BaytCast: Big Ideas, Bigger Opportunities!

Bayt.com
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Welcome to BaytCast, where big ideas spark even bigger opportunities! Join Bayt.com CEO Rabea Ataya for candid conversations with top executives and industry leaders from across the MENA region, uncovering the real career stories, unexpected strategies, and game-changing insights that shape successful careers.

  1. Comedy as Protest: The Palestinian Voice (with Amer Zahr)

    12/03/2025

    Comedy as Protest: The Palestinian Voice (with Amer Zahr)

    In this unmissable BaytCast episode, Palestinian-American comedian Amer Zahr takes center stage, blending humor and activism to dismantle power and amplify the Palestinian voice. Joining Rabea Ataya, Amer takes us on a journey from law school to the comedy stage, where his sharp wit and deep-rooted Palestinian identity fuel a unique comedic style that confronts power, challenges injustice, and reclaims narratives through humor.Amer reveals how comedy isn’t just about laughs, it’s about resistance. From challenging systemic injustice to redefining what it means to be Palestinian in America, he shows how humor has become his weapon of choice for speaking uncomfortable truths.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro02:00 – From law to laughter: the journey of Amer Zahr06:12 – Navigating Palestinian identity through comedy10:50 – Laughter against oppression15:32 – The power of storytelling in comedy21:15 – The price of speaking truth and attempts to silence27:02 – Reflections on 9/11 and October 7th34:45 – Laughing through tragedy41:10 – Palestinians as overachievers: survival and success47:20 – Political and social backlash in America52:55 – A vision for Palestinian liberation and the future#BaytCast #AmerZahr #ComedyAsProtest #PalestinianComedy #ArabAmerican #Palestine #StandUpForPalestine #PoliticalHumor #PalestinianIdentity #ComedyAndResistance #CulturalAdvocacy #StandUpComedy #Storytelling #PalestinianVoices #SocialChange #ComedyWithPurpose

    1h 2m
  2. Reclaiming Stories, One Film at a Time (with Butheina Kazim)

    11/16/2025

    Reclaiming Stories, One Film at a Time (with Butheina Kazim)

    Cinema isn’t just entertainment; it’s an infrastructure for identity. In this BaytCast episode, Butheina Kazim, the visionary behind Cinema Akil and Reel Palestine, joins Rabea Ataya for an unfiltered conversation on the art (and hustle) of building cultural spaces that outlast trends. They dive into memory, identity, and cultural entrepreneurship—from repurposing a single screen into a movement, to shaping policies that could power the next generation of Arab cinema.Learn about designing human-scale spaces in a hyper-modern city, the startup mindset behind art initiatives, why underrepresented films matter “one audience at a time,” and the policy levers (visas, rebates, distribution) needed to unlock a real film ecosystem.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb 00:00 – Intro03:00 – Belonging through stories, not artifacts06:06 – Designing a cinema as shelter, not spectacle14:07 – Melting pot, mosaic… or lava lamp?21:05 – Startup mindset for arts: test fast, stay lean26:09 – Storytelling as currency in the age of AI32:06 – Why underrepresented films must be on big screens36:44 – Fighting erasure & reclaiming narratives44:01 – Opening Cinema Akil, and scaling the festival54:01 – What a film ecosystem needs#BaytCast #CinemaAkil #ReelPalestine #DubaiCulture #IndependentCinema #Storytelling #CreativeEconomy #MENA #ArtHouseCinema #Placemaking

    1 hr
  3. رحلة إيمان بدأت بحروف عربية (مع طارق بوجسيم)

    11/04/2025

    رحلة إيمان بدأت بحروف عربية (مع طارق بوجسيم)

    هل جرّبت يومًا أن تبدأ من الصفر؟ طارق بوجسيم لم يكن يعرف كلمة عربية واحدة، نشأ في مدارس بريطانية، وتخرّج من جامعة ستانفورد في أمريكا. لكن رحلة بسيطة لتعلّم العربية تحوّلت إلى نقطة تغيّر حياته بالكامل!في هذه الحلقة، يحكي طارق قصته من البداية: من عالم التقنية إلى طريق الإيمان. كيف بدأ من الصفر ليتقن الفصحى ولهجات عربية متعددة، وكيف قادته اللغة إلى التعمق في الدين، فصار شيخًا وعضوًا في دائرة الفتوى ومستشارًا في التمويل الإسلامي.استمع إلى قصة استثنائية عن الإيمان، الهوية، واللغة… وكيف يمكن أن تغيّر العربية حياة إنسان بأكملها.🔔 لا تفوّت أي حلقة! نقدّم لكم حوارات جديدة وصادقة تُبثّ كل أسبوعين، مع نخبة من القادة وصنّاع النجاح الذين لن تسمعوا قصصهم في أي مكان آخر. اشترك في BaytCast وفَعِّل جرس التنبيه لتكون دائمًا على اطّلاع: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1

    50 min
  4. He Lost Everything Twice, and Still Won (with Mohan Valrani)

    10/19/2025

    He Lost Everything Twice, and Still Won (with Mohan Valrani)

    Discover the incredible life story of Mohan Valrani, the visionary co-founder of the Al Shirawi Group. In this powerful episode, Valrani shares his remarkable journey from an 8-year-old refugee who lost everything during the partition of India and Pakistan, to building a multi-billion dollar empire from scratch—not once, but twice.Learn about the importance of radical transparency, the art of reverse mentoring, and why he believes Dubai is a "one-horse race" that you should never bet against.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: https://www.youtube.com/@Baytcom?sub_confirmation=1🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro02:37 – How adversity shaped his journey08:41 – Landing in Dubai with just $7.5012:23 – The darkest hour and building everything twice23:42 – The golden rule for any new business28:05 – The 2008 strategy: sell everything33:29 – The power of radical transparency44:45 – The key to happiness is free52:13 – Parenting advice: "Give them wings"54:20 – "Never bet against Dubai"#BaytCast #MohanValrani #Baytcom #RabeaAtaya #MohanValrani #Dubai #Entrepreneurship #FamilyBusiness #Leadership #Resilience #CrisisManagement #Transparency #GCC #buildinginpublic

    59 min
  5. Finding My "Why" on Top of the World (with Nelly Attar)

    10/05/2025

    Finding My "Why" on Top of the World (with Nelly Attar)

    In this BaytCast episode, Nelly Attar, extreme athlete, entrepreneur, and the first Arab woman to summit K2, joins Rabea Ataya to share the lessons that shaped her journey from psychology graduate to Guinness World Record holder!From launching Saudi Arabia’s first dance studio to scaling some of the world’s toughest mountains, Nelly reveals how to act before you “know your why,” why risk is a skill you can train, and what it takes to push past fear, doubt, and criticism. This isn’t just a story of records; it’s a blueprint for anyone ready to build resilience, embrace uncertainty, and turn bold goals into lasting impact.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: / @baytcom 🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro01:30 – From psychology to the world’s highest peaks05:20 – Chasing K2: the first Arab woman on the Savage Mountain10:10 – The role of fear, and how to move faster when it rises18:15 – Facing risk and the thin line between possible and impossible22:00 – Handling critics, even when they’re family26:00 – Building an entrepreneurial engine to fund impact30:20 – Representation and visibility: why her climbs matter beyond her34:00 – What’s next: coaching, community, and regional activation37:10 – How to apply Nelly’s lessons to your career#BaytCast #NellyAttar #K2 #Makalu #MiddleEast #WomenInSports #Grit #RiskManagement #CareerAdvice #Calisthenics #HighAltitude #Entrepreneurship #TalentDevelopment #Baytcom

    54 min
  6. Will AI Replace Universities? (with Alan Shihadeh)

    09/21/2025

    Will AI Replace Universities? (with Alan Shihadeh)

    In this BaytCast episode, Dean of Engineering and Architecture Alan Shihadeh joins Rabea Ataya to share how AUB “punches above its weight” and why it has produced more wealth and talent in the region than almost any other institution.From AUB’s bold push into entrepreneurship and real-world innovation to tackling Lebanon’s toughest job market challenges, Dean Shihadeh shares candid insights on grit, opportunity, and the future of work. Plus, how AI is already transforming education, and why resilience may be the most important skill of all. Whether you’re a student, parent, or employer curious about the future of education and employability in the Middle East, this conversation is unmissable.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: / @baytcom 🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb #baytcast #AUB #Lebanon #MiddleEastEducation #FutureOfWork #Engineering #Entrepreneurship #CareerAdvice #AIinEducation #TalentDevelopment #LiberalArts #StudentSuccess #Baytcom

    51 min
  7. How Saying No Saved My Startup (with Roger Zaccar)

    09/07/2025

    How Saying No Saved My Startup (with Roger Zaccar)

    How do you challenge an industry that hasn’t changed in a century, and still come out stronger after every setback? In this episode of BaytCast, Rabea Ataya sits down in Beirut with Roger Zaccar, a third-generation insurance entrepreneur. From turning down early investors and building a team of dreamers, to expanding into Egypt and Europe, navigating Lebanon’s financial freefall, and now harnessing AI to reshape insurance, Roger shares the real highs, lows, and lessons of disruption.For anyone building a business, leading through uncertainty, or curious about the future of insurance, this conversation is packed with raw insights, tested strategies, and the mindset it takes to scale when the odds are against you.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: / @baytcom 🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro01:11 – From family insurance roots to regional tech play06:19 – Insur tech 101: simpler buying, true price transparency09:23 – Flipping the sales model: selling to employees, not HR16:28 – How to hire dreamers (and spot them)30:58 – The three tests of a real disruptor (disrupt/scale/legal)36:55 – Advice to grads: fail early, learn elsewhere, bring it home38:57 – Stay or leave? Finding opportunity at home45:16 – Hiring for AI: iterate, measure, learn47:18 – Get mentors, then knock until they open#BaytCast #Entrepreneurship #Startups #FamilyBusiness #Insurtech #AI #Lebanon #Egypt #ScalingStartups #CareerGrowth

    50 min
  8. Happiness Or Success? Why Not Both! (with Navin Valrani)

    08/24/2025

    Happiness Or Success? Why Not Both! (with Navin Valrani)

    What does it take to set someone up for lifelong success? In this episode of BaytCast, Rabea Ataya sits down with Navin Valrani—entrepreneur, educator, and lifelong learner— to answer that very question. Together, they journey through every stage of learning, from nursery playrooms to corporate boardrooms, unpacking how to make smarter school choices, the value of happiness in education, building entrepreneurial mindsets in children, navigating the complex world of university admissions, and how AI is reshaping learning. Whether you’re a parent, student, or professional, this episode is packed with lessons on preparing for success in school, work, and life.🔔 Never miss an episode! We’ve got fresh, unfiltered conversations dropping every other week with the HR innovators and career champions you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe to BaytCast and ring the bell so you’re always in the room: / @baytcom 🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sTLIVz8cTQBgCqSdxrZLb?Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4jJu4wmAnghami: https://open.anghami.com/x3F7yekycTb00:00 – Intro02:07 – Why early years education matters most08:16 – Teaching entrepreneurship to children12:12 – Happiness vs. achievement in school19:06 – From business to education: Navin’s journey26:26 – Mentorship and the rise of college counseling35:28 – The impact of privilege and inequality37:14 – AI in education: opportunities and risks48:27 – Taking risks vs. taking the safe path52:09 – What great hiring really looks like#BaytCast #Education #CareerAdvice #Entrepreneurship #UniversityAdmissions #AIinEducation #HappinessInSchool #Dubai #CareerGrowth

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to BaytCast, where big ideas spark even bigger opportunities! Join Bayt.com CEO Rabea Ataya for candid conversations with top executives and industry leaders from across the MENA region, uncovering the real career stories, unexpected strategies, and game-changing insights that shape successful careers.

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