The Mo Show | Presented by BSF

Mo Islam
  • 3.0 (1)
  • Philosophy
  • Updated twice weekly

A podcast in English from Saudi.

  1. 20 Aug

    "What Motherhood Taught Me About Becoming a Better Leader" -Margery Kraus, Founder & Executive Chairman, APCO.

    Margery Kraus is the Founder and Executive Chairman of APCO Worldwide, a company she started in 1984 as a small subsidiary of a Washington, D.C. law firm and built into a global consultancy with roughly 1,200 people across 35 locations. Her story, though, starts much earlier. The child of immigrants whose family fled Nazi Europe, passed through Cuba and eventually rebuilt their lives in America, Margery grew up around resilience, risk and starting again. We talk about how that shaped the entrepreneur she became, why she refused to listen when people told her “you can’t do that,” and what it was really like building a global company while raising a family. We also get into the 2004 management buyout that helped make APCO one of the world’s largest majority women-owned consulting firms, how you step back from leading a company you built without really letting go, and what four decades advising some of the world’s most influential leaders have taught her about who thrives under pressure and who doesn’t. Recorded in Dalian, China, during the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, we also look at the world right now: China’s place in the global economy, shifting trade relationships and what the rest of the world may be getting wrong about this moment. And then there’s AI. Margery says it’s the thing that keeps her up at night. For someone who has built a career and a business around human trust, judgment and relationships, I wanted to know why. A fascinating conversation with someone who has spent more than 40 years building, adapting and refusing to stand still. Special thanks to the World Economic Forum for bringing us together in Dalian.

    "What Motherhood Taught Me About Becoming a Better Leader" -Margery Kraus, Founder & Executive Chairman, APCO.

  2. 15 Aug

    From Family Business to FTSE 100 Giant: The Man Who Helped Build a Pharma Empire | Mazen Darwazeh | Live from the World Economic Forum, Dalian

    Mazen S. Darwazeh is the Executive Chairman and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and a Jordanian senator currently serving his fifth term.His journey with Hikma began in 1985 as a medical representative. Over the next four decades, he rose through the company to lead its MENA business and help shape Hikma into the largest pharmaceutical company by sales in the region and a FTSE 100 multinational employing around 9,500 people across three continents. Recorded in Dalian, China, this conversation was made possible thanks to the World Economic Forum, who facilitated the episode during the Annual Meeting of the New Champions. On this episode, we talk about what it takes to preserve the values of a family-built company as it becomes a global institution, Hikma’s ambitions for healthcare in the Middle East, the growing role of biosimilars and biotechnology, and the challenge of ensuring access to essential medicines in a region shaped by geopolitical uncertainty. We also discuss China’s evolving role in the pharmaceutical industry, Mazen’s perspective from both business and public service, and what four decades in healthcare have taught him about leadership, longevity and building something that lasts.

    From Family Business to FTSE 100 Giant: The Man Who Helped Build a Pharma Empire | Mazen Darwazeh | Live from the World Economic Forum, Dalian

  3. 13 Jul

    Freediving, Mental Strength & the Beauty of the Red Sea | Salma Shaker 186

    What does it take to dive more than 70 meters beneath the surface on a single breath?In this episode, we sit down with Salma Shaker, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading freedivers, whose journey has taken her from the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea to the world’s most prestigious freediving competitions.   Salma shares the mindset required to push the limits of human performance, explaining why freediving is far more about mental strength than physical ability. She opens up about overcoming fear, dealing with grief, building discipline, and the life lessons she’s learned from spending countless hours beneath the surface.   We also explore the remarkable underwater world of the Red Sea, the future of freediving in Saudi Arabia, shark misconceptions, marine conservation, and Salma’s work with Red Sea Global and Coralium to help protect one of the planet’s most extraordinary marine ecosystems.   0:00 Intro 2:46 What a 70-Meter Dive Really Feels Like 4:57 Growing Up on the Red Sea 7:08 How Salma Discovered Freediving 9:11 Friendship, Rivalry & Miriam’s Influence 10:48 Why Freediving Became an Obsession 12:25 The Journey from 20 to 70 Meters 17:07 Training, Breathwork & Mental Preparation 21:51 Managing Fear and Anxiety Underwater 24:44 How the Ocean Changed Her Life 27:35 Knowing Your Limits: Awareness & Self-Control 32:42 The Incident That Changed Everything 38:44 Grief, Family & Finding Perspective 43:05 The Future of Freediving in Saudi Arabia 47:27 What Makes the Red Sea So Special 56:38 Red Sea Global, Coralium & Marine Conservation 1:04:44 IWC Minutes 1:07:21 Shark Encounters & Ocean Myths 1:15:56 The Hardest Part: Going Down or Coming Back Up? 1:22:55 Control, Patience, Courage & Knowing Your Limits 1:24:37 Final Reflections

    Freediving, Mental Strength & the Beauty of the Red Sea | Salma Shaker 186

  4. 23 Jun

    H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah on The Kingdom's Untold Humanitarian Story

    H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah on The Kingdom's Untold Humanitarian Story | 185     Dr. Abdullah is an Advisor to the Royal Court and the Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) as well as the pioneering surgeon who has led the separation of more than 70 conjoined twins since 1991. We explore his remarkable journey from his early days as a surgeon and the stories behind some of his most complex operations, to his conversations with the late King Abdullah during his final days. We wrap up with his decade-long role at the helm of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, exploring its global mission and the impact it has had in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.     0:00 Intro 3:10 How Medicine Shaped His Life 6:35 Saudi Arabia’s Conjoined Twins Program 10:28 The Most Difficult Operation of His Career 15:07 Enduring 23-Hour Surgeries 16:33 How Technology Changed Modern Surgery 18:01 Medicine as a Humanitarian Mission 19:17 From Treating Children to Helping Millions 27:32 The Global Impact of KS Relief 30:32 Saudi Humanitarian Work 35:09 A Personal Story About King Abdullah 42:32 Leadership, Vision 2030, and Saudi Arabia’s Global Role 47:36 Motivation, Pressure, and a Life of Service 56:03 Closing

    H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah on The Kingdom's Untold Humanitarian Story

  5. 13 Jun

    “My Mother Built It. I Refused to Let It Die” -Tamara Mosly

    Mo catches up with old friend Tamara Mosly who took over her mother’s 38-year-old business: Fantasy Party. What began as a family venture has evolved into one of Saudi Arabia’s most recognisable local brands, bringing joy to generations of children through events, gifts, toys, costumes, and celebrations.   Tamara reflects on her mother’s legacy of building and growing the business during a very different era in Saudi Arabia, in an industry that was once viewed rather unconventional. Together, Mo and Tamara explore the responsibilities of parenthood, the realities of burnout, and the ongoing journey of finding purpose, fulfillment, and joy in an ever-evolving world.   0:00 Intro 3:16 Facing Tradition as Women in Business 5:37 Lessons from a Strong Mother 7:43 Growing Up Saudi & Lebanese 9:41 School, Rebellion & Street Smarts 12:02 Applying to the Ivy League… and Getting Rejected 14:00 Growing Up Inside the Family Business 15:37 The Golden Era of Children’s Parties 20:02 Returning to Saudi Arabia During Vision 2030 21:27 Building the F1 Jeddah Guest Experience 22:26 Bringing the British Museum to Madinah 24:00 Witnessing Saudi Arabia’s Transformation Firsthand 25:04 Training 300 Saudi Drivers for Formula 1 28:13 Why Saudi Teams Outperformed Expectations 32:19 From Formula 1 to the Red Sea Film Festival 34:42 Miscarriage, Burnout & Pushing Through 41:24 Motherhood, Work & Hidden Struggles 43:32 Saudi Arabia: Then vs. Now 48:39 How E-Commerce Nearly Killed a 38-Year Legacy 53:06 Taking Over the Family Business 56:00 Choosing Gratitude Over Success 58:27 Loss, Aging & Staying Connected 1:02:06 Health, Motherhood & Losing Yourself 1:04:13 The Truth About Work-Life Balance 1:08:06 Guilty Pleasures 1:10:12 The Dream She Had to Let Go Of 1:15:21 Confidence, Emotions & Feeling Understood 1:18:45 Final Reflections

    “My Mother Built It. I Refused to Let It Die” -Tamara Mosly

  6. 1 Jun

    How Almosafer Became Saudi Arabia's Travel Giant | CEO Muzzammil Ahussain 183

    How Almosafer Became Saudi Arabia's Travel Giant | CEO Muzzammil Ahussain 183   We sits down with the CEO of Almosafer, to discuss the trends, opportunities, and challenges shaping the Kingdom’s travel sector. We explore Vision 2030’s tourism ambitions, the evolution of Hajj and Umrah, and the impact of projects such as The Red Sea, AlUla, and Qiddiya.    The conversation also covers airline connectivity, hotel supply, visa reforms, changing travel habits, and how AI is reshaping the way people plan and book travel.Whether you’re interested in tourism, business, or the future of Saudi Arabia, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

    How Almosafer Became Saudi Arabia's Travel Giant | CEO Muzzammil Ahussain 183

  7. 21 May

    A Conversation on Watches, Space & The Dreams Pushing Humanity Forward

    On this episode, I sit down with IWC CEO Chris Grainger-Herr and astronaut/geophysicist Drew Feustel at Vast HQ for a conversation about space, time, design, and the future of exploration. We discuss why space is the next frontier for IWC, how time feels different in orbit, the physical and psychological impact of living in space, the “overview effect” astronauts experience when seeing Earth from above, and how science fiction, engineering, and human ambition continue to shape what comes next.   0:00 Intro 2:15 How Time Changes in Orbit 4:58 Disorientation and Adapting to Space 7:12 Waking Up After Returning 8:28 The Overview Effect: Seeing Earth Differently 12:08 Designing a Watch for Zero Gravity 15:22 A New Era for IWC Tool Watches 18:27 How Science Fiction Inspires Space Innovation 21:00 The Rise of Space Tourism 21:44 Closing Remarks

    A Conversation on Watches, Space & The Dreams Pushing Humanity Forward

  8. 6 May

    From Borrowed Money to 70,000 Employees: Tarek Sultan on Building a Logistics Empire | 181

    We filmed this conversation during the Family Business Council Gulf (FBCG) Summit 2025 in Muscat, Oman. But, honestly, with everything tha has been happening in the region since then, the supply chain disruptions, the geopolitical shifts, I'd argue it's even more relevant now than when we sat down. Tarek Sultan is the founder and Chairman of Agility, he built a global empire from Kuwait, nearly 70.000 employees globally and presence in more than 100 countries. And what he had to say about resilience, risk, and the future of the GCC.   0:00 Intro 2:06 How He Bought a Company With No Money 5:36 The Mindset That Built a Global Empire 9:26 Risk, Resilience & Lessons From Singapore 11:48 Why Logistics Was the Right Bet 15:49 The DSV Deal & Going Public in Abu Dhabi 17:56 Is the GCC Underestimated? 19:13 The Crises That Reshaped Gulf Trade 23:14 Saudi Mega-Projects  27:39 How AI Is Transforming Logistics & Healthcare 32:26 Succession, Family & Legacy 38:39 Advice for Entrepreneurs in Crisis 40:28 Why the GCC Is a Geopolitical Free Zone 42:17 Post-Oil Era & The Future of Gulf Youth 45:48 Closing   Tarek Sultan LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarek-sultan/ Website https://bit.ly/49wgucG   Agility LogisticsLinkedIn https://bit.ly/42LiNVA  Website https://agility.com   Presented by BSF Instagram https://bit.ly/47Xvqjv X https://bit.ly/4vkYICN LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4c7Csoo Website https://bit.ly/4tBULI0   Noon  For new customers: use code TMS26 to get 40% off your first three orders https://bit.ly/4mpnWM9 Instagram https://bit.ly/3XRScUY Website https://bit.ly/44lnA1S   Brew 92Instagram http://bit.ly/3VN6MeI LinkedIn https://bit.ly/42kN65E Website https://bit.ly/4grbAjK   IWC  Instagram https://bit.ly/44dxbFW Website https://bit.ly/43K8JMk   Lexus  Instagram https://bit.ly/4tRXzS6 X https://bit.ly/4cDZ4gI Website https://bit.ly/4kTlTz6

    From Borrowed Money to 70,000 Employees: Tarek Sultan on Building a Logistics Empire | 181
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A podcast in English from Saudi.

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