As part of its ongoing dedication to advancing the digital media industry in the Arab world, the Dubai Press Club has announced the launch of the second edition of the “Arab Podcast Program.” This specialized initiative aims to prepare and empower a new generation of audio content creators in the Arab region, in response to the rapidly expanding global podcast sector. The program will commence on July 7 at the Dubai Press Club and will span five consecutive weeks of training, combining foundational and specialized practical aspects, supervised by a distinguished group of leading Arab experts and trainers in podcasting and audio content creation.
The launch of this second edition follows the qualitative outcomes achieved by the first edition and continues the Dubai Press Club’s commitment to enhancing the Arab media landscape in alignment with contemporary digital demands. This initiative aims to provide participants with essential professional skills and practical knowledge in audio content production.
A Vision for the Future
During this announcement, Mona Ghanem Al Merri, Deputy Director General of Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, stated that the launch of the second edition represents a practical implementation of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the Dubai Media Council, to invest in the talents and competencies of Arab media professionals by equipping them with the necessary tools for content creation, utilizing new technologies and tools.
She emphasized, “Given the rapid transformations in the global media landscape, there is an urgent need to enhance Arabic content in the digital space, transitioning from consumption to production and from reception to influence. Thus, the launch of the second edition of the Arab Podcast Program aligns with Dubai’s vision for the future of media and is part of our continuous efforts to provide quality initiatives that contribute to building the capacities of Arab youth, enabling them with modern content creation tools.”
She added, “Dubai has always been at the forefront of embracing projects that keep pace with media developments and invest in human resources. This program is a tangible representation of our belief that empowerment begins with knowledge and that effective content creation requires a supportive environment that fuses creativity, professionalism, and institutional support. Through the Dubai Press Club, we aim to offer an educational and practical platform dedicated to developing advanced skills for Arab podcasters, equipping them with the necessary tools to excel in this increasingly dynamic and interactive media sector.”
The program aims to support and empower audio content creators in the Arab world, offering a comprehensive educational experience that covers all stages of podcast production, from idea generation and planning to publication, marketing, and monetization, while enhancing participants’ creative and technical skills. It also seeks to prepare a new generation of Arab influencers capable of producing high-quality audio content that reflects the region’s culture and engages a wider audience through contemporary media approaches.
A Complete Experience
Mariam Mula, Acting Director of the Dubai Press Club, affirmed that the design of the second edition is the result of a thorough study of the requirements and rapid development of the Arab podcasting industry. She explained that the program offers participants a comprehensive practical learning experience covering all production phases, from idea development to distribution and professional expansion.
Mula stated, “We made sure that the second edition is more inclusive regarding training content and specialization in each aspect, involving notable podcast creators in the Arab world to share their experiences with the participants, empowering them to build media projects capable of competing and sustaining according to the highest professional and commercial standards.”
Meanwhile, Mahfouza Abdullah, the program director, asserted that the second edition of the program solidifies Dubai’s position as a leader in the development of the Arab media industry through an integrated vision, saying, “We are committed to preparing content creators who possess creative vision, professional experience, and technical knowledge, enabling them to transform their projects into sustainable media ventures that elevate the Arab podcasting industry to global standards.”
Eight Modules
The program will kick off in the first week with eight foundational modules that set participants on the right professional path from day one. It begins with a module on “Coordination and Audience Targeting,” focusing on identifying listener personas and selecting target audiences. The program then builds participants’ skills through a module on “Content Strategy Development,” outlining methods for researching topics, creating a clear content calendar, writing engaging text, and crafting appealing titles, followed by a “Post-Production” module that highlights the basics of audio editing, error removal, improving recording quality, and using sound effects.
The training deepens in the “Podcast Identity Design” module, where participants learn how to create a visual identity by choosing colors, logos, and covers tailored to each platform. Next is the “Hosting and Distribution” module, which explains techniques for preparing RSS feeds and distributing episodes across various platforms, as well as monitoring digital performance.
Additionally, the program includes a “Marketing Strategy” module that provides participants with actionable steps to build their digital audience through promotional campaign planning and creating a community around their podcasts. There is also a “Monetization” module that presents income generation methods through advertisements and platforms, concluding the foundational stage with a “Understanding Analytics” module that includes performance analysis and improvement techniques.
In the second week, participants will implement a practical podcast project embodying what they learned in the previous modules, which will be presented to a specialized evaluation committee to determine qualification for the advanced stage of the program.
Practical Sessions
In its secondary phase, the program offers a series of specialized practical sessions that allow participants to benefit from the expertise of established content creators in the Arab world. It begins with a session titled “My Journey with the Mic: 5 Years of Passion and Podcasting,” presented by Abdullah Al Nuaimi, creator of the “Monday Chair” podcast. Following that, Safaa Rizk will conduct a session titled “Creating Audio Identity,” while Media Izouri, creator of the “Dinner Tale” podcast, will lead a session titled “The Art of Conversation and Crafting Moments: How to Build an Unforgettable Audience.” This session will focus on techniques for preparing questions and creating interactive dialogues that enhance audience engagement with the content.
Dja Ben Faraj will continue with a session on “How to Build Your Podcast Idea Step by Step,” teaching participants how to convert creative ideas into actionable podcast projects. This will be followed by a session on “The Art and Skills of Conducting Interviews” presented by Maya Hajji, discussing how to define a podcast idea, program identity, and interview skills.
In the session “Video Techniques in Podcasting,” presented by the “Dokan Media” podcast, participants will learn methods to expand their podcasts through video and essential video production equipment. The global platform “TikTok” will offer a session titled “Promote Your Podcast on TikTok: From Sound to Reach,” highlighting effective strategies for growth and interaction using trends, hashtags, and interactive content.
Finally, Badr Al Awdhi, founder of the “The Direction Podcast,” will conclude the third week with a session titled “How Sound Becomes Content,” exploring the history and significance of podcasting as a contemporary media tool.
Advanced Phase
In the fourth week, the program will enter its advanced phase, focusing on deeper commercial and professional aspects. Kareem Beydoun, founder of the Lebanese Hikawati platform, will present a session called “Design Your Podcast for Profit: Building a Monetization Strategy from Scratch,” discussing how to transform a podcast into a sustainable profitable venture from planning to building partnerships and attracting sponsorships through distinctive content.
Journalist Nour Al Din Youssef, presenter of the “With Nour Al Din” podcast, will lead a session titled “A Podcast Journey with Nour Al Din: From Idea to Human Experience,” explaining the process of turning ideas into human experiences. Rabi Hamza, content manager at Dolby Middle East and Africa, will present “A 3D Audio Experience with Dolby Atmos,” informing participants about the latest spatial sound mixing techniques to enhance the listening experience.
Additionally, the fourth week features a specialized practical session conducted by Poddster production and distribution company, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience in a professional studio with full technical support and guidance to turn their projects into ready-to-publish podcast episodes using professional production tools and techniques under the supervision of industry experts.
In a session entitled “Podcasting and Artificial Intelligence: From Idea to Intelligent Interaction,” Ahmed Al-Bahloul, founder of the “Arba’a Podcast” platform, will introduce the latest applications of artificial intelligence in scriptwriting, audio editing, and audience data analysis. Meanwhile, Ma’in Jaber, presenter of the “Sardah After Dinner” podcast, will share his experience in crafting dialogues and how to produce distinctive content that captivates diverse audience segments, while Jamal Mulla will discuss his experiences with hosting influential leaders in the session “Arab Cast.”
Fifth Week
The program will conclude its fifth week with several practical and application sessions, starting with Khaled Abu Jabin’s session titled “Podcast Confessions: Failures, Solutions, and Lessons Learned,” which addresses the main challenges faced by content creators while offering practical solutions for maintaining production continuity.
The session “Basics of the Audio Recording Environment: From Radio to Podcast” will be led by Barry Kasab, development director at Shure, providing participants with insights on understanding the podcast environment, optimal recording setups, and troubleshooting errors.
In a session titled “Podcasting from Home,” Youssef Saleh will cover several aspects of audio production, from turning a hobby into a project to building a team and establishing a profitable model.
At the end of the program, the Dubai Press Club will hold a special session for graduates of the first edition of the “Arab Podcast Program,” where they will share their real-world experiences in the podcasting realm, discussing the added value the program has contributed to their careers as audio content creators and how it has empowered them to enter this unique world with exceptional Arabic ideas and content.