What if confidence isn't about becoming someone else—but reconnecting with who you've always been?

In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Asmaa Al Kuwari—Leadership Coach, author of Back to THAT, and Founder of the "You're Not Alone" community—to explore the confidence paradox and what it truly means to lead with authenticity.

Asmaa shares her journey from being a lifelong people-pleaser to helping women reconnect with their authentic selves. Together, we discuss quiet confidence, self-awareness, people-pleasing, boundaries, perfectionism, impostor syndrome, and why the strongest leaders don't seek validation—they lead from within.

Whether you're navigating a career transition, questioning your purpose, or looking to build confidence that lasts, this conversation offers practical insights into leading yourself before leading others.

Chapters

* 00:00 From people-pleasing to authenticity

* 00:44 Meet Asmaa Al Kuwari

* 01:20 What is the Confidence Paradox?

* 02:17 Culture, identity, and confidence

* 04:07 The moment everything changed

* 06:05 Breaking free from societal expectations

* 07:12 Why so many women lose themselves

* 08:08 Returning to your authentic self

* 10:00 The power of quiet confidence

* 11:30 Validation, fear, and self-worth

* 13:52 Boundaries and the "good girl" syndrome

* 15:33 Why you need to fill your own cup first

* 16:44 Perfectionism and unconditional self-worth

* 18:38 Impostor syndrome and authentic leadership

* 19:42 Building the "You're Not Alone" community

* 21:26 One message for every woman

* 22:22 Daily practices to reconnect with yourself

* 23:31 Where to connect with Asmaa

Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers from across the region.

This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

Follow SEF:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival

Website: https://sharjahef.com

What if doing everything society tells you to do still doesn't lead to financial security?

In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Malu Marsault, Founder of This Mama Invests, to discuss financial education, investing, and building generational wealth.

Malu shares how an unexpected pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic became the turning point that transformed her family's financial future. She explains why traditional education rarely teaches us how money works, why investing isn't only for experts, and how financial literacy can create lasting freedom for families—especially women.

Whether you're just beginning your investing journey or looking to build long-term wealth, this conversation offers practical insights that can change the way you think about money.

Chapters

00:00 The pregnancy that changed everything

00:45 Meet Malu Marsault

01:18 Why financial security became her mission

02:40 Why schools don't teach us about money

03:55 From financial struggle to financial education

05:07 Building an emergency fund and investing basics

06:20 Why women invest differently

09:08 Marketing, money, and financial psychology

10:18 The biggest barrier to financial independence

11:02 Do women outperform men at investing?

12:27 How Malu started investing

14:00 Her first investment and surprising returns

15:44 Building generational wealth

16:36 Stocks vs. crypto investing

18:18 How much should you invest each month?

20:58 Planning for retirement and financial goals

22:03 Why every couple should have "money dates"

24:01 Malu's mission to empower women financially

Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, investors, and changemakers from across the region.

This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

Follow SEF:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival

Website: https://sharjahef.com

Why do so many people feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and creatively blocked—even when they're doing everything "right"?

In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Dan Stoker, Polarity Performance Coach and Sound & Light Therapist, to explore how our modern environment affects the nervous system.

Dan explains how constant screen time, artificial light, digital overload, and chronic stress quietly disrupt our natural rhythms, impacting sleep, creativity, focus, and overall well-being. He also shares practical ways to regulate your nervous system, improve sleep quality, reduce burnout, and create healthier daily habits.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, creator, leader, or simply feeling constantly switched on, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on performance and recovery.

Chapters

00:00 Why we're constantly feeling switched on

00:43 Meet Dan Stoker

01:06 What does it mean to reset your nervous system?

02:19 How sound and light therapy works

03:01 Understanding brainwaves

04:12 What stress really is

05:13 Relaxation is a choice

06:46 How to unwind during stressful times

08:42 What is digital pollution?

10:10 How light affects your brain and sleep

11:35 Better sleep habits for burnout

12:58 Creativity begins with recovery

13:55 The nervous system is designed to self-regulate

Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers from across the region.

This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

Follow SEF:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival

Website: https://sharjahef.com