Podcasts about middle eastern

Today, I'm joined by my guest Kristi McLelland to talk about Hanukkah and its significance in Christianity. Have you ever read the Bible through a Middle Eastern lens? Let's talk about the meaning of Hanukkah and the birth of Jesus in this episode. Connect with us! Website: ⁠https://www.pzazzonline.com/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/pzazzartstudio⁠ Instagram- ⁠www.instagram.com/pzazzartstudio⁠  Text us: 1-334-249-1818

In this episode, Jason Ingber sits down with comedian Menachem Kashanian, an Iranian-Jewish storyteller with one of the most shocking true experiences you'll ever hear. Menachem reveals how a supposed Netflix casting call for the show Tehran led him into a covert Israeli operation designed to rescue 500 Jewish refugees trapped in Syria. What began as a mysterious Facebook message turned into a month of tactical training, a new identity, and a mission known internally as "Free the Flute." He explains how he was trained to pose as an introverted Armenian musician, learned to play the nay (Middle Eastern flute), infiltrated a Syrian orchestra, and used music to gather intelligence inside refugee camps, ultimately helping save hundreds of lives. Menachem also shares hilarious and unbelievable stories from his personal life, including: • His eccentric billionaire uncle Darush, a dominant figure in Beverly Hills real estate • Wild encounters with Kris Jenner, the Kardashians, and Erewhon staff • The creation of his prank series Old Blood (Hun Parol) • His docuseries Know Before Who You Stand • His friendship with Floyd Mayweather, who quietly supports Jewish communities • A chilling conversation with Mika Kubi, the woman who interrogated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for 180+ hours This episode blends comedy, Middle Eastern culture, real-life spy operations, and powerful Jewish storytelling, all through Menachem's unique, unfiltered voice.

This episode will change how you think about gluten forever.If you've feared wheat…If you've struggled with bloating, fatigue, pain, constipation, diarrhea, brain fog, or inflammation…If you've avoided bread for years…Today's conversation will feel like freedom.I sit down with Cindy Anderson, founder of Manny's Choice and self-proclaimed “good gluten” advocate, who went from severe gluten intolerance and breast cancer to discovering a completely different kind of wheat — one that nourishes the body instead of inflaming it.This episode gently dismantles everything we've been taught about gluten and offers hope for anyone trapped by their symptoms.1. Cindy's Story: Severe Gluten Intolerance, Breast Cancer & a Search for AnswersCindy didn't start a company — she tried to save her health. She shares how she went from:Violent diarrheaMigrainesBloatingJoint pain so severe she felt “90 years old”Itchy skin and rashesBrain fog…to discovering she could eat gluten freely in Italy without a single symptom. This breakthrough revealed the truth about American and Canadian wheat — and how it's been altered beyond recognition.2. The Real Problem Isn't Gluten — It's What We've Done to WheatCindy explains why North American wheat causes extreme reactions:1950s nuclear food testing altered wheat's genetic “essence”“Dwarf wheat” engineered for profit, not healthModern milling burns the kernel, destroying nutrientsGluten concentrated 50–500x higherSynthetic folic acid sprayed on wheat — up to 80% of people can't process itRoundup forces faster harvesting and remains on grainPotassium bromate added to most breadsHer passion isn't for blaming gluten — it's for exposing the deception and preventable harm.3. The European DifferenceEuropean, Egyptian, and certain Middle Eastern wheat follow traditional farming and milling:No nuclear-altered seedsNo rapid-burn millingNo chemical spraysNutrient-rich soilNatural gluten levelsEven those with Hashimoto's, arthritis, brain fog, gut issues, or autism sensitivities often see dramatic improvements switching to these flours.4. Why Bread Used to Be NutritiousBread isn't supposed to hurt — it's meant to nourish. Natural wheat is:Anti-inflammatoryMineral-richGroundingGut-supportiveToxin-bindingA complex carbohydrate your brain needsCindy shares stories of:Arthritis disappearing after 25 yearsDiabetics whose blood sugar stays steadyChildren with autism who remain calm on Italian heritage wheatThese aren't just recipes — they're revelations.5. The Emotional Connection to FoodI share my own fear of gluten and symptoms — chronic pain, bloating, sleep issues. Cindy explains why:We've been marketed to fear glutenWe've blamed a natural molecule for chemically altered wheatHealing your relationship with wheat mirrors healing your relationship with food itself.6. Manny's Choice: Clean, Pure European FlourCindy's company was born from personal need and community demand. Her mixes are:100% European wheatFree of preservatives, GMOs, synthetic agentsSimple (9 ingredients vs. 47 in major U.S. brands)Beginner-friendlyCrafted for health and joyYes — I made the waffles with egg whites and loved them.7. Coupons & LinksWebsite: www.mannyschoiceflour.comCoupon code: MPWF for 10% offWhether baking bread, artisan loaves, sourdough, or pizza, this is the place to start.8. What This Episode Is Really AboutThis isn't just gluten — it's about making peace with food, releasing fear, and reconnecting with nourishment.“In this short time, I feel like I've made peace with gluten. And that's huge for me.”If you've feared gluten, avoided bread, felt betrayed by your body, or longed to enjoy food again — this episode will give you hope and a path forward.

Send us a textGrow to love yourself!I like what Bianca shares.  Honesty.  She is a licensed Mental Health Counselor and Co-Founder of The Evolve Ventures Podcast and Business.  She is also the Director of Therapy for Evolve Ventures Technologies LLC.She speaks to the relationship with self.  Growing up in a chaotic home and being a scapegoat led Bianca to pursue this path.  She shares that she has Borderline Personality Disorder.  She struggled with what may have been "bulimarexia," and we touch on self-harm, abusive relationships, being a rebel, and trying to escape.Bianca shared that body image, and particularly in the Middle Eastern world, is very prevalent, and many women will get plastic surgery to look good for their potential spouse.It's prevalent everywhere.  Older women are leaning towards Botox, facelifts, tummy tucks, and so on because it's a societal and social media thing.  I loved how brutally honest Bianca was when I told her I was going through some big life changes, some great, but some really bothersome, and she asked me if it triggered my bulimia.  It didn't at all.  She said I was one of the lucky ones.I wish that luck on everyone who has recovered and will recover.  It was there at the beginning... three years or so, but after soon to be 15 years, it's not even a thought to go to when struggles that used to trigger my bulimia even go there.Truth is, Bianca may be right.  I may be blessed with not feeling like going back to bulimia at all.  Not dieting at all.  Just, I guess, one of my go tos is ChatGPT.  Sorry, but true.  If struggling, I speak to that AI program and ask for a soothing poem, or even if I am wrong in feeling what I do.  Wish there was a ChatGPT way back in the 80s.  I know it's not a therapist, but when you can't afford one, and you look for some semblance of normalcy in your life, it's my go-to.  Not food.  However, it took me time to get here, and 30 years of bulimia to know I don't want to go back, that there are better ways.Bianca is a better way if you are still struggling.  You need a personal connection.  That is how I healed.  And the rest is a journey forward to enjoying life and dinners with family without the "human cameras" waiting for you to disappear.  To actually enjoy food and company at the same time.I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I enjoyed being there and interacting with Bianca.You can find her at the link below:https://evolveventurestech.com/evolve-ventures-coaching/therapy-2/On Instagram @evolvewithBiancavia email: bianca@evolveventurestech.comWonderful conversation and loved, as I am repeating myself, honesty.Thank you, Bianca!!BE A GUEST/FIND A GUEST Start for Free!PODMATCH is innovative, provides easy communication and dashboard scheduling! My pick of the month!Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREENew Release Kindle or Signed Copy!How To Have Your Cake & Not Eat It All Too - A Guide To Adult Bulimia RecoveryDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

A Middle Eastern nation is boycotting the Dec. 5 draw for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports.

In this fast-paced post-Thanksgiving episode, Ghost kicks things off by delivering the rants left over from Tuesday's interrupted show before diving straight into global turbulence. He unpacks audience boosts, Monty Python jokes, oil economics in Venezuela and Ghana, and viewer updates from abroad, casually weaving in Middle Eastern geopolitics and Russian-aligned narratives. From Hillary Clinton and Skolkovo to Medvedev's tech ambitions, Brain-Drain Russia, and the purges shaping Putin's power structure, Ghost explores how these dynamics mirror what's unfolding in Ukraine. He then zooms in on Zelensky's internal collapse, mass resignations, corruption raids, and doubts about Kyiv's legitimacy, all while Trump's peace-deal pressure campaign intensifies behind the scenes. Bringing his trademark humor, receipts, and geopolitical mind-mapping, Ghost ties together Ukraine, MBS, Qatar, and CIA fingerprints across global destabilization efforts. It's classic Geopolitics with Ghost: rants, receipts, and a gritty walk through the realignment underway across the world.

Recording date: 25th November 2025Derek Mcpherson and Sam Pelaez of Olive Resource Capital highlight critical developments reshaping mining investment, with asset scarcity and supply chain vulnerabilities emerging as defining challenges for the sector.The ongoing Anglo American situation exemplifies limited growth options for major miners. Despite BHP quickly dismissing weekend speculation about a renewed bid, the December 9th shareholder vote underscores how few tier-one assets exist that can materially impact large producers' portfolios. Pelaez notes these critical assets remain concentrated among major companies like Teck, Anglo, and Glencore, with many already partnered on world-scale Chilean copper projects. The executives emphasize that while acquisition targets are scarce, "eventually someone has to build something, and the biggest companies are best positioned to build something."Sovereign wealth funds are now competing for direct critical minerals exposure. The Qatar Investment Authority's memorandum of understanding with Ivanhoe Mines to support Democratic Republic of Congo growth mirrors earlier Chinese sovereign investments in tier-one African assets. This development signals Middle Eastern capital seeking strategic positioning in what Pelaez views as an emerging electrification commodities bull market, though he stresses there are "simply not enough investable assets and companies for everyone to get direct exposure."The gold equity market continues maturing, with Muddy Waters pitching pre-revenue explorer Snowline Gold at the generalist Sohn Conference—a significant milestone indicating institutional capital flowing beyond traditional mining investors. This follows sustained inflows into the GDX ETF and suggests generalists are increasingly willing to evaluate unprofitable developers.However, the most critical structural challenge remains Western processing capabilities. Despite domestic mining efforts, North American materials still require Chinese processing for battery precursor conversion. Pelaez emphasizes the West lags China "more than a decade" in rare earths, lithium, and graphite processing, creating supply chain vulnerabilities that policy alone cannot address. For investors, understanding complete processing pathways matters as much as resource quality when evaluating critical minerals projects.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

South Africa's big three telecommunications operators have all reported numbers in recent weeks, and the theme is clear: competition in prepaid has intensified sharply. Telkom's resurgence has put pressure on both MTN and Vodacom, with MTN acknowledging it has “discernibly” lost prepaid market share. This is one of the topics covered in this wide-ranging and exclusive TechCentral Show interview with MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita, who sat down earlier this week with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod to discuss this and other major topics, including: • The impact of online gambling on the telecoms sector; • The need for further consolidation in South African telecoms, and why Mupita won't completely rule out a deal with Telkom, provided the “stars align”; • Vodacom's acquisition of a co-controlling stake in Vumatel parent Maziv and how MTN will respond; • The impact of low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity on the telecoms industry and how MTN plans to work with companies like SpaceX/Starlink and Amazon Leo – and whether he sees them as competitors or partners (or both); • The spectacular turnaround in Nigeria and whether it's durable; • The future of MTN's involvement in Iran, and the lessons learnt from the group's exit from other Middle Eastern markets; • Plans to shift MTN Group's focus to East Africa in the coming years; and • Why he's fascinated by the impact that AI could have on telecoms in Africa. Don't miss a great discussion on the future of MTN and telecoms in Africa! TechCentral

Send us a textSeason 11 continues with a story shaped by culture, curiosity, and a woman who sees food as memory, craft, and connection.Leen Al Zaben grew up between Jordanian Bedouin hospitality and the fresh, seasonal cooking of her grandmother's kitchen. Big salads, olive oil, Friday breakfasts, and long family tables. Those early moments became the foundation of her palate and the way she understands flavor.Her path was never straight. She studied business, tried multiple careers, moved cities, felt lost, and often doubted herself. But writing, photography, and a quiet pull toward food kept finding their way back to her. From Amman to Montreal to Paris to San Francisco, each chapter pushed her closer to the work she was meant to do.A blog she started one summer opened doors. Teaching herself photography opened more. A chance introduction in San Francisco led her into a food tech startup where she built content, tested recipes, and literally taught an oven how to cook.Then came Japan. Quiet streets during COVID. Markets, donabe cooking, miso, rice, tea houses. A new universe of discipline and craft.Today Leen is the Academy Chair for The World's 50 Best Restaurants and MENA's 50 Best. She champions homegrown talent, documents culture, and brings a thoughtful, grounded voice to the region's culinary story.This episode is honest, generous, reflective, and full of the moments that shape a career.What You Will Hear in This Episode• Growing up between Bedouin hospitality, family cooking, and early food memories• The salads, textures, and seasons that shaped her palate• Feeling lost in her early twenties and the long search for direction• Why writing and creative expression changed everything• The blog that quietly kickstarted her food career• How photography and content work became her entry point into the industry• Moving to San Francisco and working at a food tech startup• Discovering Japan, cooking traditions, and learning through stillness• How she became Academy Chair for 50 Best and what the role really involves• The future of Middle Eastern cuisine and her message to young chefs and writersChapters00:00 Introduction04:00 Bedouin hospitality, grandma's salads, and childhood food stories12:00 How seasons shaped her palate and love for fresh ingredients18:00 Career confusion, studying business, and feeling completely lost26:00 The mentor who changed everything and the move toward writing30:00 Oxford, the blog, and teaching herself photography38:00 San Francisco and joining a food tech startup55:00 Life in Japan during COVID and learning Japanese cooking67:00 Becoming Academy Chair and the truth about how voting works87:00 The rise of homegrown restaurants across the region104:00 The future of Middle Eastern cuisine and advice for young talentProudly Brought to You by Potatoes USAPotatoes USA represents America's potato growers and inspires chefs, home cooks, and food lovers everywhere.From nutrition to creativity, they show why the humble potato remains one of the most powerful ingredients in every kitchen.Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/potatogoodnessgcc/Websitehttps://www.potatogoodnessgcc.comFollow Leen Al ZabenInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/leenalzaben/LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leenalzabenWebsitehttps://www.leenalzaben.com/Follow Chef JKPInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/chefjkpSupport the showFollow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Professor Zvi Ben-Dor Benite shares how Jacob's departure from Haran acts as a precursor for the Exodus from Egypt and how the Jacob story foreshadows so much else both in Torah and the development of Judaism itself. Professor Zvi Ben-Dor Benite is Professor of History, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at NYU. He holds a Ph.D. in history from UCLA. He is the author of The Dao of Muhammad: A Cultural History of Muslims in Late Imperial China and The Ten Lost Tribes: A World History and is working on a new monograph, Crescent China: Islam and the Nation After Empire.

Acknowledgement of Country// Headlines:Torrential flooding across southeast AsiaSudan and Palestine updatesRampant racial profiling in Victoria Police searches and use of force6-month expansion of Victoria Police search powers in Melbourne's CBDHigh Court challenge against Australia's social media age ban Fundraisers this Saturday the 29th of November:RAHU x AUWU Solidarity BBQ, 12-4PM, Edinburgh Gardens Rotunda, Fitzroy VIC. Husk Fundraver, 3PM-late, location TBC - follow @husk_housingsupport on Instagram for updates.44FU Turns One Birthday Fundraiser, 5PM-late, ON3 Studio, 325 Victoria St, Brunswick VIC. We played some excerpts of 3CR's 2025 Beyond the Bars prison radio broadcasts, which aired live during NAIDOC week this year, sharing the mic with First Nations inmates in Victorian prisons from 7-11 July. Today, we heard the voices of women at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre speaking about the violence of lockdowns in prison and the way that these measures compound multiple forms of punishment that the women are forced to endure. Listen back to the full Beyond the Bars 2025 broadcasts here, and swing by the station at 21 Smith St, Fitzroy, to pick up a free CD!// Independent researcher Dr Tamar Hopkins joined us to discuss the latest data release by the Racial Profiling Data Monitoring Project, an analysis of Victoria Police's use of force data and updated search data. Tamar's analysis demonstrates the alarming rates at which Victoria Police conduct searches of and use force against people they perceive to be Aboriginal, African, Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern. Join Tamar and a stellar panel of anti-racist community organisers to unpack the findings at the IPCS (Institute for Postcolonial Studies) in North Melbourne next Monday the 1st of December from 5:30-7:30PM - register here to get your ticket. The Racial Profiling Data Monitoring Project is a project of the Centre Against Racial Profiling.// Poro, a member of FAMILI, a collective born at the intersection of Pasifika, Blak, queer, and trans experiences, joined us to discuss their EP BLOODFIRE released yesterday, as well as their new Short Film. FAMILI's work connects past, present, and future into a space that refuses easy categorisation, a space where ancestral traditions met futuristic sounds. Catch FAMILI's show tonight, Thursday the 27th of November, from 7PM at the Northcote Social Club, featuring an hour-long set of new, unreleased music that has been years in development (get your tickets here). FAMILI are joined by DJs Nicholas Currie + TIAKI + a Special Guest to be announced. Support FAMILI's work on Bandcamp and follow them on Instagram.//We caught up with Cameron Francis, CEO of The Loop Australia, to discuss the importance of drug checking and harm reduction, particularly at mobile sites, ahead of festival season. The Loop is a national harm reduction charity delivering drug checking services in Victoria and New South Wales, and, until recently, in Queensland. Check out the latest findings and reports from running the drug checking services.//The Loop VIC (95 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) will have extended opening hours over the holidays. The Loop drug checking will also available at the following festivals:Spilt Milk, Ballarat – Saturday 6 December 2025Dangerous Goods 6XXL, Melbourne – Saturday 24 January 2026Pitch Music and Arts Festival, Mafeking – 6-10 March 2026.//

Recently, Singapore Airlines offered a first glimpse of the major hardware and software upgrades it plans to roll out in 2026. From retrofitted aircraft and faster in-flight connectivity to next-generation cabin products, the carrier is betting on a wave of enhancements to stay competitive as global rivals modernise at speed. Aaron Wong, Founder of The Milelion, joins us to unpack why these upgrades are overdue, how transformative they may be for passengers, and what SIA must do to keep pace with rapidly rising competition from Middle Eastern airlines. Produced & Presented by Emaad AkhtarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down the fierce political battles inside Washington over healthcare, immigration, and the courts. He then turns to global flashpoints involving the Muslim Brotherhood, Ukraine, foreign propaganda campaigns, and a surprising development involving Italian pasta. Healthcare Fight Intensifies: President Trump is preparing to release his updated plan for America's health insurance marketplace. Early details include extending Obamacare subsidies for two more years, with tighter income eligibility rules and minimum premium requirements. The White House will also expand Health Savings Accounts and allow federal assistance to be used for faith-based HealthShare programs. Republicans fear voter backlash if a fix is not delivered before the midterms. At the same time, critics warn that the extension will add around fifty billion dollars per year to the national debt. Bryan notes the frustration felt by many listeners facing soaring premiums, including his own fifty-four percent increase. Immigration Battle Escalates: DHS is recruiting "deportation judges" with salaries up to $200,000 and significant bonuses. The administration hopes to replace immigration judges with high asylum approval rates, particularly in cities like San Francisco, where twelve Democrat appointed judges have already been removed. Trump is prioritizing faster removals for millions of pending asylum cases. Meanwhile, the fight over Somali welfare fraud has led the White House to rescind long-standing protections for Somali migrants, prompting criticism from Democrats and activist groups. Representative Ilhan Omar mocked the policy shift and insisted, "We are here to stay." Courts Block Key Enforcement Tools: A Clinton-appointed judge ruled that the IRS cannot share data with DHS to identify illegal aliens, blocking access to more than one million records. Other Democrat appointed judges halted Trump's attempt to expand rapid deportations inside the United States for migrants who have been here for fewer than two years. Bryan explains why these rulings highlight a deeper partisan divide inside the judiciary and why Supreme Court control has become a central battleground for both parties. Sedition Charges and Military Discipline: Senator Mark Kelly and other members of the "Seditious Six" face investigations after urging military personnel to resist hypothetical unlawful orders from President Trump. Kelly insists he is exercising free speech, but Pentagon officials say retired officers remain bound by military law. Bryan argues that these calls to resist the President are politically motivated and undermine public trust in the armed forces. Representative Eugene Vindman is also under investigation for unapproved foreign consulting work in Ukraine after leaving military service. Comey and Letitia James Win a Round in Court: Charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James were dismissed after a judge ruled that the Trump appointed prosecutor had been improperly selected. The Department of Justice says it will refile the charges and insists the statute of limitations has not expired. Bryan describes the moment as a tactical win for the defendants but not the end of the fight. Trump Targets the Muslim Brotherhood: The President ordered the State Department to determine which branches of the Muslim Brotherhood should be labeled as terrorist organizations. The group's history stretches back to its founding in Egypt in the 1920s, inspiring violent movements including Hamas and al Qaeda. Bryan notes that some Middle Eastern governments, particularly Turkey and Qatar, still support parts of the organization, and that groups like CAIR in the United States have roots in Brotherhood networks. Foreign Troll Farms Exposed on X: A new platform update revealed that many accounts posing as American conservatives or pro-Palestine activists are actually operated from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. These users post inflammatory political content to generate clicks and payouts under Elon Musk's monetization system. Bryan urges listeners to be skeptical of viral accounts and to scrutinize sources. Ukraine Peace Plan Revised: Trump's proposed peace plan has been reduced from 28 points to 19 and now leans more toward Ukraine's favor. European leaders insist Ukraine must maintain a one-million-strong force, even as countries like Germany admit it will take a decade to reach 260,000 troops. Bryan argues that Europe's rhetoric far exceeds its ability to act and that Trump is correct to dismiss their objections. Italian Pasta Tariff Coming: The White House is preparing a tariff on imported Italian pasta to protect U.S. producers. Bryan jokes that listeners may want to stock up now.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32   Put a smile on your face and give joy to your taste buds… Give Masa and Vandy beef tallow chips a try today! Use code WRIGHT for 25% off your first order… at MASAchips.com or VandyCrisps.com. So incredibly delicious! I promise, you won't be disappointed.     Keywords: Trump healthcare plan Obamacare subsidies, DHS deportation judges hiring, Somali welfare fraud Minnesota Omar quote, IRS DHS data sharing blocked, rapid deportation two year rule, Mark Kelly sedition investigation, Eugene Vindman ethics probe, James Comey Letitia James charges dismissed, Muslim Brotherhood terror designation review, foreign troll accounts X social media, Ukraine peace plan nineteen points, Italian pasta tariff

Welcome to Art is Awesome, the show where we talk with an artist or art worker with a connection to the San Francisco Bay Area. In this Episode, Emily interviews artist Jamil Hellu. Jamil shares his multicultural background—Brazilian, Syrian, Paraguayan, American, and queer—and discusses how these identities inform his work. The conversation explores his journey from Brazil to the U.S., his evolution as an artist, and his teaching at Stanford.Jamil talks about his latest exhibition, "In the Studio," at Rebecca Camacho Presents in San Francisco, which delves into identity, transformation, and the use of vibrant color and materials in self-portraiture. He reflects on his creative process, the influence of queer culture, and the importance of community in the Bay Area.The episode also features Jamil's thoughts on representation, the impact of artists like Claude Cahun, and the significance of residencies in his artistic development. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about art, identity, and the power of self-expression.About Artist Jamil Hellu:Jamil Hellu is a visual artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, who creates personal and politically charged projects to expand the discourse on identity representation. Through an interdisciplinary studio practice rooted in photography, his work is a dynamic exploration of queerness, community, and cultural heritage.Born in Brazil and of Middle Eastern descent, Hellu's diverse ethnic background informs his practice and research, offering a critical lens through which to examine issues of race, discrimination, and belonging. In today's political climate, where LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and racial justice remain central to social struggles, Hellu's projects invite viewers to consider the ways we construct, perceive, and validate identities.Through a vibrant visual vocabulary, he repeatedly engages in self-portraiture, activating conversations around visibility, cultural lineage, and the evolving nature of self-representation. His work contributes to ongoing discussions about who gets to be seen and who doesn't and the power of visual storytelling as a form of resistance.Hellu earned his MFA in Art Practice from Stanford University and has exhibited widely. His work has been discussed in publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Artforum, and VICE. His projects have been supported by grants and residencies such as the Fleishhacker Foundation, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Headlands Center for the Arts. An active participant in the San Francisco Bay Area arts community, Hellu serves as an Advisory Board member for Recology's Artist-in-Residence Program and represents local artists in the Board of Directors of SF Camerawork. He is a Photography Lecturer in the Department of Art & Art History at Stanford University.  Visit Jamil's Website:  JamilHellu.netFollow Jamil on Instagram:  @Jamil.HelluFor more about Jamil's exhibit "In The Studio" at Rebecca Camacho Presents CLICK HERE. --About Podcast Host Emily Wilson:Emily a writer in San Francisco, with work in outlets including Hyperallergic, Artforum, 48 Hills, the Daily Beast, California Magazine, Latino USA, and Women's Media Center. She often writes about the arts. For years, she taught adults getting their high school diplomas at City College of San Francisco.Follow Emily on Instagram: @PureEWilFollow Art Is Awesome on Instagram: @ArtIsAwesome_Podcast--CREDITS:Art Is Awesome is Hosted, Created & Executive Produced by Emily Wilson. Theme Music "Loopster" Courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 LicenseThe Podcast is Co-Produced, Developed & Edited by Charlene Goto of @GoToProductions. For more info, visit Go-ToProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With hardening authoritarianism and state capture by militias exacerbating the challenges faced by providers of development and political aid across the Middle East and North Africa, how can aid be made more effective? Can donors overcome the limitations of their outdated assistance playbooks? Analysing the fraught relationships between Western aid providers and MENA recipients, the authors of Making Aid Work suggest innovative, practical approaches for overcoming the chronic limitations—and disappointing results—of assistance aimed at encouraging economic development and political reform in the region. Meet our speakers and chair Guilain Denoeux is professor of government at Colby College. His areas of expertise include: Middle Eastern and North African politics, terrorism, insurgency and counter-extremism programming and democracy-building strategies and activities. Robert Springborg is nonresident research fellow of the Italian Institute of International Affairs and adjunct professor in the School of International Studies at Simon Fraser University. Greg Shapland is a Research Fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre and Principal Investigator and UKRI FCDO Senior Research Fellow on the project, ‘The Political Economy of Water in the MENA Region: A Cross-Regional Assessment'.

Curator of "Niyū Yūrk: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City", Hiba Abid, joins us to talk about the exhibition, housed at the New York Public Library's iconic 42nd Street building, which challenges dominant narratives by presenting New York as a city deeply intertwined with Middle Eastern and North African history and culture. Abid delves into the diverse stories of immigration, the often-overlooked North African presence, and the revolution in Arabic publishing in New York. Through fascinating primary documents and personal stories, the discussion explores everything from the surprising origins of the Statue of Liberty to early 20th-century American citizenship guides published in Arabic, revealing the long, complex, and vibrant history of Arab and Middle Eastern communities in New York. The exhibition remains until March 8, 2026. On December 5, is a Middle Eastern/North African take over of the flagship building of the NYPL that's not to be missed

Jeremy Au and Kristie Neo break down how China, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are forming new economic corridors that reshape trade, capital movement, and technology strategy. They describe how China and the Gulf now work together at a scale that surpasses Gulf–West flows, how the UAE and Saudi Arabia use bold planning to diversify their economies, and why Western reporting still misses the magnitude of this shift. They examine how Chinese overcapacity fuels Middle Eastern mega projects, how sovereign funds on both sides deepen cross investment, and how AI, data centers, and energy abundance position the Gulf as a future compute hub. Kristie also outlines the gap between vision and execution in projects like NEOM, while Jeremy reflects on how these moves echo earlier global cycles. 00:55 Trade flows flipped direction. China Gulf commerce surpassed Gulf West trade in 2024 because Chinese overcapacity met Gulf demand for infrastructure, construction, and technology. 02:18 Media exposure hides the scale of change. Western and Chinese outlets lack global reach in covering Middle East China ties, which keeps the shift underreported. 08:56 UAE applied the Singapore playbook. Pro business policies, low tax systems, and investor friendly rules drew global hedge funds, family offices, and operators to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 14:51 Qatar's World Cup showed the model. Gulf capital combined with Chinese labor and construction speed to complete major stadium projects on compressed timelines. 25:32 Sovereign funds deepened two way flows. Middle Eastern allocators increased exposure to Chinese assets as both sides diversified away from US denominated risk. 40:12 AI infrastructure became a national priority. Gulf governments invested heavily in data centers and chip capacity by pairing cheap energy with large land availability. 54:23 NEOM revealed ambition and friction. The 120 kilometer enclosed city concept captured Saudi Arabia's vision but faced delays that showed how difficult execution can be. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kristie-neo-accelerating-middle-east Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts #ChinaGulfCorridor #MiddleEastTech #GlobalSouthShift #GeopoliticsAndTech #SovereignWealthFlows #AIEnergyFuture #DubaiSingaporePlaybook #ChinaOvercapacity #EmergingMarketTrends #BRAVEpodcast

This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) break down the newly released Epstein emails, what they show, what they don't and why the national security implications are far bigger than the headlines. They dig into Epstein's attempts to insert himself into global politics including offering Russia “insight” on Donald Trump and the strange connection between Larry Summers and China's Belt and Road Initiative  Then, they walk through why Congress forced the DOJ's hand, why Pam Bondi now controls what gets redacted, and why the lack of institutional trust means any carve-outs will only fuel more conspiracy and chaos. After that, they turn to Poland, where a Russian-backed sabotage attack on a key supply line to Ukraine has triggered a crisis inside NATO.     In Politicology+ they dive into back-to-back Oval Office visits from two Middle Eastern leaders, and what Trump's defense of the Saudi Crown Prince reveals about America's shifting posture in the region.  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Listen to The Last Invention: https://bit.ly/4pob891 Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https:/x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Related Reading:  Politico - Jeffrey Epstein claimed he gave Russians insight into Trump Newsweek - Donald Trump ‘blowing Bubba' message in Epstein emails under scrutiny - Newsweek ABC News - Epstein offered reporter photos of 'donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen': Email - ABC News NY Post - Meet economist Keyu Jin, who Larry Summers asked Jeffrey Epstein advice on how to get 'horizontal' with | New York Post NYT - Poland Blames Russian-Backed Ukrainians for Railway Sabotage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Adie introduces stories from Jordan, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Spain and the Black Sea.11-year-old Abdelrahman was injured during an Israeli attack in Gaza, which led to the loss of one of his legs. He was selected to travel to Jordan for hospital treatment, to be fitted with a new prosthetic leg. Fergal Keane met him while he was undergoing treatment - and learning to play the traditional Middle Eastern musical instrument, the oud.The former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was sentenced to death this week for crimes against humanity. Prosecutors accused the former leader of being behind hundreds of killings during anti-government protests last year. Arunoday Mukharji was in the capital, Dhaka, when the verdict was announced.Russian attacks on Ukraine' energy infrastructure have increased. Among the targets are the country's nuclear power plants – with Europe's largest located in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia. Vitaliy Shevchenko recounts a recent discovery he made about his childhood home there.Spain has marked the 50th anniversary of the death of Francisco Franco, whose legacy still divides the country. Linda Pressly recently met the dictator's great-grandson in Madrid.And in our age of mass tourism, travel has, for some, gone from being an adventure of self-discovery to a selfie-checklist, with even the most secluded places on full display across social media. But there are still ways to immerse yourself in other cultures through less well-trodden routes. Caroline Eden recently embarked on a new adventure of her own, on a slow boat across the Black Sea.Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

In a Katie Halper Show exclusive, journalist Matthew Petti discusses for the first time, his reporting on Jeffrey Epstein, Israel, Qatar, Tom Barrack, Trump's Middle East envoy, and Sultan bin Sulayem, a very powerful Dubai businessman tied to the royal family and more. Then Katie gets an update from Zeyad Kadur about his nephew Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16 year old American Citizen who is languishing in an Israeli prison where he has been kept since early 2025. For the full discussion, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-full-143899463 Links for Mohammed Ibrahim: Institute For Middle East Understanding Policy Project: https://www.imeupolicyproject.org/newsletters/lawmakers-call-on-trump-admin-to-free-mohammed-ibrahim-from-israeli-detention CAIR and CAIR-FL Urgent Action Alert: https://secure.ngpvan.com/DYkFiy0PwEiVEvRJaQFdIQ2 freeMohammedIbrahim: https://linktr.ee/freeMohammedIbrahim Matthew Petti is an assistant editor at Reason and a proud New Jersey native. He has previously reported for the BBC (in Persian and English), The Intercept, The Daily Beast, New Lines magazine, Responsible Statecraft, Middle East Eye, and The National Interest, among other publications. Matthew covers U.S. national security policy and its interactions with American society and domestic politics. In 2022, Matthew was awarded a Fulbright fellowship to research the ways in which Arab journalists interact with foreign media. Through the Fulbright program, he worked at a variety of newsrooms in Amman, including Jordan News and Radio al-Balad, where he hosted a program on Latin music. Previously, he was a Center for Arabic Study Abroad and Foreign Language Area Studies fellow in Amman. Matthew graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor's degree in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies. He got his start in journalism as a features writer at the Columbia Daily Spectator. **Please support The Katie Halper Show ** For bonus content, exclusive interviews, to support independent media & to help make this program possible, please join us on Patreon - / thekatiehalpershow Get your Katie Halper Show Merch here! https://katiehalper.myspreadshop.com/all Follow Katie on Twitter: https://x.com/kthalps Follow Katie on Instagram: / kthalps Follow Katie on TikTok: / kthalps

Join our member program here: https://israelguys.link/TIGmember Join the Land of Israel fellowship: https://thelandofisrael.com/membership-tiers/ This week on The Israel Guys, we dive into the growing question: Are the Abraham Accords coming to an end? With Trump meeting Middle Eastern leaders—including the Saudi Crown Prince—and elevating Saudi Arabia to a major non-NATO ally, many are wondering whether the U.S. is shifting away from the Accords' original purpose. Analysts like Lee Smith argue that Trump's recent moves signal a return to traditional U.S.–Saudi relations based on security and arms deals, not a push for Saudi–Israel normalization. If the Accords were designed to counter Iran, Smith says their mission may already be complete. We also examine why Saudi normalization could be riskier than it appears, offering Israel little strategic benefit while exposing Saudi Arabia to internal and regional instability—especially if tied to the Palestinian issue. Combined with Biden-era efforts that re-centered the Palestinian file and, some argue, empowered Iran, the region is at an inflection point. From shifting alliances to escalating tensions in Judea and Samaria, we break down what's really happening on the ground. As always, stop listening to the lies and propaganda, and connect with the truth—right here at The Israel Guys. Follow The Israel Guys on Telegram: https://t.me/theisraelguys  Follow Us On X: https://x.com/theisraelguys  Follow Us On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theisraelguys Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theisraelguys Source Links:  https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/farewell-abraham-accords-lee-smith https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417983 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/418043 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-874545

WABC Host Bill O'Reilly joins the show for his weekly appearance with Sid to talk about his views on media hysteria, particularly around the Epstein files, and the importance of presumption of innocence. He argues that accusations without proper evidence can destroy reputations unfairly. O'Reilly also critiques a journalist's accusatory questioning style during a press event with Donald Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince, suggesting it undermines diplomacy efforts. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate his points, emphasizing the need for respectful and neutral journalism. O'Reilly concludes by discussing the cultural differences in media treatment between the US and Middle Eastern countries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zohran Mamdani was just elected to be the next Mayor of New York City. How did an anti-American, anti-Capitalism, anti-Jew, anti-Western millennial become the most powerful person in the largest city in the United States? I wanted to know. So, I talked with Zineb Riboua – a research fellow with Hudson Institute's Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East. She's written extensively on the Middle East and the ongoing power struggles in one of the most violent and unstable regions in the world. But what does Middle Eastern politics have to do with New York City and Zohran Mamandi? Zineb argues that the ideology that led the Left to believe that Israel and Britian were the fundamentally evil powers in Europe and the Middle East because of their “colonialization” is the same ideology that Zohran used to capture the attention and votes of the suicidal Democratic ideologues in New York City. The younger generations white colonialization guilt and Third Worldism philosophy were key factors in Zohrans ability to manipulate the American people in the largest city in the country to vote for a self-proclaimed Marxist Socialist. So, what happens to New York City next? Will it sprout into a utopia or fall into oblivion? Here's my conversation with Zineb Riboua. I hope you enjoy!  Zineb's article on The Free Press: https://www.thefp.com/p/what-the-right-gets-wrong-about-zohran  Zineb's Substack, Beyond The Ideological: https://www.zinebriboua.com  Zineb on The Hudson Institute: https://www.hudson.org/experts/1467-zineb-riboua Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://www.orthodoxyandorder.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

Provincial Metropolis: Intellectuals and the Hinterland in Colonial India (Cambridge UP, 2025) tells the story of Patna, in the north Indian region of Bihar, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A century and more earlier, Patna had been an important and populous city, but it came to be seen by many-and is still  seen today-as merely part of the mofussil, the provincial hinterland. Despite Patna's real decline, it continued to nurture a vibrant intellectual culture that linked it with cities and towns across northern India and beyond. Urdu literary gatherings and other Islamicate traditions inherited from Mughal times helped animate the networks sustaining institutions like scholarly libraries and satirical newspapers. Meanwhile, English-educated lawyers sought to bring new prominence to their city and region by making Patna the capital of a new province. They succeeded, but as Patna's political influence grew, its distinctive character was diminished. Ultimately, Provincial Metropolis shows, Patna's intellectual and cultural life thrived not despite its provinciality but because of it. * David Boyk is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at Northwestern University, where he teaches courses in Hindi-Urdu language and literature, and on South Asian literature, film, and history more broadly. My scholarly interests are focused on South Asia and include urban and regional history, film, food studies,and the history of language and literature. You can learn more about him on his website.  * Saumya Dadoo is a PhD candidate in the Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) at Columbia University. Her dissertation focuses on the history of law, policing, and punishment in colonial Allahabad.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

George Bellshaw grasps the reins as James Gray takes a week off. He is joined by Calvin Betton, fresh from ATP World Tour Finals victory with Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara. Here are six bullet points summarizing this podcast episode: Henry Patten and Harry Heliövaara's ATP Finals triumph: Calvin reflects on their dominant week in Turin, where they became the only pair not to lose serve all tournament and capped off a phenomenal end to the season with victories in Beijing, Paris, and the year-end finals in Turin, all after winning the Australian Open in January. Sinner's indoor dominance continues: Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-5 in the ATP Finals, extending his remarkable indoor winning streak to 31 matches (fourth-longest in history) and demonstrating his superiority in fast court conditions. Felix Auger-Aliassime poised for breakthrough: Calvin's bold prediction: FAA will establish himself as the world's third-best player in 2026, citing his newfound confidence, consistent results, injury-free status, and superior talent compared to players like Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz. Zverev's coaching concerns: Despite being world number two, Calvin criticises Zverev's practice sessions as lacking proper structure and technical coaching, suggesting he needs to hire a proven coach rather than relying solely on family members if he wants to win majors. ATP calendar controversy intensifies: Calvin and George discuss Andrea Gaudenzi's plans to expand Masters events and focus on "premium products," with Calvin arguing passionately against taking tennis away from passionate fanbases in places like South America and Italy in favour of lucrative but atmosphere-lacking Middle Eastern venues. Djokovic's reality check: George and Calvin reflect on Novak Djokovic's interview with Piers Morgan, in which he admits the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz has forced him to re-evaluate his goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

George Bellshaw grasps the reins as James Gray takes a week off. He is joined by Calvin Betton, fresh from ATP World Tour Finals victory with Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara. Here are six bullet points summarizing this podcast episode: Henry Patten and Harry Heliövaara's ATP Finals triumph: Calvin reflects on their dominant week in Turin, where they became the only pair not to lose serve all tournament and capped off a phenomenal end to the season with victories in Beijing, Paris, and the year-end finals in Turin, all after winning the Australian Open in January. Sinner's indoor dominance continues: Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-5 in the ATP Finals, extending his remarkable indoor winning streak to 31 matches (fourth-longest in history) and demonstrating his superiority in fast court conditions. Felix Auger-Aliassime poised for breakthrough: Calvin's bold prediction: FAA will establish himself as the world's third-best player in 2026, citing his newfound confidence, consistent results, injury-free status, and superior talent compared to players like Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz. Zverev's coaching concerns: Despite being world number two, Calvin criticises Zverev's practice sessions as lacking proper structure and technical coaching, suggesting he needs to hire a proven coach rather than relying solely on family members if he wants to win majors. ATP calendar controversy intensifies: Calvin and George discuss Andrea Gaudenzi's plans to expand Masters events and focus on "premium products," with Calvin arguing passionately against taking tennis away from passionate fanbases in places like South America and Italy in favour of lucrative but atmosphere-lacking Middle Eastern venues. Djokovic's reality check: George and Calvin reflect on Novak Djokovic's interview with Piers Morgan, in which he admits the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz has forced him to re-evaluate his goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Provincial Metropolis: Intellectuals and the Hinterland in Colonial India (Cambridge UP, 2025) tells the story of Patna, in the north Indian region of Bihar, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A century and more earlier, Patna had been an important and populous city, but it came to be seen by many-and is still  seen today-as merely part of the mofussil, the provincial hinterland. Despite Patna's real decline, it continued to nurture a vibrant intellectual culture that linked it with cities and towns across northern India and beyond. Urdu literary gatherings and other Islamicate traditions inherited from Mughal times helped animate the networks sustaining institutions like scholarly libraries and satirical newspapers. Meanwhile, English-educated lawyers sought to bring new prominence to their city and region by making Patna the capital of a new province. They succeeded, but as Patna's political influence grew, its distinctive character was diminished. Ultimately, Provincial Metropolis shows, Patna's intellectual and cultural life thrived not despite its provinciality but because of it. * David Boyk is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at Northwestern University, where he teaches courses in Hindi-Urdu language and literature, and on South Asian literature, film, and history more broadly. My scholarly interests are focused on South Asia and include urban and regional history, film, food studies,and the history of language and literature. You can learn more about him on his website.  * Saumya Dadoo is a PhD candidate in the Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) at Columbia University. Her dissertation focuses on the history of law, policing, and punishment in colonial Allahabad.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Provincial Metropolis: Intellectuals and the Hinterland in Colonial India (Cambridge UP, 2025) tells the story of Patna, in the north Indian region of Bihar, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A century and more earlier, Patna had been an important and populous city, but it came to be seen by many-and is still  seen today-as merely part of the mofussil, the provincial hinterland. Despite Patna's real decline, it continued to nurture a vibrant intellectual culture that linked it with cities and towns across northern India and beyond. Urdu literary gatherings and other Islamicate traditions inherited from Mughal times helped animate the networks sustaining institutions like scholarly libraries and satirical newspapers. Meanwhile, English-educated lawyers sought to bring new prominence to their city and region by making Patna the capital of a new province. They succeeded, but as Patna's political influence grew, its distinctive character was diminished. Ultimately, Provincial Metropolis shows, Patna's intellectual and cultural life thrived not despite its provinciality but because of it. * David Boyk is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at Northwestern University, where he teaches courses in Hindi-Urdu language and literature, and on South Asian literature, film, and history more broadly. My scholarly interests are focused on South Asia and include urban and regional history, film, food studies,and the history of language and literature. You can learn more about him on his website.  * Saumya Dadoo is a PhD candidate in the Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) at Columbia University. Her dissertation focuses on the history of law, policing, and punishment in colonial Allahabad.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

Provincial Metropolis: Intellectuals and the Hinterland in Colonial India (Cambridge UP, 2025) tells the story of Patna, in the north Indian region of Bihar, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A century and more earlier, Patna had been an important and populous city, but it came to be seen by many-and is still  seen today-as merely part of the mofussil, the provincial hinterland. Despite Patna's real decline, it continued to nurture a vibrant intellectual culture that linked it with cities and towns across northern India and beyond. Urdu literary gatherings and other Islamicate traditions inherited from Mughal times helped animate the networks sustaining institutions like scholarly libraries and satirical newspapers. Meanwhile, English-educated lawyers sought to bring new prominence to their city and region by making Patna the capital of a new province. They succeeded, but as Patna's political influence grew, its distinctive character was diminished. Ultimately, Provincial Metropolis shows, Patna's intellectual and cultural life thrived not despite its provinciality but because of it. * David Boyk is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at Northwestern University, where he teaches courses in Hindi-Urdu language and literature, and on South Asian literature, film, and history more broadly. My scholarly interests are focused on South Asia and include urban and regional history, film, food studies,and the history of language and literature. You can learn more about him on his website.  * Saumya Dadoo is a PhD candidate in the Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) at Columbia University. Her dissertation focuses on the history of law, policing, and punishment in colonial Allahabad.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

In part 2 of his conversation, host Shai Davidai sits down with Egyptian activist and scholar Dalia Ziada for an to discuss her personal journey, the complexities of Middle Eastern politics, and the aftermath of October 7th. Dalia shares her experiences facing backlash in Egypt for condemning Hamas and supporting peace with Israel, including threats to her safety and her dramatic escape from her home country. The discussion covers the role of the Muslim Brotherhood, the challenges of combating misinformation, and Dalia's ongoing advocacy for peace and education in the US. Through her story, Dalia highlights the importance of resilience, standing up for truth, and empowering the next generation—especially young women—to be courageous and hopeful in the face of adversity. This season is dedicated to Shai's grandmother, Leah Davidai, who passed away earlier this year. Sponsored in part by Iron Dome Coffee, visit www.irondomecoffee.com and use the code HERE I AM for an exclusive discount just for our listeners. Guest: Dalia Ziada Consider DONATING to help us continue and expand our media efforts. If you cannot at this time, please share this video with someone who might benefit from it. We thank you for your support! COMING SOON BUY MERCH! SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON!https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/about?utm_source=campaign-search-results

What defines Iranian identity, both within Iran and across its global diaspora? In this thought-provoking conversation with historian Keanu Heydari, we peel back layers of complexity surrounding one of the world's most politically fragmented diasporic communities.Heydari, a PhD candidate at the University of Michigan specializing in Iranian student activism in post-war France, offers a refreshingly nuanced perspective that avoids both regime apologetics and demonization. The Iranian diaspora, he explains, represents a fascinating anomaly – unlike other immigrant communities that typically organize around cultural markers, Iranians abroad primarily define themselves through political discourse coalitions. From hardline supporters of the Islamic Republic to advocates of monarchy restoration, these political positions often prevent meaningful dialogue between community members.We trace the historical trajectory of modern Iran through pivotal moments like the 1953 CIA-orchestrated coup against Mohammad Mossadegh and the 1979 Islamic Revolution, exploring how these events triggered waves of migration and shaped distinct political consciousnesses. Particularly fascinating is Heydari's analysis of how Iranian nationalism occupies a liminal space between European nationalism and anti-colonial struggles, making it simultaneously attractive and repellent to Western leftists.The conversation ventures into provocative territory when discussing Michel Foucault's misunderstood writings on the Iranian Revolution. Rather than dismissing Foucault as naively romanticizing a repressive regime, Heydari connects Foucault's interest in "Islamic political spirituality" to his broader intellectual project concerning self-transformation and political practice.Whether you're interested in diaspora politics, Middle Eastern history, or the complex interplay between religion and leftist thought, this conversation challenges simplistic narratives and offers fresh perspectives on Iran's place in global politics. Share your thoughts about this episode and let us know which aspects of Iranian diaspora identity you'd like us to explore further.Here are the two articles discussed: Threads of Belonging, Echoes of ExileIran, Israel, & the Logic of EscalationSend us a text Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic

Rick Allen was raised in an Irish-Catholic family, but he made his profession of faith some time after graduating college. From there, his journey of faith and his career path progressed side-by-side. Over time, Rick went from volunteering at church to pastoring a church plant, and from software salesman to CEO of a development company. Then with his ministry experience and leadership skills, Rick transitioned to become president and CEO of MedSend, an organization that has mobilized over 750 Christ-following, disciple-making healthcare professionals into 103 nations.   MedSend doesn't just send doctors overseas, it helps train native physicians to care and witness within their own communities. Under Rick's leadership, MedSend's National Scholars Pathway is equipping African, Asian, and Middle Eastern doctors with advanced medical and biblical training so that they can heal physically and introduce people to Jesus right where they live. Rick is passionate about seeing nations transformed with the love of God through well-equipped, Christ-following medical professionals. Millions of lives have already been touched, and MedSend has a vision to reach millions more with fully equipped Christ-centered hospital systems and networks. If you want to learn how faith, medicine, and missions can fuse in sustainable ways, this episode is for you.   Major Topics Include: Learning to trust God when you can't see what's ahead The desperate need for well-trained health care professionals globally Raising up medical professionals to minister to their own people ROI of investing in a national missionary physician Training medical professionals to share the gospel and disciple others Extending impact through partnership Helping medical missionaries care for themselves through the longevity program MedSend's long-term goal to transform nations through hospital systems and networks QUOTES TO REMEMBER “And I knew immediately that I wasn't trusting God.” “What does it look like for a Christ-following man to trust and surrender?” “I got to see God at work across the table and across the world, and it transformed my understanding of who God is.” “If you approach God with an open mind and and open heart and say, ‘if you're real, show me,' God will show up every time.” “These individuals are taking the love of Christ and a vision for compassionate care into their own healthcare systems and transforming them in the love of Christ.” “We anticipate that an individual physician will touch about 100,000 lives during their career. So we're training up people that will bless and share the knowledge of Christ with 100,000 people in a lifetime. That level of investment pays off over decades.”  “This is not about building healthcare capacity. This is about building Christ-followers who see healthcare as a means to share the love of Jesus Christ.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW MedSend Institute of Global Healthcare Missions Christian Medical & Dental Associations Samaritan's Purse ROI Ministry (see our interview with founder, Tim Barker) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, historian and author David Lesch joins Chuck to discuss the new book Dodgers to Damascus — an unexpected blend of Middle Eastern politics and baseball. Lesch traces his path from aspiring major-leaguer to one of America’s foremost scholars on Syria, explaining how the fall of the Ottoman Empire, artificial borders drawn by European powers, and a lack of cohesive national identity still shape the region today. He offers candid reflections on his relationship with Bashar al-Assad, why Syria is likely drifting toward a sectarian majoritarian state, and whether any country in the Middle East is truly positioned to attempt democracy. From Iran’s teetering leadership to the Saudis’ complicated partnership with the West, Lesch unpacks the geopolitical moment with clarity and experience. Chuck and David also dive into the surprising ways baseball helped him understand the Middle East — and vice versa. Lesch reflects on the physical toll of pitching, the Braves’ legendary rotation, and why modern sports medicine might have saved his career. The conversation even explores whether the Middle East could ever embrace baseball, the role of Islamophobia in shaping perceptions, and why travel remains one of the strongest antidotes to fear. Ultimately, Dodgers to Damascus is less a sports memoir and more a sweeping look at a region still wrestling with the consequences of history — and this episode brings that complexity to life. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 David Lesch joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 Origin of “Dodgers to Damascus” 02:00 It’s weird reading about someone else’s writing about yourself 04:30 What drew David to the Middle East 06:15 Most people don’t understand the Middle East pre 1948 07:00 Fall of Ottoman Empire isn’t covered well in public education 09:00 Artificial divisions in Middle East were to benefit Europe 10:45 Countries in the Middle East lack a national identity 11:30 Davd’s relationship with Bashar Al-Assad 12:30 Assad was raised as an authoritarian and child of conflict 14:30 Any faith in the new leader of Syria to bring about positive change? 16:45 Syria has been helping with counter terrorist operations 18:00 Syria likely on the way to being a sectarian majoritarian state 21:00 Which Middle East country has the best shot at trying democracy? 22:00 Iran’s weakness makes Kurdistan more possible 23:00 Iranian ayatollahs won’t be able hold power when Khamenei dies 24:00 Iran’s government is teetering, and their proxies are weak 25:30 Iran would be an economic power if they became a western democracy 26:15 Israel is at the apex of military power in the region 29:30 The academic case for the Saudis being a partner 30:45 Can the Saudis and Iranians co-exist if Iran moderates? 32:00 How did baseball give you extra perspective on the middle east 34:00 Would modern sports medicine have saved your career? 36:00 The motion for pitching is not meant for human anatomy 37:30 Throwing sidearm is much less damaging for your arm 39:30 The Braves legendary pitching lineup 41:00 David wishes he had at least one year in the majors 42:15 Nolan Ryan’s missing flexor tendon was his superpower 44:30 Teams run the risk of ending pitchers careers early to win a title 46:15 Why is Ohtani so unusual, why haven’t pitchers been able to hit? 48:15 Could you see people in the Middle East getting into baseball? 51:15 Middle East would need a star from that region to rise in MLB 52:00 Islamophobia exists on both sides of the isle 52:30 Travel helps to cure phobias 53:45 Islamophobia is a harder barrier to break than people realize 57:15 Dodgers to Damascus is more of a middle east book than baseballSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down how Donald Trump is being consumed by the growing Epstein feeding frenzy — from his inexplicable softness toward Ghislaine Maxwell to signs he may be genuinely afraid of what she knows. As Trump lashes out at Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene with the same fury he once reserved for impeachment-backers, his grip on the GOP shows early signs of slipping, even as the DOJ considers whether reopening the Epstein investigation could delay the release of sensitive files. With the economy struggling, tariffs quietly being dropped, and ACA subsidies suddenly in play, Trump’s visible panic comes at a politically vulnerable moment. Chuck also recaps conversations from the Texas Tribune Festival, where potential Democratic contenders like Wes Moore and Tim Walz signaled a return to mainstream, service-rooted politics — and where Moore’s centrist lane and military background set him apart as 2028 speculation slowly heats up. Then, historian and author David Lesch joins Chuck to discuss the new book Dodgers to Damascus — an unexpected blend of Middle Eastern politics and baseball. Lesch traces his path from aspiring major-leaguer to one of America’s foremost scholars on Syria, explaining how the fall of the Ottoman Empire, artificial borders drawn by European powers, and a lack of cohesive national identity still shape the region today. He offers candid reflections on his relationship with Bashar al-Assad, why Syria is likely drifting toward a sectarian majoritarian state, and whether any country in the Middle East is truly positioned to attempt democracy. From Iran’s teetering leadership to the Saudis’ complicated partnership with the West, Lesch unpacks the geopolitical moment with clarity and experience. Chuck and David also dive into the surprising ways baseball helped him understand the Middle East — and vice versa. Lesch reflects on the physical toll of pitching, the Braves’ legendary rotation, and why modern sports medicine might have saved his career. The conversation even explores whether the Middle East could ever embrace baseball, the role of Islamophobia in shaping perceptions, and why travel remains one of the strongest antidotes to fear. Ultimately, Dodgers to Damascus is less a sports memoir and more a sweeping look at a region still wrestling with the consequences of history — and this episode brings that complexity to life. Finally, Chuck hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit several pivotal moments in the history of American conspiracy theories that all fell on the same calendar week, plus he recaps the weekend in college football! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:00 Trump is being consumed by the Epstein feeding frenzy 04:30 Trump’s leniency towards Ghislaine Maxwell is perplexing 05:15 Trump seems to fear Maxwell…but why? 06:30 There’s something Maxwell knows about Trump that scares him 08:00 Trump goes to war with Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor-Greene 09:15 He’s as mad at Massie and Greene as he was with R’s who voted to impeach 11:00 DOJ can avoid releasing the Epstein files by reopening investigation 12:30 Trump is rattled at a time when the economy is struggling 14:00 Administration dropping tariffs, know they’ve raised costs 14:30 It looks like ACA subsidies will actually have a chance to pass 16:00 Offering cash payouts to pay for premiums is a strange solution 17:30 Trump is letting America “see him sweat” over Epstein 19:15 Trump’s influence over the GOP is starting to wane 19:45 If Massie wins his primary, it will be a major rebuke of Trump 20:30 Trump only punishes Republicans who don’t go along with his lies 22:15 We are witnessing the lame duck period beginning for Trump 23:15 Chuck’s experience at Texas Tribune fest, multiple Dem ‘28 hopefuls 24:00 Wes Moore fully embraced the centrist lane during interview with Chuck 25:15 Wes Moore didn’t join the military to “check a political box” 27:00 Tim Walz & Wes Moore agree Trump’s penchant for action is a strong trait 30:15 Wes Moore will run more as a mainstream Dem, not a progressive 35:00 David Lesch joins the Chuck ToddCast 36:00 Origin of “Dodgers to Damascus” 37:00 It’s weird reading about someone else’s writing about yourself 39:30 What drew David to the Middle East 41:15 Most people don’t understand the Middle East pre 1948 42:00 Fall of Ottoman Empire isn’t covered well in public education 44:00 Artificial divisions in Middle East were to benefit Europe 45:45 Countries in the Middle East lack a national identity 46:30 David’s relationship with Bashar Al-Assad 47:30 Assad was raised as an authoritarian and child of conflict 49:30 Any faith in the new leader of Syria to bring about positive change? 51:45 Syria has been helping with counter terrorist operations 53:00 Syria likely on the way to being a sectarian majoritarian state 56:00 Which Middle East country has the best shot at trying democracy? 57:00 Iran’s weakness makes Kurdistan more possible 58:00 Iranian ayatollahs won’t be able hold power when Khamenei dies 59:00 Iran’s government is teetering, and their proxies are weak 1:00:30 Iran would be an economic power if they became a western democracy 1:01:15 Israel is at the apex of military power in the region 1:04:30 The academic case for the Saudis being a partner 1:05:45 Can the Saudis and Iranians co-exist if Iran moderates? 1:07:00 How did baseball give you extra perspective on the middle east 1:09:00 Would modern sports medicine have saved your career? 1:11:00 The motion for pitching is not meant for human anatomy 1:12:30 Throwing sidearm is much less damaging for your arm 1:14:30 The Braves legendary pitching lineup 1:16:00 David wishes he had at least one year in the majors 1:17:15 Nolan Ryan’s missing flexor tendon was his superpower 1:19:30 Teams run the risk of ending pitchers careers early to win a title 1:21:15 Why is Ohtani so unusual, why haven’t pitchers been able to hit? 1:23:15 Could you see people in the Middle East getting into baseball? 1:26:15 Middle East would need a star from that region to rise in MLB 1:27:00 Islamophobia exists on both sides of the isle 1:27:30 Travel helps to cure phobias 1:28:45 Islamophobia is a harder barrier to break than people realize 1:32:15 Dodgers to Damascus is more of a middle east book than baseball 1:33:00 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview with David Lesch 1:33:15 ToddCast Time Machine 1:33:45 Jonestown, JFK assassination, gap in Nixon tapes same calendar week 1:35:00 Jonestown shows a closed information system can destroy judgement 1:36:00 Jonestown shows the consequences of conspiratorial thinking 1:36:45 JFK conspiracy shows what happens when gov’t can’t convince public 1:37:45 JFK’s death caused boomers to mistrust the government 1:38:45 Nixon tape gap reinforced public’s mistrust in government 1:40:15 The public never received justice for Watergate 1:41:15 Americans now process events through lens of government coverup 1:43:30 Public is correct to believe they aren’t getting the entire story 1:45:30 College football recapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chad sits down with political commentator Gregory Lyakhov to break down one of the most surprising and intense conflicts inside the Republican Party today, the growing divide over Israel. Once a unified issue on the right, Israel has now become a flashpoint between traditional pro-Israel conservatives and a rising faction of Republicans who question foreign aid, military commitments, and America's role in Middle Eastern politics. Gregory brings his insight from years of covering U.S. politics and the Israel relationship for major outlets, offering a clear look at how this rift started, who is driving it, and what it reveals about the future direction of the GOP. From foreign policy to the 2026 elections, we dig into the forces reshaping the conservative movement and what this internal conflict means for America moving forward.Visit our merhcndise store

Mr. Beast Biography Flash a weekly Biography.In the past few days Mr. Beast has been at the center of several major headlines and business moves that could be pivotal for his career and public image. According to Business Insider Mr. Beast recently revealed in a deposition that he maintains a significant ownership stake in his five billion dollar company Beast Industries. This came to light as part of an ongoing legal case but the bigger story is the aggressive expansion of Beast Industries itself. The company has reportedly been on a major hiring spree adding four new executives tasked with boosting both content creation and brand deal strategies. This signals an intent to scale in ways we have not seen before with Mr. Beast obviously staying heavily involved in the direction and vision of his conglomerate.On the business front Arise News reports that Mr. Beast had a high-profile international appearance launching Beast Land in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. This attraction anchors Saudi Arabia's multi-billion dollar push to attract global entertainment eyes and positions Mr. Beast as not just a content creator but a central figure in shaping worldwide entertainment experiences. The launch was not only covered extensively by Middle Eastern outlets but seen as yet another sign of his sway with young audiences and his ability to partner on cross-continental ventures.While it's been a busy week for Beast Industries operationally there has also been social media buzz after Mr. Beast took to Twitter to tease a new mega-giveaway planned for later this month. While concrete details have not been confirmed fans are already circulating speculation about the scope and format based on his recent high-budget stunts. There's also chatter about potential collaborations—nothing confirmed yet—but several TikTok influencers and mainstream media observers are pointing to Mr. Beast's increased networking at global events as a sign that something even bigger could be on the horizon.It's also worth noting that the recent news cycle is focusing less on typical YouTube uploads and more on the strategic evolution of Beast Industries Mr. Beast's changing role from solo creator to entertainment mogul and his increasingly global footprint. If the current hiring blitz and business partnerships are any indication we may be seeing the early stages of a long-term shift in how Mr. Beast is perceived both inside and outside the platform that made him famous.Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Mr. Beast podcast. To stay up to date on every twist and turn in the life of the world's most-watched creator be sure to subscribe. And if you want more quick-hit biographies on icons like Mr. Beast just search the term Biography Flash.And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Mr. Beast. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."Get the best deals https://amzn.to/4mMClBvThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Written by Hannah KhalilIn 2040, a Middle Eastern nation is struggling to survive rising temperatures and rolling power cuts. Architect Noura Halim has devoted her life to designing a new kind of city, one that could protect people from the worsening climate and keep her country alive. But as construction begins, the project drains the nation's fragile resources, workers are pushed to breaking point, and her teenage daughter Amal begins to question everything her mother believes in.As tensions rise at home and across the country, Noura must confront the cost of her own ambition and the possibility that her dream of salvation could destroy the very place she's trying to save.Tipping Point was developed through OKRE Experimental Stories supported by Wellcome in consultation with Dr Robert Hughes of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Dr Candice Howarth of the London School of Economics.Cast:Noura . . . . . Nadia Albina Amal . . . . . Eleanor Nawal Steve . . . . . Clive Hayward Mr Felix . . . . . Angus Wright Jamila . . . . . Tanvi Virmani TV Presenter . . . . . Jasmine Hyde Noura's Assistant . . . . . Sasha McCabeProduction co-ordinators: Sara Benaim and Emma Donald Sound design: Sharon Hughes Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

When the headlines clash, most people feel lost. But what if the story of the Middle East actually makes more sense when you view it through the combined lens of history, archaeology, and Scripture?In this conversation with Israeli tour guide and Bible-history expert Guy Leibovitz, we explore how the modern State of Israel, current Middle Eastern tensions, and the ancient world of the Old and New Testament intersect in ways many people never hear about. From the land's strategic geography to cultural realities on the ground, this episode digs into how history shapes the present—and how biblical narratives still echo through today's events.You'll hear insights rooted in archaeology, firsthand regional experience, and the historical patterns woven throughout the Bible. Whether you're studying biblical prophecy, following current events, or simply trying to understand Israel's role in the world, this discussion will expand your perspective and deepen your understanding of both the text and the times.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ghost delivers a razor-sharp breakdown of the latest geopolitical chaos, starting with the explosive Axios controversy over a supposed 20-year U.S.–Israel defense deal. He dissects the on-air clash between Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer, revealing the deeper power struggle inside Israel, how leaks are weaponized, and why Netanyahu publicly disowned the story. Ghost walks listeners through the shifting debate over Israeli sovereignty, military aid, and the internal fight between those seeking U.S. decoupling and those desperate to maintain the status quo. From intelligence manipulation to media psyops, Ghost unpacks how Epstein email leaks, Middle Eastern alliances, and online narratives are being used to shape public perception. As the episode unfolds, he pivots to the monumental stakes surrounding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's upcoming meeting with President Trump, explaining why it may be the most important diplomatic event of 2025, with massive economic, military, and nuclear implications.

Send us a textThis week on the podcast Azam stops by the discuss her new music, Synesthesia, immigrating tot he US, living through war, menopause, and more. *****It is a song of destruction, of fire consuming everything in its path, yet within that annihilation lies the threshold of renewal, and the promise of something new,” explains internationally beloved singer/songwriter/producer AZAM ALI about her new single “To Pieces,” which is released today, September 4, 2025 via COP International. Taken from her upcoming album Synesthesia which will be released on November 14, 2025, “To Pieces” is a gorgeously aural landscape of echoing strings, cinematic keyboard washes, and tribal percussions, with Azam's ethereal vocals floating above it all like a luminescent spectre.   Deeply layered both musically and lyrically, her sixth solo album Synesthesia is an escape from this tumultuous world, but not without the impact of the cultural and political upheaval. Named after the sensory phenomenon that allows individuals to experience the senses in a different way such as tasting colors or feeling sounds, “synesthesia” is a concept that runs throughout the album. The title track's accelerating beat contrasts with Azam's wispy vocals, generating a neural response that is comforting yet daunting. “This song is very special for me because I tried to capture what the sense of synesthesia that I experience is, the way my senses sometimes overlap, blending sound, color, and texture into a single, immersive perception.” The gauzy and delicate “Autumn of Goodbye” offers a softer and radiant ambiance with Azam holding onto the final moments before letting go (Walk with me / Under the sky / And offer me / The stars / On the way down). Synesthesia also offers two eye-opening covers: Tim Buckley's “Song to the Siren” and Natalie Merchant's “This House Is On Fire.” The former is a moody take on the original, highlighting Azam's octave jumping vocal prowess, while the latter transforms Merchant's languid calypso beat into a propulsive song with Middle Eastern flourishes.  “My music is an invitation to step beyond the confines of time, place, and the fragile vessel of flesh into a universe without borders,” Azam explains. “I want the listener to feel carried into the vastness of the ethereal, where freedom breathes, and every note reveals our part in a greater design. In this realm, we are no longer solitary beings, but shining stars drawn together into galaxies, each tone a reminder that we are participants in a cosmic symphony far larger than ourselves.”  ******If you would like to contact the show about being a guest, please email us at Dauna@bettertopodcast.comUpcoming guests can be found: https://dmneedom.com/upcoming-guest Follow us on Social MediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedomIntro and Outro music compliments of Fast Suzi©2025 Better To...Podcast with D. M. NeedomSupport the show

Chama Mechtaly is a Moroccan-American artist, activist, and policy advisor whose work sits at the intersection of cultural preservation, deradicalisation, and Middle Eastern diplomacy. Born in Casablanca in 1992 to a Muslim mother and a Jewish father of Amazigh heritage, she draws on her complex identity to promote dialogue and coexistence between Muslim and Jewish communities throughout North Africa and the Gulf. She recently organised the first-ever Abraham Accords Deradicalisation Summit, where she contributed to shaping cultural frameworks for regional integration in the wake of normalisation agreements. In today's conversation, we discuss her recent Quillette essay examining Qatar's ideological reach into Western institutions, the suppression of critical voices, and the broader ambitions of Islamist movements on the global stage. Drawing from her lived experience across Morocco, the Gulf, and the United States, Chama reflects on how Islamist actors have appropriated the language of democracy to undermine liberal values from within. What emerges is a sobering analysis of the soft power networks quietly reshaping our political and cultural institutions—and the steep cost of looking the other way. We also explore how culture is weaponised, how the West has failed to confront these forces, and what a path toward genuine peace and pluralism in the Middle East might look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we welcome Michael Morris from the Media Research Center to discuss the recent electoral outcomes in Virginia and New Jersey. We analyze the surprising results, the underreported scandals surrounding key candidates, and the implications of media bias on public perception. We also visit with Asher Fredman, a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, to discuss the complex geopolitical landscape following the Gaza war. We delve into Turkey's potential role in peacekeeping efforts, the implications of Hamas's continued power, and the challenges of disarming militant groups in the region. Asher shares insights on the motivations behind Turkey's involvement, the risks associated with their support for Hamas, and the broader impact on Middle Eastern politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the 489th episode of Piecing It Together, we continue our FilmQuest Film Festival 2025 coverage as Hana Kazim joins me to talk about Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma. We also talk about Hana's own short film Yathoom making this a double dose episode. Puzzle pieces for Hacked include Hackers, The Beekeeper and John Wick.As always, SPOILER ALERT for Hacked: A Double Entrende of Rage Fueled Karma and Yathoom and all of the movies we discuss!Check out FilmQuest at https://www.filmquestfest.comAnd also check out FilmQuest on Instagram @filmquestHacked: A Double Entendre Of Rage Fueled KarmaWritten by Shane BradyDirected by Shane BradyStarring Chandler Riggs, Richard Riehle Katelyn NaconYathoomWritten by Hana KazimDirected by Hana KazimStarring Khawla Abdusalam, Hiba Judeh, Abdulrahman Al MadaniHana Kazim is a filmmaker and the director of Yathoom, as well as the creator of Wiswas, a Middle Eastern horror film development company.Check out his website at https://wiswas.com/And also check out Hana on Instagram @hanakazimMy latest David Rosen album MISSING PIECES: 2018-2024 is a compilation album that fills in the gaps in unreleased music made during the sessions for 2018's A Different Kind Of Dream, 2020's David Rosen, 2022's MORE CONTENT and 2025's upcoming And Other Unexplained Phenomena. Find it on Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify and everywhere else you can find music.You can also find more about all of my music on my website https://www.bydavidrosen.comMy latest music video is “Shaking" which you can watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzm8s4nuqlAThe song at the end of the episode is "Back Into The Dark" from my album Head Like Fire. The music video for "Back Into The Dark" from visual artist Bea Landers was an Official Selection of the 2017 FilmQuest Film Festival.Make sure to “Like” Piecing It Together on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PiecingPodAnd “Follow” us on Twitter @PiecingPodAnd Join the Conversation in our Facebook Group, Piecing It Together – A Movie Discussion Group.And check out https://www.piecingpod.com for more about our show!And if you want to SUPPORT THE SHOW, you can now sign up for our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/bydavidrosenYou can also support the show by checking out our Dashery store to buy shirts and more featuring Piecing It Together logos, movie designs, and artwork...

The Evolution and Future of Sound Healing: A Panel Discussion With guests Lana Ryder, Rian McGonigal, Rich Goodhart. Hosted by Natalie Brown. Lana Ryder has been sharing the healing power of sound, voice, and music for fifty years, beginning with her use of voice as a healing instrument in music ministry. After 25 years in the allopathic medical field, she transitioned full-time into holistic practice in 1995. Known widely as a sound therapy educator, mentor—affectionately called “Sound Mama”—and practitioner, Lana continues her studies with globally renowned masters of sound. She has developed innovative approaches to working with sound in energy healing and bodywork, including ReikiSound, ReikiVoice, Sonic Massage, and Soundwise Voice, as well as foundational training programs, manuals, and curriculum. She is the founding director and senior instructor of Soundwise School of Harmonic Therapy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. https://soundwisehealth.com/ https://www.instagram.com/soundwise_woman https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057499117700 Rian McGonigal is a pioneer in Acoustic Sound Therapy and healing, active since the late 1980s. Twice a cancer survivor, he developed and directed therapeutic sound programs at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the Simonton Cancer & Counseling Center, and the Philosophical Research Society. His work has been featured nationally on FOX News and internationally on CNN. A lifelong musician, Rian trained in classical guitar in Europe and later explored rock, drumming, crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, and the Aboriginal didgeridoo. He has created innovative sound therapy programs for hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and youth programs, integrating a wide range of instruments and therapeutic techniques. Rian has trained thousands of practitioners and advised holistic medical professionals on incorporating sound therapy into their practices, blending ancient traditions with modern healing approaches. https://www.mariamcgonigal.com/sound-color-certification Rich Goodhart is an internationally recognized world music multi-instrumentalist, composer, and Master Shamanic Sound Healing practitioner. He has composed and produced eight albums of progressive world music, including Forest River Pathway and the acclaimed Never Give a Sword to a Man Who Can't Dance, and is the author of two books, including The Sound Inside The Sound. Over the past 35 years, Rich has performed and collaborated with renowned musicians, writers, and dancers, including Allen Ginsberg, Jon Anderson, Deepak Chopra, Krishna Das, and Bill T. Jones. He plays a wide array of instruments—from African and Middle Eastern hand drums to Native American flute, Himalayan bowls, gongs, and voice—and blends shamanic sound healing, meditation, Qigong, and Tai Chi in his work. Rich has also taught extensively at the Omega Institute, Kripalu Center, and other venues, leading immersive workshops in shamanic sound, transformational sound practices, and energy work. His work bridges tradition and innovation, offering transformative experiences through sound. http://www.richgoodhart.com https://richgoodhart.bandcamp.com/ Natalie Brown, host of Sounds Heal Podcast: http://www.soundshealstudio.com http://www.facebook.com/soundshealstudio http://www.instagram.com/nataliebrownsoundsheal http://www.youtube.com/soundshealstudio Music by Natalie Brown, Hope & Heart http://www.youtu.be/hZPx6zJX6yA

MishiPay has scaled from processing $10 million to over $250 million in annual transactions by abandoning product purity for market pragmatism. What started as a mobile-first scan-and-go solution evolved into a comprehensive checkout platform spanning self-checkout kiosks, RFID systems, mobile POS, and traditional cash registers—now deployed across 2,000+ stores in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with Mustafa Khanwala, CEO and Founder of MishiPay, to dissect why the "inferior" product often wins in retail tech, how trust-building mechanics differ fundamentally across geographies, and what it actually takes to maintain startup agility at enterprise scale. Topics Discussed: The seven-year journey from consumer mobile app to B2B checkout infrastructure Why MishiPay nearly failed by over-indexing on superior UX instead of adoption curves The 2022 pivot that unlocked triple-digit revenue growth with flat headcount How checkout solution requirements vary by customer visit frequency (weekly grocery vs. annual travel retail) Trust-building in enterprise sales: face-to-face requirements in Middle Eastern markets vs. video-first Western sales cycles Delivering two-week go-live timelines and 10-minute UI changes while maintaining 99.9999% uptime AI integration strategy: internal efficiency first, then customer-facing analytics and autonomous POS management GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Adoption friction kills better products: Mustafa spent years refusing to build self-checkout because scan-and-go was objectively superior UX. The company nearly died defending this position. "Should we have started on some of our other products in 2019 instead of 2022? Probably." The lesson isn't about building inferior products—it's about understanding that customers evaluate "better" through implementation risk, training overhead, and behavior change required. B2B founders must map the gap between current state and ideal state, then build the bridge products that de-risk each transition step, even if those bridges feel like compromises. Customer frequency determines viable solution complexity: Scan-and-go requires significant user education investment that only generates ROI with weekly-plus usage. In travel retail where 70-80% of customers visit 1-2x annually, that education cost never pays back. MishiPay now matches solution types to visit patterns: scan-and-go for high-frequency grocery, staff-assisted mobile POS for low-frequency travel retail, RFID self-checkout for mid-frequency fashion. B2B founders should calculate the learning curve payback period against actual usage frequency—if users won't encounter your product enough times to justify the learning investment, you need a different entry point regardless of how good the end-state experience is. Enterprise stability with startup agility is a wedge, not a platitude: Every vendor claims this. MishiPay operationalizes it through specific SLAs: two-week store go-lives, 10-minute button changes, two-day promotion additions, two-week payment method integration—all while maintaining 99.9999% uptime that enterprise POS demands. This isn't about "moving fast," it's about architecture decisions that enable rapid customization without stability trade-offs (mobile-first, cloud-native, API-driven). B2B founders should define their agility claims in measurable timelines and uptime guarantees, not adjectives. If you can't operationalize "flexibility" into specific hours or days for changes, it's not a differentiator. Geographic trust-building fundamentally differs in mechanism, not degree: Western enterprise sales: product merit → pilot → relationship building → expansion. Middle Eastern enterprise sales: relationship building → pilot opportunity → product merit demonstration → deal. The difference isn't relationship importance (both require it), but sequencing. Mustafa noted Middle Eastern business culture evolved from pearl diving where "their whole job was to be able to look at someone in the eyes and decide if that person was going to scam them." Face-to-face happens pre-deal in Middle East, post-deal in the West. B2B founders expanding globally must rebuild their sales motion sequencing by geography, not just translate materials or add local reps. Staff productivity scales by solving the manager's problem, not the user's pain: MishiPay's roadmap progression reveals a pattern: first solve for store staff (checkout experience), then assistant managers (store operations), then store managers (performance analytics), then HQ (multi-store optimization). Each layer up requires data aggregation from the layer below. The AI analytics launch targets store-level decisions (pricing, promotions, inventory) using transaction data from POS—this expands buyer persona from IT/Operations to Finance/Merchandising. B2B founders should map their product expansion as a vertical climb through the org chart, where each new buyer persona requires accumulated data from the previous user tier.   // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role.  Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM  

The evil eye lives in your group chat. Did I stutter? Ever notice the SECOND you share good news - your life collapses faster than a Nature Valley bar? Same.One minute I'm being loved correctly, soft life era unlocked… Next minute? Like not even 24 hours later - I break my foot, bleed from my privates, and end up crawling around my house like a feral naked raccoon throwing up on my hardwood floors with my milk bags hanging low, while I genuinely wonder how I got here.The evil eye is REAL. But it doesn't come from your enemies… it comes from your friends - the ones cheering the loudest… right until you start winning. Most of them don't even realise they're subconsciously sending you bad energy… just because your happiness reminds them of the places they're not.Protect your wins. Protect your joy. And get ready to laugh your toes off with today's episode. Hit play — and if this episode calls someone out, send it to them. Thank me later ;)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this powerhouse Veterans Day episode, Ghost dives deep into the latest global shakeups, starting with Trump's bold warning to Nigeria over Christian persecution and the ripple effects across Africa. He breaks down the U.S. push into Central Asia's mineral markets, exposing the neocon agendas and globalist resistance to Trump's resource diplomacy. From Steve Bannon and Eric Prince's takes on manufacturing and Middle Eastern geopolitics to Israel's growing instability and internal dissent, Ghost connects the dots on how global power structures are crumbling. He also unpacks breaking news of a Turkish military plane crash, Saudi Arabia's diplomatic maneuvering ahead of Trump's meeting with MBS, and Viktor Orbán's efforts to mediate a Trump–Putin peace summit. Thought-provoking, fiery, and meticulously sourced, this episode maps the frontlines of the multipolar world forming right before our eyes.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down what fueled Democrats' big election wins, the White House response to those losses, and why the GOP is now divided over whether to end the Senate filibuster. We'll also cover a plane crash in Kentucky, Europe's migrant gang crisis, China's backtracking on trade promises, and good news from the world of medicine. Election Aftermath and the GOP Divide: Republicans are blaming blue states for this week's Democratic sweep, but Vice President JD Vance says the problem is deeper — working-class voters are frustrated with slow economic progress. Bryan agrees, warning that without action on wages, housing, and immigration, low-propensity MAGA voters will stay home in 2026. White House Strategy and Filibuster Fight: Trump is pushing GOP senators to scrap the filibuster so his economic agenda can pass with a simple majority. Some Republicans refuse, but others warn that Democrats will eventually do it anyway. Bryan says, "If the GOP waits too long, America could wake up with Marxist mayors becoming its presidents." Migrant Crime Spreads in Europe: Norway is facing bombings and assassinations linked to North African and Middle Eastern migrant gangs spreading from Sweden. Police say children as young as ten are being recruited for contract killings — some even hired by Iran. Bryan warns, "This is what happens when immigration policy abandons common sense." Gaza's Tunnel Stalemate: Dozens of Hamas fighters are trapped in their own tunnels and begging Israel for mercy. Trump and Arab partners are urging Israel to show compassion, while Jerusalem insists the militants must surrender or face the consequences. China Backtracks on Soybean Deal: Beijing is quietly reinstating tariffs that make U.S. soybeans less competitive, undermining its trade pledges with Trump. Farmers are waiting to see if Xi Jinping will keep his word or walk away from the agreement entirely. Medical Breakthroughs — Schizophrenia and Wound Healing: British researchers discovered that the common antibiotic doxycycline may reduce schizophrenia risk by up to 35 percent. Meanwhile, University of Pennsylvania scientists found that rosemary compounds help wounds heal faster with less scarring.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: 2025 election results Democrats sweep, JD Vance working-class voters economy, Trump filibuster repeal GOP divide, Norway migrant gangs Foxtrot Rumba Iran, Hamas Gaza tunnel standoff, China soybean tariffs trade deal, doxycycline schizophrenia study UK, rosemary wound healing University of Pennsylvania

In this powerful episode, Dr. Akil Taher, a heart-attack survivor turned marathon runner, reveals the life-saving truth about lipoprotein(a) which is a genetically inherited form of cholesterol that most people don't even know they have. Despite living a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Taher discovered his LP(a) levels were dangerously high, placing him at extreme risk for heart disease and stroke.   He joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to explain:   - What LP(a) is and why standard cholesterol tests don't detect it - How 1 in 5 people have elevated LP(a) and most never know it - Why South Asians, Black Americans, and Middle Eastern populations face increased genetic risk - The role of a whole-food, plant-based diet in lowering LP(a) levels by up to 16 %—and which foods can cut levels by 40 % - The immense cholesterol lowering benefit of amla or Indian gooseberries - New LP(a)-targeting drugs in clinical trials that could reduce levels by up to 98 % - How lifestyle habits—from nutrition and sleep to stress management—help strengthen arteries and protect your heart