Inside Saudi Arabia

It’s just us, Carly Overman and Vesna Petrovic, for a real time Ramadan catch up in Riyadh.
We’re recording on Day 6 of Ramadan and yes, we’re fasting, with a short pause while traveling. In this episode we share what it actually feels like as non Muslim expat moms. No water. No coffee. The midday slump. Breaking fast with our kids. Ramadan events. And the unexpected reset we didn’t see coming.
We also talk about:
• Why we paused fasting during our Qatar trip• How workouts change during Ramadan• The charity side of Ramadan and what is actually allowed• Why being on the same wavelength as Riyadh matters
If you’re in Saudi or just curious about Ramadan from an expat perspective, this one is for you.
 
00:00 — Ramadan catch-up: it’s just us00:22 — Day 6 of Ramadan (and yes, we’re fasting)01:42 — What fasting really means (no water, no coffee)02:32 — Iftar breakdown: dates, Arabic coffee & traditions03:34 — Qatar trip: why we paused fasting04:36 — Ramadan rules + social media reactions05:00 — Why we chose to fast as expats in Riyadh08:40 — Events vs wholesome family iftars11:26 — The Ramadan reset: discipline & clarity16:44 — Spiritual side + charity intentions19:08 — Charity rules confusion + official ways to give22:02 — Gym & workouts while fasting25:58 — Ramadan travel tip: hotel deals + weather29:06 — “Why are you fasting?” + local encouragement32:00 — The daily stages of fasting33:36 — Q&A + community call-out

He started with one penny.
At 16 years old, Rayan set himself a challenge to turn a single penny into something bigger. That decision changed his life.
From couch surfing in New York to almost playing Cristiano Ronaldo for 1 million dollars, to gaining 100,000 subscribers from one short, this is one of the wildest creator journeys we have heard.
In this episode we talk about:
• The 1 penny challenge• Getting a call connected to Mr Beast• Almost competing in a 1 million dollar Ronaldo challenge• Living in the Bronx during his US challenge• The hook strategy that changed his content• Growing from 23K to 400K subscribers• Why one video can change everything
If you are building something, this episode is for you.
Subscribe for more real stories from Inside Saudi Arabia.
 
Follow Rayan here:
https://www.youtube.com/@RayanShaded
https://www.instagram.com/rayanshaded/ 
https://www.tiktok.com/@rayanshaded?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 
 
00:00 First Ever Podcast Appearance00:21 How He Found Us Through 5M Twitter Views02:06 Growing Up in Saudi Arabia04:14 “When I’m Sad, I Make Content”06:36 The Mr Beast Call07:04 The $1 Million Ronaldo Challenge08:20 The 50 Meter Bungee Jump09:28 Wanting to Skydive10:54 Transition From Gaming to Serious Content12:36 The 1 Penny Challenge Begins14:22 Making Money in Dubai17:42 The Car Crash Before Meeting His Idol19:18 The Moment That Changed His Life20:04 Selling Water to Survive21:22 Starting With the Hardest Challenge First23:18 Running Out of Money in Dubai26:04 Learning the Power of the Hook28:00 100K Subscribers From One Short28:24 Trying to Break Into Ronaldo’s House29:44 5 Million Views Overnight31:00 The Truth About YouTube Money33:10 “Now I Can Make Any Video Go Viral”33:48 The ChatGPT Watermelon Video37:42 Becoming the “Ronaldo Pizza Guy”39:42 The 30 Day Football Challenge Idea41:28 The $100 US Challenge43:00 Couch Surfing in New York46:58 Living in the Bronx48:04 Getting Kicked Out in Miami49:26 Buying the Car50:46 Selling the Car for an iPhone52:00 Is Saudi Good for Creators53:42 Advice for Young Creators59:16 23K to 400K in One Year01:01:00 Meeting Georgina01:03:00 The 1 Million Subscriber Goal
 

Brandie Janow moved from Tennessee to Riyadh in 2009.. long before Saudi’s creative boom, design strategy conversations, or packed cultural calendars.
 
In this episode, she shares what early Riyadh was really like (when grocery stores were the hangout), how she founded Smuug to celebrate Saudi culture through design, and how she's part of building the foundation of design and the creative economy in Saudi.
 
We talk about:
 
The evolution of Saudi’s creative ecosystem
 
Starting Riyadh Coffee Club before mixing was normal
 
Launching Kingdom Creatives
 
Researching and documenting the future of Saudi design
 
“Saudi time” and life on fast forward
 
And why being intentional matters more than ambition
 
If you’re curious about women building careers in Saudi, the creative economy here, or what it’s like to grow alongside a country in transformation.. this one’s for you.
 
 
CHAPTERS
00:02:15 Welcome + the Tennessee accent
00:03:20 From Tennessee → Chicago → DC → Riyadh
00:06:25 What early Riyadh was really like
00:07:45 Watching Saudi evolve “like a plant growing”
00:10:40 The origin of Smuug
00:12:45 Why Saudi culture inspired her first brand
00:15:10 Why Saudi is an amazing place for designers
00:15:40 “We’re building a country”
00:17:20 Researching Saudi’s creative ecosystem
00:20:30 Riyadh Coffee Club (and mixing before it was normal)
00:22:25 The first meetup was packed
00:24:35 How coffee culture changed in Riyadh
00:26:30 Why Kingdom Creatives was created
00:30:35 “Saudi time” and life on fast forward
00:33:55 What her role looks like now
00:36:15 Documenting Saudi’s creative growth
00:41:50 Perfectionism and taking your time
00:43:05 Design futures + continuous learning
00:47:00 Why saying yes to everything can hurt you
00:48:05 Living intentionally, not just working
00:50:00 What really matters at the end of your life
00:54:55 Riyadh recommendations: JAX, Diriyah & more
00:59:00 What’s next + Ramadan reflections

Mariana De’ Carli Orti is a Riyadh-based author and publisher with a global story that runs from Brazil to London to Saudi Arabia. In this episode, she explains how her English novel hit #8 on Saudi’s bestseller list, what publishing really pays authors, and why Riyadh feels like home. We also dive into AI in books, the future of publishing, and the Riyadh Writers Conference (Feb 6–7).
Topics covered:
Expat life in Riyadh and why Saudi feels like home
Writing a book in Saudi + #8 bestseller in Saudi
Publishing realities, royalties, and AI bans
Riyadh Writers Conference and Saudi creatives
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro: Mariana De’ Carli Orti + Accent Mystery00:00:55 Book Release + AI “Bible Model” Moment00:01:25 Guest Intro: Riyadh-Based Advisor + Author00:02:35 Global Background: Brazil, Miami, London00:03:50 Family Story + Expat Kid Life00:04:45 King’s College + Neuroscience Pivot00:05:40 Languages, Law, and International Career Path00:06:15 Move to the Middle East: Why Saudi00:07:30 London vs Saudi Lifestyle + Community00:09:10 Financial Crisis → Dubai Opportunity00:10:40 Zero-Hour Contracts Explained00:12:05 Dubai Work Culture + Regional Travel00:12:35 Egypt + Seeing the Nile00:13:10 Move to Riyadh in 202000:14:55 London vs Dubai vs Riyadh Work Culture00:16:05 Changing Industries + Curiosity Mindset00:17:05 Riyadh Writing Community Begins00:18:20 Imposter Syndrome → Book Published00:19:20 Book Success: #8 Bestseller in Saudi00:20:45 Saudi Character Representation in the Novel00:22:35 Second Book Coming This Year00:22:55 How She Balances Work, Writing, Conference00:24:05 Productivity: Block Scheduling00:25:00 Writing as Self-Care + Creativity00:26:10 Riyadh Social Life + FOMO00:27:35 Boundaries + Time Off00:28:20 AlUla as a Writing Retreat00:30:30 AlUla Recommendations + Hidden Spots00:31:15 Languages Spoken + Arabic Goal00:32:00 Save the Cat + Story Structure00:33:40 Writing Resources + Courses in Saudi00:35:30 Publishing Disrupted by Tech00:36:40 AI in Books + Amazon De-platforming00:37:10 AI Lawsuits + Industry Controversy00:39:05 University AI Policy + Ethics00:40:30 Copyright Risks for Authors00:41:50 Law + Writing Crossover00:42:25 Being a Woman in Saudi + Safety00:44:30 Misconceptions About Saudi00:46:30 Why Riyadh Feels Like Home00:48:00 Publishing House Mission in Saudi00:49:15 Publishing Royalties Reality00:50:50 Bestseller Math + Amazon Categories00:52:20 Why Start a Publishing House00:54:55 BookTok + Social Media Marketing00:56:55 Riyadh Writers Conference Feb 6–700:58:35 Where to Follow Mariana00:59:40 First Draft Advice + Outro

In this episode of Inside Saudi, we're joined by Yasmin, a Muslim expat mother who has lived in Riyadh for five years and made the bold decision to homeschool her children.
We talk honestly about why international school fees, often 40–75k SAR per year, and long school hours didn’t feel right for their family, why she chose no nanny, and how homeschooling has changed their daily life.
Yasmin also opens up about what it’s like to live between cultures, not fully fitting in anywhere, and why raising children in Saudi Arabia feels safer and calmer than life back in the UK.
This conversation also dives into:
• motherhood without family nearby• identity, faith, and belonging• Ramadan and the meaning behind fasting• a powerful, emotional story about being on Westminster Bridge during the 2017 attack and what it was like to be Muslim in the aftermath
This is a raw, thoughtful conversation about motherhood, faith, safety, and choosing a different path.
🎧 Listen now and let us know what resonated most with you.
Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction02:50 Trying a nanny in Riyadh05:45 Choosing no nanny and teamwork14:10 Living between cultures16:05 School fees in Riyadh18:10 Why we chose homeschooling19:25 School hours for young children28:00 Safety and raising kids in Saudi30:45 Parenting anxiety and feeling calmer33:15 Why she is starting a moms circle41:45 What Ramadan really means46:50 Being on Westminster Bridge51:10 Being Muslim in the aftermath59:30 Final reflections

Cecilia, the French founder of Bonjour Arabia, shares how she built a cultural tourism business in Saudi Arabia—from early exploration trips to launching in Riyadh and expanding into AlUla. We talk the realities of starting a company, building community outside compounds, creating heritage-based experiences (food, crafts, desert nights), and how tourism is growing under Vision 2030—plus a viral moment that led to an unexpected royal visit.
 
Chapters
00:00 — Intro: Cecilia from Bonjour Arabia01:15 — Welcome + what Bonjour Arabia does (Vision 2030 tourism growth)02:00 — How you first discovered her content after moving to Riyadh02:40 — Deep dive: where she’s from + travel background03:30 — Moving to the UAE during COVID (and what that was like)05:15 — Energy sector job + working with Emirati women (real immersion)07:30 — Starting cultural experiences / first company in the UAE08:00 — Saudi road trip in 2022 (before the big expat wave)09:45 — Moving to Riyadh in 2023 + early shocks & challenges11:45 — No compound: finding a flat + building life from zero14:50 — Building community: ladies gatherings + meeting Saudis18:50 — French community + embassy/cultural work in Riyadh19:05 — When she decided: “I’m going to build my own thing here”20:00 — Discovering Diriyah-area/Nia: the coffee shop moment20:45 — Viral video → message from Mansour (future business partner)21:50 — Becoming business partners + entrepreneur license process23:30 — Opening the first “house” + restoring heritage space24:55 — Why that neighborhood matters + the hidden-gem vibe26:15 — What Bonjour Arabia offers now: trips + heritage corporate events27:00 — Workshops, artists, and how Instagram built the network28:00 — The chef collaborations + viral cooking experiences31:05 — Where they run trips: south (Abha), eastern region, beyond33:05 — Her top Saudi must-visits (Jeddah, AlUla, + more)36:10 — Kids-friendly travel: why AlUla works for families too36:20 — Building a team + learning to delegate40:05 — “Saudi dream”: energy, opportunity, creativity42:10 — Royal visit story: how it happened (X/Twitter went viral)47:15 — Saudi business culture: relationships, patience, last-minute plans48:45 — Ramadan rhythms: working nights + adapting your business52:50 — Top cultural experiences: cooking, desert, coffee culture56:00 — Expanding to AlUla: why it’s different + what’s next59:20 — Learning Arabic: classes, tools, and tips01:02:25 — Advice to newcomers: get out, explore, it’s easier than you think01:04:10 — Eid myth-busting: what’s actually open + where to go01:07:05 — Final thoughts + goodbye

In our first-ever guest episode, we sit down with the one and only Mama Sandie. The Realest Housewife of Riyadh.
From becoming a mother at 18, to building a career, surviving sepsis, a spinal fracture, and eventually relocating to Saudi Arabia, Mama Sandie shares her unfiltered story with honesty, humor, and depth.
We talk about:
Identity loss and reinvention after moving to Saudi
Postnatal depression, loneliness, and COVID lockdowns
Motherhood across different life stages
Authenticity vs toxic positivity on social media
Expat culture, stereotypes, and finding your people
Health, resilience, and rebuilding after trauma
Love, marriage, and starting over later in life
Why Saudi Arabia is one of the most misunderstood countries in the world
This is a long, raw, laugh-out-loud and deeply emotional conversation about womanhood, survival, and choosing yourself.. again and again.
Settle in. This one stays with you.
Podcast Chapters:
00:00 – Cold open & Real Housewives energy01:30 – Welcome to Inside Saudi + introducing Mama Sandie03:15 – Why Mama Sandy was the perfect first guest04:05 – Motherhood: four kids across four life stages05:30 – Life before Saudi & identity shift07:15 – Postnatal depression & loneliness08:05 – COVID lockdowns in Saudi Arabia10:00 – Shame, struggle & toxic positivity11:05 – Authenticity and being “the realest housewife”12:20 – Social media, perfection & showing real life14:20 – TikTok fame & being recognised in Riyadh16:05 – Confidence, anxiety & self-image17:25 – Becoming homeless at 18 with a newborn19:15 – Survival, grit & refusing stereotypes21:35 – Career, ambition & hustling as a single mum22:40 – Entering the fitness industry24:00 – Sepsis, organ failure & rebuilding health27:00 – Slowing down & redefining success28:00 – Horse riding accident & spinal fracture31:00 – Recovery, pain & listening to your body33:00 – Misconceptions about Saudi Arabia35:00 – Raising grounded kids in a privileged environment37:00 – Unexpected pregnancy & second chapter of motherhood38:30 – Love story: meeting her husband42:15 – Marriage, femininity & partnership44:00 – “Jane”: expat culture & social satire47:00 – Finding your people & protecting your energy49:20 – Labels: expat, immigrant & identity51:00 – Almost leaving Saudi & why she stayed53:00 – Social media criticism & boundaries55:00 – Mother guilt & choosing presence58:00 – Brand deals, boundaries & integrity59:30 – Speaking, purpose & future plans01:02:00 – Healthcare in Saudi Arabia01:06:00 – Medical trauma & reconstructive surgery01:10:00 – Gratitude, resilience & paying it forward01:12:30 – Finding friends in Saudi01:14:45 – What expats should stop doing01:18:30 – Real Housewives of Riyadh casting01:28:00 – Final reflections & goodbye

In this episode of Inside Saudi, we’re sharing our 2026 goals and intentions — from wellness and family life to growing a podcast and building a business in Saudi Arabia.
After a huge year that included moving to Saudi, growing our families, launching Inside Saudi, and navigating burnout, we both felt the need for a reset. This episode is an honest, reflective conversation about health, motherhood, balance, boundaries, and what it really looks like to build a life intentionally while living in Riyadh.
We talk about:
Resetting wellness goals in a realistic, sustainable way
Fitness, nutrition, and routines that work for busy mums
Setting phone boundaries, improving sleep, and avoiding burnout
Being more present with our kids and creating family rituals
Letting go of perfection and getting help at home
Our vision for Inside Saudi in 2026
Building community, hosting live events, and staying authentic
Lessons we’re taking into the new year from Mel Robbins and Rick Rubin
If you’re starting 2026 craving intention over perfection, this episode is for you.
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen📍 Recorded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
 
00:00 Welcome to Inside Saudi  01:30 Why We Needed a 2026 Reset  02:45 Reflecting on 2025: Moving to Saudi & Big Life Changes  05:30 The “Season of Saying Yes” (And Why We’re Pulling Back)  08:00 Burnout, Balance & Being Intentional as Working Moms  09:53 Wellness Goals for 2026 (Fitness, Nutrition & Imperfect Progress)  13:12 Sleep, Phone Boundaries & Social Media Burnout  15:20 Morning Routines That Actually Work as Moms  19:30 Fitness Goals in Saudi (Steps, Weights & Realistic Movement)  25:13 Family Goals: Presence, Rituals & Memory-Making  30:50 Letting Go of Control & Getting Help at Home  32:30 Podcast Goals for 2026 & Growing Inside Saudi  35:45 Live Podcast Events, Community & Authentic Content  38:53 Living in Alignment & Holding Each Other Accountable  41:25 Lessons from Mel Robbins & Rick Rubin  44:00 Final Thoughts & Our 2026 Intentions 

Welcome to The Riyadh Edit: Our Favourite Things of 2025.
 
In this episode of Inside Saudi, we’re sharing our most-loved places, finds, and everyday favourites from living in Riyadh — from cafés and coffee spots to beauty, shopping, furniture, kids’ activities, and wellness.
 
Think of this as our insider edit: the places we take visitors, the brands we actually shop, the beauty treatments we love, and the little things that have made life in Saudi feel like home.
 
Whether you’re living in Riyadh, planning a move, or just curious about life in Saudi Arabia, this episode is packed with practical tips and personal favourites from our first year here.
 
🎙 Hosted by Carly Overman & Vesna Petrovic
📍 Recorded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
 
👇 Jump to your favourite sections using the chapters below.
 
 
Chapter Markers
 
 
00:00 — Welcome to Our Favourite Things Episode
01:37 — Our Favourite Things & Why We’re Doing This Edit
 
02:29 — Diriyah: Vesna’s Favourite Area in Riyadh
03:30 — Roshn Front: Quiet, Family-Friendly & Underrated
 
05:44 — Flour & Firewood & Brunch + Cake: Cafés We Always Take Visitors To
07:34 — Camel Step & Bread Ahead: Riyadh Coffee Favourites
 
10:10 — Souq Al Zal: Perfumes, Kaftans & Hidden Gems
12:42 — Abayas & Tailoring the Perfect Fit
14:56 — Nocturne, Zara & Cute Matching Sets
 
16:26 — Kids’ Clothing: Where We Shop
17:03 — Favourite Malls in Riyadh
17:58 — Boulevard World & Riyadh Season Events
 
19:17 — Furniture Finds: Home Centre
20:45 — Dunya Al Asar: A Hidden Home & Décor Gem
22:30 — Furniture Recommendations: Stylish on a Budget
 
24:15 — Kids’ Activities in Riyadh (Big & Small)
25:45 — Groceries, Seafood & Food Apps We Love
 
31:39 — Nails & Salon Finds
35:50 — Tonic The Method: Riyadh’s Wellness Obsession
 
39:30 — Chinese Cars in Saudi: What We Drive & Why
42:08 — Humidifiers, Air Quality & Health Tips for Riyadh
 
45:00 — Final Thoughts & Wrapping Up Our Riyadh Edit

A short year-end chat on what this year brought us, what we’re grateful for, and why we’re so excited for 2026. Thank you for being here — we’ll see you in the new year 🤍