Hosted by Kate Garraway, DXB Unheard uncovers the untold stories of those who have left an indelible mark on the city.
“What is the city but the people? True, the people are the city,” wrote William Shakespeare in Coriolanus back in the 1600s, and it’s no different today. Enter DXB Unheard, a new podcast and YouTube series that celebrates and uncovers the untold stories of those who call this city home. Hosted by renowned international broadcaster Kate Garraway, the series explores the hidden gems, personal triumphs, and extraordinary experiences that pervade Dubai. The eight-episode podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and all other major audio platforms.
Inviting audiences worldwide to hear stories from Emiratis and Dubai residents who have left an indelible mark on the city, it features interviews with the likes of Bakhita al-Muhairi (the first Emirati female commercial pilot), Mathew Tait (former England Rugby player and now Emirates Dubai 7s lead), and H.E. Salem Humaid Al Marri (Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre).
Throughout the series, Garraway explores the remarkable transformation of the city from a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf to a leading global hub of innovation, sharing stories of those who have made Dubai their home. These conversations explore the city’s rich history and development, showcasing its evolution into a modern metropolis and exploring everything from global humanitarian and sustainability efforts to the hosting of iconic international sporting events.
“In this series I get to introduce you to people who want to open your eyes and your mind to another Dubai, the one that is unheard, and explore what this city and its residents are all about,” says Garraway. “It is a place where east meets west, where women can and do lead the way, where science is saving resources and selflessness is saving lives. I’ve been to Dubai a few times, but it was through these conversations in people’s homes, restaurants, offices, and places of cultural significance that I’ve really been able to understand a different side of Dubai. It’s so special to understand more how the people of Dubai – both locally raised and expats – live and work together. Dubai is a tapestry of stories woven together. DXB Unheard is our chance to unravel those threads and celebrate the extraordinary lives that intersect, uncovering stories that were previously unknown or unrecognised as part of Dubai’s rich narrative.”
One such extraordinary life that will be explored in the first episode of the series is that of expatriate Isobel Abulhoul OBE, founder, advisor and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation. Born in Cambridge, Abulhoul moved from the UK to Dubai in the late 1960s and has played a profound role in the evolution of the country’s literary scene over the past five decades.
“I left the UK to start a new life with my Emirati husband,” she recalls. “I had little idea of what to expect, but I knew that there were so many stories just waiting to be told, and I wanted to create spaces for readers and writers alike to celebrate the joy of literature. So much has changed over the past 50 years and the UAE’s literary scene had developed dramatically from when I first touched down on that small runway all those years ago. Dubai is a cultural hub for literature, and I hope listeners come away from the series keen to discover Dubai’s unique stories for themselves.”
You can now listen to the inaugural episode, entitled The Melting Pot, which features Abulhoul alongside Solemann Haddad (founder and head chef of Moonrise) as well as Ahmed Kazim and Justin Joseph (founders of Project Chaiwalla). New episodes will be released weekly on Mondays.
DSCVR: DXB Unheard. @dxbunheard
