The Arts in Business

In a state of flow – Noura Ali-Ramahi

In this episode we speak with Emirati artist Noura Ali-Ramahi. Noura is a prolific artists and also works as a learning and development professional. During our conversation, we cover her ritual of a daily walk, achieving a state of flow, and how bringing your artistic sensibilities into your professional role can open new conversations with your colleagues and clients.
 
Learn more about Noura on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nouraramahi/
During the episode, we referred to:
Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim: Between Sunrise and Sunset: Works 1986–2022: https://www.amazon.com/Mohamed-Ahmed-Ibrahim-Between-1986-2022/dp/6148035448
'Quiet' by Susan Cain: https://www.amazon.de/Quiet-Power-Introverts-World-Talking/dp/0307352153/ref=asc_df_0307352153/?tag=googshopde-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310687609892&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14602074268620174365&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061053&hvtargid=pla-432395948286&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=58559695621&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=310687609892&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14602074268620174365&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061053&hvtargid=pla-432395948286
Written by Rana Asfour: https://themarkaz.org/abu-dhabi-shows-noura-ali-ramahis-allow-me-not-to-explain/
 
Music by: Coma-Media (https://pixabay.com/users/coma-media) 
 
Episode Overview:
(00:40) Introducing Noura
(01:50) Moment of Comfort
(02:48) Noura’s journey into the arts
(04:43) Investigating the Definition of ‘artist’
(07:48) Noura’s definition of artistic sensibilities
(12:10) Diving into gazing deeply and living again
(21:09) Consciously not labeling and not filtering
(25:04) Noura’s work in Learning and Development
(26:13) Bringing the arts into the workplace
(32:14) A state of flow (in a professional setting)
(39:06) Nourishing artistic sensibilities – making connections
(42:08) Making Connections and the three Ps
(47:28) Creating spaces where people can take risks
(53:25) Keep feeding curiosity
 

From Embracing Mess in Visual Arts to Confidently Solving Problems at Work – Lily Moinette

Together with Lily Moinette, we explored how an artistic practice that is not based on professional pursuits can impact her work and community. Lily works as a Grants Coordinator for NYU Abu Dhabi where she helps faculty find the right funding opportunities for their research goals. When she is not working, Lily paints, sews, and hosts. 
 
Episode Overview:
(00:40) – Introducing Lily
(01:41) – Moment of Comfort
(02:37) – Lily’s artistic practice
(03:50) – Feeling yourself through the mess
(04:56) – Lily’s definition of artistic sensibilities
(06:37) – On crafter-noons
(09:22) – Building in time for artistic endeavors
(10:20) – Lily’s work as grants coordinator
(12:14) – Connecting artistic sensibilities and finances
(14:14) – Problem-solving and working within constraints
(16:53) – Transitioning from Art History to Finance
(19:26) – Letting the materials guide you
(22:19) – Bringing the arts into excel spreadsheets
(25:50) – leaning into flexibility and adaptability
(28:43) – Finding the intersection between artistic sensibilities and professional work
(30:25) – Bringing the arts into corporate environments
(32:00) – How to create spaces for dialogue and discussion
(33:48) – Lily’s next milestones and intentions

On Dance, Connection, Negotiation – Salvatore Lavallo

In this episode Salvatore explores how his background and practice of dance intersects with his work in direct foreign investment. We speak about dance bringing joy to people, allowing for connection and how the intuitive sensibilities can lead to great negotiations.
 
Learn more about Salvatore on...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallavallo/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SalLavallo193?app=desktop
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatore-lavallo-bb58771a/
 
Episode Overview
(00:40) Introducing Salvatore Lavallo
(02:15) Moment of Comfort
(05:14) Salvatore’s background in dance
(10:00) Dance is the most basic form of expression of human happiness
(15:30) Encouraging others to dance
(17:45) Salvatore’s definition of artistic sensibilities
(20:45) Connecting Financial Investment and Dance
(23:03) Salvatore’s work as Head of FDI
(24:20) Bringing empathy into the workplace
(28:40) Uncovering empathy in the office
(32:05) Dance as a reflection of our societal norms
(35:21) Focusing on where we get joy from
(40:49) Heightening self-confidence through art
(43:58) Leaving space for reflection/feedback in the corporate world
(47:07) Getting back to dance
(50:46) Salvatore’s Milestones and intentions

Collaboration is a Response - Alexa Mena

In this episode we explore the collaboration and how it relates to the arts and corporate environments with Alexa Mena. Alexa is the Senior Project Manager and Business Development Specialist at Syndication Bureau Media Services.
 
Find Alexa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramenagirl/
Read 'The Overstory' by Richard Powers: https://www.amazon.com/Overstory-Novel-Richard-Powers/dp/039335668X
Read more about collaboration in Sebastian Grube's article 'Collaboration is Inevitable': https://open.substack.com/pub/sebastiangrube/p/collaboration-is-inevitable?r=i1owg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Episode Overview:
(1:20) Introducing Alexa
(2:20) Moment of Comfort
(3:05) Alexa’s personal artistic practice – Listening and Responding
(4:58) Nurturing her artistic practice
(7:03) Alexa’s definition of artistic sensibilities
(8:05) Diversifying consumption
(12:24) On collaboration and defining collaboration
(16:21) Digging into collaboration and the inputs
(22:06) Redefining the concept of collaboration to response
(23:34) Alexa’s professional practice with Syndication Bureau Media Services
(25:01) Where do Alexa’s artistic sensibilities intersect with her professional practice
(26:54) Collaboration in Business Development
(29:34) Collaboration as a Response in business (32:46) Leveraging artistic sensibilities in one’s professional practice
(35:27) Alexa’s upcoming milestones

From Arts to Business or Overcoming Resistance - Brian Patrick Murphy

In this episode, Brian speaks about the wealth of sensibilities that an arts practice brings with it. We also cover how to embrace the grey and Brian's move from the arts to business.
 
Subscribe to Brian's blog: https://brianpatrickmurphy.substack.com
Learn more about Brian on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-patrick-murphy-b14106179/
Discover Steven Pressfield's The War of Art: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026/
Bonus! Watch Brian in the music Video 'Giddy On Up': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xfFbB2CRo8
 
Episode Overview:
(1:20) Introducing Brian
(3:18) From acting to business
(5:25) Connecting an MBA and the Arts - Sebastian
(7:05) Finding the bridge between Arts and Business
(9:02) An educator at heart
(10:39) Moment of Comfort
(12:00) Brian’s Definition of Artistic Sensibilities
(14:35) Are definitions important?
(20:10) Brian’s journey from acting to business
(27:14) The sensibilities Brian found through his artistic practice
(29:43) On structure and habits
(34:45) Overcoming Resistance
(38:52) Take Action – It’s never too late
(41:34) Comparison is the thief of joy
(44:23) Resilience
(46:36) If you’re a bodybuilder, do Yoga. If you’re a yogi, do bodybuilding
(49:58) Brian’s milestones

Infusing Systematic Environments with the Arts - Omar Shoukri

Together with Omar Shoukri we dive into exploring how artistic sensibilities can begin to break down or change systematic and rigid environments that are often found in federal authorities and the corporate world. Omar is a learning & development expert, media producer and leadership coach. 
 
Learn more about Omar on his website: https://omarshoukri.com/
Reach out to Omar via LinekdIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarshoukri/
 
Episode Overview:
(1:20) Introducing Omar
(2:30) Moment of comfort
(3:16) Omar’s definition of artistic sensibilities
(7:05) The power of Lego and play
(10:18) Meet them where they are; add vulnerability; get to the core
(16:41) Bringing the arts into corporate environments
(21:45) Artistic sensibilities in different cultures
(28:00) Rediscovering the inner child
(35:15) Omar’s role at BBW
(43:18) The connections between IT and the Arts
(46:00) Living in the age of reiterations
(47:12) Creating a school and courses  

Balancing the Line of the Known and Unknown - Michael Littig

In this episode, listeners will learn more about how Michael Littig embraces both the arts and business. We are diving into questions such as how to bring your whole self to what you do, and how to find the 'thing' that excites you to get out of bed in the morning.
 
Learn more about Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-littignyc/
Learn more about THE HUG: https://thehug.xyz/
 

The Power of Words & Empathy – Hennie Ward

The first episode of The Arts in Business features Hennie Ward, UX Content Strategist at Huspy. Listen to Hennie to discover how her background in creative writing and theater informs her work as content strategist for an up-and-coming property technology firm. 
 
Connect with Hennie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrietta-w/.
 
Music by: Coma-Media (https://pixabay.com/users/coma-media)