The Geeky Nomads

Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan
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  • TECH NEWS

Why should all tech news be just focused on the USA/Canada/Australia/Europe regions? That's what The Geeky Nomads have set out to change. Meet Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan - third-culture millennials (born in the GCC citizens of India hailing from the city of Hyderabad) spanning the USA and Qatar who want to keep you informed on all the quirky things that revolve around technology, consumer gadgets, social media, and digital-related topics across the Middle East and North Africa region (sometimes even in South Asia as well). If it's global, we want to emphasize the regional relevance.

Episodes

  1. Untapped Power of Personal Branding in the MENA region with Sabine Kuhn

    SEP 8

    Untapped Power of Personal Branding in the MENA region with Sabine Kuhn

    Personal branding has been growing in places like the USA/Canada and Europe, and the MENA region is slowly seeing a shift in embracing it. South Asians and Arabs believe their social standing is completely tethered to a fancy job title and/or prominent business brand. We've invited Sabine Kuhn - founder of Talent and Truth, a boutique personal branding consultancy dedicated to building high-impact executive brands on LinkedIn and beyond - to expand and dive into the shift and trends of personal branding by professionals in the region. If you're looking to elevate and enhance your personal brand, we've got some actionable insights and even simple tricks to kick-start the process. You can use "50SIGNUPS" to avail her first course to kick-start your personal brand journey based on years of work with their pool of clients. Don't forget to follow Sabine Kuhn and Talent and Truth on LinkedIn. Watch the video version on YouTube. -- Chapters -- 00:00 Opening 00:33 Today's episode: Personal branding in MENA region 02:02 Introducing our guest 04:19 The Birth of Talent and Truth 08:11 Common Myths of Personal Branding 09:19 Cultural Perceptions in the MENA Region 13:05 Trends in Personal Branding 18:07 The Role of Content Creators for CEOs 20:18 Navigating LinkedIn and Instagram for Branding 27:17 Language and Quality Control 30:08 Common Pitfalls in Personal Branding 33:46 Balancing Authenticity and Professionalism 36:40 Understanding ROI in Personal Branding 40:29 Those who want LinkedIn Top Voice status 42:53 Challenge of Virality vs. Thought Leadership 47:21 Future of Recruitment and Likeability 52:04 Random: Yasser and Khan's presence on LinkedIn 54:58 Importance of Direct Communication 57:24 Building Connections on LinkedIn 58:49 Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile for success 01:02:47 Crafting an Engaging LinkedIn Biography 01:06:32 Establishing a Posting Routine 01:08:28 Future Directions for Talent and Truth 01:10:47 Learning from Experience 01:15:17 Overcoming Personal Branding Fears --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Yasser Masood (⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠)

    1h 22m
  2. Let's recap Web Summit Vancouver 2025

    JUL 17

    Let's recap Web Summit Vancouver 2025

    Fellow tech enthusiasts! We're bringing you along on our journey to the first-ever Web Summit in Vancouver (previously known as Collision held in Toronto, Canada). We're diving into the heart of the tech world, sharing our personal experiences and the incredible energy of this event. From AI to machine learning, and the unique vibe of Vancouver, we're excited to share what we've discovered. - Chapters - 00:00 Introduction to Web Summit Vancouver 02:39 Comparing Web Summit Locations 05:05 Key Highlights from Web Summit Vancouver 08:23 Insights on BlueSky and Decentralized Social Networks 11:16 Startup Ecosystem and Investment Opportunities 14:13 Vancouver's Tech Landscape and Industry Drivers 17:08 Reflections on Event Organization and Experience 20:43 AI and Machine Learning Discussions 22:50 Closing Thoughts and Future Prospects 26:41 AI's Understanding of Identity 28:31 Governance and AI Accessibility 30:31 The Future of AI Investments 33:14 Media Presence and Community Engagement 39:55 The Evolution of Content Creation 49:05 Reflections on Web Summit Vancouver --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠⁠⁠⁠. Yasser Masood (⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠)

    54 min
  3. Talking aviation and sustainability in the Middle East with Shashank Nigam

    JUN 26

    Talking aviation and sustainability in the Middle East with Shashank Nigam

    We're back with another episode up in the air at 36,000ft and going even higher with a guest joining us on the move while on-ground. Shashank Nigam (CEO of aviation consultancy Simpliflying) joins us to talk about the evolving landscape of the aviation industry, focusing on sustainability, connectivity innovations, and the role of technology in enhancing customer experience. We even explore the challenges and opportunities presented by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and the importance of airports in shaping the future of air travel. All while being focused on the Middle East region and the aviation players that have disrupted the status quo. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (01:30) Let's introduce our guest (04:30) Recent Boeing Aircraft Orders (05:35) The Impact of Technology on Air Travel (08:05) Riyadh Air's product strategy (09:04) In-flight Wi-Fi connectivity (11:37) The early path for in-flight connectivity (14:05) Enhancing Customer Experience with Connectivity (16:37) Personalized AI interactions for travellers (18:17) AI resolving a major issue (21:05) Airline apps that made inconveniences better (23:34) Airports as Key Differentiators (24:32) A Long-Term Vision for Smart Airports (26:14) The Role of Pre-Clearance Facilities (30:44) Innovative Funding for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) (33:03) Corporate Responsibility in Aviation Sustainability (36:44) Evolving Technologies and Government Policies in Aviation (39:59) Balancing Growth and Sustainability in Aviation (46:54) Navigating Connectivity Challenges (49:33) Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Middle East (52:16) Innovative Airport Designs for Sustainability (54:49) Leadership in Aviation Sustainability (56:03) Closing Thoughts and Future Directions (56:19) Navigating Connectivity Challenges (57:28) Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Middle East (01:00:12) Leadership in Aviation Sustainability (01:03:22) The Future of Airports and Airlines (01:06:26) Closing Thoughts and Future Insights --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠⁠⁠. Yasser Masood (⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠)

    1h 8m
  4. iHeartMedia's move into the MENA region, a conversation with Andy Kelly

    MAY 10

    iHeartMedia's move into the MENA region, a conversation with Andy Kelly

    It's a new milestone for our podcast - we've brought our first guest, ready to unravel more of a big news piece we discussed a few episodes ago (hint: iHeartMedia). Andy Kelly, the Senior Vice President of Ruby (iHeartMedia's branded content studio), joins us to discuss the vision behind their international expansion in partnership with the GCO of Qatar, the role of podcasting in the region, and the importance of creating localised content. The conversation also highlights the significance of human connection in audio, the challenges and opportunities in the MENA market, and the future of audio advertising with international expansion. As of the moment the episode was published, Andy Kelly has been promoted to EVP of Global Brand Partnerships at iHeartMedia. - Chapters - (00:00) Introduction to iHeartMedia and Podcasting in MENA (02:57) The Journey of iHeartMedia's International Expansion (06:21) The Vision for Podcasting in the MENA Region (09:07) Insights from Web Summit Qatar 2025 (12:00) The Role of Audio in Advertising (15:19) Building a Podcasting Ecosystem in Qatar (18:08) Creating Localised Content for Diverse Audiences (21:11) Navigating Cultural Sensitivities in Content Creation (24:08) Live Events and Community Engagement (27:01) Future Plans for iHeartMedia in the MENA region (38:59) Building a Creative Hub in Doha, Qatar (42:03) The Future of Podcasting in MENA (45:04) Understanding the Podcast Audience (47:28) Collaborating with Regional Creators (52:16) Branded Content and Market Demand (53:52) Analytics and Support for Creators (56:00) The Importance of Storytelling in Podcasting --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠⁠. Yasser Masood (⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠Threads⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠)

    1h 1m
  5. Everything aviation and travel in the Middle East at 36,000ft in Business Class

    APR 4

    Everything aviation and travel in the Middle East at 36,000ft in Business Class

    This episode takes us to new heights — literally in every possible sense — as we decided to try something new. Gazanfarulla Khan was travelling to Montreal, and we recorded our episode live while Yasser was at home. The venue and occasion made it quite an ideal scenario to discuss something relevant to the Middle East region - airlines/aviation/airports with the intersection of technology and AI, particularly focused on the advancements in the Middle East. Tapping into Starlink technology for the in-flight Wi-Fi to record the episode, we cover everything related to: the digitization of airlines and airports, innovations in air traffic control, and the importance of sustainability in aviation. On a future note: the possible return of hypersonic travel and growth in space tourism, Middle East's role as a hub for aviation innovation, and the significance of personalization in enhancing customer experience to remove pain points in the journey. Note: These are our individual opinions, as I used to work for an airline and Khan is still currently employed at an airline. -- Chapters -- (00:00) Introduction and Unique Recording Setup (03:50) Technology in Aviation: A New Era (09:57) Innovations in Airport Experience (17:32) Sustainability in Aviation (23:19) Future Trends and Technologies in Aviation (32:15) The Rise of Hyper-Personalization in Aviation (33:42) Sustainability in Air Travel (35:41) The Future of Autonomous Technology in Aviation (38:03) Innovations in Space Travel and Hypersonic Flight (42:15) The Evolution of Airport Infrastructure in the Middle East (48:07) The Role of Innovation Hubs in Aviation (52:54) The Impact of Technology on the Travel Experience --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠. Yasser Masood (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube)Gazanfarulla Khan (LinkedIn, Instagram) The Geeky Nomads (Threads, Instagram, YouTube)

    58 min
  6. Recap of Web Summit Qatar 2025

    MAR 1

    Recap of Web Summit Qatar 2025

    We recap the highlights and insights from the Web Summit Qatar 2025, focusing on the growth compared to 2024, the dominance of AI in discussions, keynotes from notable figures, iHeartMedia's official international foray in partnership with the Government Communications Office of Qatar, and the evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Qatar. Gazanfarulla Khan joined in on-site to share first-hand details starting from the opening night. Coming full circle as we mark one year since our podcast kick-off at the inaugural Web Summit Qatar 2024. Don't forget to participate in the episode poll on Spotify. -- Chapters -- "(00:00) Opening and live from Web Summit Qatar 2025" "(01:20) Web Summit Qatar 2025 Growth and Diversity" "(05:17) AI: The Dominant Theme" "(07:04) Opening Night" "(09:00) Keynote Highlights and Innovations" "(12:01) Networking and Community Engagement" "(15:02) Podcasting Trends in Qatar" "(15:59) iHeartMedia partnership with GCO Qatar" "(18:07) Augmented Reality and Tech Partnerships" "(20:58) The Future of Startups and Investments" "(22:44) Startup deep dives" "(26:31) Side Thoughts" "(29:08) Web Summit Qatar 2026" "(34:26) Final Thoughts on Web Summit Qatar 2025" --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠via Google Forms⁠. Yasser Masood (⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠) Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Threads⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠)

    43 min
  7. DeepSeek R1, Road to Web Summit Qatar 2025, iHeartMedia in MENA, and Lenovo in Saudi Arabia

    FEB 5

    DeepSeek R1, Road to Web Summit Qatar 2025, iHeartMedia in MENA, and Lenovo in Saudi Arabia

    China just pulled the rug and surprised everyone with DeepSeek, made with less-powerful NVIDIA AI chips even with export restrictions. Web Summit Qatar is just few weeks away, with a surprise announcement by iHeartMedia looking to go international. Lenovo is building a manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia, and some new features on Threads along with a major change to the Instagram profile grid. Plus, we decided to tease our plans for the next episode that is very LinkedIn-centric and requires input from our listeners. Please do check out the following form for details: LinkedIn etiqiuette across MENA region. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (00:30) AI's Global Landscape: China's DeepSeek R1 (11:55) Instagram's New Grid: A User's Dilemma (21:56) The Rise of Video Editing Apps: CapCut vs Edits (27:55) The Evolution of Video Editing Apps (30:39) Tech Manufacturing in the Middle East (34:43) Web Summit Qatar: Anticipations and Insights (37:45) iHeartMedia partnership (45:12) LinkedIn Etiquette in the MENA Region --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it via Google Forms. ​Yasser Masood (⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠)​Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠)​The Geeky Nomads (⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Threads⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠)

    48 min
  8. Starting Off 2025: Dubai as MENA Creator Economy Hub, Qatar regulating influencers, TikTok ban, and more

    JAN 21

    Starting Off 2025: Dubai as MENA Creator Economy Hub, Qatar regulating influencers, TikTok ban, and more

    It's a new year and already it's been filled with some tech and social challenges. Starting off with the TikTok ban in the US also impacting people outside the country. Is Dubai now looking to be the Creator Economy hub in the MENA region? Influencers in Qatar should prepare for new legislation that will impact them. At CES 2025, Delta is bringing YouTube Premium to its in-flight entertainment. What about the possibilities of Netflix, Disney+, and other SVOD joining in? All this and more are covered in our latest episode. Additional reference links during the episode - TikTok STEM feed launches in Saudi Arabia Chapters "(00:00) Introduction and New Beginnings" "(01:54) The TikTok Ban and Its Implications" "(10:04) The Evolution of TikTok and Its Impact" "(16:07) Educational Content and TikTok's STEM Feed" "(21:02) Influencer Licensing in Qatar" "(27:02) Regulating Influencers and Future Prospects" "(27:14) Emerging Trends in the Digital Market" "(30:15) The Rise of Creator Economies" "(34:28) Monetization Strategies Across Platforms" "(39:08) Innovations in In-Flight Entertainment" "(45:28) The Future of Streaming Services" --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. Yasser Masood (Instagram, LinkedIn) Gazanfarulla Khan (Instagram, LinkedIn) The Geeky Nomads (Instagram, Threads, YouTube)

    51 min
  9. Recap of 2024: AI leadership across Middle East region, Talabat IPO, Apple's expansion in Saudi Arabia and more

    12/29/2024

    Recap of 2024: AI leadership across Middle East region, Talabat IPO, Apple's expansion in Saudi Arabia and more

    After many months since our previous episode, Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan return for the next episode exploring some highlights of the year: recent developments in Qatar, including tech events focused on Web Summit Qatar 2025 and WSJ Tech Live, AI initiatives across the GCC region, Apple's expansion plans in Saudi Arabia, and Talabat's IPO. Additional reference links during the episode: Apple is expanding in Saudi Arabia PWC report on AI in Middle East Qatar unveils Fanar LLM Dow Jones expansion in Middle East Stolen AirPods recovered ​--- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. Yasser Masood (⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠) Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Threads⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠)

    58 min
  10. Recap of Web Summit Qatar 2024 (Part 2)

    04/13/2024

    Recap of Web Summit Qatar 2024 (Part 2)

    Picking up from our previous episode, Khan and I continue to recap our experience at the inaugural Web Summit Qatar 2024. The last tech event I attended was CES 2019 (before everyone was locked in). The next best opportunity came with the inaugural Web Summit Qatar in February 2024. We managed to cover as much with a divide-and-conquer approach. With many interesting panels/sessions covering multiple conference tracks, there was plenty to cover and the onsite podcast booth setup was our way to crunch it all. Read all about Web Summit Qatar 2024 on the blog. Prefer to watch as a video? ⁠⁠Watch the video version⁠⁠. Related videos to some of the discussions during the episode Conversation with TikTok on the Creative Studio in Qatar talabat usage habits in Qatar --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message ​Yasser Masood (⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠) ​Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠) ​The Geeky Nomads (⁠Instagram⁠)

    25 min
  11. Recap of Web Summit Qatar 2024 (Part 1)

    04/05/2024

    Recap of Web Summit Qatar 2024 (Part 1)

    After quite a long time, I got to attend a tech event since the last one was in 2019 (yes, before everyone was locked in). The opportunity came with the inaugural Web Summit Qatar in February 2024. Hosted by Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan, we managed to cover as much with a divide-and-conquer approach given the scheduling of many interesting panels/sessions covering multiple conference tracks. The best thing was the onsite podcast booth setup, which allowed us to record onsite. This is Part 1 of our overview of the Web Summit Qatar, with Part 2 to follow. Read all about Web Summit Qatar 2024 on the ⁠blog⁠. Prefer to watch as a video? ⁠Watch the video version⁠. --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message ​Yasser Masood (⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠) ​Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠) ​The Geeky Nomads (⁠Instagram⁠)

    21 min

  12. SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    Meet The Geeky Nomads

    Let’s introduce ourselves! We’re two ‘Khans’ who want to make this podcast different. How? Our focus is on the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) spanning tech, social media, digital and other related topics; sometimes, we'll even include the Indian Subcontinent (South Asia) region given the large diaspora present.

    2 min

Trailer

About

Why should all tech news be just focused on the USA/Canada/Australia/Europe regions? That's what The Geeky Nomads have set out to change. Meet Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan - third-culture millennials (born in the GCC citizens of India hailing from the city of Hyderabad) spanning the USA and Qatar who want to keep you informed on all the quirky things that revolve around technology, consumer gadgets, social media, and digital-related topics across the Middle East and North Africa region (sometimes even in South Asia as well). If it's global, we want to emphasize the regional relevance.

Information

  • Creator
    Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan
  • Show Website
    The Geeky Nomads