Hamad is a Qatari comedian who grew up in Ireland, a rare commodity in the Middle East or anywhere else.  Having spent time in Qatar, Southern Ireland and the US he’s had a unique opportunity to experience the diversity in cultures, which helped form his identity and approach to comedy.   

With a broad repertoire, his experience ranges from stand-up comedy (his life’s passion and deepest love!), to being a keen ambassador for children’s charities, cancer awareness and local franchises, VIP corporate events and conferences, and producing online shows. 

Despite the humor, Hamad is quite an intense character with a very serious side, and has a strong desire to teach, help, assist and educate, all common themes in his social commentary.  Obviously not a run of the mill kid, he believes in freedom of speech, saying it as it is, and spreading ones wings. 

Known internationally for hitting a Burger King drive-through on a camel no less, Hamad likes to break down barriers and boundaries.  Where’s the humor in staying confined?!  

On this episode, Hamad shares his one way ticket to a complete symbiotic relationship between man and technology. He also highlights what people should know about Qatar, the breathtaking Qatar National Museum, the 2022 World Cup, if there’s such a thing as Qatari humor, and more.

Hamad is just one of the exceptional individuals featured on the podcast where Host Steven Shalowitz explores with his guest where they would go if given a one way ticket, no coming back! Their destinations may be in the past, present, future, real, imaginary or state of mind. 

Steven's guests have included: Nobel Peace Prize Winner, President Jose Ramos-Horta; General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.); Legendary Talk Show Host, Dick Cavett; Law Professor, Alan Dershowitz; Fashion Expert, Tim Gunn; Broadcast Legend, Charles Osgood; International Rescue Committee President & CEO, David Miliband; Former United States Senator, Joseph I. Lieberman; Playwright, David Henry Hwang; Journalist-Humorist-Actor, Mo Rocca; SkyBridge Capital Founder & Co-Managing Partner, Anthony Scaramucci; Abercrombie & Kent Founder, Geoffrey Kent; Travel Expert, Pauline Frommer, as well as leading photographers, artists, chefs, writers, intellectuals, etc.

James Willcox is one of the founders of Untamed Borders, a travel and logistics company that offers bespoke trips and small group adventures to some of the world's most interesting and inaccessible places. Specializing in cultural, trekking, marathon and skiing trips, Untamed Borders offer some of the most unique itineraries in the travel market today. Operating in the Middle East, East Africa and Central Asia, Untamed Borders takes over 250 guests a year to unusual and largely unvisited areas of the world. Travelling in small groups and using local guides, the Untamed Borders mission is to add positive benefit to the countries and communities they visit.

Some of James' more notable achievements include pioneering ski tourism in Afghanistan and Iraq, organizing marathons in Afghanistan and Somaliland (the first mixed gender sporting events in the history of those respective countries) and more recently, arranged the logistics for Michael Palin's travel documentary in Iraq.

While James, our guest on episode 264 returns to the show to briefly re-visit his one way ticket to 300 years into the future somewhere in the mountains, the focus of our conversation here is his most recent adventure through Afghanistan. James covers logistics, security, changes he has and hasn’t seen in the country over the course of numerous visits, etc.

Plus, among other unforgettable experiences, James highlights camping out at the the 65m-tall Minaret of Jam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which remotely stands alone in western Afghanistan, in all its 12^th century magnificence.

James is just one of the exceptional individuals featured on the podcast where Host Steven Shalowitz explores with his guest where they would go if given a one way ticket, no coming back! Their destinations may be in the past, present, future, real, imaginary or state of mind. 

Steven's guests have included: Nobel Peace Prize Winner, President Jose Ramos-Horta; General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.); Legendary Talk Show Host, Dick Cavett; Law Professor, Alan Dershowitz; Fashion Expert, Tim Gunn; Broadcast Legend, Charles Osgood; International Rescue Committee President & CEO, David Miliband; Former United States Senator, Joseph I. Lieberman; Playwright, David Henry Hwang; Journalist-Humorist-Actor, Mo Rocca; SkyBridge Capital Founder & Co-Managing Partner, Anthony Scaramucci; Abercrombie & Kent Founder, Geoffrey Kent; Travel Expert, Pauline Frommer, as well as leading photographers, artists, chefs, writers, intellectuals, etc.