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A year in, Carly and Vesna re-priced their whole life in Riyadh: what's gone up, what surprised them, and what they'd tell someone running the numbers before a move.
This is the granular version of the cost conversation, from the two biggest line items down to the ones nobody warns you about. They walk through compounds across four tiers, from the common 300 to 350K range to the half-million luxe end, plus what an off-compound option like Sedra actually trades away. International school fees land near 100K per child once trips, uniforms and deposits are counted, and they're honest about the math that forces real choices: cheaper school or more travel, space or community, save or spend.
They get into the Chinese cars they both bought outright, fuel so cheap it changes how you move around the city, a four-tier map of where to grocery shop, and the beauty, abaya and travel spend that adds up quietly underneath everything.
No invented numbers, just what a year of living it has actually cost them.
Follow Inside Saudi so you never miss a Monday episode.
New here? Start with our cost of living and relocation episodes.
Follow us:Show: @insidesaudiarabiaCarly: @caroverman on insta / @carlyoverman on tiktokVesna: @vesnapetrovicx
Everything in one place: https://linktr.ee/insidesaudi
Got a question we didn't cover? Drop it in the comments and we'll get to it in a future episode.
Listen wherever you get podcasts
Chapters:
00:00 Cold open01:01 Welcome and what this episode covers02:47 The biggest cost: schools vs compounds03:37 Is Riyadh expensive? London, Sydney, Vancouver04:27 Housing: compounds and your top-three list06:47 The common tier: 300 to 350K compounds09:11 Apartment-style compounds: 150 to 250K13:53 Off-compound: the community trade-off14:42 The luxe end: half a million to one million16:35 Less is more: what a year taught us17:28 Utilities, electricity and internet19:17 School fees: roughly 100K per child20:50 Uniforms, ECAs and the trips that add up24:40 Visas, exit re-entry and premium residency25:58 Cars: why we both bought Chinese, outright28:22 Fuel: the one genuinely cheap thing29:08 Groceries: weekly spend and where we shop31:00 The grocery map: Spinneys down to corner shops34:31 Beauty: nails, Botox, finding someone you trust39:35 Abayas: 50 riyals to a few thousand42:30 Clothing and kids' clothes44:20 Help, nannies and cleaners45:00 Travel: why living here makes you want to go46:01 Wrap-up
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Your neck pain and your gut might be the same problem. This week we sit down with Peter from Tonic The Method on what wellness actually looks like in Riyadh right now.
Peter is a physical therapist and Chinese-medicine specialist who moved here from Lebanon expecting wellness to rank near the bottom of people's priorities. He was wrong. We get into the nerve that connects your neck to your stomach, the breathing fix he reaches for before any machine, which everyday foods are quietly acidic, the exact contrast-therapy order he recommends, and why he reads teeth grinding as a clue to something bigger. Plus the colon-massage story Vesna will never live down.
Hosted by Carly and Vesna.
Listen and follow wherever you get podcasts: https://linktr.ee/insidesaudi
Chapters:
00:00 Intro and Teaser Highlights01:18 Welcome - What This Episode Is About03:13 Meet Peter and Introducing Tonic 18006:15 Tonic's Services and Kingdom Tower Launch11:47 The Wellness Scene in Riyadh13:21 The Gut and Neck Pain Connection19:13 Diet: Alkaline vs Acidic Foods24:21 Pressotherapy Explained26:33 Infrared Sauna and Cold Plunge33:58 Red Light Therapy39:29 Laser Body Remodeling45:59 EMS (Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation)48:19 The Tonic Signature Massage and Colon Cleanse52:26 PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields)56:10 Dry Needling and Electroacupuncture59:22 Personalised Protocols and Recommendations -
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After a run of guest episodes, we did something different.. a live summer Q&A on TikTok, answering your questions in real time, and turned it into this week's episode. No guest, just us catching up before the summer break.
We get into what a Saudi wedding at the Ritz-Carlton is actually like, the malls worth your time in Riyadh, the Saudi and Gulf abaya designers we actually buy from, learning Arabic from scratch, and the question that started this whole show: why Saudi, and would we choose Riyadh again.
Inside Saudi is the English-language podcast about daily life in Saudi Arabia today, co-hosted by two moms living in Riyadh, made for Saudis, residents, and anyone trying to make sense of the Gulf during Vision 2030.
Listen wherever you get podcasts: https://linktr.ee/insidesaudi
CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open
01:42 Welcome — summer catch-up, live on TikTok
02:47 Summer plans: UK, Greece, Macedonia
05:24 The Saudi wedding at the Ritz-Carlton
09:08 Why we chose Saudi
13:44 Our Saudi road trip — Taif, Jeddah, AlUla, the Eastern Province
18:05 Learning Arabic
21:55 What weddings here are really like
26:14 The malls we love in Riyadh
28:45 Abayas and Saudi designers
31:48 Beauty and salons
35:48 Saudi schools
38:10 Riyadh or Jeddah — would we choose it again
38:51 What surprised us most: the hospitality
45:20 What is the podcast about
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Saudi Arabia had no sunscreen of its own, in one of the hottest climates on earth. Ghadi Alshehri spent three years fixing that.
Ghadi is the founder of Borderline Beauty, the first homegrown Saudi sunscreen. She sat down with Carly and Vesna in Riyadh to talk about the gap she found, the science most of us were never taught, and what it takes to build something Saudi-made right now.
In this episode:
- How she found the gap on an ordinary Tuesday at work
- Chemical vs mineral sunscreen, and why it actually matters
- Why UV passes through glass, clothes, and cloudy skies
- Three years of formulation in Korea, and the "impossible" brief
- Growing up between Manchester and Riyadh
- Vision 2030, being seen, and building something local
- Her advice for the next Saudi founder
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts: pod.link/insidesaudi
Follow Inside Saudi:
Instagram @insidesaudiarabia
TikTok @insidesaudiarabia
Hosts: @caroverman and @vesnapetrovicx
Guest: Borderline Beauty @borderlinebeautysa
Chapters
00:00 The country with no sunscreen
00:35 Meet Ghadi and Raghad
02:00 The Tuesday she found the gap
05:00 Chemical vs mineral, explained
09:00 The myths: glass, clothes, cloudy days
13:00 Three years, Korea, and a formula that didn't exist
18:00 Manchester to Riyadh, and coming back
24:00 Vision 2030 and building something Saudi-made
30:00 Advice for the next founder
#SaudiArabia #Vision2030 #MadeInSaudi #SaudiBeauty #Riyadh
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There are seven routes to Saudi Premium Residency. Most people only know about one or two of them, and almost everyone thinks Vesna got hers because of Instagram. This week, Carly and Vesna walk through all seven, what each costs, what each unlocks, and what they wish they'd understood before they started navigating it themselves.
Vesna holds Premium Residency as a secondary, sponsored by her husband, and she's open about what that actually means in practice: full benefits for him, partial for her, and a learning curve for the whole family. Carly doesn't have it. Together they break down limited-duration, unlimited-duration, special talent, gifted, investor, entrepreneur, and real-estate routes, with the actual SAR figures and the catch on each one.
A few things to know up front: this isn't legal advice, the Premium Residency website is the only source you should trust to apply, and the math fact-check halfway through is worth staying for. Part two, on starting a business once you have residency, is coming.
Listen wherever you get podcasts: https://linktr.ee/insidesaudi
Inside Saudi is the English-language podcast about daily life in Saudi Arabia today, co-hosted by two moms in Riyadh.
Follow Inside Saudi: Instagram: @insidesaudiarabia TikTok: @insidesaudiarabia
Carly: @caroverman (Instagram) @carlyoverman (TikTok)
Vesna: @vesnapetrovicx
Chapters:
00:00 Cold open
00:53 Welcome + why this episode
03:00 Seven routes, overview
07:20 Route 1: Limited duration (100,000 SAR/year)
08:45 Route 2: Unlimited duration (800,000 SAR)
10:39 Route 3: Special talent residency
13:13 Route 4: Gifted residency (culture & sports)
16:10 Route 5: Investor residency (7M SAR + 10 jobs)
16:45 Route 6: Entrepreneur residency (two tiers)
21:02 Route 7: Real estate residency (4M SAR unmortgaged)
22:04 Process, timeline, background checks
24:58 Myths people get wrong
27:31 The big summary
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Cedric Dahmoun said no to Saudi three times before he came. He stayed five years.
He's a Belgian-Algerian content creator with 600,000 followers, most of whom found him through TikToks showing what life in Saudi actually looks like. He came during COVID from Dubai, with no Arabic, no plan, and a feeling that he'd run out of versions of himself to try in Europe.
In this episode he tells us about the night a stranger followed him through the dark in the south of Saudi and what happened next. He talks about leaving his phone on the coffee table for five years and what that says about the city he chose. He explains what he calls "the imam of TikTok," and why he doesn't argue with them. And he tells us about his next thing: walking from Riyadh to Mecca by camel, one month, the old way, because he wants to feel how the pilgrimage used to be done.
Carly and Vesna hosted from the studio in Riyadh. Cedric was in Saudi dress and a Shure mic.
Episode 28. Listen wherever you get podcasts.
With Carly Overman and Vesna Petrovic.
00:00 Cold open00:58 Welcome from Carly and Vesna03:43 Meeting Cedric05:30 The road to Riyadh06:25 No three times07:15 Dubai vs Riyadh09:42 Going full-time on social12:14 Converting to Islam13:42 First viral video15:07 Taif and the baboons18:23 By camel to Mecca22:31 Giving back to Saudi23:11 His father, and stopping alcohol25:14 Why he feels safe27:01 The compound trap28:38 3am stranger in Fayfa33:12 Real Islam34:06 The imam of TikTok35:21 The phone on the table38:24 Building 600K42:50 Handling negativity45:13 The spy comments46:16 Media authority call48:24 Authenticity and respect53:58 Advice for new creators01:01:55 Best platforms01:03:14 Why he deletes his camera roll01:04:40 Goodbye and Jeddah invite01:07:21 The Vesna and Alex story01:08:27 Conflict in Saudi vs Belgium01:13:20 Serbian content question01:16:36 Closing
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Alex Tashbaeva stopped going to school at twelve. She'd already been on a tennis court eight hours a day since she was five, and her Uzbek-Soviet parents had decided she was going to be a champion. By sixteen she'd left home; by nineteen she was the only girl on a ten-person coaching team flying to Riyadh to build out the Saudi national tennis programme.
She said yes on a phone call. She knew nothing about the country.
This week we talk to Alex about what those first years actually looked like — coaching the under-14 boys' national team, building the women's programme alone over the summers when her colleagues went home to Europe, and how the Jeddah Yacht Club years pulled her sideways into hospitality and events. She tells us why she resisted calling herself a content creator long after her TikToks were working, and what she sees in Saudi now that she didn't five years ago.
She and Cedric are in Riyadh now and heading back to Jeddah. There's a marketing agency, a YouTube studio, and plans we get into.
Listen wherever you get podcasts: pod.link/insidesaudi
00:00:00 Cold open00:01:00 Welcome and intro00:02:40 Two fires: living with Cedric00:05:07 Moving to Saudi: the path through the US and Spain00:05:57 Tennis from age five and an Uzbek-Soviet upbringing00:08:16 Leaving home at sixteen00:10:38 The phone call: only girl on a ten-person team to Riyadh00:11:13 Arriving in Saudi with no expectations00:12:42 Coaching the national under-14 boys00:14:26 The pivot to hospitality at Jeddah Yacht Club00:17:53 Meeting Cedric00:18:09 Why she refused to call herself a content creator00:20:11 Building the women's programme alone00:24:00 Medina, six months ago00:26:25 Jeddah vs Riyadh: pace, traffic, and where you actually live00:31:36 What they're building next00:34:30 Tips for starting on social in Saudi00:44:00 Reading the comments and adjusting the content00:50:51 What's next
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How do you transition from the intense world of derivatives trading at Goldman Sachs and private client tax at KPMG to launching a global luxury swimwear brand? In this episode of Inside Saudi, we sit down with Katleya Nielsen and Ayesha Mahomed, the visionary founders of Lanuuk.
They pull back the curtain on the "maternal shift" that led them to leave their 10-year corporate careers to solve a massive gap in the market: fashionable, high-quality modest swimwear. From packing orders on their living room floors to a landmark partnership with Aquarabia—Saudi Arabia's first and largest water theme park—Katleya and Ayesha share how they built a global empire with zero paid marketing. We dive into supply chain secrets, the reality of being "control-freak" founders, and how they are redefining luxury for the modern woman in Riyadh.
What you’ll learn:
How to pivot from high-finance/accounting into a creative industry.
The strategy behind building a global brand through organic growth and zero ad spend.
Sourcing sustainable fabrics in Turkey and managing craftsmanship in the Philippines.
Identifying the massive retail gap for high-end modest swimwear in Saudi Arabia.
Behind the scenes of the Aquarabia x Lanuuk partnership.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro: The Goldman Sachs & KPMG Pivot
01:25 Meet the Founders: Katleya and Ayesha
03:30 The 10-Year Corporate Grind
05:40 The "Maternal Shift": Why We Left
08:45 The Problem: Why Modest Swimwear Didn't Exist
12:15 Manufacturing Secrets: The Philippines & Turkey
17:40 Scoping Riyadh: The Saudi Retail Gap
21:10 The Viral Blow-Up: $0 Ad Spend
32:20 "Control Freaks": Managing a Global Brand
41:10 Aquarabia: Saudi’s Biggest Modest Swim Partnership
47:00 Vogue & Organic PR
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What is life in the Kingdom actually like when you step outside the "compound bubble"?
In this episode of Inside Saudi, we sit down with viral creator Senan, a "Westernized Saudi" who has mastered the art of explaining his culture to the world.
We start with a quick story about how an internet misunderstanding actually brought us together, but the real conversation begins when we dive into the local experience. Senan reveals the "unprofessional" slang your tour guide will never teach you and explains why delivery drivers really need that WhatsApp pin (from his own experience as a former driver!).
We also explore the reality of Saudi safety—from leaving your car running while you grab coffee to the peace of mind of raising kids in Riyadh. We tackle the big cultural questions: the truth about gender mixing, why asking for a mother's name is taboo, and the hilarious debate over Western vs. Saudi bathrooms.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The "Chicken Nugget" Identity: What it means to be a Westernized Saudi• Delivery Driver Confessions: Why the app location is never enough 📍• Local Slang 101: Beautiful phrases for age and hospitality• The Safety Factor: Why expats feel so secure in the Kingdom 🛡️• TikTok vs. Instagram: Creating for two completely different audiences• Thobe Etiquette: How to wear the traditional dress the right way• The "Just Do It" System: Senan’s secret to viral content success
Follow Senan:https://www.instagram.com/senan_ar/https://www.tiktok.com/@senan_arfaj
Follow Inside Saudi:https://www.tiktok.com/@insidesaudiarabiahttps://www.instagram.com/insidesaudiarabia
Chapters:
0:00 – Moving past our internet misunderstanding1:20 – Being a “Westernized Saudi” (The Chicken Nugget nickname)4:10 – Learning the hard way: Complaining online5:55 – Answering delivery calls while snorkeling in the Red Sea7:38 – Why Saudi delivery drivers ALWAYS call you for a pin12:00 – TikTok vs. Instagram: Creating for two different worlds13:12 – Saudi Slang 101: The beautiful meaning of "May God give you more years"17:18 – The struggle of being a vegetarian in the land of Kabsa20:56 – The Ultimate Shawarma Guide: Mama Noura & local favorites27:15 – Genuine creators vs. "Views chasing" in Saudi culture33:10 – Why Saudis love escaping to London for the weather43:40 – The "Unprofessional" slang your tour guide won't teach you47:15 – Navigating the Gender Mixing question: Taboos & change56:10 – Thobe Etiquette: How to get it tailored correctly1:04:05 – The Reality of Safety: Handbags, cars, and raising kids1:08:10 – Breaking the "Compound Bubble": Why you need to live local1:10:55 – The Great Bidet Debate: Why the West is missing out1:16:15 – Why talking about toilets is actually a taboo1:22:10 – The "Just Do It" Viral Content System
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What does it really take to succeed in Saudi Arabia?
In this episode, we sit down with Mahmoud Moamenah, founder of Sudasi Business Solutions, to explore why understanding Saudi culture is the key to both life and business here.
From growing up in Saudi and living abroad, to helping expats and businesses navigate the market, Mahmoud shares insights on integration, identity, and why many people never fully experience the country.
We cover:
Why living in a bubble holds people backThe difference between compound life and real SaudiHow culture impacts business successThe role of hospitality, religion, and communityWhy Saudi feels so differentWhether you are an expat, a founder, or just curious about life in Saudi, this episode offers a perspective you will not hear anywhere else.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 Intro and what this episode is about00:10 Living in a bubble abroad01:30 Why Saudi is not what you see in the media02:00 Why business success is about culture03:05 Mahmoud Moamenah’s background06:20 Studying in the US and new perspectives08:35 How stories shape how we see the world10:05 Why Saudi will never lose its culture12:30 Culture shock and moving abroad13:00 Experiencing countries vs living in a bubble15:30 Moving to Washington DC16:20 Teaching Arabic and culture to diplomats18:00 Saudi vs media perception20:45 Why integration matters in Saudi21:20 Language, dialects and culture24:20 Why expats stay in their comfort zone26:58 Why Saudi culture feels different28:30 Community, hospitality and generosity30:40 What family really means in Saudi33:45 Charity, zakat and giving37:20 Returning to Saudi and starting a business38:50 Compound life vs real Riyadh40:15 Helping expats integrate into Saudi life41:50 Bringing Saudis and expats together43:00 Saudi weddings and social life45:00 Ramadan lifestyle and routines47:30 Experiencing Ramadan as an expat
49:10 Moving into consulting and business50:00 Building Elevate Spark53:00 Networking and partnerships in Saudi57:00 Creating opportunities and supporting talent01:01:00 Why culture drives business success01:05:00 Advice for expats and founders01:09:00 The future of Saudi01:12:00 Final reflections01:14:30 Outro
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Saudi Arabia is changing fast, and people around the world are starting to pay attention.
In this first ever Inside Saudi Live, we bring together three very different perspectives on what life in Saudi is actually like.
Ali Almeshaal is a Saudi media professional and tourism entrepreneur who began his career in television and now works across communications and tourism in the region.
Micah Nicole is a long time Saudi radio host and musician who has lived and worked in the Kingdom for more than a decade, witnessing the country’s cultural shifts firsthand.
Coach Kaiser is a fitness creator who came to Saudi for five days and ended up quitting his job and moving to Riyadh shortly after.
Together we talk about misconceptions about Saudi, how the country has changed over the past decade, what it’s really like living here as an expat, and why so many people are suddenly curious about the Kingdom.
From culture and social media to tourism and expat life, this conversation explores the realities of building a life in Saudi Arabia.
If you are curious about Saudi or thinking about visiting or moving here, this episode is for you.
Podcast Chapters00:00 Introduction to Inside Saudi Live01:40 Welcome to the live podcast02:28 How the live show came together05:18 Introducing Ali Almeshaal, Micah Nicole and Coach Kaiser06:24 Ali Almeshaal’s first viral YouTube video08:15 How music used to operate in Saudi09:46 Saudi fitness culture vs Australia11:12 Communicating in Saudi culture12:46 Handling negativity online14:38 Why creators are documenting Saudi16:44 Coach Kaiser’s five day trip that led to moving to Saudi18:46 How Riyadh became international21:00 Advice for people moving to Saudi23:25 Misconceptions about living in Saudi25:28 Riyadh vs other Saudi cities26:40 The moment Saudi started feeling like home28:12 The phases every expat experiences30:30 The viral video that started Coach Kaiser’s content32:01 Why expats sharing Saudi is valuable34:58 Understanding Saudi culture as a foreigner38:50 Saudi tourism and the Red Sea projects42:22 Why the world is curious about Saudi43:32 Work life balance in Saudi44:22 Travel habits in Saudi vs the West46:14 The biggest assumption about living in Saudi
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 Chapters00:00 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
- Visa fler
