The Brand of YOU

Episodi

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  Wynton Harvey: “Everybody Wants the FastPass” 16.09.2026 46min

  What does it take to build your own name when you're already known for someone else's? In this episode of The Brand of YOU, I sit down with Wynton Harvey, photographer, DJ, producer, and creative force building a legacy that goes far beyond the name he was born with. Yes, his father is Steve Harvey. But Wynton is so much more than that. We talk about growing up under the spotlight, what it was like switching schools constantly, and how those early years of travel and change shaped him into someone who thrives in the unknown. Wynton opens up about finding his creative voice through photography, building a signature style that people remember, and why his goal isn't to be the best photographer or the best DJ, but to be one of the greatest all-around artists. We dive into what it's like living under constant scrutiny, the moment he told a brand to remove "Steve Harvey's son" from his flyer, and why he's done enough work as an individual to stand on his own. He talks about the pressure, the FastPass mentality, and why success isn't optional for him. When you've seen what life can be like with options, it's hard to go back to standing in line. We also get into staying grounded, treating people with respect no matter how successful you become, and why you can never get so big in this industry that you're indestructible. The same people who build you up can take it all away. Wynton shares what's next for him, from music and design to building partnerships that align with his values, and why every deal should feel like a marriage, not a transaction. And we end with the most important question: Who is Wynton without the Harvey name? 00:00:00 Introduction: Meet Wynton Harvey, Not Just Steve Harvey's Son 00:01:57 Growing Up Harvey: A Childhood of Travel and Change 00:05:35 The Photography Journey: Finding His Creative Voice 00:08:17 Fashion and Flair: Building a Memorable Personal Brand 00:09:51 The Artist's Path: Not Chasing Perfection, Chasing Versatility 00:11:35 Living Under the Spotlight: Fame, Scrutiny, and Staying Cautious 00:13:47 Breaking Free from the Name: I'm Wynton Harvey, Period 00:15:39 Taking Charge: Multiple Moments of Enough is Enough 00:19:52 The Packages Get Delivered on Faith Street 00:23:07 Motivation vs. No Other Option: Why Success Isn't Optional 00:26:33 Everybody Wants the Table, Everybody Wants the Fast Pass 00:26:44 Staying Grounded: Respect, Gratitude, and Treating People Right 00:30:53 You Can Never Be Indestructible: The Power of the People 00:32:40 What's Next: Music, Design, and Building the Wynton Harvey Legacy 00:37:29 The Power of Partnerships 00:41:39 Asking for Help: Assistance vs. Handouts 00:44:13 Final Words: Who is Wynton Without the Harvey Name Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.
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  Stop Romanticising Quitting Your Job: Build Stability Before You Leap 09.09.2026 2min

  What if the smartest risk isn't going all in, but building stability first? In this Behind The Brand episode, I'm reflecting on my recent conversation with Joe Trad, one of Lebanon's most recognised actors, and the approach he took to completely reinventing his career. We talk so much about taking risks, blowing everything up, and going all in. Social media celebrates the person who quits their job and chases the dream with no safety net. But Joe's story was different. He had a successful marketing career in Dubai. Good money. Comfortable life. But he wanted something else. And instead of making a reckless leap, he approached it differently: 50% emotional, 50% rational. Stability first, then chase the dream. There's this weird pressure now that if you're ambitious, you should be an entrepreneur. Having a job can almost feel like you're not ambitious enough. But Joe's story reminded me that you don't always have to go all in to go after what you want. Throughout my career, I've felt that pressure too. It looked like a fun life to quit your job, become an entrepreneur, and have all the flexibility in the world. But that's not the only option. We romanticize quitting everything to chase a dream. Sometimes the smartest move is to prepare before you leap. You can want more without destroying what you've already built. Maybe the answer isn't going all in. Maybe it's time to stop feeling the pressure and just start building the experience towards it. Building yourself, building your name, one day at a time. 00:00 Introduction: Behind the Brand with Joe Trad 00:20 The 50/50 Approach: Emotional Meets Rational 00:41 The Pressure to Be an Entrepreneur 01:04 The Romanticization of Quitting Everything 01:18 Building Stability Before the Leap 01:32 You Don't Always Have to Go All In 01:46 What Are You Putting Off: A Challenge to Listeners 01:57 Building Your Name One Day at a Time Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.
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  Lebanon's Joe Trad: “I Left Everything in Dubai to Become an Actor” 02.09.2026 42min

  What does it take to walk away from everything you've built and start over? In this episode of The Brand of YOU, I sit down with Joe Trad, one of Lebanon's most recognised actors, to talk about the moment he left his marketing career in Dubai to chase a completely different dream. More than a decade ago, Joe was working in advertising, managing big brands, living the comfortable life. Today, he's known across the Arab world for playing characters like Rami, Khalil, and the villain Nawras. But the transition wasn't easy. We talk about the risk of leaving stability for the unknown, the moment his parents didn't believe in him, and why he almost regretted the decision when he found himself chasing producers in Lebanon just to get paid. Joe opens up about what it was like starting from scratch with no connections, no acting background, and no safety net. He had to believe in himself before anyone else did. We dive into how he built his name across Lebanon and Turkey, the loneliness of sacrificing time with his family to shoot for 15 hours a day, and why he loves playing the villain more than the romantic lead. Joe also talks about his relationship with social media, why he still stresses over posting content, how he deals with negativity online, and why he's leaving Turkey after seven years to start a new chapter between Lebanon and Dubai. This is a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and what it means to build a name that goes beyond the roles you play. 00:00 Introduction: Meet Joe Trad 01:03 From Marketing in Dubai to Acting in Lebanon 03:51 The Moment He Decided to Leave Everything Behind 06:08 Why His Parents Didn't Believe in Him 10:42 Taking the Risk: Emotional and Rational 13:53 Starting from Scratch with No Connections 16:07 The Hell of Not Getting Paid 18:56 When Turkey Opened the Door 23:48 Playing the Villain: Nauras vs Rami 25:48 Do People Know the Real Joe? 28:10 The Sacrifice: Missing Weddings, Funerals, and Family 33:23 Why He Does His Own Stunts 37:05 Dealing with Rejection and Social Media Hate 40:15 Why Social Media Stresses Him Out 44:18 Launching His Own Perfume Line 46:55 Leaving Turkey After Seven Years 51:30 The Next Chapter: Dubai and Saudi 55:20 Who Is Joe Trad? 58:45 Closing Thoughts Connect with Joe Trad: Instagram: / joetrad (https://www.instagram.com/joetrad) TikTok: / joetradofficial (https://www.tiktok.com/@joetradofficial) Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.
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  Behind The Brand: Have The Courage To Pivot Careers 22.08.2026 3min

  What does it take to completely reinvent yourself? In this Behind The Brand episode, I'm reflecting on one of the most powerful career pivots I've ever witnessed: Chef Hala Ayash. More than a decade ago, Hala was my personal trainer. Today, she's one of the region's most recognisable chefs. And I watched her make that transformation happen. So many people are thinking about switching careers right now, changing paths, doing something different. But how do you actually find the courage to do it? I wanted to break down Hala's story because it's a masterclass in reinvention. We talk about the imposter moment that changed everything: standing on the set of Top Chef next to a Michelin-star chef, being asked what she did, and realising she couldn't say "personal trainer" anymore. Even though she was a chef, no one saw her that way yet. She had to believe in who she was becoming before anyone else did. That moment forced her to decide who she wanted to be. We also dive into how she built visibility, both online and offline, and the first time she was paid to post on social media. Hala actually felt it was unfair that a brand wanted to pay her. Her mentor reminded her: people weren't paying for a picture. They were paying for years of experience, travel, experimenting, and influence. That's when Chef Hala became a business. This episode is about backing yourself, valuing your brand, and understanding that reinvention isn't about losing who you were. It's about becoming who you're meant to be. If you're thinking about making a change, I hope this gives you the courage to take the leap. Welcome to Behind The Brand
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  "I'm a Personal Trainer. I Couldn't Say Chef" Chef Hala Ayash on MBC Top Chef 17.08.2026 47min

  Changing careers is hard enough. Changing industries completely is something else. And I’ve actually watched Chef Hala do it. More than a decade ago, I knew Hala from the Strongman classes she ran in Dubai. Back then, she was a personal trainer. Today, she’s Chef Hala, one of the region’s most recognisable chefs. So I wanted to know: what does it actually take to reinvent your career in a completely different industry? In this episode of The Brand of YOU, we go right back to the beginning: from personal training and culinary school to the Top Chef opportunity that forced Hala to decide who she wanted to become. We talk about building Chef Hala into a recognisable name, the role TV and social media played in her career, and the first time she realised her influence could actually make her money. Hala also opens up about consistency, finding what you're naturally good at, being yourself online and why successful women need to stop dimming their light to make other people comfortable. And the conversation gets personal. As two daughters who have both lost our dads, we talk about grief, how losing a parent changes your relationship with time, and why it can make you stop overthinking the decisions that don't matter nearly as much as you thought they did. This is a conversation about changing careers, backing yourself and building something new without losing the parts of you that got you there. 00:00 Introduction: Meet Chef Hala 01:03 From Personal Trainer to Celebrity Chef 03:51 The Strongman Circuit Days 06:08 Training Women and Finding Her Niche 10:42 The TV Opportunity That Started It All 13:53 The Moment She Decided to Become a Chef 16:07 Culinary School: Seven to Seven, Six Days a Week 18:56 Her Daughter Lana as Her Greatest Drive 23:48 The Competitive Side: Born to Win 25:48 Women Supporting Women vs Toxic Competition 28:10 The Top Chef Identity Crisis 33:23 Choosing One Career Over the Other 37:05 The First Time She Got Paid for Social Media 40:15 Understanding Your Value and ROI 44:18 Being True to Yourself Online 46:55 TV Voice vs Real Voice 48:12 What's Your Superpower? 51:30 Advice for Starting on Social Media 55:20 Staying Disciplined with Content Creation 58:45 Losing Her Father and Finding Strength 01:03:10 Who Is Hala? 01:04:25 Closing Thoughts Connect with Chef Hala: Instagram: / chefhalaayash Tiktok: / chefhalaayash https://chefhala.com/ Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities, and steal the lessons they’ve learned on reinvention, visibility and monetising their name.
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  Dubai's Ali Al Sayed: "Comedy Isn't About Being Funny" 22.07.2026 53min

  What does it take to make strangers laugh for a living? Most people think comedy is about being funny. Ali Al Sayed, one of Dubai's original stand up comedians, believes it's about something else entirely. This conversation goes beyond the punchlines. We talk about the audacity it takes to unmask yourself in front of strangers, why listening is his real superpower, and how comedy became the language he never knew he was searching for. Ali opens up about growing up as the youngest of five with anger issues and why he still doesn't think he's funny. This is a conversation about unmasking, resilience, taking up space, and the courage to be unapologetically yourself. 00:00 Introduction: Meet Ali Al Sayed 01:03 The Moment He Realised He Was Funny (Or Wasn't) 03:51 Listening as a Superpower 06:08 Comedy as Journalism: Absorbing Life to Make People Laugh 10:42 Authenticity Is About Unmasking, Not Performing 13:53 The Audacity to Be Judged by Strangers 16:07 Why Arabs Apologise Instead of Compete 18:56 Folding the Lebanese Sandwich: Identity and Belonging 23:48 Why We Judge People at 2pm 25:48 The First Time He Monetised His Name 28:10 Ali on Stage vs Ali off Stage 37:05 Comedy as a Duet Between You and Your Audience 40:15 Moving Out to Struggle on Purpose 44:18 What He's Chasing Next 46:55 Who Is Ali Al Sayed? 48:12 Closing Thoughts Connect with Ali Al Sayed: Instagram: / alisayedcomedy (https://www.instagram.com/alielsaeedcomedy) Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.
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  Love is Blind Mohammad Kiswani: "I'm More Than Safa's Husband" 06.07.2026 39min

  Who is Mohammad Kiswani beyond reality TV? Most people know Mohammad from Love Is Blind: Habibi, but this conversation goes far beyond what you saw on screen. We talk about the moment everything changed after proposing to Safa, why he realised he was meant to entertain, and how he walked away from the life he thought he was supposed to live. Mohammad opens up about battling depression, learning to love himself, balancing life as one half of a well-known couple while building his own identity, and the responsibility that comes with millions of people watching. This is a conversation about identity, reinvention, visibility, and what happens when the world thinks it knows you. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the stories behind their success. 00:00 Introduction: Meet Mohammad Kiswani 01:03 The Boredom That Changed Everything 01:42 The Proposal Moment: A Slow Motion Awakening 03:51 Taking the Crossroad: From Depression to Determination 04:56 Born to Entertain: Discovering His True Identity 06:08 Building a Brand Beyond the Power Couple 07:45 Confidence Through Self-Love 10:42 The Weight of Responsibility: Kids Are Watching 13:53 Comedy in the Age of Offence: Can You Make Fun of Anything? 16:07 Monetising Visibility: From Sales to Personal Brand 18:56 The Art of Acceptance and Authentic Sales 21:05 Safa's Success: Supporting Your Partner's Bigger Following 23:48 Power Couple or Individual Brands? 25:48 Reality TV Love: Embracing the Spotlight 28:10 Acting Dreams: Expressing the Alter Ego 33:23 The Vulnerability That Changed Him 34:52 Almost Cancelling: The Situationship That Saved Everything 37:05 Who Is Mohammad Kiswani? 38:28 Closing Thoughts Connect with Mohamad Kiswani: Instagram: / the.kiswani Tiktok: / mohammadkiswani07 Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn