We often think of stories as an escape. But sometimes, a story does the opposite.

It pulls us closer to ourselves.In this episode of Something to Consider, we sit with Sara Hamdan, a Palestinian American journalist-turned-novelist whose debut book, What Will People Think, explores identity, belonging, and the quiet tensions we inherit.

Sara’s life has unfolded between worlds - raised in Greece, shaped by Palestine, and now based in Dubai. Her work holds humor and grief in the same breath, excavating family histories, cultural expectation, and the private negotiations that shape who we become.

We talk about the long road to creative courage, the cost of choosing yourself, the role of joy amid intergenerational trauma, and what it means to stop running and start sustaining a life that feels aligned.

This is a conversation about writing as remembrance, storytelling as resistance, and belonging as something we may have to invent for ourselves. We hope you will find something to consider.

Filmed live at Expand North Star 2025, this episode of Something to Consider features Joel Gujral in partnership with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and Poddster.

What happens when the body breaks before the mind can make sense of it?

In this conversation, Joel Gujral, founder and CEO of Myndup reflects on a deeply personal journey that began with a debilitating gut condition in his mid-20s and spiraled into depression, isolation, and a confrontation with a system designed to respond only once people are already in crisis.

We talk about the gut–brain connection, the danger of toxic positivity, and the quiet signals we often ignore until they demand our attention. Joel shares how healing reshaped his approach to leadership, why prevention matters more than reaction, and what it means to empower people rather than manage them.

We also explore wellness beyond pathology, how peace can coexist with ambition, why thriving still requires support, and how asking for help is not a weakness but a turning point.

A conversation about healing, self-trust, and taking responsibility for the one thing we can truly control: how we show up.

We hope you will find something to consider.

Filmed live at Expand North Star (ENS) 2025, this Startup Spotlights episode features Osman Sultan in partnership with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and Poddster.

What does it mean to build something the world hasn’t imagined yet?

In this conversation, Osman Sultan the founding CEO of du and one of the region’s most influential telecom leaders reflects on a 40-year journey that reshaped how millions connect.

We talk about vision in times of uncertainty, the dream of “a mobile in every hand,” and the surprising truth about keeping massive industries human in the face of rapid change. Osman shares lessons from leading across generations, the discipline required to build inside corporate structures, and the emotional cost of a life spent at the frontier of innovation.

We also explore the urgency and discomfort of today’s AI moment — what we gain, what we risk, and why balance remains the quiet virtue behind every form of progress.

A conversation about connection, relevance, and the timeless question: Where are we running to, and at what price?

We hope you will find something to consider.