At the Coalface
At the Coalface is a series of conversations hosted by Philippe Rose.
Philippe's guests share stories about their life beyond the headlines of international affairs. They look for lessons learned about making an impact in the world as practitioners in diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, journalism and the private sector.
Many of Philippe's guests are connected by their common experience of taking time away from work to attend graduate school at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University.
At the Coalface
Honey Al Sayed: Reinvention in exile and owning the past before it owns you
What does it take to rebuild your life, again and again, when the ground keeps shifting beneath you?
In this personal and wide-ranging conversation, Philippe sits down with Honey Al Sayed, a media pioneer turned executive coach, whose life has spanned seven countries, three wars, and countless reinventions. Born in Kuwait to Syrian parents, Honey's path was anything but linear, from escaping war as a teenager, to becoming the voice behind Good Morning Syria, to eventually rebuilding her life in exile.
Together, they explore:
- Honey’s extraordinary journey through conflict, migration, and media under authoritarian regimes
- Her time creating Syria’s most popular morning radio show, and navigating the “invisible lines” of censorship
- The quiet power of kindness, faith, and unexpected allies in times of upheaval
- How being constantly uprooted shaped her identity, purpose, and relationship with resilience
- The emotional cost of endurance, and the importance of self-compassion and healing
- Her current work helping others find their voice as a communications and leadership coach
Honey reflects on the pain and gift of reinvention, the legacy of trauma on the body and psyche, and the hope that even in the worst moments, “something good is going to come out.”
Connect with Honey on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/hasd and on her website, https://honey-and.com.
Instagram: @at.the.coalface
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