Everyone talks about love, but no one teaches you how to choose the right person. In this episode, poet, author, and relationship coach Najwa Zebian shares how to know if you’ve found the right partner... AND how to stop settling for the wrong ones.

00:00 Intro

01:42: Is your relationship boring or healthy?

02:55 What is "attunement" and why is it important in dating?

07:06 Is doubt actually a good thing when dating?

10:40 Let's talk about the nuance of culture & parent's expectation/approval

21:18 When your partner becomes someone different

31:53 Do you ACTUALLY want to be in a relationship or just the idea of it?

34:35 Melodies and Mindsets, let's talk about

(a) Lose You to Love Me by Selena Gomez

(b) Wildflower by Billie Eilish

(c) TV by Billie Eilish

47:38 Conclusion

48:40 Najwa's best piece of advice in relationship

Najwa has become a Yalla regular and I can't thank her enough for her healing words and advice to help our growing community navigate relationships. You can learn more about Najwa by visiting https://najwazebian.com

If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean a lot if you shared it with a friend!

#dating #mindset #relationships #talkingstage

For the very first time, Bisan sits down for a podcast to share what is really happening on the ground in Gaza.

We talk about Israel's plan to "take over" Gaza, the journalists that have been killed, and the resilience of a civilization that existed in the world for more than 6000 years in Gaza.

Her message to the world is simple: Freedom for Palestinians and all the oppressed people in the world. As she puts it: "Time in Gaza is not measured by days....it's measured by blood".

This episode is about music — but also about something deeper: identity, belonging, and being seen. I sat down with Danny Hajjar, a brilliant music journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of Rolling Stone MENA, who’s been amplifying the voices of Arab artists across the Middle East, North Africa, and the global diaspora. He’s written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and GQ Middle East, and is the co-host the Shik Shak Shook Ones podcast on the Afikra network. We talk about the rise of Arabic music, what it really means to represent a culture, and why sometimes, telling your story is the most powerful thing you can do.

00:00 Intro

01:43 Danny Hajjar’s Hot Takes: Speed Round

07:55 How to Get a Music Journalist’s Attention

10:18 Why Now Is the Moment for Arabic Music

22:03 Arabic Music: What’s Working vs What’s Not

25:40 Mohamed Ramadan, Coachella, and Using Your Platform to Speak Up

33:30 When Identity Becomes the Story: Is That Enough?

35:45 Star Academy, Arabic Dialects, and Remembering Massari

45:43 Underrated Arabic Artists You Need to Hear 🎧

49:25 Advice for Artists

I sat down with journalist Samira Mohyeddin to talk about how Western media straight-up lies — not just about Iran, but about the entire Middle East, from Palestine to Iraq. We get into the "playbook": how narratives are crafted, who benefits, and why “freedom” is only allowed when it fits their agenda. From Zionist Iranians to foreign interference, Samira breaks down why true liberation for Iranians won’t come from the West — it has to come from within.

****Our guest today***Samira Mohyeddin is an award-winning Iranian-Canadian journalist, radio producer, and one of the most fearless voices challenging mainstream narratives on the Middle East. Samira is also the founder of On The Line Media,.

What does it mean to find your voice — and use it to create change?In today’s episode of Yalla! Let’s Talk., I sit down with Tunisian artist EMEL, a singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose music has inspired people across the world. From her breakout anthem “Kelmti Horra” — once banned, now a symbol of hope — to her powerful new album MRA, EMEL shares her journey of turning pain into purpose.We talk about what freedom really means, how music can be a form of healing, and what it looks like to embrace feminism in an authentic way. With stories from her performances across over 25 countries — EMEL reminds us that art can connect us, empower us, and help us feel seen.This is a conversation about growth, creativity, and standing in your truth — even when the world tells you not to.

BREAKDOWN

0:00 Intro

0:53 The Song That Sparked a Revolution – “Kelmti Horra” & the Arab Spring

8:20 What It’s Like Growing Up Under a Dictatorship (Tunisia Unfiltered)

12:37 EMEL Performs “Kelmti Horra” Live + What the Lyrics Really Mean

17:54 Her Childhood, Her Father, and the Fire to Fight Oppression

20:43 Balancing Motherhood & Music – Advice for Working Moms

27:09 How EMEL Makes Music That Heals and Protests at the Same Time

31:38 Feminism & Power – Why She Chose an All-Female Creative Team

42:42 HOLM, Al Rawabi & The Powerful Message EMEL Has for Young Girls

58:27 Rapid Games!

Bestselling author Najwa Zebian joins me to share her wisdom on healing and how to get over someone you STILL can't get over.In this episode, we tackle some of the most common yet confusing questions that come up when you’re trying to move on from someone — or even just figure out where you stand. Is it okay to still miss someone from your past? Should you text your ex, or is that just a bad idea? What happens when you find yourself stuck, missing someone you never really dated in the first place? We’ll also dive into the tricky territory of dating before you’re completely over someone, and when exactly it’s the right time to talk about exes with someone new.

BREAKDOWN

(0:00) Intro

(2:30) Is it okay to miss someone from the past?

(5:18) Should I text my ex?

(10:48) Miss them from far away

(18:35) How to get over someone you never really dated?

(32:04) Is it okay to date again if you're not over someone?

(39:36) when is it a good time for someone to talk about exes?

Melodies and Mindsets with Najwa Zebian

(47:11) Cry For Me by the Weeknd

(57:21) Old Body, New Mind by Nemahsis

(59:14) Grief - Healing words by Najwa Zebian

(1:09:06) Free Me by Anees

(1:12:58) Conclusion: listen to this if you're still missing them.

Thank you to Habibi Squad and Asala Dabke for joining us today in our Ramadan special.

Whether you are Muslim or not, this episode can give you a better understanding of what Ramadan means to Muslims . The episode also goes deep into the best practices of how to make the best use of your time in Ramadan, community, and even fitness.

‪ @HabibiSquadOfficial @AsalaDabke

(00:00) Intro

(00:40) Cutting Bad Habits, the Vibes, Giving Back, & ESSENTIAL Reminders

(10:00) What to do when you're struggling with your faith?

(20:18) How to make the best use of your Ramadan

(26:45) Ramadan & Fitness

(31:12) Should I break my fast if I have an exam?

(37:30) Best Advice from Sheikh Wasef

In this episode, Ghassan, Halazon one of Canada's top CEOs, shares his journey of building a successful startup, from tough lessons learned to navigating the world of valuations and exits. Get expert advice on attracting investors, raising capital, and negotiating in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship.

About Ghassan Halazon—a powerhouse entrepreneur who quit a Wall Street job at just 25 to chase his dreams of scaling a portfolio of coveted digital brands. Fast forward 15 years, and Ghassan has built, acquired or sold a dozen e-commerce companies that have driven cumulative sales approaching $1 billion from market-leading brand. Ghassan's journey is all about resilience and redefining success. Ghassan is also the proud honoree of Canada’s 40 Under 40.

Episode Breakdown

(00:00) Intro

(03:00) Ghassan's History with Dragon's Den

(05:44) How did one of Canada's top CEOs start his company?

(10:25) Hard lessons learned from building a startup.

(14:40) When and how to Exit/Sell Your Startup?

(17:15) The truth about the valuation of your startup

(19:45) Whether I should get an investor and build, or exit/sell my startup?

(24:00) How do you even get an investor?

(28:45) Best advice you'll hear on negotiations when it comes to capital raising

(31:42) Community, support, and how change will come?

(40:00) Conclusion

Learn more about Ghassan:

https://www.ghassanhalazon.com/

Linkedin: Ghassan Halazon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghassan-halazon/Instagram: instajee @ghalazon