consumer protection. TL;DR: How global regulation is adapting to decentralized tech (quite a paradox!) Tune in on one of the world’s most progressive digital asset regulators - VARA.

42 min
8 JAN

Episode 8 – Marc Massad on Longevity, Biohacking, and Building a High-Performance Life

In this episode of The Next, host Ahmed Ismail sits down with Marc Massad, former pro athlete and founder of Sportsify+, to explore how biohacking, mindset, and going “back to basics” are reshaping modern wellness. Marc shares how elite performers (from athletes to executives) can extend their healthspan through personalized routines, gut health, fasting, and discipline. From the science of stress and cold plunges to the noise of influencer health trends, they unpack what really works: and why every DECISION starts with understanding your own body. If you’re curious about longevity, performance, and how to future-proof your health in a high-pressure world, this episode is an essential.

58 min
11/12/2025

Episode 7 – Jehanzeb Awan on Governance, Growth, and the Changing Face of Finance

In this episode of The Next, host Ahmed Ismail sits down with Jehanzeb Awan, founder of J. Awan & Partners, to explore the intersection of finance, governance, and public policy in the UAE. From navigating regulatory pressures in a fast-moving region to the disconnect between government spending and public infrastructure, Jehanzeb offers a candid perspective on how things really work behind the scenes, and what needs to change. The conversation also touches on family offices, ESG greenwashing, the rise of AI in compliance, and why soft power is shaping global financial influence. If you want to understand how regulation, reputation, and real impact collide in the world of finance, this episode is essential listening.

59 min
27/11/2025

Episode 6 – Oscar Winning Producer Phil McKenzie on the Future of Film, Funding, and Web3

In this episode of The Next, host Ahmed Ismail sits down with Phil McKenzie - Co-Founder of Myco, Goldfinch, and First Flights - to explore how technology is reshaping the entertainment and media landscape, from film financing to global distribution. Phil breaks down why traditional film and TV funding remains opaque and siloed, how blockchain and tokenization can solve long-standing problems around transparency and payments, and why studios only adopt new tools when they create real revenue and efficiency. He also shares insights from building creative ecosystems across the Middle East, Europe, and North America, and why emerging markets are becoming the center of gravity for media innovation. If you want to understand how Web3, AI, and new financial models are transforming content creation and the business behind it, this episode is a must-watch.

23 min
13/11/2025

Episode 5 - Zand CEO Michael Chan on the Future of Digital Banking

In this episode of The Next, host Ahmed Ismail sits down with Michael Chan, CEO of Zand, to unpack how digital banking, tokenization, and virtual assets are reshaping modern finance, and why the UAE has become a global leader in this transformation. Michael breaks down the real adoption happening across the industry, from corporates and asset managers stepping into crypto to family offices treating BTC and ETH as part of diversified portfolios. He also explains how tokenization lowers barriers to investment, how AI is strengthening fraud detection and compliance, and why fully digital banks are positioned to bridge TradFi and DeFi in the decade ahead. If you want to understand how regulation, technology, and digital assets are rewriting the future of banking in the UAE and beyond, this episode is a must-listen.

55 min
30/10/2025

Episode 4 – Nightjar Co-Founder Leon Surynt on the Future of Coffee and Culture

In this episode of The Next, host Ahmed Ismail sits down with Leon Surynt, founder of Nightjar, to explore how Dubai’s coffee and hospitality scene is evolving, from specialty blends and brand storytelling to the realities of rising costs and consolidation. Leon explains why the post-2020 coffee boom is giving way to cleaner, owner-operator models, how tech like blockchain can improve traceability while the human touch remains non-negotiable, and why climate pressure on sourcing is pushing the industry to adapt with new formats and functional beverages. If you want to understand how culture, craft, and smart tools can build a durable F&B brand in Dubai and beyond, this episode is a must-listen.

53 min
17/10/2025

Episode 3 - Saed Ereiqat on the web3 space

In this episode of The Next, host Ahmed Ismail and co-host Ryan Rivera sit down with Saed Ereiqat, Director of Hadron Founders Club, to discuss the evolution of Web3 communities, the lessons learned from the NFT boom, and how Dubai continues to lead in crypto and innovation. From buying Dogecoin in 2018 to building real-world founder spaces in Alserkal, Saed shares how community remains the heart of every movement — and why the next wave of Web3 will be defined by collaboration, not speculation. If you’re curious about how NFTs, regulation, and real-world adoption are reshaping the future of blockchain in the UAE and beyond, this episode is a must-listen

59 min
02/10/2025

Episode 2 - Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni on AI & Blockchain in the UAE

In this episode of The Next, host Ahmed Ismail sits down with Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of the Dubai Blockchain Center, to explore the future of AI, blockchain, and Web3. From building Arabic chatbots in the 1980s to leading Dubai’s blockchain ecosystem today, Dr. Marwan shares how curiosity and first-principles thinking shaped his journey. He explains why crypto adoption mirrors the early internet, the role of forward-looking regulation like VARA, and how Dubai is advancing rapidly in payments, digital identity, and beyond. If you want to understand how the UAE is positioning itself at the forefront of global innovation and what that means for the future of work, finance, and society, this conversation is essential listening.

47 min
18/09/2025

Episode 1 - Rob Cant on Next Gen M&A

In the first episode of The Next, hosted by Ahmed Ismail, Co-Founder of Daman Virtual, the conversation focuses on how technology is reshaping one of the world’s most powerful industries: mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Ahmed is joined by Rob Cant, Co-Founder & CEO of Single Source Technologies, and guest co-host Ryan Rivera. Together, they explore how M&A (an industry worth over $3 trillion annually) is facing disruption from AI and next-generation platforms. Rob shares his unique journey from international law firm partner to tech founder, reflecting on why an industry that values innovation still relies on outdated, apprenticeship-style processes. The discussion covers the inefficiencies of traditional due diligence, the rise of AI-driven tools, and the push toward value-based pricing models that could transform how lawyers, bankers, and investors operate. Rob also unpacks cultural due diligence, why “failing fast” matters, and the intense personal resilience required to build a startup in a high-stakes environment. If you’re curious about how AI, data, and entrepreneurial grit are transforming the way billion-dollar deals are made, this episode offers insights into what comes next for M&A and why the future of professional services will look very different from the past.

1h 5m

10 Episodes

The Next is a sharp, fact-first podcast exploring the shifts reshaping our world. Every two weeks we unpack a big idea in tech and finance (AI at work, tokenized assets, sovereign chips, the UX of money) with founders, policymakers, and operators at the table. No hype, no fluff, just clear takeaways, grounded research, and the people building what comes next.

Creator

The Next
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

10
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© The Next
Show Website

The Next