Rephonic
Artwork for Crossroads
Dubai
AI In Filmmaking
Photojournalism
Writing
Oscar Awards
Music Education
Donald Trump
Journalism
Dark Future
Authenticity
Oscar Nominations 2023/2024
Sundance Film Festival
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Luxembourg
United Arab Emirates
The Quiet Revolution
War In the Middle East
JM Dematteis
Halal Dreams
Centre For Musical Arts

We are standing at a global crossroads. Technological advances are hurtling us out of the world we knew and into a future that nobody can predict. These changes are felt everywhere, but nowhere are they more visible than in the rapidly shifting entertainment business.

Every Friday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Dr. David Tully (Associate Professor and the Head of Media Department at Middlesex University... more

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TV ReviewsTV & FilmFilm Reviews

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Artwork for Crossroads

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Crossroads, co-hosts Dr. David Tully and Deema Maghalseh explore the future of storytelling with Rory McLoughlin, Executive Producer at Film x People and founder of Like Minds UAE, one of the country's largest creative communities ... more

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 fo... more

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 ... more

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... more

It’s a full-circle moment with a clear shift in focus. Our very first guest, Ammar Galal, returns — but this time, the conversation is driven by the news itself. Co-host Dr. David Tully and Deema Maghalseh reconnect with Ammar to explore the UAE Crea... more

This week, we're honored to welcome Tala Badri, founder of Dubai's Centre for Musical Arts (CMA), which is making music education more accessible than ever in its landmark twentieth season. With increased focus on mental health and cultural enrichmen... more

Sharjah-based filmmaker and lecturer Mohammed Mamdouh joins David Tully to discuss the international ascent of his latest film, Halal Dreams. Now competing at the prestigious Seattle International Film Festival, Mamdouh explores the future trajectory... more

On this week’s episode, our focus is on spirituality in storytelling: in tackling the topic, we are honoured to welcome legendary storyteller J.M. DeMatteis, who has chronicled the adventures of everyone from Batman to Scooby-Doo to Spiderman on TV a... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Michael Jabri-Pickett
Leader in news organizations and newsroom; founder of This Is Dubai
This Is Dubai / KT / Khalish Times
Episode: When Headlines Compete with Algorithms, Who Really Controls the Narrative?
Talal Al Najarr
Contemporary Emirati artist working between Dubai and Los Angeles
Art Dubai, Jamil Arts Center, Tabari Art Space
Episode: I Know I Like It, But Is It Art?: We Answer the Age-Old Question!
Dana Alhanbali
Writer and entrepreneur
Founder of Bark & Berg
Episode: Can Storytelling Be Business Strategy?: Branding, Big Ideas, and the Art of Communication
Ammar Galal
Founder/Leader of UAE Creative Local Community
UAE Creative Local Community
Episode: Another Networking Event That Goes Nowhere? How a Newly Launched Creative Community Closes the Gap with Real Support
Tala Badri
Founder of the Centre for Musical Arts
Centre for Musical Arts
Episode: Kind Of Blue: Why Do We Need Music, Now More Than Ever?
Mohammed Mamdouh
Sharjah-based filmmaker and American University of Sharjah lecturer
American University of Sharjah; filmmaker
Episode: Sharjah Filmmaker Enters Oscar Spotlight
JM DeMatteis
Legendary writer, novelist and creator
Writer (Moonshadow, Craven's Last Hunt, Dark Future)
Episode: “Just Be Kind”: Can storytelling shine a light strong enough to change a Dark Future?
Razan Takash
Award-winning filmmaker, head of film at SAE University College Dubai; writer and producer of Karayr (Karayr Film)
SAE University College Dubai
Episode: Is There a Science to Oscar Prediction?: How To Predict The Winners
Daniela Tully
Filmmaker, producer, writer; writing teacher at Middlesex University Dubai
Middlesex University Dubai
Episode: How Can You Write With Purpose? Storytelling at the Crossroads of Uncertainty

Hosts

Deema Maghalseh
Co-host of Crossroads; Senior Lecturer in Film & Media at Middlesex University Dubai
David Tully
Host of Crossroads; introduces guests and guides conversation; Co-host

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 6 ratings
  • I love the show

    Finally a sensible show about pop culture. But I hope you can feature more on trends other than purely profiles of people

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fudge104
    United Arab Emirates2 months ago
  • Favorite

    I am an Uber driver and I love listening while driving

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Malik01234
    United Arab Emirates4 months ago
  • Loved the episode

    So happy to see a new show at Mira Business FM! I love Morning Drive, but this is interesting as well. Good job on the episode, David and Deema!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ahmed Mohammed Ahmad
    United Arab Emirates5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Perfect commute listen for drivers; engaging and accessible.
Great balance of trends and guest profiles, would love more trend-focused episodes.
Fresh perspective with strong guest lineup from the region; hosts keep conversations clear and insightful.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Top Film Reviews Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Third Eye Not Blind?: How Third-Culture Storytelling Is Changing the Industry
Q: Do you see a future for longer-form cinema in the region amid a trend toward shorts and micro-dramas?
Yes, there is room for long-form projects that leverage universal themes, while also exploring high-quality shorts and micro-dramas; ultimately, it's about storytelling that can travel and connect across cultures.
Third Eye Not Blind?: How Third-Culture Storytelling Is Changing the Industry
Q: How does The Main Circle fit into this ecosystem and what was the funding journey?
The project needed a dedicated platform and then found support via the Art Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, Shabak London, and AFAC; the process showed that structure and backing can unlock ambitious, cross-disciplinary work.
Third Eye Not Blind?: How Third-Culture Storytelling Is Changing the Industry
Q: What factors make the UAE a unique laboratory for third-culture storytelling?
Its position as a crossroads brings together diverse backgrounds; the strength lies in authentic voices from these communities and the willingness to create platforms that honor those voices rather than simply importing outside formats.
A Quiet Revolution: Can Misery Memoirs Empower and Heal?
Q: What role does education play in enabling women to find their voice and independence?
Education equips women with skills and confidence to make autonomous life choices, gain financial independence, and access opportunities, which Saberi views as essential to exercising real agency in patriarchal contexts.
A Quiet Revolution: Can Misery Memoirs Empower and Heal?
Q: What is The Quiet Revolution about, and why did you choose to frame it as a misery memoir?
It's a personal account of navigating emotional and social abuse within a conservative culture, highlighting how education, independence, and community support can empower women to rewrite their stories, even when parents or norms push back.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Crossroads

What is Crossroads about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A discussion-focused program that surveys the global entertainment landscape through a UAE lens, with weekly conversations featuring leaders, artists, and educators from film, TV, and media. Episodes often center on how technology, politics, and culture shape storytelling, production, and distribution—from newsroom ethics and editorial leadership to AI in filmmaking, cross-cultural storytelling, and regional cinema ecosystems. Listeners can expect candid industry anecdotes, practical insights on branding and IP, and a steady stream of guests who illuminate how local and international forces intersect in entertainment. The show tends to blend industry trend analysis with human-centered storytelling, making it valuable for professionals seeki... more

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How many listeners does Crossroads get?

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How many subscribers and views does Crossroads have?

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How many episodes of Crossroads are there?

Crossroads launched 5 months ago and published 17 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Crossroads?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Crossroads?

Recent guests on Crossroads include:

1. Michael Jabri-Pickett
2. Talal Al Najarr
3. Dana Alhanbali
4. Ammar Galal
5. Tala Badri
6. Mohammed Mamdouh
7. JM DeMatteis
8. Razan Takash

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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