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How Palestine made me a storyteller, producing, directing, and creating for humanity, HBO, and beyond with filmmaker and storyteller, Shahed Khaddash

Well Rooted

Release Date: 02/27/2025

Beyond the Lens: Shahed Khaddash on Film, Identity, and Resistance show art Beyond the Lens: Shahed Khaddash on Film, Identity, and Resistance

Well Rooted

In this re-released episode of Well Rooted, we sit down with Shahed Khaddash — a Palestinian-American director and producer whose work is redefining how stories from our communities are told. With an eye for truth and authenticity, Shahed has collaborated with powerhouse brands like OLAY, Lexus, and Elle Magazine, crafting visual stories that bridge cultures and challenge stereotypes. We explore her groundbreaking approach to storytelling — from her highly anticipated Palestinian docuseries to an upcoming HBO project that’s turning heads in the industry. Shahed opens up about her...

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Well Rooted

In this re-release episode of Well Rooted, host Haneen Jarrar sits down with Nael Atweh, founder and president of Grass Fed Music, to dive into the world of music industry innovation and artist development. Known for discovering and nurturing top-tier talent, Nael represents breakout R&B star Sabrina Claudio and DJ Habibeats, a cultural icon shaping today’s global music scene. Nael opens up about his journey in talent management, his passion for developing authentic artists, and the inspiration behind launching Grass Fed Music with his wife and partner Alyce Hayek, who serves as the...

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In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Well Rooted, we sit down with Alana Hadid — a sustainable fashion icon, model, creative director of Watermelon Pictures, soon-to-be two-time author, activist, and proud member of the prestigious and deeply respected Palestinian Hadid family. Alana opens up about reclaiming narratives, the inevitable evolution we've all experienced over the past two years, the personal and professional cost of speaking her undeniable truth, and what it means to stay rooted in justice when the world demands silence. We talk about the urgency of decolonizing our minds,...

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Well Rooted

In this powerful episode of Well Rooted, we sit down with Sylwia Nazzal — Palestinian fashion designer, founder of Nazzal Studio, and winner of the Fashion Trust Arabia Debut Talent Award. Sylwia shares the deeply personal journey behind her award-winning senior thesis at Parsons, What Should Have Been Home — a fashion collection that confronts the realities of Palestinian life under occupation through archival imagery and intentional design.   But this story goes far beyond fashion.   Sylwia opens up about the very real obstacles she faced for daring to speak out about...

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Well Rooted

In this powerful episode of Well Rooted, we sit down with Marya Khalil-Otto, CEO of VI Peel—the first-of-its-kind, painless chemical peel designed for all skin tones. Originally created by her father, Dr. Khalil, to help treat Marya’s acne, VI Peel has grown into one of the most trusted brands in the aesthetics industry. Marya opens up about stepping into leadership after her father’s passing, moving cross-country to LA, and going back to school to become a licensed aesthetician—all to deepen her connection to the brand and its community. We also dive into: The science and truth...

info_outline Jenan Matari | Everything Grows: Storytelling, Identity & Rooted Resistance show art Jenan Matari | Everything Grows: Storytelling, Identity & Rooted Resistance

Well Rooted

In the latest episode of Well Rooted, we sit down with Jenan Matari — award-winning author, publicist, activist, and creator — to explore the deeply personal and political themes woven through her upcoming children’s book, Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden. Jenan shares how reclaiming and preserving her Palestinian heritage shapes her storytelling, and what it means to raise children with a strong connection to their roots — especially in a world that often challenges indigenous and diasporic identities. We discuss the sacred relationship indigenous people have with the land,...

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In this empowering episode of Well Rooted, we sit down with Nadia Khaled—a dynamic content creator, manifestation coach, and host of the Limitless with Nadia podcast. Nadia shares her transformative journey from being unexpectedly fired for posting a TikTok at work to building a thriving six-figure business and living her dream life. Discover how Nadia harnessed the power of neuroscience, quantum physics, and universal laws to manifest her desires. She delves into the science behind manifestation, the importance of embracing your divine feminine energy, and how to cultivate success in...

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In this captivating episode of Well Rooted, we sit down with Ebraheem Al Samadi — the breakout star of Dubai Bling, founder of Forever Rose and Forever Rose Café, and a self-proclaimed “unfiltered” force of nature. From his Florida upbringing to building a luxury empire in the heart of the UAE, Ebraheem shares his journey with raw honesty, humor, and heart. We dive into his early start in entrepreneurship, the business mindset that shaped his success, and the unapologetic confidence that keeps him standing firm — especially when using his platform to speak up for the causes that...

info_outline Why we need laughter more than ever, Arab girl dating problems, double standards, and humanitarian work for Palestine with comedian, Abeer show art Why we need laughter more than ever, Arab girl dating problems, double standards, and humanitarian work for Palestine with comedian, Abeer

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In this inspiring and hilarious episode, we sit down with breakout content creator and comedian Abeer, whose fearless voice and relatable storytelling have captivated audiences across platforms. We dive into her journey into content creation—what sparked it, how she's navigated it, and the deeper purpose behind her viral moments. Abeer opens up about her advocacy work, the power of humor in breaking down barriers, and how she challenges cultural norms around women, dating, and “socially acceptable” behavior—often with a laugh, always with intention. This conversation is a blend of...

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In this powerful episode of Well Rooted, we sit down with Lara Salmon — a world-renowned Irish-American performance artist and co-founder of the social justice apparel brand For Your Viewing Pleasure (FYVP), created alongside her partner and designer, Vanessa. Lara opens up about her life and work, from her deeply immersive artistic practice to her transformative experiences living in the Middle East. She shares how witnessing both the beauty and the heartbreak of life in conflict zones reshaped her understanding of community, solidarity, and the responsibility of artists to speak truth to...

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More Episodes

In this episode of Well Rooted, we’re thrilled to have Shahed Khaddash, a Palestinian-American director and producer whose storytelling prowess is helping reshape the media landscape. With a keen eye for authentic narratives, Shahed has worked with renowned brands like OLAY, Lexus, and Elle Magazine, using her skill to craft compelling stories that resonate across cultures. We dive deep into her vision for amplifying Palestinian voices, from her highly anticipated Palestinian docuseries to an exciting HBO project she’s been instrumental in, Shahed shares her journey of using film as a powerful tool to elevate underrepresented stories, challenging the status quo, and shining a light on the richness of Palestinian culture. This episode is a celebration of creativity, vision, and the transformative power of storytelling—don’t miss it!

 

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