'DXB Unheard' airs weekly, inviting listeners worldwide to discover the extraordinary people who call Dubai home.
British broadcaster Kate Garraway has been announced as the host of DXB Unheard, a brand-new podcast and YouTube series that uncovers the untold stories, personal achievements and experiences within Dubai. The eight-part series, released weekly, features in-depth interviews with influential individuals, giving listeners insight into the lives of Emiratis and residents who have made a lasting impact on the city.
The first episode, The Melting Pot, explores the diverse backgrounds of those who call Dubai home and is now available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and other major streaming platforms.
Throughout the series, Garraway delves into Dubai’s transformation from a small fishing village to a global centre for innovation, speaking with both Emiratis and expatriates who have shaped its modern identity. From its humanitarian and sustainability efforts to hosting world-renowned sporting events, DXB Unheard paints a vivid picture of Dubai’s evolution.
The podcast features a distinguished lineup of guests, including Bakhita Al-Muhairi, the first Emirati female commercial pilot; Isobel Abulhoul OBE, founder and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation; Mathew Tait, former England rugby player and current Emirates Dubai 7s lead; and H.E. Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.
Kate Garraway said: “In this series, I get to introduce you to people who want to open your eyes and your mind to another Dubai, the one that is unheard, and explore what this city and its residents are all about. It is a place where East meets West, where women can and do lead the way, where science is saving resources and selflessness is saving lives.
“I’ve been to Dubai a few times, but it was through these conversations in people’s homes, restaurants, offices, and places of cultural significance that I’ve really been able to understand a different side of Dubai. It’s so special to _understand more how the people of Dubai – both locally raised and expats _– live and work together.
“Dubai is a tapestry of stories woven together. DXB Unheard is our chance to unravel those threads and celebrate the extraordinary lives that intersect, uncovering stories that were previously unknown or unrecognised as part of Dubai’s rich narrative.”
One such extraordinary life that will be explored in the first episode of the series is that of expatriate Isobel Abulhoul OBE, founder, advisor and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation. Born in Cambridge, Abulhoul moved from the UK to Dubai in the late 1960s and has played a profound role in the evolution of the country’s literary scene over the past five decades.
Isobel added: “I left the UK to start a new life with my Emirati husband. I had little idea of what to expect, but I knew that there were so many stories just waiting to be told, and I wanted to create spaces for readers and writers alike to celebrate the joy of literature. So much has changed over the past 50 years and the UAE’s literary scene has developed dramatically from when I first touched down on that small runway all those years ago. Dubai is a cultural hub for literature, and I hope listeners come away from the series keen to discover Dubai’s unique stories for themselves.”
