In Episode 42, Hanaa Almoaibed leads a deepdive examining the evolution and milestones of women's football in Saudi Arabia and the rapid establishment and scale of the sport in just a few years. Recently, NEOM released a report entitled 'Pioneering Change: Women's Football in Saudi Arabia,' highlighting just how far things have come for the popular sport in the Kingdom for women, and the incredible ecosystem and societal benefits it has had so far. Multiple factors are propelling this success, including government investment, grassroots initiatives, high-profile coaching, and strategic partnerships. Roles of female coaches as role models and comprehensive marketing efforts to build a fan base and increase visibility are paying off - and defying both expectations in the Kingdom, and stereotypes outside of it.

Before the DEEPDIVE, Lucien and Hanaa catch up on the latest things happening for Lucien in Saudi Arabia, including his resolution of a mobility issue and a recent Uber accident.

After the DEEPDIVE, the co-hosts run through some interesting news happening from Saudi Arabia this week, including an exciting start to 2025 for Saudi Arabia's tech scene, Saudi Arabia at DAVOS, U.S.-Saudi relations in the Trump era, and much more.

📈 The TWENTY30 is the #1 podcast on Saudi Arabia in English. Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts:

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https://www.youtube.com/@thetwenty30

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0uuKNWrgbQPMBIx3XY6YGU

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty30/id1742574206

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📧 You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC.

In Episode 41, regular guest contributor, influencer, and Saudi cultural consultant Ghada AlMuhanna joins hosts Lucien and Hanaa to talk about Riyadh's new metro system, now fully launched and operational in the Kingdom's capital. The hosts and Ghada talk about their perceptions and impressions riding the metro for the first time - what's great, what's unique, and how the metro is impacting culture and life in the city. The Riyadh metro is more than just a transportation system - it's a major cultural shift for a city where just a few years ago, women couldn't drive and the mixing of genders in public was not allowed. It also represents a elevation in mobility for millions of people, including the Kingdom's massive youth population, who are now able to get around without a car.

Before the conversation with Ghada, hosts Lucien and Hanaa read a critical comment received from a subscriber and respond with their thoughts.

After the conversation, the hosts get to the latest news from Saudi Arabia, including:

•A groundbreaking mining joint venture (JV) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between two of Saudi Arabia's largest companies

•A downward revision for Saudi Arabia's economic forecast in 2025

•The first Sotheby's art auction coming up in Diriyah

•A historic win for Saudi Arabia at the Dakar Rally 2025 by a Saudi billionaire

📈 The TWENTY30 is the #1 podcast on Saudi Arabia in English. Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts:

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@thetwenty30

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0uuKNWrgbQPMBIx3XY6YGU

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty30/id1742574206

Get episodes and exclusive content delivered to your email inbox free:

https://thetwenty30.com

📧 You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 kicks off 2025 with Episode 40 (!) after a short break over the holiday season with Lucien now in Riyadh joining from King Saud University and Dr. Hanaa having completed several weeks in Saudi Arabia over the break. The hosts catch up on Lucien's move with family and discuss the weather and the exciting guests coming up on the show in the coming weeks. Lucien leads a DEEPDIVE on Saudi Arabia's new "livestock city" planned for the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia and the hosts discuss the strategic investment as important for the Kingdom's food sustainability and security needs. Then the hosts jump into the news, including a discussion of a wild waterspout caught on camera off the Kingdom's Red Sea coast, some surprising results for the Kingdom's FDI drive, major reforms for the Kingdom's stock market and CMA, and a huge pay increase for Saudi Arabia's private sector employees.

📈 The TWENTY30 is the #1 podcast on Saudi Arabia in English. Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts:

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@thetwenty30

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0uuKNWrgbQPMBIx3XY6YGU

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty30/id1742574206

Get episodes and exclusive content delivered to your email inbox free:

https://thetwenty30.com

📧 You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.