Trending Echoes Podcast cover art

Trending Echoes Podcast

Trending Echoes Podcast

Written by: Trends Research & Advisory
Listen for free

About this listen

Trending Echoes is a podcast series by Trends Research and Advisory that explores contemporary issues, emerging trends, and innovations shaping the world today. The podcast features expert guests from various fields—ranging from academia, policy, technology, and media—who provide in-depth insights on topics like global cooperation, artificial intelligence, and the future of content creation. Episodes often focus on how these trends affect societies, industries, and international relations, making it a platform for knowledge exchange and thoughtful discussions.

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Trending Echoes Podcast S2: “The Age of Controlled Chaos”— Dr. Samir Taqi
    Feb 7 2026

    In this Trending Echoes episode, Dr. Samir Al-Taqi discusses the “Age of Controlled Chaos” shaping the Middle East and global order. He examines regional instability after the collapse of major power arrangements, the impact of the Ukraine war and October 7, the rise of non-state and ideological actors, and the risks facing Syria’s future. The conversation also explores governance failures, political Islam, economic models for recovery, terrorism dynamics, and shifting roles of the U.S., China, and other global powers — concluding with his outlook on how stable regional states can prevent wider collapse through cooperation and restraint.

    YouTube Chapters

    00:00:00 — Introduction & scope of discussion

    00:01:08 — Why the Middle East is entering a fragile phase

    00:05:31 — October 7 and the regional strategic rupture

    00:07:42 — Non-state actors & political Islam

    00:12:29 — Syria’s future: reconciliation & decentralization

    00:20:42 — Syria’s economic crisis & reform paths

    00:26:27 — Terrorism, jihadist groups & state weakness

    00:33:07 — Muslim Brotherhood: Syria vs region

    00:35:35 — U.S. role & the emerging global order

    00:40:13 — Closing outlook on the Middle East’s future

    Watch the full episode, subscribe to Trending Echoes, and share your thoughts in the comments.

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Trending Echoes Podcast S2 | When Vision Becomes Technology | Featuring Dr. Jean-Marc Feghali
    Jan 16 2026

    In this episode of Trending Echoes, Elyazia Al Hosani speaks with Dr. Jean-Marc Feghali, Director of Innovation at WeWalk, about inclusive technology, visual impairment, and how lived experience can shape meaningful innovation.

    Dr Feghali shares his personal journey growing up in Abu Dhabi with congenital visual impairment and how it led him to pursue engineering, mobility research, and eventually co-founding WeWalk—a smart mobility solution designed to empower people with visual impairments. The conversation explores how traditional tools like the white cane can be enhanced through thoughtful technology, without replacing their core purpose.

    The episode also delves into systems engineering, user-led design, academic–industry collaboration, and the responsible use of AI and computer vision in assistive technologies. From real user stories to global recognition, research scalability, personal challenges, and the importance of inclusive societies, this discussion highlights how innovation grounded in empathy can improve lives far beyond its original audience.

    Chapters

    00:00 — Welcome to Trending Echoes

    00:02 — Guest Introduction: Dr Jean-Marc Feghali & WeWalk

    00:29 — What Is WeWalk and Its Mission

    02:05 — Understanding Visual Impairment

    03:03 — Growing Up Visually Impaired in Abu Dhabi

    04:44 — From Civil Engineering to Mobility Research

    06:56 — Joining WeWalk and User-Led Innovation

    08:22 — PhD Research and Systems Engineering Approach

    10:09 — Balancing Technology with the Traditional White Cane

    11:38 — Real User Stories and Global Impact

    13:23 — UK Government Engagement & King’s Innovation Award

    14:45 — Imperial College and Academic Collaboration

    15:44 — Scaling Research, Industry Transition & Investment

    18:18 — Personal Challenges, Vision Loss & Resilience

    21:06 — AI, Computer Vision & Cautious Innovation

    23:05 — Why Inclusive Design Benefits Everyone

    24:52 — The Next Five Years for WeWalk

    26:01 — Inclusivity, Society & the UAE Experience

    28:05 — Advice to Young Innovators

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Trending Echoes Podcast S2 | Telling the truth vs. being truthful | Emily Austin
    Jan 3 2026

    In this episode of Trending Echoes, host Elyazia Al Hosani sits down with Emily Austin, an American journalist and media personality, for an in-depth conversation on authenticity, journalism, social media algorithms, AI, and the growing responsibility of public voices in an increasingly polarised world.

    Emily shares how she maintains authenticity in an industry driven by narratives, why sports can succeed where politics often fails, and how extremist content is amplified through algorithms, bot networks, and misinformation. The discussion also examines journalism ethics, deepfakes, AI tools like ChatGPT, freedom of speech versus regulation, and the powerful influence of platforms such as TikTok on younger generations.

    From navigating online threats to redefining credibility in the digital age, this episode offers a candid look at the challenges facing modern journalism—and the responsibility that comes with having a voice that echoes far beyond the screen.

    Topics covered include:

    • Authenticity in journalism

    • Sports diplomacy and unity

    • Algorithms, extremism, and misinformation

    • AI, deepfakes, and ChatGPT

    • Freedom of speech vs regulation

    • Journalism ethics and accountability

    • Advice for young journalists

    Chapters

    00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome

    Elyazia Al Hosani introduces Trending Echoes and welcomes journalist Emily Austin.

    02:07 – Authenticity in Media & Finding Your Voice

    Emily explains how she stays authentic in a narrative-driven industry.

    03:48 – Sports as a Tool for Unity & Diplomacy

    Why sports can bridge divides when politics fails.

    06:02 – Algorithms, Extremism & Misinformation

    How social media algorithms amplify extreme narratives and fake engagement.

    07:00 – Journalism, Integrity & Media Accountability

    The responsibility of journalists and the damage caused by misinformation.

    09:18 – Credibility in the Age of TikTok & Influencers

    Staying trustworthy as news consumption shifts to social platforms.

    12:26 – AI, ChatGPT & the Rise of Deepfakes

    The benefits and dangers of AI-driven information ecosystems.

    16:06 – Radical Groups, Media Infiltration & Security Risks

    How extremist networks exploit media and social platforms.

    26:00 – Online Threats, Free Speech & Personal Resilience

    Navigating harassment, threats, and the limits of free speech.

    40:59 – Advice for Young Journalists & Final Reflections

    Emily’s message to the next generation of journalists.

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
No reviews yet