While you or I can't invite former president Barack Obama round for a cup of mint tea to quiz him about his incredible life, his wife, former first lady Michelle, certainly can, and that's exactly what she did for the first episode of The Michelle Obama Podcast.
In recent years, the celebrity podcast has become the place for the world’s most influential stars to get their famous friends (or spouses) to unbutton, spill secrets and share opinions, not to mention offer advice on everything from dating to body image.
Here are 10 of our favourite all-star podcasts to download.
1. Michelle Obama, ‘The Michelle Obama Podcast’
What's it about? The hour-long podcasts, which are available exclusively on Spotify, focus on news, social and community stories happening around the world.
"My hope is that this series can be a place to explore meaningful topics together and sort through so many of the questions we're all trying to answer in our own lives," the formerfirst lady told Spotify.
Notable guests: Former president Barack Obama (obviously!), talk show host Conan O'Brien, and author and Washington Post journalist Michele Norris.
2. Anna Faris, ‘Anna Faris is Unqualified’
What's it about? The Mom actress – and ex-wife of Jurassic World star Chris Pratt – takes on the complicated world of dating in her chatty, informal podcast, in which celebrity guests are given hypothetical dating situations and asked to offer their advice.
“I started this podcast with zero qualifications, only curiosity, the desire to connect, and a genuine interest in your life and your stories,” she says on her website.
Notable guests: Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, Josh Hutcherson, Padma Lakshmi and Seth Rogen.
3. Dax Shepard, ‘Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard’
What's it about? The comic actor and husband of Frozen star Kristen Bell, with whom he has two children, is the host of one of the most popular celebrity podcasts. Happy to delve into his own life experiences, the Bless This Mess actor says on his website: "I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly attractive."
Notable guests: Aly Raisman, Sofia Coppola, Bill Gates, Tom Brady and Sean Penn.
4. Jameela Jamil, ‘I Weigh with Jameela Jamil’
What's it about? The British actress and activist, and star of Netflix show The Good Place, tackles a subject close to her heart in her podcast: weight and body image. Having started the hashtag #iweigh on Instagram, encouraging her followers to measure their worth in achievements rather than the number on the bathroom scales, she told Stylist: "I'm so polarising on Twitter. I think it's hard to ever get a gauge of what I'm actually like … It's nice to have more than 280 characters to have a proper conversation."
Notable guests: Reese Witherspoon and Demi Lovato.
5. Gwyneth Paltrow, ‘The Goop Podcast’
What's it about? Hosted by Oscar-winning Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, the actress, along with the company's chief commercial officer, Elise Loehnen, discuss the wide-ranging subject of wellness. From mental to physical health, marriage and relationships, dealing with trauma and learning to apologise properly, the pair welcome expert guests each week.
Notable guests: Oprah Winfrey, Cameron Diaz, Laura Wasser and Ambassador Susan Rice.
6. Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson, ‘Sibling Revelry’
What's it about? The actor siblings and children of Hollywood great, Goldie Hawn, discuss all things family in their podcast, with a focus on the relationships between siblings.
"We had a childhood that I think a lot of people would look at and think it was the best childhood," the Almost Famous actress told Grazia. "And in retrospect, I look back and think we had a wonderful upbringing. But like any other family dynamic, at some point you have to accept the fact that yes on the outside everything looks great but there's always going to be something."
Notable guests: Kourtney Kardashian and Kendall Jenner, Elle and Dakota Fanning, and Danica Patrick and Brooke Selman.
7. Alec Baldwin, ‘Here’s The Thing’
What's it about? The 30 Rock actor and father-of-six uses his impressive Hollywood and political connections to showcase what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to work.
“Alec pursues great conversations in unexpected places to find out what motivates his guests, how they feel about what they do and what keeps them up at night,” says his podcast website.
Notable guests: Chris Rock, Michael Douglas, Anjelica Huston and James Caan.
8. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, ‘Office Ladies’
What's it about? The stars of the US version of The Office, Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly) and Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin), who just so happen to be best friends in real life, teamed up to create a podcast that's perfect for fans. Each episode breaks down an episode of the TV show, which ran for nine season from March 2005 to March 2013, providing insights "only two people who were there can tell you".
9. Amy Schumer, ‘3 Girls, 1 Keith’
What's it about? The American actress and stand-up comedienne has teamed up with her three friends, Rachel Feinstein, Bridget Everett and Keith Robinson, for a podcast in which they discuss pop culture and comedy.
“I know that everybody feels like you can only take in so much news. We’re all just trying to do the right thing and stay home and not go completely insane,” Feinstein told Spotify of the podcast’s ethos. “So, I feel like it has to be a balance between taking in enough information so that you know whether you’re supposed to wipe down cardboard or not, and staying calm and entertained.”
Notable guests: Quentin Tarantino, David Byrne, Jerry Seinfeld and Harley Pasternak.
10. Oprah Winfrey, ‘Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations’
What's it about? Promising to "light you up, guide you through life's big questions and help bring you one step closer to your best self", the most well-connected person in Hollywood opens up her vast contacts book to interview "thought-leaders, best-selling authors, spiritual luminaries, as well as health and wellness experts". Expect plenty of Winfrey's signature uplifting messages.
Notable guests: Beyonce, David Letterman, Rihanna, John Legend and Deepak Chopra.
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Read more:
Why scripted drama series ‘The Basement’ is a landmark for the Arab podcast scene
Michelle Obama launching a podcast on Spotify: It's a place to 'open up and be vulnerable'
Soon, you won't find Joe Rogan's podcast on most apps, and it won't be on YouTube either
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ABU%20DHABI%20CARD
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What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
Results
6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer)
6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m
Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m
Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor
8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons
9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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Napoleon
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THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
More on Quran memorisation:
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
