Roots and Narrative - Al Nafs Podcast
A business strategist and a psychotherapist interview extraordinary Iraqis to explore success, identity, and resilience in the global diaspora.
This is a long-form interview show dedicated to the professional and personal journeys of the global Iraqi diaspora. The hosts, a business consultant and a psychotherapist, bring a unique dual perspective, analyzing guests' entrepreneurial success and business strategies alongside the psychological underpinnings of their identity, trauma, and heritage. The conversations are deeply personal, often touching on the challenges of growing up between cultures, the responsibility of legacy, and the reality of building a future for Iraq.
“The unique host pairing of a business strategist and a psychotherapist provides a dual-lens analysis of guest stories, covering both professional achievements and the psychological aspects of their journeys. Its tight focus on the global *Iraqi* experience sets it apart from broader diaspora or business podcasts.”
Who hosts this show
Hosted by business growth strategist Rida Alwan and psychotherapist Naba Al Madani, Roots and Narrative features raw, insightful conversations with extraordinary Iraqis worldwide. The London-based hosts explore the resilience, wisdom, and untold success stories of entrepreneurs, artists, and scientists to celebrate Iraqi excellence and rewrite the narrative. The podcast aims to uncover actionable insights on business, mental health, and culture through the life-changing stories of its guests.
Credentials & credits
- Rida Alwan: Business Growth Strategist
- Rida Alwan: Business Mentor & Keynote Speaker
- Naba Al Madani: Psychotherapist
- Naba Al Madani: Counsellor, MSc, BACP
- Naba Al Madani: Specializes in Depression, Trauma, PTSD, and Racial Identity
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- uk
When new episodes drop
- 01📚 What if preserving a nation’s history started with saving a single book?📚Jun 2, 2026 · 1 min
- 02
- 03
- 04I Wasn't Proud Of My Iraqi Identity… Until This Changed EverythingMay 19, 2026 · 1h 12m
- 05
- 06Iraqi Founding Partner for a venture Capital fund in Iraq | Mohamed Al-HakimMar 30, 2026 · 1h 21m
Notable episodes
- 01I Wasn't Proud Of My Iraqi Identity… Until This Changed Everything
A raw conversation with author Dalia Al-Dujaili on the complexities of diaspora identity, the trauma of hiding one's heritage, and the emotional journey of reconnecting with Iraq.
- 02Legacy, Identity & the Rise of Ahmed Ridha Alwan
The CEO of Iraq's largest coffee brand shares the story of rebuilding a family legacy in Baghdad, offering a ground-level view of business resilience amidst national instability.
- 03Iraqi Founding Partner for a venture Capital fund in Iraq | Mohamed Al-Hakim
An inside look at building Iraq's startup ecosystem from a venture capitalist who left a career in London to invest in his home country, discussing the unique challenges and leapfrogging potential.
What you'll be asked on this show
The podcast follows a two-on-one, long-form interview format, often exceeding an hour. The hosts, Rida Alwan and Naba Al Madani, foster a raw and insightful conversational style, blending professional topics with personal reflections on identity and heritage. Episodes feature a branded animated intro and outro.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
- “How do you identify?”
- “Where were you born and who are you?”
- “What's your favorite Iraqi dish?”
- “What question would you like to ask our next guest?”
- “If a younger version of yourself came to you today, what advice would you give them?”
- “Where do you see your company in five years from now?”
- “What have you done for Iraq that you're truly proud of?”
- “How was the transition between the Iraqi and [Swedish/British] education systems?”
- “What was your relationship with your grandfather?”
Signature segments
- · The previous guest asks a question for the current guest.
- · The current guest asks a question for the next guest.
- · Asking guests about their favorite Iraqi dish.
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
The show books high-achieving Iraqis from diverse fields like literature, venture capital, and legacy brand leadership. Guests are often entrepreneurs or cultural figures with a compelling story about navigating success while maintaining a strong connection to their Iraqi heritage, whether from within the diaspora or in Iraq itself.
- Dalia Al-Dujailion I Wasn't Proud Of My Iraqi Identity… Until This Changed Everything
- Ahmed Ridha Alwanon Legacy, Identity & the Rise of Ahmed Ridha Alwan | أكثر من قهوة: الإرث والهوية وصعود رضا علوان ☕🇮🇶
- Mohammed Al Hakimon Iraqi Founding Partner for a venture Capital fund in Iraq | Mohamed Al-Hakim
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast is sponsored by Launchpad Studios and actively seeks 'mission-aligned' partners to amplify Iraqi narratives. The ideal sponsor is a brand targeting the global Iraqi professional community, interested in associating with themes of success, cultural pride, and resilience.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch this show
a•••@•••.comFree: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
You’re only charged when we return a verified hit.
People also ask
- Who are the hosts of Roots and Narrative?
- The hosts are Rida Alwan, a business growth strategist and keynote speaker, and Naba Al Madani, a UK-based psychotherapist and counsellor.
- What is the format of the podcast?
- It is a long-form video interview podcast where the two hosts have an in-depth conversation with a single guest, typically for over an hour.
- What kind of guests are featured?
- The podcast features successful and influential Iraqis from around the world, including entrepreneurs, authors, artists, scientists, and venture capitalists.
- Is the podcast still active?
- Yes, the podcast is active, releasing new episodes on a regular basis.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The full video episodes are available on the Roots and Narrative YouTube channel. Audio versions are available on platforms like Apple Podcasts.
- How can I sponsor the podcast?
- The channel description provides an email address ([email — gated]) for sponsorship and partnership inquiries.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]Roots and Narrative - Al Nafs Podcast - YouTube Channelyoutube.com
- [02]Rida Alwan | Problem Solutions Expert | Business Mentor | Keynote Speakerridaalwan.com
- [03]Naba Madani, Counsellor, Northolt, UB5 | Psychology Todaypsychologytoday.com
- [04]Storytelling, Diaspora and Identity: Interview with Roots & Narratives Podcastiraqinternational.news
- [05]Al Nafs Podcast - Roots and Narrative - Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
Podcasts like Roots and Narrative - Al Nafs Podcast
Silicon Valley Girl
Silicon Valley Girl
An entrepreneur interviews the founders and scientists building the next wave of AI to uncover practical strategies for career and business growth.
The Arena
The Arena
A daily sports debate show where 3-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and a panel of former pros give unfiltered takes on basketball news.
Shallu Nisha Podcast
Shallu Nisha
A long-form interview podcast exploring the careers and business of North Indian digital creators, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Backstage with Millionaires
Pankaj Chauhan
A weekly news show and documentary-style channel breaking down the biggest stories and trends in the Indian startup and venture capital ecosystem.
Thomas Brush
Thomas Brush
A podcast for aspiring indie game developers, hosted by a solo dev who interviews peers about the practical and emotional journey of making games.
The Founder's Dream | Abhishek vyas
The Founder
A Hindi-language business podcast featuring long-form interviews with Indian startup founders about their real-world journeys and industries.
Donovan Sharpe
Donovan Sharpe
A confrontational live-stream show focused on dating, masculinity, and current events from a "Red Pill" perspective.
Rusty Quill Podcasts
Rusty Quill Podcasts
A network feed from a London-based production house specializing in full-cast speculative fiction and horror audio dramas.