Who Run the World

Ramadan Kareem, WRTW family! To kick off a month of reflection and introspection, Marilyn and Rhea have a very real and honest conversation about how they’ve seen their friendship change after Marilyn became a mother. What are their pet peeves when it comes to friends treating each other differently post-motherhood? What advice would they give themselves and their friends as they enter new stages in their lives? And, of course, what is it about Marilyn and Rhea’s friendship that allows it to grow and change as they grow and change?
Things My Mother Didn’t Tell Me (But My Best Friend Did) is a spinoff of Who Run the World, a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

Lots happening this week in WRTW Land (which is about 25.6km away from Barbie Land). March is Women’s History Month. March 8th is International Women’s Day. Marilyn and Rhea both finally watched Barbie (yes, THAT Barbie, which is up for some Oscars later this week). They also just finished watching season 2 of the hit Netflix show AlRawabi School for Girls. They have so many thoughts on all of the above (especially Rhea)...but can they share them all in one episode? Well folks, they do it, because they are what? Women. International women. In this episode of Who Run the Time, Marilyn and Rhea put on their “scathing critic” hats and break down the nonsense, western origins of International Women’s Day. They then look at how Barbie and AlRawabi fit this year’s IWD theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” and share examples of comedians, journalists, and authors who they feel do a good job of telling authentic stories representing women today. Live from Casa Home de Ken (sic), it’s WRTW’s International Women’s Day episode!
Marilyn’s recommendations:

• “An Unlasting Home” by Mai Al-Nakib.
• “Celestial Bodies” by Jokha Alharthi.
• “Against a Loveless World” by Susan Abulhawa.
• “The Day Nina Simone Stopped Singing” by Darina Al Joundi.

Rhea’s recommendations:

• Lebanese comedian Shaden.
• Jordanian journalist Sara Obeidat. Check out our episode with Sara about how the media covers Palestine.
• Lebanese journalist Lina Mounzer.
• Lebanese journalist Dalal Mawad. Check out Dalal’s book, “All She Lost: The Explosion in Lebanon, the Collapse of a Nation and the Women who Survive.”
• Check out Spotify’s AlRawabi School for Girls Official Playlist!

Read more about this year’s International Women’s Day theme “Inspire Inclusion” here.
Who Run the Time is a spinoff of Who Run the World, a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

In an October 2023 episode with OB/GYN and fertility specialist Dr. Gaël Abou Ghannam, Marilyn and Dr. Gaël encouraged Rhea to freeze her eggs. Well, listeners…drum roll, please…she did it! Not only did she do it – she’s also ready to tell you all about it. In this episode, Marilyn sits down with Rhea to understand what led to her making this decision, as well as break down the egg freezing process from A to Z. Of course, our best friends share (often funny) stories and anecdotes from the journey, including one that involves a butt injection. Curious? You’ll have to listen to find out more. It’s called suspense, baby!

Things My Mother Didn’t Tell Me (But My Best Friend Did) is a spinoff of Who Run the World, a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

Choosing to pursue a career as an actor and media personality is hard. Choosing to pursue such a career as someone of South Asian or SWANA descent is hard. Becoming a mother is…you guessed it, also hard. Doing all three? That’s just awe-inspiring. In this episode, Marilyn and Rhea sit down with Dubai-based Pakistani actor and media personality Rabab Hashim. Rabab shares how she fell in love with the stage and screen at a young age, her experience navigating motherhood in the entertainment industry, and how her partner and community have supported her in this chapter of her life. Rabab also reflects on Pakistani/global south representation in the media, and what her next career moves are.

Rabab Hashim is a Dubai-based Pakistani actor and media personality who has appeared on stage, television, web series, and many other media formats. Her major credits include Ishqaway (2015), Enaaya (2019), and Tinkay Ka Sahara (2022).

Who Run the World is a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

On Valentine’s Day 2019, a little show by the name Who Run the World was released into the world. 5 years later, that little show is thriving! Who would’ve thought? Marilyn and Rhea certainly did. In this 5th anniversary special, Marilyn and Rhea look back at the show and its (humble) beginnings, before sharing their favorite episodes. But what about Valentine’s Day? No worries, our girls got you. In classic WRTW fashion, our best friends completely dismantle the capitalist celebration that is Valentine’s Day, then naturally indulge in a conversation about their romantic types, ideal dates, and thoughts on love. Get your heart-shaped box of chocolates and your bev of choice so we can celebrate WRTW’s birthday together!
Got a favorite WRTW episode? Share it with us on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com or on @whoruntheworldpod! You can also just wish us a happy birthday. We’ll appreciate it.
Here’s a list of episodes Rhea and Marilyn mention in the episode. Copy them into your podcast search bae and listen now:

• It’s Labor to Labor
• Marilyn's Birth Story
• Struggling with the Skin You Are In
• Feelings and Thoughts of Loneliness
• The Bumble edit - We’re Swiping Left, We’re Swiping Right | Who Run The Time 
• Online Dating & How to Be Flirty and Mysterious | Who Run the Time
• Dealing with our Anxiety & Mental Health with Dr. Saliha Afridi | Things My Mother Didn’t Tell Me

Who Run the Time is a spinoff of Who Run the World, a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

In the wake of the International Court of Justice's ruling on January 26th, 2024 stating that Israel must do all it can to prevent genocide, Marilyn and Rhea sit down with the Israel and Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch Omar Shakir to understand the dimensions of South Africa’s landmark case. What are the provisional measures that the world’s highest court ruled on? What does the ruling mean for the international community grappling with the efficacy of international law, especially given the senseless violence we are still witnessing? And, most importantly, what does the ruling mean for Palestinians?
Omar Shakir is the Israel and Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch, where he investigates human rights abuses in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. He has authored several major reports, including a 2021 report comprehensively documenting how Israeli authorities are committing the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution against millions of Palestinians. He’s also investigated other human rights violations both regionally and globally.
Who Run the World is a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

WRTW is back! As the show approaches its fifth birthday (stay tuned), Marilyn and Rhea sit down to reflect on the year that was and the year to come. How did they do when it came to their 2023 words of the year? What words did they select for 2024? And how can you, our dear listener, choose your own word of the year instead of new year's resolutions? This episode was recorded in January, so you cannot argue that it’s too late to wish everyone a happy new year!
Have you selected a 2024 word of the year? Share it with us on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com or on @whoruntheworldpod and let us know how and why you chose it!
Who Run the Time is a spinoff of Who Run the World, a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

What are the holidays if not the most magical time of the year? After a few months that lacked magic (to say the least), Rhea and Marilyn take the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9-3/4 towards Hogwarts (duh) for a bit of Christmas (and other non-secular holiday) cheer. Along for the scenic trip is their producer Ahmed Ashour, a notable HP-films-over-books advocate and sworn enemy of the dark witch named J.K. Rowling. Together, they share their favorite HP memories, discuss the 4 houses, and hand out free (yes, free!) tips for dealing with family members from different houses over the holidays (especially that one Slytherin uncle). 5 points to you, the listener, for sticking around as we wrap up 2023! We’ll be back in the new year!
What are your favorite HP/holiday/HP over the holidays memories? Share them with us on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com.
Who Run the Time is a spinoff of Who Run the World, a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

Marilyn and her husband Hadi recently decided to buy a new car, a decision that turned out to be an 8-month ordeal. Making big financial decisions as a couple can be quite daunting, but that doesn’t mean that spending your money individually is a walk in the park. In this episode, Rhea and Marilyn invite Marilyn’s financial advisor Sharon Calderini to share tips with listeners for better financial planning in 2024. What are the pillars of wealth you should consider? Why should you be saving for the long term? And what are Rhea and Marilyn’s new year’s resolutions when it comes to their finances? Finally, after a bit of a hiatus, Marilyn and Rhea bring back the recurring segment “Two Kinds of People” to debate the value of spending on yourself.

Got any financial new year’s resolutions? Share them with us on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com.

Sharon Calderini is a financial advisor with over 16 years of experience. She is a partner at St. James’s Place Wealth Management, where she is helping clients and families in the UK and the UAE reach their full potential through solid financial advice, planning, and education. She has secured Fellow Chartered status as a financial advisor, a title held by only 3% of Chartered Insurance Institute members.

Special thanks to Ciara Chown for her support with this episode.

Who Run the World is a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod. 

As the Israeli occupation’s brutal operation in Palestine enters its third month, Rhea and Marilyn take a moment to take stock of how they and the people around them have processed recent events. In what ways have we felt helpless, hopeful, and activated? Rhea and Marilyn then go on to highlight concrete ways in which we can make our actions for Palestine count as individuals, communities, and organizations.

Got any tips or strategies for taking action and making your contribution towards Palestine count? Share them with us on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com.

Some resources to check out from the episode:

• Make sure to check out our other episodes centering Palestine: How Does the Media Cover Palestine? (w/ Sara Obeidat) and Palestinian History Crash Course (w/ Tamara Reem). Our Instagram page also includes a list of recommendations for books to read/films to watch to learn more about Palestine, recommended by Tamara herself!
• Marilyn references 2 books during the episode: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari and Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman.
• The Instagram post Rhea and Marilyn read from during the episode can be found on Dr. Ayesha Khan’s Instagram page @thewokescientist. 
• Marilyn’s organizational development consultancy, Cosmic Centaurs, has many helpful resources for leaders and organizations looking to take action for Palestine available on its website. Make sure to check them out here.
• Donate to the Cosmic Centaurs edSeed Fund here to support digital inclusion for women in Lebanon.

Who Run the World is a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

What do we know about the history of Zionism, colonialism, and occupation in Palestine? More importantly, what do we not know? To mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Marilyn and Rhea invite Palestinian-American professor, lawyer, and writer Tamara Reem to provide listeners with an overview of significant events in Palestinian history and how they inform our understanding of the past few weeks. Tamara also uses her expertise in international law to answer two very divisive yet important questions:

Can Israel claim its response to the October 7th attacks as “self-defense?”

Should Israel’s destructive response be qualified as a genocide?

Tamara Reem is a Palestinian-American international lawyer, professor, and writer. She is the co-founder of Diaspora Heartbeat, an online platform dedicated to crafting a space where Palestinian stories flourish, uniting creativity, community and collaboration.

Who Run the World is a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

In this episode, we look at the means through which most of us learn about what’s happening on the ground in Palestine: the media. With the help of award-winning Jordanian journalist and producer Sara Obeidat, Rhea and Marilyn question how the media (specifically western legacy media) has approached covering Palestine, both prior to October 7th and afterwards. Why has Palestine often been dismissed in the news cycle, and what shifted on October 7th? In the age of disinformation and propaganda, how can we vet our news sources? What should we expect/demand of global media outlets, and why is it important to nurture local and regional journalism? 

This episode is dedicated to the memory of all the journalists who’ve lost their lives reporting on the events of the past few weeks, as well as the brave voices - like Moataz, like Plestia, like Bisan - who are allowing us to bear witness to the atrocities of the past few weeks.

Sara Obeidat is an award-winning Jordanian journalist and producer. She most recently co-produced the second season of “I’m Not a Monster: The Shamima Begum Story.” The investigative series received rave reviews, topping international podcast charts and winning multiple best-of awards for its journalistic excellence. 

Who Run the World is a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

In 2023, Rhea and Marilyn experienced loss in more ways than one. They both lost their dear friend Dounya, and Marilyn lost her beloved father-in-law Noor. On top of all that, recent events in Palestine have been weighing heavy on their minds and hearts. How can they process all of this personal and collective loss of life? How can they grieve? Siira’s Sandra Salame joins WRTW this week to discuss grief, its stages, and why grieving and accepting loss can never be selfish acts. Instead of this week’s “2 Kinds of People” segment, Rhea, Marilyn, and Sandra share how they’ve been processing the collective grief over recent events in Palestine. 

This episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Dounya Zin, Noor Kabalan, and the many lives lost over the past few weeks. 

How have you managed your own grief over a personal or collective loss? Share with us your stories on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com.

Sandra Salame is the founder of Siira, a mental wellbeing platform that provides free emotional support through harnessing the power of communities to overcome day-to-day struggles. Siira aims to educate and empower individuals, businesses, and governments by providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively solve wellbeing challenges and achieve personal and professional goals. 

WRTW stands in solidarity with Palestine. We would love it if you could find it in your hearts to donate to organizations providing relief and aid on the ground:

• UNRWA
• PCRF
• MedGlobal
• Anera

Things My Mother Didn’t Tell Me But My Best Friend Did is a spinoff of Who Run the World, a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

In October 2020 (deep pandemic era WRTW), we released an episode titled “Let’s Talk About Our Periods” with Dr. Gaël Abou Ghannam that broached all sorts of taboo topics for Arab women, like taking the birth control pill and experiencing period pain. 3 years later, we’re back for round 2. Returning guest (and friend of the pod) Dr. Gaël helps Rhea and Marilyn understand the world of (in)fertility: the science, the myths, the social implications, and everything in between. As they exchange personal experiences and advice, they ask: how can we reduce shame around (in)fertility talk? Finally, in a more personal “2 Kinds of People,” Marilyn and Dr. Gaël tackle Rhea’s doubts and hesitation about freezing her eggs. Will she do it? To be continued…

Embarked/Embarking on your own family planning journey? Share with us any lessons you’ve learned/are learning on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com.

Dr. Gaël Abou Ghannam is a Lebanese OB/GYN, fertility specialist, and the co-founder of Metle Metlik, a digital education and community platform with courses on women’s reproductive and sexual health. She holds an executive masters degree in health management from the ESA Business School in Beirut.

WRTW stands in solidarity with Palestine. We would love it if you could find it in your hearts to donate to organizations providing relief and aid on the ground:

• UNRWA
• PCRF
• MedGlobal
• Anera

Who Run the World is a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

WRTW is back next week with its regular biweekly episode, but in the meantime, Marilyn and Rhea wanted to give you a little something extra to tide you over - Who Run the Time style. The 2023 Cosmic Conference is upon us, organized by Marilyn’s very own company Cosmic Centaurs. To mark the occasion, Rhea just had to sit down with Marilyn to get all the deets on this year’s conference and its theme: “Leading Organizations That Deliver,” or strategy execution. So many golden nuggets of organizational development knowledge are dropped in this episode, including common missteps/misunderstandings in strategy execution, elements of a good strategy, and thoughtful approaches for conference/event planning. For “Two Kinds of People,” Marilyn and Rhea debate the appropriate number of people to speak to or connect with at a conference/event. 

Fancy yourself a good strategist? Share with us your best strategy execution tips on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com.

The 2023 Cosmic Conference runs October 6 - November 11. Learn more by checking out the conference website. You can also learn more about Cosmic Centaurs by checking out their website or following them on LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube. 

More WRTW episodes featuring the work of Cosmic Centaurs:

• Conversation Starters for Teams
• Time for Decisions
• A Year of Entrepreneurship

Check out Marilyn’s event planning reading recommendations:

• The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
• The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parkar

As always, we would love it if you could find it in your hearts to donate to one of these causes in Lebanon, as the country is going through a crippling economic crisis. Every little bit counts: 

• Lebanese Red Cross
• Beit el Baraka
• Offre Joie

Who Run the Time is a spinoff of Who Run the World, a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

Fall has officially arrived, yet it is still hot and sweaty in Dubai where our two best friends Rhea and Marilyn reside. And that? Is an excuse for them to tell you all about their summer adventures. In this episode of Who Run the Time, Rhea and Marilyn recap their summers, from the highest of peaks to the lowest of pits. Every summer topic you could think of, Rhea and Marilyn touch on. Summer goals? They dissect them. Vacations? They define them. Live performances? They review them. Lessons? They learn them. Rhea and Marilyn also introduce a new recurring segment to the show, “Two Kinds of People,” where each episode they will present their opposing opinions on a topic. So pack your bags, choose your aisle (or window) seat on WRTW Airlines, and enjoy this absolute vacation of an episode.

What did you do this past summer? Share with us your favorite summer memories and reflections on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com.

Check out Marilyn’s summer reading recommendations:

• A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
• The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

As always, we would love it if you could find it in your hearts to donate to one of these causes in Lebanon, as the country is going through a crippling economic crisis. Every little bit counts. 

• Lebanese Red Cross
• Beit el Baraka
• Offre Joie

Who Run the Time is a spinoff of Who Run the World, a production of Reyzin Media. Hosted by Rhea Chedid and Marilyn Zakhour. Produced by Ahmed Ashour. Follow Who Run the World on Instagram and Tik Tok at @whoruntheworldpod.

Rhea's Ode to Freedom and Marilyn's Yearning for Solitude. 

Get ready for a funny episode as Rhea talks all about the glorious perks of living alone, while Marilyn pines for a taste of the chaos. As a self proclaimed introvert, Rhea reveals her love for the peaceful solitude and the freedom to do whatever her heart desires, whenever she wants. From walking around in the nude to dancing like no one's watching, Rhea basks in the sheer joy of having her place to herself all day everyday. Brace yourselves as Rhea and Marilyn share hilariously disgusting stories that might leave you in stitches (PSA: this episode is not for the easily irked). 

Do you love living alone? Do you wish you lived alone? We would love to hear from you! Write to us on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com

As always, we would love it for you to find it in your hearts to donate to one of these causes in Lebanon, as the country is going through a crippling economic crisis. Every little bit counts. 

• Lebanese Red Cross
• Beit el Baraka
• Offre Joie.

In this episode, join us as we unravel the intricate web of asking for help. Rhea and Marilyn dive deep into the diverse forms of help people can provide, shedding light on their personal journeys of battling their own internal stigmas surrounding seeking help.  We also share recent anecdotes of how people extended their helping hands, illustrating that asking for help is a way for human connection.

Have you struggled to ask for help? Do you have a story of when someone recently helped you and it felt good? Write to us on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com

Speaking of help, we would love it for you to find it in your hearts to donate to one of these causes in Lebanon, as the country is going through a crippling economic crisis. Every little bit counts. 

• Lebanese Red Cross
• Beit el Baraka
• Offre Joie

In a candid conversation, Marilyn spills the beans about the remarkable changes her body has gone through since becoming a mother. From falling tampons to bigger feet and deflated boobs, Marilyn fearlessly unveils the journey her body has embarked on over the past year and a half. Join us for an unfiltered and lighthearted exploration of the raw realities of motherhood. 

Have you had a baby? How has your body changed? What do you wish you’d known or prepared for before having a baby?  We would love to hear from you! Write to us on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com

As always, we would love it for you to find it in your hearts to donate to one of these causes in Lebanon, as the country is going through a crippling economic crisis. Every little bit counts. 

• Lebanese Red Cross
• Beit el Baraka
• Offre Joie

Join us in this episode as we talk to Hadi Kabalan, the First Husband of Who Run the World, about the ever-growing influence of AI in our daily lives. From organizing our travel plans to crafting the perfect emails, AI has become our ultimate brainstorm buddy. Together, we explore the exciting future implications of AI's continued expansion and its potential to foster innovation and creativity. Tune in as we delve into the captivating world of AI, examining its impact, positives, and potential negatives that lie ahead.

And yes, this description was written in collaboration with Chat GPT.

Have you been using Chat GPT or any other AI tool? Or are you nervous to use these new tools? What are the creative ways you’ve integrated in your lives? We would love to hear from you! Write to us on sayhi@whoruntheworldpodcast.com

As always, we would love it for you to find it in your hearts to donate to one of these causes in Lebanon, as the country is going through a crippling economic crisis. Every little bit counts. 

• Cosmic Centaurs Fund
• Lebanese Red Cross
• Beit el Baraka
• Offre Joie