What happens when you grow up between cultures, tell stories about the Arab diaspora, and speak to audiences in the Middle East?

In this episode of Influence Corner, I sit down with Donia Ismail, an independent journalist whose work has appeared in GQ Middle East and Rolling Stone MENA, to discuss identity, representation and the stories that connect the Arab world across borders.

Born and raised in Paris to an Algerian mother and an Egyptian father, Donia brings a perspective shaped by moving between cultures.

We talk about what it means to tell stories about the Arab diaspora for audiences in the Middle East, why certain cultural references resonate differently depending on where you are, and how figures like Zinedine Zidane can carry meanings that go far beyond football.

Our conversation also looks at the limits of familiar narratives about the Arab world, too often reduced to conflict, and the importance of making room for more nuanced stories, identities and experiences.

For me, this conversation raises a broader question at the heart of Global Cultural Brief: how do stories travel across cultures, and what do we miss when we assume that a shared identity means a shared perspective?

A conversation about cultural intelligence, media representation and the power of telling stories that move between France, the diaspora and the Middle East.

About Influence Corner

I'm Myriam, founder of Influence Corner,

Through this podcast, I explore the people, stories and cultural shifts shaping the way we communicate, influence and connect across borders. From Europe to the GCC, these are conversations about culture, influence,

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