Welcome to La Mesa Talks, the meeting point where we cook up experiments in the name of purposeful beauty.
Here, ideas are shared, stories are exchanged, and inspiration is always on the menu.This podcast is all about embracing the wild spirit of discovery and chasing those moments when creativity is found in business and innovation.
But it’s not just about tossing ideas into the air and seeing what sticks.
We dig deep into what it means to build, create, and inspire. In each episode, we’ll bring on some pretty cool humans, creatives, entrepreneurs, creatives, and disruptors around one table.
La Mesa*talks #10 Turning Creative Work into Scalable Business - w/ Lee Hobeika
Beyond the Business: How Lee Hobeika Transforms Creative Passion into Scalable Ventures (and Why This Could Revolutionize Your Creative Practice)
Have you ever wondered how to turn your creative talents into a successful business while maintaining your artistic integrity? In this episode, we introduce you to Lee Hobeika, a sales team architect who has skillfully balanced creative authenticity with commercial success.
🔥Why This Episode Will Transform Your Creative Business:The Value Translation Revolution: Lee reveals how to articulate creative value in business terms without diluting what makes your work special.Systems with Soul: Forget cold, corporate approaches; Lee breaks down his human-centered frameworks that scale creative businesses while preserving their unique spirit and purpose.
The Bridge-Builder's Journey: Lee shares his evolution from roots to business strategist, developing methodologies that honor the human stories behind successful creative enterprises.
🎧 Perfect For:
Creative professionals looking to grow beyond freelancing
Studio owners navigating the challenges of scaling their creative practice
Anyone seeking to maintain their authentic voice while building a sustainable business
🔍 📌 Stay Inspired:Lee's counterintuitive perspective on why understanding human connection is the true foundation of any successful sales strategy.#CreativeBusiness #ScalableCreativity #BusinessGrowth #DesignEntrepreneurship🔗 Links to Lee's frameworks and business resources in comments.
🎯 TL;DR:The future belongs to creatives who can build bridges between artistic value and business growth.
Time to reimagine your creative practice as a scalable venture.
🚨 Hit play before your next client meeting or business planning session. #LaMesaTalks #CreativeEntrepreneurship #BusinessDesign #HumanCenteredSales #CreativeGrowth
14 Apr 2025
La Mesa*talks #9 - Digital Renaissance: AI and Human Creativity w/ Megan Fowkes
Beyond the Algorithm: How Megan Fowkes Bridges Technology and Artistry to Redefine Creative Boundaries (and Why This Partnership Will Shape Our Future).
Have you ever wondered if AI is meant to replace human creativity or enhance it? This episode introduces you to Megan Fowkes, a global Prompt Engineering Champion who is transforming our understanding of the intersection between technological innovation and human imagination.
🔥 Why This Episode Will Transform Your Creative Process:
The Co-Creation Revolution: Megan discusses how AI-human creative partnerships are leading to more innovative outcomes and breaking conventional creative limitations.
AI as Your Creative Catalyst: Set aside fears of being replaced; Megan breaks down her three powerful frameworks that transform AI tools into extensions of human creativity, demonstrating why your most exceptional work occurs in this collaborative space.
The Prompt Engineer's Journey: Megan describes her evolution from traditional design roots to becoming an AI pioneer. She has developed a methodology that not only generates content but also elevates human creative potential.
🎧 Perfect For: Creative professionals curious about AI integration Organizations navigating the changing landscape of design and creativity
🚀Anyone concerned about maintaining an authentic voice in an AI-assisted world 🔍
📌 Stay Inspired:
Megan's counterintuitive take on why AI constraints sometimes yield more human results than unlimited freedom.
#AICreativity #DigitalRenaissance #PromptEngineering #DesignInnovation
🔗 Links to Megan's frameworks and creative resources in comments.
🎯 TL;DR: The future belongs to those who partner with AI rather than compete against it. Time to reimagine creative collaboration.
#CreativeTechnology #AIandDesign #HumanCenteredAI #CreativeInnovation
2 Apr 2025
La Mesa*talks #8 - How to Build Purpose for Teams w/ Nicki Wilson
Beyond the Disconnect: How Nicki Wilson Transforms Fragmented Teams into Purpose-Driven Powerhouses (and Why Your Organization's Success Depends On It)
Ever wondered why some teams effortlessly achieve remarkable results while others struggle despite talented individuals?
This episode uncovers the brilliance of Nicki Wilson, the ultimate team fixer with 13+ years of global recruitment experience, who's proving that shared purpose isn't just nice to have, it's your organizational superpower.🔥
Why This Episode Will Transform Your Team:
The Talent Retention Revolution: Nicki reveals how purpose-driven environments are 47% more effective at keeping top performers and achieving 30% higher innovation outcomes.
Purpose as Your Secret Weapon: Forget another teambuilding exercise; Nicki breaks down her three powerful strategies that transform struggling teams into cohesive units (and why your best collaboration never happens in siloed environments).
The Purpose Architect's Journey: How Nicki evolved from talent hunter to cultural catalyst, crafting a magnetic framework that doesn't just fill position, it creates belonging, meaning, and collective momentum.
The Alchemy of Team Transformation: Discover why surface-level "team building" evaporates while purpose-woven connections flourish even in teams once fragmented by miscommunication and competing priorities.
🎧 Perfect For:
Team leaders facing collaboration challenges 🤝
Organizations experiencing high turnover rates 📉
Anyone whose team culture takes a backseat to deadlines ⏰📌
Stay Inspired: Nicki's counterintuitive take on why shared purpose sometimes yields better results than individual talent.
#TeamPurpose #OrganizationalExcellence #TalentRetention🔗 Links to Nicki's frameworks and team resources in comments.
🎯 TL;DR: Your team's output is only as powerful as your shared purpose. Time to rebuild the foundation.
🚨 Hit play before your next team meeting.
#LaMesaTalks #PurposeDrivenTeams #TeamAlignment #OrganizationalCulture #TeamSuccess
2 Apr 2025
La Mesa*talks #7 -Creative Wellness - Sustaining the Creative Spirit w/ Diego Carrete
Beyond the Burnout: How Diego Carrete Transformed Bank Executives into Wellness Warriors (and Why Your Creative Career Depends On It)
Ever wonder why your best ideas vanish after that 3PM energy crash?
This episode unpacks the genius of Diego Carrete, wellness maverick, Chief Wellness Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank, and creator of The Lean Executive, who's proving that physical vitality isn't just nice-to-have, it's your creative superpower.🔥
Why This Episode Will Change Your Work Life:
The Executive Energy Crisis: Diego reveals how he transformed high-powered bankers from burnout zombies to vibrant leaders through surprisingly simple daily habits.
Creativity's Secret Fuel: Forget about another productivity hack; Diego breaks down the science of how physical wellness directly unlocks creative potential (and why your best ideas never come at your desk).
From Busy Executive to Wellness Pioneer: How Diego's own journey through corporate exhaustion led to a revolutionary framework that's reshaping how the business world views wellness.
Sustainable Success Blueprint: Why quick-fix "corporate wellness" fails and how Diego's practical approach creates a lasting transformation that works for even the busiest schedules.
🎧 Perfect For:
Creative professionals hitting afternoon slumps 💤
Executives who've tried every productivity hack 📊
Anyone whose health takes a backseat to deadlines ⏰📌
Stay Energized:
Diego's counterintuitive take on why less work sometimes equals better results.
#CreativeVitality #WellnessRevolution #ExecutivePerformance🔗
Links to Diego's frameworks and wellness resources in comments.🎯
TL;DR: Your creative output is only as powerful as your physical wellness. Time to rebuild the foundation.🚨
Hit play before your next coffee-fueled all-nighter.
#LaMesaTalks #WellnessForCreatives #LeanExecutive #CreativeSustainability #PhysicalVitality
3 Mar 2025
La Mesa*talks #6 -The Art of Creative Resilience w/ Luma Makhlouf
Ever hit a creative wall so hard it feels like the universe is against you? This episode was our turn to unlock Luma Maklouf—Palestinian entrepreneur, mom of two, and founder of 10+ brands (including Dubai’s viral Good Burger 🌟)—who turns obstacles into rocket fuel. In this electrifying episode of La Mesa*talks, she spills the tea on creative resilience, identity, and why “Alhamdulillah” is her daily mantra.
🚀 Why You Can’t Miss This:From Trauma to Triumph: Luma opens up about surviving 16 months of emotional earthquakes—occupation, business chaos, mom guilt—and how she kept creating (yes, even when her kitchen broke). Spoiler: It involves watermelon cookies
🍉 and a couch she refused to leave.“Drown Out the Noise”: Forget Dubai Bling. Luma’s mantra? Start small, stay true. She ditched Lamborghini dreams to bootstrap her empire, proving organic growth beats flashy hype every time.
The “Work-Love Language”: How she built a team of 70 “family” members (hint: hugs, hustle, and killer staff meals 🍲) and why she’ll still bus tables at 3 AM.Identity as Superpower: From launching a Gaza-inspired poster line to collabs with Palestinian chefs, Luma proves creativity isn’t what you make—it’s why you make it.🎧 Perfect For:Creatives stuck in burnout mode
🔥Entrepreneurs allergic to “hustle porn” 💼Anyone who’s ever cried into their coffee (then made art out of it ☕)
📌 Stay Hooked: Luma’s secret weapon? Voice notes and WhatsApp. (Yes, really.)#CreativeResilience #MompreneurMagic #DubaiEats🔗 Links to Luma’s 95 businesses (kidding… kinda) in the comments!
🎯 TL;DR: When life hands you rubble, build an empire.
💪🚨 Hit play before your next existential crisis.
#LaMesaTalks #CreativeResilience #MaizMexican #FamilyBusiness #EntrepreneurialJourney #EpisodeAlert
16 Feb 2025
La Mesa*talks #5 -The Business of Creativity: From Passion to Profit w/ Lorena Lumbaque
Ever wondered how to turn a creative spark into a thriving business?We sat down with Lorena Lumbaque, the brilliant mind behind Happy Kiddo Books and author of 'Un Regalo Llamado Colombia' (A Gift Called Colombia).
Lorena’s journey is a masterclass in blending creativity, identity, and business savvy—all while raising a multicultural family in the UAE.Here’s what you’ll take away from this inspiring conversation:
🌟 The Birth of Happy Kiddo: It all started with a simple “what if” during a chat with a friend about raising kids far from home. That spark led to Un Regalo Llamado Colombia, a children’s book that redefines how Colombian identity is shared with the world.
💡 Creativity Meets Business: Lorena shares how she transitioned from being a branding strategist to a mompreneur, balancing the chaos of creativity with the structure of running a business. Spoiler: Flexibility and generosity with your ideas are key.
🌍 Identity at the Core: The book isn’t just a story—it’s a mission to reshape how Colombians (and the world) see Colombia. Lorena dives into how her own experiences as a Colombian abroad fueled this project and why identity is the heart of her work.
👩👧 Mompreneur Magic: Being a mom isn’t just a role—it’s a superpower. Lorena reveals how motherhood has shaped her decision-making, resilience, and ability to nurture both her family and her business.
🚀 Scaling with Purpose: From hardcover books to audiobooks, Lorena and her team are reimagining how stories can be told. But their first priority? Building a strong distribution network to reach Colombians (and beyond) across the globe.
This episode is a love letter to creativity, identity, and the power of turning “what if” into “why not.” Whether you’re a creative, a parent, or just someone with a big dream, Lorena’s story will inspire you to take that leap.
Ready to turn your passion into profit? Hit play.
⚡👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell for more inspiring talks!
#LaMesaTalks #CreativeEntrepreneur #Mompreneur #ColombianIdentity #HappyKiddoBooks #PodcastAlert
3 Feb 2025
La Mesa*talks #4 - Creative Communities: Building Collaborative Ecosystems w/Heba Al Nabulsi
Ever felt like the corporate grind was sucking the soul out of your creativity?
Meet Heba Al Nabulsi, the mastermind behind #LetsTalkSocialwithHebz—a global community of 4,000+ members across 55 countries. In this episode, we dove into Heba’s journey from healing “agency trauma” to building a movement that redefines how we connect, create, and collaborate.
Here’s what you’ll take away from this no-BS conversation:
🌟 From Burnout to Breakthrough: Heba’s community started as a lifeline after leaving corporate—a simple Instagram group to share ideas. Now? It’s a global force proving that passion always outlasts obligation.
💡 The Three Pillars of Community: Mental sparks, emotional bonds, and spiritual purpose. Forget boring frameworks—Heba’s recipe for engagement? Make people think, make them feel, and give them a reason to care (like building water wells in underserved communities).
🌍 Diversity is Default: Born in Dubai and raised in a multicultural world, Heba doesn’t just tolerate diversity—she thrives on it. Her advice? “If you enter a community that’s not diverse, run.”
🚀 Networking ≠ Naptime: Why physical events matter more than ever. Spoiler: Real connections happen when you ditch the screen and share a coffee (or a chaotic brainstorming session).
🔥 The Anti-Industry Vision: Heba’s dream? An event where a Gen Z intern who blew up a bakery’s TikTok gets the mic—not just “experts” recycling jargon. Because real innovation often starts with voices nobody’s heard yet.
Whether you’re building a brand, a community, or just trying to stay sane in the hustle, this episode is your reminder: Creativity isn’t about titles or templates—it’s about humans showing up, messing up, and lifting each other up. Ready to rethink “community”? Hit play.
⚡ 👍 Loved this? Smash that subscribe button for more raw, real talks!
#lamesatalks #community #creativity #socialmedia #conversation #realtalk #podcast
18 Jan 2025
La Mesa*talks #3 - Beautiful Chaos: The Essential Ingredient of Creativity w/Moey Shawash
Ever felt like your best ideas come from total chaos? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode of La Mesa Talks!
We sat down with Moey Shawash, a creative strategist with 18 years of experience, to unpack the messy, beautiful, and wildly chaotic process of creativity.
From reimagining Twitter for Saudi women to embracing the chaos of brainstorming, Moey shares how thinking outside the box (or throwing the box out entirely) can lead to groundbreaking ideas.
Here’s what you’ll take away from this electrifying conversation:
🌟 Chaos is Misunderstood: Moey breaks down why chaos isn’t a mess—it’s a necessary storm for creativity. Spoiler: Your best ideas might come from the most unexpected places (like a bathroom with no phone).
💡 The Twitter Transformation: How Moey and his team turned a simple campaign request into a platform-wide revolution by creating a female-friendly Arabic language option. Hint: It all started with a shampoo bottle.
🌍 Multicultural Creativity: As a third-culture kid with a fascinating background (think Circassian Arab roots, a Jewish Russian mom, and a childhood in Kuwait), Moey shares how his unique perspective shapes his approach to strategy and storytelling.
🚀 Creative Leadership: Why you don’t need to look or act “creative” to be creative. Moey’s advice? Let everyone in the room brainstorm—yes, even the guy in the suit.
🎯 Practical Chaos: How to balance freedom and structure in your creative process. Moey’s mantra? “It’s okay not to know. Just figure it out.”
This episode is a masterclass in embracing the chaos of creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or just starting out, Moey’s insights will inspire you to think bigger, bolder, and a little more chaotically.
So grab your coffee (or your shampoo bottle), and let’s get messy.
⚡👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell for more inspiring conversations!
Rasha Hamzeh, a creative powerhouse, ignites sparks on purposeful beauty and innovative experiments, sharing her journey from graphic designer to marketing maven and entrepreneur.
7 Jan 2025
La Mesa*talks #1 - Multicultural Creativity and Remote Work w/ Rana Chehade & Farida Natour
Co-founders Rana Chehade & Farida Natour share their origin story, multicultural creativity, and insights on remote work and leadership at La Mesa, a women-led design studio thriving across six countries.
Who has been a guest on La Mesa*talks
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Rasha Hamzeh
Rana Chehade
Farida Natour
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YouTube views
181,314
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100
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Quality
70
Social presence
0
YouTube
82
Engagement
32
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