A2 THE SHOW #595 Our next guest is Mounia Akl, a Lebanese director and writer whose journey from architecture to filmmaking is driven by a deep passion for storytelling. Known for her acclaimed debut feature Costa Brava, Lebanon, Mounia joins us to talk about trusting the creative process, balancing hope and cynicism, and telling intimate human stories against larger social and environmental realities. In this episode, we explore family and sisterhood, collaboration and creative freedom, the emotional truth behind character-driven films, and how filmmaking can build empathy across cultures—all while reflecting on love, vulnerability, and the importance of peace.⭐WEBSITE: https://www.mouniaakl.com/about⭐IG: mounia.akl🔔Please visit our website to get more information: https://a2theshow.com/a2-the-show/⏰Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction06:56 – Trusting the process & overcoming challenges13:29 – Balancing hope and cynicism19:58 – Sisterhood & personal growth26:04 – Music, memory, and influence33:59 – Collaboration, respect & character in filmmaking39:40 – Female empowerment through collaboration45:41 – Adapting creatively during the pandemic51:48 – The power of natural performances from kids57:19 – Finding truth in storytelling1:03:13 – Shared vision in collaboration1:06:56 – Creative freedom & successful projects1:13:05 – Connecting with audiences across cultures1:20:35 – An emotionally powerful filming experience1:26:42 – Navigating love & relationships1:32:32 – Favorite films & upcoming releases🔔Get on an unforgettable adventure with 'A2 The Show'! From inspiring resilience to tickling your funny bone, our podcast is your beacon in the mental health fog.https://www.youtube.com/@A2TheShow/?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Audio Music is currently on your favorite platforms:👉Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2GQye3rZo6oMf7bMXNyXy7?si=BZmmuvLjT6afpYRsVovWUg&nd=1&dlsi=2e7ed237a1b04221 👉ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a2-the-show/id1516414362✨Buy us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/a2theshow 🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/a2theshow ✅ Stay Connected With Us.👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a2theshow 👉Threads: https://www.threads.net/@a2theshow 👉Website: https://a2theshow.com/a2-the-show/ ✅ For Business Inquiries: asquaredtheshow@gmail.com =============================✅ Recommended Playlists👉 A² - Psychologyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8R-GSmOLFA&list=PLJSbTfMFhOybbbcU4kKikwrRffQBtza6P&pp=iAQB 👉 A² Trendinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFCtqEzRZQ8&list=PLJSbTfMFhOyYDfEnLdM2FmO2LBnjd57SY&pp=iAQB ✅ Other Videos You Might Be Interested In Watching: 👉 From Somalia to Dubai: Comedy Across Cultures | Ismail Abdi https://shorturl.at/FF8Ro👉 A Sad & Beautiful World | Cyril Aris https://shorturl.at/ziqDN👉 Why Connection Matters More Than Ever | Dr. Bruce Perry https://shorturl.at/Xjbhl=============================✅ About A2 The Show.Welcome to "A² The Show" – your ticket to the human mind's wild rollercoaster! We're a crew of pals from Lebanon, now globally scattered, who combat homesickness with friendship, gaming, fiery chats, and a sprinkle of controversy.Our podcast is more than just words; it's a fun-fueled rebellion against the everyday and a beacon in the mental health fog. With a diverse lineup of guests who've braved the depths of the human psyche, we're here to inspire resilience, provoke thought, and tickle your funny bone.So strap in for a journey through the human mind's crazy maze. It's like your favorite video game, but the cheat codes are science, empathy, and a dash of madness. Dive into "A² The Show" – your unforgettable adventure starts here!Ride the digital waves with us on social media: @a2theshowAli The Professor @alitheprofessor alitheprofessor.comSaeed El Jammal @saeedjay97For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:📩 Email: asquaredtheshow@gmail.com

A2 THE SHOW #594 Our next guest is Ismail Abdi — a stand-up comedian and social content creator known for his sharp, culturally relevant humor. In this episode, we dive into expat life, World Cup stories, cultural identity, Somali representation, stereotypes, and racism, as well as Dubai’s evolving comedy scene. Ismail also shares how he handles criticism, finds inspiration, and uses comedy as a joyful way to connect people across cultures.⭐INSTAGRAM: @Ismailcomic 🔔Please visit our website to get more information: https://a2theshow.com/a2-the-show/⏰Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction05:54 - Identity & Culture Clash11:58 - Flex Culture & Image17:33 - Ice Cream & Indulgence22:40 - Handling Criticism with Humor28:00 - Ethnicity & Assumptions33:30 - Somalia Stereotypes38:38 - Media Representation44:02 - Airport Comedy Moment49:31 - Somalia & Dubai Comedy Scene55:08 - Unique Expressions🔔Get on an unforgettable adventure with 'A2 The Show'! From inspiring resilience to tickling your funny bone, our podcast is your beacon in the mental health fog.https://www.youtube.com/@A2TheShow/?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Audio Music is currently on your favorite platforms:👉Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2GQye3rZo6oMf7bMXNyXy7?si=BZmmuvLjT6afpYRsVovWUg&nd=1&dlsi=2e7ed237a1b04221 👉ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a2-the-show/id1516414362✨Buy us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/a2theshow 🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/a2theshow ✅ Stay Connected With Us.👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a2theshow 👉Threads: https://www.threads.net/@a2theshow 👉Website: https://a2theshow.com/a2-the-show/ ✅ For Business Inquiries: asquaredtheshow@gmail.com =============================✅ Recommended Playlists👉 A² - Psychologyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8R-GSmOLFA&list=PLJSbTfMFhOybbbcU4kKikwrRffQBtza6P&pp=iAQB 👉 A² Trendinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFCtqEzRZQ8&list=PLJSbTfMFhOyYDfEnLdM2FmO2LBnjd57SY&pp=iAQB ✅ Other Videos You Might Be Interested In Watching: 👉 A Sad & Beautiful World | Cyril Aris https://shorturl.at/ziqDN👉 Why Connection Matters More Than Ever | Dr. Bruce Perry https://shorturl.at/Xjbhl👉 How Stress, Trauma, and Childhood Shape Your Health with Dr. David Clarke | A2 THE SHOW https://url-shortener.me/3NUB=============================✅ About A2 The Show.Welcome to "A² The Show" – your ticket to the human mind's wild rollercoaster! We're a crew of pals from Lebanon, now globally scattered, who combat homesickness with friendship, gaming, fiery chats, and a sprinkle of controversy.Our podcast is more than just words; it's a fun-fueled rebellion against the everyday and a beacon in the mental health fog. With a diverse lineup of guests who've braved the depths of the human psyche, we're here to inspire resilience, provoke thought, and tickle your funny bone.So strap in for a journey through the human mind's crazy maze. It's like your favorite video game, but the cheat codes are science, empathy, and a dash of madness. Dive into "A² The Show" – your unforgettable adventure starts here!Ride the digital waves with us on social media: @a2theshowAli The Professor @alitheprofessor alitheprofessor.comSaeed El Jammal @saeedjay97For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:📩 Email: asquaredtheshow@gmail.com

A2 THE SHOW #593Join us as we welcome Cyril Aris, Lebanese director, screenwriter, and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences®, whose feature A Sad and Beautiful World (2025) premiered at Venice and became Lebanon’s Oscar® submission. Cyril opens up about choosing filmmaking over consulting, capturing Beirut’s most challenging moments, and using cinema as a political and social tool. He reflects on navigating censorship, working with first-time actors, and crafting deeply human stories of love, loss, and resilience. Along the way, he shares how life experiences shape meaningful cinema and the importance of challenging global stereotypes about Beirut and Lebanese identity.IG: @cyrilarisWEBSITE: https://www.cyrilaris.com/🔔Please visit our website to get more information: https://a2theshow.com/a2-the-show/⏰Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction15:01 – Shifting Arab cinema power30:10 – Life under political crisis45:12 – Cinema as shared human experience1:00:56 – Emotional perspectives & “yin & yang”1:15:02 – Films as historical memory1:30:15 – When documentation becomes story1:46:00 – Lebanese men as storytellers2:00:21 – Movie ending & character leaves Lebanon2:14:54 – Parallel universe casting & Shaden Fak2:35:31 – Challenging Beirut stereotypes2:40:02 – “The Voice of Hind” & humanizing stories🔔Get on an unforgettable adventure with 'A2 The Show'! From inspiring resilience to tickling your funny bone, our podcast is your beacon in the mental health fog.https://www.youtube.com/@A2TheShow/?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Audio Music is currently on your favorite platforms:👉Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2GQye3rZo6oMf7bMXNyXy7?si=BZmmuvLjT6afpYRsVovWUg&nd=1&dlsi=2e7ed237a1b04221 👉ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a2-the-show/id1516414362✨Buy us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/a2theshow 🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/a2theshow ✅ Stay Connected With Us.👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a2theshow 👉Threads: https://www.threads.net/@a2theshow 👉Website: https://a2theshow.com/a2-the-show/ ✅ For Business Inquiries: asquaredtheshow@gmail.com =============================✅ Recommended Playlists👉 A² - Psychologyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8R-GSmOLFA&list=PLJSbTfMFhOybbbcU4kKikwrRffQBtza6P&pp=iAQB 👉 A² Trendinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFCtqEzRZQ8&list=PLJSbTfMFhOyYDfEnLdM2FmO2LBnjd57SY&pp=iAQB ✅ Other Videos You Might Be Interested In Watching: 👉 Why Connection Matters More Than Ever | Dr. Bruce Perry https://shorturl.at/Xjbhl👉 How Stress, Trauma, and Childhood Shape Your Health with Dr. David Clarke | A2 THE SHOW https://url-shortener.me/3NUB👉 The Cross-Cultural Cinema of Tamer Ruggli | A2 THE SHOW https://rb.gy/kpmtz1=============================✅ About A2 The Show.Welcome to "A² The Show" – your ticket to the human mind's wild rollercoaster! We're a crew of pals from Lebanon, now globally scattered, who combat homesickness with friendship, gaming, fiery chats, and a sprinkle of controversy.Our podcast is more than just words; it's a fun-fueled rebellion against the everyday and a beacon in the mental health fog. With a diverse lineup of guests who've braved the depths of the human psyche, we're here to inspire resilience, provoke thought, and tickle your funny bone.So strap in for a journey through the human mind's crazy maze. It's like your favorite video game, but the cheat codes are science, empathy, and a dash of madness. Dive into "A² The Show" – your unforgettable adventure starts here!Ride the digital waves with us on social media: @a2theshowAli The Professor @alitheprofessor alitheprofessor.comSaeed El Jammal @saeedjay97For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:📩 Email: asquaredtheshow@gmail.com