IF you love storytellers, this is a name you simply must know and will undoubtedly learn to respect: Ahmad Swaid. Swaid has Lebanese and Sierra Leonean heritage and spent his early years growing up in London, Beirut, Freetown and Aleppo. The view from his childhood window ledge changed every few years. These varying cultural horizons left an indelible mark on his character and his ability to have empathy for those he would later come to interview. Collecting magazines may have been Swaid’s pastime but they have defined his present. Now, his name is at the top of the masthead, and has been many times over. Swaid has held roles such as Head of Content at Dazed Media - blazing across its roster of titles: Dazed, Nowness, and AnOther Magazine. He relaunched GQ Middle East as Editor-in-Chief, leading the march on untold stories most editors wouldn’t dare approach. And in a full circle moment (well, we call it ‘destiny’), Swaid has just been announced as the Editor-in-Chief of Dazed MENA… The future is brighter for his position of influence in modern media. “Right man in the right job,” says Deena.

The team at Deenathe1st.com cut straight to it and hit record for a podcast episode capturing the thoughts of Deena and Swaid on the power of editorial in today’s world. The sister-act to their recorded conversation is, you guessed it, Ahmad taking Ten Qs rapid-fire here:

#1 If you could have any famous writer (past or present) pen your biography, who would you most love to commission?

I’m quite self deprecating so this would have to be someone with a wicked sense of humor … can I say Dave Chapelle? 

#2 There is one song that defines your energy when you enter a room, what is it?

I’d like to think it’s Kalam Ennas by George Wassouf or Ready or Not by The Fugees but friends will say it’s Maniac from the Flashdance soundtrack.

#3. You don't collect this item but you could so easily have indulged in building a museum of...?

Baseball caps. I’m a fiend. I’m a sucker when it comes to a dad cap. It’s a compulsion at this point. I need help.

#4 It's 11am on a Sunday morning, what are you most often doing at that time?

I’m in bed sleeping or in bed trying to get back to sleep or somewhere else wishing I’d stayed asleep in bed.

#5 You've decided to have a dinner party with friends, and the first thing you organize is:

Why are we having this dinner party? Either way it’s Deliveroo. I can’t cook to save my life. I’ve ordered Fried chicken.

#6 Which motto defines your way of being?

“If you catch me at the border, I’ve got visas in my name ’ - MIA

#7 Do you play to win at chess or play to enjoy the game?

I don’t play games.

#8 What would no-one ever expect you to think before you enter an event, but you often do?

I always recite and try to remind myself to say Al Fatiha before I do anything or go anywhere. It is an important verse from the Holy Quran. It means the key. How beautiful though that in English it is an anagram for faith?

#9 What emotionally moves you more than anything else?

People with conviction … good music. My family. A deadline.

#10  Describe yourself in one word.

Nerd.

LISTEN to Deena in conversation with Ahmad Swaid on First by Deena, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify now.