Inside Saudi Arabia

helloinsidesaudi

Before moving to Saudi Arabia, we searched everywhere for a glimpse of what everyday life would be like. Inside Saudi Arabia was born from that search — a podcast exploring culture, family, style, wellness  and life in today’s Kingdom. Hosted by Carly Overman and Vesna Petrovic, each episode blends our personal experiences as expats with the everyday rhythms of a country in transformation. Whether you’re moving here, already living here, or simply curious about life inside Saudi Arabia, we’ll give you our perspective on the trends, shifts and conversations shaping the Kingdom right now.

  1. From Pro Tennis to Saudi: Alex Tashbaeva on Building a Life She Never Planned

    3 DAYS AGO

    From Pro Tennis to Saudi: Alex Tashbaeva on Building a Life She Never Planned

    Alex Tashbaeva stopped going to school at twelve. She'd already been on a tennis court eight hours a day since she was five, and her Uzbek-Soviet parents had decided she was going to be a champion. By sixteen she'd left home; by nineteen she was the only girl on a ten-person coaching team flying to Riyadh to build out the Saudi national tennis programme. She said yes on a phone call. She knew nothing about the country. This week we talk to Alex about what those first years actually looked like — coaching the under-14 boys' national team, building the women's programme alone over the summers when her colleagues went home to Europe, and how the Jeddah Yacht Club years pulled her sideways into hospitality and events. She tells us why she resisted calling herself a content creator long after her TikToks were working, and what she sees in Saudi now that she didn't five years ago. She and Cedric are in Riyadh now and heading back to Jeddah. There's a marketing agency, a YouTube studio, and plans we get into. Listen wherever you get podcasts: pod.link/insidesaudi   00:00:00 Cold open 00:01:00 Welcome and intro 00:02:40 Two fires: living with Cedric 00:05:07 Moving to Saudi: the path through the US and Spain 00:05:57 Tennis from age five and an Uzbek-Soviet upbringing 00:08:16 Leaving home at sixteen 00:10:38 The phone call: only girl on a ten-person team to Riyadh 00:11:13 Arriving in Saudi with no expectations 00:12:42 Coaching the national under-14 boys 00:14:26 The pivot to hospitality at Jeddah Yacht Club 00:17:53 Meeting Cedric 00:18:09 Why she refused to call herself a content creator 00:20:11 Building the women's programme alone 00:24:00 Medina, six months ago 00:26:25 Jeddah vs Riyadh: pace, traffic, and where you actually live 00:31:36 What they're building next 00:34:30 Tips for starting on social in Saudi 00:44:00 Reading the comments and adjusting the content 00:50:51 What's next

    52 min

  2. 27 APR

    From Goldman Sachs & KPMG to Saudi’s Biggest Modest Swim Partnership

    How do you transition from the intense world of derivatives trading at Goldman Sachs and private client tax at KPMG to launching a global luxury swimwear brand? In this episode of Inside Saudi, we sit down with Katleya Nielsen and Ayesha Mahomed, the visionary founders of Lanuuk. They pull back the curtain on the "maternal shift" that led them to leave their 10-year corporate careers to solve a massive gap in the market: fashionable, high-quality modest swimwear. From packing orders on their living room floors to a landmark partnership with Aquarabia—Saudi Arabia's first and largest water theme park—Katleya and Ayesha share how they built a global empire with zero paid marketing. We dive into supply chain secrets, the reality of being "control-freak" founders, and how they are redefining luxury for the modern woman in Riyadh. What you’ll learn: How to pivot from high-finance/accounting into a creative industry. The strategy behind building a global brand through organic growth and zero ad spend. Sourcing sustainable fabrics in Turkey and managing craftsmanship in the Philippines. Identifying the massive retail gap for high-end modest swimwear in Saudi Arabia. Behind the scenes of the Aquarabia x Lanuuk partnership.   Chapters: 00:00 Intro: The Goldman Sachs & KPMG Pivot 01:25 Meet the Founders: Katleya and Ayesha 03:30 The 10-Year Corporate Grind 05:40 The "Maternal Shift": Why We Left 08:45 The Problem: Why Modest Swimwear Didn't Exist 12:15 Manufacturing Secrets: The Philippines & Turkey 17:40 Scoping Riyadh: The Saudi Retail Gap 21:10 The Viral Blow-Up: $0 Ad Spend 32:20 "Control Freaks": Managing a Global Brand 41:10 Aquarabia: Saudi’s Biggest Modest Swim Partnership 47:00 Vogue & Organic PR

    49 min

  3. 20 APR

    Saudi Content Creator Explains Taboos, Slang & Life in Saudi Arabia

    What is life in the Kingdom actually like when you step outside the "compound bubble"? In this episode of Inside Saudi, we sit down with viral creator Senan, a "Westernized Saudi" who has mastered the art of explaining his culture to the world. We start with a quick story about how an internet misunderstanding actually brought us together, but the real conversation begins when we dive into the local experience. Senan reveals the "unprofessional" slang your tour guide will never teach you and explains why delivery drivers really need that WhatsApp pin (from his own experience as a former driver!). We also explore the reality of Saudi safety—from leaving your car running while you grab coffee to the peace of mind of raising kids in Riyadh. We tackle the big cultural questions: the truth about gender mixing, why asking for a mother's name is taboo, and the hilarious debate over Western vs. Saudi bathrooms. In this episode, we discuss: • The "Chicken Nugget" Identity: What it means to be a Westernized Saudi • Delivery Driver Confessions: Why the app location is never enough 📍 • Local Slang 101: Beautiful phrases for age and hospitality • The Safety Factor: Why expats feel so secure in the Kingdom 🛡️ • TikTok vs. Instagram: Creating for two completely different audiences • Thobe Etiquette: How to wear the traditional dress the right way • The "Just Do It" System: Senan’s secret to viral content success Follow Senan: https://www.instagram.com/senan_ar/ https://www.tiktok.com/@senan_arfaj Follow Inside Saudi: https://www.tiktok.com/@insidesaudiarabia https://www.instagram.com/insidesaudiarabia Chapters: 0:00 – Moving past our internet misunderstanding 1:20 – Being a “Westernized Saudi” (The Chicken Nugget nickname) 4:10 – Learning the hard way: Complaining online 5:55 – Answering delivery calls while snorkeling in the Red Sea 7:38 – Why Saudi delivery drivers ALWAYS call you for a pin 12:00 – TikTok vs. Instagram: Creating for two different worlds 13:12 – Saudi Slang 101: The beautiful meaning of "May God give you more years" 17:18 – The struggle of being a vegetarian in the land of Kabsa 20:56 – The Ultimate Shawarma Guide: Mama Noura & local favorites 27:15 – Genuine creators vs. "Views chasing" in Saudi culture 33:10 – Why Saudis love escaping to London for the weather 43:40 – The "Unprofessional" slang your tour guide won't teach you 47:15 – Navigating the Gender Mixing question: Taboos & change 56:10 – Thobe Etiquette: How to get it tailored correctly 1:04:05 – The Reality of Safety: Handbags, cars, and raising kids 1:08:10 – Breaking the "Compound Bubble": Why you need to live local 1:10:55 – The Great Bidet Debate: Why the West is missing out 1:16:15 – Why talking about toilets is actually a taboo 1:22:10 – The "Just Do It" Viral Content System

    1hr 24min

  4. 13 APR

    Why Understanding Saudi Culture Is the Key to Business Success (with Mahmoud Moamenah)

    What does it really take to succeed in Saudi Arabia? In this episode, we sit down with Mahmoud Moamenah, founder of Sudasi Business Solutions, to explore why understanding Saudi culture is the key to both life and business here. From growing up in Saudi and living abroad, to helping expats and businesses navigate the market, Mahmoud shares insights on integration, identity, and why many people never fully experience the country. We cover: Why living in a bubble holds people back The difference between compound life and real Saudi How culture impacts business success The role of hospitality, religion, and community Why Saudi feels so different Whether you are an expat, a founder, or just curious about life in Saudi, this episode offers a perspective you will not hear anywhere else.   Episode Chapters: 00:00 Intro and what this episode is about 00:10 Living in a bubble abroad 01:30 Why Saudi is not what you see in the media 02:00 Why business success is about culture 03:05 Mahmoud Moamenah’s background 06:20 Studying in the US and new perspectives 08:35 How stories shape how we see the world 10:05 Why Saudi will never lose its culture 12:30 Culture shock and moving abroad 13:00 Experiencing countries vs living in a bubble 15:30 Moving to Washington DC 16:20 Teaching Arabic and culture to diplomats 18:00 Saudi vs media perception 20:45 Why integration matters in Saudi 21:20 Language, dialects and culture 24:20 Why expats stay in their comfort zone 26:58 Why Saudi culture feels different 28:30 Community, hospitality and generosity 30:40 What family really means in Saudi 33:45 Charity, zakat and giving 37:20 Returning to Saudi and starting a business 38:50 Compound life vs real Riyadh 40:15 Helping expats integrate into Saudi life 41:50 Bringing Saudis and expats together 43:00 Saudi weddings and social life 45:00 Ramadan lifestyle and routines 47:30 Experiencing Ramadan as an expat 49:10 Moving into consulting and business 50:00 Building Elevate Spark 53:00 Networking and partnerships in Saudi 57:00 Creating opportunities and supporting talent 01:01:00 Why culture drives business success 01:05:00 Advice for expats and founders 01:09:00 The future of Saudi 01:12:00 Final reflections 01:14:30 Outro

    1hr 15min

  5. 5 MAR

    Three Perspectives, One Conversation About Life in Saudi | Inside Saudi Live

    Saudi Arabia is changing fast, and people around the world are starting to pay attention. In this first ever Inside Saudi Live, we bring together three very different perspectives on what life in Saudi is actually like. Ali Almeshaal is a Saudi media professional and tourism entrepreneur who began his career in television and now works across communications and tourism in the region. Micah Nicole is a long time Saudi radio host and musician who has lived and worked in the Kingdom for more than a decade, witnessing the country’s cultural shifts firsthand. Coach Kaiser is a fitness creator who came to Saudi for five days and ended up quitting his job and moving to Riyadh shortly after. Together we talk about misconceptions about Saudi, how the country has changed over the past decade, what it’s really like living here as an expat, and why so many people are suddenly curious about the Kingdom. From culture and social media to tourism and expat life, this conversation explores the realities of building a life in Saudi Arabia. If you are curious about Saudi or thinking about visiting or moving here, this episode is for you. Podcast Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Inside Saudi Live 01:40 Welcome to the live podcast 02:28 How the live show came together 05:18 Introducing Ali Almeshaal, Micah Nicole and Coach Kaiser 06:24 Ali Almeshaal’s first viral YouTube video 08:15 How music used to operate in Saudi 09:46 Saudi fitness culture vs Australia 11:12 Communicating in Saudi culture 12:46 Handling negativity online 14:38 Why creators are documenting Saudi 16:44 Coach Kaiser’s five day trip that led to moving to Saudi 18:46 How Riyadh became international 21:00 Advice for people moving to Saudi 23:25 Misconceptions about living in Saudi 25:28 Riyadh vs other Saudi cities 26:40 The moment Saudi started feeling like home 28:12 The phases every expat experiences 30:30 The viral video that started Coach Kaiser’s content 32:01 Why expats sharing Saudi is valuable 34:58 Understanding Saudi culture as a foreigner 38:50 Saudi tourism and the Red Sea projects 42:22 Why the world is curious about Saudi 43:32 Work life balance in Saudi 44:22 Travel habits in Saudi vs the West 46:14 The biggest assumption about living in Saudi

    49 min

  6. 25 FEB

    We're Fasting for Ramadan in Riyadh… Here’s What Surprised Us

    It’s just us, Carly Overman and Vesna Petrovic, for a real time Ramadan catch up in Riyadh. We’re recording on Day 6 of Ramadan and yes, we’re fasting, with a short pause while traveling. In this episode we share what it actually feels like as non Muslim expat moms. No water. No coffee. The midday slump. Breaking fast with our kids. Ramadan events. And the unexpected reset we didn’t see coming. We also talk about: • Why we paused fasting during our Qatar trip • How workouts change during Ramadan • The charity side of Ramadan and what is actually allowed • Why being on the same wavelength as Riyadh matters If you’re in Saudi or just curious about Ramadan from an expat perspective, this one is for you.   00:00 — Ramadan catch-up: it’s just us 00:22 — Day 6 of Ramadan (and yes, we’re fasting) 01:42 — What fasting really means (no water, no coffee) 02:32 — Iftar breakdown: dates, Arabic coffee & traditions 03:34 — Qatar trip: why we paused fasting 04:36 — Ramadan rules + social media reactions 05:00 — Why we chose to fast as expats in Riyadh 08:40 — Events vs wholesome family iftars 11:26 — The Ramadan reset: discipline & clarity 16:44 — Spiritual side + charity intentions 19:08 — Charity rules confusion + official ways to give 22:02 — Gym & workouts while fasting 25:58 — Ramadan travel tip: hotel deals + weather 29:06 — “Why are you fasting?” + local encouragement 32:00 — The daily stages of fasting 33:36 — Q&A + community call-out

    35 min

  7. 19 FEB

    He Started With 1 Penny… Now He Has 400K Subscribers | Rayan Shaded

    He started with one penny. At 16 years old, Rayan set himself a challenge to turn a single penny into something bigger. That decision changed his life. From couch surfing in New York to almost playing Cristiano Ronaldo for 1 million dollars, to gaining 100,000 subscribers from one short, this is one of the wildest creator journeys we have heard. In this episode we talk about: • The 1 penny challenge • Getting a call connected to Mr Beast • Almost competing in a 1 million dollar Ronaldo challenge • Living in the Bronx during his US challenge • The hook strategy that changed his content • Growing from 23K to 400K subscribers • Why one video can change everything If you are building something, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more real stories from Inside Saudi Arabia.   Follow Rayan here: https://www.youtube.com/@RayanShaded https://www.instagram.com/rayanshaded/  https://www.tiktok.com/@rayanshaded?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc    00:00 First Ever Podcast Appearance 00:21 How He Found Us Through 5M Twitter Views 02:06 Growing Up in Saudi Arabia 04:14 “When I’m Sad, I Make Content” 06:36 The Mr Beast Call 07:04 The $1 Million Ronaldo Challenge 08:20 The 50 Meter Bungee Jump 09:28 Wanting to Skydive 10:54 Transition From Gaming to Serious Content 12:36 The 1 Penny Challenge Begins 14:22 Making Money in Dubai 17:42 The Car Crash Before Meeting His Idol 19:18 The Moment That Changed His Life 20:04 Selling Water to Survive 21:22 Starting With the Hardest Challenge First 23:18 Running Out of Money in Dubai 26:04 Learning the Power of the Hook 28:00 100K Subscribers From One Short 28:24 Trying to Break Into Ronaldo’s House 29:44 5 Million Views Overnight 31:00 The Truth About YouTube Money 33:10 “Now I Can Make Any Video Go Viral” 33:48 The ChatGPT Watermelon Video 37:42 Becoming the “Ronaldo Pizza Guy” 39:42 The 30 Day Football Challenge Idea 41:28 The $100 US Challenge 43:00 Couch Surfing in New York 46:58 Living in the Bronx 48:04 Getting Kicked Out in Miami 49:26 Buying the Car 50:46 Selling the Car for an iPhone 52:00 Is Saudi Good for Creators 53:42 Advice for Young Creators 59:16 23K to 400K in One Year 01:01:00 Meeting Georgina 01:03:00 The 1 Million Subscriber Goal

    1hr 6min

  8. 11 FEB

    Saudi on Fast Forward: 17 Years Building Creativity & Community in Riyadh | Brandie Janow

    Brandie Janow moved from Tennessee to Riyadh in 2009.. long before Saudi’s creative boom, design strategy conversations, or packed cultural calendars.   In this episode, she shares what early Riyadh was really like (when grocery stores were the hangout), how she founded Smuug to celebrate Saudi culture through design, and how she's part of building the foundation of design and the creative economy in Saudi.   We talk about:   The evolution of Saudi’s creative ecosystem   Starting Riyadh Coffee Club before mixing was normal   Launching Kingdom Creatives   Researching and documenting the future of Saudi design   “Saudi time” and life on fast forward   And why being intentional matters more than ambition   If you’re curious about women building careers in Saudi, the creative economy here, or what it’s like to grow alongside a country in transformation.. this one’s for you.     CHAPTERS 00:02:15 Welcome + the Tennessee accent 00:03:20 From Tennessee → Chicago → DC → Riyadh 00:06:25 What early Riyadh was really like 00:07:45 Watching Saudi evolve “like a plant growing” 00:10:40 The origin of Smuug 00:12:45 Why Saudi culture inspired her first brand 00:15:10 Why Saudi is an amazing place for designers 00:15:40 “We’re building a country” 00:17:20 Researching Saudi’s creative ecosystem 00:20:30 Riyadh Coffee Club (and mixing before it was normal) 00:22:25 The first meetup was packed 00:24:35 How coffee culture changed in Riyadh 00:26:30 Why Kingdom Creatives was created 00:30:35 “Saudi time” and life on fast forward 00:33:55 What her role looks like now 00:36:15 Documenting Saudi’s creative growth 00:41:50 Perfectionism and taking your time 00:43:05 Design futures + continuous learning 00:47:00 Why saying yes to everything can hurt you 00:48:05 Living intentionally, not just working 00:50:00 What really matters at the end of your life 00:54:55 Riyadh recommendations: JAX, Diriyah & more 00:59:00 What’s next + Ramadan reflections

    1hr 1min
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About

Before moving to Saudi Arabia, we searched everywhere for a glimpse of what everyday life would be like. Inside Saudi Arabia was born from that search — a podcast exploring culture, family, style, wellness  and life in today’s Kingdom. Hosted by Carly Overman and Vesna Petrovic, each episode blends our personal experiences as expats with the everyday rhythms of a country in transformation. Whether you’re moving here, already living here, or simply curious about life inside Saudi Arabia, we’ll give you our perspective on the trends, shifts and conversations shaping the Kingdom right now.

Information

  • Creator
    helloinsidesaudi
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Inside Saudi Arabia

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