The TWENTY30
New futuristic cities built from scratch. Giga-projects. Major sports investments. Trillions in spending. An economy and society changing so quickly even locals sometimes can’t believe their eyes. Saudi Arabia is on a mission to change itself from a conservative society with an oil-dominated economy to a modern and open society with a diversified economy - and to become a global tourism destination. Such a transformation has never before been attempted, and the stakes for the Middle East - and the world - are high. The TWENTY30 is a new media network and podcast that explores the seemingly endless dimensions of the social and economic transformations in Saudi Arabia, which few living outside the Kingdom can truly grasp. From the creator and co-host of The 966 Podcast comes a new platform that tackles the news, issues, challenges, and opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region as it continues forward in a full-throttle effort to remake itself while the world watches. Featuring exclusive interviews, frank conversations, and in-depth topic exploration, The TWENTY30 is the first bi-weekly english program of its kind dedicated to uncovering and highlighting the road ahead for Saudi Arabia and the region and why it matters. Hosted by Lucien Zeigler and Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed, The TWENTY30 is a new media network that will expand understanding of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region through real conversations, research, and insights on a variety of platforms.
Episodes
Happy 4th of July! In Episode 57, the hosts catch up after a break and discuss some feedback, including one listener/viewer who asks the hosts to share something that listeners might not know about themselves. Then Lucien leads a Deep Dive into the return of Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia. He's back! While the price tag is massive, it is very likely worth every penny for Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is experiencing an extraordinary phase of...
Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, is at the forefront of a growing esports movement in Saudi Arabia and globally. In the ever-evolving world of gaming, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a major player, actively positioning itself as a global hub for esports. This ambition is making waves worldwide, driven by a strategy backed by none other than His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince - an avid gam...
President and Chairwoman of the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation join co-hosts Hanaa and Lucien for an exclusive interview, shedding light on her journey from being the first Saudi woman certified as a boxing coach to holding prominent positions in international sports organizations and her new role as head of the Saudi MMA Federation. Rasha talks with The TWENTY30 about the significant investments and strategies driving the gro...
Charles Hallab, President and CEO of the US-Saudi Business Council, joins The TWENTY30 co-hosts Lucien Zeigler and Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed to react to the impact and importance of U.S. President Trump's recent visit to Saudi Arabia. Hallab, who recently became President and CEO of the longstanding organization after a lifelong career (and portion of his childhood!) in Saudi Arabia and in U.S.-Saudi business relations, characterizes the...
In Episode #53, Lucien, on his last day in the U.S. before returning to Saudi Arabia on Friday and Dr. Hanaa, joining from Muscat, Oman, catch up with each other, with Dr. Hanaa giving her impressions from her inaugural trip to Oman and Lucien boasting about the weather in the U.S. right now. Then, the hosts get to a DEEPDIVE led by Lucien. The innovation landscape in Saudi Arabia just got a big boost on the back of news highlighti...
Hanaa and Lucien catch up and read some feedback on recent episodes to kick off Episode 52, in a rare moment in which both are recording the episode from their homes in the UK and US, respectively. Then, Lucien leads a DEEPDIVE into the Vision 2030 report for 2024, released this week. Over the past year, several Vision 2030 targets have been reached ahead of schedule. Others have been exceeded entirely. Progress inclu...
In Episode 51, Dr. Hanaa, fresh off of her recent trip to Japan with her family, discusses her visit there and the hosts share observations of that amazing country. Lucien recaps his recent experience and outcomes from Riyadh's Human Capability Initiative 2025. After the hosts catch up, Dr. Hanaa leads a DEEPDIVE on the Eastern Province and a recent podcast interview in Arabic in which the topic of growth and investment into the "E...
In this episode, hosts Lucien and Hanaa take a moment at the start to celebrate the 50th episode milestone of the TWENTY30 Podcast. Now with 45,000+ subscribers, the hosts reflect a little on the journey so far while noting it is just the beginning. Dr. Hanaa leads a DEEPDIVE, with a discussion on the findings in the recently released the Global Youth Index 2024, which assesses youth development across 40 countries. They delve into...
In Episode 49, co-hosts Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed and Lucien Zeigler catch up after a short break over the Eid holidays before jumping into a DEEPDIVE on Saudi Arabia's new architectural guidelines, released by HRH the Crown Prince (along with a map!). Saudi Arabia is identifying and solidifying its heritage through new urban development guidelines that incorporate the kingdom’s indigenous design traditions. The initiative will serve as ...
In a landmark episode of The Twenty30 Podcast, co-hosts Lucien Zeigler and Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed sat down in person for an exclusive interview with Suliman Almazroua, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), one of the 13 powerful ‘Vision Realization Programs’ identified as “the driving force behind Vision 2030.” A former Aramco executive with decades of experience at the intersection of te...
The Saudi-funded education organization 'Mawhiba' and its initiatives have a significant impact on young Saudi talent. The organization empowers young Saudis through STEM education and science competitions, including The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2025. Bright young Saudis will visit Columbus, Ohio to compete - and win - international recognition on May 10-16. ISEF is celebrating its 75th anniversar...
How far has Saudi come in the development of its entrepreneurship and tech ecosystem? Hussein Atar, a leading venture capitalist and tech influencer who has been on the ground floor of the movement in Saudi Arabia, discusses the significant progress and road ahead for Saudi Arabia's goals of becoming a global technology powerhouse. He shares his journey from being a tech startup founder to leading a venture capital fund, highlighti...
Well well well look who's back! In episode 45 of The TWENTY30, the hosts catch up at the start to talk about the start of Ramadan, leading to a discussion about how the month typically changes lives, working hours, and of course, dining habits for Saudis. After the hosts catch up from a short break, Hanaa leads a DEEPDIVE into Saudi Arabia's booming nonprofit sector, which is ahead of Vision 2030 targets and increasingly contributi...
Meet Omar AlMaeena and Safwan Modir, founders of RedSea Camel Company and stars of the hit Netflix series 'Camel Quest.' Tired of their jobs and longing for something new, Omar and Safwan took a big leap in 2021, leaving their previous work in finance, entertainment and hospitality and founded a camel breeding farm in the largely-bucolic Qassim region of Saudi Arabia - not an easy leap for two guys from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's secon...
In Episode 43 of the TWENTY30 Podcast, co-hosts Lucien and Hanaa discuss a major milestone in the Saudi banking sector with the launch of the Kingdom's first all-digital bank, STC Bank. In Lucien's DEEPDIVE, he shares the journey of the bank from a small and unknown entity to acquisition by STC to approval by the Saudi Central Bank (aka SAMA) roughly 8 years later, and why it is a watershed moment for the banking sector and fintech...
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 i...
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 ...
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" plan...
Happy Holidays to The TWENTY30’s growing community of listeners and viewers! In Episode 39, co-hosts Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed and Lucien Zeigler are joined by Dina Amin, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission to talk about how Saudi Arabia is developing homegrown artistic talent and the work she’s doing in building an art ecosystem from the ground-up. The Visual Arts Commission, as part of the Ministry of Culture, is...
Saudi Arabia has soared up in UN rankings on digital government and e-government, jumping 25 places in the latest UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2024. Not only that, but Riyadh city is - amazingly - now ranked 3rd GLOBALLY among 193 cities worldwide. The high rankings are welcomed in Saudi Arabia, but for residents and regular visitors, it is not all that surprising. The Kingdom’s e-government services across a variety of...
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