Who better to unpack this than veteran journalist, editor, and media executive Michael Jabri-Pickett — one of the key figures who helped shape the English-language news landscape across the UAE and GCC over the past two decades. He was part of the founding team behind The National newspaper in Abu Dhabi, later became Editor-in-Chief of Khaleej Times, and is now the Founder and Managing Director of This Is Dubai, a digital media and culture platform.

In an unfiltered conversation with co-hosts Dr. David Tully and Deema Maghalseh, Michael shares an insider perspective on how newsrooms really operate behind the scenes, the realities behind editorial decision-making, and how audience behavior, politics, and the rapidly evolving media landscape are reshaping journalism today.

Our never-ending quest to investigate the business and pleasure of all the arts and entertainment industries throughout the region and around the globe continues apace!

This week we set our sights on the world of concept art: our guest is Talal Al Najarr, part of a new generation of contemporary Emirati artists emerging in the "digital-age Gulf."

His experimental work blends sculpture, CGI, video, installation, sound, and archival imagery, to explore themes like simulation, identity, postmodern culture, absurdism and distorted material culture, and is featured in several shows and installations right now across Arts Week.

Works mentioned in this week's discussion include: Tom Wolfe's The Painted Word, Jean-Paul Sartre's Nausea, and Camille Paglia's Glittering Images: A Journey Through Art from Egypt to Star Wars

This week, Crossroads co-hosts Dr. David Tully and Deema Maghalseh welcome Dana Alhanbali, writer, entrepreneur, and founder of Bark & Berg.

In a world shaped by AI, endless content, and constantly shifting audiences, we explore how storytelling has evolved beyond entertainment to become a powerful tool for branding, communication, and building ideas. From creative strategy and original IPs to the collaborative energy of writers’ rooms, Dana shares how stories can shape businesses, connect teams, and turn concepts into something with real impact.

We also dive into the fine art of pitching, not simply as a way of selling, but as the ability to communicate ideas clearly enough to make others believe in them. Together, we discuss the balance between creativity and entrepreneurship, and why storytelling may be one of the most valuable business tools of our time.