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Podcast

As a child, I was enthralled with history and biographies. I struggled in Math and Science, but one rainy Friday, my 4th grade teacher pointed out I was good in History and my life changed at that moment. I decided that day I would major in History. So that’s what I did 9 years later, I entered university in Washington, DC to study History- a continuation of learning and analyzing people’s lives and decisions. I interned in the US Congress, at The White House, and for NGOs; and volunteered on political campaigns, and worked in the city after graduation. But moving to London to study for my Masters changed my worldview. I’ve lived in 9 countries and have found myself in a completely different arena: fashion. Over the past 6 years, I have developed an eye for couture craftsmanship, learning how to put intricate and detailed collections into words. As a result, I have developed relationships with some of the world's most leading brands, covering Paris, Milan, New York, and Riyadh Fashion Week shows. I also have a faith and lifestyle magazine, Seele that I founded. I decided to launch ‘The Soulful Side Of Life,’ an amalgamation of my experiences, where I interview people in areas that have touched my life in: fashion, faith, entertainment, music, business, and entrepreneurship. The podcast is an extension of my interests in discussing people’s stories.

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please follow.

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSoulfulSideOfLife

Seele Magazine: https://seelemag.com/

Episode 75: From Journalism to PR- Simon Buckby Discusses His Journey of Communication

In this conversation, Simon shares his journey from journalism to public relations, beginning his career as a TV reporter for the BBC and then later a correspondent for the Financial Times. Simon discusses the evolving nature of crisis communication, the role of citizen journalists, and the skills necessary for effective communication in today's fast-paced world. Buckby also reflects on his experiences living and working in emerging markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in these regions.

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Episode 74: Austin Akers- International Election Observer and Communications Strategist

Austin is the co-Founder of Interscribe Global Communications Agency, which helps leaders navigate the complex intersection of politics and communications. He’s also an international election observer who's spent the last decade working across emerging democracies. His experience has taken him from observing elections in Albania and Georgia to working with global NGOs, think tanks, and advocacy groups on strategic communications challenges.

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Episode 73: Alison Rehill-Erguven the CEO of Cenomi Centers, the Largest Real Estate Mall Developer In Saudi Arabia

Alison Rehill-Erguven CEO of Cenomi Centers. What Emaar is to Dubai, what Westfield is to London, or Simon Property Group is to the US, Cenomi Centers is to Saudi Arabia. Her role is to bring strategic growth and transformation to Cenomi Centers' portfolio, which reaches over 80% of the Saudi population. Alison is leading the way for malls to be more than just malls in the kingdom, to be called “contemporary lifestyle centers” rather than malls with refined dining, better building materials used, a higher spec on design, internationally IP led entertainment, VIP lounges, personal shopping, and valet drop offs. To do this, she oversees development, operations, marketing, and asset management functions.

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Episode 72: Inga Rubenstein: From Modeling To Ardent Art Connoisseur

Russian born, Inga Rubenstein is also American. She’s St. Petersburg, turned New York City, turned fashion model, turned ardent art connoisseur. I first met Inga in Florence, Italy by chance and have admired her style, and the way she holds herself in a reserved manner. In this episode we talk about her life in Russia, modeling, NY, art, and her philanthropic work.

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Talks With KB & Ally [Women In the Bible Series] The Shunammite Woman, Woman With Blood, Sarah

In episode 6 of the series, KB and Ally discuss three women of faith. Two are nameless (as there are many nameless women in the Bible): The Shunammite Woman, and the Woman With Blood. And then there is Sarah. The Shunammite Woman desired greatly to be a mother and almost lost the son God blessed her with, but she had faith for the child’s healing. The Woman With Blood suffered from a health issue and her faith was ignited by strong conviction. And Sarah, the mother of Israel is known for her great faith in God, that at 90 she bore a son, Isaac. All three of these women had great faith and God blessed them richly.

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Episode 71: Mary Senkowska On The Importance Of Having Confidence In Business & Creating Leadership Programs For Executives

Mary Senkowska is an international entrepreneur, executive coach, and single mother who has built her career bridging continents and cultures. As the founder of Creative Brain, she has spent eight years developing leadership programs for executives across 90+ nationalities, from her bases in the Netherlands, Malaysia, New York and now Poland. Mary's work focuses on the intersection of emotional intelligence and high-performance leadership, helping executives navigate uncertainty.

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Talks With KB & Ally [Women In the Bible Series] Villainous Women: Jezebel and Delilah

In episode 5 of the series, KB and Ally discuss two villainous women: Jezebel and Delilah, and how these two foreign women tried to destroy God’s people. Jezebel was wicked, a murderer, a usurper, the alpha in her marriage to King Ahab, and just plain awful. Delilah is probably the woman in the Bible that used sexpionage to take down Samson, a man whose drive and motivation was driven by sex and beautiful foreign women. Even with the enemy’s scheming and people's own weaknesses, God always prevails and with Jezebel and Delilah, God got the glory and last say.

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Episode 69: Pierre Houssney On The Ministry Needs In Lebanon

Pierre Houssney is a Lebanese-American who has been in full time ministry with Horizons International (a mission organization founded by his father Georges). He leads a team of nationals and missionaries, running centers of evangelism and discipleship throughout Lebanon, as well as a school for refugee children and the Middle East Center for World Missions. I met Pierre in 2018 when I moved to Beirut and started serving with Horizons. In this episode we discuss the current need in Lebanon and how Horizons is responding to that need.

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Episode 68: Matthew A. Swift- The CEO & Co-Founder of Concordia On Creating A Network Of World Leaders That Insight Change

Matthew A. Swift is the Co-Founder, President & CEO of Concordia. Matthew has grown Concordia into the leading nonpartisan global affairs membership organization dedicated to forming innovative cross-sector partnerships that address the greatest challenges and opportunities of our time. Matthew has led conversations with preeminent world figures from U.S. Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden; President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; former President of Colombia Álvaro Uribe; The Carlyle Group Inc. Co-Founder David Rubenstein; former White House Advisor Ivanka Trump; her husband Jared Kushner; and Uber (NYSE: UBER) CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi. Concordia’s summits have been held in New York City, Miami, Bogotá, Athens, Madrid, London, Porto, and Guyana.

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